When we get word that a little one is on the way whether we are adopting or pregnant it sets off the nesting instinct in us. We start browsing the baby products at all of the local stores and we spend hours surfing the web for the latest baby gear. Whether your new to the game or you have been away for a while, the seamlessly never ending stream of new baby gadgets can be very confusing. The fact is, your baby only needs a few basic baby products and some simple baby gear to get started in this world. Let's exam the essentials every baby must have.
1. Feeding items are a must whether you are bottle or breastfeeding. You will need your feeding items before you even leave the hospital, so they are essential. If you are bottle feeding your baby you will need to decide what bottles you will be using and stock up on smaller sized bottles. You will also need to select a formula and get a bottle brush, drying rack and warmer. If you are planning on breastfeeding your baby you will need breast pads, a nursing bra and possibly a breast pump and storage kit. Regardless of which feeding method you choose you will need burp cloths and bibs.
2. Diapering items are also a part of essential baby gear. There are many diapering baby products available and sorting out what you do and don't need can be mind bending. When buying diapering products you must decide between cloth and disposable diapers before you proceed with any other purchases. If you choose to use a cloth diapering system you will need a diaper pail and plenty of cloth diapers to start. If you decide to go with a disposable diapering system you will need to stock up on newborn sized diapers and you may want to consider buying a diaper pail. Regardless of which diapering method you choose you will need baby wipes, a diaper changing pad and some form of diaper rash treatment.
3. When you and your baby are ready to leave the hospital and head on your way home you must have a car safety seat. Car safety seats are required by law and most hospitals won't even allow you to leave without one. It is absolutely essential that you make sure your car safety seat is not recalled and that it is suitable for infants. Typically the reclined rear facing carrier style seats are best. Additionally, if your car safety seat does not already have one in place you will want to buy an infant head positioner. Newborns are unable to control their neck and head, so the positioner nestles them in their car safety seat comfortably.
Naturally, there is so much more out there that you will want and need for your baby. Just keep in mind that your baby only wants for you to love them and meet their basic needs.
Tags: Babies Strollers, Baby, Baby Kids Toys, Car Seat Graco, discount strollers, Graco, Graco Snugride Car Seats, Graco Snugride Infant Car Seat, Joggers Strollers, Snugride Car Seat, Strollers, Toys
Choosing a stroller for your child can be challenging - there is a multitude of stroller features which address comfort, of both parent and child, convenience for parents, as well as safety features.
Many stroller features address the comfort of the parent in addition to the comfort of the child. Stroller features such as extra padding in the seating area helps to provide maximum comfort for the child while sitting or lying down. Extra seat area padding can also help to absorb some of the vibration while strolling. Though, if you're looking to provide your child great comfort while riding, the stroller features to consider are air-filled rubber tires and a suspension system. These features will take the vibrations out of any ride just like a luxury vehicle.
Most strollers offer other comfort features for your child which include a canopy to keep your child protected from the strong sun. Often times, strollers also offer a plastic sun-roof so you can look down upon your child without disrupting them and let your child look up at you. Though this is a common stroller feature, many canopied strollers do not come with a sun roof so be sure to check the stroller specification sheet before you purchase. Other child comfort features can include bug netting, to protect the child from insects, and rain hoods to keep children dry should you get caught in the rain.
Many strollers offer convenience features which are intended to make the parent's strolling experience more enjoyable. Stroller convenience features can include parent trays, which can hold adult-sized cups and other small items such as keys or mobile phone, as well as child snack trays which can store your child's snacks, drink, and toys. Other convenience features often include under-seat storage baskets, for diaper bags or other packages, and may sometimes include a behind the seat organizer for stowing additional parent's and child's necessities.
You may find some strollers short on storage. If this is the case, a nice extra to have is a stroller hook which allows you to hang a diaper bag, purse, or shopping bag from the stroller.
Some of the most important stroller features are those relating to child safety. The first safety feature to consider is the seat belt or harness. Though a basic seat belt may suffice to secure older children, a multi-point harness provides the best security of babies and toddlers. Most strollers now come equipped with a 5-point harness - be careful to avoid those which do not have a multi-point harness.
Another important safety feature is stroller brakes for securely parking the stroller. Most strollers come with at least rear-wheel brakes. These are generally satisfactory for most situations. Though, I have found that parking on the side of inclines, with heavier children seated in the stroller, having only rear-wheel brakes locked, the stroller has a tendency to rotate facing downhill. Because of this, I tend to prefer strollers that also include front-wheel brakes.
Another set of stroller convenience features which can be greatly beneficial - particularly when you're on the go and have your hands full - are considered stow-and-go features. These features can include single-action release to fold your stroller, one-handed opening and closing, and quick release wheels for large strollers (such as joggers) that often need to have wheels removed when transporting.
When shopping for a stroller, you'll find there are a lot of stroller features - many more than discussed here. However, don't feel overwhelmed with the feature selection. Start by making sure all of your basic needs are being met. Once you've identified the strollers which provide all the basic features you need, then compare the "extra" features to the price of each stroller to see if it's offering the right value for you.
Tags: Babies, Baby, Child, Children, Features, Mobility, Parent, Parenting, Pram, Stroller, Toddler
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US $54.00
