You would think shopping for baby products would be so easy. If you do, then this must be your first bundle of joy. Repeat parents know that this could not be further from the truth.
So, back to you, first-time parents. You write a checklist of what you want to buy. Then the search begins both online and offline.
What you quickly realize is that there are tons of products. Look at any shop that sells baby items. The number of brands can be overwhelming.
A few names may stand out, because you stumbled across some advertisements. But, most are new. It amazes you how much competition there is in the baby niche.
Now the dilemma comes in: which is the best brand and why? How much should you spend on each item? What quantities are sufficient? The questions are running amok in your brain at this point. You are not quite sure what to do.
Well, we will help answer one critical concern, which is choosing quality baby products. Please read on to know how to go about it.
1. Do Some Research
The first step you should take in choosing quality baby products is to do some research. There is a lot of baby-related information available online. Let's say you are looking for baby strollers type in ‘how to shop for baby strollers’ on Google.
The top results include:-
- How to buy a baby stroller and what to expect
- What to look for when buying one
- Best strollers for newborns
- Best baby stroller brands
- How much to spend on a stroller, and so on
Take some time to read the information. Now, go a step further and read customer reviews. That is the best source of information when buying baby products.
Honest reviews from people who have tried the products can save you a lot of headaches and heartache. And, don’t ignore platforms like social media.
Join parenting groups if you can. They are a fantastic source of information, tips, and advice.
Your pediatrician can also advise on the best products for your baby. They could save you a lot of money with some recommendations.
2. Understand the Markers of Quality
It is easy to use the word quality, but, what does it mean? What makes one product better or more superior than the other? The answer is that many variables go into supporting that statement. These include:-
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The Material
Durability is a crucial factor when choosing baby items. You want one that will last because replacing things constantly can be expensive.
Plastic is cheap and tends to handle well. You can find varying qualities, depending on how much you want to spend.
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Toxin Free
High-quality baby products should be toxin-free. It is of utmost importance that you read the labels when shopping. Avoid anything with chemicals like sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and dyes.
Do take the time to check out the list of chemicals and where they are likely to be. They could be in lotions, baby bottles, diapers, wallpaper, baby shampoos, and lotions. Anything that is around or may come into contact with a baby deserves thorough scrutiny.
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Price
Price as a determinant of quality may not always give you the true picture. You can find the same item, bearing ten different price tags, depending on the retailer.
But, there are some items you can expect to pay a bit more. Pure cotton, for instance, will be more expensive than polyester.
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Customer Reviews
We have already touched on customer reviews above. But, it is one of the variables in determining quality. Customer complaints can be indicators of poor quality.
Let’s say the feedback on a specific stroller brand is always negative. The trends in the reviews show they are weak and break easily. Others complain that they collapse or are unstable.
In such a case, it would be a wise decision to avoid that product altogether. That is why we insist that reading customer reviews should be a critical part of your research process.
3. Natural or Organic Products
There is a growing interest in natural or organic products. And, as a parent, you want to do all you can to protect your little one.
Start by understanding the difference between organic and natural products. Let's take the example of organic foods. Farmers do not use any artificial herbicides, fertilizers, or pesticides. The animals do not eat foods with additives or receive antibiotics or hormones.
Natural foods on the other hand refer to the production process. They are free of artificial ingredients, synthetics, or additives. And, healthy foods is an umbrella name for the two.
The reality is organic products are a bit more expensive. And, ok, you may disagree with this point. But, there is no concrete evidence, based on research, which shows organic foods will result in healthier children.
Yet, we know that it feels good to know that you are doing all you can to protect your child from residual chemicals. And yes, there is that part of doing your part to protect the environment.
But, it really comes down to you as a parent to make the choice. We would advise that you don't buy into the marketing hype. Instead, do as much research as you can. Weigh the pros and cons, then make a choice.
Final Thoughts
Shopping for baby products can be a daunting task. The range of options in the market can overwhelm anyone. We have highlighted some steps that will make the process easier for you.
If you want quality products, start with proper research. It also doesn't hurt to get recommendations from other people. Other parents, your pediatrician, and networking groups can be fantastic sources of information.
Reading customer reviews is not something you should ignore. Also spent some time understanding some markers of quality. Look for durability, toxin-free material.
Price is not always indicative of quality. But, some materials will be more expensive. And, don’t let marketing language sway you. They are in the business to sell and will use any language that allows them to achieve their goals. The onus is on you to determine the truth.
Authors Bio: Dan Martin
Daniel Martin loves building winning content teams. Over the past few years, he has built high-performance teams that have produced engaging content enjoyed by millions of users. Dani also enjoys photography and playing the carrom board.
