Are you pregnant and wondering what baby gear is necessary? In today’s article, we’ve looked at five things you might be convinced you definitely need to get. But we’ll explain why you definitely don’t need to worry about more than half of them just yet.
Changing table – yes
Some mums can’t get enough of changing tables, for others it’s a useless piece of furniture that you’ll only use for a year or two at most. We’re in favour of getting one, because changing on a bed or on a table is a recipe for back pain. You can even buy a changing table second hand and then sell it on again. Or find a chest of drawers to which the changing table can be temporarily attached.
Cot – yes
At first, when the baby is small, you don’t need a conventional cot, you can get by with a bassinet. This is very practical, and a good space saver, but you’ll only really use it for a few months. A more practical and ultimately cheaper option is a classic cot. Nowadays, there are those that will grow with your baby and serve you for several years. Many of them also have handy drawers where you can store things like bedding or toys.
A swaddle – maybe
Some women swaddle their babies and they sleep much better. But other babies hate swaddling. So, try out a swaddle and test how your little one reacts to it. The range is quite wide: from classic cotton, to padded elastic ones, and lightweight ones made of muslin. But be warned – you can do without the special swaddle and just use a blanket.
A baby wrap or a carrier – maybe
When you’re expecting, it’s hard to judge which things will suit you, and which things you won’t. So someone who was looking forward to carrying their baby in a wrap finds that it doesn’t suit them at all, and vice versa. Given how many different kinds of wraps and carriers there are, and that it’s not exactly a cheap affair, we recommend waiting to buy one. Ideally, rent your chosen type from a specialist shop and test it out. Type ‘hire a carrier’ and your city into a search engine to find a shop near you.
An arsenal of baby cosmetics – no
Sure, the commercials spout at you that you must have a special shampoo, wash, oil, eight kinds of creams and God knows what else for baby. But the truth is, you don’t need any of that – apart from a good lotion or diaper rash cream. There is no need to load a small baby with cosmetics and lubricate him with special oils. If your baby’s skin seems dry, classic baby oil will do the trick.
Thanks to favi.co.uk for consulting on this post.
