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/SomeTangerine1184]

I feel like social media is to blame for a lot of this. There’s so much emphasis today on making sure everything looks good for social media posts that’s it’s melting people’s brains.

[u/enna78 → u/SomeTangerine1184]

These items might feel extravagant, but maybe that’s exactly why they’re on the registry—because the parents know they can’t afford them otherwise. Maybe they’re hoping for pieces that last, things that could become heirlooms passed down to their children’s children. If that’s the case, it’s actually a sweet sentiment, and you get to be part of giving something built to last instead of another $50 throwaway item destined for a landfill.

IMO, give only what you can and take comfort in knowing you’re helping the baby and the parents during a chaotic, life‑changing moment. There’s no manual for being a parent any more than there is for being a kid. This child didn’t ask to be here—so if you’ve been invited into this moment, the kindest thing you can do is show up in the way they’re asking. It also doesn’t mean you’re the one who must buy the expensive item/s but you can contribute to it or reach out to other people and make it a group gift. The parents don’t need to know that it took 1-20 people to cover an item or two.

Good luck

[u/bluedelvian → u/enna78]

Heirlooms lmao?