Essentially, a baby carrier is a convenient mode of transport for your baby. It is equally convenient for the parent as it leaves your hands free to carry out other tasks. There are many types of carriers, and experimenting is the only way to find out which type suits you and your baby the best.

Most new moms find baby carriers immensely useful, as this is the only way to get everyday chores done with their baby nestled safely. Carriers also are also great for when you need you to go to places where a stroller cannot be easily used, such as a crowded shopping mall. There’s a price to pay though.

Carriers mean that you have to carry your baby ALL THE TIME – in addition to any other items you may have to lug around. While this sort of exercise can work wonders for your figure, it may become slightly problematic as the baby becomes heavier and bigger.

The important criterion when you buy your baby carrier is comfort – both for you as well as the baby. The most comfortable carriers are positioned so that the baby feels like an extension of your body, rather than a heavy weight around your shoulders. How the weight is spread all the way across your back, the amount of padding in the straps and the amount of strain- all help decide the best baby carrier.

If your baby is quite heavy, a front carrier may strain your back when used for longer periods. In such a case, carry the baby on your back. Carriers that are flexible enough to allow you to experiment with multiple positions are certainly useful. After six months, these carriers still work well when your baby is ready to face the outside. You get more for your money’s worth, and the strain of carrying the baby in the same position is avoided.

There are certain safety precautions that you MUST adhere to when using a baby carrier:

• Adjust the carrier and the straps properly to ensure your baby’s safety and your comfort.
• Check all the buckles, ties and straps regularly.
• Always harness your baby securely.

Ideally, baby carriers should offer good head and neck support for the baby. Most carriers come with easy to understand instructions. Some carriers are so fashioned that you can safely slide out a sleeping infant without him or her noticing a thing. These kinds certainly have a definite edge.

The four important features of good baby carriers are: safety, versatility, ease of use and cleanability. Oh yes, this last one is a must! Go for carriers that have a lot of storage space, like pockets for mobile phones, water bottles, diapers and even loops for toys.

For many parents, baby carriers have helped keep insanity and utter chaos at bay. If purchased wisely, your baby carrier could be the best thing that happened to you, after your baby, of course!

More specifically, one can think of a co-sleeper as a crib with one of the side rails detached to fit the adult’s bed. The mattresses on both the beds are on the same level. So a parent can easily reach out to the baby. With a co-sleeper, the baby can sleep right next to his parent without actually being in the adult bed. However, in a broader sense, co-sleeping also refers to parents and children sharing the same bed.

Co-sleepers allay fears of parents who want their babies nearby but feel that sleeping in the same bed may cause unintentional injury to the child. Leading pediatricians and sleep research experts recommend co-sleepers because they boost the bonding process between parent and child while facilitating more comfortable care giving.

Co-sleepers are convenient for parents too. When the baby wakes up in the middle of the night, trips to a separate room can be very tiring, especially when you are jolted from a deep sleep and have to make the journey hitting and bumping through furniture to reach the baby.

Some important safety features of co-sleepers:

Make sure that the two mattresses are on the same level.

If the co-sleeper has wheels, make sure that it can be locked.

Make sure that sheets and blankets on both beds stay fitted and cannot be pulled loose.
The mattresses should be flat, firm and smooth.

Make sure that rails or mesh rails protect your baby and that your baby has absolutely no way of rolling and falling off while you are asleep.

Avoid mattresses that have a dip in the center as both the parent and baby may gravitate to that area.

Ideally, a baby should be placed between his mother and the guardrail or the wall. Research proves that only mothers have the kind of deep sensitivity that allows them to come awake at the slightest noise the baby makes. Fathers, grandparents and caregivers may sleep through until the baby actually starts crying.

If a mother feels that she too sleeps soundly enough to put her little one in jeopardy, she should seriously consider putting the baby in a crib near her. Never sleep with the baby after taking medications that induce sleep or after drinking alcohol. Never use ribbons, loose lace, strings or loose jewelry in bed if you plan to place your little infant near you. Before you leave the bed, make sure that your sleeping baby is completely safe in his bed and that you have enough safety devices in place to keep him from falling off.

Pros of co-sleeping:

• Being close to the parent allows the baby to sleep deeply
• Babies get more care giving
• Co-sleeping increases frequency of breastfeeding
• Long-term benefits include high self-esteem, more positive behavior and increased life satisfaction.

Co-sleeping is a decision that a parent has to make based on the baby’s comfort and his or her own convenience. If you choose to sleep with your baby, a co-sleeper (as opposed to sharing your own bed) will ensure your baby’s safety and will give you much-needed peace of mind.

Most parents-to-be begin by setting up a nursery. Usually, a crib is the first piece of furniture you get your baby. A good crib should meet all voluntary and mandatory safety guidelines. Many parents are so caught up with the blue flowers and the pink bows that they sometimes ignore the need for safety. A cardinal rule of thumb before purchasing any baby gear is: safety first. As your bundle of joy will be spending more than two-thirds of his or her time lying down, a quality crib mattress and soft bedding are also necessary. And while you’re at it, pick up a mattress cover too! A baby-monitor is absolutely necessary in your child’s nursery. You may also want to get a changing table and a baby walker.

Sometimes, baby gear falls drastically short when it comes to baby clothes. Most new parents, (especially Moms) focus inordinately on getting all the ‘cute’ outfits. In the hurry to grab those oh-so-wonderful must-haves, essentials are forgotten. Absorbent baby blankets, cotton baby suits, bibs and soft innerwear are items that you really can’t have enough of. Sometimes baby clothes have to be changed faster than diapers. That’s because for the first year of their lives, babies are essentially messy, slobbering, waste-producing machines. But beware of the buy-it-all syndrome that some mothers suffer from. You should not have so many suits that you end up with a pile of unused baby clothes that Junior has outgrown. Half a dozen clean outfits at any given time should suffice. When you travel, pack extra.

A new baby means a whole new range of toiletries too. You will need baby oil, baby soap and shampoo and of course, baby powder. This last is useful when you need to keep your baby’s bottom dry. Choose a baby powder that has no talcum powder base; a cornstarch base would be ideal for the little tyke. Purchase ONLY mild baby soap and shampoo, as chemicals will be harsh on your baby’s tender skin. Also purchase a high-quality, natural moisturizer. To keep yourself on top of all these easy-to-overlook items, it’s probably a good idea to make a list of items and then go shopping (with the list, of course!).

When all the necessary furniture and supplies have been bought, you may want to get some things for fun and entertainment. While your baby will be busy learning from all the interesting little things going on around him or her, some toys will help soothe frayed nerves. One excellent toy for your baby is a mobile. Fluffy, soft toys that provide some kind of sensory stimulation are also quite handy. As your baby gets a little older, teething toys become absolutely essential. Baby toys are an exciting world in themselves.

With all these items safely tucked away in the nursery, there’s only one thing for you to do – wait for your adorable baby to make his or her entrance into the world!

Why would you use jumpers?

A baby, for all his cute looks and his adorable ways, is full of boundless energy. For a parent, this can be exhausting, to say the least. When a healthy baby begins to get bored, he can make life really difficult for his parents. Babies need to amuse themselves in some safe and secure manner. This is as much needed for the baby’s health as for your peace of mind. Jumpers offer just the right kind of entertainment.

Until they about one year old, babies are always experimenting with their various muscles.

Development is rapid in young babies and the constant jumping activity causes the muscles of the legs and calves to strengthen. Infants also get their first course in balancing when they are in their jumpers.

Babies love to explore and be in control of their immediate surroundings. As soon as they are able to hold up their heads, babies in jumpers and bouncers get an opportunity to move without adult interference.

Certain features that are a must in every jumper include:

A safety restraint: Most jumpers have a restraint that goes around the waist of the baby as well as between their tiny legs. This would be enough to ensure the safety of a young infant.

Comfortable: A jumper has to be well padded and must be free of any sharp edges. If a baby is not comfortable in his jumper, he will never enjoy it. Look for wide straps that will make getting in and out easy. A quilted nylon seat with a high back ensures comfort.

Ease in cleaning is also important when it comes to any equipment for a young (read messy) infant. The seat should therefore be removable, and the height should be adjustable. Some jumpers take care of your doorways by including bumpers. This reduces wear and tear.

Portable, sturdy and lightweight: Since you may need to detach the equipment and move it from one room to another, it must be portable and lightweight. However, the base of the equipment should be wide enough to ensure that it isn’t easily tipped over.

Who can use jumpers?

Jumpers are for small babies who can hold up their heads. Babies should ideally weigh no more than 25lbs. When they are able to sit upright and support most of their weight with their legs, they are ready to go into their jumpers. Jumpers are not advisable once your baby starts walking. One should be very careful while installing a jumper. To install your jumper securely, you should have a solid molding around the doorway. The best type of clamp is a spring-loaded, no-mar clamp that tightens as the baby bounces.

If the metal clasps in the jumper come undone, it may cause the unit to fall to the floor.

Babies can suffer injuries from such a fall. Most such injuries can directly be attributed to carelessness and lack of parental supervision. Remember that even a moment of distraction or the tiniest of mistakes can prove very dear when it comes to young babies.

Most homes are not childproofed well enough to ensure complete safety. So, whether your baby is on its way or you already have a healthy little one at home, NOW is the time to start childproofing in earnest. Time passes by in a jiffy, and before you cab say B-A-B-Y, your little one will be rolling, crawling and walking his way into just about everything.

While your baby is still on his back, you have him where you want him. But this luxury is not going to last forever. Childproofing can seem formidable at the outset. But once you take stock of the things you need to do, it becomes manageable. The first task is to select the areas of your house that can be made totally safe for Junior. The areas that have a lot of safety issues such as the bathrooms, kitchen, basement, upstairs etc should be cordoned off. Safety locks are the only way in which you can keep your little one away from all the objects that naturally pique his interest.

As he begins to get mobile, your baby is naturally curious about all the things you deny him. And your baby is just tall enough to cause maximum trouble. Oven doors, electrical outlets, and washing machines – are just the right size for him to explore. Little ones may open oven doors and crawl into them (God forbid!), or do the same thing with dishwashers.

Refrigerators are air tight, which means that if a baby manages to find his way into the fridge, he will soon choke due to lack of air. A one step remedy to all these dangerous problems is to install locking latches on all appliances that can be opened and closed by Junior.

Drawers and cabinets pose serious threats to babies. Most cabinets are storehouses where everything from kitchen knives to hammers and wenches are kept. Chemicals, medications and beauty products are also stored in them. You don’t need an active imagination to see what may happen if your baby gets his hands on these ‘goodies.’ Drawers and cabinets in every room must have latches on the inside.

The stairway is another big cause of worry. More than half of the nonfatal accidents among babies are directly attributed to stairs. You need to install safety gates at the bottom and top of stairs. Install locks on these gates, and always remember to LOCK the gates when baby is around you. Many parents install gates, but forget to lock them.

Good safety latches and locks should be easy to install and use. Your baby will express his displeasure in the locks by pulling them and pounding them. So, you will need locks that are sturdy enough to withstand pressure. Any lock that keeps a child out of harm’s way is good.

Some safety tips that will help:

• Install locks tightly and properly. Never take shortcuts when you install.
• A sturdy lock is the best kind of lock.
• Routinely check and service your locks.
• A child safety door lock is essential when you travel by car.

Safety locks and latches offer no foolproof guarantee when it comes to child safety. But they are a step in the right direction – a very crucial step.

Often, parents had good reasons to check and double check and then come back to check one last time. Many babies have had fatal accidents while they were left (presumably) safely sleeping in their cribs. That was life before the ubiquitous baby monitors.

A baby monitor is actually a radio transmitter that allows you to listen in on your little one at all times of the day and night. Monitors are compact, two-part gadgets. There is a transmitter fixed within 10 feet of the crib and a receiver that is placed in your hands, or somewhere near you. Once it is turned on it will amplify any noise your baby makes.

Reception-range and designs vary. Some allow you to speak softly to your baby through the talkback intercom; others enable you to see your baby with a built-in camera. Some monitors show sounds via light display so you can monitor your baby even when the volume is turned off. High-end models offer a choice of channels to improve reception. Baby units even come fitted with a night-light.

Baby monitors are really very useful during infancy. Any time your baby gets up from sleep, whether it is for demanding a feeding, a change of diapers, or just plain old comfort, you are alerted in a jiffy. Baby monitors are tools that help alert parents to the dreaded attack of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Some models have an optional sensor pad that monitors your baby’s breathing, and sounds an alarm if no movement is detected.

The biggest advantage of a baby monitor is that it offers most parents that essential element of security. Now mommy can take a nap, or cook in the kitchen without having to wonder about the baby. When the baby is peacefully asleep, you know that he is totally safe because your baby monitor will alert you the moment your little one wants you.

Says one Mom in San Francisco,” My listening unit is the most important device at home. I don’t go anywhere without it.” Once you begin using a monitor, you feel incomplete without it.

Even these electronic godsends, though they seem indispensable, have their shortcomings. Interference from cordless phones and concrete walls sometimes sets off a false alarm, which means that you may be hearing things that are not there! Some monitors pick up transmissions from other baby monitors and give you a minor heart attack while you rush to your baby’s side. “We never discuss anything private when the unit is on”, a mother of two says – you never know who is listening.

Important features:

• Compactness: A compact model is easy to carry around.
• Sound-activated light: Sometimes, other children may accidentally turn the volume off. Alternatively, if you are watching TV or talking on the phone you may miss your baby’s cries if this feature is not present.
• Low-battery warning: If your batteries are low on life, you may not hear your baby calling; and your baby may not hear your wonderful rendering of “Rock-a bye-baby.”
• Right bandwidth: Some high-end models offer a wide bandwidth for better clarity.

Some babies tend to lose weight just after they reach home. This is because babies need time to adjust to their new atmosphere. Since weight fluctuations are one of the main indicators of the health of your baby, it is important to monitor your baby’s weight between visits to the pediatrician.

The market basically holds three types of baby scales:

• Mechanical
• Mechanical that shows a digital readout and
• The all-digital type.

As one can guess, the sophisticated versions cost more. But, increased accuracy and ease of use are added benefits of the more costly models. While buying a scale, more important than the cost is the overall health of your baby. If your baby is healthy and active, you can monitor his weight in a mechanical scale that has 2oz. increments.

But a delicate baby with health problems needs the accuracy of a digital model that weighs in ½ oz. increments or grams. In this case, don’t be fooled into believing that a mechanical scale with a digital read-out will be more accurate. A mechanical scale is just that – mechanical; only the display looks more hi-fi.

The all-digital model has a strain gauge mechanism inside, instead of springs. So, they are more accurate. Therefore, carefully consider your baby’s health and consult with your physician before you buy the appropriate scale for your baby.

When buying a scale:

• Find out if it will be stable when sitting on a flat surface.
• Since you will need to put the baby in it, check for any pinch points or protruding areas that may hurt your baby.
• Is the scale easy to clean? You will need to take out some of the parts to clean it. How easy is that?
• How long can you use the scale? Most scales pass muster until your baby reaches 16-18 months.
• Can your scale be converted to accommodate a toddler?

Additional features:

The more expensive types have a tare device that allows you to place a blanket on the scale. The scales will automatically deduct the weight of the blanket and give your baby’s weight reading.

Another useful feature is the memory bank facility, which holds the last recorded weight of the baby. This is very useful when you want to evaluate your baby’s progress.

Hold buttons enable you to capture the weight of the baby at the precise moment that he lays still. Thus errors are minimized.

Obviously, more features mean more electronic operations and therefore more detailed and complicated instructions. If you are not inclined to read through these, just go for the basic model. Finally, check the warranty of the product before you make a buy. There should at least be a warranty period of one year.

Are baby scales absolutely essential?

As mentioned earlier, if your baby has health problems and you have to note his weight regularly, a baby scale is a must. For normal healthy babies, baby scales are not a necessity.

Providing both convenience as well as a true bonding experience, slings usually carry you through the first few months of your baby’s life. In its most basic form, a sling consists of a wide swath of fabric, worn across the torso of the parent supported by a shoulder strap. The baby is placed close to the chest of the parent. This fosters physical closeness and results in a win-win situation for the baby and the parent as the baby gets carried around, while the parent can carry on with routine tasks. Baby slings are ideal for breast-feeding moms. The loose fit and generous layers of fabric allow you to nurse your baby discreetly.

Some baby slings are very intuitive, and come with a light padding along the sides, that makes it comfortable for the baby to sit in. But too much padding can make the sling heavy. Remember, the baby is already quite snug and warm as your body warmth envelops him. Slings made of corduroy or heavy-gauge nylon can become a little too hot. A lightweight fabric fitted with wide shoulder straps is more comfortable for the baby. A breathable fabric is also easy to clean and convenient to store.

Padded slings with adjustable d-ring at one end are very convenient when the baby is small. As the baby grows, the sling can be adjusted to help straddle the baby across your hip. In a busy shopping mall or in a crowded airport, a sling may just be the thing to make life easy for you.

One major advantage of baby slings as opposed to other types of baby carriers is the way in which it holds the baby’s head and body. The straps are on either sides of the body. This allows the little one to lie with his back straight and head raised.

Baby slings can even be made at home. In the absence of a real sling, it is possible to use a 45″ piece of fabric, tied with a knot. Adding shoulder padding and adjustable straps would make it close to the real thing. Your baby will catch at least a few hours of sleep in the sling, so the fabric should not be so generous that your baby gets lost in it.

Ideally, you should be able to slip the sling on and off single handedly. A sling that needs two adults to navigate can be a distinct disadvantage, especially when Junior is fast asleep and there is no one but you at home.

Slings are wonderfully adaptable and very versatile. You can experiment with a number of positions. The fetal position is a favorite with young babies; and as the baby grows older he can sit in a kangaroo-pouch position facing the world outside. Older children can be straddled across the hip. The simple design of sling carriers keeps their costs relatively low. That’s just one more reason to go buy a sling.

Baby swings are designed for indoor use, and typically consist of a seat suspended by two arms attached to a frame. The frame has wide-standing and tubular metal legs, which prevent it from tipping over easily. Swings can be battery-operated or windups. The windup model provides 20-30 minutes of movement. Battery-operated models are driven by a motor, and emit a low swinging sound with each passing of the swing. Battery-operated swings are by far the most popular.

This is because a battery-operated model usually has a sleek look, some attractive additional features, automatic speed controls and baby-sound activation. A front play tray is also available for placing toys. The downside is that you may find these models a little too noisy for your liking. The best thing to do is to try out the display models in the store. If possible, it is always advisable to ‘test swing’ your baby on a friend’s swing. Very rarely, some babies do get agitated by the to and from motion of the swing.

Baby swings are lightweight and portable, so they can easily be moved from room to room. Some are more mobile than others. A standard size swing usually eats up a huge chunk of space and may not be easily accommodated in a house that has limited floor space.
Uses of baby swings:

When a baby needs to be soothed for whatever reason (it could be colic or a stuffed nose or a tummy ache), a baby swing can be a lifesaver. Some babies just don’t sleep unless they are carried around. This can be an immense strain on parents. The regular rhythmic motion of the swing calms the baby and is very useful when your baby needs to be asleep in a semi-upright position. Many babies spend quite a bit of time snoozing comfortably in their swings. A swing can also keep an energetic baby occupied for a few minutes to an hour.

Necessary features:

A built in crotch post will ensure the safety of your baby by preventing him from sliding out of the swing. Most models also come with a safety belt.

Portable: A good swing must have a wide sturdy stance. You should be able to fold or dismantle it when it’s time to put it in storage.

Upholstery: The seat cover should be plush and should be machine-washable. Multiple reclining positions are an attractive bonus as they allow you to adjust the posture of your baby. This may become especially important if your baby takes a nice nap while swinging, as many babies are prone to do.

Adjustable swinging speeds are an attractive feature. If the swinging is too fast, your baby may get frightened or upset.

Baby swings help keep your baby quiet and happy, while giving you a momentary release from the non-stop duties of being (super) mom or dad. Though your baby is the most vital part of your life, it is just as important for a parent to get some personal time for relaxation every day.

Even so, a thermometer is essential. With the wide variety of thermometers that are flooding the market, one is naturally confused. Some thermometers are more accurate than others, while some are not advised for children below 5 years, and still others are downright inaccurate.

So, here’s what you can expect:

Plastic strip thermometer: Safe and inexpensive plastic strips are placed against your baby’s forehead to record his temperature. A reading becomes available in less than 10 seconds. These strips are not at all intrusive, and change color to indicate temperature.

Their downside is that they are not very accurate and may show wrong readings if instructions are not followed. Therefore, most health care practitioners advise against using these strips, especially on very young infants.

Digital stick thermometer: These are very accurate, fast and inexpensive. Thirty seconds is all you need for an accurate reading – a lifesaver when you have to deal with a wailing, wriggling baby. Digital thermometers beep when they are done (another great feature) and can be used rectally, orally, or under the armpit. The drawback: digital thermometers tend to become inaccurate if they are dropped.

Ear thermometer: Expensive but quick and efficient. These thermometers are placed within the ear canal and become easy to use once you get the hang of it. But in infants below the age of one, the ear canal may be too narrow for obtaining a reading. The cost factor means they are not easily affordable in homes. Also, the technique of tugging the ears to straighten out the ear canal takes some getting used to. If the tip does not completely fill the ear canal, readings may be inaccurate.

Most parents do not really know WHERE the thermometer should be placed. Is the temperature reading most accurate when the probe is placed under the armpit, in the rectum or in the ear? Each method has its advantages.

Rectal reading: When your baby is below three months and too young to lay still, a rectal reading may be advised. When your baby is so young, accurate reading is a must. Rectal readings give consistently accurate temperatures. But, most parents fear that when the baby is wiggling too much, there is a danger of inserting the probe too deep, thereby perforating the rectum of your little one. To avoid this, look for thermometers that have wide handles and flexible tips. These will not allow you to insert the probe more than an inch. Always clean the thermometer with soap and alcohol before and after use. Before use, you can apply some petroleum jelly to the end.

Armpit reading: Parents of babies between 3-6 months find it convenient to record their temperature by placing the thermometer under the armpit, especially when the bay is sleeping. This method is easier and more convenient than doing a rectal reading – but less accurate. Also, if infants are below 3 months, readings may not be accurate enough.

Oral reading: Hold off on this method until your child reaches five years. Oral readings are impossible with a squirming crying toddler. Until the child is old enough, she will not be able to clamp the probe under her tongue.

Never use glass thermometers as even older children may accidentally bite or break them. If you are new to parenting, never hesitate to ask your healthcare provider for a demo of temperature taking techniques. Being able to record temperature accurately is a crucial part of parenting as it helps you evaluate your child’s illness.