The first thing you realize when becoming a parent is that you need a separate house, just to keep all the baby equipment in. For such tiny creatures, their material certainly takes up a great deal of space. Going out to visit family and friends is a military exercise, and can't really be spontaneous. You have to think ahead and decide what baby equipment will be needed. A lot of parents keep a bag ready and packed with all the baby equipment they'll need. Going on vacation requires even more preparation

Baby equipment is also a costly business, and some parents buy used items or receive gifts from relatives. Once you've bought for the first child, you can hand some things down to the next. The most important thing is to buy products from trustworthy companies, with guarantees for safety and quality.

There are the day to day needs of the baby to consider, including baby equipment such as formula bottles, sterilization units and bottlebrushes for cleaning the bottles. You can also get teat brushes for cleaning the teats. A set of bibs, with convenient Velcro fastenings is also a good idea. If you are using non disposable diapers, you'll need the pins for them. It's good to have a changing mat for baby to lie on and such a delicate bottom will need lots of moistened baby wipes.

When shopping for the new arrival, it's easy to overlook the less clear items of baby equipment you'll need, such as baby nail clippers and cotton tipped baby ear cleaners. The first thing baby will need when arriving home is a good sleep, and you'll need a bed with a good mattress and bedclothes. A well rested baby is a happy baby, with happy parents. A travel cot is also useful for overnight stays at grandparents etc.

Safe transportation is very important when buying baby equipment. A good car seat is essential, and most stores will supply a trained person to fit it in your vehicle. Of course, baby will also need a pushchair. This can have accessories for different weather conditions. a sunshade to keep baby in the shade and a rain cover to keep baby warm and dry.

As baby starts changing to a child, other baby equipment will be necessary to keep baby safe. A step gate at the top of the stairs and one at the bottom will prevent accidents. Cooker guards stop baby from pulling down cooking pots, and socket guards stop baby from poking curious fingers into where they shouldn't go.

Baby equipment must keep up with the baby's development, as baby progresses from formula and goes on to solid food and a variety of drinks. Then you'll need weening spoons and training cups.

Baby equipment can be fun too, with colorful swings, rocking cradles and playpens. A high chair can be stenciled with cartoon characters. After a day's fun, you can lie them down for the night and listen out on the baby monitor.