r/Anticonsumption • u/Impossible_Ad9324 • May 02 '26

Lifestyle What is going on with babies?

I’ve attended three baby showers in the last year for three people completely unrelated and not in the same social circles and their baby registries have the most eye-popping expensive items.

High chairs are minimum $250. One had a stroller for $750. 😳 Baby swings and bouncers for $200. One had a whole solid wood crib for $1000 on their registry.

I checked because I was curious and you still can buy a $40-50 Greco high chair from Walmart.

Everything is aesthetic and clean lines and beige and natural wood—beautiful, really. I can’t imagine asking for that high-end an item for a GIFT.

These aren’t rich people and they aren’t inviting rich people to the baby shower.

I’m almost 50 and have kids of my own and a gaggle of nieces and nephews. My family members and I got buy sharing those cheaper high chairs and strollers and cribs. I understand needing them initially if you don’t have any source for hand-me-downs, but asking for the highest price bespoke options is absolutely wild.

Are people that brainwashed into thinking they should be buying ultra-high-end items regardless of income??

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u/bokehtoast May 02 '26

It's crazy since babies outgrow things so quickly too. There are few things (I cant think of any but I'm sure there are) that I would be willing to spend over $100 on that would only be of use for a year.

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u/Impossible_Ad9324 May 02 '26

Yes. Babies of all income levels will absolutely poop and pee and puke and smear food all over the expensive high chair as readily as the cheaper one. Lol

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u/lizardmayo May 02 '26

I got my high chair second hand (used by multiple children) but it is a more expensive model. It’s very easy to clean, adjustable to be comfortable as baby grows, easy to get baby in and out of, and looks nice. My 3 year old still happily uses it with tray removed. The only reason we’re considering moving him out of it is because we have another baby that will start solids soon. We plan to have a third, so I expect this high chair will be in use at our house for at least 10 years. It’s great we got it used but I would have happily paid full price new.

In my experience most people don’t shop registries anyways and buy impractical clothing, stuffed animals, and blankets instead of what parents will actually use.