I’m pretty sure there’s nothing that moms like better than recommending baby products that they love to expecting parents.
Well, aside from an actual adorable, snuggly baby. And a trustworthy babysitter. And wine. And uninterrupted sleep. But other than all that, it’s the recommending thing.
The only issue, of course, is that everyone likes something different. How can you decide what’s best for you and your kid? It’s the question that I get asked the most—and like I said, I love the recommending thing—so here goes….
1. Ask your friends for recommendations. It’s definitely the best real-world test of what’s good and what sucks. While you’re at it, check out best-of lists from trusted sites like What to Expect and, of course, this one!
2. Compile your own list from the book Baby Bargains. A friend bought this for me when I was pregnant with my first child, and it became my baby-product bible. It’s not really about finding a discount when it comes to baby products: It’s about figuring out what you really and truly need, which products are the safest, and which will give you the most bang for your buck. The thing that I particularly love about it, though, is its spot-on assessments. For example, are you drowning in a sea of stroller options? Can’t figure out the seemingly minute differences between car-seat models from the same damn brand? Not sure which items have the best safety ratings? This book will answer all of that, as well as questions you haven’t thought of yourself.
3. Now cross-reference! Compare your friends’ suggestions with your list from Baby Bargains and then—yes, there’s one more step—cross-reference all of that with online reviews at Babies ’R’ Us and Buy Buy Baby. I found the ones at Babies ’R’ Us particularly helpful and easy to navigate on the site.
4. And, of course, check out everything in person. Especially for the big-ticket items, you’ll want some hands-on testing.
Whew. Yes, I may be a little crazy about “the process,” but I promise you that at the end of it, you’ll get exactly what you want. And if you plan on having more kids, you’ll be all set for the next go-round…and ready to pass along your own well-earned knowledge to other moms-to-be.
Happy shopping!
P.S.—Welcome to our new Friday Favorites feature! Heard of something cool that you think more moms should know about? Let me know!
Disclosure: This post contains an affiliate link, which means that if you click on the product link and buy something on Amazon, I’ll receive a small commission. Although that link is included, all opinions and product obsessions are my own.
Tell Us: What is the one baby product that you always recommend?
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