Car Seats

It is the law that all babies and children use a car seat until they are 12 years old (or 135cms whichever comes first). Even if you do not own a car it is likely that at some point your baby will need to travel in a vehicle.

It is generally advised that the return journey after having your baby is not on public transport and you will need your baby car seat to go home from hospital.

It is recommended that car seats are bought new because you cannot be certain that a second hand car seat has never been in an accident. 

Car seats should just be used for travel – they are not suitable for babies to sit in for long periods. They can make it harder for your baby to keep their oxygen at a safe level. They are not good for developing spines.

Car seat manufacturers recommend the 2 Hour Rule. This means babies should spend no longer than 2 hours in a car seat in a 24 hour period. If you are travelling a distance you should stop for breaks and get your baby out of their seat.

Something to Get Out And About In

Slings

It is good for babies and their parents to get out of the house from their earliest days. You will need something safe and comfortable to do so. You might choose to use a sling – holding your baby close helps with bonding. There are many types of sling and it is up to you what you think will work best.

It is important that slings are used safely. Follow the Sling Safety Checklist when choosing and using a carrier.

Prams and Pushchairs

There’s a huge range of prams and pushchairs out there. The cost varies a lot. The most expensive are not necessarily better. Look for:

• A CE mark to show it reaches advised standards.
• It should lie flat for your new born.
• It should face you so that you can see your baby easily and your baby can see you.
• The mattress should fit well, be firm, waterproof and flat.

Second hand prams are readily available and can be very good value for money.

Check that:

• •  They come from a smoke free home
  •  That a well fitting replacement mattress is still available to buy
  •  They have a CE mark
  •  They have no visible damage and are in good working order.

Baby Clothes

Baby clothes are hard to resist. There is loads of choice. It is easy to get carried away and buy more than you need.

• Remember your baby will grow quickly. If you buy too much they may not get the chance to wear it.
• Get different layers of clothing for your baby so that you can keep their body temperature stable. Remember to take layers like hats off when you are inside so your baby does not overheat.
• Do you have easy your access to a washing machine? If you do not have your own you may need more spares.
• Choose baby clothes that are easy to get on and off for the early days. Bibs and muslin cloths to wipe up spits and spills can reduce the need for changing clothes.

Friends and family often buy baby clothes as gifts - it is worth asking them to buy some bigger sizes or ask for vouchers.

Hand-me-downs and second hand baby clothes are a good option – they rarely get worn out. Buy from smoke free homes and wash before use.

Equipment To Give Milk Safely

Whether you are breast or bottle feeding it is important to have a way of sterilising your baby's feeding equipment. Anything apart from a breast that is going to come in contact with your baby’s mouth or the milk they drink, should be sterilised.

The following items all need to be sterilised:

• Breast pump parts and storage containers
• Spoons and cups
• Dummies
• All bottle feeding equipment.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money – you can use a plastic container with a lid and sterilising solution. Just make sure all equipment is completely covered by the sterilising fluid. There are steam and microwave sterilisers available too. Whatever you choose be sure to follow all instructions carefully.

In recent times formula milk preparation machines have become available, for example ‘Perfect Prep’. They are not recommended by health experts because there is doubt that the milk is prepared at a safe temperature to kill bacteria.

You can read more about these concerns at First Steps Nutrition.

Using Baby Slings and Carriers Safely

If you are thinking about using a sling or carrier for your baby, it is important to learn how to use it safely.

Hands-free breastfeeding or bottle feeding, where you move around and do other jobs while your baby feeds, is never safe. It is particularly dangerous for babies under four months old, or those born prematurely or with a health condition. If your baby needs to be fed, take them out of the sling while they feed.

If a baby's airway is blocked while being carried in a sling, there is a risk of death, so it is essential that you follow the guidelines to ensure that your baby is safe. A baby's airway could become blocked by their chin resting on their chest, or when their mouth and nose are covered by the parent's skin or clothes.

The TICKS guidance below can help you make sure your baby can breathe easily and is not overheating:

• Tight - slings and carriers should be tight enough to hug your baby close to you as this will be most comfortable for you both. Any slack/loose fabric will allow your baby to slump down in the carrier which can hinder their breathing and pull on your back.
• In view at all times - you should always be able to see your baby’s face by simply glancing down. The fabric of a sling or carrier should not close around them so you have to open it to check on them. In a cradle position your baby should face upwards, not be turned in towards your body. 
• Close enough to kiss - your baby’s head should be as close to your chin as is comfortable. By tipping your head forward you should be able to kiss your baby on the head or forehead. 
• Keep chin off the chest - a baby should never be curled so their chin is forced onto their chest as this can restrict their breathing. Ensure there is always a space of at least a finger width under your baby’s chin.
• Supported back -  in an upright carry, a baby should be held comfortably close to the wearer so their back is supported in its natural position and their tummy and chest are against you. If a sling is too loose they can slump which can partially close their airway. (This can be tested by placing a hand on your baby’s back and pressing gently - they should not uncurl or move closer to you.) A baby in a cradle carry in a pouch or ring sling should be positioned carefully with their bottom in the deepest part, so the sling does not fold them in half pressing their chin to their chest.

More information about using slings safely

How to Swaddle Your Baby More Safely

Swaddling a baby is where you wrap your baby up snugly in fabric. It can help to sooth and calm a young baby, but there is a risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) if it is not done safely.

You can help to keep your baby safe by following these guidelines:

• Sleep our baby on their back - this is the safest position, whether they are swaddled or not
• Use thin swaddling materials such as a muslin or a cot sheet. Don't use blankets to swaddle your baby as they could overheat
• Use the minimum amount of clothing and keep their head uncovered
• Check your baby's temperature to make sure they are not too hot - the chest or back of the neck is a good place to check
• Keep an eye on the room temperature - it should be between 16 to 20 degrees Celsius.
• Swaddle your baby securely, but leave some room to move around the hips.  Wrap them up gently but securely so the fabric can’t come apart or undone. Do not swaddle above their shoulders to reduce the risk of your baby’s face getting covered by loose material. But make sure the swaddle has enough room for your baby to breathe.Keep swaddles looser around the hips to allow for natural movement. If they are too tight, this can cause hip problems.
• Never swaddle your baby when bed-sharing, or if they have an infection or fever. 
• Once your baby shows signs of rolling, stop swaddling them with their arms wrapped inside the material. This will allow them to use their arms to roll back again if they roll onto their tummy.