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As more and more people around me have babies I look at some of their purchases and registry items.
My brain is going wild with thoughts.
“That’s not worth the price!”
“Your money would be better spent on diapers!”
“Will you even use that beyond the first month?”
The baby industry tells you that every item is a necessity. Your friends and family try to help guide you. One friend couldn’t live without her Dock-A-Tot, your cousin Jill swears by her baby swing.
Do you get both? Do you pick one? But which one?
If this is your first go-around you probably intend to have a baby shower. This is a great way to get some of your must-have items. But unless you have generous friends and family you should only expect to get a couple of large items.
You need to prioritize. What do you need more, a car seat or a bouncer? Obviously a car seat…or you won’t even make it out of the hospital!
As a first-time mom you don’t know what you will and won’t use in many cases. I mean obviously, you will use the car seat. But when it comes to certain items you just don’t know.
My goal is to open your eyes to how short-lived and expensive large baby items are.
Today I have broken baby items down by price and life in months to calculate their price per month or what I would call their value. These are the only factors I used. I didn’t base the value on safety or convenience because you just can’t put a number on those. However, those can play a factor in your purchasing decisions.
Ok, buckle up and get ready for my most nerdy post yet.
In fact, this may be the nerdiest break down of baby products you have ever seen.
Let’s start with an example:
Items
Most of the items selected are large baby items. These are often found on registries and lists of what to buy. Some of these items are needs such as a car seat while others are wants such as a swing. Continue reading and you will get the full lists of items. Then you can step back and consider what items are truly worth purchasing.
Price
The prices were determined by averaging the price of a particular item. This takes into consideration the low and high priced versions of a product. For most items, I did an average of ten prices and rounded the answer to the nearest dollar. In the above example, I found ten different swings and averaged the price which came out to a nice even $100 rounded.
My prices were based on new items. It is great if you can be thrifty! A lower price will get you a better value.
Life in Months
The life of an item is often dependent on your specific baby. The number of months I used was an estimate based on my knowledge and based on the manufacture’s recommendations. Average weights and sizes went into consideration as well.
Some items I may have been over-generous with the life in months. I can’t imagine an 8-month-old still using a swing, but maybe there are some babies out there who do.
An example where I am generous is with the infant car seat. For example, I listed it as being used for 12 months. If you have a large baby you may be done using it by 9 or 10 months. Longer life makes the product a better value. A shorter life decreases value.
Another factor to keep in mind is that the life of an item doesn’t necessarily start at birth. For example, the toddle bed is listed for 24 months. Those would be from about the age of 2 to 4 approximately.
Life in months can be very subjective. Consider my lists as averages or estimates. Don’t tear me apart on this! Please!
Price Per Month
The item’s price is divided by life in months to get the price per month.
In the example of swing I took $100 divided by 8 months to get $13 for the price per month.
Now you aren’t actually paying a price per month. Typically you don’t rent baby items!
This number gives us something to compare to determine the value of these items.
Typically people want to get the most bang for their buck. My lists are just what you need to do so!
The Lists
Here is the complete breakdown of my lists of items. I would like to note that I used rounded numbers throughout all calculations. It is easier to get a quick picture of the value without the clutter of decimals.
Seats and Entertainment
Let’s get started with seats and entertainment items. I would love to point out that not a single item on this particular list is 100% necessary. If you are on a tight budget look here to cut out items.
The bouncer seat I calculated at $61 on average and having a life of 6 months. If you take $61 and divide it by those 6 months it comes out to about $10.
Now let’s take the baby rocking seat. This item would be something like the MamaRoo for example. I found it to cost on average $220 with a life of about 6 months. When you divide $220 by 6 you get $37.
The bouncer came out at $10 per month while the rocking seat came out at $37 per month. This illustrates that the bouncer is a better value than the rocking seat.
The ability to quickly compare these products using my chart can help you make decision for which products to purchase or put on your registry.
Sleep
The crib is listed for 24 months. Our baby was in the crib at four days old and therefore should use the crib for about 24 months. If you purchase your crib at the above price of $178 and use it for 24 months the price per month is $7 which isn’t bad.
Now let’s break down the scenario if you do the bassinet then the crib.
In this situation, the crib will only be used for about 18 months which makes it cost about $10 per month. That isn’t much more than $5 from the previous graph, so what’s the problem?
Well, we have to factor in the bassinet. The chart breaks down that the bassinet is $43 per month.
So if you go bassinet then crib you are spending ($257+$178) or $435 total for the same 24 month which comes out to $18 per month on average. Keep in mind I use rounding.
I would recommend skipping the bassinet if you can make it work. Check out my article, Why Baby Bassinets are an Absolute Waste of Money for a full explanation on how you can skip the costly bassinet.
My charts are breaking it down into price per month. If it is easier for you just look at the purchase price. At the end of the day no matter how long you use an item that money is gone once you make the purchase.
Did you stay with me through that? Yes, I am the queen of the nerds. I know.
Car Seats, Strollers, and Carriers
This is the most complicated section! It is so hard to decide what to go with and what will provide you will the most value.
My husband and I went with a jogger stroller that came with an infant car seat and one base. We then added two more bases because our baby regularly rode in three different vehicles. By purchasing a jogger that came with an infant car seat we could use our jogger from day 1. Often you must wait until about 4-6 months of age so they can support themselves better.
Often getting a car seat with a stroller is best. Buying the items separate is more expensive and you run the risk of them not working well together.
If you are interested in checking out the stroller we have used now for 18 months and counting click here Is the Graco FastAction Fold Jogger Travel System Worth the Investment?
Make sure to consider your lifestyle when making purchases. As seen above the hiking carrier is the best price per month for the carriers and has the longest life. But will you use it? It costs the most money upfront. Any item is not worth the price if it simply sits on the shelf.
If you are not an avid hiker you can go with the structured carrier as I call it, which is a step below the hiking carrier. No matter what you pay for items make sure you will use them.
Combinations and Items Working Together
Another huge part of purchasing items and considering their life spans in different combinations.
If you purchase a bassinet, crib, toddle bed, and then a regular bed these items all have a shorter life. You are going through more items and more money. My ideal combination is to start with the crib and then skip to a regular bed. If the regular bed is too big, start out with the mattress on the floor then later put up the frame.
Don’t feel the need to have every item on the market. Find the items that work well together and stick with them.
Needs Versus Wants
A lot of baby items are not necessary. Please take the time to consider the cost and life of the items before purchasing.
Remember that there is a difference between wants and needs. Put your money first towards the needs such as car seats and things like diapers and wipes.
The point of this post is to help you evaluate the value of baby items. Also, take note of how so many items have a short life span. And don’t even get me started on storing these bulky items once they aren’t being used.
Alternatives
I cannot wrap up this post without pointing out the best options available. Buying second-hand or borrowing from a friend or family member. These routes will always win in regards to value.
They are better for the environment. They are better for your wallet. And they are even better for your home because you can return them or resell items without guilt.
If you purchase a second-hand door frame jumper you can sell it when you are done. Purchase another one later if you have another baby. However, if Aunt Lisa gifts you the door frame jumper you are going to store it for who knows how long.
If you have ample space and can easily store a million baby items great, but not every house can handle the load of baby crap.
Conclusion
Baby items are expensive. Large baby items are particularly expensive.
Now don’t get me wrong, small items add up and don’t always have a great value either.
Do you know how many times I’ve read ‘Baby Items I Regret Buying’ lists? Moms will talk about how they used the diaper pail at first, but then never bought the refills. Or maybe they purchase a changing table then end up dressing and changing the baby on the floor.
I urge you to read the regret lists you find online. They are so helpful!
I also urge you to see the value in products. Look at the price of them and life. If there are expensive items you “must-have” make sure it has a good long life.
That first year goes so fast. Don’t focus on only the newborn phase, you will be through it so quickly.
I want to also say, you do you.
If an expensive car seat brings value to your life via the highest safety rating on the market, that’s ok.
Your priorities are your own. Your priorities can stretch beyond price and life of use. A swing could get a poor rating based on my calculations, but if it puts your baby to sleep the convenience may outweigh the monetary value.
Some things you can’t put a price on…like sleep. I, however, have done my best to do so.
Comment below on what large baby items you think are not worth their price!
Check Out My Articles
Why Baby Bassinets are an Absolute Waste of Money
Instead of Buying a Baby Swing Give Your Baby the Freedom to Move
7 Smart Ways to Cut Costs and Save Money when having a Baby
Is the Graco FastAction Fold Jogger Travel System Worth the Investment?
Take Baby Steps in Your Everyday Routines to Help Save Your Family Money