Have you or would you ever consider using a baby planner?

[thisisliz]

Hi all. I love the group of women on this forum, so while this post is not about baby names, it is about a topic that I've heard a lot about more recently: Baby Planning. If you don't know what a Baby Planner is, let me fill you in:

According to Baby Planner Inc., "baby planners offer assistance to parents in a very exciting time of their life. Baby planners offer classes like Baby 101, Breastfeeding, Cloth Diapering, Gear 101 and many more. They offer baby registry assistance, personal shopping, private in-home counseling, nursery decorating, baby shower planning, safety prep, and pretty much anything else you can think of."

Baby planners are popping up across the country and they all have the same thing in mind: helping you plan and prepare for the new arrival. They are a coach or mentor for all things baby-related.

I'd love to get everyone's opinion on this topic... if you've ever used one, considered it, or felt it wasn't necessary (and maybe your reasoning for doing so). I'm a 25 year old woman who is not yet a mom and someone who is really interested in finding out more about this profession (not being a mom could hurt me here, I think). But before I really look into it, I wanted to get consensus from you Berries!

All thoughts welcome. Thanks!

[pansy]

Honestly, to me a baby planner sounds like a big waste of money. If you need someone else's help for registering, baby proofing your home or decorating a nursery, that's what friends and family are for. There are plenty of lists about what items you need to prepare for a baby available online for free, not to mention that your doctor or midwife will also provide you with these things as well (and again, family and friends are a good source for this). As for planning a baby shower, that's not done by the pregnant woman anyway, it's done by family and friends (And really shouldn't be that complicated. You have some food, play some games and open presents.) As for all of the classes you listed, those are available in most places through hospitals, birthing centers, La Leche groups, community centers, churches, etc.

So no, I would never use a baby planner. It just sounds silly to me.

[kyemsma]

I think in theory, the idea of a baby planner is a good one, especially if the mom-to-be is a working, first-time mom. A baby planner may be able to do most of the organizing for the mom-to-be, who may be a bit overwhelmed by all there is to do/know!
That being said, I was able to find most of the classes/groups I needed through my doctor's office/hospital.

[taylorblueskye]

Oh my god no. All over the world women are having kids without baby planners, maybe even without a doctor around. A baby planner to me is kind of riduculous. Millions of women have done it without one and their babies were just fine.

[tintri]

Honestly, I think it sounds like a fun job. Being able to work with a woman or family during a very exciting time sounds like a pretty rewarding job. I'm sure it has it's ups and downs, as well as stressful moments, but in general it seems like it would be fun.

That being said, I would never use one. And I will be a full time working mom. I do NOT judge mothers who choose to use these services in the least. I know for a fact there are a lot of people out there who are clueless when it comes to babies, so this might be a legitimately useful service for them. However, I have neither the funds nor the desire to hire a "baby planner."

A service like this does sound like a luxury that not many could afford. Seriously, I agree with pansy's advice: if you don't have time for all the nitty gritty of baby planning (and excess funds to hire a baby planner) - enlist friends and family with experience to help you out!

I have a lot of experience working with newborns, so I don't feel the need for more "training " that a baby-planner might provide in this area. Also, for me, all the preparation for baby will part of the adventure! I'm really looking forward to finding classes to take, learning how to baby-proof and use cloth diapers, etc, etc, etc. It's all part of the fun, IMO. But I would never judge or blame a woman who didn't feel the same way - that's their prerogative!

[ajw]

In Canada, and I assume in the US too, there is a tv show based on this idea called Rosie Pope: Maternity Concierge. Not sure if I'd hire one, but I love the show.

[augusta_lee]

Honestly, to me a baby planner sounds like a big waste of money. If you need someone else's help for registering, baby proofing your home or decorating a nursery, that's what friends and family are for. There are plenty of lists about what items you need to prepare for a baby available online for free, not to mention that your doctor or midwife will also provide you with these things as well (and again, family and friends are a good source for this). As for planning a baby shower, that's not done by the pregnant woman anyway, it's done by family and friends (And really shouldn't be that complicated. You have some food, play some games and open presents.) As for all of the classes you listed, those are available in most places through hospitals, birthing centers, La Leche groups, community centers, churches, etc.

So no, I would never use a baby planner. It just sounds silly to me.

Yep, pretty much all this. Wedding planner? Great, if you can afford it. Baby planner? If you're rich enough to contemplate the expense, you'd be better off giving your money to organizations that help underprivileged pregnant women. They're the ones who need it, not you.

[ottilie]

Never. I'm looking forward to doing all these things, the shopping and preparing and making a nice cosy nursery! Nesting, yay! And my doctor gave me all the information on classes and midwives and nutrition and everything I need (I'm in England, though, it might be different here).

[strawberry shortcake]

Never. I'm looking forward to doing all these things, the shopping and preparing and making a nice cosy nursery! Nesting, yay!

Me too. I'd feel like I was missing out if I hired one.

[mamamaassy]

Yes, it sounds like a fun job, but good grief no, I would never consider hiring someone. Just like how I never considered hiring a wedding planner either. To me it's such a personal experience, that having a random person come in and do/help a lot of those nesting things would be just awful. I'd feel like I hadn't had the full experience if someone else did all those things - my wedding was a lot of work, and I truly didn't have a lot of help from people because I really didn't want it. I enjoyed seeing all the tiny details on the day of that I had created. Being in he midst of nesting right now, I can't imagine it any other way.