The Do’s and Don’ts of Baby Related Shopping

Are you getting ready to welcome the arrival of your new bundle of joy? Are you getting closer to your due date, prompting you to rush around and finish all the baby preparations in your home? If so, then there is no doubt you’ve got a large list of baby gear and items that you still want to shop for.

Before you head out to the stores and finish ticking off all the items on your shopping list, you may want to take a look at the dos and don’ts of smart baby shopping. Not only can these ensure you get the most practical and useful items, but you’ll also be sure to avoid the ones that may not be necessary, ideal, or even more serious – safe for babies.

Don’t Get Caught Up in Hype

First things first, and potentially the most difficult tip, is not to get caught up in the hype. There is a whole lot of marketing directed at new parents about what they “need” to have for their babies.

It’s up to you to see through the hype and recognize what is truly important and what isn’t necessary. Just because something is new and trending, doesn’t mean you need it.

Speak to Other Parents

It can also be useful to speak to your network of friends who have newborns or even toddlers and get their input.

What did they find were the most useful items? What did they never end up using?

Is It Practical for Your Lifestyle?

You can also ask yourself if the item is practical and necessary for your lifestyle and how you plan to parent your child.

Not every baby item out there is going to be perfect for every family and every baby.

What About the Budget?

Sure, it would be great to buy every item out there on the market, but let’s face it, no-one has the budget for that kind of shopping.

It is okay to have a limit and stick to it. If there is a big-ticket item you’re shopping for such as a crib or a travel system, be sure to comparison shop and watch for sales.

Be Aware of Recalled and Unsafe Products

While some items can seem like a great idea, it’s up to you as an informed parent to ensure nothing you pick up is unsafe, or has actually been recalled and was perhaps missed on the shelf.

It is downright scary how something so seemingly harmless can end up being devastating for a baby.

Take for example the Fisher-Price Rock N’ Play Sleeper, which was released in 2009. This was meant to act as a bassinet for newborns, allowing them to rest and sleep in an inclined position.

It had a self-rocking feature meant to soothe and rock them to sleep. Then came 2010, when new regulations and safety standards were introduced by The Consumer Product Safety Commission regarding bassinets and the angle they could be at.

Suddenly the inclined sleeper was no longer safe, and the company was also forced to recall the Ultra-Lite Day & Night Play Yards due to the reports of infant fatalities that were caused by infants rolling from their back to their side or stomach.

A Smart and Informed Shopper

By using these tips, you’ll find that you are able to go about things with the mindset of a smart and informed shopper, getting only the necessary and useful items for your new little one.