Baby Clothes and Equipment

In this chapter, you'll find some suggestions for clothes and equipment your baby may need. You might want to wait a little while to see what you really need as time goes on. Friends, relatives, and others will often give or lend you clothes and equipment. You needn't buy everything new. And remember, the most important things are free: your attention, your time, and your love.

THE BASIC WARDROBE

This is an "ideal" list — you can definitely manage with less. It's more important for clothes to be clean and to fit than for them to be brand new.

Baby clothes should be soft and loose. Underwear should be made of cotton and able to withstand being boiled. Infants don't like having things pulled over their head, so use open vests and cardigan sweaters, rather than pull-overs. It may be a good idea to wait to see the size of your baby before buying the smallest infant clothes. Some babies will have outgrown them at birth, while others "swim" in them.

Infants like to have something soft around them for the first couple of months. Wrap your baby in a blanket, and let him or her wear a little hat made out of cotton or silk.

BEDDING

You may be using a bassinet or crib. These items are often passed down in families, which can be a nice way to keep traditions alive. However, you should probably browse in baby furniture stores anyway, to see whether what you have meets current safety guidelines. For example, the bars in a crib should be spaced closely enough (less than 2 and 3/8 inches apart).

Cover the insides of the bassinet or crib with bumpers. The mattress must be firm and shouldn't be too thin. If it's covered in plastic, it may be a good idea to place a cotton towel under the sheet, to avoid dampness.

Do not use a pillow. For infants who like to rest their head on something soft, you can fold a small flannel cloth or something similar.

Many newborns have allergies or sensitiv­ities, so quilts or comforters that aren't filled with feathers or down are best. Choose a lightweight one. There's a large variety of comforter covers; 2 or 3 are enough, plus 4 or 5 flannel or cotton sheets.

Key things to remember when you are looking for the first wardrobe are:

·The clothes should be soft and comfortable, and without any hard seams.

·They must be big enough for the baby to grow in.

·The shape must be practical and loose; babies need to be able to move freely.

·The clothes should be of good quality, durable, not shrinkable, and able

to withstand high washing temperatures.

·   Clothes next to the skin should be made of natural fibers such as cotton,

silk, or wool.

·   The material must be fire resistant.

CHANGING

A changing table is not entirely necessary, but it is practical and offers you a good work­ing height as well as room to keep cleaning items and clothes. If you decide not to buy a changing table, there are very useful chang­ing mattresses on the market, which can be put on top of any flat surface to create an excellent changing area.

A baby bathtub is useful, although you can also use the bathroom sink, at least in the beginning. Make sure the baby doesn't ever come near hot taps or sharp or breakable objects! The bath should be a nice time for both of you. A couple of new, soft bath towels may be good to invest in. A bunch of thin, soft washcloths made of gauze are also useful.

THE BABY CARRIAGE OR STROLLER

The most important thing here is to check that the baby carriage or stroller is fire resis­tant and washable. The material should also be waterproof. Plus, it should have brakes on both sets of wheels, and attachments for har­nesses. Make sure there is enough room inside for a comforter and maybe a blanket. Carriages and strollers with detachable baby carriers are useful.

Consider your needs before you purchase this item. How will you use it, where, and how frequently? If you are going to take it in and out of a car constantly, it should be light and easy to fold, and not too big for your trunk. It isn't necessarily true that the best carriages and strollers are the most expensive ones ... Fashion trends also affect the price tag. They can also be bought second hand (be sure to check them out carefully first). Buy one that satisfies your situation.

THE BABY CARRIER

A baby carrier that you strap onto the front or back of your body may be a good alterna­tive or supplement to the carriage or stroller. The baby receives good body contact and gets to see more of his or her surroundings. Your child is always close to you and under your watchful eye, so he or she will feel safe. The baby is being stimulated by movements and visual images. A baby carrier is also practical; it is reasonably inexpensive and doesn't take a lot of space in the car or on the bus.

A baby can be carried this way from a few weeks of age, but it's important that the car­rier support the back and neck. And, the car­rier must also be comfortable to the people who wear it!

CAR SEATS

If you have a car, or will be in one with your child, a car seat for the child isn't a lux­ury — it's an absolute necessity! Many babies and young children die each year because they weren't in a car seat when an accident occurred. Make sure you get a federally approved car seat.

There are many car seats on the market, in a range of prices. Buying a car seat is only half the story. It's also essential that the seat be fitted correctly in your car. Read all the manufacturer's instructions! Remember, too, that not every seat fits every car. Try several and ask around before you get one. And, con­sult a consumer's bureau or a doctor's group.

Infant carriers are suitable for babies from birth to around 6 months of age, at which time you'll need a larger car seat that can be used until the child is about 4 years old. Infant carriers are useful because they are lightweight for lifting in and out of the car, you don't need to wake the baby, they're easy to carry, comfortable for newborns, and can double as a low seat or rocker at home. The major disadvantage is that you will have to buy another car seat in 6 to 9 months.

Combination seats are suitable from birth to around 4 years — rear facing for the first 9 months and then forward facing to the age of 4. The main advantage of these seats is that they will last you 4 years. The main disadvan­tage is that they are heavy and not designed to be moved — you may have to wake your baby when getting out, they may not be as cozy or comfortable as an infant carrier, and you'll have to buy another seat if you're planning to have another baby within 4 years.