When I was pregnant, I only wanted the best products for myself and my baby. What good mom doesn't? I read reviews and bought what the other moms were buying, but only after giving birth did I find out that even if a certain product gets 5 stars from most, it may still not work for me. Some of those purchases paid off (like the Wink Ultra) but some didn't. For instance, I bought the Baby K'Tan Original on one of those crazy shopping sprees because everyone seemed to swear by it, but lo and behold, Matteo doesn't like it and hasn't been able to stay in it for more than 10 minutes. To top it off, the fabric didn't seem to be all that durable since it already had holes after just one washing. That's already Php 2,000+ down the drain! So just a tip, before buying anything expensive, try to borrow from friends instead or buy it second hand. There are moms who sell cheap barely used stuff in groups such as the Baby Business Club, Manila Online Garage Sale, or even OLX. While it may seem fun to shop while pregnant (believe me, I know), expenses tend to pile up once you give birth. I learned that the hard way, delivering my baby via CS at St. Luke's, which made a dent in my bank account. I was dead set on having a normal delivery and paid for the NSD package which was not bad at Php 68,000+, but there are just some things you can't control, so that's that. I only wished that I saved more money instead of splurging on a two-thousand peso diaper bag and a ton of swaddles that Matteo outgrew by the 4th week. A trip to the pedia might set you back more than Php 5,000 because of vaccines that need to be administered, so better save up instead of buying that cute newborn onesie (that's very hard to resist!) that your baby will outgrow in a month.
Now, whenever I'm about to make a purchase, I make sure that I ask myself the following questions:
- Is it a necessity? If it's not absolutely necessary for the well-being of my baby, then I would think twice before getting it.
- Is there a cheaper version of the item? For instance, I know that the Nose Frida is being raved about, but its less expensive counterpart which has also been getting good reviews is the Baby Comfy Nose.
- Can I resell it or give it away after using it? You want to be able to get your money's worth with every purchase, and one way to ensure that is if other people will get to use it too.
- How long will I be able to use it? Although the Mamaroo seems like a nifty item to have, it's not a very practical purchase for its price point since you'll only get to use it for a few months. It's better to invest in purchases such as a car seat since it's essential for baby's safety.
- Does it have good reviews? Research on the item first. Read reviews to know if a certain item is right for you. It's not 100% foolproof, but it will help in making the decision on whether to purchase or not.
- Is it functional? I'm very guilty of choosing style over functionality, but I know that it doesn't always spell for a practical purchase.
- Will I be able to borrow or purchase pre-loved items instead of buying? Babies grow really quickly, so while it's nice to have brand new clothes, your baby will soon outgrow that onesie. Pre-loved baby clothes are often in great condition because of the same reason. Also, your baby won't care what he or she is wearing as long as it's comfortable, so that hand-me-down would suit him or her just fine.
As a first time mom, I make mistakes...but I'm glad that I'm slowly learning to make smarter decisions (through trial and error) everyday. I know you are too. :)
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