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Budgeting for Baby >
Planning for Your Baby |
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At Home Baby Gear
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| Home is where you will spend most of your time with your new
addition. Gear that you might want to make your home a comfortable,
beautiful place for your new family can be costly, but by deciding
what you really need, a and differentiating the designer items from
the functional necessities, you can keep your at home baby gear
within a reasonable budget. |
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High Chair
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| One of your at-home gear essentials will be a high chair. While
there are many makes and models of high chair on the market, all
fall into three main categories; classic wood, metal, and
traditional plastic chairs. |
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Wood chairs are generally considered to be the most
aesthetically pleasing option, with simple lines and sturdy
construction. However they tend to be heavier and more
difficult to clean than chairs that come in other materials. |
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Metal high chairs have the big advantage of being
foldable, making for easy storage. They tend to have more
features than the classic wood chairs (like reclining and
adjustable seats), but they too, can be heavy. |
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Plastic high chairs are the most popular of the three
options. Their features tend to make them most convienient;
adjustable heights, reclining seats, easy to clean removable
trays, wheels, and padded seats. They are lightweight and
some are foldable. |
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| Whether you decide on a wood, metal, or plastic, you can expect
to pay in the range of $150-$300 for your high chair. |
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| A Clip-On or Hook– On seat is another option you might want to
consider, especially if you spend a lot of time eating outside your
home, at restaurants or in other peoples homes. A clip- on seat is
easy for travelling, as it has neither a stand nor a tabletop – it
simply clips on to the side of your existing table. The downside is
that it might not be suitable for younger infants, or for when your
child gets too heavy. As well, it can only be hooked on to a very
stable dining table. Clip-on seats cost between $40- $80. |
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Playpen
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| While some parents may feel guilty about putting their baby in a
confined place to play, others think of their play pen as a saving
grace – a place where their child can play safely. |
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| Despite the fact that you need to be fully supervising your baby
at all times, it is not realistic to expect that there won’t be
moments when you will have to turn your back for a few seconds. It
is for times like these that a safe, controlled environment like a
playpen can be a great parent’s assistant. Like any baby gear, make
sure your playpen meets current Canadian safety standards. Folding
playpens can be especially useful when travelling to places that
might not be totally baby-proof. Basic playpens will cost from $80-
$150, while combination playpens (with bassinets and changing
stations attached) can cost up to $300. |
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Crib
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| A Crib and Mattress with bedding are other pieces of baby gear
that fall in the category of ‘necessity’. When shopping for a crib,
you will need to do quite a bit of research, both beforehand and
while in-store. Here are some considerations to keep in mind: |
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Do you want drop down or stationary sides? While drop
down are more convenient for allowing you easy access to
your baby, there has been some recent concern over their
safety. So far they have not been banned, but it is best to
stay informed and keep current on all new information as it
comes out about this crib type. |
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Do your research – both online and while in the store.
Check to make sure your crib meets all current Canadian
Safety Standards – all new cribs sold in Canada should, by
law. Cribs made before September 1986, or those without a
label, are not safe to use. |
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Do you want castor wheels on your crib? They make
changing sheets, vacuuming, and picking up lost toys under
the crib easier. If the crib you love doesn’t come with
castors, you can always buy them separately and install
yourself. |
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Can your crib’s mattress height be adjusted? Most cribs
come with an adjustable height function, but you will want
to double check. An adjustable crib allows the mattress
height to be lowered as your child grows and begins to stand
and pull themselves up. |
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How would a convertible crib work for your family? These
cribs grow with your child, some converting to toddler beds,
others to full size adult beds. Keep in mind that many
convertible cribs require an extra kit to be purchased in
order to make the conversion to bigger bed, so the cost
might be more than originally expected. Also, consider if
converting your baby’s crib to a bed will really be most
functional. It might be more practical for your family to
buy a standard crib to save for your next baby, and
transition your toddler to an adult bed directly when they
grow out of their crib. |
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| Baby cribs range in price from $200-$800+, though there are
plenty of great cribs to be found for $250 and under. A good
mattress (which needs to be firm and fit snugly in the crib) will
set you back $60-$150. |
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Nursery Bedding
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| Four-piece bedding sets (which include a fitted sheet, bumper
pads, dust ruffle and a comforter or coverlet) cost around $250
–down to about $150 if you get a three-piece set without the bumper
pads. Though bumper pads are standard in many bedding sets, Health
Canada does not recommend their use in cribs, as they pose a hazard
to babies. Once you have a comforter and dust ruffle, buying extra
fitted sheets should not cost more than $30. Be aware that Health
Canada also recommends soft comforters, pillows, and stuffed toys
not be used in cribs. |
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Changing Table
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| Like cribs, the price of changing tables is inflated at the high
end by the presence of designer goods that function as part of your
nursery’s décor. Designer changing tables aside, you can expect to
spend between $100 and $250. If you are on a budget, or are
interested in saving space, you might want to consider what many
seasoned parents have to say about changing tables; they aren’t
completely necessary. Rather, a portable changing pad placed on a
bed, couch, or the floor, can serve just as well. A changing mat
should cost around $30. |
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| Both Consumer Reports and Health Canada publish updated
information on safety standards for baby gear. Checking their
websites should be a standard part of your research. |
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| Health Canada:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca |
| Consumer Reports
http://www.consumerreports.org |
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