Baby Bargains: Secrets to Saving 20% to 50% on Baby Furniture, Equipment, Clothes, Toys, Maternity Wear and Much, Much More : Version 5.2

by Fields, Denise

• ISBN13: 9781889392141
• ISBN10: 1889392146
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-04-01
• Publisher: Ingram Pub Services

Summary

The bestselling guide to the best deals on all of baby's needs is now revised and updated to cover such topics as how to avoid wasting money with baby clothes, which brands are the best, the ten best baby gifts, reviews on toys, monitors, diapers, and much more. Illustrations. Charts. Tables.

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?	6	(1)
So, Who Are You Guys?	7	(1)
What You Need When	8	(1)
First Time Parent 101	9	(1)
We Get Questions: Top 5 Q&A	10	(3)
What's New in This Edition?	13	(2)
Nursery Necessities: Cribs, Dressers & More
The Downside of Waiting Until the Last Minute	15	(2)
Cribs	17	(70)
The Five Basic Sources	17	(2)
Cyberspace: Four sources for bargains/info	19	(1)
The Four Essential Parts to a Nursery	20	(1)
More Money Buys You	21	(1)
The Old Crib Trap and Nine Other Safety Tips	22	(4)
Recalls: Where to Find Information	26	(2)
``Baby Buying Frenzy'' and 17 More Shopper Tips	28	(4)
Convertible Cribs and Three Other Wastes of Money	32	(2)
E-mail: Sears vs. JCPenney	34	(1)
Ten Money-Saving Secrets	34	(4)
Baby Superstores: Good, Bad & Ugly	38	(3)
Email: World's Worst Return Policy	41	(3)
Specialty Chains	44	(1)
Baby Registries Disappoint	44	(1)
Eight Outlet Stores	45	(2)
Reviews & Ratings of 47 Crib Brands	47	(2)
Hotel Cribs: Hazardous at $200 a night	49	(3)
Who is Jenny Lind?	52	(3)
Rug Burn: Saving on Nursery Rugs	55	(1)
Certifications: Do They Really Matter?	56	(5)
Why do all Italian cribs look alike?	61	(1)
Baby Got Leg Stuck in Slats	62	(5)
Co-sleepers & Hi-Tech Cradles	67	(4)
Bait & Switch with Floor Samples	71	(7)
EBay for Cribs: Three Smart Shopper Tips	78	(5)
Our picks: Crib Brand Recommendations	83	(1)
Chart: Crib Brands Compared	84	(2)
Do it By Mail: The Best Catalogs for Baby Furniture	86	(1)
Bassinets/Cradles	87	(2)
Mattresses	89	(7)
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Soft Bedding	89	(1)
``Coil Overkill'' and Two More Smart Shopping Tips	90	(2)
SIDS Scare Tactics?	92	(2)
Top Picks: Brand Recommendations	94	(1)
Is SIDS linked to Second-Hand Mattresses?	94	(2)
Dressers & Changing Tables	96	(5)
Safe & Sound: Four Tips	98	(1)
Our picks: Brand Recommendations	99	(2)
Five More Items for the Nursery	101	(6)
The Bottom Line: Save $1000 With Our Tips	106	(1)
Baby Bedding & Decor
Six Sources for The Best Quality and Prices	107	(2)
Cyberspace: Three Great Sites	109	(2)
More than Sheets: The Four Basic Bedding Pieces	111	(4)
Electric Blanket Warning and Seven More Safety Tips	115	(4)
Looking for Mr. Good Bedding: Nine Shopper Tips	119	(1)
Diaper Stackers and Six More Wastes of Money	120	(2)
Skipping the Quilt and Seven More Money-Saving Secrets	122	(3)
Six Outlets For More Savings	125	(1)
Reviews & Ratings of 32 Top Bedding Designers	126	(3)
License Translator	129	(1)
Dangerous Impressions: Marketing of Linens	130	(12)
Eight Mail Order Sources Saves 20% to 50% off	142	(2)
Chart: Bedding Compared	144	(5)
The Bottom Line: Our Budget Saves You $800 to $900	149	(2)
The Reality Layette: Little Clothes for Little Prices
When to Start Stocking Up on Clothes & Diapers	151	(1)
Ten Basic Sources	152	(3)
Baby Clothes	155	(31)
Thrift Shop Warning	155	(1)
Garage & Yard Sales: Eight Tips for the Best Bargains	156	(1)
Cyberspace: Web sources for deals	157	(3)
What Is a Layette?	160	(1)
E-mail: How Much Laundry?	161	(4)
What Does More Money Buy You?	165	(1)
Flame Retardant Sleepwear and Three Other Safety Tips	165	(2)
Beware of Appliques and 8 Other Smart Shopper Tips	167	(1)
One Size Does Not Fit All	168	(1)
The Fuzz Factor: Six Wastes of Money	169	(3)
Baby Needs a New Pair of Shoes	172	(2)
Second Hand Bargains and 11 More Money-Saving Tips	174	(1)
Email: Second-hand bargains	174	(3)
Carter's and Eight Other Clothing Outlets	177	(3)
Best Bets: Best, Good and Skip It	180	(2)
Eleven Great Mail-Order Clothing Catalogs	182	(3)
Our Picks: Brand Recommendations	185	(1)
Diapers	186	(17)
14 CyberSpace Diaper Sources	189	(3)
Who's got the cheapest diapers?	192	(1)
Our Picks: Brand Recommendations	193	(6)
Which Cloth Diapers Work Best?	199	(1)
Buy in Bulk and Eight Other Money-Saving Secrets	200	(2)
Mail Order Sources for Cloth Diapers and Supplies	202	(1)
The Bottom Line: Slash Your Clothing, Diaper Costs by $300	203	(2)
Maternity/Nursing Clothes & Feeding Baby
Maternity & Nursing Clothes	205	(13)
Getting Started: When Do You Need Maternity Stuff?	205	(1)
Ten Surprising Sources	206	(1)
Cyberspace: 20 sites	207	(3)
Your Pregnant Wardrobe: How Much Will You Need?	210	(2)
Maternity Bras for the Real World	212	(4)
Reader Poll: Best Nursing Clothes Brands	216	(1)
Battling Your Wacky Thermostat	217	(1)
Our Picks: Brand Recommendations--Undergarments	218	(1)
Our Picks: Brand Recommendations--Nursing Clothes	219	(1)
``Orange You Going To Wear Hose?''	220	(2)
Plus Size & Ten Other Money-Saving Tips	222	(2)
E-Mail: Two Thumbs Up for Eddie Bauer	224	(2)
Two Outlets for Maternity Clothes	226	(1)
Reviews of Maternity Chain Stores	226	(2)
Watch Out for Return Policies	228	(1)
Do it By Mail: Three Mail Order Catalogs	228	(2)
Stay Fit: Pregnancy Workout Videos	230	(4)
Feeding: Breastfeeding, Bottles, High Chairs
Breastfeeding	234	(13)
Breastfeed and save $500	234	(1)
Seven Sources for Help	235	(2)
Eight Web Sites that Sell Pumps	237	(2)
The Best and Worst Breast Pumps	239	(1)
Chart: Which Pump Works Best?	240	(2)
Safe & Sound: Is a Used Pump Safe?	242	(1)
Smart Shopper Tips: Pumps	243	(1)
Breastfeeding in Public: Four Tips and Advice	244	(2)
Three Money Saving Tips	246	(1)
Our Picks: Brand Recommendations	246	(1)
Formula	247	(6)
Organic Formula and other Options	248	(1)
Confusing Cans Confront Soy Users	249	(1)
Seven Money Saving Tips	250	(3)
Bottles/Nipples	253	(3)
Bottle Warmers & Sterilizes	256	(1)
Baby Food	256	(8)
Taste Tests and Four Other Safety Hints	257	(3)
Heinz and Five More Money-Saving Tips	260	(1)
Email: Making your own baby food	260	(1)
Reviews & Ratings of Four Brands	261	(2)
Toddler Foods: Waste of Money?	263	(1)
High Chairs	264	(17)
Strap Me In and Five Other Safety Tips	265	(1)
Smart Shopper Tips: Basic Features and More	266	(3)
Reviews & Ratings of Ten Brands	269	(8)
Our Picks: Brand Recommendations	277	(1)
Chart: High Chairs Compared	278	(3)
Around the House: Baby Monitors, Toys, Bath, & Swings
Getting Started: What You Need, When	281	(1)
Bath-time Necessities	282	(1)
Six More Items for the Baby's Room	283	(2)
The Best Diaper Pails	285	(4)
Humidifiers: Tips & Advice	289	(2)
Toys: Eight Classics & Top Five Best Bets for Infants	291	(4)
Avoid Walkers and Eight Other Toy Safety Tips	295	(3)
Fancy Burp Pads and Four Other Wastes of Money	298	(1)
Tummy-time Toys	299	(1)
Eight Money Saving Tips	300	(1)
Coupon Sites Cut Online Shopping Costs	301	(2)
Eleven Toy Catalogs	303	(3)
Monitors	306	(11)
Bugging Your House and Three Other Shopping Tips	306	(4)
Reviews & Ratings of Ten Brands	310	(2)
Chart: Fisher Price Monitors	312	(3)
Our Picks: Brand Recommendations	315	(2)
Swings: Godsend or Neglect-o-matic?	317	(3)
Baby Tenda: Anatomy of a Hard Sell	320	(2)
Playpens: The Best Bets	322	(1)
The Bottom Line	323	(2)
Car Seats
Getting Started & Four Sources to Find Car Seats	325	(1)
Cyberspace: Eight Great Sites	326	(1)
One Size Does NOT Fit All and 15 More Smart Tips	327	(5)
Which Flavor of LATCH is best?	332	(11)
Nine Car Seat Safety Tips	343	(1)
How Big Is Normal?	344	(3)
How to Find Recall Info	347	(1)
Four Money Saving Secrets	348	(1)
Reviews & Ratings of Nine Top Brands	349	(3)
What is the Lightest Infant Car Seat Carrier?	352	(2)
NYC Taxi Dilemma	354	(2)
Model by Model Reviews	356	(6)
Chocolate Donuts with Sprinkles?	362	(9)
Our Picks: Brand Recommendations	371	(1)
Chart: Infant Car Seats Compared	372	(2)
Chart: Convertible Car Seats Compared	374	(2)
Flying the Unfriendly Skies	376	(3)
Strollers, Diaper Bags, Carriers and other To Go Gear
Strollers	379	(57)
Strollers in Cyberspace	380	(2)
Six Types of Strollers	382	(3)
Untrustworthy Brakes and More Safety Advice	385	(3)
What Features Do You Really Need?	388	(5)
Silly Stroller Accessories & Other Wastes of Money	393	(1)
Stroller Overkill and Nine Other Money-Saving Secrets	394	(3)
Reviews & Ratings: The 21 Best & Worst Brands	397	(2)
Who's Who: Stroller Alias Translator	399	(7)
Stroller with Height Adjustable Handles	406	(15)
Our Picks: Brand Recommendations by Lifestyle	421	(3)
Chart: Stroller Round-up	424	(4)
Chart: Sport/Jogging Strollers Compared	428	(3)
Three Mistakes to Avoid with Joggers	431	(3)
Discount Mail Order Source	434	(1)
Top Six Tips for Traveling with Baby	434	(2)
Bike Trailers & Seats	436	(2)
The Well-Stocked Diaper Bag	438	(5)
Top Nine Items for a Well Stocked Diaper Bag	439	(2)
Our Picks: Brand Recommendations	441	(2)
Carriers	443	(5)
The Bottom Line: Saving on To Go Gear	448	(1)
Affordable Baby Proofing
Murphy's Law of Baby Proofing	449	(1)
General: Covering the Outlets and Mini-Blind Cords	450	(1)
Chart: The Most Dangerous Baby Products	451	(1)
Gate Picks	452	(4)
Bathroom: Toilet Locks, Tub Spouts & Medicines	456	(1)
Kitchen: Dishwasher as Toyland and Stove Guards	457	(1)
Living Rooms: Plants, VCRs & Coffee Table Bumpers	458	(2)
Bedrooms: Clearing the Dresser Table	460	(1)
Three Money-Saving Tips	460	(1)
Three Mail-Order Catalogs for Baby Proofing Products	461	(2)
How Safe is Safety 1st?	463	(1)
The Baby First Aid Kit: Fourteen Key Items	464	(1)
Top Ten Safety ``Must-Haves''	465	(1)
The Bottom Line	466	(1)
Etc: Announcements, Catalogs, Child Care & More
Announcements	467	(7)
Cyberspace: Web Sources	467	(3)
Seven Money Saving Secrets	470	(1)
Reviews & Ratings of Six Top Brands	471	(2)
Do it By Mail	473	(1)
Adoption Announcements	473	(1)
15 Tips for Smart Mail Order Shopping	474	(2)
Dot-Com Good vs. Evil	476	(3)
General Baby Products Catalogs	479	(1)
Top Five Things to Do with the Web	479	(5)
Child Care	484	(5)
The Three Basic Options for Child Care	484	(1)
Dependent Care Accounts & Three More Money-Savers	485	(1)
Ten Question to Ask a Child Care Provider	486	(2)
Does your Nanny Have a Past?	488	(1)
Conclusion: What Does It All Mean?
Baby's First Year: Average Costs vs. Our Baby Bargains Budget	489	(1)
Our Parting Advice	489	(1)
Appendix A: Canadian Sources & Bargains	490	(7)
Appendix B: Sample Gift Registry	497	(4)
Appendix C: Multiples Advice: Twins and more	501	(4)
Appendix D: Phone/Web Directory	505	(10)
Index	515	(18)
Our Other Books	533
About the Authors