Baby Show Survival Tips
Are you thinking about attending one of the baby shows coming up at Excel, NEC or Earls Court this year?
I am a veteran of a few baby shows now - I went when I was pregnant, when I had a baby (and a brewing bump for baby number 2) and without children in tow! Definitely the easiest is number 3 but this is not always practical and anyway, the baby shows are geared up for those with bumps and babes.
Those with bumps:-
Before you go:
- Have a look who will be there. This is an ideal opportunity to look at things you may not have considered before - a baby sling, professional photography, cloth nappies (!). If you KNOW what you want e.g a certain brand of pram, then research your prices beforehand as most exhibitors offer some fantastic deals (and you don't want to miss out as you don't realise what great offers there are!!!).
- Cash vs cards. Most of the larger retailers will take cards, but have some cash to hand for food and smaller purchases. There will be cashpoints at the sites, but the queues can be long......
On the day:
- comfy shoes, comfy clothes (don't bother with a big coat, if you can, just a couple of layers you can take off and fold into a bag) etc. You will be doing a LOT of walking.
- pop a few snacks into your bag (e.g some unsalted nuts, fruit bars). Also, if there is room (or you have a handy person to carry it for you), a small bottle of water. There are plenty of eateries around, but around the traditional lunchtimes they get very busy, and I remember getting VERY CRANKY when pregnant and hungry. If you can, eat a bit earlier or later, the queues will be shorter!
Those with Babes/Small children
All of the above apply, but in addition:-
- Go early! Fewer crowds, less hassle, shorter queues especially at the popular stands. Children seem to have the attention span of a goldfish, so the sooner you get there. Friday is usually a quiet day as well, so if you can, consider going then instead of the busier weekend.
- Research is particular important, as it is harder to browse, so you may want to choose your route and chosen stands more carefully. Kids don't enjoy shopping, so keep it minimal.
- Divide and conquer! If you have one toddler and mum is pregnant again, get Dad to go to one of the juice stands or watch one of the shows/presentations with little one while Mum investigates nappies etc. They will both thank you for it!
- Snacks for toddler/bottles for baby (if applicable). We had a picnic at the edge of the main hall at the NEC in 2007! The seats generally are where the food stalls are, so a nice quiet patch of ground with some sarnies for our 15month old, and a chance for very pregnant mummy was very welcome. We were not the only ones doing these impromptu picnics. I also took a little Tupperware tub of dried fruit which my toddler nibbled on while we had important conversations with retailers. Everyone is happy.
- DON'T PANIC!!! If you forget something. There will be free disposable nappies, free wipes, as well as samples of other goodies should you forget something. As my Dad said, provided you have some money, you are ok, you can buy what you forget.
For the more eco minded amongst you....
You will be inundated with plastic bags filled with paper - try to resist, ask them for a flyer if there is a product you want, but take a reusable bag instead.
We were also very into our cloth nappies by the time I was pregnant with baby number 2, and we used bumGenius One Size nappies when out and about as they were so easy (and quick!) to put on and off. They were a blessing on the day and admired by other (non cloth using) mums for their pretty colours and how quick we were at changing the nappy!)
I hope you enjoy your Baby Show experience, take it all in your stride and pace yourself. It really is baby shopping heaven :)
Definitely come over to the bumGenius stand - you will be sure of a warm welcome and mention you read the blog!
I am a veteran of a few baby shows now - I went when I was pregnant, when I had a baby (and a brewing bump for baby number 2) and without children in tow! Definitely the easiest is number 3 but this is not always practical and anyway, the baby shows are geared up for those with bumps and babes.
Those with bumps:-
Before you go:
- Have a look who will be there. This is an ideal opportunity to look at things you may not have considered before - a baby sling, professional photography, cloth nappies (!). If you KNOW what you want e.g a certain brand of pram, then research your prices beforehand as most exhibitors offer some fantastic deals (and you don't want to miss out as you don't realise what great offers there are!!!).
- Cash vs cards. Most of the larger retailers will take cards, but have some cash to hand for food and smaller purchases. There will be cashpoints at the sites, but the queues can be long......
On the day:
- comfy shoes, comfy clothes (don't bother with a big coat, if you can, just a couple of layers you can take off and fold into a bag) etc. You will be doing a LOT of walking.
- pop a few snacks into your bag (e.g some unsalted nuts, fruit bars). Also, if there is room (or you have a handy person to carry it for you), a small bottle of water. There are plenty of eateries around, but around the traditional lunchtimes they get very busy, and I remember getting VERY CRANKY when pregnant and hungry. If you can, eat a bit earlier or later, the queues will be shorter!
Those with Babes/Small children
All of the above apply, but in addition:-
- Go early! Fewer crowds, less hassle, shorter queues especially at the popular stands. Children seem to have the attention span of a goldfish, so the sooner you get there. Friday is usually a quiet day as well, so if you can, consider going then instead of the busier weekend.
- Research is particular important, as it is harder to browse, so you may want to choose your route and chosen stands more carefully. Kids don't enjoy shopping, so keep it minimal.
- Divide and conquer! If you have one toddler and mum is pregnant again, get Dad to go to one of the juice stands or watch one of the shows/presentations with little one while Mum investigates nappies etc. They will both thank you for it!
- Snacks for toddler/bottles for baby (if applicable). We had a picnic at the edge of the main hall at the NEC in 2007! The seats generally are where the food stalls are, so a nice quiet patch of ground with some sarnies for our 15month old, and a chance for very pregnant mummy was very welcome. We were not the only ones doing these impromptu picnics. I also took a little Tupperware tub of dried fruit which my toddler nibbled on while we had important conversations with retailers. Everyone is happy.
- DON'T PANIC!!! If you forget something. There will be free disposable nappies, free wipes, as well as samples of other goodies should you forget something. As my Dad said, provided you have some money, you are ok, you can buy what you forget.
For the more eco minded amongst you....
You will be inundated with plastic bags filled with paper - try to resist, ask them for a flyer if there is a product you want, but take a reusable bag instead.
We were also very into our cloth nappies by the time I was pregnant with baby number 2, and we used bumGenius One Size nappies when out and about as they were so easy (and quick!) to put on and off. They were a blessing on the day and admired by other (non cloth using) mums for their pretty colours and how quick we were at changing the nappy!)
I hope you enjoy your Baby Show experience, take it all in your stride and pace yourself. It really is baby shopping heaven :)
Definitely come over to the bumGenius stand - you will be sure of a warm welcome and mention you read the blog!
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