Baby Bargains: Secrets to Saving 20% to 50% on baby furniture, gear, clothes, toys, maternity wear and much, much more!

As new parents trying to prepare for our first child looking around the big chain stores is completely overwhelming. There are so many things billed as "must haves" and then so many variations along the way that it can leave you paralyzed. The advice in the book can be a little obvious at times but overall it helped me to wade through the variety of products, brands and styles in a very organized way. I don't think it's the only resource you should use for making your decisions but it helps you weed out the subpar brands and narrow down your options. For example we had picked out a particular travel system only to find out via the book that they had filed for bankruptcy in 2009 (still pending) and were under a variety of patent suits. Who knows if they'll be around in a year or two if we have warranty or parts issues? We also had picked out a crib set only to discover the maker was give an F in the book for multiple safety recalls and poor quality. I brought the book with us on our next trip and we found something with a high rating from the book and online for just $20 more.There are only two reasons I didn't give this five stars. First, I think that this is definitely more helpful to the first time parent. If you've done this before then you'll have much more insight into cribs, bouncers, swings, carriers, etc than us newbies. I'm not sure if it's necessary in that case but may still be helpful. Second, I bought the Kindle edition and it's really difficult to view some of the charts in the book. They're just too small so you're forced to page back and forth between the specific descriptions to get info.All in all, well worth it for us and I'd highly recommend it to any newbies. Also, make sure you get the most recent edition since it does make a difference!

I bought an earlier version of this book while I was pregnant for the first time a few years ago and found it to be my go-to source for all things baby-purchase-related. While I didn't agree with everything in the book, I did find that it helped put a cap on what I thought my newborn NEEDED versus what I WANTED to buy. As everyone probably already knows, prepping for a new baby is overwhelming, and this books helps to put some of the mystery of baby-world-shopping into perspective.My favorite/most used sections:- car seats- strollers- "what do i really need"- baby monitors- high chairsExcellent details and reader opinions are provided, and there are also easy to read charts/graphs that are great for quick glances. I brought this book with me whenever I went baby shopping to be sure I had some insight into the products.I have purchased newer editions for friends recently who have become pregnant, and they have all been very happy (especially the dads-- shopping made frugal/easy!).As far as I can tell, the book is objective and provides not only reader opinions, but also industry information and recalls. The font size/type is easy to read, and the layout is fine. The one thing I ended up having a tiny issue with is the physical format of the book - it runs kind of long and narrow. I wish the pages were actually wider so that it is easier to 'flatten' the pages out along the spine while trying to keep the book open.If I were to become pregnant again, I would buy the latest edition. It may not be the ultimate bargain book, but it certainly is an excellent roadmap.

While pregnant with my first child, I had extreme anxiety about what to buy, what I needed, what was not necessary, etc. I was very overwhelmed by the process because I also had to move apartments AND I have a very intense career as well. I did not have a lot of time to research every nuance of baby gear but I wanted the best, most safe, convenient, cost effective products I could get.I started reading Baby Bargains and it honestly changed my entire thought process about my baby registry and what I did/did not need for my baby girl.This was the single best resource I had - MORE than my own mother, my sisters (who each had two kids), any other friends or family. The book puts aside politics and drives its content solely on cost, convenience and really what just 'makes sense'. It doesn't preach to breastfeed or use formula or using cloth vs disposable diapers, for example. It just lays out the cost and time involved with doing/using either. This is an invaluable resource and I would recommend it for ANY first time mother. I have bought it for myself AND for other pregnant friends of mine. Anyone who read it loved it like I did.I was also better prepared to ask questions when shopping for big ticket items like crib, stroller, car seat etc.I have read this entire book, highlighted it and had it next to me as I created and updated my registry. I would say the one thing I would change/add is more for urban mothers, whose needs vary greatly from suburban ones (space, use of public transit etc). Also once in a while the brand names I had access to where not rated. But anything that was rated was extremely helpful. Thank you Baby Bargains for the education. I love this book and would highly highly recommend to anyone.

I took this book everytime I went shopping for baby products during my pregnancy and well into the first year of my son's birth. The reviews for the various categories of baby products were very useful, and helped us to make practical decisions in what was necessary and what wasn't. I have lent it to numerous mommy friends, as a highly recommended read.I only wished that there were more Canadian resources. I also bought the most recent version, during my most recent pregnancy (twins). I was a bit disappointed that there was not much information in the book for twin/multiple births.Regardless, this book was still a wonderful resource; and each new edition does provide updated reviews on all product categories.

Gave a great heads up on many brands I might've considered buying from, e.g. "Safety 1st" clearly isn't.