For new parents, having a new baby can be a wonderful thing, but there are a lot of things you may not need.
For example, there are many advancements for babies when it comes to products. Some companies have made wipe warmers.
Wipe warmers may sound like a good idea, but they will cost you more money in the long run. The wipes will be warm, however, when you reach near the bottom, you will find your wipes unusable and dry.
Most modern baby cribs or lifetime cribs convert into three stages: crib, toddler bed and full-size bed. Some beds come with toddler rails, but others are specially made. This can be pricey and take more than seven weeks to come in. It is recommended to buy the toddler rails and full-size bed rails at the time of purchase. The reasoning behind this is if the bed is discontinued it may become difficult to order the railings.
Most lifetime cribs cost more than $400. Keep in mind, if you purchase a lifetime crib, you will be stuck with the color scheme. You will have to base your child’s room around the color of the crib/bed. Be sure to use teething guards on the crib early on.
The investment in a quality mattress is usually overlooked. When purchasing a mattress be sure to look at the coil counts. The firmer the mattress the better. The recommended coil count is at least 160. When looking at mattress pads be sure to set the dryer at the lowest setting. They are waterproof because the mattress pad contains a thin layer of plastic. If you dry them at high setting you risk the plastic melting.
When looking at strollers, a travel system may be the best option. A travel system contains an infant carrier and stroller. An infant carrier is used in both the car and in the stroller. It is designed to hold the child in their first year, but that is not always the case.
Kids grow fast, and some may become too tall for the infant carrier. Brands can prolong the time frame. The Chicco brand makes a longer carrier then most. All brands give weight capacity, but you will not be using the carrier when the child is nearing 30 lbs.
Quality may become an issue, too. If you are planning to have more than one child you may want to purchase a better brand. Graco’s may be cheaper, but you will be lucky to get two kids out of it.
Keep in mind the size of the stroller. In the beginning, a big stroller sounds great, but size is an issue. Travel systems take up a lot of space, and are heavy. They can weigh about 50 lbs. Travel systems are worth it is because they come with an infant carrier and base. Infant carriers cost close to $200 by themselves, and additional bases are about $100.
As your child gets older, a small light weight stroller will do. There are brands that even fold up more then a traditional stroller.