If money is no object, shopping for a baby can be a thoroughly exciting and satisfying experience for women. There are just so many things to buy and the little cuddly toys, cute clothes and soft baby bedding look so irresistible.
However, for parents with very tight budgets, buying essential items for infants can be a daunting task. Check out the following ideas to help parents when they go shopping for baby products.
Safety Concerns for Baby Gear
Safety should always be a priority when buying baby essentials. Make sure baby gear and furniture such as crib, high chairs, prams, car seats, baby walkers, etc, meet current safety standards. Parents need to exercise extra care when buying pre-owned items from garage sales or bargain shops.
In the United States, parents should look for products certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMS). They can also contact to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) if they have queries about certain safety issues regarding children’s products. In Australia, parents can check safety standards through CHOICE, the country’s largest independent consumer association and Kidsafe, a non-government, non-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to preventing childhood injuries.
Buy Practical Items for Babies
Yes, many trendy baby products look adorable, especially when baby is wearing or using them. However, not all of them are very baby-friendly. Plus, they can be very costly. Try to buy only practical items for babies. Here’s how:
- Avoid buying baby clothes and shoes that fit baby perfectly. She will outgrow all these very quickly. Buy bigger sizes so that they can last longer.
- Choose baby items that are easy to use. Parents do spend a fair bit of time cleaning up items for infants. So buy those that are easy to clean. For instance, go for clothes that are machine washable. Avoid those that require hand washing, ironing or dry cleaning! Also, avoid mobile items such as prams or strollers that are too heavy or hard to fold.
- Wait and see what baby really needs. Don’t buy too soon. As tempting as it is to decorate the baby nursery with all kinds of baby stuff, it’s best to buy some essentials first and then wait to see what needs to be added. Besides, friends and family are always just too willing to spend on the newborn.
Make a Wish List for Baby
It’s quite common for a newborn to get the same type of gifts from well wishers, friends and family. To avoid that, parents can make a wish list for the infant. Plan this way before the baby is due. Tell close friends and relatives what are truly needed – a crib, baby monitor, bassinet, cradle, bedding and other accessories, playpen, jumper, toys, etc. Some of them can pool their money together to buy more expensive baby products. Making a wish list for the baby is a practical way to fill up the baby nursery and to avoid gift duplicates.
When shopping for baby products, parents should keep a clear head and think about safety issues, practicality and ease of use. Don’t buy baby gear just because it looks cute. Also, consider making a wish list for the newborn.
Found this article useful? Read also Essential Items in the Nursery, Safety Tips for Baby Walkers and The Dangers of Baby Walkers.
References:
CHOICE Website – Baby Safety: A Shopping Guide
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