Age appropriate equipment
As any first time parent would know, there are so many things to learn when your little one comes along. So to help you get your head around the different equipment for each stage of your baby’s first year, Midwife Judy from Tommee Tippee shares her tips on the best buys for your baby.
Newborn to three months
When you’re a new mum, there are all sorts of reasons why a breast pump will come in handy. It may be that you’ve got too much milk, baby might have to stay in hospital for longer, or at times you just might require someone else to feed your baby. To make things even easier, these days you can choose between a manual pump which gives you more control or the ease of an electric pump.
Try Closer to Nature Manual Breast Pump RRP $94.95 or Closer to Nature Electric Breast Pump (pictured) RRP $219.95
Newborn babies are born with a strong, natural sucking reflex – that’s why so many babies love their comforters. Comforters come in a range of different shapes and sizes and with a choice of clear silicone or latex rubber teats. Choose comforters that have the 5-Ticks logo, which means they are made and approved to Australian standards.
Try Closer to Nature C-air Comforters RRP $12.95 or Cherub Comforters (pictured) RRP $9.10
Three to five months
While babies are born with a grasping reflex, these movements are instinctive and involuntary. But at about three months, hand-and-eye coordination is starting to develop and you may notice your baby start to grab hold of soft objects such as small toys. Encourage this new development by giving your baby small soft toys to try to hold on to, or try placing them just out of reach for baby to grab at.
Try Hugs ‘n’ Cuddles Soft Shake Toy RRP $5.98 or Buggy Shake Toy (pictured) RRP $9.65
Babies learn through play and repetition. By offering your baby stimulating toys, you will be encouraging his or her sensory development. Colourful toys that babies can play with while in the pram or toys that contain rattles are great options.
Try Soft Pram Play (pictured) RRP $16.95 or Hugs ‘n’ Cuddles Soft Ring Rattle RRP $5.98
Five to Six Months
At around five to six months, babies usually begin to teethe. Teething toys (or teethers) help to reduce the discomfort your baby is experiencing. By offering a range of multi-textured surfaces for baby to suck or bite down on, baby can gently massage soft or tender gums to help alleviate the pain.
Try Cool Fish Teether RRP $6.10 or Chunkeys (pictured) RRP $9.95
This is usually the time you start to introduce solid foods. Feeding equipment that assists baby’s development of new skills like chewing will definitely come in handy. Items that are easy for little hands to hold and cutlery that is soft on tender gums are the best options.
Try Fresh Food Feeder (pictured) RRP $6.75 or Heat-Sensor Weaning Spoons RRP $11.20
Last but not least, Midwife Judy says, “It’s important to remember that babies develop at different stages so don’t be too worried if you baby isn’t hitting the milestones at the same rate as other babies.”
