Creating a baby registry is exhausting physically and mentally, keeping track of what you need , what you want, brands, styles, features… Phew! Before registering, I spent hours browsing Consumer Reports and reading a zillion reviews on websites only to be frustrated because one person would say a product was great, and another would say it stunk; the reviews were often one-liners that were out of context. And it took forever to compare. With Baby Bargains, all the online running around ceased.
Baby Bargains, 8th Edition:...Shop on Amazon
Fortunately, before my shower, a co-worker gave me Baby Bargains as a gift. Okay, what English teacher doesn’t love a book as a gift, so of course, I was thrilled, but little did I know it would become my “registry bible.” As I read/browsed the book, I went back online and changed some items on my registry, but even though I couldn’t alter everything in time, the Baby Bargains book guided me to make better use of those great gift cards I got at my shower and after the baby was born.
- Clear sections for every kind of baby gear: strollers, car seats, cribs, even maternity clothing, baby clothing, travel gear, etc.
- Background information: Before products/brand details, the authors discuss why a parent might need a particular type of product, the variations you might find (jogging stroller vs all-terrain stroller vs umbrella stroller) and how these variations might fit with various lifestyles
- Graded Rating System: An exhaustive description of just about EVERY brand of a particular product is discussed and “graded” with an A-F rating (teacher-love happening!). To justify the grade, the authors give company history of product recalls, customer service, product quality, etc.
- Style/Tone: I actually “read” most of this book – you can skip around to find what you need, but the writing style was warm, open and personable, so I really wanted to read each section.
- Lists: In each section there’s usually an easy-to-digest chart that gives a breakdown of the main brands grade, price, features. Not only does it help you compare, but it’s also easy for quick referrals.
- Do’s & Don’ts: As a new mom, I had no idea what I would want/need for the baby. I liked how the authors explained what was likely to be very essential, and what was merely a waste of money. There are suggestions for how to find deals, and discussions of when and why you might want to spend the extra money for quality or safety’s sake.
- Satisfaction Guaranteed: The authors promise if you don’t save at least $250 from reading the book, they will refund your money. I didn’t really keep track of whether I actually saved money as I was more concerned with getting the highest quality products with the money we had to spend.
I’ve been able to let two other soon-to-be moms borrow my copy of the book, and they have both found it to be a lifesaver in navigating the crowded aisles of baby superstores. I’ll say it again, I only wish I’d had my copy sooner. However, Baby Bargains is still useful now that our baby is here because I still reference it for future purchases like baby food items, bigger car seats, etc. As a bonus, Baby Bargains also gives you access to their website where you can read real parents adding their “two cents,” which I also found extremely helpful.
So… put that scanning wand down. Read Baby Bargains. Now, go register in peace!
