Used baby equipment

Pregnant women are bombarded with advertising for a myriad of different types of baby equipment. It is easy to fall into the trap of wanting everything, in its most expensive form - after all, manufacturers and advertisers make their products look beautiful and tempting. However it is usually necessary to prioritize what you actually need for your newborn.

Before you decide what to buy, you need to make some decisions such as where will the baby sleep, how will you feed it, and what type of diapers will you use. Once these decisions are made, it is easier to plan the types of equipment you will need.

Feeding: Decide whether you are going to breastfeed or bottle-feed. Of course, this decision is not always easy to make before the baby is born, and you may wish to change from breastfeeding to bottle-feeding at some stage. If you are planning to breastfeed, you need little equipment to start with. Breastpads are essential, as you will leak milk. Disposable breastpads are easily available, however, washable ones are better value for money. You may wish to express milk, in which case a breast pump is a good idea - however these are not essential. If you are planning to express milk, you will also need bottles, teats (nipples) and sterilizing equipment - you can buy good steam sterilizers, but if you are only planning to express milk occasionally you will manage perfectly well with a large, lidded plastic container and sterilizing tablets, which are much cheaper. Special nursing chairs are available, which are very comfortable, but expensive. You can usually get yourself comfortable in a chair you already own, though you may need a cushion in the small of your back. Some people use special breastfeeding pillows to raise the baby to the appropriate height. Again, an ordinary pillow makes a good substitute if you do not want to spend the money. If you plan to bottle-feed from the beginning, you will need about eight bottles, and a steam sterilizer is a good idea in this case. Some models go in the microwave, though they tend to be smaller than the conventional steam sterilizers. You gain in convenience, however, as they complete their cycle more quickly.

Diapers: If you are planning to use disposable diapers, look around at the various brands and prices. Very cheap diapers are often a false economy, as they need changing more frequently. Ask around - other mothers are the best source of information on a good diaper brand. Buy one packet of the newborn size only. Your baby may be born large, or grow quickly, and newborn diapers are quite small. You can always buy more if your baby is small. If you intend to use cloth diapers, shop around. There is a wide variety available, and you need to weigh up the pros and cons of costs and convenience. The cheapest are the traditional cloth squares, which need pins and overpants, and you have to fold them yourself. There are many brands of shaped cloth diapers available these days, each with their own system of fastening and covering. Check carefully about sizes and prices. Some shaped diapers fit a wide size range, so you will not need to upgrade sizes very often. Others are easily grown out of. Whatever type of cloth diaper you purchase, you need to think about washing options. Diaper buckets are cheap and long lasting. Some parents like to use changing tables, and these can make useful pieces of furniture that can be used for other purposes when a changing table is no longer needed. However, there is also a danger of the baby rolling off a changing table. It is cheaper and just as easy to use a changing mat on a bed, or on the floor. Using it on a bed saves your back, and there is less danger in the baby rolling off, as a bed is much bigger than a changing table. Using the floor, of course, eliminate the rolling off danger altogether.

Clothing: Most new mothers are given large quantities of baby clothes, so there is little need to buy up large quantities yourself. Do not buy too much in the smallest sizes. Babies grow quickly to start with. They also create large quantities of washing. You will need half a dozen outfits in the first size, but they do not need to be fancy ones. (You will be given the fancy ones as presents). All-in-ones are usually popular and practical, and launder well. You can buy them quite cheaply, and often in packets of two or three. If you are giving birth in the middle of winter, buy vests as well. If you are giving birth in the middle of a hot summer, vests that snap up under the diaper are a good option on their own. For winter babies, two cardigans are useful, and a wooly hat. For summer babies, a sun hat is essential. Few mothers bother with traditional booties these days, though you may receive some as presents. Socks stay on the feet better than booties, and there are also 'shoes' available in newborn size, made out of soft cloth or leather, that stay on and keep the feet warm. It is vitally important with any foot covering that you change to the next size up as soon as the baby's toes touch the end - you must not cramp their feet. Finally, for winter babies, a snowsuit is a good idea as it keeps them warm all over.

Transport: You must buy a baby car seat that suits the laws of your country. There is usually a wide variety of styles and prices available. It is not advisable to use secondhand car seats, unless you are very certain of their history, as there may be hidden cracks from car accidents that could weaken the seat in the case of a collision. You will also want to take the baby out walking with you. Shop around for the type of pram you want, bearing in mind that many of them are very expensive and it is not necessary to have an expensive one unless you actually want it. Strollers are cheap and versatile, but generally not suitable for babies under six months. Some prams allow car seats to be snapped into the frame. You may prefer to carry your baby in a sling of some sort for the first six months and then use a stroller. Slings also come in a wide variety of styles and prices, or you may even make your own 'African' style out of a blanket or shawl.

Toys: newborn babies are often showered with stuffed toys and other exciting objects. Do not buy any toys for your baby until you have seen what presents arrive! Of course many people want to buy a special teddy bear for the baby, but newborn babies honestly do not need toys of any description in the first few weeks. A mobile above the cot is a good investment as it gives them something to do with their developing eyesight. Many good quality toys can be picked up second-hand, though you must be careful about checking that they are intact and safe. Always buy toys that bear the Standard appropriate to your country.

It is possible to obtain most essential baby equipment in budget versions, or secondhand, so long as you are careful to ensure that they meet safety standards. It is also possible to spend a lot of money and buy the latest versions of everything. Remember that a newborn baby needs to be kept safe and warm and fed and comfortable, and this can be accomplished without the latest, most expensive versions of baby equipment.