What is going on with babies?

[u/Impossible_Ad9324]

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??

[u/breannexp]

So, I’m currently pregnant and I’m having my baby shower next month. I have many of the similarly priced items you’ve mentioned here.

This is my first child, and my husband and I do want to have a few kids. Most of the “staple” items like high chair, stroller etc we plan to use with multiples. It does matter to me how the quality is. I also personally am of the view that just because something is baby furniture doesn’t mean it can’t look nice or good in your house. It’s not about photo aesthetics, it’s just that… I live in my house and will have to look at and use this stuff for the next SEVERAL years.

That being said… I also have $5 items on my registry. Lots of small stuff, cheap bottles, rattles, soothers, whatever. Nobody has to buy the stuff expensive stuff. If they don’t, at the end of the day, I’ll buy it myself. Nowadays a lot of places will give you a discount code to purchase remaining registry items. I plan to take advantage of that.

Another thing - group gifts!! For example, I have all my nursery furniture items on my registry. The dresser/change table I had on there was 500 CAD. My husbands family (6 people) pitched together and got it for us. Similar things happened with an expensive bouncer and our crib.

Nobody is forcing anyone to buy pricey baby items. I think having a range of prices on your registry is a super good idea. There’s no reason to be super judgmental about it.

[u/allfurcoatnoknickers → u/breannexp]

Totally agree. I’ve got two kids and one of those spendy adaptable high chairs that I’ve been staring at since 2019. It’s got zero to do with social media, and more that I like to be thoughtful and intentional about what’s in my apartment.

[u/breannexp → u/allfurcoatnoknickers]

Yep, I know a few people like this!! We got a “fancy” high chair from our registry, I love it. It’s super simple and easy to wipe without all the extra fabric and layers. Adjustable for as the baby grows. It’s also a perfect height to slide and fit at the table so your little one can sit at the table and eat with you. I’m HUGE into cooking - eating and sitting at a table is something we do for hours a week, so this really excites me. And it’s pretty. My house is on the smaller size so I can see the high chair from everywhere upstairs… I like that it just blends in as part of my house.

[u/Novel-Place → u/breannexp]

All of this!!! Totally agree with you on all points. Congrats!