Tips From an Expert

Below are a few "tips of the trade" I'd like to alert new parents about when preparing for their baby.  Shopping for a little one can be incredibly confusing and sometimes painful but if you just follow the guidelines below, the entire process may turn out to be just a little bit easier and less stressful on you.

1) When pre-ordering a new product, always expect delays.  99.9% of the time the product will arrive late.  Weeks or even months late.  This is the vendors fault, not the stores - they want the product in just as bad as you.  Vendors showcase the new products before they're ready in order to raise interest and awareness but sometimes their development doesn't proceed as planned.

2) Same applies for back-ordered items.  Vendors frequently underestimate how quickly their products will move, causing shortages.

3) Don't buy a stroller solely on a friend's recommendation.  Every lifestyle is different, same with likes and dislikes.  If you buy because they like it, you may end up unhappy.

4) I will always suggest testing a stroller out before buying.  Most of the time your mind will change.  Also, expect to make multiple trips before buying.  It's overwhelming being faced with all those choices but doing a little research prior to visiting a store can help ease that tremendously.

5) It's always a good idea to shop for strollers and car seats simultaneously, especially if you plan to purchase an infant car seat.  Infant car seats are often capable of attaching to strollers (as with travel systems), making the transition from car ride to stroller ride easier for both baby and parent.  Not all strollers work with all car seats, however, and the last thing you want to do is purchase two that won't work together.

6) When buying furniture, keep in mind that there are vendors out there who will take as long as 12-14 weeks to get your items in.  The sooner you buy, the better.  I can't tell you how many people come in last minute and miss out on getting the crib/chair/dresser they really want.

7) Do not wait on buying your car seat.  You will not be allowed to leave the hospital without it.