In case you haven’t noticed I have had several babies. There is a lot of stuff that you need to buy when you have a baby. With each child I realized that parents actually need fewer things than they think they do. But that is not the message that parents get. I went into Babies R Them a few days ago trying to find my favorite brand of sippy cups, and my mind almost frothed over because of all the ridiculous baby stuff that is paraded in front of naive and gullible new parents. The shops, however are nothing compared to the catalogs. Especially the One Step Ahead catalog. Don’t get me wrong. I have ordered some great products from this catalog over the years. But there are also some completely ridiculous things in there as well. My list of most eye-rolling products:
DaysAgo Digital Day Counter. ($11.95 each!!!)
No more wondering if that milk or baby food is still fresh enough to feed baby! With these unique stick-on timers, you’ll know exactly when you made that formula, expressed that breast milk, or opened that jar of baby food.
Mac & Cool Quick Cooling Dish ($6.95)
No more waiting for food to cool. Don’t make hungry kids wait! This ingenious cooling dish takes foods from “too hot” to “just right” in 60 seconds. Fill with one cup of water; keep in your freezer. To use, place food directly into it for one quick minute, then transfer it to your child’s plate. Great for oatmeal, macaroni, rice–even pizza! Holds one cup. Hand wash only.
Space Coaster ($15.95)
This simplified version of our beloved roller coaster stimulates eye-hand coordination, visual tracking skills, and shape and color recognition. More importantly, tots can’t get enough of it!
Tub-Time Bumpers ($29.95)
Our one-of-a-kind tub bumper surrounds little ones with soft, safe padding — and makes transitioning to the “big kid” tub infinitely safer. Suctions securely to tub walls. Rugged vinyl, with educational graphics. 11’L x 12″H; fits standard tubs. A great innovation in bath tub safety! Inflates in 10 minutes with our Hand Held Pump (sold separately)
TubSider II ($49.95!!!)
Does bath time leave you stiff and sore? Give your back and knees a break! Our orthopedic kneeling seat eliminates back and neck strain by positioning your spine properly. And now, its advanced Intelligel® cushions relieve pressure on your knees and elbows like never before. Height adjustable; folds for storage. Accommodates most shower tracks.
Bumper Bonnet ($12.95)
Learning to crawl? Starting to walk? When baby is accident prone, the Bumper Bonnet prevents bumps, bruises, and tears. The soft, thickly-padded head covering acts as a protective cushion, shielding that delicate little head.
Car Seat Comfort Footrest ($29.95)
No more painful dangling legs! You know how uncomfortable it feels when your feet don’t touch the ground? That’s how kids feel everyday in their car seats! Unsupported feet results in poor leg circulation (some kids even get painful “pins and needles”). The solution: slide our universal footrest under your child’s car seat or booster!
i’ll take one bumper bonnet, please. in an adult size xl.
AND a food cooler. i don’t like my children to learn patience. ever.
Sometimes when I see the things that the baby stores put out I do have a good laugh. But then I also think, if I were independently wealthy when I had my first baby would I have bought into it? Who knows.
The food cooler plate, is a nice way to add to the pile of dishes after dinner, which I just love.
Ridiculous. It amazes me the things these companies can come up with. I’m even more amazed that people keep buying them. Geesh.
This is a great post…I agree with you, all of these items are totally superfluous! Great marketing!
Histerically hilarious! I remember when you were a new mom and bought a warmer so little India would not be shocked by a room-temp wipie. I also work near DI (drop in daily!) and see all the “smell-proof” dirty diaper storage equipment on sale. Does anybody use these things for more than the first 3 months of their child’s life? My kids (inlcuding you) just take the messy one’s out to the trash, thus expending wholesome calories.
Mom
hahaha sitting in his own poop hahaha! You crack me up!
I’m with ya on this stuff though. I admit when I was a first time parent I was tempted, but always discouraged with the prices.
I’m with Lonna – if I had the money I probably would have bought a few of these things, but now that I’ve had a couple kids I look at them and just laugh!
There are actually a lot of really great products in that catalogue. but you definitely found that there are a ton of stupid ones too.
I love how they suggest your child can’t wait 2 minutes for their mac and cheese to cool off, but they can wait 10 minutes for their bath bumper to get inflated. yeah right.
hee, hee Jennie! Thanks for sharing.
Hi! I’m Kristen–just popped over from Mia’s to look at your food storage suggestions. Love this post! I got a good laugh!
Thanks for the belly laughs. I loved your witty and precise description of these ‘necessity’ items. Does any one have a One Step Ahead mag I can borrow? There’s a few things I apparently need… 😉