anyone else overwhelmed by baby products?

KristynLee15 · April 2015

So last week i was started to feel pretty good. Finally getting more excited about this baby since im not livong with my head in the toilet. I decided to take a trip to babies r us.
BIG MISTAKE!
Im a first time mom...but keep in mind i ak not new to babies..there have been babies around me for as long as i can remember.
Buuut.i never realized how much stuff was out there. I left babies r us feeling completely panicked. I mean ...a row of 25 strollers???? I didnt even know where to start

I got back home and just cried.

Krysta6 · April 2015

Yes!! I've decided to tackle the strollers first since I figured it is so detailed. What I did that helped was a lot of research. I narrowed it down to five I thought I would like and then went to a baby store to see. I ended up hating those 5 but found two others that were nice. I went home again and researched and the revisited again and now we have a stroller selected! I'm a FTM so it was a very funny experience to see me and DH trying to figure out all the buttons on a stroller! Hang in there and maybe narrow it down first!

przemosbabe · April 2015

First time mom here as well and also not new to babies. There is so much stuff out there it's overwhelming, I was looking for a sleeping rocker and there are so many different kinds it's so overwhelming. I just think a lot of things aren't necessary. I think I am just going to get a crib and a bassinet and then a rocking sleeper if I feel my baby needs one. I think I'm just going to get absolute essentials and not anything else until I need it, then I can focus on just that one thing at a time instead of being so overwhelmed with buying everything at once

nsaid4u · April 2015

I understand how you feel but for me, as a fourth time mom, and realize that the majority of baby products are unnecessary and you use them for such a short amount of time. Yes things like strollers and cribs and car seats require a bit more thought however you can't really go wrong. You're not picking a college, it's just a stroller. Nomatter if you want to buy a really high and one or just go with the basic Graco, as far i have experienced you can't go wrong. try not to stress about it too much and definitely don't fall into the trap of feeling like you have to buy everything high end to show off to friends or compete with other people.

KristynLee15 · April 2015

I agree. Most seem so unnecessary to me. Im a basics kind of girl. I mean i dont need a stroller for the mall..then one for jogging..then one that travels...i mean wow...i guess too many options freak me out lol . I just want something safe to put my child in to get from point a to b.

KristynLee15 · April 2015

Also were in the process of moving..so declutterng a lot and the thought of more "junk" is unbearable lol

OperaSingerMommy · April 2015

@KristynLee15 I feel the exact same way! FTM and very overwhelmed by the rows and rows of products. Trying to read as many blogs as I can but it's tough to anticipate what my lifestyle will be when my entire life is about to change! I just try to remember that baby really only NEEDS a car seat, a safe place to sleep, and a few little things

Good luck to you!

Wigglesx2 · April 2015

I used the Baby Bargins book to narrow down the brand choices then got on websites for reviews and videos. Videos are really helpful to see how the strollers work. I figured out what was important to me (travel system, click action, etc) and was able to figure it our.

I did not do this in one night because it stressed me out! I did a little whenever I felt like I was in the mood. Hope that helps!

Birdee212 · April 2015

I'm more overwhelmed at how expensive everything I want is! Like the 4moms Breeze pack n' play. It is amazing(!) but it's also $300. I'm trying to justify the purchase.

If you're not sure of what brand or item is right for you, YouTube is pretty much the best resource for consumer reporting. Search various product reviews. That's helped me make decisions.

Mrsg305 · April 2015

I'm a FTM and have zero experience with babies. My first trip to Babies R Us had me in a total panic. I went home and constructed 90% of my registry online. That's how I did my wedding registry too, and was happy with most of what I chose. Hoping this will go as smoothly.

KristynLee15 · April 2015

I guess maybe im just not picky enough. Lol i dont care what color the stroller or carseat are as long as it works and is safe. I dont feel the need to have a crib and a pack n play and a rocker and a changing table and a bassinet. One of my poor cousins..it looks like babies r us vomited all over her house...and she doesnt use half of the stuff!

LiveNLove44 · April 2015

I hear ya! The easiest thing for me when I was pregnant with DD was to create my "must have" list with a friend who was on her second child. I showed her what I was told my a registry person at our local baby store, and she helped by balancing it with her real-world logic. She nixed the things that I didn't need (she's a very trusted friend, so this didn't bother me), and she added a couple items she knew I'd want when DD was a bit older.

The BEST thing to remember is that you really need VERY LITTLE. Try to keep it simple and bring a list when you go into those stores. Avoid going in just to browse if you know it'll quickly overwhelm you. I learned very quickly that those who are trying to sell baby products are very good at tugging at the heart strings of pregnant women. Bring a trusted support system next time

aah1013 · April 2015

Wigglesx2 said:
I used the Baby Bargins book to narrow down the brand choices then got on websites for reviews and videos. Videos are really helpful to see how the strollers work. I figured out what was important to me (travel system, click action, etc) and was able to figure it our.

I did not do this in one night because it stressed me out! I did a little whenever I felt like I was in the mood. Hope that helps!

I also recommend Baby Bargains. Only baby book I suggest ALL new moms buy. It helps you sort through all the baby stuff out there.

KristynLee15 · April 2015

Thanks for the suggestion!! Ill definitely look into that!!

eat111315 · April 2015

Similar to @livenlove44, I called in the backup. I made a registry then gave my sister (a mom of two and preschool teacher) the password to add/delete things. She did a great job and there wasn't anything I got (off my registry) that I didn't love. There were a few things I didn't get, but clearly two kids later I didn't really need them.

brandypinky22 · April 2015

I am so overwhelmed as well! Not only by the crazy choices and selection but the price of everything, So many items I look at and go, $50! how can THAT be $50. If anyone has a good resource of list of baby must haves I think it would be helpful.

FLY77 · April 2015

FTM here and I also had the same experience this weekend!! It's all very overwhelming! I actually spoke to one of the associates at Babies R Us before we left and he was very helpful. I was feeling very unprepared and inadequate, he said it's a common event that FTM's feel this way!! I didn't wait to cry till I got home, instead I had a "I miss my mommy" breakdown on the way home. lol

Just take it slow, tackle one major item at a time. We've got this ladies : )

McRad · April 2015

I am a FTM here as well with lots of experience with babies and I felt that at first when I went in unprepared and just thought I'd stroll through and see what was out there. Yikes!! After that mistake I went on consumer reports-- they analyze thousands of products and give them overall ratings for safety, value, durability, etc-- and narrowed strollers down to two. The second time in Babies R Us I only test drive two to see which I liked better.
I have since started this process with cribs as there are so many options!! It's so easy to get overwhelmed but if you do a bit of research prior, you'll feel much better!
Good luck!!

vamomtobe · April 2015

I'm a second-time mom, but I remember my first trip to Babies 'R Us and I cried right in the store, I didn't even make it back home! It's something you get so excited about, shopping for the baby, and then you get there and it's kind of a warehouse filled with reminders that you have no idea what you are getting yourself into and that you are going to be totally broke.

It gets better, though! Just tackle one thing at a time, and if you can't figure out what it's for or why you might need it, you don't need it.

KristynLee15 · April 2015

That is exactly how i felt!!! Im glad to know its not just me!

spraklepea · April 2015

I've been researching and testing strollers and have given up. I'm just going to get something that holds the car seat and revisit the stroller problem in the spring. It won't really be nice enough to go for walks for the baby's first few months so I'm not sure how much I'll use the stroller for awhile.

alz88 · April 2015

As a 3rd time mum (I'm actually starting over again as my youngest is 6 so all our baby gear is long gone) I am going with the basics as you end up with a lot of cr@p you don't need or will use. Here's what I have so far

1.Cot+matress
2.Moses basket (I didn't want a basinette but I am using a moses basket in the cot as its a bit smaller and might help baby feel a bit more secure, hoping it will help baby transition to cot later on)
3.Pram- I got a 3 wheel one with a bassinette attachment, and can also have the seat forward or rear facing-i highly suggest something like this- 3 wheel is great for walking tracks but also fine in town shopping
4.Activity mat/rattles, just a couple (most of them were free or cheap
5.Rocker, an old school cheap one that you just pop baby in to sit them up a bit if you don't want them on the floor etc.
6. Clothes ( a small selection as they grow SO FAST, nappies and blankets.
7.Change table- nothing fancy, one with a bath in it, great for storing baby clothes/nappies on in the lounge
8.Car seats- capsule and next one up

So I'm pretty much ready for baby to arrive now I think. Obviously if you are formula feeding you will need bottles/teats/sterilizer etc. I really feel people go so overboard buying or registering for things that aren't really necessary, you don't end up using a lot of it!

Edited to add: remember stores say you need this that and the next thing because they want you to spend money! I have picked up so much for baby free or very cheap on local trading pages on FB. So far I have spent I would say maybe $700 (NZD) and we have a cot, highchair, rocker, moses basket, moby wrap, pram,2× car seats, playmat and rattles, 135 newborn nappies, bath lotions/powder etc

wildbutterfli2001 · April 2015

That was me the first time around. We went to register at babies r us, I had a major panic attack and I had to leave. I cried the whole way home! I was completely overwhelmed. I did the rest at home online and it went a lot smoother

StephN310 · April 2015

Remember that you don't have to buy everything before baby comes. When it comes down to it you NEED diapers, wipes, some sleepers, bra pads if you are nursing, and I like to wear my babies so a carrier is a must for me. I love my Moby for young babies.

If you are not nursing you will need bottles and formula. I had my heart set on nursing so I didn't buy either of these things with my first. I did not want an easy out if things were rough at first.

Really that is it. Take your time and see what you really need/want. I ended up with stuff I did not need and some things I decided I really wanted but had already spent so much money on other stuff.

double2rouble · April 2015

Talked to your friends with kids and remember you don't need half of it. What you do need you can always get later. As others have said you need a diapers, wipes, car seat.

wchicagomom · April 2015

I also recommend the book Baby Bargins! It has been a huge help in narrowing down what I'm going to register for.

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