Having a infant means that you instantly need lots of equipment. From furniture to clothing, each infant item becomes essential in taking care of the new edition to your family. With the variety of choices out there, picking the appropriate infant item can seem overwhelming. But it’s important that you don’t get distracted by labels, beautiful patterns and all of the bells and whistles that come with a infant item, and consider what your infant needs, and what is most safe for your infant  baby newborn.

The safest infant item is one purchased in a store while still in its packaging. When the infant item is in its packaging you can ensure that it is age appropriate, that it is made with safe materials, and you can check if the infant item gets recalled. A infant item purchased in a yard sale or given to you by a neighbor isn’t traceable. You have no way of knowing if that infant seat you bought in a yard sale has been recalled three years ago, or if the bars of the second hand crib are loose, or too far apart.

A infant item purchased in a store will also tell you what the item is made of. You may choose to stay away from any infant item made with plastic that contains Bisphenol a (a chemical found in many hard plastics). There have also been a number of infant products recalled because of excessive lead.

When you do purchase your infant item, hold on to the information on the packaging, so that if there is a recall you can check to make sure that each infant item in your home is safe.