Baby Store

Shopping Tips For Baby Store Visits

By Kim M. Proulx

Attention expecting moms! You're about to find out the best way to shop for the enormous amount of baby furniture, baby gear, clothes and accessories you're going to need once your adorable angel arrives. You might have friends who have recommended certain local baby stores and products, but let's face it, when you're 8 - 9 months pregnant, the thought of going from store to store to find just the right things for your baby seems like quite a daunting task...and it is! There's an easier way. I'm referring to online shopping.

How to Pick the Best Online Baby Store

There are some truly amazing baby stores online that have everything you need for your baby in one spot, there for the picking, with just the click of a mouse. When searching for an online baby store it's recommended to pick a store that offers well known brands like Graco, DaVinci, Argington, Gerber, Safety 1st, Serta and any others that you recognize. You might also want to search for the terms organic or hypoallergenic if you're into a "green" nursery decor.

Next, check to see if the baby stores on your short list have every type of item you'll need such as: baby furniture, baby gear, baby clothes, baby toys, baby safety and health products and nursery accessories because it will definitely save you time if you get everything you need from one place. Then, if shopping on a budget, you might want to check for low shipping costs or special deals available in the baby store's clearance section.

Once you've narrowed down your list of baby stores, then it's time to pick a winner. If your top two stores meet all the previous requirements then you might consider checking their BBB grades and spending a few minutes on each site to see how easy their online store is to navigate. Also make sure they offer a few ways to contact Customer Service, such as email, phone or live chat, if you have questions. Once you've made your choice, then it's time to go shopping!

Creating your Baby Store Shopping List

Below are some suggestions of items you should put on your shopping list before surfing the net. You might even want to add some of these to your baby shower gift suggestions, so you're sure to have everything you need when you bring your baby home for the first time.

1. Baby Crib
2. Changing Table
3. Dresser
4. Glider or Rocker
5. Diaper Stacker
6. Mobile
7. Bouncer
8. Car Seat
9. Stroller
10. Baby Clothes
11. Diaper Bag
12. Diapers and Wipes
13. Baby Bathtub
14. Bibs and Bottles
15. Crib Bedding
16. Pack N Play
17. Baby socks and hats
18. Baby nightgown or sleepsack
19. Baby Toys
20. Baby ointments
21. Diaper Pail
22. Safety products, monitor, safety gates
23. High Chair

"Few!" Now that's a long list, but believe it or not you will need all of those things and then some! Babies are small, but their needs are huge, so make sure to be ready by getting all the necessities.

It's Time to Shop

When you're ready to shop, get online, head to your favorite baby store and start with baby furniture and work your way down. Looking for nursery sets is the easiest way to get a furniture combo that offers everything needed in the nursery. You might also want to check out the Best Sellers list to see what other parents are buying. This could help you narrow down your options. As for baby gear, you might want to go with a popular brand like Graco or any other well know company. Visit the brand page for your chosen Manufacturer and select items from their product list such as: stroller, car seat, pack n play, high chair, swing, activity center, diaper pail and even baby safety items like monitors.

Check Out

Once you've selected all of your items and have checked out, make sure you look at the shipping time, so you know when to expect your items to arrive. It's always smart to order baby furniture and baby gear in advance, so you're completely prepared for that special day. The best part about shopping at online baby stores is that it will take you around the same time to shop and buy all your baby items as it did to read this article!

Kim Proulx, a Certified Parent Coach, believes that parenting should be fun from the start, so she's adamant about helping people find the best baby stores online that have everything that they and their baby will need, so that baby and parents will have a more stress-free life.