Top 10 must have baby products
By rosaflorence
@rosaflorence (1924)
United States
September 21, 2007 12:59am CST
I had a lot of trouble trying to figure out what to get for my new baby when I had my first child. After that, it was all a breeze. I still have to double check myself from time to time so that I can make sure that I have everything together. I wrote and article to make things easier on people who are just starting out with their baby. The last product is one that you should really check out because it can be a life saver and you will want to get one of these. The first few products are kind of basic duh products but the ones after that, I really put some thought into and it will tell you what the product is and why it is important to have those.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/376825/top_10_must_have_baby_products.html
1 person likes this
2 responses
@hemophiliamom (66)
• United States
21 Sep 07
For the most part, a good article, but I have to disagree on one point. I do NOT agree that you have to purchase all baby items new. That is just silly, and a waste of money. Babies use things for such a short time, and most things are practically still new when they are done being used. Do you suggest that people just throw away perfectly good items when there are others out there that could use them?
Parents can find many, many perfectly good baby items at garage sales and consignment stores. Yes, you have to use good judgement in purchasing used items. I would never, ever buy a car seat unless I knew with absolute certainty that it had never been involved in an accident. Car seats also have to be within a few years old to meet federal safety issues. Check with your local police to find out the age at which they suggest replacing a car seat. Cribs also have to meet strict safety regulations, but the biggest concerns are that they don't contain lead paint, and that the slats of the crib aren't wide enough so that you can fit a can of soda between them.
I have had four kids of my own, and babysat many others. Most of the things I bought were bought used, with the exception of the crib and carseats. I did not go out and buy new items for each kid. What your article suggests is that I shouldn't even pass down baby items from one child to another, but buy new for each child. After all, how much difference is there between buying something that somebody else used, and using something used that one of my other children used?
@rosaflorence (1924)
• United States
23 Sep 07
If you had a child that was born after your oldest one was ten, it might not meet the guidelines and regulations that they have today. The same goes for buying a crib or carseat new. You said that you would use your best judgement but with the regulations changing on a daily basis, how would you know that what you think is best, really is best?
I don't recommend using used items like this and neither does the health department, who are the ones that initialy distribute the regulations. I can understand why you would say this but to me, my children have to have the items that I know without a doubt, meet the regulations. I cannot believe that my article put you in a spot to say that you would purchase items being second hand because your judgement tells you that it is okay. I do apologize for making you upset but, I still do not recommend it and like I said in my article, you should always follow the regulations.
When I was a child, a kid did not have to ride in a booster seat. Because they realized that it was a danger for children under a certain age to ride with just a seat belt, the law was change. This is the same with a child's toy. Why would you give a child a hand me down toy that doesn't meet the regulations? I also explained in the article that you could get a newsletter from stores that will tell you all the regulations that are set for toys, cribs, and carseats and it is recommended that every parent have this catalog coming to their home no matter how many children they have. I have five children ranging from the ages of fourteen to 2 years and I always keep up with the regulations that are set by the health department because these are for our childrens safety.
@rosaflorence (1924)
• United States
24 Sep 07
I did not write this article to cause an argument and I love critism but on one hand I can understand what you are saying, on the other hand, You can never really tell if an item is in proper condition when you purchase it second hand. I have bought and item from a yard sell that fell apart a week later all thought the seller told me that it was in great condition and had only been used a few times. I would have hated to have bought something for my child that malfunctioned a week later.
@hemophiliamom (66)
• United States
24 Sep 07
I do follow the regulations set forth by safety officials, including the health department. I keep up with recalls, etc. When I say I say I used my "best judgement" in purchasing used items, I mean that I first and foremost follow the newest regulations. I have even been known to educate the person selling an item on whether or not the item is still considered safe.
My biggest issue with your article is the assumption that everyone can afford to buy everything new for each child. Most people can't. If you are able to, that's great, but don't forget about the people who can't. I, for one, would rather have gas in my car and good, nutritious food on the table than have a brand new bouncy seat or set of blocks in the living room. I love my kids with my life, and I would never do anything to harm them. If that means I need to do extra homework to find out which items are still safe to use, then I will do it.
@rosaflorence (1924)
• United States
23 Sep 07
Congratulations on the new bundle of joy. A new baby can make your eyes sparkle and your heart melt. The first few months may make your nervous but after that, it is a breeze. I remember when I had my first child, I was a train wreck and I felt like I couldn't handle it. I then learned that this was just a part of being a new parent.
