BUYING FURNITURE AND BABY EQUIPMENT

Walk into any baby store and you probably will be overwhelmed by the selection of equipment available. A few items are essential, but most things, while enticing, are not necessary. In fact, some are not even useful. To help you sort through options, here is a list of the basic necessities you should have on hand when your baby arrives.

• A crib that meets all safety specifications. check them carefully to make sure they meet the same standards. Unless you have money to spare, don't bother with bassinet. Your baby will outgrow it in just a few weeks.

• A crib matters that is firm and covered with material that can be easily cleaned. If this covering is made of plastic or other nonabsorbent material, place a thick fabric pad on top of it so your baby won't lie in moisture caused by perspiration, drooling, or sit-up.

• Crib bumpers to keep your baby from hitting her head on crib bars. Make sure these bumpers are tied to the crib railings, using all the strings. The bumper should be removed when your child starts to stand; otherwise she may climb up on them and out of her crib. It is unnecessary and potentially dangerous to use pillows in a newborn's crib.

• Bedding for the crib, including a flannel-backed, water proof mattress cover(which is cooler and more comfortable for your baby than plain plastic of rubber covers), two fitted sheets, and a quilt of soft full-size blanket. Never use infant cushions that have soft fabric coverings and are loosely filled with plastic foam beads or pellets.  

• A 3-gallon diaper pail with deodorizer. If you are going to wash your own diapers, you'll need a second pail so you can separate wet diapers, you'll need a second pail so you can separate wet diapers from "soiled" ones. If you use a diaper service, They usually will provide the pail.

• A large plastic washtub for bathing the baby. As an alternative to the washtub, you can use the kitchen sink to bathe your newborn, provided the faucet swings out of the way. After the first month, however, it's safer to switch to a separate tub, because the baby will be able to reach and turn on the faucet from the sink. Always make sure the bathing area is very clean prior to bathing your baby.