Outing and travel equipment
© DK
Slings are a popular way of transporting a newborn baby; they're light and comfortable, and allow you to carry your baby close while keeping both hands free.
The sling should be used with a neck attachment until your baby can support her own head. Back-packs, which have supportive frames that make it easier to bear a larger baby's weight, are suitable once your baby can sit up by herself.
You'll also need some form of pushchair. The one you choose will depend on both your budget and your lifestyle. A large pram is impractical if you live in a small flat, three flights up; a foldable lightweight pushchair or a pram with a removable carrycot would be much more suitable. However, a pram or a pram/buggy is much more comfortable for a young baby than a lightweight pushchair, which does not usually offer enough support. For the first three months your baby must be able to lie flat in whatever you choose.
Any kind of pushchair or pram needs to be easy to push, have good brakes, integral harness, or rings for a safety harness and mechanism to prevent the frame from collapsing. You will also need a waterproof cover and a sunshade for it.
Car seats for outings and travels
Whenever you take your child in a car you must comply with safety regulations. A car seat is one item you cannot do without if you intend taking your baby in your own or anyone else's car. Never buy a second-hand seat unless you can be certain that it has not been damaged in an accident.
All babies under 13kg (28lb) should travel in a rear-facing seat, which provides better protection for a young baby's head, neck and spine. These seats are portable so can be used for carrying your baby to and from the car. Never put a rear-facing seat in the front of the car if your car has airbags, unless they have been fully deactivated.
An older baby can have a forward-facing seat, which must be fixed in the back seat of the car. These are larger and heavier than rear-facing baby seats and designed to be left in the car. Some need to be fitted into the car, others use existing seat belts. Newer cars have special fixings for children's car seats. The latest guidelines state that children should use car seats up to the age of 12.
Additional equipment
Even young babies like to see what's going on around them and a bouncing baby chair is useful for a baby before she can sit. Always place the chair on the floor and make sure she is safely strapped in.
Although many people find playpens reminiscent of a baby prison, some find them invaluable. If you decide to buy one your choice will be between a collapsible nylon-meshed pen and rail, or a square wooden pen; both have a padded base.
Carrying equipment for outings and travels
- Front-carrying fabric sling with neck support for newborns; make sure it's washable.
- Back-pack for an older baby.
- Carriage pram with solid body and collapsible fabric hood,
- or
- Pram with removable carrycot,
- or
- Fold-flat pushchair with lie-back facility for young baby (there are many types available, ask other people which they prefer),
- or
- Pram/buggy combination - can be used as a carrycot on wheels for young baby and converts into a buggy that can face towards you or forwards. There are also combinations called travel systems available that include a car seat.
- or
- All-terrain, three-wheeler pushchair.
- Parasol for summer.
- Waterproof cover for pushchair.
- Rear-facing car seat for baby up to 13kg (28lb).
- Front-facing car seat for older child - this is compulsory up to age 12 depending on height.
- Changing bag to carry spare clothes/nappies when you are out.
New Babycare
Copyright © 2009 Dorling Kindersley
Text copyright © 2009 Miriam Stoppard
Posted 30.06.2010
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