It is no secret that having an infant is incredibly expensive and only gets more expensive as the children grow older. When parents-to-be find out that they are pregnant they want to ensure that their child has everything imaginable for their nursery. Unfortunately this is not always financially feasible so it is important that parents pick and choose what they buy with caution as to not overspend or buy inexpensive, but unsafe items to save money.

There are a few items that every family should purchase for their new child to make certain that their child is coming home to a prepared home. While some of these items may seem expensive, some of them are also inexpensive and you can purchase cheaper brands or find them discounted online.

The first item that a parent should purchase is a crib or a bassinet, while there are pros and cons to both of these items the decision is ultimately up to what is best for the parents and their baby. It is important that a crib or bassinet be bought new as used cribs can be broken down from years of use. The one time that a parent isn’t constantly watching their newborn is when it is sleeping, so a reliable and safe crib should be purchased to ensure safety.

A parent should also own a high chair to make feeding time easier. In the early months of life a parent will more than likely hold the child for feedings but as they get older feeding a child in a high chair is much easier and safe than feeding at a table built for adults. When purchasing a high chair it is important to find a modern one made out of durable, and easy to clean plastic. If a used high chair is bought parents must make sure that the chair has not been recalled and that none of the plastic is cracked or broken with sharp edges.

Finally an excellent item for any household with a new infant to have is a baby swing. There are times when a parent is unable to hold a child and an infant swing is an alternative that will keep the child safe. The swing will not only keep an infant safe but it will also be an enjoyable and soothing activity for the infant. Infant swings may be purchased use as long as they are thoroughly inspected and well-built.

Obviously, this list does not cover every piece of baby furniture that parents will need for bringing home baby, but it is a start. While shopping parents should purchase only the safest and most reliable items for their child. If unsure parents may turn to consumer reviews for products they are considering purchasing.

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1. Warm. This is the key to making bath time happy and finally there is a way to achieve it! The TummyTub keeps baby upright and covered in warm water up to shoulder level instead of lying in a puddle of water on his back. The high sides of the tub keep warmth in around baby’s head, and the smaller water surface maintains the warm temperature for a good 20 minutes. A contented baby makes for easy bath time!

2. Comfortable. The Original TummyTub is a unique womb-shaped and sized bath that eases baby’s transition from a familiar, safe place to an unknown world. Bathing is stress-free because they are cradled in warm water in the reassuring fetal position. Similar to swaddling and carrying in a sling, this type of bathing promotes security and relaxation by confining the baby in a small space. Instead of the startle reflex, newborns are able to settle quickly and enjoy the water in this alternative to the standard baby bath.  The resemblance of the mother’s womb in size, warmth all over the body, a sheltered/filtered environment, support from the walls and bottom, as well as sitting in a familiar fetal position, calms a baby down.. Acknowledged by midwives and pediatricians across the globe, the TummyTub is the gentle, natural choice in bathing!

3. Safe. The proven safety of the TummyTub also makes it the best choice for babies.  Available since 1996, there have been no accidents or injuries reported by the millions of TummyTub users worldwide!  Do not let the appearance fool you…..this is no bucket! Unlike a household bucket, it has an anti-skid base and low center of gravity to prevent the tub from tipping over, is produced from completely toxin-free baby-friendly materials, and was designed without any sharp edges to harm the baby’s skin. Not to mention the curved bottom fully supports baby’s body and there is no handle to injure fingers. The TummyTub has passed every safety regulation from around the world, and is CPSIA compliant in the US . Additionally, it has been used in neonatal and maternity wards all over the world! The weight of the baby and the water make this a super sturdy bath tub that will not slide or tip, and a single hand under the chin easily keeps the young infant’s head above water. Like with all bath tubs, to prevent drowning never leave an infant alone and keep one hand on baby at all times.

4. Quality. The TummyTub is the original patented upright baby bath tub used in Europe by millions of babies. Designed by a Dutch mother in conjunction with midwives, pediatricians, ob-gyns, and nurses, extensive planning and testing went into the development of the TummyTub. The unique dimensions, attractive design, and quality materials make it a superior product even compared to similar tubs on the market. Produced in Belgium under ethical working conditions, the TummyTub is made of the highest quality food-grade polypropylene. It has also won prestigious awards around the world for its innovative and effective design, and has been featured on national television programs such as the Today Show, Fox & Friends, The Doctors, and several local news networks. Endorsed by healthcare professionals from around the globe, the TummyTub is truly the best invention for babies in decades!

5. Value. The TummyTub is a multiple purpose product that provides incredible value for the price! For the first 6 months of life, the TummyTub is a gentle means of relaxing your baby beyond just practical bathing. It eliminates having to invest in a bacteria absorbing foam cushion for your newborn, followed by a bulky, uncomfortable infant tub, and then an often unsafe and difficult to use toddler bath ring. The TummyTub is the only bath tub required from newborn through toddlerhood! Being in an upright position and able to sit, babies are content to stay in the TummyTub much longer than the average 6-7 months they can stay flat on their back in an infant tub. As babies grow into toddlers they love using their own personal hot tub and can stand for washing and sit back down again. Even two year olds up to 35 pounds can safely fit in the TummyTub and enjoy it. Whether using the TummyTub for relaxation, washing, or toy storage in the following years, there is no other baby tub that offers so many options!

6.     Convenient. Ease of use is an important factor, and the TummyTub is easy to carry with ergonomic hand grips, is lightweight even when full, and versatile on any countertop, sink, big bath tub, or floor. Bathing your baby at a comfortable level requires no leaning and is easy on your back! Unlike bulky baby tubs, the compact TummyTub will store easily in any closet or under the sink. It’s super easy to travel with as well!

7.     Green. The TummyTub is the ultimate green choice in bathing!   It conserves water- requiring only 1.3 gallons of water on average, approx. 2 1/2 gallons less than conventional baby baths.  It saves energy-   with the smaller surface space, water stays warmer longer and less energy is required to heat the water.  Made out of eco-friendly materials, the TummyTub is fully recyclable and produced in Belgium where environmental standards are high. It is incredibly durable and has many uses beyond a tub. The TummyTub can be used as toy storage, an ice bucket, a planter, washing the car, a toy…possibilities are endless! Unlike other baby tubs, this is one that will not end up in a landfill!

8.     Therapeutic. From crying to calm in seconds! The TummyTub goes beyond just a practical bath tub and provides amazing health benefits for babies suffering from gas and colic, and extra reassurance to premature babies who left the womb too early. The TummyTub has also been known to help babies and toddlers with special needs and sleeping problems. Covered in warm water in the comfortable fetal position babies are relieved of pain and able to completely relax and de-stress. Used in combination with massage it helps stimulate proper digestion and eliminates gas. Pediatricians in Germany prescribe the TummyTub for colic symptoms and they are even covered by health insurance! The TummyTub works wonders during those fussy periods in the evening to calm babies down. It is also the perfect tub for diaper rash soaking and a little peppermint or lavender oil will help clear baby’s sinuses from a cold. It is the ideal way to bathe feverish babies because it keeps the water warm and covering the baby. An older toddler who is sick and not wanting to take a bath will hardly refuse her TummyTub! Across the globe, infant massage groups utilize the TummyTub as a relaxing cool down after class!

9.     Options. Many choices make bath time a fun and personalized experience!  The TummyTub is available in 4 attractive colors: Clear (only completely transparent baby tub available), Green Tint, Sparkling Blue, and Sparkling Pink.  The TummyTub Stool/Stand provides the possibility of bathing in any room in the house and allows the parent to sit while bathing the baby, thus preventing backache and making it easy on the knees. The stand is multi- purpose in that it can later be used as a stepping stool with two levels for your child as they get older to get up to the bathroom sink and toilet. It can also be used as a storage device for little bathroom items. Just recently some Irish midwives have spotted another use for it – they say it is good as a foot stool for breastfeeding mothers to raise their knees while feeding their baby. The stand is available in 3 bright colors to liven up the bathroom: Two-Tone Pink, Two-Tone Blue, and Green Multi (looks like a gorgeous flower petal).  Bathing a baby has never been so beautiful!

10.     Bonding. From dreaded chore to incredible bonding experience! Seeing your new baby curled up in the adorable fetal position blissfully staring off into space is priceless. Not to mention the transparent walls of the tub allow for some amazing photo ops! The TummyTub allows you to visualize the way your baby was inside the womb, or see your twins nestle up together! It’s a wonderful way to relive the experience as a new mom or see it firsthand as a dad, adoptive parent, or grandparent. For all these reasons, TummyTub can truly claim to be second best (we wouldn´t dare to call our design the best, as the mothers womb is undisputed), it is nearly as nice as mommy’s tummy!

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Postnatal care is an important period of parenthood when both the father and the mother have to divide their responsibilities towards their new-born.The period from birth till the baby is six weeks old is extremely crucial.Both the parents have to be alert and take care of the health and hygiene in and around the house to curb possibilities of the baby incurring allergy and other diseases.

How to choose the best products

Baby products have to be chosen with extreme care.Therefore,it is always advisable to consult a doctor or a child specialist before planning to buy baby accessories.Right from bathtubs,clothes,soaps,towels to feeding nipples and pillow covers,everything should be customized for the safety and comfort of your little one.Here are some tips to choose the best baby products the next time you go shopping:

Carriers: Baby carriers should have safety straps so that the baby doesn’t topple.It should have number of compartments for storage space.Make sure that the fabric that is being used is soft,washable and durable.Frame carriers as infant seats are a bad choice since there are high chances of the baby tip over anything without your awareness.

Bath tubs: These are an essential part of a baby’s daily routine.However,these are risky too if not handled with care.While buying a bathtub make sure that it is made of thick plastic that would stay put even under the weight of water.That way,its durable too.Bath rings,baby floatation devices,suction seats and foam cushions are a strict no since these can indirectly cause harm to the infant by drowning or choking it.Also ensure that there are enough compartments for holding shampoo,soap and other supplies so that you don’t have to go fetching one thing or the other leaving your baby alone.

Infant seat: Buy baby accessories, which do not have sharp edges or metal finishing since that could lead to injury.An ideal infant seat,for instance should have a wider base than the seat and it should have locking mechanism to strengthen the safety of the infant.

Toys: All toys,whether new ones or the old ones should be checked for broken parts since there is danger of your child getting choked.Age recommendations marked on top of the box should be kept into consideration.It shouldn’t have any sharp edges lest the baby hurts its eyes,nose,and throat.Discard all toys manufactured 1978 because they are not lead tested and may contain the element in the paint applied on the toy.Balloons or latex gloves should not be given to infants since that may lead to choking.

Changing tables: Wooden changing tables are the most popular among young mothers.These are stable and enable good hold on the baby as the rail avoids the baby from toppling.Make sure that the guardrail installed around the table is 2 inches thick.If you are using a fold-up model,look for sturdiness once you open it.

Edwina Jones is a child care expert who writes articles on various topics including Best Baby Product or Buy Baby Accessoriesetc.To receive discounts on popular children’s apparel and other baby products,he recommends you to join: http://www.totsy.com.

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