It’s the most fun thing in the world for new parents (aside from learning of a pregnancy and seeing their baby for the first time): Tampa shopping for baby clothes, shoes, accessories, gears, etc.
There are so many to choose from. Would you know that there are hundreds of varieties of the same product? Like, you can buy strollers for different stages of a baby’s life and no one will judge you now.
Wow! In the past, strollers are bought once and used for many years to come, including new babies in the family. Strollers are handed down for generations to come! Not today, though. Thanks to social media, it is imminent for parents to change their car seats and their strollers every time their babies reach a super important milestone in their ages.
But enough about ranting and more about shopping. Here are some do’s and don’t’s of shopping for babies:
Do invest in baby gears
Baby gears such as strollers, cribs, play fences, car seats, high chairs, and bumper seats are all important, so invest in good quality brands. Your baby will use the crib for a long time, so you may want to choose one that converts into a day bed, too.
Your baby will also use the strollers until he/she is ready to walk fully. High chairs and bumper seats will teach your baby the importance of mealtime. All of these should be sturdy and safe for the baby to use.
Don’t get obsessed with shoes
Making your babies wear shoes at an early age actually hinders the growth of their feet. It also makes it harder for them to stand on their own and to develop those sexy foot arches. Let your baby learn to walk barefoot. That’s not so bad. Don’t get obsessed with shoes (though it’s very hard to curb that obsession).
Do purchase educational toys
Some said that we should not buy that many toys for the babies because they will easily outgrow them. If you have the money for it, buy them educational tools because they can use this to learn about the alphabet, numbers, and many other things. You won’t always have the time to teach them, so let the toys do that for you at times.
Don’t buy too many clothes
Believe it or not, your babies will grow at a rate you would not even understand. One day, they fit on the palms of your hand and the next day, they’ll be running to you in full speed. Babies easily outgrow their clothes, so it’s a waste of money. Just have the basics and some extras and you’re good to go.
Do baby-proof the house
Babyproofing the house is essential once your baby has reached that age where he would cruise around the furniture or walk straight from one end to the other of the room. Make sure all the corners, staircases, and electric outlets are babyproofed.
Don’t depend on pre-made baby food
It is easy, of course, to depend on premade baby food but if we have the extra time, can’t we just mash some vegetables and fruits and store them in the freezer for future use? Your babies will get the best nutrients possible from fresh fruits and vegetables.