Jolly good show

As a self confessed mummy-and-baby gadget geek, it’s no surprise that I’m a huge fan of the Baby Show. Where else can you go to find all the latest new and innovative products aimed at making life as a mummy easier, all in the same place?

Talking to some of my local mummy friends recently about the Baby Show, I kept hearing the same response:

“I’ve always thought about going, but I’m not sure if it’s worth it / what it’s all about”.

Well, in my opinion, unless you have everything you need (ok…or want!) for your baby – or your pregnancy – then it’s definitely worth visiting. Even if you don’t buy anything at the show (and in many ways, you’d be mad not to – the vast majority of exhibitors have special show only deals that can save you a fortune!) you can still compare all the leading products on the market to make sure you get the best deal, as well as picking up some freebies along the way. Every time we visit (I’ve been six times…) my children are at a different stage, so there’s always something new to look at and something to research. This time, for instance, its potty training and weaning!

The fact that more and more parents these days are watching the way they spend their hard earned pennies is supported by recent research:

A study of 1000 parents recently has revealed that the recession has turned parents in to savvy shoppers. Two thirds of those surveyed admitted becoming more cautious as a result of the economic downturn.

A huge 83% of parents confirmed they were using vouchers and discount codes in a bid to become more savvy. And impulse buys are long gone with 78% admitting they carefully research, try and compare before making a purchase. 

93 per cent of parents are worried about their financial situation and as such, the stats reveal 55 per cent of parents did not take a holiday whilst planning for their children. Also 34% had cut down on their weekly food shop and 72 per cent confirmed they had stopped buying as many clothes.

57% admitting they have received hand me downs and 40% said they were buying things from Ebay.

The survey shows 90 per cent of parents spend more on their children than they do themselves and just under a half of respondents shop for their own clothing in budget high street stores to be able to do so.

Melanie Hall, a spokeswoman for leading baby and parenting show The Baby Show (www.thebabyshow.co.uk), who conducted the poll of 1,000 parents said:

“This poll is very insightful and highlights that parents are trying to adapt to these hard times. 

The financial pressures on families are huge and parents are trying to make the wisest possible choices.

Parents are taking the time to find out about products, investigating the quality of it and comparing the prices before buying them. This savvy shopping is helping them to save money which can be used for other things such as paying bills’

Plus, of course, there’s the advice. Dragging my Other Half along to the Baby Show when our Wee Man was 2 months old, I was able to get him to take part in paediatric first aid training that he otherwise wouldn’t ever have found the time for. Meanwhile, the Wee Man and I enjoyed the wonderfully comfortable chairs in the breastfeeding area. (I seriously thought about not actually leaving their all-enveloping comfort…). The fashion shows and sample sessions of little-people activities were pretty interesting too, and of course the free creche is great if you want an hour or two of toddler free shopping time, safe in the knowledge they’re having a whale of a time playing to their hearts content.

Everything is tailored to parents and parents-to-be, with a shopping drop off, collection and home delivery point, plenty of seating areas to rest weary legs and get a drink or a bite to eat, and even some adult sized baby equipment to try out!

So, if you’ve got a little one (or two), or you’re a proud parent to be, then the Baby Show is the perfect place to come, research buys, trial products and also get some great offers.

This year, the Baby Show at London ExCel is running from 24th-26th February. If you haven’t already got your ticket then what are you waiting for – log on to www.thebabyshow.co.uk and get booking!

And we’ll see you there 🙂

Just so you know…words in red are taken from elsewhere and are not my own, but everything else is my honest opinion and my own words.