9781889392196

The latest edition of the popular nursery guide shows readers how to outfit a room for the new arrival within a budget, offering money-saving tips on baby furniture, equipment, clothing, toys, maternity wear, child carriers, online sources, catalogs, and more. Original. 100,000 first printing.

Denise and Alan Fields are consumer advocates who have made a career out of chronicling life's milestones. The Fields first national book, Bridal Bargains, was inspired by their wedding in 1989. After Oprah recommended the book to her viewers in 1991, the book became a best-seller with over 400,000 copies in print. Bridal Bargains' expose of rip-offs and consumer abuse of engaged couples was hailed by the Wall Street Journal, which said the book was "stirring up a commotion in the bridal industry." The Fields' next book, Your New House, grew out of the couple's own experience building a new home in Monument, Colorado. "This book is, by far, the best book available on how to buy or build a new home," raved Chicago Tribune syndicated columnist Robert Bruss. The San Francisco Examiner picked the book as one of the Top 10 Best Real Estate Books for 1993 and again in 1996. Your New House guides home buyers through the new home construction process, with detailed tips on hiring a builder, what to get in writing and which scams to watch out for. Baby Bargains continues this tradition. The Fields' latest consumer guide was inspired by the birth of their sons, Ben in 1993 and Jack in 1996. The Fields scoured the country for the best deals on cribs, bedding, maternity clothes and more. Baby Bargains has been featured on the Today Show, Oprah, and Dateline NBC. The Fields have been writing together since 1987, since meeting in college in Colorado. Their first book was a local how-to guide for engaged couples in Austin, Texas called Austin Weddings. A native of Dallas, Texas, Alan Fields has a bachelor's degree in business from the University of Colorado and a masters in business administration from the University of Texas at Austin. Denise Fields holds a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Colorado. A native of Colorado, Denise grew up in Loveland. The Fields' other books include Toddler Bargains, a guide to buying products for kids age two through five and Baby 411, an FAQ for first-time parents for baby's first year. The Fields live in Boulder, Colorado with their sons, Ben and Jack.

``It's Going to Change Your Life''

The Four Truths That No One Tells You

1

(1)

What Does a Baby Cost For the First Year?

2

(3)

Reality Check: How Much You Can Save

5

(1)

What? There's No Advertising in this Book?

6

(1)

So, Who Are You Guys?

7

(1)

What You Need When

8

(1)

First Time Parent 101

9

(1)

We Get Questions: Top 5 Q&A

10

(3)

What's New in This Edition?

13

(2)

Nursery Necessities: Cribs, Dressers & More

The Downside of Waiting Until the Last Minute

15

(2)

Cribs

17

(74)

The Five Basic Sources

17

(2)

Cyberspace: Four Sources For Bargains/Info

19

(1)

The Four Essential Parts to a Nursery

20

(1)

More Money Buys You

21

(1)

The Old Crib Trap and Nine Other Safety Tips

22

(4)

Recalls: Where to Find Information

26

(1)

``Baby Buying Frenzy'' and 17 More Shopper Tips

26

(6)

Convertible Cribs and Five Other Wastes of Money

32

(2)

Top Eight Things No One Tells You

34

(3)

Ten Money-Saving Secrets

37

(4)

Baby Superstores: Good, Bad & Ugly

41

(2)

Email: World's Worst Return Policy

43

(3)

Specialty Chains

46

(1)

Baby Registries Disappoint

47

(1)

Six Outlet Stores

48

(1)

Hotel Cribs: Hazardous at $200 a night

49

(1)

Reviews & Ratings of 45 Crib Brands

50

(2)

Who is Jenny Lind?

52

(2)

Baby Tenda

54

(3)

Certifications: Do They Really Matter?

57

(10)

Co-sleepers & Hi-Tech Cradles

67

(4)

Bait & Switch with Floor Samples

71

(7)

eBay for Cribs: Three Smart Shopper Tips

78

(9)

Our picks: Crib Brand Recommendations

87

(1)

Chart: Crib Brands Compared

88

(2)

Do it By Mail: The Best Catalogs for Baby Furniture

90

(1)

Bassinets/Cradles

91

(2)

Mattresses

93

(7)

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Soft Bedding

93

(1)

SIDS Scare Tactics?

94

(1)

``Coil Overkill'' and Two More Smart Shopping Tips

95

(3)

Top Picks: Brand Recommendations

98

(2)

Dressers & Changing Tables

100

(6)

Safe & Sound: Five Tips

102

(1)

Our picks: Brand Recommendations

103

(3)

Five More Items for the Nursery

106

(7)

The Bottom Line: Save $1000 With Our Tips

111

(2)

Baby Bedding & Decor

Six Sources for The Best Quality and Prices

113

(2)

Cyberspace: Three Great Sites

115

(1)

More than Sheets: The Four Basic Bedding Pieces

116

(5)

Electric Blanket Warning and Seven More Safety Tips

121

(4)

Looking for Mr. Good Bedding: Nine Shopper Tips

125

(2)

Diaper Stackers and Seven More Wastes of Money

127

(3)

Skipping the Quilt and Seven More Money-Saving Secrets

130

(1)

Two Outlets For More Savings

131

(1)

Reviews & Ratings of 37 Top Bedding Designers

132

(4)

Dangerous Impressions: Marketing of Linens

136

(14)

Chart: Bedding Compared

150

(2)

Seven Mail Order Sources Saves 20% to 50% off

152

(4)

The Bottom Line: Our Budget Saves You $800 to $900

156

(1)

The Reality Layette: Little Clothes for Little Prices

When to Start Stocking Up on Clothes & Diapers

157

(1)

Ten Basic Sources

158

(3)

Baby Clothes

161

(32)

Thrift Shop Warning

161

(1)

Garage & Yard Sales: Eight Tips for the Best Bargains

162

(1)

Cyberspace: Web sources for deals

163

(3)

What Is a Layette?

166

(5)

What Does More Money Buy You?

171

(1)

Flame Retardant Sleepwear and Three Other Safety Tips

171

(2)

Laundry Conundrum: What's Best for Baby?

173

(1)

One Size Does Not Fit All

174

(2)

Beware of Appliques and 8 Other Smart Shopper Tips

176

(1)

The Fuzz Factor: Six Wastes of Money

177

(3)

Baby Needs a New Pair of Shoes

180

(1)

Second Hand Bargains and 11 More Money-Saving Tips

181

(3)

Carter's and Six Other Clothing Outlets

184

(4)

Best Bets: Best, Good and Skip It

188

(1)

Seven Great Mail-Order Clothing Catalogs

189

(4)

Our Picks: Brand Recommendations

193

(1)

Diapers

193

(17)

14 CyberSpace Diaper Sources

195

(3)

Who's Got the Cheapest Diapers?

198

(1)

Our Picks: Brand Recommendations

199

(6)

Which Cloth Diapers Work Best?

205

(3)

Buy in Bulk and Eight Other Money-Saving Secrets

208

(2)

The Bottom Line: Slash Clothing, Diaper Costs by $300

210

(1)

Maternity/Nursing Clothes

Maternity & Nursing Clothes

211

(30)

Getting Started: When Do You Need Maternity Stuff?

211

(1)

Ten Surprising Sources

212

(1)

Cyberspace: 20 sites

213

(4)

Your Pregnant Wardrobe: How Much Will You Need?

217

(1)

Maternity Bras for the Real World

218

(4)

Reader Poll: Best Nursing Clothes Brands

222

(2)

Battling Your Wacky Thermostat

224

(1)

Our Picks: Brand Recommendations--Undergarments

225

(1)

Our Picks: Brand Recommendations--Nursing Clothes

226

(1)

Help! My Feet Have Swollen!

227

(2)

Plus Size & 11 Other Money-Saving Tips

229

(4)

Two Outlets for Maternity Clothes

233

(1)

Reviews of Maternity Chain Stores

233

(2)

Watch Out for Return Policies

235

(1)

Stay Fit: Pregnancy Workout Videos

236

(2)

Do it By Mail: Three Mail Order Catalogs

238

(3)

Feeding: Breastfeeding, Bottles, High Chairs

Breastfeeding

241

(15)

Breastfeed and Save $500

241

(1)

Seven Sources for Help

242

(2)

Eight Web Sites that Sell Pumps

244

(3)

Chart: Which Pump Works Best?

247

(1)

Reviews & Ratings: Seven Breast Pumps Compared

248

(1)

Breast Milk Storage Options

249

(1)

Breastfeeding in Public: Four Tips and Advice

250

(3)

Our Picks: Brand Recommendations

253

(2)

Three Money Saving Tips

255

(1)

Formula

256

(7)

Organic Formula and Other Options

257

(1)

Confusing Cans Confront Soy Users

258

(2)

Seven Money Saving Tips

260

(3)

Bottles/Nipples

263

(3)

Bottle Warmers & Sterilizes

266

(1)

Baby Food

266

(9)

Taste Tests and Four Other Safety Hints

267

(4)

Del Monte and Five More Money-Saving Tips

271

(1)

Email: Making Your Own Baby Food

271

(1)

Reviews & Ratings of Five Brands

272

Toddler Foods: Waste of Money?

269

(6)

High Chairs

275

(18)

Strap Me In and Five Other Safety Tips

275

(2)

Smart Shopper Tips: Basic Features and More

277

(2)

Reviews & Ratings of 12 Brands

279

(9)

Chart: High Chairs Compared

288

(2)

Our Picks: Brand Recommendations

290

(3)

Around the House: Monitors, Diaper Pails, Safety & More

Getting Started: What You Need, When

293

(2)

Best Bath Tubs

295

(1)

Six More Items for the Baby's Room

296

(2)

The Best Diaper Pails

298

(4)

Bouncer Seats

302

(1)

Coupon Sites Cut Online Shopping Costs

303

(1)

Monitors

304

(13)

Bugging Your House and Three Other Shopping Tips

305

(4)

Reviews & Ratings of Ten Brands

309

(5)

Chart: Monitors Compared

314

(2)

Our Picks: Brand Recommendations

316

(1)

Swings: Godsend or Neglect-o-matic?

317

(1)

Safety

318

(15)

Top Ten Baby Products That Should Be Banned

319

(2)

Gates: Our Picks

321

(3)

Nine Tips for Safe Toys

324

(6)

Baby First Aid Kit

330

(2)

Top Ten Safety Must-Haves

332

(1)

Playpens: The Best Bets

333

(4)

Car Seats

Getting Started & Four Sources to Find Car Seats

337

(1)

Cyberspace: Eight Great Sites

338

(1)

One Size Does Not Fit All and 15 More Smart Tips

339

(16)

Ten Car Seat Safety Tips

355

(5)

Four Money Saving Secrets

360

(1)

Reviews & Ratings of Nine Top Brands

361

(3)

What is the Lightest Infant Car Seat Carrier?

364

(5)

Model by Model Reviews

369

(21)

Our Picks: Brand Recommendations

390

(2)

Flying the Unfriendly Skies

392

(2)

Chart: Infant Car & Convertible Seats Compared

394

(3)

Strollers, Diaper Bags, Carriers and other To Go Gear

Strollers

397

(67)

Strollers in Cyberspace

398

(2)

Six Types of Strollers

400

(3)

Untrustworthy Brakes and More Safety Advice

403

(3)

What Features Do You Really Need?

406

(6)

Silly Stroller Accessories & Other Wastes of Money

412

(1)

Stroller Overkill and Nine Other Money-Saving Secrets

413

(2)

Reviews & Ratings: The 28 Best & Worst Brands

415

(7)

Stroller with Height Adjustable Handles

422

(4)

The Latest From Europe: Trends & Fads

426

(22)

Our Picks: Brand Recommendations by Lifestyle

448

(4)

Chart: Stroller Round-up

452

(3)

Three Mistakes to Avoid with Joggers

455

(1)

Chart: Sport/Jogging Strollers Compared

456

(4)

Strollers for Two: Double the Fun

460

(2)

Discount Mail Order Source

462

(1)

Top Six Tips for Traveling with Baby

463

(1)

Bike Trailers & Seats

464

(3)

The Well-Stocked Diaper Bag

467

(6)

Top Nine Items for a Well Stocked Diaper Bag

469

(2)

Our Picks: Brand Recommendations

471

(2)

Carriers

473

(7)

Child Care: Options, Costs & More

The Three Basic Options for Child Care

480

(2)

Dependent Care Accounts & Three More Money-Savers

482

(1)

Ten Question to Ask a Child Care Provider

482

(1)

Au Pair Option

483

(1)

Does Your Nanny Have a Past?

484

(3)

Conclusion: What Does It All Mean?

Average Costs vs. Our Baby Bargains Budget

487

(1)

Our Parting Advice

487

(1)

Appendix A: Canadian Sources & Bargains

488

(11)

Appendix B: Sample Gift Registry

499

(4)

Appendix C: Multiples Advice: Twins and more

503

(3)

Appendix D: Phone/Web Directory

506

(10)

Index

516

(19)

Our Other Books

535

About the Authors

What is included with this book?

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Baby Bargains : Secrets to Saving 20% to 50% on Baby Furniture, Equipment, Clothes, Toys, Maternity Wear, and Much, Much More!

Baby Bargains : Secrets to Saving 20% to 50% on Baby Furniture, Equipment, Clothes, Toys, Maternity Wear, and Much, Much More!

1889392197

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

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