The baby gizmo buying guide

by Heather Maclean

The Baby Gizmo Buying Guide is the first comprehensive baby product reference book designed to go to the store with you. Instead of what to buy , Heather Maclean, a mom and founder of the Little Laureate and Baby Gizmo websites, will teach you how to buy more than 400 different types of baby products. Featuring definitions, product history, and key features, this is a real-life, everything-you-need-to-know resource. It includes advice on whether you really need a product, when to buy it, and how long your baby will use it. This guide will help you make the right purchase the first time to match your unique lifestyle and needs. It is designed to help you be a smarter, more efficient baby product shopper-to keep your thoughts and research organized and to get you in and out of the store in record time. The great writing and fun "been there, really do understand what you are going through" tone will make this guide every expectant parent's favorite book.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction

480 pages, Paperback

First published February 12, 2008

About the author

Heather Maclean is a Princeton graduate and The New York Times bestselling author and editor of 15 books.

Named one of the '16 Best Entrepreneurs in America' by Sir Richard Branson, she accompanied the adventurous business legend on a 50,000-mile trip around the world, alternately helping improve the lives of others (designing sustainable development initiatives in South Africa) and fearing for her own (rappelling out of a Black Hawk helicopter in a Moroccan sandstorm).

Heather began her career at Disney, where she had the distinction of being the first person ever to answer Mickey Mouse's e-mail.

When not castle hunting in her husband's native Scotland, she and her clan of 3 kids happily reside in Michigan.

Reviews

[Shilo Quetchenbach · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is maybe useful. There are some good ideas of what is useful/needed for a baby and what is not. But... too many of the reviews focus primarily on how *pretty* the product is. Yeah, I get that people want their baby stuff to match their decor (really? Ok, maybe I don't) - but the point of things for the baby is that they hold the interest of / stimulate *the baby*. Not the parents who think all the primary colors are ugly and wish things came in greys/golds/pinks. I mean, come on. I get the feeling that this book might be far more useful for the hip socialite mama in New York or San Francisco... and not so much your everyday mama who actually wants to, y'know, focus on what's good for the kid. This is a book for people who want to make their kid fit into their pre-kid lifestyle. Not so much for those who intend to re-focus their life around a child.

[Kt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Out of all the books I picked up for parenting... so far this one and "What to expect when you're expecting" have been my 2 most used books.

Not sure if I'd purchase it, but I highly recommend new mommies checking it out from the library.

I didn't read the whole thing ('cause it goes into crazy details for EVERYTHING- which is GREAT when you need it), but mostly what I LOVED was it has really helpful hints on what products you REALLY need for the baby, and which ones you don't. Which as an expecting 1st time mommy, made my registration/ baby shower gifts a breeze to go through and return the unneccessaries to save room and money for DIAPERS!! <- HUGE LIVE SAVER!!

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a very helpful guide for purchasing all of the gear that babies must have during that first year and beyond - the author even clues you in on when you really need to have the items and which ones are good to buy secondhand. She shares what to look for when hunting down items in the store as far as bells and whistles, but does not review specific brands. There is also a Baby Gizmo website that I was excited to check out, but didn't find it to be too helpful. I like Amazon better for reading reviews and comparing products!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend for first time moms! This book has the run down on what you need as far as baby gear goes. Doesn't offer brand name recommendations but more general info. Was a refreshing change to books on childbirth and breast feeding and parenting because it's something tangible and practical and something you will do before baby!

[Helena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doesn't give specific product or brand suggestions, but very helpful for figuring out what the heck some of these products are, what they're for, if you really need them, etc. Read it once and am currently using it to help me sort out what I actually want to put on the baby shower registry.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book provides descriptions of gadgets and what to look for but does not provide recommendations. For that, you must go to the corresponding website and not all baby gadgets have recommendations. If you are short on time, skip this book and read Baby Bargains only.

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know nothing--this at least points me in the right direction!!

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is really only usefull for people who have no clue about baby stuff. Otherwise it's just common sense

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great basic book on what's what in the overwhelming world of baby stuff.

[Katie Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

So helpful for this first-time, overwhelmed & confused momma-to-be!

[Margaret Chind · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review pending.

[Heather Friedman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful reading for creating registries and entering the world of baby madness :)

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this one, I got it from the library at least 3 times.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really useful for helping determine what's what in the world of baby gear and if you need it.