Guide
Expectant parents
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Welcome
W
ith your first baby on the way you’re probably
excited, apprehensive, and maybe a little lost all at once – I know I was! Where do you start to get your head around everything you need? Are they going to break the bank? And have you missed anything on your checklist of things to buy for when junior first comes into the world? Luckily, CHOICE knows a thing or two about babies and toddlers. After all, our experts have been testing their products for more than half a century, offering advice and suggestions to members that save them money and provide them with full peace of mind. Whether it’s rolling strollers along our custommade rig for hours on end in the CHOICE labs, or checking for sharp edges and finger traps in – well, pretty much everything – safety is at the forefront of all we do.
Michael Hohl, Director Product Content and Testing (and new dad)
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Contents CHOICE & safety
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What you might need Useful but not essential, these products are still definitely worth considering
How we test products for babies and toddlers and why our focus on safety is so important
Yes, no, maybe – a checklist of what you definitely, possibly and definitely don’t need for your first-born
• • • •
What you need
What you don’t need
Planning for baby
8
10-15
With our help, you can get the safest and best value for money must-have products on the market
• • • • • •
16-19
Cots Strollers Car seats High chairs Baby carriers & slings Nappies
Baby monitors Change tables Safety gates & barriers Other safety equipment
21
The products that are more contrived than crucial
Child care
22
CHOICE members share their tips and tricks on this daunting and costly exercise
Health & other insurance
24
Knowing you’re fully insured is very assuring
Beyond baby
26
How CHOICE can continue to help you out long after baby has grown
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CHOICE & safety When you have a child, you start to see danger everywhere. Poisons,
When you have a child, you start to see danger everywhere
electrical sockets, climbable furniture – your lovely family home suddenly seems full of dangers for the inquisitive and mobile toddler. But safety is just as much an issue even when your child isn’t yet moving around. When it comes to baby products, beautiful designs, cute patterns and bold and
SAFETY FUNDAMENTALS
bright colours are important,
• Check there are no gaps or
of course, but what really
No matter what you’re buying for
counts is safety.
your baby, whether it’s furniture,
holes where a child could
toys, a stroller or car seat, there
trap their fingers
Up to standard?
are certain important things to
Wherever possible, CHOICE
check for. Although CHOICE reports
• Look for sturdiness, stability and quality materials
• Clear and concise instructions
will test to mandatory
such as with change tables
on these, nothing can beat a close
Australian standards.
(see page 17). When that’s
look before you buy.
always help, especially if
And when the standard
the case, we come up with a
• Make sure there are no sharp
you haven’t used that
is only voluntary, we’ll
standard of our own, based on
edges or protruding points,
test to it anyway.
our common-sense approach
rough surfaces or small parts
• Check for mandatory or
that reflects how you use
that might be bitten or could
voluntary Australian
those products.
break off
standard certification
But sometimes there’s no standard at all to test to,
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product before
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Look out for these logos throughout this guide
The baby checkli$t The costs of baby items can be daunting, especially if you’re moving from two
• T wo pairs of small socks • B ibs • B ottles and teats, bottle
salaries to one. But by
brush and sterilising
sticking with items you
equipment
need – and avoiding the ones you don’t – you won’t blow the budget.
and treating nappy rash), petroleum jelly
• B assinet or cradle for first few months
• S heets, blankets and
• P ortable cot or highchair • D ay clothes – a special
mattress protector
• T hree or more bunny rugs
outfit or two for when
or muslin wraps
What you definitely need
• C ot (see page 10) • P ram or stroller (p 11) • C hild car restraint (p 12) • N appies (p 15) • B ucket with a secure lid. Two buckets if you’re using
• S oft towel and face
• U p to eight singlets, size 000
• U p to eight onesies (jumpsuits) and/or nighties, size 000
• T wo long-sleeved tops or jackets for cool days
• S oft sunhat for summer, warm hat for winter
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you’ll probably get some
washer, baby soap or wash,
as presents)
• T oys and other amusements • D ummy • O live oil for massage
cottonwool balls, sorbolene and glycerine cream, soft hairbrush and round-tipped nail scissors
or moisturising
• T hermometer
cloth nappies, one if you’re using disposables
baby’s on display (though
What you might need
• H igh chair (p 13) • B aby carrier (p 14) • B aby monitor (p 16) • C hange table (p 17) • S afety equipment such as gates, child-resistant locks and catches, stove guard and door knob covers (p 18)
• P laypens (p 20)
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• B aby bath • B aby sleeping bag • B ouncer or rocker • B reast pump • B reast pads – four pairs of reusable pads or a pack of disposables
• B aby bag for outings • C ottonwool squares or
What you don’t need
• B aby walkers (p 21) • O ther baby-specific products (p 21)
• C ot bumpers • Q uilts, doonas, duvets and pillows (not recommended for the first year)
• U -shaped pillows (not
wipes, baby wipes and zinc-
recommended for the
based cream (for preventing
first two years)
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Cots
Strollers
Household cots are only
Moving on up
Buying a
used for a relatively short
Children are ready to move
stroller can be
period of time, but it’s during
onto a bed when they can:
a complicated
this time that safety is most critical. Look for one that’s certified to AS/NZS 2172.
• Stand confidently in a cot • Shake the sides of the cot • Start to attempt to climb out
exercise. Some things you can check for
Most cots are certified when
Making this change at the
yourself in the
first produced but may then
right time will help to prevent
shop — such as
be manufactured for several
injuries associated with your
size, features and
years without ever being
child falling out of the cot.
manoeuvrability
re-certified, which means
Most cots come with a junior
— but how
manufacturing variations
bed conversion kit that will
can you tell whether the
to roll away if left unattended.
can subtly change the cot
increase its longevity, although
pram/stroller model you’re
They can also be more prone
over time.
sometimes these parts are
considering is safe, durable,
to tipping, especially when
sold as an optional extra.
and easy to use? CHOICE test
turning corners or mounting
cots thoroughly in our labs,
a kerb.
Also make sure the cot is:
• Smooth, gently contoured, sturdy and durable
focusing on all those factors.
• Deep enough to
Four-wheelers are more compact when in use and
stop a child from
Three or four wheels?
generally fold into a smaller
falling out
Three-wheelers tend to be
package, so they can be a better
wider, longer and heavier than
option for public transport.
finger or limb
four-wheelers. They’re usually
Some have two small wheels at
entrapment hazards
easier to push around, thanks
the front and two large wheels
to larger wheels and inflatable
at the rear, which can provide
edges or hazardous
tyres that help absorb bumps.
the stability of a four-wheeler
protrusions
But that easier manoeuvrability
with the manoeuvrability of
can also make them more likely
a three-wheeler.
• Has no head, • Has no sharp
• Has no footholds
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11
Car seats & restraints These centres (listed on your
The most common form of
crush or trap a child’s finger,
state’s motoring organisation
injury involving high chairs
toe, limb or head (or the
website) have experts that can
is when a child falls after
fingers of an adult adjusting
inspect, adjust or fully install
trying to stand up or climb
the chair).
your restraint for a small fee.
out or into the chair. Other
By using a restraint that’s
serious injuries include
detachable parts
correctly installed, you can
having their fingers, toes or
(including stickers) that
significantly reduce the risk
other small limbs pinched or
could pose a choking hazard.
to your child in an accident.
crushed by moving parts or
What’s the law? When it comes to your baby
High chairs
• U nder six months
• Also check for easily
• Castor wheels are useful
gaps and choking on easily
for moving the chair around.
detachable small parts.
They should have brakes
For these reasons a
that lock in position on
travelling in a car there’s a
Children must be seated
high chair should be
at least two of them
lot to take on board. What
in a rearward-facing child
sturdy, with a stable
(the front or back
type of car restraint do
restraint or infant capsule.
base, include a five-
they need? Does your car
• S ix months to four years
set). If the chair
point harness and
doesn’t
have the features to fit a
old Children are to use a
have no sharp edges
have
restraint? What’s the law on
rear- or forward-facing car
or exposed gaps
castors,
car restraints? How do you fit
restraint with an inbuilt
and traps for
check that it’s
the restraint and secure your
harness. Children under
little fingers.
light enough to
child properly?
four years old can’t travel
If you’re going to install the seat yourself make sure you follow the manufacturer’s
in the front seat of a vehicle with two or more rows.
• I f your child is too tall or
move easily
Other safety essentials
• Moving
instructions, but it’s certainly
heavy for their age group’s
parts These
worthwhile visiting an
restraint you can move
shouldn’t be
authorised fitting station.
them to the next restraint.
able to pinch,
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without them.
A high chair should be sturdy, include a five-point harness and have no sharp edges or exposed edges
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Baby carriers & slings • A soft padded carrier
• B ackpack carriers usually
(pouch) worn on your front
have rigid frames and are
allows your baby to snuggle
suitable for older babies.
up in the face-in position.
Nappies The cost of change Assuming your baby uses about 6500 nappies from birth to toilet
Look for:
Many carriers also allow
• B road, well-padded shoulder
you to position your baby
straps that cross at the back
day for three years), Huggies,
face out, which allows more
and help distribute the
the most popular brand of
freedom of movement and
weight. The straps shouldn’t
disposable nappy in our survey,
visibility for an older baby.
pull too much on your neck
will cost around $3000 when
or shoulders.
bought in bulk packages.
• A sling, also worn across
training (based on six nappies a
your front, also offers the
• A broad hip or waist strap
“peapod” position, where
will take some weight off
Aldi’s Mamia, the second-most
a young baby is carried
your shoulders and limit
popular brand in our survey, will
wrapped around or across
sideways movement of the
cost you around $1900 all up.
your body.
carrier, adding stability.
about $30 each on average, plus
easily adjustable with
Disposable nappies
boosters and liners. You’ll need
one hand.
dominate the market, with
about 20-24 to get started, which
more than 95% of parents using
will allow you to wash every two
baby sufficiently without
them some or all of the time.
days and still have a set to use
restricting head, leg and
But the current incarnation of
on laundry day. However, the
arm movement.
modern cloth nappies has
number required will vary
made inroads over the past
depending on washing and drying
particularly important for
decade or so, with almost one
habits, climate, season etc. That’s
younger babies, who have
in five respondents to a 2011
an upfront cost of around $600-
little or no head and neck
CHOICE survey using them
$700 (excluding laundering costs).
control yet.
at least some of the time.
• A dequate head support is
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By contrast, cloth nappies cost
• S traps that are fully and
• A carrier that supports a
There are risks with some baby slings, as CHOICE has highlighted
A cheaper disposable, such as
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Baby monitors
Change tables
Also look for:
• Sound range, quality
Babies need their nappies changed several times a day,
• Wooden tables with two or three tiers or drawers
• Portable folding tables with a
and sensitivity. The baby
and a good change table
monitor should maintain
can make the job much easier.
a good, acceptable sound
A stable, level surface at the
• Tables that include a
even when you’re at the
right height – plus shelves or
baby bath under the
other end of the house.
drawers for storing nappies,
change surface
• Sound indicator lights on
wipes and other odds and ends
the carer unit are useful if
– saves time and effort (and
you want to see the noise
your back).
your baby makes rather than hear it. This is particularly
metal frame and fabric body
Three main types of change table are available:
Changing baby safely
• E nsure collapsible frames are locked securely in place before use.
useful if you’re talking on
• K eep everything needed to
These days baby monitors
the phone, have visitors or
change your baby close at
do more than just let you know
if you’re in a noisy room.
hand but out of their reach.
when your child is making
The sound indicators will
noise. Some models have
light up to alert you to the
free from small objects that
extras such as temperature
baby’s call.
can cause choking.
monitors, night lights, tunes
• Mains and battery operation
• E nsure the change table is
• Keep one hand on your baby
and features where you can
are handy if you want to use
at all times while changing
talk to your baby while you’re
it in areas without mains
them. Never leave your baby
not in the room.
power – if you’re working
unattended on a change
in the garden, for example.
table, even just to grab
Some monitors can also tell you if your child is moving,
• Baby room temperature
and more and more come with
monitor displays the
video capabilities so you can
temperature in your
watch your baby too.
baby’s bedroom.
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something across the room – always take them with you.
• B e aware of older siblings
climbing on change tables.
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Safety gates & barriers
Other safety equipment
Gate or barrier?
The basics
Gates are convenient when you need frequent access to
A few key devices, together with some common sense and good safety habits, will ensure your home is safe enough
the closed-off area – it’s much easier to open a gate than step over a fixed barrier. However, being more basic, a barrier is often cheaper.
Safety switch You should protect each power circuit with one, and ideally lighting circuits too. Smoke alarms Mains-powered alarms are preferable, and photoelectric alarms are the best type. Also consider other fire
Look for:
• Latch Gate latches should
safety equipment such as a fire
be easily operated by an
blanket and extinguisher, and
adult, but not by a toddler.
have an escape plan. First aid kit Antiseptic cream
Gates should require two separate actions to open,
and insect bite treatment are
such as unlocking and lifting.
particularly important for kids. In
The gate should close easily
range of door widths, but
Recently, we looked at a range
the event of a serious accident, an
and positively – that is, it
some are more adjustable
of home safety devices,
ambulance may be only a phone
should be clear whether the
than others.
including cupboard and drawer
call away, but having basic first
locks, door handle covers, oven
aid skills on hand can be vital.
latch has engaged properly,
• Gaps between bars should
Window & door glass Any
with an audible or visible
be between 50mm-95mm
door latches, toilet seat locks
indicator – and be operable
to avoid head entrapment.
and more. All are potentially
glass within easy reach should be
with one hand, so you can get
Any accessible smaller
useful, but you probably won’t
safety glass, which shatters into
through easily while carrying
gaps should be between
need most of them. A few key
small chunks rather than jagged
your child or a basket of
12mm-30mm (to avoid limb
devices, together with some
pieces if broken. Panes should be
washing, for example.
entrapment) or less than
common sense and good safety
securely fitted to resist coming
5mm (to avoid trapping
habits, will ensure your home
loose on impact.
little fingers).
is safe enough.
• Adjustable width Most gates or barriers will fit a
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Playpens
What you don’t need as sharp edges or protrusions
Of all the don’t-needs listed
to bump themselves on and
on page 9, two in particular are
the possibility of trapping
common traps for new parents.
No need for these EITHER
• Baby bath cradles and seats • Toy boxes (or remove the lid if you do)
body parts between gaps). In
• Baby (“jolly”) jumpers • Any toy, part of toy or object
the absence of a standard, our
Baby walkers
testers have developed a set of
Essentially a frame on wheels,
safety requirements and test
a baby walker is a piece of
small enough to fit into a
procedures based on various
play equipment designed to
film canister
local and overseas standards
support a baby who isn’t yet
for children’s products such
able to walk. Because babies
as baby furniture, as well as
in walkers are much more
version sitting next to it on
It comes as quite a shock
the Product Safety Framework,
mobile they can readily get
the shelf, often with a hefty
to parents when their once
and use those to assess
themselves into dangerous
price attached.
immobile baby becomes a
the playpens.
situations, which can lead
fearless little explorer. So to avoid that dreaded “where are they?” moment during times
Play safe
• Don’t place objects against or
are simply unnecessary.
at the Children’s Hospital
In particular, we recommend
Emergency Department
you steer clear of babyand toddler-targeted:
inside the playpen that may help
in Sydney, 12% of injuries
watch, a playpen can bring
them climb over the side
involving nursery furniture
But as there is no current
• Ensure all latches are securely
were due to baby walkers.
locked before use
mandatory or voluntary
• Keep it away from hazards, such
Australian standard for
as heaters, power points and
There’s a booming market in
playpens, unlike high chairs,
dangling cords from curtains
products tailored to babies
some models currently on the market may pose potential
• Avoid soft bedding and use only one floor pad
Child-specific products
and toddlers. For almost
• M oisturisers
and body wash
• S hampoos • S unscreens • M ilk • J uice • S nacks
every adult product there’s
safety risks to your child (such
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But CHOICE found many
to serious injury. In 2004,
when you can’t keep a constant some peace of mind.
• Projectile toys
invariably a “baby” or “child”
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Child care Finding good, affordable
for those in a regional or
we found, with an average
Win the waiting game
child care can be a tough
country area.
daily cost of $57 compared
“In my area, often the only way
with $80 on average for LDC.
to get a spot is to try enrolling
gig. In a recent survey,
As well as LDC and care
• N annies Costs can be
your child in a brand new centre
CHOICE asked parents about
given by relatives or friends,
accessibility, affordability and
there are two other main
prohibitive for many
before it opens. I actually took
quality of child care. What we
childcare options:
parents, and prices can
to scanning the development
vary widely depending on
applications in my area
look after children in their
hours of care and whether
whenever I saw a building going
with children in long day
own homes and usually
you share the nanny with
up that looked like it could be a
care (LDC) were very
operate within schemes
another family. In our
new centre just to secure a
satisfied with the
managed by community or
survey, the price paid
spot.” – CHOICE member Kate
quality of care;
government organisations.
ranged from $88 to
FDC is the cheapest option
$250 per day.
found is worrying:
• F ewer than half of parents
• O nly one in five were very
• F amily daycare Carers
“I spent months waiting for a
satisfied with the ease of
place to come up in one of three
securing a place;
local childcare centres. In the
• A nd a paltry one in 10 with
end I summoned up as much negative energy as I could,
the cost.
walked into a centre and burst
How much?!
into tears. Within two days I
The average LDC cost for
was called back for an available
our survey respondents was
spot. You have to pull out
$78.50 per day, with wide
whatever artillery you have
variations depending on the
(sick parents, redundant
type of child care used and
partner and above all tears)
where they lived. The average
in order to be considered.”
daily cost is about $84 for
– CHOICE member Sara
city parents, and about $62
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Health & other insurance One of the first things you
- C heck with your fund
of illness. Premiums vary
until the benefit kicks in,
depending on your risk
and the duration of cover,
should do when planning
how soon you need to
a family is review your
upgrade to family cover
health insurance. If you
(couple and family
can, do this before you fall
cover is usually the same
income protection insurance
pregnant, as waiting times of
price so it won’t cost you
are tax-deductible.
up to 12 months apply until
more) to make sure that
you would be covered for a
your baby is covered.
full-term birth.
• I f you don’t have private hospital insurance, check
factors, the waiting period
which ranges from two years up to age 65. Premiums for
• T rauma insurance If you’re not employed because you’re looking after
Other insurance
• L ife insurance covers
children, you usually can’t take out income protection
our report to choose
your dependants if
insurance. Consider trauma
your cover.
you die. The sum
insurance instead, which
insured should be
pays a lump sum in case you
10 times your salary.
suffer one of a number of
However, you may
conditions, such as cancer,
find out your level of
need more depending
stroke or heart disease.
obstetrics cover. Can
on your individual
you go to a private
circumstances –
disability insurance pays
hospital? Can you go
consider how much
a lump sum if you become
to a public hospital
you owe, how many
permanently disabled
as a private patient?
children you have
because of an accident or
and their age.
an illness such as a stroke.
• I f you already have private hospital insurance:
- T alk to your fund and
- R eview your excess
and co-payments and
24
• I ncome protection
• T otal and permanent
You can be insured against
consider upgrading
insurance pays up to
either not being able to do
to a policy without
75% of your salary if
your specific type of work
an excess.
you can’t work because
or any work generally.
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Beyond the first months CHOICE isn’t just there to
rates, they can also come
especially those marketed to
that a sugary, salty, low-
help you make the safest,
with very confusing terms
children, contain alarming
fibre cereal offers. Scan the
best value for money essential
and conditions. However,
levels of sugar – so much so
nutrition information panel to
purchases for your baby. We
the tricky rules give kids
that they really belong in the
make sure the cereal is a good
will continue to be relevant
an opportunity to turn the
confectionery aisle.
source of fibre and low in fat,
as they grow, offering advice
system to their advantage
and information for all
– a skill that can have
the nutritional value of
ages and stages.
lifelong benefits.
166 ready-to-eat breakfast
Savvy kids can divide their
In 2010 CHOICE analysed
cereals found in major
sugar and sodium as well.
On their bike
• T he most important
They can bank on you
savings between a higher-
supermarkets. While the
consideration when buying
We recently checked out
interest savings account
colourful packaging and cute
a kid’s bike is safety
children’s bank accounts
requiring a regular monthly
characters of those marketed
and size and fit. Don’t be
and discovered that although
deposit and the discipline
to kids capture their attention,
tempted to buy a large bike
most offer reasonable interest
not to withdraw for
don’t be fooled by the claims
they can grow into – it may
longer-term goals and a
crammed onto every panel
transaction account for
of the box. Many cereals
cash on demand.
claim to be a source of
be hard for them to control and could lead to a crash.
• W hile all new bikes should
vitamins and minerals,
meet the Australian
Healthy start to the day?
but, if your child eats
standard for bike safety,
Many ready-to-eat
well, they won’t need
it’s useful to know what
breakfast cereals,
the extra vitamins or minerals
to check for, especially if you’re buying second-hand.
• B uying a better-quality
bike can mean getting a safer bike, and it will also hold its value better if you want to sell it later on.
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To find out more or to subscribe visit choice.com.au or call 1800 069 552 Back to cover