Considering using a Baby Planner?

The world of babies keeps growing and expanding with new trends, new technology, the latest research and recommendations.  Parents want to make the best decisions they can for their new baby, while considering their economic needs, ecological priorities, space and time limitations, and possibly balancing other children and/or careers. 

It can be very overwhelming for any parent – new or seasoned – to decide what is best for their individual needs.  Luckily, there are pros to help:

Baby Planners and Maternity Concierges

We interviewed several Baby Planners and Maternity Concierge’s across the country to find out the answers to your questions. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why would I want a Baby Planner when I have friends and family and strangers giving advice?

• In the evolving baby industry, receiving unbiased facts and information is priceless. What may have worked for your mother several years ago or for your best friend recently, may not suit your particular needs. We will help you find what works best for YOU!   - Jessica, [MOD] momma, Inc.

• You are so lucky that you have a support system that only wants the best for you and your new family.  But the times and the gear change so quickly that it’s hard to keep up.  And, getting ready for a new baby can be pretty emotional and intense.   It’s a lot easier to make a choice that’s right for you and your new family, if you don’t feel like you will hurt your mother-in-law’s feelings.  For example, your best friend may love her stroller, but she lives in a new development with nice, smooth sidewalks.  Her light weight travel system while perfect for her needs, would never work for you, if you live in an area with older sidewalks or want to take your stroller on your favorite walking trails.  (We also get that the decisions you make before you have the baby may change after you meet your bambino.  We help you assess how things are going and support you when you want to adjust or change some of your pre-baby choices. No judgments. Promise)” -Susan Pollara, Stroll Carry Love

• Friends and family are a great start for support but the world of baby is a fast changing one. Also, those loved ones don’t have the same home that you do, don’t have the same budget, may have had other children or pets, could have been either a working or stay at home mom, lived a more or less active lifestyle than you live or have a different design aesthetic. I pride myself in getting to know a family and understanding their lifestyle and the goals they have for their family. Before any of my services begin I offer a free 30 minute consultation so I get the chance to meet and get-to know each family. Once that takes place, every service that I provide to them is 100% customized and personalized. There are no 2 baby registries or tummy timelines that look the same because each one is created with that family in mind. - Julie McCaffrey, BabyNav Baby Planners

    

What is your most-requested service?  

• Birth planning.  Hiring a baby planner makes you save time and money so you can relax and avoid unnecessary stress. - Jessica, [MOD] momma, Inc.

• Gear consultations are really popular, because gear is expensive and the options change so quickly.  Women who are returning to the office love our back to work strategy sessions and our help with finding the right type of child care for their baby and family needs.  Our hearts go out to bed rest mommas and we love helping them through the process, by bringing the gear, the classes, and the services right to their home. -Susan Pollara, Stroll Carry Love

• My most requested service is for baby gear and registry consulting. It can be truly overwhelming for parents to walk into a baby store and stop in any section to see there are sometimes hundreds of options to choose from in one category. At BabyNav, we have the most up to date information on available baby products, safety ratings and recalls, trends and new products to help expecting parents make those decisions. After getting to know parents, we can provide recommendations on baby products and baby gear that will work best for their family and lifestyle.  - Julie McCaffrey, BabyNav Baby Planners

How much does a baby planner cost?  Can I afford one when babies are already so expensive?

• Yes! Using a baby planner can save you not only time and headaches but can actually save you money by steering you clear of gear that you might have purchased that your family simply doesn’t need.  - Julie McCaffrey, BabyNav Baby Planners

• We personally tailor our services to meet your needs so our rates vary... Baby planners can actually help save expecting parents and family money. Your time is valuable. Let us help you.  - Jessica, [MOD] momma, Inc.

• Our hourly rate is comparable to personal trainers, nutritionists, professional organizers, and other life style consultants.  Cost of our complete baby planning services and packages are developed based on the services and support level desired.   In the long run, we save you money because you are making informed, empowered choices on the products and services you want for you and your baby.   We make unbiased gear and supply recommendations and we know which websites offer the best new momma discount programs, all of which save you money and time.  -Susan Pollara, Stroll Carry Love

There's so much information out there!  Where do I start?  

• Take a deep breath and relax.  First things first.  Start by making sure you are taking care of yourself during your pregnancy so that you and baby are on track for a healthy and safe beginning.  Then, take it step by step.   We’ve found that each expecting parent has a unique passion and that most expecting parents put a ton of pressure on themselves to be perfect. Whether your passion is  strollers or going green, or making your  own baby food, embrace it and be gentle on yourself about  some of the other stuff.  -Susan Pollara, Stroll Carry Love

• Instead of endlessly researching information available on the internet, in books, in magazines, and more, many new parents now turn to baby planners for the most essential knowledge.  We narrow down the decision-making process, giving you a range of options that suit you best and allow you to select what you’ll need or want most while navigating pregnancy, childbirth, the nursery and beyond. - Jessica, [MOD] momma, Inc.

• Many expecting parents today struggle to keep up with all of the magazines, blogs, big box stores, boutique stores, baby expos, Facebook posts, Tweets and Pinterest pins that are all telling them what is best for their baby. Each service provided by a baby planner is designed to reduce stress, reduce the amount of time parents need to spend researching and making decisions and allowing both expecting moms and dads to enjoy the journey of pregnancy and being a parent to a beautiful new baby.  - Julie McCaffrey, BabyNav Baby Planners  

How do I know if a baby planner is right for me?

• If you’ve ever worked with a wedding planner, a personal trainer, or a relator – you understand the value of working with passionate experts and advocates.  We save you time, energy, and money – by helping you navigate your pregnancy and the first few months of parenthood.  Why do all the research, planning, running around, and schlepping on your own?  If you’ve ever walked into a big box baby store and had heart palpitations in front of the “wall of nipples”, or felt your eyes glaze over at the 700 lists of “must haves” and “best buys” – we are your team. We get to know you and your lifestyle and make recommendations and arrangements based on you, not some preconceived notion that all expectant and new families are the same.  -Susan Pollara, Stroll Carry Love

• If you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed, a baby planner can be the perfect resource to get your family on track to feeling more confident. Whether it is baby gear consulting, personal shopping, nursery organization, multiples preparation or childcare consulting my goal is to always take the stress out of the pregnancy. I want to ensure that expecting moms can focus on a healthy pregnancy and enjoying this amazing time in their life!  Many expecting parents today simply feel overwhelmed and after working with them they are left feeling comforted and ready to focus on their birth experience and welcoming their baby into their world. -  - Julie McCaffrey, BabyNav Baby Planners

• We work to ease the minds of stressed, overwhelmed or worried parents. Asking for our help does not make you a failure.  We offer unbiased information and make sure that every decision made is the best for your family.  - Jessica, [MOD] momma, Inc.

How do I choose a baby planner?

• Choose wisely… IABPP Certified Baby Planners are maternity consultants who provide support, information, education and resources to new and expecting parents. By evaluating their clients specific needs and providing them with the appropriate information, education and resources, Certified Baby Planners empower their clients to make the best decisions for their growing family. This includes the various options for birthing, product navigation, baby shower preparation, baby registries and so much more.  - Jessica, [MOD] momma, Inc.

• Look for someone who is confident, experienced, trusting, organized and you can easily communicate with! Using resources like www.findababyplanner.com or www.internationalbabyplanners.com can get you started with who is available in your area. You can also start out by calling BabyNav to see if our Skype and email services will fit your needs.  - Julie McCaffrey, BabyNav Baby Planners

• Just as you interview other people you hire, take the time to chat with a few baby planners.  See who you click with – whose philosophy, areas of focus, and personality you connect with.  Baby Planners should help take the pressure off of you and help make the process way more fun and enjoyable.  -Susan Pollara, Stroll Carry Love