The Five Pieces of Baby Gear You Won’t Want to Live Without
The amount of baby gear on the market today can be overwhelming! If you are trying to save money as you prepare for your baby’s arrival, or just don’t want your house overrun with baby gear, you may be wondering what is ESSENTIAL for your new baby. Here are the top five “must have” items recommended by the real experts…Kansas City moms and dads!
- Car Seat: This may be the only legally mandated baby gear, so it is an obvious must-have. The hospital will not let you leave with your baby unless you have a car seat, so pick one up well before your baby is due. They can be tricky to install, so make sure to read the instruction manual thoroughly and install the seat into your car before you head to the hospital.
- Sling/Baby Carrier: The most frequently mentioned essential item by the 27 parents surveyed was a sling or baby carrier. Many moms preferred the sling style carrier because it makes the baby calm and cozy next to your body (which can do wonders for a fussy baby) and leaves your hands free for work, chores or caring for your other children.
- Stroller: Most moms agree that you need a stroller for your baby. The question is what KIND of stroller will you need? The many choices on the market can be overwhelming. Beth Jenkins at USA Baby in Overland Park recommends looking at your lifestyle to determine where you will be using your stroller most often and what characteristics will be important to you. Decide whether you need a rugged all-terrain stroller for walking trails and Brookside sidewalks or a lightweight model that will let you zip around Oak Park Mall. After you figure that out, go test drive a few at the store to see what works best for your family.
- Swing/Bouncy Seat: As much as you think you will want to have your baby in your arms 24 hours a day, you are going to have to put that bundle of joy down at some point (even if it’s just to shower). Having a swing or bouncy seat that your baby enjoys will buy you enough time to eat dinner with both hands, throw a load of laundry in or maybe even check your email!
- Crib: Save yourself some money by skipping pricey bassinets and just buy a versatile crib--you can set it up in your room for the first few months if you want your baby close. Cribs come in all shapes and sizes, but perhaps the most important thing to look for when crib shopping is recall information. Recent extensive crib recalls have impacted the market, so before you buy, check with the Consumer Product Safety Commission at www.Cpsc.gov to see whether your model has been recalled (especially if you are buying second hand).
You will obviously need a way to feed your baby (breast or bottles), along with diapers and clothing (local moms surveyed recommended onesies and sleepers over complicated multi-piece baby outfits) But when it comes to GEAR, stick with this list and you will be prepared for your baby without all of the clutter and extra expense!
Sara Keenan lives in Brookside with her family. Sara’s “couldn’t live without it” baby gear item was a sling…her daughter wouldn’t take naps anywhere else for a few months!