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Other Supplies and Furniture
. Baby monitors with speakers that work while plugged
in or with batteries can help
parents hear baby and respond in a timely manner. Some speakers are small enough to
tuck into a pocket and carry around. Baby monitors do need to be thoroughly tested
throughout your home and possibly in the yard as well. Some monitors don't have a long
enough range to work in a big house. Others won't work in homes with lots of computers
and electronic equipment. Others just won't work at all. Since there's a chance you may
be returning the monitor, buy it at a local store, save the receipt, open the box very gently
and carefully, and save the packing materials until you've checked it out.
. Supplies for taking rectal temperatures are good
to have on hand right from the start. A
digital rectal thermometer is the safest, most accurate thermometer for an infant up to
three months of age. If you think your baby may be ill, you'll want to use it before
calling the pediatrician. Disposable plastic probe covers, made of thin plastic film, slide
over the thermometer and protect it from fecal contamination. They are available at
bloodcurdling expense at drug stores and much less expensively at medical supply stores.
A little water soluble lubricant can make insertion as gentle and comfortable as possible.
. Parents say they're glad they have ample supplies
of burp cloths, small, thin baby
washcloths, small bibs or disposable bibs, size small, diaper container refills, 100%
cotton balls and disposable diapers. It's hard to have too many of these on hand. To save
lots of time, consider storing stacks of some of these items in baby's room, and in various
places around the house-washcloths in bathrooms and the kitchen, bibs in the kitchen
and next to the feeding area, burp cloths next to the feeding area and in the kitchen,
where you can use them as baby towels to gently pat baby's face and hands dry after
washing. It's nice to have liquid baby wash in a plastic dispenser bottle at the kitchen
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sink, bathroom sink and next to the bathtub. Multiple fully stocked diaper changing areas
are great timesavers. Consider one in baby's room, another in a bathroom with plenty of
counter space and another at some other convenient location.
. Many people are surprised to learn that wearing
sunglasses that protect your child's
eyes from all forms of ultraviolet light (UVA, UVB and UVC) can prevent the
development of several pediatric and adult eye problems. Unprotected exposure to
ultraviolet light can stimulate the development of growths on the surface of the eye in
toddlers, children, adolescents and adults. Some can be removed surgically, but they may
grow back. They can become red, irritated and quite uncomfortable. Sunglasses protect
against macular degeneration, the greatest cause of blindness for those over sixty years of
age. Sunglasses also help prevent the development of cataracts, and eliminate the need
for cataract surgery. Sunglasses help prevent skin cancer of the eyelids and tumors inside
the eye.
Careful selection of sunglasses is important. Infant and child sunglasses should have
frames and lenses that won't shatter or break into sharp pieces. They should fit very well.
Wraparound styles protect the front and the side of each eye. The lenses should have
complete blockage for all ultraviolet radiation and light with a wavelength under 400nm.
An ophthalmologist, optometrist or optician who has a photometer can check the
sunglasses to make sure they offer the protection your child needs. Wide brimmed hats
for babies and toddlers offer additional protection.
. Safe, quiet, comfortable chairs for parents to use when for rocking, feeding and
soothing baby are very helpful. It's good to have one in the baby's room, and to have one
or more others elsewhere. Glider rocker and ottoman sets are very popular. An
overstuffed swivel rocker with matching ottoman is another comfortable choice. Some
recliners are not recommended, because they can entrap and pinch hands, arms and legs.
Babies also love to be held by an adult sitting outdoors in a glider or porch swing.
. B.Y.O. Pillows. When shopping for a new glider rocker or other chair, take your
breastfeeding pillow(s) along in a tote bag. Try the pillow on, (difficult as that may be
when pregnant) and make sure that you're comfortable sitting in the chair with the pillow
in place. Some expectant moms discover that they're much more comfortable
breastfeeding baby on a sofa or a chair they already have. Breastfeeding
two babies at a time is easiest on a sofa, a very wide upholstered chair
or in bed. A nursing stool makes feeding time more comfortable for many mothers
by elevating the lap for better positioning and reducing muscle tension in
shoulders, arms, back and legs.
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