Buying For Baby?

Fasten Your Seatbelt!

By Julia Rosien

Need some gear for the new baby in your house? Fasten your seatbelt and hold on tight. There are more products for baby than dimples on his bottom, and more dads buy gear for their kids than ever before. With so many decisions to make, it makes sense for a couple to split up the shopping list before tackling it. Here's what you need to know about some of the essential baby equipment that often leaves dads-to-be standing bewildered in the aisles of the store.

It's the law. Beginning with Baby's first car ride -- bringing Baby home from the hospital -- you'll need a car seat. For the first year, or until your baby weighs 20 pounds, she must ride rear facing in an infant only or convertible car seat.

An infant car seat securely holds a newborn snuggly in place and offers support in places she needs it most: her back and neck. It holds the baby rear facing until she reaches 20 pounds or her first birthday, and lifts completely out of the car without disturbing her.

An infant car seat doubles as highchair, rocker and carrier when away from home. Most are lightweight and lined with a washable material. Look for one that doesn't require a degree in engineering each time you put it back into the car. One with a permanent base that the seat snaps in and out of is easiest. It should have a five-point harness system -- both shoulders, both hips and through the legs. Infant only seats range from $40 to $80 (U.S.), but more expensive ones with a stroller attachment are available.

"With our first baby, I bought what I thought was the safest, most secure, most highly rated one. Nothing but the best," says David Simpson of California. "With our second baby, I bought the one that was easiest to get Baby in and out of, one clip buckle, and no more adjusting 87 straps. I bought a one-handed, snap in, snap out special. It was just as safe as the first one."

Want to see more?

• Get tips on surviving baby's first year financially in Having the Baby Without Breaking the Bank
• Check out the iParenting Recalls section to make sure your baby equipment has not been recalled.
• Read Clip This: How and Why to Use a Locking Clip for more car seat safety information.
• Read Read Carseat Safety Tips for more car seat safety information.
• Learn about stroller safety