A few Must have Baby Items for Parents

FEATURE A FEW MUST HAVE BABY ITEMS FOR PARENTS

By Ella Diprose

Out of the countless baby things you buy as parents, there are some things you never even use and they sit gathering dust in a spare room or maybe you use them once but they don’t work for your baby or they take up too much space in your lounge. These are 3 baby items which have been lifesavers for me from helping me get a break for 5 minutes, so I can shower or for when we are eating dinner! The first is a baby carrier or wrap. My first baby loved to be carried and was on me so much I called her my ‘velcro baby’. While this doesn’t necessarily give you a break or space from your child, it does give your baby comfort while allowing you to be hands free and get stuff done. My two kids have spent a lot of time in the carrier. My youngest boy lived in his carrier for hours on me for the first 5 months of his life. I pull it out when it’s dinner prep time and he’s grizzly or when he’s just refusing to go on his play mat or for naps when we’re out and about. Many people like to use a stretchy wrap for newborns and it’s a personal preference. There’s so many different types of carriers and wraps out there, I highly suggest checking out the Sling Library through Babywearers Manawatu where you can try and hire carriers to find what works best for you before you buy one. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ babywearersmanawatu The second lifesaver is the Jolly Jumper. When they’re at an age that is appropriate and safe to use, a jolly jumper can be a wonderful toy and source of amusement for babies. We only recently started using one, with my boy at about 4 ½ months old. He loves being upright and having the novelty of being able to turn around and jump and bounce. This is great and I only use it for 10-15 minutes, once or twice a day. I’m always nearby in the same room and supervising my boy and I chat to him while he’s bouncing “Wow, you’re bouncing so high!”

Nurturing,loving, consistent relationships which provide the foundations that children need in order to develop and flourish

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“Look at you jumping!” It also tires him out and gives his legs a good workout, and he often sleeps better after a bounce. Lastly, a Baby Bouncer is super handy. This bouncer has got so much use out of two kids and is good from newborn and while your baby isn’t sitting up independently yet. I used mine with my first baby so that I could eat dinner or shower. I’d bring the bouncer into the bathroom with me and she would happily sit in it for 5-10 minutes with some toys. It was great for her as she was a reflux, colicky baby and needed to be kept more upright after a feed. I also use it for hanging the washing out, I just bring the bouncer outside and they can have some fresh air. My boy will happily stare at the branches on the trees and watch the leaves for ages.

Hire a Tens Machine

Hire a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) machine to help reduce your pain during labour and childbirth.

Palmerston North Parents Centre (PNPC) has five TENS machines available for hire by our members for ONLY $20 for up to four weeks’ hireage (plus a $40.00 refundable bond).

Machines can be booked for the two weeks prior to your due date until two weeks post due date. Watch a video interview with a TENS machine expert at youtube.com/ watch?v=4gUEtYAqPw8

Book your TENS Machine from: Palmerston North Parents Centre, 117 Ruahine Street, info@palmyparentscentre.org.nz. Please pay in cash. Full terms and conditions supplied upon inquiry. Note: TEENS pads are reusable, you can purchase new TENS pads for $35.