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Keeping babies happy and healthy is the most important job of being a parent. But all the gadgets and gear they require can be a bit overwhelming (not to mention expensive). From clothes, diapers, formula (if you aren’t breastfeeding) and more. Where do you begin? We’re here to help with providing a checklist of the basics you need to start a family to becoming a budget-savvy parent.
Guide To Baby Gear Basics
Buckle Up, Safety First With Car Seats
Hard to remember a world before car seats. Even if you don’t have a car, it’s required by law that you have a car seat for transporting your baby via vehicle. In fact, hospitals won’t let you leave with your newborn without a car seat. There are hundreds of brands on the market, so we’ve narrowed it down for you so you can feel comfortable driving away with your new bundle of joy. We discuss infant car seats all the way up to booster seats in our car seat review.
We even have some car seat safety tips for you to read up on including what you should look for in a car seat, where you should install it, how to buckle your child in correctly and more. This is a must read for all parents.
Look Ma, No Hands! Baby Carriers
Baby buggies have become a staple in many American households. But another popular way to carry your kid is a baby carrier. Not only is it a great way for parents to bond with your child, it also allows you to hold your baby hands free. This frees you up to cook dinner, walk through the farmer’s market or push a second child in a stroller. Learn more about baby carriers including a mom’s first-hand experience with them.
I Spy With My Little Eye: Baby Monitors
Baby monitors can give you peace of mind when your baby is asleep in the nursery or not nearby. Being able to listen in or see what they’re up to can give you peace of mind and prevent you from accidentally waking up your baby while checking on them. Thanks to technology, there are cameras that provide additional features like two-way communication, soothing sounds, lights, and even being able to watch from your smart home. Find out what we chose as the best baby monitor. We cover pros, cons and pricing for the top monitors.
Practice Safe Sleep While Traveling With A Pack ‘N Play
Pack ‘n plays are convenient for those instances where you’re away from home and your child needs a safe sleep environment. They can pack up into compact carrying cases and can work for most children from the newborn to toddler stage (depending on the style you get). We chose the best pack ‘n plays for travel, playing, new parents, budget-friendliness and easiest setup. Our reviews include personal experience, pros, cons, dimensions, price and more.
Soothe And Comfort With A Baby Swing
Baby swings are a great tool to help you soothe your baby, and give you a chance to get a break. They provide your baby with the soothing comfort of a swaying motion and even have unique features like music and vibrations to enhance the experience. Take a look at our article on the best baby swings. We give you the scoop on all the best swings so you can choose the right one for your growing family.
The Ultimate Checklist For New Parents
We’ve only scratched the surface when it comes to getting everything you need for your new family member. The baby industry is growing with new products and trends by the day. That’s why we put together the ultimately baby registry checklist for you to reference where we review the latest and greatest items you should have as a parent.
