More than two decades of new parents have turned to Consumer Reports Best Baby Products, the A-Z guide for everything they need to know about getting the best value on the safest products for their babies. This ninth edition is updated with the latest safety and product buying advice and exclusive Consumer Reports Ratings.
Consumer Reports is the only publisher that conducts its own independent, unbiased safety and effectiveness testing on products for babies. We accept no advertising in our publications. Everything we test is purchased by secret shoppers in the same stores that new parents shop in. We’ll tell you not only which products are best, but also which products to avoid because they are not safe, or simply are a waste of money. As a result Consumer Reports Best Baby Products is the indispensable companion for new parents navigating the complex maze of hundreds of available baby products.
What are the features to look for to make sure the crib you buy is a safe one? All-terrain strollers, stroller frames, umbrella strollers, travel systems? We’ll help you buy the parent-powered transporter that best suits your needs and budget. Does a pacifier really prevent sudden infant death syndrome? Written with warmth, wit and authority, Best Baby Products will help alleviate some of the anxiety caused by all the questions running through a new parent's mind. Consumer Reports buying advice and ratings allows buyers to streamline the selection process, avoid shopping pitfalls, and help keep the baby budget in balance.
Here is everything you need to know about: Baby bottles - Baby food - Backpack carriers - Bathtubs - Bedding - Bouncers - Breast Pumps - Cameras - Car seats - Changing tables - Clothing - Cribs - Diapers - Diaper bags - Diaper pails - Formula - Gates - High chairs - Kid-friendly cars - Mattresses - Monitors - Nursing Bras - Pacifiers - Play yards - Rocking chairs and gliders - Soft carriers - Stationary activity centers - Strollers - Stuffed animals - Swings - Toys - and more!
Plus: -How to administer medications to babies and children -Child-proofing and home-safety tips - Recent safety recalls
Ratings Deficient but Decent Reference This is a decent general reference for first time parents; however, the claim that it includes ratings is a little misleading. Critical information is missing for some of the most important purchases. For example, there are ratings for bouncers but not for breast pumps or car seats! The book claims to offer information on the "best and worst brand-name models" but this information is sporadic at best. Just as the Consumer Reports website suggests, the book encourages one to subscribe to Consumer Reports to get more information.
My review of the Best Baby Products book This wasn't exactly what I was looking for in a Baby Products book. I thought they would make it very clear on exactly what products you should buy, and rate them with stars. Instead, the book gives you a general idea of which way to go, and then you can pay to get on the Consumer Reports website to find out the ratings on the different products. I already paid for the book. I don't want to pay for anything else.
Another disappointed reader I will never buy another resource book w/out reading the reviews. I also thought this book would be the answer to the endless stressful research behind buying all of the necessary items for your first baby. It reads more like a how-to book for parents, of which I already own too many. I don't need help figuring out if I'm going to breastfeed. I need help deciding on one of over 200 stroller choices ranging in $100 - over $1000! What happened to Consumer Reports?!
A good book. However, a little disappointing... There is very little information I can give you that hasn't already been covered. Like a previous reviewer I too was more than a little disappointed that this book lacked detailed recommendations on products. What I got instead was more a less a general outline of what to look for and what to look out for. One reviewer has already mentioned that products become quickly outdated and had the book printed such information it would become outdated within a year. This is probably true. However, Sandra Gordon (the author) didn't completely eliminate product information ratings from the book, and don't know of many parents who plan on using a baby products book five years later. However, to be fair I should mention that consumer reports also doesn't rate every product either. As a matter of fact they also give a general outline of what to look for, and general consumer tips on baby products as opposed to rating every product catagory (though the web site rates more items than this book does, one of which is car seats).
I currently have a consumer reports membership, and can tell you that much of what is in this book is on thier web site (literally if you have an account you'll get some of this book word for word). If I had known that the book lacked specific product reviews I would have just stuck with the consumer report membership (I am thankful I bought the book though, keep reading). They have much of the information in this book, plus current products and ratings.
So your probably asking why I gave this book 4 stars. The book is very thorough in it's approach to educate the consumer, and if you don't have access to the internet on a regular basis this could be a five star product for you. However, for those of us who can regularly access the net/consumer report you might find this book a little redundant. All that being said I can honestly say that it is worth the money Amazon is charging for it. You just have to assess your needs. I like to have something to take with me as a guide while I shop so the book is a good fit for my family and I. Some people don't need or want that.
Bottom Line: If your purpose is to obtain specific safety ratings and recommendations on specific products get a consumer report account. Skip the book. If your looking for an economical guide to take with you shoping and read in bed than buy the book.
take it or leave it difficult format to follow. i think the best advice comes from other moms, talk to them in terms of what they bought and why. this comes from CR - so it is really targeted about safety, etc... not really all the time in terms of practicality or price.
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