Wednesday, September 9, 2009

In the Beginning: Get Well Informed

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The baby industry runs a close second to the wedding industry when it comes to over indulgence. Moms-to-be walk into a baby store and are inundated with all of these tiny, adorable "things"; most of which are absolutely useless but, what does and expectant mom know? The the clerk wants you to register and that product gun is so much fun and so easy to use. While the very hormonal and emotion driven mother walks around the store, she adds a "few" things to her cart. Does this sound familiar?

Luckily, when my first child was born they didn't have the product guns to register but I still made a huge dent in the store. Why did I buy all of this stuff? Because the books said I would need it and, I thought it was all so cute. I wish someone had told me that I didn't need it all, and certainly not all at once. My husband and I bought 10 pacifiers for $20 because the book said to buy five and we were worried we might loose some. Our babies NEVER took a pacifier! That's not the only thing we over purchased on but I'm too embarrassed to talk about the others.

So what are expectant mothers to do? Begin by talking to experienced moms and find out what the basic necessities are. During the first month or two your baby will not need much of anything out of the ordinary. Ask moms for suggestions on items they wished they had known about before their baby was born. Ask about products you should use that make parenting easier, for instance Sheet Savers. (This wonderful product lays over the crib sheet and ties on the posts so you don't have to take the whole crib apart to change the fitted sheet.) You can also email me and request my list of basic recommended products (www.mymomsupport.com).

All moms want what's best for our babies and it's hard to resist the cute baby items. But before you buy, get well informed about what your baby really needs.

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