cover image The Baby Gizmo Buying Guide: What to Buy When You're Expecting

The Baby Gizmo Buying Guide: What to Buy When You're Expecting

Heather Maclean, with Hollie Schultz. . Thomas Nelson, $16.99 (457pp) ISBN 978-1-4016-0354-0

For first-time moms without time or inclination to dally in stores comparing various items for their babies, Maclean and Schultz have compiled a handy baby-gadget buying encyclopedia. The authors, founders of BabyGizmo.com, which tests baby products, have “buil[t] stroller obstacle courses, weight[ed] products, throw[n] food at them, and run through parking lots with them.” The authors' most reliable expertise is that they have young kids and know from experience the advantages and disadvantages of, say, side-by-side versus stadium-seating strollers. This guide doesn't review based on brands; it compares the range of a product to narrow the choices and help you decide what kind of stroller is best for your needs, and then within that type, which accessories and gadgets are necessary. Covered are safety considerations and suggestions for a “no-nonsense registry list.” The bulk of the book is organized alphabetically and offers advice on packing a well-equipped diaper bag, tips on saving money; they conclude with a glossary for “every baby product on the planet” so readers will know the difference between a Boppy and a Binky and what an Itzabeen is. (Feb.)