This article is sponsored by Babycare.
When you’re expecting your first child, the choice of prams, cots, car seats, bibs and baths can be overwhelming.
For more than three decades, Babycare has cut through the confusion to advise parents on what they really need for the new arrival. As Yorkshire’s Premier Silver Cross retailer, quality and a personal touch is at the heart of this family business.
Just a 40-minute drive from the centre of Harrogate, the Bradford-based destination store has two floors of products especially for you and your baby, and features a designated furniture showroom.
Here are some of Babycare’s top tips for finding the perfect baby products for your family:
Pram
A pram is often the biggest purchase for new parents. If you’re not sure where to start when looking for a pram, think about your lifestyle. Chances are, much of what you do pre-baby will (in parts) remain the same.
Where do you live, where you like to walk, do you have a dog? The biggest variable factor amongst prams is the terrain it can tackle. If you’re more urban, need to use public transport or live in an apartment, you’re probably not going to need something designed to go up hill and down dale. If you’re more rural and aren’t always on well-maintained pavements, something with smaller wheels is not going to survive.
Babycare bestseller:
Car Seat
With car seats, there are two main choices:
- those which can be lifted out of the car with baby in, often to sit on a pram frame (known as a travel system)
- those which remain fixed in the car.
Often in those early weeks and months, being able to carry your little one around without disturbing them can be invaluable – but portable options are generally suitable for the first 12-15 months. Something which remains in the car permanently can prove to be more cost effective in the long run, as they usually last until your child is around 4 – but might be less convenient at first.
Babycare bestseller:
Baby carrier
In recent years, the popularity of ‘baby wearing’ has soared. Carriers help to keep your little one close whilst giving you more freedom of movement in scenarios when your pushchair may struggle (like on public transport or dog walks), or simply so you can have your hands free to get things done around the house if your baby is unsettled or wants to be held.
Whether you prefer the idea of a more structured carrier or a more organic wrap fit, Babycare has a variety of carriers instore and online for all budgets and lifestyles.
Babycare bestseller:
Bedside Crib
With a wide selection of “overnight sleep solutions”, it can be hard to know what will be best for your baby.
Traditional Moses baskets look pretty but are often short-lived as they are so small. Bedside cribs offer a roomier sleep space, and can help to make night feeds easier as your baby is closer and often high enough to be alongside the bed.
Babycare bestseller:
For personal advice on everything your baby could need, visit Babycare at 1 Junction Terrace, Bolton Road, Bradford, BD2 4LB or babycareonline.co.uk