Baby Bargains: Secrets to Saving 20% to 50% on Baby Furniture, Equipment, Clothes, Toys, Maternity Wear, and Much, Much More!

by Fields, Denise; Fields, Alan

• ISBN13: 9781889392097
• ISBN10: 188939209X
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-04-01
• Publisher: Ingram Pub Services

Summary

Wow! A baby book that actually answers the big question about having a baby: How am I going to afford all this? With the average cost of a baby topping $6600 for just the first year alone, you need creative solutions and innovative ideas to navigate the consumer maze that confronts all parents-to-be. Baby Bargains is the answer! Inside, you'll discover: The best Web sites that offer the biggest discounts! Name brand reviews of car seats, bedding, strollers, high chairs, diapers and more! Five wastes of money with baby clothes and the best outlet bargains. Seven tips to saving money on cribs, plus in-depth reviews of crib brands. The truth about strollers-and which brands work best in the real world. The seven most ridiculous baby products. Dozens of safety tips to affordably baby proof your home. Detailed charts that compare brands of cribs, strollers, car seats and more! Book jacket.

Author Biography

Authors Denise and Alan Fields are consumer advocates who've been featured on Oprah, The Today Show, Good Morning America and Dateline NBC. Their books include the best-selling paperbacks Bridal Bargains, The Bridal Gown Guide and Your New House. They live in Boulder, CO with their sons, Ben and Jack.

Table of Contents

Introduction
``It's Going to Change Your Life''
The Four Truths That No One Tells You About Buying Stuff for Baby	1	(1)
What Does a Baby Cost For the First Year?	2	(3)
Reality Check: How Much You Can Save	5	(1)
What? There's No Advertising in this Book?	5	(2)
So, Who Are You Guys?	7	(1)
What you need when	8	(1)
We Get Questions: Top 5 Q&A	9	(3)
What's new in this edition?	12	(2)
Nursery Necessities: Cribs, Dressers & More
The Downside of Waiting Until the Last Minute	14	(1)
Cribs	14	(55)
The Five Basic Sources	15	(2)
Cyberspace: 4 sources for bargains/info	17	(1)
The Four Essential Parts to a Nursery	18	(1)
More Money Buys You	19	(1)
The Old Crib Trap and Nine Other Safety Tips	19	(4)
Recalls: Where to Find Information	23	(1)
``Baby Buying Frenzy'' and 13 More Shopper Tips	24	(3)
Convertible Cribs and Three Other Wastes of Money	27	(1)
E-mail: Sears vs. JCPenney	28	(1)
Ten Money-Saving Secrets	29	(3)
Best Buys: Four Best Sources	32	(4)
Email: World Worst Return Policy	36	(2)
Five Outlet Stores	38	(1)
Baby Registries Disappoint	38	(1)
Reviews & Ratings of 41 Crib Brands	39	(4)
Hotel Cribs: Hazardous at $200 a night	43	(1)
Certifications: Do They Really Matter?	44	(3)
Email: IKEA pros and cons	47	(4)
Co-sleepers & Hi-Tech Cradles	51	(2)
Who is Jenny Lind?	53	(3)
Why do all Italian cribs look alike?	56	(9)
Our picks: Crib Brand Recommendations	65	(1)
Do it by Mail: The Best Catalogs for Baby Furniture	65	(1)
Chart: Crib Brands Compared	66	(3)
Bassinets/Cradles	69	(1)
Mattresses	70	(6)
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Soft Bedding	71	(1)
``Coil Overkill'' and Two More Smart Shopping Tips	71	(2)
SIDS Scare Tactics?	73	(1)
Top Picks: Brand Recommendations	74	(1)
Email: Colic Remedy Turns Matters into Magic Fingers	75	(1)
Dressers & Changing Tables	76	(4)
Safe & Sound: Four Tips	78	(1)
Our picks: Brand Recommendations	78	(2)
Five More Items for the Nursery	80	(6)
The Bottom Line: Save $1000 With Our Tips	84	(2)
Baby Bedding & Decor
Six Sources for the Best Quality and Prices	86	(2)
Cyberspace: Three Sources	88	(2)
More than Sheets: The Four Basic Bedding Pieces	90	(4)
The Crib Sheet Controversy	94	(1)
Electric Blanket Warning and Seven More Safety Tips	94	(3)
Looking for Mr. Good Bedding: Nine Shopper Tips	97	(2)
Diaper Stackers and Six More Wastes of Money	99	(2)
Skipping the Quilt and Seven More Money-Saving Secrets	101	(2)
Six Outlets For More Savings	103	(1)
CyberOutlet: Overstock.com	103	(2)
Reviews & Ratings of 40 Top Bedding Designers	105	(4)
License Translator	109	(1)
Dangerous Impressions: Marketing of Liners	110	(11)
Winnie the Pooth at a Discount	121	(1)
14 Mail Order Sources Saves 20% to 50% off	122	(2)
Chart: Bedding Compared	124	(6)
The Bottom Line: Our Budget Saves You $800 to $900	130	(1)
The Reality Layette: Little Clothes for Little Prices
When to Start Stocking Up on Clothes & Diapers	131	(1)
Ten Basic Sources	132	(3)
Baby Clothes	135	(32)
Thrift Shop Warning	135	(1)
Cyberspace: Web sources for deals	136	(1)
Garage & Yard Sales: Eight Tips for the Best Bargains	136	(3)
What Is a Layette?	139	(1)
What does more money buy you?	140	(1)
The Baby Bargains Layette	141	(1)
E-mail: How Much Laundry?	141	(3)
Flame Retardant Sleepwear and Three Other Safety Tips	144	(2)
Beware of Appliques and 9 Other Smart Shopper Tips	146	(1)
The Fuzz Factor: Five Wastes of Money	147	(1)
One Size Does Not Fit All	148	(4)
Second Hand Bargains and 10 More Money-Saving Tips	152	(2)
Email: Second-hand bargains	154	(1)
Carter's and 11 Other Clothing Outlets	155
Best Bets: Best, Good and Skip It	135	(25)
17 Great Mail-Order Clothing Catalogs	160	(6)
Our Picks: Brand Recommendations	166	(1)
Diapers	167	(14)
The Great Diaper Debate	167	(2)
10 CyberSpace Diaper Sources	169	(2)
Our Picks: Brand Recommendations	171	(1)
Who's got the cheapest diapers?	172	(5)
Buy in Bulk and Eight Other Money-Saving Secrets	177	(2)
Mail Order Sources for Cloth Diapers and Supplies	179	(2)
The Bottom Line: Slash Your Clothing, Diaper Costs by $300	181	(2)
Maternity/Nursing Clothes & Feeding Baby
Maternity & Nursing Clothes	183	(23)
Getting Started: When Do You Need Maternity Stuff?	183	(1)
Ten Surprising Sources	184	(1)
Cyberspace: 22 sites	185	(3)
Your Pregnant Wardrobe: How Much Will You Need?	188	(1)
Plus Size Clothing	189	(1)
Maternity Bras for the Real World	190	(2)
Battling Your Wacky Thermostat	192	(1)
Our Picks: Brand Recommendations-Undergarments	193	(1)
``Orange You Going To Wear Hose?''	194	(3)
The Large Lady Trick & 10 Other Money-Saving Tips	197	(1)
E-Mail: Two Thumbs Up for Eddie Bauer	198	(2)
Three Outlets for Maternity Clothes	200	(2)
Reviews & Ratings of Maternity Chain Stores	202	(1)
Watch out for return policies	203	(1)
Do it By Mail: Three Mail Order Catalogs	204	(2)
Breastfeeding	206	(14)
Breastfeed and save $500	206	(1)
E-Mail: Pregnancy Workout Videos	206	(2)
The Biggest Misconception about Breastfeeding	208	(2)
Seven Sources for Help	210	(2)
Six Web Sites that Sell Pumps	212	(1)
The Best and Worst Breast Pumps	213	(1)
Chart: Which Pump Works Best?	214	(4)
Breastfeeding in Public: Four Tips and Advice	218	(2)
The Bottom Line: How to Save Over $700	220	(2)
Around the House: Baby Monitors, Toys, Bath, Foods, High Chairs, and Swings
Getting Started: What you need, when	222	(1)
Bath-time Necessities	223	(1)
Six More Items for the Baby's Room	224	(2)
I Dream of the Diaper Genie	226	(1)
Humidifiers: Tips & Advice	227	(2)
Toys: Eight Classics	229	(3)
Avoid Walkers and Eight Other Toy Safety Tips	232	(2)
Are Teethers a Playpen Peril?	234	(2)
Fancy Burp Pads and Four Other Wastes of Money	236	(1)
Eight Money Saving Tips	237	(1)
Coupon Sites Cut Online Shopping Costs	238	(2)
14 Toy Catalogs	240	(3)
Monitors	243	(13)
Bugging Your House and Three Other Shopping Tips	244	(3)
Reviews & Ratings of Seven Brands	247	(1)
Shopping Bots	248	(2)
Chart: Fisher Price Monitors	250	(2)
Our picks: Brand Recommendations	252	(4)
Formula	256	(4)
Six Money Saving Tips	256	(1)
Confusing Cans Confront Soy Users	257	(3)
Bottles/Nipples	260	(3)
Bottle Warmers & Sterilizes	263	(1)
Baby Food	263	(8)
Cyberspace: Baby Food Sites	264	(1)
Taste Tests and Four Other Safety Hints	264	(2)
Heinz and Five More Money-Saving Tips	266	(1)
Email: Making your own baby food	267	(1)
Reviews & Ratings of Five Brands	268	(1)
Toddler Foods: Waste of Money?	269	(2)
High Chairs	271	(9)
Strap Me In and Five Other Safety Tips	271	(1)
Smart Shopper Tips: Basic Features and More	272	(2)
Reviews & Ratings of 10 Brands	274	(1)
Hook-on Chairs and Booster Seats	275	(5)
Our Picks: Brand Recommendations	280	(1)
Swings: Godsend or Neglect-o-matic?	280	(1)
Baby Tenda: Anatomy of a Hard Sell	281	(1)
Playpens: The Best Bets	282	(2)
The Bottom Line	284	(2)
Car Seats
Getting Started & 4 Sources to Find Car Seats	286	(1)
Cyberspace: Seven Great Sites	287	(2)
One Size Does NOT Fit All and 15 More Smart Tips	289	(8)
Seven Safety Tips	297	(1)
How Big Is Normal?	298	(2)
How to Find Recall Info	300	(1)
Four Money Saving Secrets	300	(1)
Reviews & Ratings of Nine Top Brands	301	(2)
On a Jet Plane: Seats for Airplanes	303	(4)
Chocolate Donuts with Sprinkles?	307	(8)
Belt Positioners	315	(2)
What is the lightest infant car seat carrier?	317	(1)
Our Picks: Brand Recommendations	317	(1)
Chart: Infant Car Seats compared	318	(2)
Chart: Convertible Car Seats compared	320	(2)
Strollers, Diaper Bags, Carriers and other To Go Gear
Strollers	322	(48)
Strollers in Cyberspace	323	(2)
Six Types of Strollers	325	(2)
Untrustworthy Brakes and More Safety Advice	327	(1)
What Features Do You Really Need?	328	(5)
Silly Stroller Accessories & Other Wastes of Money	333	(1)
Stroller Overkill and Eight Other Money-Saving Secrets	334	(1)
Reviews & Ratings: The 18 Best & Worst Brands	335	(4)
Stroller with Height Adjustable Handles	339	(2)
Who's Who: Stroller Alias Translator	341	(5)
How Stroller Makers Block Discounters	346	(11)
Our Picks: Brand Recommendations	357	(1)
Chart: Stroller Round-up	358	(2)
Chart: Travel Systems Compared	360	(4)
Chart: Jogging Strollers Compared	364	(4)
Discount Mail Order Source	368	(1)
Bike Trailers & Seats	369	(1)
The Well-Stocked Diaper Bag	370	(5)
Make Your Own	370	(1)
Top Nine Items for a Well Stocked Diaper Bag	371	(2)
Our Picks: Brand Recommendations	373	(2)
Carriers	375	(2)
The Bottom Line: Saving on To Go Gear	377	(1)
Affordable Baby Proofing
Murphy's Law of Baby Proofing	378	(1)
General: Covering the Outlets and Mini-Blind Cords	379	(1)
Chart: The Most Dangerous Baby Products	379	(2)
Gate Picks	381	(3)
Bathroom: Toilet Locks, Tub Spouts & Medicines	384	(1)
Kitchen: Dishwasher as Toyland and Stove Guards	385	(1)
Living Rooms: Plants, VCRs & Coffee Table Bumpers	386	(1)
Bedrooms: Cleaning the Dresser Table	387	(1)
Three Money-Saving Tips	387	(1)
Three Mail-Order Catalogs for Baby Proofing Products	388	(1)
Three Wastes of Money	389	(1)
How Safe is Safety 1st?	390	(1)
The Baby First Aid Kit: Fourteen Key Items	391	(1)
Top Ten Safety ``Must-Haves''	392	(1)
The Bottom Line	393	(1)
The Best Gifts for Baby
The Top 12 Best Gifts for Baby	394	(2)
Walkers, Baby Flatware and More Gift ``Don'ts''	396	(1)
Four Gift Catalogs	397	(2)
The Seven Most Ridiculous Baby Products	399	(1)
Announcements	400	(7)
Cyberspace: Web Sources	400	(2)
Seven Money Saving Secrets	402	(2)
Reviews & Ratings of Six Top Brands	404	(1)
Do it By Mail	405	(1)
Adoption Announcements	406	(1)
Etcetera: Catalogs, The `Net, Child Care & More
15 Tips for Smart Mail Order Shopping	407	(3)
General Baby Products Catalogs	410	(1)
Top 5 Things to Do with the Web	411	(2)
Parents in Cyberspace: Tips & Tricks	413	(3)
Dot-Com Good vs. Evil	416	(2)
Child Care	418	(4)
The Three Basic Options for Child Care	418	(1)
Dependent Care Accounts & Three More Money-Savers	419	(1)
10 Questions to Ask a Child Care Provider	420	(2)
Conclusion: What Does it All Mean?
Baby's First Year: Average Costs vs. Our Baby Bargains Budget	422	(1)
Our Parting Advice	422	(1)
Appendix A: Canadian Sources & Bargains	423	(13)
Appendix B: Sample Gift Registry	436	(4)
Appendix C: Multiples Advice: Twins and more	440	(3)
Appendix D: Phone/Web Directory	443	(10)
Index	453	(16)
Our Other Books	469