Shopping for Baby
Congratulations! Whether this is your first or fifth child, having a baby is exciting. A new baby means love, joy and a whole new world of responsibilities. Babies also require some special gear, though what they need and how much you should spend on it is a seemingly endless debate. Luckily, the Web can help you determine what is best for your family and where to get it.
Expand All Guide SectionsBuying Baby Products
Baby gear comes with a whole vocabulary of its own: forward facing, umbrella stroller, travel ... read more »
Baby Gear Reviews
After you’ve done your research, looked at your lifestyle and decided what types of baby gear you want to buy, how do you sort through the assorted makes and models? Many parents will tell you that talking to other families can be helpful in choosing, say, one crib over another. But if you don’t know anyone who has had a baby recently, don’t worry. Many parents have posted thousands of reviews online.
Dulcinea's Insight
- When looking at a product’s overall ratings, keep an eye on how many reviews it is based on. A high rating based on a few reviews may not be as reliable as a high rating based on several reviews.
- Remember to keep your individual needs in mind. What works for someone in a small town may not work so well if you’re in an urban setting, and vice versa. Many neighborhoods have listservs for parents—you may find it helpful to join one so you can find advice from parents in a situation similar to yours.
Dulcinea's Picks
For product reviews …
Baby Bargains
has a forum where parents can write reviews of particular products. Because baby gear is a large industry, and there can be dozens of makes and models for strollers, car seats, cribs and other items, this site is probably most helpful if you have already narrowed down your selection to a couple of brands or models and want more information. Not all the products have been reviewed, but for the major brands you’ll find a decent number of reviews.
The lilaguide
is a word-of-mouth site where parents post comments on a wide range of topics, such as baby products, local moms’ groups and kid-friendly restaurants. Unfortunately, the site only has reviews in 22 states, and not all cities are represented. The product reviews could be helpful to anyone though, regardless of location.
The BabyScoop
is a place where parents can write and read reviews of all sorts of gear, such as maternity clothing, baby formula, and parenting books. The site is also planning to develop discussion forums and classified ads, but so far the only other feature is a blog about new baby products.
Consumer Reports
has an entire section devoted to baby gear. Find expert ratings, determined through independent laboratory tests, on baby monitors, tubs, high chairs, bouncer seats, car seats and strollers. While advice for all sorts of baby gear is free, the expert rating reports are not. You can subscribe to the site for $26 a year, or get a month’s worth of access for $5.95. Consumer Reports has also published a guide to baby gear—Consumer Reports Best Baby Products—available on this site or at Amazon.
Where to Buy Baby Stuff
Baby gear is found almost anywhere, from small local boutiques to large national retailers, and ... read more »
Buying a Baby Gift
When a new baby arrives, so too do the gifts. Baby gifts run the gamut from practical to ... read more »
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