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Expecting to Pay for Baby Needs

What You Need to Know About Baby Gear Costs

By Deborah Ng

There's plenty to learn when becoming a new parent. During pregnancy, one of the areas you'll likely research is baby gear. From highchairs to strollers and everything in between, how do you know which items to choose? Should you buy economy or go for all the bells and whistles? Here are a few ideas to help you sort through it all.

When it comes to certain items, many moms and dads would rather look for a trusted name-brand item than go generic – especially when it comes to their children's safety. Car seats are a prime example. Rear-facing infant car seats with carriers range in cost from about $60 to more than $250, and most parents have no qualms about buying the higher end product.

Sharon Moran from New Jersey is one of them. "I usually am concerned with name first," Moran says. "If I am purchasing something as important as a car seat, I would tend to buy a well-trusted name. I will look at cost as a way to confirm my purchasing decision. If the item cost is too 'cheap,' I would assume that the product is inferior."

Alexandra Hall, senior editor for Daily Candy, a newsletter and Web site that researches what is hot, new and undiscovered from fashion and style to gadgets and travel, agrees. "Certain items and certain trusted brands are most certainly worth springing for," she says. "For my money, it's always worth the extra $200 to pay for a [high-end] car seat if it's going to save my kid's life in an accident."

Consider cribs carefully, too. "Cribs are another area you shouldn't skimp," Hall says. "You don't need splinters sticking out of a place your baby's going to sleep."

A well-made crib will cost about $200, though you can find many options for less than that. Since safety counts, however, make sure to find one that's made well. Find one where the slats are, at the most, 2 3/8 inches apart and follow all of the current guidelines. Many higher end models double as a toddler bed. While this may not be a necessity now, you will need something for your child to sleep in once he outgrows his crib.

Want to see more?

• For a Rainy Day and Beyond: Start Saving Before Baby Arrives
• The Perfect Room: 10 Essential Items Every Nursery Needs
• Room for Baby to Grow: Creating a Nursery with Lasting Appeal
• Check out our Article Library.
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