Baby Products: Safety First

Welcome to parenthood! We hope you like it because you’ll be doing it for the rest of your life. As with anything else in life though, it’s important to get off on the right foot. Basically you want to do the best you can for your new addition. Your choice in baby products will let the little one know that you care about them and keep them happy during their developmental years. All of this goes away in the teen years, so make them happy while you can.

If the first major invention of prehistoric man was the wheel, the second was the baby stroller. There was most likely a caveman somewhere who was tired of listening to his wife complain about holding the baby, or how the harness hurt her back (and they aren’t too comfortable) and after awhile viola! Stroller! Today, strollers are something you can’t live without. Basically there are two versions: Big and Little. The big strollers have lots of pockets and places to hide stuff for baby, and are extra safe. They’re more like a home away from home for your little caveperson. The little strollers are smaller. For small walks around the block or maybe to the corner store and back, these are a better, short range option.

Believe it or not, of all the baby products out there, diapers are the most controversial. The two choices are cloth and disposable. Cloth diapers are better for the environment and don’t fill up landfills. But they’re cloth, so you have to wash them. Disposable diapers are disposable, oddly enough, and for your baby and you it’s all fire, change and forget. Whatever your choice is remember two things: makes sure the diaper is snug but not too tight and that if the diaper has a 25 lbs limit that is the BABY’S weight limit, not the amount the diaper will hold.

Play pens will not only protect your baby, but protect your sanity. Laying your baby down on the floor where Balto can clean up baby’s face, or clean out baby’s diaper, is not a good idea. It’s also drafty down there. A good idea in the world of baby products has come to light in the last 150 years. It’s called a playpen. Use it well and use it often. All domestic playpens are baby tested and mother in-law approved. It will protect baby and give them much needed time to learn how to roll over and later “cruise”. Plus it will keep Uncle Phil from stepping on your little one.

While playpens are great and will help keep you sane and baby safe, they are not beds. Oddly enough the industry has come up with some other baby products for this: beds. A bassinet is a nice way to go for infants and is highly recommended up to 4 months. After that, start looking for other options. The best bet would be a bed with high rails. This will keep your little escape artist from climbing over and falling out later in their lives.

Let’s talk bedding now. Blankets are definitely needed. Not only do they say a lot about your status as being a good parent, but they can be used to keep baby warm; just not too warm. Blankets can be used for shade, insulation and often as last ditch clean up rags. You want to make sure that you are using the right blanket for the right temperature. Use lighter weight, lighter colored blankets for summer and heavier ones for the winter time. Make sure whichever blanket you use, it is light enough for baby to move out of its face if needed.

There are many bottles on the market; some haven’t changed in ages while others could nearly advertise as “same baby bottle the NASA uses.” Go with what makes you comfortable. A lot depends on your baby’s eating/drinking habits. Just remember that heat and rubber nipples are a bad idea. The rubber in the nipples can become brittle and break off. The possible hazards are obvious. This issue is more prevalent with cheaper made bottles, but all nipples have this possible hazard when exposed to extreme heat like a dishwasher.

Remember when listening to advice from anyone on what would be best for your child that the people giving it care. Yes, it’s a hassle. In most cases though, it’s not because they feel you’ll be a bad parent. They’re just trying to save you some of the trial and errors they went through themselves. Just smile and nod.

Zeeman Haus enjoys writing articles online on a variety of subjects. You can check out his latest website on Playard Bassinet which reviews and lists the best playards with bassinets for your baby.

categories: baby products,baby,parents,mothers,pictures,strollers,transportation,dolls,diapers,beds,sleeping,blankets,bottles,eating