American Baby Faire
On September 11 and 12, the largest baby exposition in the country comes to Atlanta – the American Baby Faire.
This two-day event features 100 exhibitors showcasing the newest products and stage entertainment for children, including baby salsa dancing, a 24-foot old woman in the shoe inflatable slide and baby derby races where babies can compete hourly for the title of Atlanta’s fastest crawler.
If you go:
When: Saturday, September 11 & Sunday, September 12, 2004
Where: The Cobb Galleria Centre, Two Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30339.
Time: Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. and Sunday, 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Cost: Admission for adults is $9.00. Children under 12 and grandparents are admitted free. ($3 discount admission coupons are available at local Babies ‘R Us stores.)
Sponsored by Parents and American Baby Magazine. For more information, , www.americanbaby.com.
By Michelle C. Brooks
This article was previously published
From diaper wipe warmers to baby bouncer seats to the pack n’ play -- Americans spend $29 billion annually on baby purchases. With so many items to choose from, the trek to the baby store is an overwhelming experience for most expectant parents.
“I’ll never forget the first time I walked into a baby superstore – I turned around and walked out,” says Debra Immergut, editor-in-chief of Parents' Baby magazine and features editor of Parents magazine.
Immergut now helps readers determine the necessities from the niceties in the world of baby gear. She says it’s important to keep in mind that you can’t buy everything at once.
“You don’t need any of it!” says Gabriella Burman, an Atlanta-area new mom to 10 month-old Michaela. “You don’t need any of the bells and whistles to start with, that’s what Grandma is for.”
Most experts agree that the majority of products on the market make parent’s lives easier but are not absolute essentials.
“A bouncer is nice, but there are other ways to soothe a baby,” says Denise Fields, who with her husband, Alan, co-authored “Baby Bargains” (Windsor Peak Press, $16.95).
If baby gear has got you overwhelmed, here’s our experts’ picks of top ten essential items new parents need:
1. A place for baby to sleep: Whether it’s a Moses basket, cradle, bassinet or a co-sleeper, newborns need a place to sleep and a crib may be too big and far away at first. “Newborns are not necessarily comfortable in a crib,” says Immergut. “When you have a newborn, you aren’t used to leaving them on their own – later you can get the crib.”
Arm’s Reach Bedside Co-sleeper, starting at $159.00, pictured on left. Unlike a typical bassinet that sits next to the bed, the co-sleeper attaches to the bed underneath the mattress. Baby is close by for nighttime feedings but safely secured in their own sleeping area. For more information, www.armsreach.com. Available at New Baby Products, Babies R' Us and Burlington Coat Factory.
2. An infant car seat: Nowadays hospitals won’t let you leave for home with your bundle of joy in tow without this essential. It’s the one product you must buy before you can bring baby home because it’s the law in all 50 states that children must be secured in a child safety seat. There’s lots of options but most experts recommend starting with an infant car seat because it doubles as a carrier and also fits onto many strollers.
Graco SnugRide Infant Car Seat, $60-$100 (pictured left)
Baby Bargains authors, Alan and Denise Fields and Consumer Reports both give this brand and model, top ratings among infant car seats. It’s a lightweight carrier and straps are less likely to get twisted. For more information, www.gracobaby.com. Available at most discounters and baby stores. Pictured to the left, Graco Snug Ride Infant Car Seat - Jungle Adventure, $80.99 at Target stores, www.target.com
3. Stroller: For trips out and about with baby, a stroller is helpful. For the first 4-6 months, you’ll need one that fully reclines until baby can hold her head up or one that will hold an infant carrier.
Graco MetroLite stroller $99-$129.99 (pictured left)
Consumer Reports gives this stroller high ratings because it’s lightweight and can be easily folded. Holds an infant carrier such as the Graco Snug Ride Infant Car Seat. For more information, , www.gracobaby.com. Available at most discounters and baby stores. Graco MetroLite Travel System with SnugRide infant carseat. Sold individually but fits together as a set, stroller, $149.95; car seat, $129.95.
Features upgrades such as the Central Park black/toile pattern, memory foam and rubber wheels, these upgrades are exclusive to specialty retailers. Available at New Baby Products, 2200 Cheshire Bridge Rd., Atlanta, 2334 Henry Clower Blvd., Snellville, Ga.
4. A baby carrier or sling: Whether it’s a sling, snugli or a Baby Bjorn, having hands free and baby snuggled close will leave mom or dad free to get things done around the house.
“For most parents its a way to emulate that womb feeling -- the warmth and the closeness. Most [babies] are happy to be snuggled up tight like that,” says Denise Fields.
Baby Bjorn, $89.99 (pictured left, handout photo)
Baby can face toward you or away from you in this popular infant carrier. For more information,, www.babybjorn.com; Available at New Baby Products and Babies R' Us.
5. Breast Pump: If you plan to breastfeed, even just briefly, a pump will come in handy in many ways.
“If you are going to pump and feed later or if the baby doesn’t drain the breast – it’s your breast friend,” says Burman.
Compared with the $100-300 price tag on most electric pumps, an affordable option to start with is a manual pump. You can also check with your hospital’s lactation consultant for information on renting a hospital-grade pump.
Avent “Isis” manual breast pump, $45 (pictured left). For more information, www.aventamerica.com. This is a Baby Bargains authors’ top pick as the best manual pump on the market.
6. Diapers:
If like 98 percent of Americans you’re going with disposables, prepare the closet, you're going to need about 600 in the first month alone. “A lot of people are shocked when we suggest 600 but you’ll be going through eight to twelve per day,” says Alan Fields.
Pampers Custom Fit Cruisers Disposable Diapers, $57.66 at Amazon.com
In their book, “Best Baby Products eighth edition”, Consumer Reports rated these diapers highest among disposables for their resistance to leaks and fastener quality. More recently, CR has suggested that store brands are improving. Among their picks for highest rated store brands: Kroger’s Ultra Comforts.
7. Baby Bottles: Whether your baby is formula fed or breastfed, you are probably going to need bottles. There’s tons of bottles and nipples to choose from in an array of colors, shapes and sizes. Burman favors the Avent bottles because in addition to being capped off with a nipple, they make a screw top which enables airtight storage of milk or formula in the fridge.
“Nothing escapes and you can freeze it properly,” she says. Keep in mind that you may have to try several bottles and nipples until you find the right one – it’s the baby that usually decides which brand is best.
Avent Infant Feeding Set, $19.99.
Set includes Four, 9-ounce feeding bottles, four sealing discs, four nipple travel-pack bases and one silicone newborn pacifier. For more information, www.aventamerica.com. Available at Target and Babies R’ Us.
8. Monitor: If you have a small home and baby is always close by, you could probably forego this purchase, but for most new parents, a monitor is a peace-of-mind investment. “You are most nervous the first few weeks as a new parent, so it’s good to have it there when you get home,” suggests Immergut.
Fisher-Price Sounds ‘N Lights Monitor, $19.99 or $29.99 for dual monitors. The Fields recommend staying with simple units such as this one by Fisher Price, one of their a top picks. For more information, , www.fisher-price.com. Available at Babies R’ Us, Target and Wal-Mart.
9. Infant nail clippers:
It’s a parental rite of passage according to Burman – cutting baby’s skin while trimming fingernails. But if you have proper baby nail clippers, Burman says it’s easier to avoid. “You would not believe how fast babies’ nails grow -- I find it best to cut their nails when they are sleeping,” she says.
Sassy Nail Clippers, $2.99 (pictured left)
Friendly bumblebee shaped nail clipper features a skin guard to protect little fingers from harm. The skin guard helps prevent clipping to close to baby's skin. For more information, http://sassybaby.com. Available online at Baby Universe, www.babyuniverse.com and also at most discounters and baby retailers.
10. Basic digital thermometer:
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends taking a baby’s temperature rectally for the most accurate reading and most pediatricians follow suite.
As convenient as they are, ear thermometers are not as accurate in measuring temperature in children under 12 months of age because their ear canal is small. The Fields recommend purchasing a basic digital thermometer at your local drugstore.
BD Rapid Flex Digital Thermometer, $ 10.99
The BD Rapid Flex gives a reading in 9 seconds and is designed to take temperatures three ways: orally, underarm and rectally. Features a large night-light display and recalls the last reading. For more information, www.bd.com/thermometers. Available at local pharmacies such as Walgreens, CVS and Eckerd Drugs or online at www.drugstore.com