There are so many things that you will need when it comes to your baby’s first year. As any parent knows whether you are a first time parent or an experienced one that nothing is cheap when it comes to baby gear. There are ways to save a lot of money and get the gear that you will need for the first year. There are some things that you will need more urgently than others.

One of the first two things you need as soon as the baby is born is a place for the baby to sleep and a car seat so you can take the baby home from the hospital. Hospitals will not release a baby without seeing the car seat.

In most hospitals they will do a car seat inspection to make sure the seat is safe. Car seats are very important, then once you have chosen a reputable car seat you can take the baby home, then you will need a place for the baby to sleep. Some parents prefer a bassinet over a crib for the first 2 months and then a crib and other parents prefer a crib from day one.

Go online and look up crib requirements, there are actually a set of requirements that each crib manufacturer must follow or the crib may cause a dangerous situation for the day. You may look for ways to save money in other area but don’t scrimp on the crib. Too many babies have died from crib accidents than any other so make sure you get a nice, well
 made crib from a well known manufacturer.

Now you start choosing accessories for the baby. Once the baby is about 3 months old they are old enough to sit in a swing. There are parents who choose to place their baby in a swing within the first few weeks of birth but remember they cannot support their heads in the first month so it is wise to wait until they can hold their heads up. Choose a swing with music; it is very soothing for the baby. Just like any piece of baby accessories, you want to choose a well made swing, Evenflo and Grayco are some of the best in the business. You can look online and use the Consumer’s Guide to look up baby accessories; you will be able to see which swings are better rated than others.

Another important piece of equipment you will need is a stroller or carriage. These days the popular thing is the travel stroller. This is a stroller and car seat combination. The car seat fits into the stroller and when the baby gets big enough to sit in the stroller, simply remove the car seat. You will also need plenty of diapers and wipes. These are perhaps the most expensive items you will ever buy your child. When you register for your baby shower, request diapers. People will be more than happy to buy those for you, because they know how expensive they are.

Bottles, nipples, bibs and formula is something you will need plenty of for the first year. Babies are not supposed to be placed on cow’s milk until 1 year old and that goes for babies who are being breast fed as well. Formula can be extremely expensive, if you need help financially, contact your local WIC program and they will help you with formula and baby cereal.

Now that you are pretty set at least equipment wise, let’s talk about how to gear up for the baby’s first year, mentally. Some women wait their entire lives just to have a baby and when they do they love that baby to death but they may not realize who much work and emotion actually goes into raising a baby. The baby’s first year and especially in the first 6 months will solely depend on you.

When the baby comes home from the hospital there are only 3 things they are going to do, sleep, cry and eat. You must put together a schedule and a stick with it. It will make your life much easier and a bit stress free. Babies eat every three or four hours, but when a baby is sleeping through the feeding time it can throw you off. You don’t have to wake up the baby to keep them on a strict schedule, the baby will eat when he is hungry and boy will they let you know.

People suggest sleeping when the baby sleeps but it does not always work out that way especially if you have other children and a spouse that works. But it is very important to find time for yourself because as hard as it can be when they are young it gets harder as the months go on. They develop tantrums and they have their own personalities which you will learn.

Get as much support and help from your spouse or partner as you can. Many people think that it is just hard on the Mom but Dad’ become entangled in the emotional situation as well. For example, Dad works all day and he feels bad because he cannot be with baby as much as the Mom and when babies are young they rely on the Mom for everything. So when Dad holds the baby and he cries and stops when Mom holds him they feel hurt.
 

All we can suggest is to be around the baby as much as possible when you are home. Feed them, change their diapers and hold them as much as you can. They will see that they can rely on you as well. Having a baby is perhaps one of the hardest jobs in the world but at the same time it is the most rewarding. As the baby gets older throughout the first year they will become more and more independent which in the long run will benefit both you and them .Hang in there and don’t be afraid of asking for help.

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