help people see how useless baby products are:

[Tilia]

I think I need everyone's help. I realized what brought me here to MDC was a product rating at Target. It was for a fish bowl made from PVC plastic for a baby to play with. In the rating the woman explained PVC plastic and that she was keeping it away from her kids. I knew nothing about PVC and other various dangers of plastic. I did a bunch of research and found MDC. Of course I read a lot here on MDC after that!

I decided that I am going to review the baby products online that I have used or tried. I used a bunch of different things when my baby was young, because I thought that is how you did it! For example: baby lotion, plastic teethers, Exersaucer, high chair, baby food, plastic spoons, plastic bibs, etc. I didn't know there was an alternative! Slowly, I got back to a more natural lifestyle, after doing much research!

I think we all need to review the products we have tried, and maybe slip in a little blip about how it is unnatural/unnecessary. Nothing over the top or anything, just a small comment. Maybe it will make a mainstream parent take a step back and research what she is doing.

It worked for me. I was fairly mainstream as far as products go and now use all natural body care, cloth diapers, more natural foods, the list goes on and on.

For example, I reviewed a plastic baby food jar organizer on amazon and slipped in that it is easier to make your own baby food and just feed the baby table food when they have the proper grasp! My daughter was fed jarred food for 6 months because I thought it would be too hard to make my own.

So, in conclusion, if you came to MDC as semi-mainstream and are now crunchy, review some products online so maybe more people can understand how much easier a natural lifestyle is.

Thanks.

[BelgianSheepDog]

Sorry, I really can't get passionate about educating people on the ills of high chairs and baby lotion. Ugh.

[chinaKat]

Originally Posted by BelgianSheepDog

Sorry, I really can't get passionate about educating people on the ills of high chairs and baby lotion. Ugh.

Yeah... those things leapt out at me from the OP as well. I, for one, used my high chair all the time with DD... I didn't really enjoy eating with her in my lap (was always imaging I'd dump hot coffee on her head or something) and in her high chair she could sit at eye level with folks at the table and be a part of every meal. It's hard to say what things one mom finds to be useless another mom will find invaluable.

I can't get into critiquing people for using stuff like plastic spoons. I'd rather save my energy for the big fights, if I need to make them... like for BFing.

But, if you can get a point across without being offensive, go for it!.

[mbhf]

i think it's a great idea to review everything you buy. i know that i read available reviews for most things, baby related or not.

i totally agree with you, i think it's great to let people know what was and wasn't useful to you, and also the commonplace things that are not good for you. that is the purpose of reviews, yes?

[limabean]

I took the OP's high chair reference to mean those made of plastic -- in other words, promoting wooden high chairs instead, rather than being disapproving of the very use of high chairs. But I could be wrong.

Anyway, OP, I can see that you have good intentions, and I do think it's a good idea -- I read product reviews on Amazon all the time, and I'm always glad when balanced views with specific pros/cons are represented, rather than only people who LOVE or HATE the product.

As for starting an widespread MDC campaign to review products and mention AP/NFL points in the process, like I said, it's a good idea but I don't see it happening. Not that the mamas on this site won't mobilize for a cause, but they tend to save their energy for larger issues, as someone mentioned previously.

[Individuation]

There are some low/no "stuff" having AP mamas (a lot of Continuum Concept mamas I know fall into this category), but it's far from the norm. While I agree with you, OP, that most baby stuff is r-i-d-i-c-u-l-o-u-s, most of the mothers who post on MDC don't have a problem with baby "gear." I think that as AP moves into the mainstream you're starting to find a lot more AP moms who use highchairs, strollers, baby washes and lotions, soothers, teethers, exersaucers and playyards--just to name a few things. AP moms these days don't seem to use any less stuff than their mainstream sisters.

[bobica]

i'm with BSD. bigger fish to fry :

[cutekid]

I know how you feel. I rated my carseat, bouncer, and booster seat. But, hte thing with having a baby is that we all live and learn. I HAD TO HAVE A NURSERY, and ALL the good smelling lotion. I had to have it with my first. I even remember thinking to myself, OMG my shopping cart is never going to be full of sposie's.
But, if I should ever have a second, I want need anything but cloth diapers, clothing, Lots of flannel for nursing pads, and some free baby gadgets. But the big nursery, and smell good stuff, NEVER AGAIN. Hopefully the next time around I want even need a breast pump.

Baby gadgets, and other "gear" is useless to many of us, but some moms..first

[McMandy]

I've always been of the frame of mind that people buy way too much crud for infants. We borrowed a swing, and our daughter didnt care for it much. A friend asked if I'd like to borrow her fairly new one this go'round, and I agreed, because, hey, it's free... and who knows, it may come in handy when I had two toddlers begging for attention and I'm trying to cook dinner.

Some people will want to buy all those gizmos and gadgets- and sobeit. We all have different parenting styles. Most parents find out on their own that all these things are pretty pointless.... especially when their first child doesn't seem too interested in it all.

Personally, I couldn't live without a bouncer in those first months, and I know women who HATE them. The bouncer was the only way I could take a bath. Set the baby by the bath, in the bouncer.. and I could finally scrub away the oily grime of the day (or DAYS, as sometimes it was 2-3 days before I got around to washing myself). Of course, I chose a bouncer that can be used as a rocking chair for toddlers.. because I wanted more bang for my buck. It's lasted through two children, and will be with us until we're done having children, I'm sure. (And since my husband wants about 5-6....)

I didn't have nurseries with my first two children- they stayed in my room, and so will this baby, but I REALLY wanted a nursery this time. It was something I always wanted, and now I have it! Of course, the baby will STILL be rooming with us, but during the day, when the kids are loud and crazy, he'll have his own little peaceful place to rest (still will be hearing a lot of the noise, but just wont be in the middle of it). Plus, its a peaceful place for me to rock him, to breastfeed, or to pump... or to just RELAX. I think it's the most peaceful room in the house, and its also the smallest.

Honestly, reviewing jarred baby food extras doesn't sound interesting to me. They're actually coming out with decent baby food, healthy stuff... FINALLY, and I know I personally don't always have the time to make baby food. Nice thought, but not usually possible when you've got several toddlers and preschoolers running around... and would like to spend any free time RELAXING or snuggled up to hubby.

[Tilia]

Hi. Thank you to everyone that responded! I see all points.

I was really more talking about products that could be potentially dangerous to a child's health. Such as toys made with PVC. The common public doesn't really have a good grasp on the dangers of plastic.

Plus, my other point was: Don't just buy everything that exists for a baby. Like a sheep, I bought a bouncer, swing, exersaucer, playyard, high chair just because I thought that is what you did when you had a baby. Then I realized that there are other ways to do things, such as a sling to soothe the baby, or a booster seat which takes up much less room.

ITA agree that each family should use which-ever products help them the most!

[polka hop]

*

[MerriesMommie]

Different babies have different wants and needs. I think we need to be careful not to buy into the mainstream idea that mammas don't know what their own children need, and need to be told. It's insulting to all of us as women and it does all of us no good, even when we have the best intentions in offering advice.

[ShadowMom]

OP, I think that is a good idea. But I think anyone who does this needs to be careful not to come across as too preachy. If people come across as using the Reviews just to preach their particular gospel, and not comment on a specific item, it can really send a bad message.

For instance, in the example you gave, maybe the mom said (I have no idea) "This is a great toy. Unfortunately I can't buy it because it's made of PVC, which is dangerous. Why can't Target provide some safe alternatives?"

See what I mean? Rather than a review that might read "PVC is dangerous! Spread the word. It can harm your babies. See this site : http://pvcisreallybad

I'm not saying you would sound preachy, just that it's something people should guard against.

But I do agree that product reviews are a good way to bring up an alternate point of view, and possibly even get the word back to the stores that are hosting the reviews, if they ever read them. But like all spreading of information, it must be done in a cautious, respectful of others sort of way.

[JustSo]

what's wrong with high chairs?

hmm...am I missing something? What is non-AP about a high chair? I agree that the plastic trays are suspect (anyone know what grade plastic they use??), but is there something else not-good about chair-feeding as opposed to lap-feeding (or is there another/better way)? *genuinely confused*

[ShadowMom]

Originally Posted by luvmybabybear

hmm...am I missing something? What is non-AP about a high chair? I agree that the plastic trays are suspect (anyone know what grade plastic they use??), but is there something else not-good about chair-feeding as opposed to lap-feeding (or is there another/better way)? *genuinely confused*

I don't think the OP means that high chairs are non-AP. Just that they are not required, like many other baby products. I didn't use mine at all, maybe a couple of times, just like a lot of other stuff like a pack 'n play and a crib.

With all of the above products, there are people who will find them extremely useful, but they are definitely not required for parenting, KWIM? You would think that they were all essentials for every household.

I think that's just what she was trying to express... in this culture people are taught that all of the products are necessary.

[Tilia]

Exactly! Consumerism. I got pregnant and went out and bought EVERYTHING. I bought a high chair because I thought you had to have one when you had a baby. Then I realized how bulky and awkward it was. I immediately freecycled it and switched to a booster seat that attaches to a dining room chair. I am talking more about NFL than AP, just to reduce our consumption.

[lara1828]

I often read reviews online before I buy a product and I will say I get WAY more out of the negative reviews. I might still buy the product, but at least I have a more balanced idea of the pros and cons.

[BamBam'sMom]

Originally Posted by mom2005

Exactly! Consumerism. I got pregnant and went out and bought EVERYTHING. I bought a high chair because I thought you had to have one when you had a baby. Then I realized how bulky and awkward it was. I immediately freecycled it and switched to a booster seat that attaches to a dining room chair. I am talking more about NFL than AP, just to reduce our consumption.

When I got pregnant, I thought I needed a lot of stuff. Bouncer, swing, high chair, pack-n-play, etc...

When people talk about how expensive babies are, I always tell them that they don't need much in the first year. If you breastfeed, CD, buy secondhand clothes, and skip the jarred baby food, there's not a whole lot to buy.

People can be so quick to jump on others around here. So maybe you don't think it's a big deal. I don't think there's anything wrong with someone suggesting a way to do a small part in battling consumerism. All this baby crap ends up somewhere when we're done with it.

[mommato5]

I am of the opinion myself that people buy too much stuff. With my first I had to have a crib, mobile, changing table, wall decorations, tons of clothes, etc. I had EVERYTHING set up and ready. When #5 was ready to make an appearance I didn't have any of that!

I find a crib useless as it just sits there collecting dust for MONTHS. Same with a changing table. The mobile wasn't interesting to any of my other kids so why waste my mind? As for the tons of clothes, you realistically don't need everything the magazines say you will. I got more use out of onesies and Pajamas than all the little outfits.

[rhlheckle]

I liked your idea in the original post. I was all amped up to review, but as I went through all the posts all I just saw negative remarks.

But here goes anyhow!

Things I would not buy in the future:

plastic bottles, formula, crib bumper, pacifier, uncomfortable clothes, booties, mittens, .... still thinking.