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ABOUT THIS BOOK
Wow! A baby book that actually answers the big question about having a baby: How am I going to afford all this? With the average cost of a baby topping $6000 for the first year alone, you need creative solutions and innovative ideas to navigate the consumer maze that confronts all parents-to-be. Baby Bargains is the answer! Seriously, this is the ONLY book you need to learn how to shop and save money on baby items. The authors include some great tips for when you are expecting multiples. Also, the authors guarantee that you will save money with this book and include instructions on how to get your money back if you don't.

Baby Bargains: Table of Contents

Chapter 1: “It’s going to change your life”

The Four Truths That No One Tells You 1
What Does a Baby Cost For the First Year? 2
Reality Check: How Much You Can Save 5
What? There’s No Advertising in this Book? 6
So, Who Are You Guys? 7
What You Need When 8
First Time Parent 101 9
We Get Questions: Top 5 Q&A 10
What’s New in This Edition? 13

Chapter 2: Nursery Necessities: Cribs, Dressers & More

The Downside of Waiting Until the Last Minute 15
Cribs 17
The Five Basic Sources 17
Cyberspace: Four Sources For Bargains/Info 19
The Four Essential Parts to a Nursery 20
More Money Buys You 21
The Old Crib Trap and Nine Other Safety Tips 22
Recalls: Where to Find Information 26
“Baby Buying Frenzy” and 17 More Shopper Tips 26
Convertible Cribs and Five Other Wastes of Money 32
Top Eight Things No One Tells You 34
Ten Money-Saving Secrets 37
Baby Superstores: Good, Bad & Ugly 41
Email: World’s Worst Return Policy 43
Specialty Chains 46
Baby Registries Disappoint 47
Six Outlet Stores 48
Hotel Cribs: Hazardous at $200 a night 49
Reviews & Ratings of 45 Crib Brands 50
Who is Jenny Lind? 52
Baby Tenda 54
Certifications: Do They Really Matter? 57
Co-sleepers & Hi-Tech Cradles 67
Bait & Switch with Floor Samples 71
eBay for Cribs: Three Smart Shopper Tips 78
Our picks: Crib Brand Recommendations 87
Chart: Crib Brands Compared 88
Do it By Mail: The Best Catalogs for Baby Furniture 90
Bassinets/Cradles 91
Mattresses 93
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Soft Bedding 93
SIDS Scare Tactics? 94
“Coil Overkill” and Two More Smart Shopping Tips 95
Top Picks: Brand Recommendations 98
Dressers & Changing Tables 100
Safe & Sound: Five Tips 102
Our picks: Brand Recommendations 103
Five More Items for the Nursery 106
The Bottom Line: Save $1000 With Our Tips 111

Chapter 3: Baby Bedding & Decor

Six Sources for The Best Quality and Prices 113
Cyberspace: Three Great Sites 115
More than Sheets: The Four Basic Bedding Pieces 116
Electric Blanket Warning and Seven More Safety Tips 121
Looking for Mr. Good Bedding: Nine Shopper Tips 125
Diaper Stackers and Seven More Wastes of Money 127
Skipping the Quilt and Seven More Money-Saving Secrets 130
Two Outlets For More Savings 131
Reviews & Ratings of 37 Top Bedding Designers 132
Dangerous Impressions: Marketing of Linens 136
Chart: Bedding Compared 150
Seven Mail Order Sources Saves 20% to 50% off 152
The Bottom Line: Our Budget Saves You $800 to $900 156

Chapter 4: The Reality Layette - Little Clothes for Little Prices

When to Start Stocking Up on Clothes & Diapers 157
Ten Basic Sources 158
Baby Clothes 161
Thrift Shop Warning 161
Garage & Yard Sales: Eight Tips for the Best Bargains 162
Cyberspace: Web sources for deals 163
What Is a Layette? 166
What Does More Money Buy You? 171
Flame Retardant Sleepwear and Three Other Safety Tips 171
Laundry Conundrum: What’s Best for Baby? 173
One Size Does Not Fit All 174
Beware of Appliqués and 8 Other Smart Shopper Tips 176
The Fuzz Factor: Six Wastes of Money 177
Baby Needs a New Pair of Shoes 180
Second Hand Bargains and 11 More Money-Saving Tips 181
Carter’s and Six Other Clothing Outlets 184
Best Bets: Best, Good and Skip It 188
Seven Great Mail-Order Clothing Catalogs 189
Our Picks: Brand Recommendations 193
Diapers 193
14 CyberSpace Diaper Sources 195
Who’s Got the Cheapest Diapers? 198
Our Picks: Brand Recommendations 199
Which Cloth Diapers Work Best? 205
Buy in Bulk and Eight Other Money-Saving Secrets 208
The Bottom Line: Slash Clothing, Diaper Costs by $300 210

Chapter 5: Maternity/Nursing Clothes

Maternity & Nursing Clothes 211
Getting Started: When Do You Need Maternity Stuff? 211
Ten Surprising Sources 212
Cyberspace: 20 sites 213
Your Pregnant Wardrobe: How Much Will You Need? 217
Maternity Bras for the Real World 218
Reader Poll: Best Nursing Clothes Brands 222
Battling Your Wacky Thermostat 224
Our Picks: Brand Recommendations—Undergarments 225
Our Picks: Brand Recommendations—Nursing Clothes 226
Help! My Feet Have Swollen! 227
Plus Size & 11 Other Money-Saving Tips 229
Two Outlets for Maternity Clothes 233
Reviews of Maternity Chain Stores 233
Watch Out for Return Policies 235
Stay Fit: Pregnancy Workout Videos 236
Do it By Mail: Three Mail Order Catalogs 238

Chapter 6: Feeding - Breastfeeding, Bottles, High Chairs

Breastfeeding 241
Breastfeed and Save $500 241
Seven Sources for Help 242
Eight Web Sites that Sell Pumps 244
Chart: Which Pump Works Best? 247
Reviews & Ratings: Seven Breast Pumps Compared 248
Breast Milk Storage Options 249
Breastfeeding in Public: Four Tips and Advice 250
Our Picks: Brand Recommendations 253
Three Money Saving Tips 255
Formula 256
Organic Formula and Other Options 257
Confusing Cans Confront Soy Users 258
Seven Money Saving Tips 260
Bottles/Nipples 263
Bottle Warmers & Sterilizes 266
Baby Food 266
Taste Tests and Four Other Safety Hints 267
Del Monte and Five More Money-Saving Tips 271
Email: Making Your Own Baby Food 271
Reviews & Ratings of Five Brands 272
Toddler Foods: Waste of Money? 269
High Chairs 275
Strap Me In and Five Other Safety Tips 275
Smart Shopper Tips: Basic Features and More 277
Reviews & Ratings of 12 Brands 279
Chart: High Chairs Compared 288
Our Picks: Brand Recommendations 290

Chapter 7: Around the House - Monitors, Diaper Pails, Safety & More

Getting Started: What You Need, When 293
Best Bath Tubs 295
Six More Items for the Baby’s Room 296
The Best Diaper Pails 298
Bouncer Seats 302
Coupon Sites Cut Online Shopping Costs 303
Monitors 304
Bugging Your House and Three Other Shopping Tips 305
Reviews & Ratings of Ten Brands 309
Chart: Monitors Compared 314
Our Picks: Brand Recommendations 316
Swings: Godsend or Neglect-o-matic? 317
Safety 318
Top Ten Baby Products That Should Be Banned 319
Gates: Our Picks 321
Nine Tips for Safe Toys 324
Baby First Aid Kit 330
Top Ten Safety Must-Haves 332
Playpens: The Best Bets 333

Chapter 8: Car Seats

Getting Started & Four Sources to Find Car Seats 337
Cyberspace: Eight Great Sites 338
One Size Does NOT Fit All and 15 More Smart Tips 339
Ten Car Seat Safety Tips 355
Four Money Saving Secrets 360
Reviews & Ratings of Nine Top Brands 361
What is the Lightest Infant Car Seat Carrier? 364
Model by Model Reviews 369
Our Picks: Brand Recommendations 390
Flying the Unfriendly Skies 392
Chart: Infant Car & Convertible Seats Compared 394

Chapter 9: Strollers, Diaper Bags, Carriers and other To Go Gear

Strollers 397
Strollers in Cyberspace 398
Six Types of Strollers 400
Untrustworthy Brakes and More Safety Advice 403
What Features Do You Really Need? 406
Silly Stroller Accessories & Other Wastes of Money 412
Stroller Overkill and Nine Other Money-Saving Secrets 413
Reviews & Ratings: The 28 Best & Worst Brands 415
Stroller with Height Adjustable Handles 422
The Latest From Europe: Trends & Fads 426 Our Picks: Brand Recommendations by Lifestyle 448
Chart: Stroller Round-up 452
Three Mistakes to Avoid with Joggers 455
Chart: Sport/Jogging Strollers Compared 456
Strollers for Two: Double the Fun 460
Discount Mail Order Source 462
Top Six Tips for Traveling with Baby 463
Bike Trailers & Seats 464
The Well-Stocked Diaper Bag 467
Top Nine Items for a Well Stocked Diaper Bag 469
Our Picks: Brand Recommendations 471
Carriers 473
Chapter 10: Child Care: Options, Costs & More

The Three Basic Options for Child Care 480
Dependent Care Accounts & Three More Money-Savers 482
Ten Question to Ask a Child Care Provider 482
Au Pair Option 483
Does Your Nanny Have a Past? 484

Chapter 11: Conclusion: What Does It All Mean?

Average Costs vs. Our Baby Bargains Budget 487
Our Parting Advice 487
Appendix A: Canadian Sources & Bargains 488
Appendix B: Sample Gift Registry 499
Appendix C: Multiples Advice: Twins and more 503
Appendix D: Phone/Web Directory 506
Index 516