Parent and Baby

Written on April 1, 2008 – 4:46 pm | by Staff |

Preparing for a new baby is a lot of fun, but it takes a lot of effort, too. You want to be prepared to take good care of your new baby— from buying the right nursery items to choosing a pediatrician. Here’s a plan of action that will get you ready for one of the most exciting days of your lives.

This chapter contains a fairly comprehensive discussion of things baby may need. We include information on your baby’s layette, swings, cribs and bassinets, and various nursery items. We discuss car seats because you’ll need to have one available for baby’s first car ride—home from the hospital. Finding a pediatrician may be one of the most important decisions you make, so we discuss this first.

Finding a Pediatrician

You may want to select the physician who is going to care for your baby before your baby’s birth, so you can get to know him or her before you meet in the hospital, after your baby’s birth. If you don’t have a physician in mind, ask around for a referral (see box below). Choices for the type of physician to care for your baby include a pediatrician, a family physician or a general practitioner. A family physician or general practitioner may be the only type of medical practice available in some areas.

Meeting the Doctor

Some parents-to-be choose a pediatrician ahead of time. If you decide to do this, call for an appointment 3 to 4 weeks ahead of your baby’s due date. Tell the person you speak with that you are interviewing pediatricians for your expected baby. Some practices hold individual meetings; others have group sessions with several couples. Ask about the cost of this meeting. Some doctors will meet with you for free; others charge a fee.

If problems arise in dealing with this physician after your baby is born, you can choose another healthcare provider. Your choice is not permanent.

Preparing the Nursery

Your baby’s nursery may be a separate bedroom, an alcove or a corner of your bedroom. The essential things you’ll need when you bring baby home are a place for her to sleep and a designated changing area. The other pieces we discuss are not essential, but they might make your life easier.

Baby can sleep just about anywhere—in a cradle, a bassinet or a crib. If the nursery isn’t ready when your baby is born, even a basket or drawer will do for a short time. Your baby won’t need a crib until she can sit up. (Crib design and safety are discussed below.)

Consider purchasing these nursery items: some sort of bed {crib, bassinet), a changing table, a rocking chair, chest of drawers, diaper pail, baby monitor, small lamp, mobile, vaporizer or humidifier, and a smoke detector. A rocking chair is a wonderful place to nurse your baby and to comfort her, too. New designs of diaper pails keep diaper smells inside. Monitors make it easy for you to keep tabs on baby without going into her room and waking her up. You can listen to her and, with some models, also talk to her. Choose a small Jamp with a low-watt bulb to light the room softly. A colorful mobile will delight and entertainment baby for a long time; keep it out of baby’s reach by suspending it from the ceiling. A vaporizer or humidifier will keep the air in baby’s room moist and can help make breathing easier, especially when she has a cold.

Paint. Don’t overlook the issue of paint in baby’s room. Be sure the room is painted in nontoxic paint; if you’re unsure, repaint the walls.

For baby’s entertainment. You might want to consider including a swing and a bouncer chair. Both are great when you need to put baby in a safe place that will keep her happy. These items keep baby entertained and occupied.

Cribs, Cradles and Bassinets

Your baby needs a comfortable, safe place to sleep. Some parents decide they want their baby to sleep in a bassinet in their room for a while. Others put baby in her own room, in a crib or bassinet, from the first day home. Other parents have a “family bed,” in which parents and baby sleep together in one large bed. You can also see more information in Week 5.

Bassinet. This is a small, portable bed for baby. She can sleep in it until she gets too big, after which she can be moved to a crib. The bassinet mattress should fit snugly, and sheets must not pull up. A wide base is suggested so the bed does not tip easily.

Crib. This furniture is more permanent than a bassinet. Some cribs are designed to grow with your child and can be converted into a juvenile bed. Before you purchase, check out various safety features as established by the Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association (JPMA), the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Crib safety features. Keep in mind these safety features when you shop.

• Bars no farther apart than 2-3/8 inches. If you can pass a soft-drink can through the bars, they’re too far apart.
• Mattress should fit snugly-you shouldn’t be able to fit more than two fingers between the side of the crib and the mattress.
• The mattress should be firm and supportive.
• Railings should be 26 inches higher than the lowest level of mattress support or at least 4 inches above the mattress at its highest level.
• Corner posts should not be higher than end panels to prevent catching clothing when baby tries to climb out (when she’s older).
• Nontoxic finish used on crib.
• If you’re using a secondhand crib, be sure paint is lead-free. New cribs must be painted with lead-free paint.
• There should be no cutouts on the head- or footboard so baby’s head can’t get caught in them.
• The foot release/latching mechanism should be childproof.
• Be sure the teething rail (around the crib) and all hardware are sturdy and securely fastened to the crib.
• Never use cleaning bags or garbage bags as a waterproof cover for the mattress.

Sheets. In addition to the crib, you’ll need three or four fitted sheets. Fitted sheets should wrap at least 2 inches under the mattress on all sides. Discard sheets if they shrink. Straps that fit under the mattress to hold sheets in place can be used. Never use a top sheet or waterproof pads on top of the fitted sheet. Some researchers now believe the crib should be free of all items except a fitted sheet and baby to reduce the risk of SIDS—no bumper pads, pillows, comforters or blankets while baby is sleeping. (See the discussion in Week 8.) If baby is chilly, put her in a zip-up sleeper to keep her warm. A crib wedge is a piece of foam that elevates baby’s body while she sleeps and may keep her from rolling onto her stomach. (See Baby and Sleep in Week 1.)

Crib placement. Crib placement is important, too. Don’t put it against an outside wall. Keep it away from radiators and air ducts (hot or cold). Keep the crib away from window-blind cords or drapery cords. Don’t attach mobiles or anything else to the crib that baby could get tangled in.

Baby’s Layette

Buying baby clothes is something parents and grandparents enjoy. It’s fun to dress baby in the cutest or the sweetest outfits. But let’s be practical: Most babies don’t need all those things. They get by just fine with some basic styles for the first year. A few cute outfits are fine, but don’t spend money on them if you don’t need to. (You may receive many clothing items as shower and baby gifts.)

Basics for baby. A baby doesn’t need very much. Diapers, T-shirts, gowns that open at the bottom, footed sleepers, socks, bibs, a hat, a warm cover-up, one-piece short- or long-legged “onesies,” blankets and towels are the items you’ll need to stock up on. How many of each you need depends on your personal situation. The list below should get you started.

• 6 to 8 T-shirts
• 4 or 5 gowns
• 4 lightweight footed sleepers
• 2 blanket-weight footed sleepers
• 6 pairs of socks
• 6 bibs
• 1 or 2 hats
• 1 warm cover-up for going outside in chilly weather
• 6 one-piece short- or long-legged “onesies”
• 6 cotton receiving blankets
• 3 hoode baby towels
• 3 washcloths

Toiletries. In addition to clothes, you’ll need some toiletries for baby. A brush and comb, nail clippers or scissors, nasal bulb syringe, an ear-type or rectal thermometer, baby shampoo, diaper-rash ointment, baby oil, baby powder, baby wipes, cotton balls and petroleum jelly may all come in handy. Keep them together so you’ll be able to reach them quickly.

Ear thermometer. One item you might want to have on hand is an ear thermometer. These devices are fairly new on the market. The thermometer uses infrared sensor technology to measure baby’s temperature in her ear. Developed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory to study stars in our galaxy and beyond, the technology was adapted to serve as a thermometer that measures body temperature in the ear in a matter of seconds.

The greatest advantage about this thermometer is its speed of measurement—1 or 2 seconds.

Easy to use: Place the tip of the thermometer in the ear, and hold it for a couple of seconds. The thermometer analyzes and averages from five to 32 separate measurements (the number measured depends on the brand you buy), and the readout is in Fahrenheit or Celsius. Some thermometers display the temperature in oral or rectal equivalents.

If you have a sick baby who is already uncomfortable, taking her temperature in a few seconds, as compared to 3 minutes rectally, may make everyone in the family happier.

Changing Table Set-Up

You can set up a changing table in baby’s room or some other part of the house. If you have a two- or three-story house, you might want to have a place to change baby on each floor. Above all, the changing table must be sturdy. A safety strap that prevents baby from rolling is also advisable to use. Be sure you can store all the items you’ll need safely out of baby’s way. Before long, she’ll be curious and active—and reaching and grabbing.

Your changing table should be the right height for you to change diapers comfortably—no higher than your breastbone, no lower than your hips. A pad with a raised edge is a good choice.
I Place the changing table away from windows I to keep baby safe and warm. Put it in an area I away from the crib so baby can’t get items off I it while she’s in her crib. Don’t place it near | anything that dangles, such as window-blind ‘; cords, to keep baby from entangling herself. Consider putting a bright-colored poster on the wall or a mobile above her head to catch her attention and keep her occupied while you change her.

Have at hand clean diapers, diaper-rash cream, baby wipes, powder (use cornstarch powder because talc can cause problems if it’s inhaled), lotions (fragrance-free), cotton balls, petroleum jelly, some clean clothes and clean blankets. Add anything else you think you might need for your situation. Keep items close at hand in a basket or on a shelf {out of baby’s reach).

Have diaper bag, will travel! Pack some changing items in a bag so you can have them ready when you’re on the go. A rubber-lined bag makes a good diaper bag. Fill it with four to six diapers, a bib, a spare outfit, a pacifier, formula, a couple of bottles, wipes and a toy or two.

Cloth or disposable diapers? Parents want to know which is best. It all depends on you and your situation. Disposable diapers are convenient to use. They save on utilities because you don’t have to wash or dry them. You can take them when you go out, and you don’t have to worry about disposal. You don’t have to use rubber pants or diaper pins. However, when your baby has wet pants, you may not know it. The outer lining prevents you from knowing she’s wet.

Cloth diapers need to be washed—by you or by a diaper service. This can be an inconvenience or an expense that you don’t want. You may have to rinse diapers twice to get out all the detergent, if you wash them at home. Baby will also have to wear rubber pants, so you’ll need to wash those, too. A diaper service is great but they can be a little costly.

Many parents use a combination of both cloth and disposable diapers and find it works well for them. If your baby is going to go to day care, you may be asked to bring only disposable diapers. Whatever you choose, you’ll change thousands of diapers this first year!

Car Seats

The most important piece of baby equipment you can buy is a car seat. Your baby needs to ride in a car seat every time she rides in a car—it’s the law in all 50 states. One report found that an average of 35 babies a year die in auto accidents on the way home from the hospital.

A car seat provides the best protection for your baby in case of an accident. Some parents mistakenly believe they can safely hold their baby in a crash. It can’t be done. Crash tests have proved that a 10-pound baby would be torn from an adult’s arms with great force in an accident at only 30 miles per hour! We also caution you not to take your baby out of her car seat to feed her, change her or comfort her while the car is moving.

From the time your baby goes “iome from the hospital, she should be placed in a car seat. Until 1 year of age and 20 pounds, the car seat should face the rear of the vehicle. The safest Dlaceforher is the middle of the back seat. After that, the seat can be turned forward, but keep it in the back seat. See the discussion in Week 52.

When choosing a car seat for your Daby, be certain it meets the safety standards of the JPMA, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Academy of Pediatrics, feu may choose from an infant-only seat, good until your baby reaches 20 pounds, or a convertible seat, which can be used until your child reaches 40 pounds. The infant-only seat is more comfortable for a young baby because of its semireclining position.

If your baby is low-birthweight. Parents who have a very small Daby at birth may hesitate to put her in a car seat designed for larger Dabies. Car seats are designed for average-sized babies. A small Daby may be uncomfortable in one. A small baby may have trouble Dreathing in a semireclined infant seat. One study showed a small baby may have decreased oxygen levels and increased episodes of apnea (baby stops breathing briefly) in a larger car seat. The solution may be to choose an infant car bed that meets federal safety standards, if your baby seems to have trouble breathing in 3 regular infant car seat. Baby lies flat, which allows her to breathe nore easily. She will be protected in case of an accident.

If she has no breathing Droblems, an infant-only car seat s a good choice. For her comfort, use a roiled headrest pillow made especially for car seats to cradle her lead. If you can’t find one, a tightly oiled blanket will do the trick, fo help keep baby from slumping, you can also place a receiving blanket on either side of her and between the crotch and crotch strap of the seat.

Common car-seat mistakes. While many parents use car seats, some use them incorrectly. The most common mistakes include

• the car-seat harness is attached incorrectly, too loosely or not at all
• a rear-facing car seat is reclined improperly
• the seat-belt system is improperly locked or not locked at all
• the car seat is not fastened tightly in the seat
• the car seat is too big for baby
• the baby’s harness, which keeps her securely in the seat, doesn’t fit correctly
• the harness straps do not go over her shoulders and lie flat against her chest

We are often asked, if a baby is growing up in a city and the parents do not have a car, if a car-safety seat is necessary. The answer is an emphatic yes! Even if a baby rides in a taxi, she should be placed in a safety-restraint system. Many parents in this situation choose to invest in a convertible “travel system.” It’s really three products in one—a car seat, an infant carrier and a stroller. You can use it from birth until baby is a toddler. And it’s convenient for you—one product can fulfill many needs.

We cannot overemphasize the importance of providing a car seat for your baby. If you can’t afford a car seat, many organizations provide reduced-cost or free car seats to a family. Some hospitals let you borrow a car seat until you can get one of your own. Ask at your local hospital or call your local police department for information. You might also want to check with your car insurance company— some offer discounts on car seats.

The final word is: Keep your baby safe. Never let her ride in any vehicle without being buckled up and belted in.