Baby Care

Your young baby has no fear of falling, so wherever she sits she will have to be strapped in for her own safety.

• A five – point harness, which has straps for the shoulders as well as the waist and crotch, is safest
• Your baby’s stroller should have a built – in harness or rings so that you can attach one
• High chairs should have a built – in crotch strap and seat belt
• Some harnesses come with reins that can be attached when your baby is old enough to walk.

Your baby can be propped up in a specially made chair so that she can look around her. When she’s on solids, you can sit her in the chair and feed her, but ensure that she is safely strapped in to keep her from slipping.

• Put the chair on the floor, never on a table or desk

Using a backpack You can carry your baby in a backpack once he can sit up by himself. Make sure he is comfortable and is not restricted by the leg opening.

• A sturdy frame takes the stain off your back

Using a sling Your baby will feel safe and secure inside a sling, and it leaves your arms free.

• A sling should have a support for your baby’s head

For the first three months, your baby must be able to lie flat. Reclining strollers are most common, but a carriage with removable bassinet is more versatile. Some models have an extra “sitting” unit.

• A hood shield will protect your baby from rain
• The top lifts off and can be used as bassinet
• Make sure the brakes easy to use
• A basket is useful for carrying changing equipment or shopping

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Your baby will spend most of her time being carried, wheeled, or secured in some way, and there is a wide variety of strollers and carriers available. When choosing equipment of this kind, safety and portability will be your main considerations.

Slings the most popular way of transporting a newborn; they’re light and comfortable, and allow you to carry your baby close while keeping both hands free. Try one on with your baby in before you buy it. Backpacks, which can be used once the baby can sit up on his or her own, have supportive frames that will make it easier to bear a larger baby’s weight. Make sure backpacks have a safety strap for your baby and a stand so you can put it on without any help.  For longer journeys you will need a carriage or stroller in which your baby can sit or lie down. Choose one that will let your baby lie flat for the first three months, until she has head control. Consider where you will keep it and whether you will need to take it on buses and trains or up stairs. Whatever stroller you choose, it should have a safety harness or rings to install one.

A baby monitor will allow you to keep in touch with your baby, even when he’s in another room.

• Baby monitors are available in different versions: battery, electrical, or rechargeable
• Lights indicating that the batteries are low, or the baby unit is out of range, are useful

Keeping in touch Monitors come in two parts – the baby’s transmitter and the parent’s receiver.

Your newborn will spend much of her time asleep, and she’ll be able to sleep almost anywhere. A bassinet or Moses basket is best at first, and easily portable, but once she outgrows these she’ll need a crib.