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Mothers of New Babies and Toddlers

What type of equipment will you need?

When you are pregnant it’s a good idea to talk to family and friends who already have children. They can tell you what they found really useful (such as a stroller with large, rubber wheels and a place to store things) and what was a waste of money (a stroller with tiny plastic wheels and no storage compartments). 

 

CAR SEATS

Car seats help to ensure that your baby is as safe as possible in your car. Plus, the law requires them! You will need a car seat to take your baby home from the hospital and for every trip with your child after that. You will need to use a car seat even if your baby travels in someone else’s care.

Check the details about your car or truck and make sure that you buy a car seat that will fit into your car (some car seats are too wide for vehicles with contoured seats). To reduce the risk of injury, you must install the car seat exactly as the instructions describe.

We highly recommend that you take your baby’s car seat to an official inspection station.  To find such a station, contact your local fire department or St. John Ambulance. 

  • Fire departments may offer support for parents with questions about how to install their infant car seat correctly. They may also inspect your car seat for free. Then you will know it is safe for your baby.

  • St. John Ambulance also helps new parents learn the correct way to install a baby car seat by offering free clinics in many parts of Canada.

 Choosing a car seat can take a lot of time and feel like a big job! Visit these websites for tips on finding the right car seat.

 

To learn more about child car seat safety and recalls on certain kinds of car seats, you can visit Transport Canada’s website or call them directly at 1-800-333-0371.

You should never buy a used car seat unless you know and trust the person who is selling it to you. Make sure it is almost new. If you buy a car seat from a stranger, you may be buying one that is past its expiration date (usually six years after it was made), or has been in a crash. 

STROLLERS AND CARRIAGES
These items are essential for making sure you and your baby spend time outdoors. It can be difficult to choose the best stroller for you and your baby because they come in many different styles and sizes, from the classic carriage to the jogging stroller.

When buying a stroller, you need to think of size, weight, how easy it is to steer, how sturdy it is, safety, and your lifestyle.  Make sure to check for weight and age restrictions since some strollers are not to be used for newborns.  To learn more about choosing your stroller, visit these websites.

 If you decide to buy (or borrow) a secondhand stroller, you should make sure that:

  • The brakes work properly
  • No finger traps or sharp points on the stroller will hurt your baby
  • The fabric is clean and not worn out
  • It is stable and sturdy,  and
  • It has instructions so you can be sure you are using it properly.

PLAYPENS
Playpens can be a safe place for your young child to be when you are busy with other tasks or resting. Make sure that your playpen has fine mesh netting so that your baby’s clothing will not get caught in it. To learn more about safety issues and what to look for when buying a playpen, visit these websites: 

 BABY MONITOR
A baby monitor is like a small radio set that lets you listen to sounds from one room when you are not in that room. It is a good piece of equipment that allows you to have personal time and space, as well as peace of mind.

Newer baby monitors use a video camera to show pictures either on a receiver or on a small LCD screen that can easily be moved. These are often called baby cams.  Some of them work at night with low light levels. Most of them have this night vision feature.

BABY ACTIVITY CENTRE
A baby activity centre is a small structure that sits on the floor. In most cases, it is fully loaded with toys and fun features that will excite and entertain your baby. Many parents enjoy the convenience of having their child play in an activity centre. It keeps them safe and close by when a mother is exercising at home.

An activity centre also gives baby plenty of exercise with bounce, rock, swivel, and spin actions. It must only be used by children that can hold their heads upright without help. For safety tips, read Health Canada’s fact sheet on this subject.

BABY JUMPERS

Baby jumpers, often called jolly jumpers, consist of a seat that looks like a sling. It hangs either from the top of a door frame or within a tripod frame.  The baby’s feet touch the floor and this allows the baby to bounce up and down.

Since babies can get hurt when using jumpers, it is important to read and follow instructions carefully. Before using your jumper, make sure that your baby can support his head on his own, and also support herself on her feet. To read on about safety tips, visit:

HIGH CHAIRS
A high chair usually consists of a metal or plastic frame, an attached seat with a harness, a safety belt, and a foot rest. Feeding a hungry baby in a high chair can be quite a challenge. Getting the correct high chair can make feeding your baby more pleasant—for both of you!  Before you buy a high chair, be aware of the following:

  • Make sure to look for a chair with a wide base so the chair will not tip over.

  • Make sure the tray release is easy to use.

  • Find a chair with a seat cover you can remove and wash, or choose a chair with a plastic seat that is easy to wipe clean.

For more information, please visit:

 

WALKERS

Due to the risk of serious injury, baby walkers were banned in Canada in April 2004. According to Health Canada’s Consumer Product Safety Bureau, it is illegal to import, advertise for sale, or sell baby walkers in Canada. It is also illegal to sell baby walkers at garage sales, flea markets, or on street corners.

To learn more about the dangers of baby walkers, visit these websites:

If you insist on using a baby walker, please be sure to read the following information.

 

INFANT CARRIERS
Babies love to be held. A baby carrier allows your baby to be close to you while your hands are free to do something else. They are also a great way for partners, family members, and friends to be part of your baby's care.

Front carriers or slings are made for newborns and young babies. A front carrier is made of a fabric seat supported by two shoulder straps. A sling is a long fabric panel worn across the adult’s chest and shoulders. While some slings are simple wraparounds without buckles or straps, others may have adjustable shoulder, waist, or ring straps.

A backpack carrier is a backpack with a fixed frame and a fabric baby seat. Backpacks are made for older babies (4 or 5 months and up to 3 years) who can support their own heads and who have a strong back. Backpacks provide more support for you than front carriers or slings.

Before using an infant carrier, follow these simple safety tips:

  • Stretch out your neck, shoulders, and upper and lower back muscles before and after carrying your baby.

  • Start with 10 to 15 minutes of carrying your baby around the house to get used to the weight of your baby in the carrier.

  • Watch your step and walk on level ground when you have your baby in a carrier.

Remember that your baby will be growing fast and will become quite heavy sooner than you think. Because of this, infant carriers can only be used for a short time, depending upon your strength and how safely you can carry your growing baby!

To learn more about how to select the best carrier for your baby, visit:

 The amount of “stuff” you need to raise a child can be overwhelming. Parents will see many ads about a lot of things they may never use. 

So far, we have talked about travel gear, basic equipment, and furniture. Yet there are other basic newborn and infant care items that you need to know more about as you prepare for your baby’s arrival.  Talking to friends and family is the best way to find out what items are necessary and those that are just convenient (would be nice to have).

Remember, one person’s feeling about what is necessary may differ from someone else’s. Often, it’s just a matter of opinion. Many websites provide more information on what you might want to buy for your baby.

It is very important to ensure that all the items you buy meet Canada’s safety standards. To find out if your product is safe for use, be sure to visit these websites.