Amesbury Baby Center

Baby Essentials Checklist
Hospital Bag Checklist
Choosing Reusable Nappies
Choosing a Pushchair
Choosing a Car Seat

Knowing what to buy for your baby can be difficult - here is a handy guide to what you will need and what is nice to have. Some things can wait until after your baby is born and some things are nice to get as presents. Download a printable version of our guide here. If it is still all too much to think about have a look at our essential packages.

Essentials Checklist

Clothes

• 3 or 4 Babygros / all-in-one sleepsuits
• 3 or 4 Baby vests / body suits
• One or two cardigans
• Hat mitts and bootees

Bathtime and Changing

• Nappies. Newborn babies will need their nappies changed 10-12 times a day so make sure you have enough for at least the first few days or so. Even if you are going to use reusable nappies, a packet of disposables is always handy
• Nappy bucket with lid for reusable nappies
• Baby wipes or cotton wool, for use at nappy changing
• Changing Unit and / or a changing mat
• A baby bath / or a newborn bath support
• Top and tail bowl
• A couple of small towels and some mild baby bath
• Brush and comb

Bedtime

• Moses basket or cot / cotbed
• New mattress to fits the Moses basket, cot or crib
• Cot sheets and cellular blankets, or a bottom sheet and a baby sleeping bag

Feeding

• Nursing bras and breast pads if you are breastfeeding
• Bottles, teats, bottle brushes and some sterilising method, if you are bottle feeding
• Bibs
• Muslin squares (useful for lots of things, not just at feeding time!)

Out and about

• A shawl or snowsuit
• An all-in-one warm suit with poppers beneath for a winter baby
• One or two blankets to wrap your baby in
• An infant carrier or rear-facing car seat, if your baby will be travelling by car
• A pram, pushchair or travel system that is suitable for newborn babies (must have a lie-flat position)

Nice To Have

• Baby layette box
• Change bag
• Nappy stacker
• Nappy wrapper
• Baby lotion
• Bath thermometer
• Nail scissors
• Microwave or electric steam steriliser
• Breast pump and milk storage bottles / bag
• Nursing pillow
• Bottle warmer
• Bouncer chair
• Baby monitor
• Night light
• Sling

Hospital Bag Checklist

• Front-opening night dress or pyjamas, dressing gown and slippers
• Nursing bras
• Breast pads
• Maternity pads (or super-absorbent sanitary towels)
• Toiletries
• Nappies
• Baby toiletries and cotton wool
• Baby clothes (including babygro, hat, bootees and scratch mitts)
• Shawl or cot blanket
• Car seat
• Clothes and a coat if it's cold
• Money and camera

Choosing Reusable Nappies

Real Nappy Facts

• Save ?500 or more per baby when using reusable nappies (more if you pass the nappies on to the next child)
• 8 million disposable nappies are thrown away into landfill sites every day in the UK - that makes 3 billion nappies a year
• They are easy to use and laundry services are available in some areas
• Available in many different styles and colours to choose and not a safety pin in sight!

Which Kind Of Nappy?

Now you have decided to use reusable nappies there is the decision on which type to use! Your choice depends on what your main priorities are: cost, environmental impact, drying facilities, convenience. This is a brief guide the different types of nappy and the pros and cons of each.

1. Flat Nappies

These are the nappies that your mum will remember as Terry nappies and are available in two different types - flat nappies and pre-folds. Each type needs a waterproof cover on top. They come in a range of colours and fabrics including unbleached cotton and bamboo.

• Flat nappies need a quick fold before use and are fixed with a nappy pin or a Nappi Nippa
• Pre-fold nappies are rectangular nappies that fold into a pad. They are designed to be used with a variety of covers and don't need pins to fasten them
• Most economical: flat nappies can start from as little as 75p each and pre-folds from £1
• Quickest to dry, because they fold out flat
• You only need one size of terry nappy from birth to potty, pre-folds will need different sizes of nappy and wrap to reach potty training depending on the manufacturer
• Folding flat nappies can take a little practice to start with and are more fiddly when out and about
• They can be a little bulky on small babies

2. Fitted Nappies

Fitted nappies are shaped to fit and don't need folding. They generally fasten with either Velcro or poppers and need a waterproof wrap over the top.

There is a wide range of fitted nappies available - some are suitable from birth to potty, others come in different sizes. They are available in a range of fabrics - hemp, organic cotton, microfibre, bamboo, fleece or terry.

One Size Nappies

One size nappies are suitable from birth to potty. They may need extra boosters for older babies, nighttime and daytime naps. Boosters usually fix with poppers but some new nappies have pockets to stuff the booster liner into.

• Only one size of nappy is needed making it the most economical fitted nappy
• Easy to use - with no folding
• Useful if you have more than one child in nappies, because you can use the same nappies
• Some styles can be a bit bulky on smaller babies
• Some thicker styles can be slow drying

Different Size Nappies

Work in the same way as one size nappies but you need different sizes of nappy and wrap to see you through from birth to potty.

• Available in a range of styles
• Can be slimmer fitting as they are sized to the baby
• Can be expensive but allow you to spread the cost as you can buy the different sizes when you need them

3. All in One Nappies

All in one nappies are made up of the nappy and a waterproof outer layer and therefore don't need a separate wrap. They are the closest to disposable nappies in the way that they work. They can either be one piece nappies or pocket nappies.

One Piece Nappies

One piece nappies have everything all in one piece and normally need a liner to make it easier to dispose of solids. Those with a cuff at the leg allow more room for baby to wriggle and it is best to avoid those with a pvc waterproof layer as this is not breathable.

• Easiest to use of all reusable nappies
• Ideal for child-care and baby sitters
• Most expensive real nappy option
• Slowest to dry of all nappies

Pocket Nappies

Pocket nappies consist of a waterproof wrap with a stay-dry fleece pocket. A flat or shaped nappy is stuffed into the pocket to provide the absorbency. They are easy to use but the wrap needs to be changed with the nappy each time. However they dry quickly as the nappy can be folded out flat.

• Quick and easy to put on when stuffed with a nappy
• Ideal for child-care and baby sitters
• Quick to dry as flat nappies fold out
• Can be expensive

Reusable nappies also come in different fabrics each with its own benefits and again the choice depends on your priorities for using real nappies - some are more environmentally sustainable whereas micro-fibre is man-made but dries really quickly.

Which Fabric?

Cotton - Cotton is very absorbent and soft, and relatively quick to dry. Organic cotton is also available as an option.

Bamboo - Bamboo fabric is up to 40% more absorbent than cotton and is incredibly soft. It also requires less chemicals to grow than cotton and is claimed to have natural antibacterial properties. However, it does take longer to dry.

Microfibre - Microfibre is a synthetic man-made fabric which is very absorbent and dries incredibly quickly. It is often used for booster pads and some nappies use it for the inner lining. Ideal if drying is a problem.

Fleece - Fleece Is used to make pocket nappies and liners. Fleece is very soft next to baby's skin and acts as a great stay-dry barrier to keep baby's skin dry for longer.

Wool - Wool is often knitted into wraps which are naturally waterproof and breathable. It is ideal for babies with extra sensitive skin.

Hemp - Hemp is an environmentally friendly crop and makes a very soft, absorbent fabric making it ideal for booster pads or night time nappies. Again it takes longer to dry than cotton.

For advice and a demonstration of the latest designs pop in to see Paul or Nikki at Amesbury Baby Centre. Wiltshire residents are also able to contact the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust Nappy Line on 01380 725670 and speak to the Real Nappy Advisor, Gary Lamont for advice on choosing nappies and grants available for Wiltshire residents. Download our reusable nappy guide here.

Choosing the Right Car Seat

Every year around 25 children between the ages of 0 and 11 years are killed while travelling in cars, about 250 are seriously injured and around 6,000 slightly injured. The proper use of child car restraints would prevent many of these deaths and injuries.

The car seat law requiring children to use an appropriate car seat until they are 135cm tall has been in force now for three years (see www.childcarseats.org.uk for the current legislation). However choosing the right car seat is still a very confusing task and with so many different car seats on the market it can be difficult to know where to start. Here are a few things to look for when considering a car seat:

• Not every car seat fits every car - if in any doubt seek professional advice from a trained retailer
• If you are using a car seat in more than one car make sure that it fits each car
• Different car seats are suitable for children of different weights and ages. The table below gives a brief guide:

Weight / Age of Child	Type of Seat
Up to 13kgs (approx 9 - 12 months)	Rear facing seat or infant carrier (Group 0+) (Only in the front passenger seat if the air bag has been deactivated)
9kg to 18kg (9 months to 4 years)	Forward facing car seat (Group 1)
15kgs and over (approx 4 years and over)	Booster seat (Group 2 3)
From 22kgs (approx 6 years and over)	Booster cushion* (Group 3)

* Remember booster cushions do not offer any protection in the event of a side impact collision and can slip out from underneath smaller children. Booster seats also offer a nice comfy headrest if your child falls asleep in the car - some even have built in speakers so your child can listen to their own choice of music or plug in their in-car DVD

• Be very wary about buying a car seat by mail order unless you know it will definitely fit your car
• Never buy a second hand car seat unless you are 100% sure of its history and that it has never been involved in an accident. In addition, older car seats may not comply with current safety legislation and their components can perish and deteriorate after languishing in the loft
• If your car is involved in an accident you should change your car seat - many insurers now make provisions for this
• Don't rush to put your child in a forward facing seat - your child needs to develop their neck muscles so they can cope in the event of a collision. Ideally your child should have been sitting confidently unaided for about 3 months. In Sweden children stay in a rear facing car seat until they are 4 years old!

Amesbury Baby Centre can give you advice on the right car seat for your child, your car and your budget and offer a Britax certified car seat fitting service. We stock a range of car seats from Britax, Nania, Recaro and the Which? acclaimed Kiddy Infnity Pro and Comfort Pro. Download our car seat buying guide here.

Further information can be found at www.rospa.com; www.childcarseats.org.uk, or www.think.dft.gov.uk

Which Pushchair Should I Buy?

There are many things to consider when buying a pushchair but probably the most important thing is that no pushchair is perfect for every situation! You should think not just about your budget but also about how you will use the pushchair - does it need to fit in a small boot? Do you need to get it on and off the bus easily? Do you live in a top floor flat or a small house? Do you have more than one child who needs to be pushed around? A pushchair that is great around town is not always the best choice for a country walk! Here is a brief guide to the different types of pushchair on the market.

Single Pushchairs

Strollers

Strollers are the lightest type of pushchairs and are perfect for use on public transport, in the car or for taking on holiday. Many strollers are suitable from birth but many mums start with a travel system and then buy a lightweight stroller when baby is a bit older.

• Many styles and price ranges available
• Easy to fold for travel or storage
• Many models have a full lie-back option making them suitable for newborns
• Some are able to fit a baby car seat on to the frame to form a travel system

Travel Systems

These are generally more expensive and higher specification. They usually consist of at least a pushchair and a baby car seat and many also have a carrycot option.

• Many different options available and offer a range of options for baby
• Allows you to move your sleeping baby between your car and pushchair without disturbance
• Suitable from birth

2-in-1 Pushchairs

These offer the classic lie flat function of a pram with the versatility of a pushchair.

• Suitable from birth
• Some models feature a reversible seat unit so that baby can face forward or face you
• Some have an optional baby car seat or carry cot which clips on to the frame
• Some options have a pramette function - lie flat to form a pram without a separate carrycot

3 Wheelers

Popular for off road pushchairs but also suitable around the town.

• Many different models are available from straightforward 3 wheel pushchair to full blown travel system including carrycot and baby car seat options
• Look sporty and stylish
• Many models are specifically designed to cope with off road use

Double Pushchairs

Tandem Pushchair

• Forward facing individually adjustable tandem seats
• Suitable for two children of different ages - toddler in front and baby at rear
• Some will take two baby car seats
• Phil and Teds has a removable second seat to form a single pushchair as necessary

Twin Pushchair

• Side by side seats with individual adjustment
• Suitable for two babies, or children of different ages

Useful Accessories Include

• Optional carry cot
• Compatible infant carrier (car seat)
• Sheets and blankets for carry cot
• Raincover
• Parasol or sunshade
• Cosytoes or footmuff
• Change bag
• Stroller blanket
• Sheepskin pushchair liner
• Clip on toys and books

Still confused? Call in to see us to see our range and let us help you make the right choice! Download our pushchair buying guide here.