Platinum Babies

Planner Melissa Moog


By Melissa Moog, CEO & Founder of Itsabelly Baby Planners, www.itsa-belly.com Working with Tara and Andrew was a Baby Planner's dream! As an expecting couple they already had a good idea about what big ticket items they wanted to buy. They had narrowed down the brands, style and attributes they preferred with budget never being an issue. So, my work was truly spent on providing some guidance as to what products would fit their needs best, how to baby proof and prepare for the solid food feeding phase. Scandinavian Child, the distributor for the brands Micralite, Svan, Lillebaby and Beaba are all stellar baby products with beautiful design in mind. Tara and Andrew loved the products we chose because they represented the sleek, simple but still stylish look they preferred in their home. Not to mention every product they chose would last through a second child if they chose to have another baby. Although this wasn't a major issue for Tara and Andrew we all know that having a baby and raising a child can put an enormous dent into your pocket book! So in tough economic times it's important to make wise choices on how you spend your precious dollar. If you're interested in saving money but still buying high quality baby products that are durable Itsabelly Baby Planners recommends these baby products: Stroller System - Chicco Cortina Keyfit 30 Travel system, $289.95 www.amazon.com/Chicco-Cortina-KeyFit-Travel-Adventure/dp/B000MAERLG/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1255042499&sr=1-4 High Chair - Graco Contempo High Chair, $109.99 www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3330192 Carrier - Moby Wrap, $39.94 www.amazon.com/Moby-Wrap-Original-Cotton-Carrier/dp/B000OY539A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1255044615&sr=1-1 Food Mill - Kidco Baby Steps Feeding System (BPA-free), $59.95 www.amazon.com/Kid-Co-Inc-BabySteps-Complete/dp/B000A6OLPE/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1255042640&sr=1-7 Itsabelly Baby Planners also knows that budget is a common concern for most expectant couples so here are some easy tips on how to save your pretty penny when making baby gear purchases: Always keep safety in mind - Looking for the certification seal from the Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association (JPMA) is important because it tells you if a product has been tested for safety! NEVER buy a used car seat or crib as they could have missing parts, be defective and the warranty will no longer be valid. Compare pricing on-line and in store - Sometimes you will find that buying a car seat on Amazon.com is less expensive from special sales and free shipping than buying at a big box store. Look for coupons and sales - Check for sales and special discounts at local stores. Try before you buy - It is always best to test out a product in person to make sure it fits your needs so you're not wasting precious time and money. For smaller ticket items buy gently used baby products at consignment stores, eBay or Craigslist.com - for smaller ticket items like clothing and toys where recalls or damage aren't an issue this is a good way to go! However, if the sky's the limit on your budget and you have family or friends who want to shower you with gifts then why not splurge on more premium brands which were featured on Platinum Babies such as: Micralite Toro, $498 www.scichild.com/Home/Our-Brands/Micralite-Toro-Stroller_2 Svan High Chair, $259 www.scichild.com/brand/_svan_chairh.cfm LilleBaby Everywhere Carrier, $99.99 www.scichild.com/brand/_slillebaby_everywear.cfm Beaba Babycook, $144.50 www.scichild.com/brand/_beaba.cfm Whether you save money or have a fat budget to work with the products Itsabelly Baby Planners recommends are essentials that will support your needs for the long term. Happy Baby Planning! For more baby tips and advice find Itsabelly Baby Planners on their blog at www2.itsa-belly.com/blog.html. For a Baby Planner in your city check The National Baby Planner Association member page here: www.nationalbabyplannerassociation.com/members.html. Photo credit: Jennifer Mahoney Photography