Baby Gear article in The New Yorker

[jempd]

Did anyone see this article in last weeks New Yorker? It's good for a chuckle. The reporter visited a baby-gear convention and checked out the latest. They come up with ever more complicated items and more fancy and expensive stuff. I found it amusing, though disappointed that the writer, though skeptical of the need for baby holders that do 9 different things, said that she would buy in a heartbeat this device that you place under your baby's mattress (in a crib, of course) that has an alarm if your baby stops breathing for more than 15 seconds, or something like that. Not a critical piece, just 'wryly amused' sort of thing.

Anyway, just crazy what people'll spend--on stuff that they won't even use for that long, like a changing table. This one couple, the husband out of work, registered for a couple of thousand dollars worth of stuff including a Swedish changing table. I'm kind of out of it I guess, as far as strollers go. I thought the Maclarens were the top of the line but no, they have super-duper strollers that cost the moon.

This piece reminded me of when we had our baby and we thought, while I was pregnant, that we actually needed a lot of the stuff that we never got around to getting (champion procrastinators that we are) and then realized we were getting along just fine without.

[meco]

Originally Posted by jempd

Anyway, just crazy what people'll spend--on stuff that they won't even use for that long, like a changing table. This one couple, the husband out of work, registered for a couple of thousand dollars worth of stuff including a Swedish changing table. I'm kind of out of it I guess, as far as strollers go. I thought the Maclarens were the top of the line but no, they have super-duper strollers that cost the moon.

You are in NYC. The home of the $800 Bugaboo Frog stroller. Not to mention, the $3,000 crib, $2,000 changing table, etc. Shocking to say the least. I got a 2nd hand changing table I used to store cloth diapers, and used the ground, the bed, my legs...never actually used it for a diaper change.

This piece reminded me of when we had our baby and we thought, while I was pregnant, that we actually needed a lot of the stuff that we never got around to getting (champion procrastinators that we are) and then realized we were getting along just fine without.

We did the same. Waited and found we did not need it. My mom had a great article that talked about how now we can just put the baby from the bucket seat, to the swing, to the changing table, to the bassinet, back to the swing, maybe the bouncy seat, then to a crib, also the highchair, the exersaucer, the jumping thing, etc....you never actually even have to hold the baby! :LOL Kind of a tongue in cheeck look at all the baby gear one supposedly needs. I found I could have dealt with a bouncy seat for occasional use when showering or cooking, a Mom & Me Pouch, a booster seat for the table and nothing else! I did the bathes with me in them so that saved us that trouble.

They even make a bottle propper--now that is scary.

When we went to Babies R Us, she was shocked there was a store that size with only baby stuff. When she had her kids (not too long ago), there was nothing like nothing, nothing on this scale.

It has reached massive proportions. KInd of like the tween industry

[kerc]

i didn't see the article, but it is pretty nuts!

[jempd]

Actually I HAVE seen the Bugaboo stroller--they seem huge and unweildy to me but definitely a status symbol. Also in New York, you've got tiny stores and you live in an apt. (we live on the 3rd floor) that definitely affected our choices re: baby gear. I used a front carrier for a long time not only because I wanted to be more 'hands on' but also because I literally coudn't get in and out of a lot of stores and I hated struggling up the steps with a stroller. On the other hand, my baby was huge and very heavy by the time he was six months old. I didn't even get into the part of how little you wind up touching (or even interacting) with your baby if you get a lot of those things.

Yes, it's an industry that has grown tremendously--20 years ago when you wanted to give someone who'd just had a baby a gift you gave them a $25 savings bond or a pair of booties. Maybe a close relative knit you a blanket. People have been convinced that a lot of this stuff is an improvement on plain old dangling a toy in front of a baby or smiling at her or playing with her feet. MIL last week was fretting that her infant granddaughter doesn't have a mobile and 'needs stimulation'. I'm not going to go there, but in fact this particular infant could probably use being carried around more, held more.

The last time I was in Baby's R Us I felt like saying to a few of the pregnant women: you don't need half that stuff. But this is such a huge subject; it opens up the box of the why and how it came to be that people think they need so much stuff in general. I read a review of the book "Affluenza" and got put into this vein of thinking. Now I also admit that I by no means am one of those people with not much stuff; I've got loads of stuff. I've got a damn KitchenAid. And I love when something really does make life easier, or is designed particularly well, or looks very nice, I can admire that. But I wish people could have babies without being anxious about what they've got to get first, especially people with not much money, all the lists, the books about what are must-haves, the magazines with lists, etc., etc. If you've read enough Sears and other AP type stuff before you have the baby you are alerted, but otherwise not. At least the article said that unless you live in a mansion and live in the west wing and the baby is in the east wing, you don't need a baby monitor. And that's true.

[meco]

Originally Posted by jempd

Actually I HAVE seen the Bugaboo stroller--they seem huge and unweildy to me but definitely a status symbol. Also in New York, you've got tiny stores and you live in an apt. (we live on the 3rd floor) that definitely affected our choices re: baby gear.

You know, it never occurred to me that those are such gigantic things, how do you go anywhere? I used my small Maclaren umbrella today (I had to get a bunch of stuff out and about), and I had to leave it at the front of 2 stores. Simply no way to get down the aisles and past people. How does the Frog do that? They are a status symbol, a very expensive status symbol (I always think I could have 12 pouches or 8 silk slings or A LOT of cloth diapers for 800 bucks. Not worth it IMO.)

People have been convinced that a lot of this stuff is an improvement on plain old dangling a toy in front of a baby or smiling at her or playing with her feet. MIL last week was fretting that her infant granddaughter doesn't have a mobile and 'needs stimulation'.

ITA here. Human interaction is key. Like the leapfrog commercial where the parents are excited the dd is reading...ALONE. Hmmmmmm, why is that so great?? Weird to me. I always say I am my son's favorite toy.

We fly a lot and with very little "stuff." I always get asked why I do not have a stroller and bags of toys and things, and I always say that I am his toy! I bring some pens, some paper, a few books, snacks and me. What more do you need? Forget all the toys. Me doing "impressions" and voices is more entertaining to him--me too :LOL

At least the article said that unless you live in a mansion and live in the west wing and the baby is in the east wing, you don't need a baby monitor. And that's true.

That is great! I am glad it said that. I never used one of those. I never trusted it. Plus I have a small one bedroom, and I can hear everything! :LOL I seemingly hear so much better when listening for my baby. Instincts

[TranscendentalMom]

I want to read it! Is it online anywhere???

[klondikesky]

Me too!

_Affluenza_ sounds interesting also... I've been having another one of those 'screw the stuff' cleaning binges this past week...

Now I just have to haul it all off without my three-year-old realizing how many toys are in those bags.

[liawbh]

Originally Posted by meco

We fly a lot and with very little "stuff." I always get asked why I do not have a stroller and bags of toys and things, and I always say that I am his toy! I bring some pens, some paper, a few books, snacks and me. What more do you need? Forget all the toys. Me doing "impressions" and voices is more entertaining to him--me too :LOL

My favorite airplane trick my aunt taught me, for the 3-5 y.o., get a box of paper clips and one of those containers with magnetic openings. THen paper clips for the desk at home, and an hour of entertainment on the plane! Who need a bunch of electronic stuff.

[TranscendentalMom]

Originally Posted by klondikesky

_Affluenza_ sounds interesting also... I've been having another one of those 'screw the stuff' cleaning binges this past week...

Affluenza is awesome...check your local library to see if they have the PBS video. I feel like it changed my life...it made me question that "happy" feeling I get during shopping and made me realize that its really like stuffing yourself on chocolate cake...feels good at the time but makes you feel gross afterwards.

[kerc]

affluenza is great. as is the overspent american by juliet schor --- does a more academic look at the overconsumption issues. Also the new american dream project (www.newdream.org, I think).

(I did a paper last spring on consumption in the united states.)

juliet schor has written a new book on protecting your kiddos from the mass marketing. I can't recall the name of it, but a simple amazon search for juliet schor might turn it up. I just found it yesterday on the new american dream's website on kids and consumerism.


airplane travel and kids ---> can you give me some good ideas for a 25 month old? I'm traveling solo to san fran next month. I'm taking a stroller because my dd likes the independence she has when she's in it -- she gets to look forward and actually see (the backpack she can't see over my head). Plus I know when I take her out of the carrier at security it will be all over. Otherwise though...need ideas for low-stuff things to do on the plane and in the car.

[meco]

Thanks for the suggestions, mamas, I checked powells.com (isn't there a Mothering link to powells.com where they get $$ back ohh T )

Originally Posted by kerc

airplane travel and kids ---> can you give me some good ideas for a 25 month old? I'm traveling solo to san fran next month. I'm taking a stroller because my dd likes the independence she has when she's in it -- she gets to look forward and actually see (the backpack she can't see over my head). Plus I know when I take her out of the carrier at security it will be all over. Otherwise though...need ideas for low-stuff things to do on the plane and in the car.

A stroller is helpful sometimes for me b/c I can use it as a perma-luggage cart. I just found it was more hassle than it was worth. Lines at the PHX airport and NYC area airports are so long and the security is such a pain--taking everything off/out, folding it up two times a leg was more trouble for me. My son likes to be indepdendent so he walks along side me (22 months almost) holding my hand and I also sling him. I wish he would sit in a stroller. Not a chance. Sometimes my stuff does though :LOL (we go to Vancouver over Christmas for a month so I need all the extra space for presents and "stuff" I can get. Cloth diapers for that long are a suitcase in and of themselves. Good thing we have winter warm clothes there or I would never make it).

Anyway, that was not your question

The paperclips might not be such a bad thing if she does not put everything in her mouth. Snacks are key. If I learned anything from regular air travel, it was that food is necessary. My son can spend so much time eating & drinking it is ridiculous.

Books are great. A few pens/washable markers and paper. This is plenty for a cross country flight for my son. We do take a few trips to the bathroom. He likes the mirror and just hanging someone new. So if he is getting antsy, this is where we head. Otherwise he is content being tickled, sung too, read too, drawing and eating.

What is she into? That might help more

Have fun. It really is not that bad. I have been flying cross country regularly since my son was 5 weeks old, and it really is not that bad.

[kerc]

thanks. I'm not imagining it to be too terrible.

I'm planning on taking the usual car stuff -- we take less than one bag full of stuff for her to play with -- mostly a few books with good pics, crayons, etc., magna doodle....

My biggest hurdle will be arriving at SFO at nearly midnight and then we depart SFO at like 6 am when we come home. I'm not stressing too much.