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!

There are just a few essentials when it comes to baby skin care:

Baby soap: A mild soap is needed to clean the baby thoroughly. Mild application of a gentle soap three or four times a week is all that your baby needs. If the soaps are enriched with olive, coconut or palm oil and herbal extracts like calendula, so much the better.

Many parents use bubble bath products for young infants. Children love the bubbles and parents like the clean, fresh scent. But bubble baths are usually based on detergents that can destroy the beneficial bacteria on the body. Consequently, skin can become excessively dry. If your purpose is to scent your baby’s bath, a few drops of lavender oil in his bath water will do the trick (keep the water out of the baby’s mouth).

Shampoos: Whether your baby is relatively hairless or has a thick cap of hair, you will need to use a mild shampoo once in a while – the frequency depends on how thick his hair is. A mild shampoo can be identified by what it does not contain – artificial colors, synthetic fragrances, and irritating preservatives are all harmful. If you see the following abbreviations, TEA and DEA, do not buy that product.

Oils and lotions: Massaging oils and lotions can be healthy for the baby while offering a joyful bonding experience for the parent. Massage can help develop muscles and relieve any irritation of the skin. Buy a product free of petrochemicals, which cause irritation; including mineral oils. Aloe and chamomile have a long history of soothing and moisturizing. Marigold, arnica and calendula are some other healing herbs. After a bath, you may want to apply a natural all-purpose moisturizer to keep skin from drying up. As in the case of shampoos, keep away from products that have artificial color, scent and harsh preservatives.

Baby powder: Baby powders are controversial. While some parents swear by it, others condemn its use totally. Baby powders have tiny particles that irritate the skin. Most powders are fragrant, which means further irritation of the skin. But powders can be useful to dry the baby’s bottom and is usually used to dry off certain hard-to-access areas like the neck, genital area, underarms, folds of the bottom etc. Avoid a powder that contains talc.

Doctors recommend scent-free powders made of cornstarch.

Sunscreen: If the baby’s skin is going to be exposed to sun, a sunscreen becomes essential. The sunscreen must have an SPF greater than 15 along with UV-protecting ingredients.

Diaper rash ointment: Select an ointment that is gentle and free of any fragrance. Fragrance can hurt red, irritated skin.

Fragrance free wipes are advisable if you need to travel with your baby. It is not possible to bathe the baby every time he makes a mess. Wipes become useful at such times.

Before you shop for skin care products, please remember that personal care products are among the least regulated of consumer products. As parents, it is our duty to be alert to the dangers of sweet smelling, irritant-rich solutions that are beautifully packaged and wonderfully presented.