New baby gear: a giant ripoff?

by Kristin Darguzas (Subscribe to Kristin Darguzas's posts) Apr 11th 2008 8:00AM

Categories: Newborns

A recent article at Salon.com blasts the baby gear industry on a multitude of levels, accusing marketers of preying on the fears of new parents and hocking completely unsubstantiated "learning tools" like brain-flexing videos. I've been thinking about it ever since.

From $ 800.00 Bugaboo strollers to a plethora of brand new toys every year (the average child gets seventy new trinkets a year), new parents are constantly parting with their hard-earned cash. The author of the Salon article notes that "luxury" baby products like miracle carriers and cashmere blankies are easier to justify: they're for the child, after all, not for you.

I have a lot of friends with brand new babies, and have spent time tripping over bouncy seats and exersaucers and the mountain of plastic and fabric that comes with brand new humans. I remember I had a lot of this gear myself: stockpiling worriedly and determinedly -- anything to make my baby eat, sleep, be content with the world!

In retrospect, an awful lot of my gear was superfluous. I didn't really need the expensive stroller, the one that was so humungous it was a bitch to get out the house. The exersaucer was unwieldy and only provided a few moments of distraction, I didn't really need a change table when the floor was so convenient. But there are a few items -- even luxury items, that I think saved my post-partum life:

1) Baby backpack - An inexpensive backpack is an easy way to tote a neck-stable baby and most of them have zippers and pockets for keys and change. So as a new parent, you can leave the house to get a coffee or a corner-store newspaper without having to bring seven billion pounds of gear. And some days, that is an exceedingly wonderful thing.
2) Running stroller - These things can be kind of atrociously expensive, but in my view, they're totally worth it. My running stroller helped me get my body back, and the freedom of running everyday during those long, hazy new Mama days helped alleviate the tedium and provided me with much needed me-time (even though the baby was right there with me.) This isn't suitable for brand new babies, but after the first few months, it's awesome.
3) Pack and Play - The pack and play allows mobility. Want to throw on a load of wash? You can safely put the baby in a pack and play. Want to go to your sister's house in the neighboring state? You can easily pack this totable bed/play area in your car. Bonus: many of them come with mobiles and pockets for clothes and peripherals.

What was your cannot-live-without luxury baby item?

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Comments (24)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Cynthia 4-11-2008 @ 8:55AM

I bought and used the Summer Infant Bath with shower. All the books say you can easily wash the baby in the sink (not mine) or in the big tub with a simple sling. I found that way too hard on my back and awkward. I inherited a cheap-o tub and tried to use it, but my newborn just didn't lie comfortably in it (she always fell asleep and the tub was angled oddly so she'd slump forward). I finally decided to get the tub everyone said I didn't need.

Success! I had a bathroom cabinet storage and shelving unit and this tub fit perfectly at waist level on top of it. No more aching back. No awkward reaching. No constant readjustment of baby to keep her in position. Absolutely worth it to me.

Stacy 4-11-2008 @ 8:56AM

My son is two, and there are a couple of items that saved my mommy-sanity. First, the baby backpack. The inexpensive one worked like a charm, and allowed me to have my arms back. It was a new parents' dream come true!. Second, the pack'n play. It allowed me the flexibility to stay over at a friends house, and made for an excellent "naughty spot" once my son turned into a toddler, and I needed a safe place where I could put him when he was misbehaving (at least until he figured out that he could climb out of it!!).
I completely agree that there is a superfluous amount of baby stuff to buy. A "luxury item" I would recommend to a new parent would be an activity gym/play mat. It was a great way to promote tummy time, and my son really enjoyed kicking the toys that hung above him.
I also learned in a new parent class that an inexpensive beachball can be an excellent learning-tool-turned-toy for your new baby. When your baby is new, slightly deflate the ball and use it to prop your baby up during tummy time (this should be supervised..but I think we all knew that...). The ball can also help to teach your baby balance when they are learning how to sit up by sitting your baby on top of the ball. You will be suprised to see your little one checking their balance at such a young age! Eventually, the ball will turn into your childs favorite toy (and they usually only cost about a dollar!).
Thanks for letting me share my $.o2!

Anne Glamore 4-11-2008 @ 9:09AM

If you have twins, buy a baby backpack AND a front pack, and then you have 2 hands free - 1 for the phone to call for help, and 1 for your gin and tonic while you wait for reinforcements.

the goddess anna 4-11-2008 @ 9:56AM

I actually tried that with mine, and I still have lower back pain nearly three years later!

I agree with the pack-n-play. I wanted a jogging stroller, but the ones for twins were way expensive, and I still would have needed another seat for my older daughter (who was 2 when the boys were born).

Next time around, we're cutting out 90% of the crap. My kids never played with the gyms, or the fancy toys. If we have another, the kid can play with measuring cups, wooden spoons and the like. We're actually going to be finding boxes for the twins this year, instead of toys they won't play with!

Ethel 4-11-2008 @ 9:22AM

You able to use a pack and play? Wow.

For my 2nd the bouncy seat set up right next to us as I fed his 18 month old older brother was essential. As were swaddling wraps, a non-slip pad for the bottom of the kitchen sink (he'd slip and slide in it otherwise), and a chair where I could hold both comfortably for long periods of time.

caitlin 4-11-2008 @ 10:31AM

I think the more expensive strollers make sense if you live in the city and don't use a car. Granted, it's been a few years since I've needed to look for stroller, but I know the $200 travel system someone gave me just doesn't cut it on the metro. Even though it was folded up, it was just too bulky to get it out of everyone's way. Metro mamas need something with the compactness and lightness of an umbrella stroller, but for younger babies.

As someone who had an unexpected NICU stay, I would recommend waiting on buying the newborn stuff. I had the baby backpack, dozens of cute 0-3 month outfits, along with a few other odds and ends that never got used because my son was either too big for them by the time we got home, or couldn't use them due to breathing issues. Of course by the time we found out, it was too late to return anything. He was also ended up using the infant carrier part of the travel system for a month before he outgrew it, since he couldn't maintain his o2 sats while sitting up when we brought him home.

As for something that did help me, we couldn't have made it without the doorway jumper. My son has always been an active kid and he loved it when we turned on music for him to jump to. I also go hiking often, so I found I got far more mileage out of a kid backpack for kids from 20-50lbs. My son is 3 now, and we've been using it since he was about 9 months old. I find it works really well for Metro trips when I know it will be difficult to find a seat, or we'll be on the train awhile. He can't go running around if he's strapped to my back :).

Jen 4-11-2008 @ 11:37AM

Ha! It is so true.

I went through the hording stage with my first and learned what every woman over 35 had to tell me. I didn't need 95% of that crap. I try to tell my friends who are expecting their first that they need 10 things for when the baby comes and that is it. But you can't stop them and I understand. A lot of the fun being pregnant with the first is hording cute adorable crap that you have no idea that you will never use or will be vomited on and ruined. So here is my list of 10

1. Pack n play with basinet
2. Simple Layette- 10 onesies, 10 sleepers, 2 cute outfits, 10 socks, 5 burp clothes, 2-4 blankets depending on season
3. diapers
4. swing
5. bouncy chair
6. stroller/carseat combo
7. crib and sheets
8. dresser
9. maya wrap or sling
10. 3 rattles/stuffed animals mostly for you but soon for them

I am pretty secure this is all you need for the first 4 months of a babies life. (even the crib isn't needed but you know, parents want the room decorated and you cannot convince them they don't need a crib at first).

After that add a high chair, and a couple more toys thrown in added at the next holiday and a new convertable car seat that will last until they are four. Done. Not as fun, no, but take all the money you saved and put it into a savings account for them. You can thank me later...

Oh, and BTW just say no to Baby Einstein and any videos for babies.

Candi 4-11-2008 @ 11:26AM

I would not have been able to live without my baby sling, and the TummyTub. Both were major life savers!

Jessica 4-11-2008 @ 11:48AM

You HAVE to add a Bumbo seat and a swing. Both of those items were absolutely ESSENTIAL to my sanity.

Jennifer 4-11-2008 @ 12:16PM

I am expecting my first in August and this is one of those topics that is near and dear to my heart. I am a firm believer in no baby clutter...I have enough of my own, thank you very much. What is funny is that everyone keeps telling my how much stuff I need. Uummm....NO! Yes, we are getting a crib but that is the only extra item going into her room (there is already a twin daybed & a dresser) but that is mainly because my sis is coming and at that time her daughter will be 3 months old and need a place to sleep. We are getting a basinet & rocker for our bedroom, a pack-n-play for the living room (2-story house) and a stroller/car seat set. That's it for the big ticket items. I have asked that noone get me any 0-3 month clothes, I'll pick up a couple of cute outfits on my own. I am also gonna get onsies and sleepers and a sling. My sis is due in May and I am constantly nagging her not to buy excessive junk...thank goodness she is listening to me and not everyone else!

Jen 4-11-2008 @ 12:25PM

Jessica- Swing is there. That is a life saver!

You can swap bouncy chair for Bumbo since both are very useful in similar ways with Bumbo outlasting the bouncy seat but also more pricey.

Sabrina 4-11-2008 @ 12:34PM

My newborn essentials? Cloth diapers for spit-up, a sling (wish I had known with my first!), pack-and-play (with wheels on one end), and a kidopotamus insert for our carseat (I have teeny weeny babies). Until they're bigger, I rarely needed anything else except a breast pump and bottles....but then again I don't LIKE the brand I got, so I can't say it was essential.

Sarah 4-11-2008 @ 1:14PM

My baby never got into the swing, but she has absolutely loved the Exersaucer. I think that's been one of our biggest life savers. And the Johnny Jump-Up. LOVES IT. She'll stand there bouncing for 1/2 hour while I get stuff done. And I ordered it off eBay so it wasn't that expensive. We have the one that hangs from the doorway.

Jen 4-11-2008 @ 1:43PM

I have heard so many people loving the Johnny jump-up and of course I got one for my first. Lol. But maybe he was a spaz but I was so scared he was going to pinch a finger off! He never jumped up and down but all around. Maybe the doorway was narrow but I threw that thing out after watching him for a couple of minutes and realizing this wouldn't end well.

Too bad though, he loved jumping on mommy and probably would have loved it.

Jennifer- it seems like you have a good head on your shoulders for having your first. I wish I had been that logical and realistic. I probably spent 2,000 on cute junk. Now that I am converting my lifestyle to one that is greener it makes me cringe.

But, I also had some raging hormones soo....

aprilkelm 4-11-2008 @ 1:55PM

For me the cradle swing (the kind that goes side to side instead of front to back) was the best thing EVER! The swing we bought cost $30 and freaked her out. Every time it would swing forward she would throw up her arms and make that newborn freak out face. Funny, but I would have to remove her. Then a friend gave me her old side to side swing which cost her about $150, and it was perfect. The first day she had it I left her in there for about 15 hours, only taking her out to feed her, change her, whatever.
Everything else was bottom of the line and absolutely fine. I think our bouncy seat came from a garage sale. And the bumbo confuses me. Some people say its the best. My cousin told me I wouldn't be able to live without it, but my baby would arch her back and slide out of it using her crazy long arms. She couldn't sit up or move or anything so she would just be a heap on the floor. I would strongly caution that you make sure your baby doesn't want to get out before you walk away. I never understood how a 3 month old that can roll over but not sit up or anything could get out of a seat like that. So scary.

Pam 4-11-2008 @ 2:55PM

I would have to say.....the Grandma. This genious invention allows the new mother to roam semi freely.

ivory 4-11-2008 @ 3:48PM

Ha! For me it was the phone number of a friend who I was comfortable just sitting on the couch with. My husband went back to work after 3 days, and a toddler + a newborn was enough to make me wonder if I was ever going to have a human conversation again. My girlfriends didn't do much laundry, dishes, or child watching - I just needed them to come over and sit on the couch, watching TV with me.

Karen 4-11-2008 @ 5:35PM

I am NOT a clutter person. I hate having stuff all over, but I had all the baby junk and used it all. I alsosold it all for about 50% of what it cost. Some of it I bought used to start with and sold it for what I paid.

Things are different with each baby, and I say moms should get and have whatever makes life easy for them.

rachel 4-11-2008 @ 5:44PM

I LOVED my wrap carrier. Everyone raves about the moby, but seriously- spring for one that is woven instead of stretchy- it will last you soooo much longer. I can still carry my 23# 10 month old comfortably (on my back, front, or hip) in my woven wrap- I can carry my 3 yr old too- but I don't because he won't let me. They run around the same as the Bjorn, but are more comfy for mommy and they can be used YEARS longer.

Jan Bay 4-11-2008 @ 7:16PM

Baby gear that does double duty is always good. My pack n play playpen serves as a mobile napping spot and when baby is not in residence; I've been known to make a quick pick up of the room by filling it up with toys or whatever junk happens to be lying on the floor.

My crib is on baby number three at the moment and when her feet start hitting the footboard, I'll pull those rails out of storage and convert it into a big girl bed.

As moms, we just need to know that the manufacturers are out there wanting to convince you that you need every item they have on the market. Just because they or the mommy down the road tells you that you won't be able to live without this or that does not mean it's true.

High priced baby gear may or may not be the best baby gear. For instance, I'm sure that most moms get their babies from point A to point B without an $800.00 set of wheels but if you've got the cash there might be something that expensive stroller has that makes it worthwhile.

Not everybody needs a jogging stroller. If you don't run or jog, what's the point? I happen to adore my BOB with the swivel wheel, the fixed wheel model; not so much. I could've gotten a cheaper stroller, but that BOB is so easy to collapse and load that it was worth the price...to me. Maybe not to everyone.

Another piece of pricey baby gear that I believe is worth every cent is the Britax line of baby seats. After suffering through a cheaper seat with tangling, twisting straps and a cover that came apart with one rinsing; I truly believe Britax is worth the retail price brand new but a used Britax beats a lesser seat.

A funny trend that I've noticed about celebrity moms is that they seem to prefer expensive strollers but lower priced travel systems and car seats. Go figure.

Jan from http://www.unique-baby-gear-ideas.com/

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