carpe diem. carpe luna.

FOR THE MOMMY- (AND DADDY) TO-BE

i am writing this down to help those who, like me, are stuck with doing baby shopping duties almost-at-the-last-minute.  i am not a big spender, but neither am i a cheapskate.  i always work on a budget, so luxury items are a no-no for me.  i buy branded stuff for big purchases (like shoes and bags for me.  or in this case, baby bottles.), but i also make sure that when i buy "generic", the quality and the material are like the branded ones.

before starting to shop

for starters, i got my ESSENTIALS LIST from different sources:  i asked my co-workers and  friends who have kids for info; i copied lists from the books i've been reading (from the hips; what to expect when you're expecting); i surfed online (only to find that the useful lists that were applicable to filipinos could be found in the forums.  there's no online resource, or at least i couldn't find one).  what hurt my ego was, when i went to the baby company (that's the new baby department) of sm megamall, they gave me their own "baby essentials list."  darn...  but then again, having my own list made me feel better about shopping:  i already knew what i wanted to buy for my coming baby, so i just compared my list with the list from sm (and didn't have to pressure myself to buy everything listed down on the sm list.  it's kinda long, by the way. haha.). 

so my tip is this:  when you have time, drop by baby company at any of the sm department stores and ask them for the list.  then you can go home and draft your own list to make it shorter =)  you save more time (and internet browsing time, too) that way.

where to shop

i always planned to spend on my baby.  not spend-spend, to the point that everything must be imported or expensive, but that all the stuff that i would make my baby use and wear would have to be of good quality, expense be damned as long as i got my money's worth.

for baby clothes:  for good quality and not-so-expensive (but not cheap either) tie-side shirts, i got the locally-made but with 100% cotton usa material shirts at sm baby company.  for baby's pajama sets, onesies and t-shirts, i got 2 packs at mothercare trinoma and hoarded a lot at carter's bel-air 3.

for diapers:  i have chino pino diapers, reusable gauze diapers that are pre-formed and with velcro straps, which i bought from sm baby company (they're slightly more expensive at landmark and babyland).  i also got 2 dozen plain gauze diapers from carter's bel-air, at a really low price.

for mittens, booties, socks, burp pads, bibs and blankets:  don't go anywhere else but carter's bel-air3.  same stuff being sold at the stores and malls can be found there at 30-50% off the price.

for baby bottles:  i bought a pack of 3 4oz avent bottles at sm baby company for P1,149.50.  they cost the same at baby&co.  i was really disappointed to find out that they're sold for only P980 at mothercare (trinoma was out of stock, but they had stocks daw in shangrila).  at the moment, i'm still waiting for the package from my MIL in the states for my additional avent bottle orders.  but if i find them lacking, i will definitely buy more at mothercare, or order from angel.

for bath accessories:  a bath tub i reaaaallllyyyy liked cost P1,595 in mothercare, with a bath set.  i was not-so-surprised to find a tub which looked like that tub (except for the whale-swimming-in-the-ocean sticker) in sm for only P289.75.  of course i bought the cheaper one.  a plastic tub is a plastic tub.  period.

for first aid, grooming and nursery kits:  i got the Safety 1st kits in sm baby company.  (i looked.  same price everywhere.)

for breast pumps and sterilizers:  it's cheapest to buy online (or order from the US, c/o angel.  see below.) and wait for delivery.  but if you must, the cheapest avent breast pumps and sterilizers in the philippine market, IMHO, can be found in mothercare (trinoma and shangrila).  they're cheaper than sm & landmark prices by almost P1,500.  mothercare sterilizers cost only around P2,000 compared to other brands like chicco and pigeon which are more expensive.

for other stuff:  sm baby company has everything... though by comparison, i preferred the baby company at sm north edsa to sm megamall.  the one at sm north is more complete, and the sales people more warm, helpful and accommodating.  graco cribs  are also cheaper at mothercare than at sm.  strollers too.  you just have more products to choose from at sm.  (i haven't bought mine, so i really wouldn't know yet.)

shopping notes

online.  search multiply for baby stuff and you will find a lot of online merchants selling imported baby stuff online at almost the same price in the US.  the best prices i've seen so far are at the site of angel aban-yadao.  i haven't met her but our online dialogues have been interesting.  so far, i've ordered from her a graco diaper bag.  she really has great stuff.

the caveat with doing online shopping is that you have to adjust for order and delivery time (2-3 weeks is the industry standard).  of course, if you have relatives in the US who can do the shopping for you as long as you send them the proper shopping list, by all means, go that route.  you'll save more money that way, and you are sure that the stuff you get for your baby is up to par with health and safety standards.  (i am waiting for my own package to arrive from the US.  i am filled with anticipation... hahaha...)

malls.  hands down, i'd still say you get your money's worth at sm department store's baby company.  i found out, too, that sm baby company is the SAME as baby&co. which can be found at podium and powerplant in rockwell.  for bigger products (like playpens and feeding bottles), they almost have the same price.  i don't know about the learning aids and baby toys.

please, please do not be a cheapskate and shop at landmark trinoma.  for such a spanking, new department store, i cannot understand why they have such cheap-looking baby clothes and other baby stuff on sale. 

bel-air3.  went there once and it was a super sulit baby shopping trip!  the shop is Hello Baby at 48 Zodiac St., Bel-Air3, Makati.  you can call 896-4802 for warehouse schedules and look for manang vicky.

greenhills.  if you have time and the energy to go around greenhills, you can find stuff there cheaper than the malls (syempre.).  but the baby stuff you'll find there, you can find in bel-air3.  hehehe.

when to shop

don't ask me.  i am on my 8th month and i've just covered the essentials.  i am barely halfway done  =)

and finally...

who to shop with

bring along your partner, by all means.  he's the one spending, right? hehehe... but the caveat is, there will be minor discussions about some things (he wants the blue, you want the green.  he wants the chicco shampoo, you want the pigeon shampoo.).  if your patience knows no bounds, go ahead.  but if you're like me and you'd rather shop in peace, bring along a brother, sister or cousin to help you carry your basket or push your cart around.

i shopped with my mom once, and i think it's enough.  she couldn't understand why i had to buy branded baby wipes, or more clothes, or why i kept on comparing the expensive baby bottles.  her theory:  all 7 of us grew up on gerber and evenflo bottles and johnson's baby products.  and we're all okay. =)

oh.  i tried shopping with my best friend too.  no can do.  but i thank her for stopping me from buying the expensive bath tub at mothercare. hahaha.