You asked

What baby gear is really needed for the first year?

You will need quite a lot of clothing for your baby in the first year, mainly due to nappy leakages and messy mealtimes. Clothing should be soft on the inside, so as not to irritate your child's skin. Higher quality clothing will be more durable and survive many wash cycles. Babies outgrow clothing very quickly, so always buy slightly larger than is needed.

One-piece outfits save time and effort during fitting. Buy the kind that open at the back and along the leg. This makes nappy changing easier. When buying one-piece outfits, test the fasteners to make sure they snap together tightly.

Buy plenty of cotton t-shirts that have fasteners near the neck. These allow for easy fitting over the baby's head. Under shirts provide extra warmth with minimal bulk. Easy fitting pants or leggings allow you to wash just the soiled half of an outfit. Material should be stretchy to easily fit over the baby's belly and nappy.

Cardigans and jerseys with zips down the front allow for easy fitting and provide a lot of warmth for your baby. Make sure that the arm holes and sleeves are big enough to fit without struggling. If a baby struggles too much to get body parts into clothing, they will be reluctant to wear those items.
Fleece jackets are available as one-piece items for small babies and as jackets for older babies. The ones with hoods are even better at providing warmth and protection against cold wind.

Hats with broad brims are needed for summer sun protection and in winter, you need hats or beanies that cover the ears. Look for hats that have chin ties to keep them in place during windy days. Mittens will keep your baby's hands warm and can be kept in place with draw strings.

You will need plenty of socks for indoor wear and booties for outdoor wear. Booties should have draw strings to secure them. Beware of socks and smooth floor surfaces, especially when your baby starts walking.

Shoes are not always necessary in the first year, and many doctors prefer that a child is good at walking before wearing shoes. This prevents the shoes from interfering with foot development. If you do buy shoes, consult with experts to make sure that you buy the right kind of shoe for your child.

More questions

Concern over give infants cold medicine
There are very specific guidelines when it comes to safely administering over the counter medications to babies, toddlers and preschoolers.
Colds generally just need to run their course, try giving your child some vitamin C, which can help with cold symptoms, although the high doses required can cause diarrhoea so it’s best to stick to a...
Ensuring your child washes their hands frequently is one of the best ways to prevent against colds.
If your child has a cold but is more severe symptoms, than you may need to consult with your G.P.
Many teens can only see as far as the weekend and find it difficult to comprehend how their present affects their future. 
 
Firstly, you need to determine if it is vomiting or if they are just possetting, bringing up small quantities of milk. 
Sleepwalking is not usually harmful.
There is no right or wrong age to get a family dog; however, you should be mindful of your situation before you rush into things. 

Latest

Trending