Parenting is a unique and exciting responsibility. Whether you’re welcoming a new member to your family for the first time or have several children already, every baby brings new experiences, new hopes - and yes- new necessities. From bottles to diapers to baby strollers, the products we choose ensure our precious bundles are well cared for, comfortable and ready to face what lies ahead.
Any new parent- experienced or not- will agree at times, it can be a bit challenging to get back on schedule immediately after a new baby arrives. While friends and family, other children and even coworkers do their best to help, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and forget what you’ve worked so hard these past few months to get right. Take a few minutes to review the five essentials for your new baby and get peace of mind that comes from knowing you’re well prepared and ready to introduce your new addition to the world.
A Quality Diaper Bag
For some new parents, the idea of a diaper bag may be a little hard to understand. After all, you only need space for a few diapers and maybe a bottle right? Wrong. A diaper bag is your go-to source for everything baby for at least the first year of life and maybe longer. Forget the chic, thin, extra classy number because you need space, space and more space.
A quality diaper bag lets you store essential medications, snacks, wipes, formula, extra bottles and bibs, toys, even a change of clothes –which you will need. As important as space is durability. Remember, you will be stuffing phones, your wallet and a whole host of extra gadgets into this bag- it simply needs to be strong enough to withstand being tossed in the trunk and maybe even squished in an airline overhead compartment. You truly do not want to miss the boat on this one and have formula leaking all over the leather seats…Do yourself a favor and invest in a quality diaper bag right from the start. It’s simply worth its weight in gold.
The Best Baby Stroller …and Another for the Trunk
Next to the baby, the stroller is quite possibly the most important essential any new parent needs to get through the first few years. The good news is- if you invest in the right baby stroller now, you can relax later because you’ll be covered. What’s the trick? Simple.
Decide What You Need in a Baby Stroller
Before you run out and buy a stroller because your friends have it or it looks “cool” or is the least expensive- or the most expensive- get prepared and decide what you actually need in a stroller. Buying a quality, dependable and useful product relies on you knowing ahead of time exactly what your unique needs are when it comes to using it.
With so many varieties and models available, buying the perfect baby stroller is a lot like choosing the perfect car. The right model for some may not be right for you. Do you plan on traveling a lot with your new baby? Maybe you need a stroller that gives you the flexibility to fold and go easily. Maybe you want a small, compact and safe stroller for trips to the mall. Storage room for that diaper bag we talked about? You get the idea. If you like a particular stroller, take time to check the baby stroller rating given by other consumers. You can get a feel for what other families like and dislike about a certain stroller. This is the first step to narrowing down the numerous choices of available strollers on the market.
Comparison Shop
The beauty of information is that it allows us to compare products and prices before we buy. In many cases, it’s easy to get the best deal and the best product if you take the time to research. Not sure what you’re looking for? No problem, there are plenty of great reviews available to help you understand and navigate the confusing world of baby strollers. There are several quality brands, from BOB strollers to Britax to Graco. While Graco is a familiar name for many parents, consumers have rated Britax strollers as some of the best on the market today. The Britax B ready stroller reviews on Amazon are phenomenal, making this stroller one of the most popular standard strollers on the site. However, taking the time to comparison shop and really consider the benefits of each model is a surefire way to find the right stroller for your family.
Make the Investment
These days, everyone is trying to save a few dollars here and there and that’s fine. With a new baby, pinching pennies is a given. But don’t make the mistake of buying a cheap baby stroller just to save a few dollars when you can get a quality and safe product for a few more. Besides, with a new infant, you’ll most likely be looking at models with an infant car seat. And there’s really nothing more important than safety in the car.
You don’t have to buy the most expensive product on the market, but you should at the very least make an investment in a quality product you can depend on for a few years to come.
Comfortable Slip on Shoes
Perhaps a strange essential to make a top five list, but don’t dismiss this one quite yet. For those of you with small children, you may already understand. But for new parents, having the ability to slip and go under any conditions is simply a luxury you must take advantage of.
For new moms, even with plenty of rest, bending over to lace up running shoes or pull up the fancy boot strap won’t work. For dads, leave the buckle on the perfect loafer and look for a pair of sleek slip ons. Believe it or not, the extra thirty seconds will come in handy when you have a baby, a diaper, a pacifier, and a bib hanging from one hand. Besides, isn’t comfort the name of the game with a new baby? From wiping down the highchair or positioning the infant seat in the car- you need speed, agility and a good fit. Think of it as an Olympic sport- slip and go is the way to go.
Onesies, Onesies and More Onesies
We all love getting baby shower gifts and the adorable matching little outfits are a treasure for sure. But someone needs to inform the public that the best gift you can give any new parent is a pile of easy to change and remove onesies. The perfect solution to baby accidents, formula or milk spills, and anything else your infant gets into. Onesies are the perfect garment for lounging, napping, feeding and even traveling with a favorite blanket. They’re lightweight, they pack easily and you can carry spares in your diaper bag for whenever you need a quick change.
Back up Pacifiers
Imagine the scene- the baby’s been fed, the diaper’s clean and the crying won’t stop. For the first few weeks of life, the pacifier is a gift sent from the angels, lulling baby back to sleep and comforting even the most unsettled baby. But what about at three in the morning when the world is fast asleep- everyone except you and your baby that is. Where is that pacifier? You saw it a few hours ago. Did it fall behind the bassinet? Is there an extra one somewhere? Please stop crying baby, we’re looking.
Nothing equals relief faster than a six pack of ready to go pacifiers, sterilized and waiting in tow. Believe it, if you buy nothing at all, buy extra pacifiers and place them everywhere from the car to the nursery to the diaper bag. You will need them- guaranteed.
The bottom line? Parenting is tenderness mixed with exhilaration, exhaustion coupled with overwhelming joy and everything in between. The fact is, most of us can’t wait to do it again. Make the most of your experience with a few tips for getting ready with five essentials every new parent needs. After all, they’re only babies once- treat them like the princes and princesses we know them to be.
Credit : Rick Magennis
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