A Parenting Expert has Revealed the Very Relatable Mistakes Made by Many when Shopping for Baby and Nursery Products.
Knowing what to buy (and what not to buy) for your baby is an important part of parenting but can be a daunting and somewhat nerve-wracking experience. Whether it’s picking out your first pushchair or deliberating over which breast pump is best, there’s a whole host of things to consider when prepping for a little one.
Here, Jumaimah Hussain, Baby and Parenting Expert at Kiddies Kingdom, shares her top tips for shopping for your baby, along with the most common mistakes made by parents.
- Opting for Price Over Compatibility
“One of the most common mistakes we see is parents dismissing a product based on its price despite its compatibility with the baby, toddler or child. There are many factors that might determine the best option for you and your child, including lifestyle, location (urban or rural), height/ weight/ age of your child, all of which can be accommodated in any price bracket.
“There are a range of ways to identify compatibility, but the main ones are to consult the fitting list on manufacturers websites or have a physical assessment in store with an expert.
“There is always the right product for every child’s individual needs and, providing your shopping in a nursery and baby specific store, there should be an option in every price range.”
- Choosing the Wrong Age Group
“As well as the different styles and brands, parents should also take into consideration the age, height and weight of their child, to help determine which bracket they fall into. Each bracket is tailored to a child’s development, and if they don’t fit the correct requirements, it may not be suitable or safe for them to use.
“When choosing things like car seats or pushchairs, we often see parents sizing up to ‘allow room for growth’. Whilst it may sometimes be possible to air on the side of caution, there are products that need to be followed strictly.”
- Moving a Child up Age Groups too Quickly
“Similarly, many parents move their child into the next age bracket of a product before they are ready. In some instances, this can have detrimental impacts. If you take a car seat for instance, moving a child forward facing too soon before the 15-month rear facing recommendation could mean the car seat is no longer protecting them.”
- Knowing when to Choose Second Hand
“We appreciate that shopping for a new baby is an expensive period. In some instances, parents can repurpose second-hand products, a concept that will save money as well as the environment. Whilst this is doable for many essential items, there are some you should never buy used.
“This is because if these items have been broken or dropped in the past, they may have a defect inside that compromises on its performance and safety.
“Some of these items, like car seats, may also expire after a certain time in order to make sure they comply with the latest manufacturing guidelines.”
The main items that should be bought new, and not second hand are:
- Car Seats
- Cribs
- Crib Mattresses
- Baby Toys
- Not Learning How to Use it Correctly
“Not learning how to use, fit or construct a product before taking it home, is an easy mistake to make for parents. It is easy to assume it will be ‘obvious’, however it’s important to remember that this will be the first time you’ve used many of these items.
“We always advise coming into store when making a big purchase, so an expert can talk you through any assembly and safety procedures.”