| Q: |
What will I need for my baby after the birth?
| | A: |
For hospital births, it is recommended that you pack a labor and
birth bag for yourself and a bag for the newborn baby. You will need
some clothes for your baby: tee-shirts and onesies or a receiving gown
are easiest, especially when learning how to dress and undress your
baby. If you are in the hospital for several days your baby can wear
hospital provided clothes although pack an outfit, blanket, and hat for
the trip home. Babies can get overheated so dress them as you would
yourself. Hats are usually provided by the hospital or birthing center
but you can bring your own from home. Diapers, formula, and bottles,
should you choose not to breast-feed, will be provided by the hospital.
Any footwear should be loose so that it does not restrict your baby's
movements or circulation.
You will need to have
ready a baby car seat, since most hospitals won't release you without
one and the law requires that your baby travels in a car seat.
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| Q: |
When is the best time to buy the essentials? I'm nervous about getting anything too early.
| | A: |
Many parents feel superstitious about buying baby items too
early, especially if it is their first baby or they have had a previous
difficult experience. However, some planning is needed since you may
find that by the end of your pregnancy you are too tired to shop. You
should also leave enough time in case you need to exchange items. Try to
buy items gradually. First, buy items that you will need for the baby
after the birth; these should be ready by the 37th week of pregnancy,
although many parents have these by about 34 weeks. Other essential items,
such as strollers, should be in the home before the birth
. Once you have bought the essentials, you can purchase any
additions when it suits you, which may depend on how mobile you are
after the birth and your access to local stores. Many parents choose to
shop online because shopping with a baby can be difficult.
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| Q: |
I don't have a lot of money—do I need to buy everything new?
| | A: |
Having a baby does bring financial pressures and so it is
sensible to acquire second-hand items, whether handed down from friends
and relatives or bought. Clothes in particular are worth acquiring
second-hand because babies grow out of them long before they have made
full use of them and most mothers admit to buying more clothes than
necessary, so quite often you can receive unused, second-hand items from
another mother.
One of the main
items parents worry about getting second-hand is the crib mattress. Some
experts believe that you should buy a new mattress with each baby to
reduce the risk of SIDS,
while others believe that if the mattress is clean and dry this is not
necessary, so this is a matter of preference. A baby car seat should be
bought new. Some fire houses conduct safety checks on installation of
infant car seats.
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| Q: |
What do I need to consider when choosing my baby's mattress?
| | A: |
It is important for your baby's well-being that you buy a
mattress that is the correct fit for your sleeping equipment. For
example, if you use a crib, the mattress should fit properly with no
gaps between the mattress and the crib sides that a baby could get stuck
in. As it is also important that the mattress is clean, dry, well
aired, and firm, it may be preferable to buy a new rather than used mattress.
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| Q: |
My mom wants to buy US something. What can I suggest?
| | A: |
The gift will depend on what you need, your mother's budget, and
what she would like to spend it on. You could plan a day shopping
together and decide on that day, or you could browse a baby catalogue
together for ideas. It also depends on whether the gift is for you and
your partner, or for the baby. Good gifts for moms include underwear,
nightwear, a photo frame or album, or a baby album or naming book. If
your mother wishes to purchase something for the baby, this could
include clothes, a baby bath, a sterilizing kit and bottles, a crib, a
car seat, or a carriage/stroller system.
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| Q: |
Do I need a carriage/travel system/stroller? Help!
| | A: |
Most parents are unsure about what type of transportation they
will need for their baby and, since there are a number of options and
types available, this can make choosing the right item difficult. You
will certainly need to have some type of travel equipment for your baby
and what you choose will vary depending on your circumstances. If you
mainly drive a car, you may want to consider a car seat that attaches to
a carriage or stroller, or a car seat and travel crib. If you intend to
walk a lot, you may find a lightweight stroller or front-pack type baby
carrier or sling more suitable. What you choose should be practical,
and within your budget, so it's worth taking a look around in stores and
online to compare different models.
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| Q: |
Is it OK to get a second-hand car seat?
| | A: |
Generally it is best not to use a second-hand car seat since you
cannot be certain of its history and it may have been in an accident or
damaged. Car safety experts suggest that if you must use a second-hand
seat, only accept one from a family member or friend, and then only if
you are absolutely certain that you know its history, that it comes with
the original instructions, and it is not too old. They strongly
discourage purchasing a car seat through a second-hand shop or
classified ads.
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| Q: |
Do I need to buy a crib yet, or can I start with a Moses basket?
| | A: |
It may help to think about the amount of space you have and where
you want your baby to sleep. A Moses basket has the advantage of being
small, so your baby will feel snug and may settle sooner than in a crib,
and it also means that your baby can sleep beside your bed. Some models
come with a rocking motion, so you can rock your baby to sleep while
you are in bed. A disadvantage is that your baby will grow out of the
MOSES basket in a few months. Once your baby starts to sit up, there is a
danger of falling out of the MOSES basket since the sides are low.
At some stage you will
need a crib. Although at first your baby will look small in the crib
and may feel less secure, there is plenty of growing room and your baby
can stay in the crib for at least a couple of years (some cribs convert
into beds and last even longer). Some cribs are available with
adjustable bases, making it easier for you to put your baby into and
lift her out of the crib. You will need a bigger space for the crib,
which ideally will be in the baby's bedroom.
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| Q: |
What bedding do I need?
| | A: |
Most parents choose sheets and blankets. Cotton sheets can be
used in layers along with a blanket, so that you can add or remove
layers to keep your baby at the right temperature. If your baby sleeps
in a MOSES basket or portable crib, you should buy sheets designed
specifically for these. It is important to get the right fit so that
your baby is not too exposed or too covered up. Nowadays, many parents
opt for baby sleeping bags. If you use a sleeping bag, you will still need a few bottom sheets for the crib.
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| Q: |
What are the pros and cons of baby sleeping bags?
| | A: |
Baby sleeping bags,
also known as grow bags, baby sacks, or sleep sacks, have been around
for 25 years, but recently have become more widely used
. They can be used without other bedding with the baby in a
tee-shirt and onesie. Many parents prefer these since they keep the baby
covered, regardless of how active they are during sleep, which in turn
helps the baby feel secure. However, the CDC advises that parents and
care providers dress an infant the way that you would like to be dressed
for the temperature around you. Make sure blankets stay at or lower
than the baby's waist.
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| Q: |
Which baby monitor should I choose?
| | A: |
Baby monitors first appeared in the US in the 1980s and today
there are numerous models on the market, so choosing one can be
daunting. Although monitors vary, they have the same basic component—a
minimum of two units: one to transmit your baby's sounds and one that
stays with you so that you can monitor your baby. Additional features
include dual channels, a moving lights-sound display, a sensor pad, low
power and an out-of-range warning, the option to use electricity or
batteries, a talk-back function, and a temperature sensor.
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| Q: |
Should I buy disposable diapers?
| | A: |
Although many parents opt for disposable diapers because they
find them to be more convenient, particularly when out and about,
nowadays many people look for a more eco-friendly alternative, since
disposable diapers, dumped in landfill sites, may take hundreds of years
to decompose. Also, it is estimated that it costs parents about $50–80 a
month to use disposable diapers for each child. You may want to
investigate the different options such as cloth diapers that might come
with laundry service so there is no extra work for you. (See Eco issues).
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| Q: |
What baby changing items do I need besides diapers?
| | A: |
You need a waterproof changing mat that wipes clean. Some parents
use warm water and cotton balls or pads to clean their baby's genital
area and bottom, or you can use baby wipes. You may also want to use a
cream to prevent diaper rash. Avoid overuse of oils and creams on your
baby's skin.
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| Q: |
Should we put a dimmer switch in the nursery?
| | A: |
The benefit of a dimmer is that you can control the light, so
your baby's eyes can adjust slowly, but a dimmer is not essential, if
you have access to a soft light, such as a lamp or mobile that can
project light.
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| Q: |
Should we buy a baby bath or can she use our big bath?
| | A: |
A baby bath is useful since you can use it in any room. Most
parents are a bit apprehensive when they first bathe their baby, and
even experienced parents say that it can be tricky to hold a wriggling
baby safely while trying to wash them, so a smaller baby bath helps you
develop confidence. For newborns, a plastic tub can also suffice.
However, a baby outgrows a baby bath by around six months and the bath
can take up storage space. Once your baby can sit up you could use a
bath seat in your main bath, or enjoy a bath together as long as you
avoid hot water.
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| Q: |
I want to breast-feed, but should I buy some bottles just in case?
| | A: |
The problem with having bottles is that it may weaken your
resolve to breast-feed, and evidence shows that women are more likely to
continue breast-feeding if they do not have an alternative available.
Having said that, if you want to give your baby some water, or to start
expressing once you are breast-feeding confidently, then you will need
some bottles.
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| Q: |
I plan to bottle-feed. What do I need to get in advance?
| | A: |
You will need plastic bottles (nipples are included), a
sterilizing unit or kit, which often has everything you need, and your
preferred formula. Each comes in a range of options. As you get to know
your baby, you may have to change the type of nipple and/or formula, so
it is not advisable to buy too many before the birth. There is a range
of sterilizers available.
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