Here's a rundown of the tools you need for look after a baby, from our personal experience. We found that you don't need every single baby product that is pushed in your face as soon as you find out that you are expecting. I've cut through the chaf and given you a list of what has worked for us, with some product recommendations too.
Good luck!
Steph
Image: stephbond.com
Good luck!
Steph
Image: stephbond.com
Messy Mealtime
Even if you're breastfeeding, it's handy to have a baby bottle to use if you need to substitute a feed with forumula or pump.
We then got a sippy cup with a rubber nipple that doesn't leak for water which we introduced around 6 months, and then when we weaned Sophie she drank formula/milk out of it. We needed 2 as we kept one exclusively for water and you are constantly washing those things!
We also had a bottle steriliser for the first 6 months but I don't think it was necessary as we hardly used it.
Here are some links to some cool products:
We then got a sippy cup with a rubber nipple that doesn't leak for water which we introduced around 6 months, and then when we weaned Sophie she drank formula/milk out of it. We needed 2 as we kept one exclusively for water and you are constantly washing those things!
We also had a bottle steriliser for the first 6 months but I don't think it was necessary as we hardly used it.
Here are some links to some cool products:
- Melamine Dishware Set by notNeutral
From about 9 months Sophie demanded to feed herself and we needed plates and bowls that wouldn't break when thrown on the ground.- Stokke Tripp Trapp Highchair
We got the Stokke Tripp Trapp highchair which we love as our baby can sit at the table with us easily and the chair can be adjusted as she grows. We miss having a tray for the chair for those times when we aren't sitting at the table, and if we had space, we would probably also get an inexpensive plastic IKEA highchair.
Playtime
Some people really swear by their activity playmates to keep baby entertained for hours. Sophie didn't quite have the patience with it as a play toy but it was good to have a place to put her down before she was rolling. They are quite expensive though, so probably an optional item to own. The other item that I used to keep Sophie in a safe place while I was showering/cooking/needing a break from holding her was a bouncy chair. I found this a really useful item.
Here are some links to some cool products:
Here are some links to some cool products:
- Tiny Love ActiviTot - Tropic Isle
We used this Tiny Love activity mat and really liked the tropical theme with moveable palm trees that you could reconfigure. The "Mr Pineapple Man" hanging toy was our baby's favourite plaything for a long time.- Oeuf Baby Lounger - Brown and Pink
I love the styling of this baby bouncer from Oeuf; it just might fit your decor. We had a bouncer with a bar on the front hung with tiny toys which I thought was very useful as my daughter was kept busy for much longer.
Bathtime for Baby
We bought a baby bath but only used it for a few months. Had it propped up next to the kitchen sink. We pretty quickly got a non-slip bathmat and just bathed Sophie in the bath and let her kick around, supporting her head.
Here are some links to other useful products:
Here are some links to other useful products:
- Ultimat Clear Bath Mat
Classic clear non-slip bath mat.- Cooshee Bathside Tubguard Kneeling Pad
Essential for us! A knee-saving kneeling pad and arm cushion that made it much easier to reach into the bath every night.- Tub of 30 Bathtub Familes Bath Squirters Toys
Bath toys are essential to keep baby occupied after a few months. This tub of 30 Bathtub Familes Bath Squirter Toys means you won't run out.
Baby's Bedtime
We didn't have a baby monitor as we would hear Sophie if she was crying, but some of our friends swear by them.
Here are some links to useful products:
Here are some links to useful products:
- Grobag Baby Sleeping Bag - Jelly Bean 1.0 Tog
Once Sophie got over the startle reflex with her arms, we put Sophie in a sleeping bag for bed which gave us piece of mind (we weren't worried about her getting caught up in a blanket, or losing it and getting cold in the middle of the night).- White Waffle Fabric Moses Basket
We didn't get a basinette for Sophie as we couldn't justify the cost or the space it would take up, but I think it would have been nice to have had a White Waffle Fabric Moses BasketMoses basket, which I would consider (even though they aren't cheap) if we have another child.- Aden + Anais Camo Muslin Cotton Swaddle Blankets 2 Pack
It's popular at the moment to wrap babies so that their arms are kept bound and don't wake them up with the startle reflex. These wraps from Aden + Anais are cool.- Combi Jazz Play Yard Sport Pack-and-Play
We also got a port-a-cot/pack-and-play which has been really useful for travel, dinner parties at friends' houses and for when guests come and stay (or friends' babies' afternoon naps).- Oeuf Sparrow Collection Crib - White
Our cot/crib has a drop-side which has really helped save our backs. I like the styling of this crib from Oeuf.
Changing Nappies
We didn't get a change table, but did get a chest of drawers with a change table option for the top. I used a side table and shelf for handy access to sorbolene and handwash, and used the top drawer for storing nappies, wipes and nappy cream.
- BabySmart Cooshee Changer
We absolutely loved our moulded change mat as it keeps Sophie contained and is so easy to wipe down. And the colours are cool too.
Baby Transport
A car seat is necessary; we hired a baby capsule for the first six months so that we could move Sophie in and out of the car without waking her. We got the most comfy padded car seat possible which is great as it's a relief for us that Sophie can fall asleep in the car. We also got some standard window shades to keep the sun out.
Here are some links for other great products:
Here are some links for other great products:
- 2008 Mountain Buggy Urban Single Elite Black Canvas
We started with a great Mountain Buggy Urban pram that we got from a friend; it reclined almost flat which was great for Sophie sleeping on the move, and had a good sun shade. We also purchased the separate rain cover and sun cover which have been very useful.- Maclaren Quest Sport Stroller - Black/Citrus Lime
For plane travel and easily getting in and out of cars we got a Maclaren stroller which we love. It's so light and easy to use (although it doesn't recline flat and doesn't provide as good sun cover for long walks).- Minimink Ultra Soft Faux Fur Pram Baby Stroller Liner - Milk
We got a Monkeymoo stroller pad for the Maclaren to jazz it up a bit. And for the Mountain Buggy we got a sheepskin pram liner for the comfort factor. I love the look of this Minimink faux fur stroller liner.
Great Baby Stuff on Amazon
Gymnic - 'Rody' Hopping Horse, Blue
Amazon Price: $44.79 (as of 11/22/2009) 
WallCandy Arts Seasons Kit
Amazon Price: $54.00 (as of 11/22/2009)
Stokke Sleepi Crib System 1 - Natural
Amazon Price: $999.00 (as of 11/22/2009)
Dwell 4 Piece Baby Crib Set - Carousel Petal
Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)
Great Baby Stuff on eBay
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by sbond
Cool products and design from Australia and elsewhere to keep you in the know.
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