Recession Baby Blues

With all the bad news about the economy, many customers are trying to get the most from their money when preparing for a new baby. And even without a global recession looming, there are so many things a new parent needs that the costs can seem overwhelming!

What we try to tell our new parents and Hip Baby Gear is this -- pick you battles! Decide what is really important to you and concentrate on getting the best quality items in that category. For example, many of our customers our avid joggers and walkers and plan to spend a lot of time with their new baby outdoors and on the road. If that is the case, don't penny pinch on the stroller you choose. You will only end up being unhappy with a lower-quality brand and likely end up buying more than one and spending more money in the end.

If you really want to make sure you are a wise shopper in this area, think about getting a versatile standard stroller that can do a lot of things -- one that is great for both indoor and outdoor strolling, travel, power walking and multiple terrains. Good choices: Bugaboo Frog or Cameleon, Uppa Baby Vista and Quinny Buzz.

Another option is to look for a stroller that can be used beyond just your first baby. The Phil & Ted's Sport and Valco Runabout, for example, both have toddler seat add-ons that will turn your single stroller into a double for baby #2! Uppa Baby Vista 2009 will have this option as well.

You may also want to think about resale options. Most high-end models, particularly Bugaboo resell for within a few hundred dollars of the original price, even after years of use.