Hello!

35 Comments

There is a lot that a new baby needs.  (Let’s be honest, some things we want more than the baby needs, but that’s a whole other article!)

In amongst all of the decisions that you will be making when you are choosing products for baby there are three things that I believe are the most important:

  1. The car seat
  2. The mattress
  3. The skin care

These are three product choices that deserve the most attention and time spent on researching.  And they are probably the most overlooked.

A car seat keeps your baby safe in the worst possible moment

The major issue with choosing a car seat is that it is confusing to know what really matters.

What makes one car seat different from the other? And is paying more for one over another really worth it?

So the answer is it’s not always worth paying more, and frankly the vast majority of car seats are the same.  Trust your gut.

The biggest differentiators in the market today are the newly launched ISOFIX seats and the seats with added side impact protection.

Simply, the additional side impact protection around the head and torso is to provide an additional buffer in an impact.

You may have heard about the introduction of ISOFIX.  It has been widely available globally for many years and has finally been legalised in Australia. It is an incredibly important step in keeping our babies safer in cars.

Simply deciphered:

The “old standard” car seats are held in place by seat belts wrapped around the seat ISOFIX car seats clip directly into the brackets which are mounted within the frame of the car.

Even with a professionally fitted standard car seat there is movement and there is also a lot of room for error. With an ISOFIX car seat it is firmly fixed to the car.

Your baby will sleep 14+ hours every day. Make a good mattress choice. 

You know how important it is to make the right mattress choice for your own bed, but ironically, we seem to get side-tracked when it comes to the baby mattress.  And it’s remarkable really given that baby’s spine and bones are developing and they spend a lot more time in their bed than we do in ours.

The key mattress choices you have are Mainstream and Natural.  Mainstream or standard mattresses tend to be made of inner springs and synthetic materials with chemical flame retardants.  Natural can be made from natural latex, coconut coir or tea tree or a combination; usually but not always covered in wool as a natural flame retardant.

Aside from eco benefits and chemical exposure concerns, the main difference between the two types is breathability.

Simply, synthetic materials are not breathable like natural materials. There is also a lot of research coming through in the last year about the danger of chemical fire retardants and synthetic crib mattresses.  Make an informed decision about the mattress you choose for your baby.

In addition to the constitution of the mattress make sure that whatever you choose:

  • It is firm.
  • It is new – bacteria, mites and mould are a danger with old mainstream mattresses.
  • Fits snug to the cots edges – product safety Australia regulates (maximum 20 mm from any cot side or end when centred on the mattress base).
  • Has sturdy edges so the baby can’t trapped between bed and mattress.
  • Has a protective cover, ideally organic if you can, which means it will be water resistant not water proof.

Skin is the largest organ and what you put on goes directly into the body, so make skin care products a priority purchase

Skin care options are dominated by chemical based products with very cute ads or bold claims. Simple, natural or organic is best.

Baby really does not need a lot – wipes, a bubble bath or oil, body and hair wash, massage oil or lotion and a nappy cream.  Find a reputable store that specialises in eco or organic products that can explain the different ranges and what may work for your baby.

As with anything, you don’t always find the right product first time, but there are more and more options coming to our stores.

I know that there are a lot of other things to consider i.e. furniture, linens, clothing, and pram…  And then of course there is your budget.  But if you focus on getting the most important things right, the rest will fall into place.

Do you have anything you think should be on this list? Add it below in the comments.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock.com
We may get commissions for purchases made using links in this post. Learn more.
  • Three very important items! I love having a change table. Somewhere off the ground and not on your furniture to change those dozen a day nappies. And ergopouch sleep sacks!! Used them from the start and love them.

    Reply

  • Wipes – a must have! And nappies etc.

    Reply

  • The car seat was definitely my priority. It was one thing i refused to even consider 2nd hand. And having it fitted by Ambulance or racq gives extra peace of mind.

    Reply

  • The digital thermometer is a mega essential that is so very easily overlooked until your baby starts crying like crazy and your Mum asks if her grandchild has a temp….and you have no idea.

    Reply

  • For me it was a sleep monitor

    Reply

  • For me a baby monitor was also essential. I used it for more than 3 years.

    Reply

  • I agree with the first two but I don’t think babies need skin care products

    Reply

  • This is quite interesting! Thank you so much for sharing this!

    Reply

  • For me, it was a good pram, carseat, bathing items, nappies & clothes. I co-slept with my babies, right up until I finished breastfeeding, so never really used their bassinet & cot! By time I weaned them off the breast, they were in a bed.

    Reply

  • Yes deciding whats needs and wants saves money.

    Reply

  • We had so many things that we didnt need or use. Start with the basics and work your way from there!


    • yeah for sure. and people always give you heaps of stuff

    Reply

  • I found most important or necessary was a digital thermometer

    Reply

  • Totally agree most things we buy for us and not for the baby

    Reply

  • I have to say I disagree, most important things for me were a good pram, clothes, and products such as baby wash, nappies, wipes etc. The rest either wasn’t nessesary or wasn’t needed for my lifestyle. Such as car seat, I didn’t drive or own a car, so didn’t need one, baby slept with me for 10 months so cot wasn’t nesesary.

    Reply

  • During winter unless you are in a hot humid climate, we found that short bodysuits are better than singlets. Singlets roll up their backs into a lump which couldn’t possibly be comfortable for your baby to lay on. It just means that you may have to use 1 larger size larger for your outer outfit but at least you will have a comfortable baby who is more likely to settle quicker.

    Reply

Post a comment
Add a photo
Your MoM account


Lost your password?

Enter your email and a password below to post your comment and join MoM:

You May Like

Loading…

Looks like this may be blocked by your browser or content filtering.

↥ Back to top

Thanks For Your Star Rating!

Would you like to add a written rating or just a star rating?

Write A Rating Just A Star Rating
Join