Is it safe to give babies water?

Kerin writes: "I know it's important to stay hydrated in the hot summer months. My older kids carry water bottles on outings, but what about my 5-month-old? Should I give her water, too?"

During the summer, your baby needs to stay well-hydrated too, but don't give her water or water down her formula, even on the hottest days. During the first year of life, breast milk or formula is all she should have.

In fact, giving infants water can be dangerous because they can easily suffer from water intoxication, a condition in which their developing kidneys can't excrete water fast enough. As a result, water builds up in the body and dilutes the electrolyte balance of the blood, which can cause seizures, coma, or even death.

If you sense your baby's thirsty, give her a little extra breast milk or formula (mixed according to manufacturer's directions) instead of water.

See our report on baby bottles and nipples and breast pumps for more information.

Saving money on disposable diapers

Joel writes: "I'd love some ideas on how to save money on disposable diapers."

It's true that disposable diapers can take a big bite out of the budget. You can expect to spend $1,500 to $2,000 on disposables by the time your baby is out of them! But there are ways to spend less. Buying the "Mega" versus "Jumbo"-size package, for example, could save you up to 10 cents per diaper. It adds up! You'll save even more by buying several packages when the "Megas" go on sale. You can also save a bundle by buying store-brand diapers in economy-size boxes, which come in counts of 68 to 144. Our tests show that some store brands rate Very Good for leakage prevention, which is a factor that sets diaper brands apart.

Finally, don't be too quick to jump to the next size diaper. Selecting the smallest diaper your baby can comfortably wear will save you money in the long run because a larger diaper costs more (and may allow leaks if it is too large). Manufacturers usually charge the same amount per package regardless of the actual size of the diapers, but they'll put progressively fewer diapers in the package as the size gets larger. See our latest disposable diaper Ratings (available to subscribers) for more information.

Also, see our reports on disposable diapers and cloth diapers for more information, as well as our reports on diaper pails and diaper bags.

Is a baby monitor a must-have?

Karen writes: "I have a 6-month-old and have yet to buy a baby monitor. I can easily hear when my baby cries since our house is small. Plus, I just don't want to be 'on duty' all the time. Am I allowed to get by without one?"

It's OK to skip the baby monitor if you can easily hear your baby. Just remember, that for the first several months of your baby's life, he is crying because he actually needs something. In fact, I never had a baby monitor when my two girls were infants because of a similar situation. My house wasn't huge and I wanted some down time. After the first few months, nothing terrible happened without one, so I considered the coast clear, and went along merrily monitorless.

But I'd like to invite responses from others. What do you think? Is a monitor a must-have, even if you really don't want one? Has anyone been saved by a monitor they didn't think they needed (until something happened)? Any other monitorless parents out there? Any parents out there with more than one monitor?

See our report on baby monitors for more information.

Do I need nursing clothes?

Amy from Redding CT, writes: "How necessary are nursing tops? I'm planning to breastfeed after my baby is born and I want to make it as easy to do as possible."

I think the need for nursing tops--which have strategically-placed slits and flaps that give you access to your nursing bra--are a matter of debate. Some moms, like a friend of mine who just had her fourth child, swear by them. In my own experience, I started out thinking nursing tops were necessary, but quickly ditched the duds because it was just as easy to nurse and wear regular clothes.

If you're not sure what to do, why don't you buy one nursing top and see for yourself. Like many things, you can always buy more once you know where you stand. A bonus: Nursing tops now come in trendy tank-top styles, which I think look less 'lactational' compared with more traditional nursing shirts. They're also great for staying cool in the summer.

See our reports on baby bottles and nipples and breast pumps for more information.

Advice on baby swings

Question: "I need to purchase a baby swing. Any advice?"

You've come to the right place. When shopping for a swing, here are some things to consider:

• Traditional swing vs. travel swing. If you want the option of moving your swing from room to room often, taking it on road trips, or if you’re short on living space, a travel swing may be right for you. Travel swings take up about as much space as a b ouncy seat, and many have a sturdy carrying handle. The downside? Because you have to crouch down to put your baby in the swing and take her out again, using the swing can be uncomfortable and virtually impossible if you have a bad back or are recovering from a C-section. It can also be tricky to maneuver your baby into the swing from a sitting position if your baby is squirmy.
  
• Side-to-side movement or front to back motion. Some swings, like Nature’s Touch Baby Papasan Cradle Swing by Fisher-Price (note: we did not test this model), move in both directions. Cradle-style swings recline so your baby can lie down for the ride, which newborns tend to prefer--but you won't use them as long. As soon as your baby can push up on his hands and knees, he’ll want to sit up and see out. That’s when it’s time to retire it.
  
• Look for a five-point harness. Traditional swings today are required to have a fixed restraint system, which may include a waist and crotch belt (three-point harness) that must be used together so that your baby can’t slip out, or a passive crotch restraint and a waist belt, such as a tray with a crotch post and a waist belt. Some models feature an over-the-shoulder, five-point harness. This type of harness is best because it can keep your baby from climbing out of his seat and plunging to the ground, which can happen long before you think possible. Travel swings don’t have a tray with a middle post, just a safety harness.
  
• Comfort. Seating options in baby swings ranges from deep, padded, womb-like cradling to a wider chair with an adjustable infant head support. For the infancy stage, you’ll want a seat that reclines or has an angled back because your baby won’t be able to hold his head up. An infant headrest is a bonus; it will help keep your baby’s head positioned properly. If you’d like to increase your chances that your baby will use the swing after 3 months of age (up to 25 or 30 pounds), look for a seat with infant head support that’s removable and that offers several seatback positions. Older babies will want to sit upright and reach for the toys on the toy bar, if the swing offers that feature. If the swing you’re after has a front tray, make sure it pivots from side to side, flips up, or is detachable--you’ll have a much easier time sliding your older baby in and out of the seat with the tray out of the way.
  
• Check the store’s return policy. Try the swing within the limits of the store’s return policy (typically within 30 days of purchase), so you have the option of taking it back. Keep the receipt and the packaging the swing came in. Common deal breakers are a noisy motor and the fact that some babies just don't take to swinging like you think they will.

One more thing: Swings are major battery hogs, so be prepared to go through batteries fast. There's one model on the market that we know of, though, that runs on batteries or electricity. It's the $85 Fisher-Price Power Plus Swing (note: we did not test this model).

Also, see our reports on high chairs and play yards for more information.

Should you buy a baby walker?

Sara writes: "I thought walkers weren't safe. If that's the case, why are they still on the market?"

It's true that walkers are a major safety hazard--or were until 1997 when walker safety standards were improved to protect against stairway falls (a leading cause of walker-related injuries). According to this standard, walkers must either have a bottom friction strip to stop the walker if its wheels drop over the edge of a step, or be too wide to fit through a 36-inch-wide doorway.

Walker-related incidents have declined since the 1997 standard was introduced. In 2003 (the latest available government data), the number of injuries from walkers to children younger than 15 months was 3,200, an 88 percent reduction since 1992. Some of this reduction may be the result of stationary activity centers supplanting wheeled walkers as the product of choice. Still, even with friction strips, we think 3,200 injuries are too many, and don't consider conventional walkers to be 100 percent safe. Canada has banned the sale of walkers completely.

A better idea? Go with a stationary activity center instead, such as the Bright Starts Around We Go ($80) or the Deluxe Around We Go ($90).

See our reports on stationary activity centers and walkers for more information.