When I was pregnant with my first baby five years ago, my neighbor Sheryl offered me a list of things to buy, register for and not to bother with. The list had various tidbits from “don’t buy bibs, you’ll get a million of them at your shower” to “make sure you have nipple soothies in the fridge just in case.” Just in case for what?! (I soon found out.)
I’ve since amended Sheryl’s no-frills Word doc list for my friends, adding my own insight on booster seats vs. high chairs and my research on the safest car seats (they aren’t always the most expensive). The list is now outdated again, due to the flux of designer strollers, toxic baby bottles and the much better color selection of baby linens out there.
Who knew Sheryl was onto something? On the front page of the Syracuse Post-Standard’s Life and Leisure section yesterday, there was a story on baby planners. Think wedding planner but baby planner: Someone to help you sort through the choices and register for the best stroller, car seat, crib, high chairs and feeding accessories for your lifestyle. (At the risk of sounding like a total sell-out, there are better strollers for the city vs. the ‘burbs).
Baby planners can consult on anything from selecting a pediatrician to nursery design to finding the best baby photographer. According to the article, Melissa Moog, founder of Itsabelly: Baby Concierge, found out about other baby planners via CoolMomPicks.com, which led her to form the National Baby Planner Association, comprised of 14 members.
What would you want to ask a baby planner if you had one at your disposal? (Rates start at 75 dollars for an hour phone consultation.) What are some of your favorite products? The ones you can live without?
One more tip from Sheryl: Bring a bottle of champagne to the hospital.
– Rebecca
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Mommies Clique 