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IS IT SAFE TO BUY SECONDH EQUIPMENT FOR MY BABY ?

With secondhand goods you don’t have the same warranties or safeguards as when buying
new, and certain equipment, such as car seats, should never be secondhand. The same applies to equipment that is loaned to you.

Inspect carefully before buying and ask the seller any questions that you might have. If you are not totally happy, then don’t buy it. You could consider buying a secondhand baby carriage, but check the brakes and buy a new mattress. If buying a crib, check the stability and adjusting mechanisms, and buy a new mattress.

Secondhand baby slings should be fine, while toys should be checked to ensure that they are safe. Avoid secondhand electrical items; secondhand cloth diapers may be too harsh for a new baby’s skin.

WHAT NONESSENTIAL ITEMS ARE USEFUL FOR MY BABY ?

Aside from the absolute essentials, at this stage you might also consider purchasing a changing table with a wipe-clean surface on which your baby can lie. Other handy extras to get prior to the birth are a thermometer for the bedroom, and a pack of cloth diapers (for spills and spitting up).

Toys are also important—all babies will benefit from something colorful to look at, such as a mobile.
These will help stimulate your baby. Make sure that any soft toys you buy are washable as well
as safe for a newborn baby; rattles and music boxes are also traditional toys for this age, but try them first since very noisy ones may damage a young baby’s hearing.

IS IT NECESSARY FOR ME TO BUY A BABY ALARM ?

It is vital to have a baby monitor if your baby is sleeping in a different room from you.
There are also sleep alarms (apnea alarms) available that alert you if your baby makes no breathing movements for 20 seconds.

However, these alarms are not always completely accurate. They can sound because of a broken contact, and because sometimes sleeping babies pause naturally for 20–25 seconds when breathing without coming to any harm.

Alarms can also fail to sound, so it is better for you to be vigilant than to rely totally on an alarm, and you should know how to resuscitate your baby

WHAT SORT OF BEDDING AND MATTRESS WILL MY BABY NEED ?

You need a washable blanket (ideally two), and at least three to four crib sheets in cotton or flannel.
Pillows, quilts, and comforters are not advisable for babies under a year old.
Avoid sheepskins, baby nests/sleeping bags, electric blankets, and hot-water bottles, since these can overheat your baby—as can crib bumpers (which your baby could also get caught in).

The mattress can be made of foam, natural or hollow fibers, or have a sprung interior. It should fit the crib snugly to avoid spaces in which a baby could get trapped. The cover must be easy to clean; polyester is ideal.

WHAT SHOULD I BUY BEFORE MY BABY ARRIVES ?

You only need the bare minimum of clothes, diapers, and equipment. Buy most of the baby
clothes after the birth so that you get the right size. Even full-term babies vary greatly in weight and length.
However, you will need essential items such as a bassinet or cradle, a car seat, a baby carriage or
stroller, and a baby bath.

DO I NEED TO BUY A CRIB FOR MY NEW BABY TO SLEEP IN ?

New babies can sleep anywhere—even in a drawer removed from a desk or dresser.
For the first few weeks a bassinet or cradle is adequate, but eventually you will need a crib. Choose a sturdy crib because she will be spending a lot of time in it.
Most cribs have drop sides; make sure the mechanism is easy to use.