Baby Stuff

My husband and I went on a date to Babies 'R' Us a while ago. Yes, a date in a baby stuff store. There was so much stuff--overwhelming quantities of items in staggering numbers of variations stacked on eight foot high shelves. We stood there among towers of merchandise armed only with fleeting memories of recommendations from friends and books. To say we were intimidated would have been accurate, if not a little understated.

We borrowed a list from the 'registry desk' of things we would likely 'need'. We were sure the list went way beyond need into the realm of overindulgence, but it helped us familiarize ourselves with the kinds of stuff we might find we would appreciate later. Bottle sterilizers, bottle warmers, breast pads, receiving blankets, breast pump, milk bags, bottles, pacifiers, maternity bra... the list went on forever. There must have been 50 or more kinds of bottles. How could I possibly know which one to choose? There were 100 pacifiers on the wall! Baby tubs, booster seats, nasal aspirators, diaper rash cream, lanolin cream, thermometers, food strainers, baby spoons, sippy cups, sleep aids (pillows to keep baby face-up), diaper bags, formula, formula mixers, dishwashing baskets for nipples, bibs, aaaaarrrghh!

We looked at strollers and carseats and stroller-carseat combos called "travel systems." At least in this department we were able to make some determinations of quality. This one is too top-heavy to be stable, this one is not very maneuverable, this one has a poor latching mechanism for the carseat. This one has the most warning stickers (least safe?). We settled on a decent model after much deliberation and were surprised to find that what we considered the sturdiest, safest, most versatile design carried a trendy Eddie Bauer label. There was one task accomplished.

My mother had recommended a portable playpen/cradle combo. They are called 'pack and plays' now, and come in tons of varieties. We figured that this could be useful as a bedside bassinet as well as a portable nursery, so we looked them over. There were at least 15 different models in the aisle, all of which looked exactly the same, but for the colors and pricetags. I finally determined that the flex in the bed at least differed among them, and I picked the least flexible as a potential candidate if we don't inherit one.

There was more: bouncy seats and rockers and cradles and co-sleepers and cradle bedding and clothing as far as the eye could see.

We left reeling from the sheer magnitude of crap that the baby industry pumps out, but then we kept one thing in mind--our friends have children. Lots of children. They all know what worked for them and what didn't, what they really needed and what they didn't. We are very fortunate. My husband and I are surrounded with friends and family who are the most amazing resources. They all have sage advice and wisdom covering all aspects and ages of child rearing and they share freely.

We have already received a very bountiful collection of hand-me-downs from our good friends (and benevolent benefactors), Kelly and Katherine. By some extraordinary stroke of good fortune, we found ourselves pregnant just as their youngest approached six months of age. They have saved us from agonizing over bouncy seats and rockers and playmats and nursing pads with one overwhelmingly generous gesture. We have moved the band equipment out of the nursery and replaced it with these kindly donations. Their generous gifts sit alone in an empty bedroom as brightly colored reminders of the future arrival of their next owner.