Parenting Magazines

[babynest]

Hi - I'm wanting to know which parenting mag is most helpful when you are pregnant - there is so much choice and I am confused as to which is the best . Perhaps I should just buy them all and read everything? Your thoughts gratefully received.

[Miffster]

'Perhaps I should just buy them all and read everything?'

That's EXACTLY the attitude they hope you will have.

I used to work for a company that published a few parenting magazines and the woman who sold ad space used to sit very near me.

The basic 'sell' was that first time parents were anxious and eager to gather information, and would spend a lot of money if they were sold to in the right way - in a trusted, supportive, premium environment. (This was in the days before the internet was widely used).

Parenting magazines provide a place to collect ad spend from products and brands targeting parents. The content is the hook, the enviroment is there to sell. they do make money from cover sales, but it's all about ads. As long as you know that, they can be enjoyable to flick through - but remember that they are all about parting you from your cash.

There are lots of good books you can buy/borrow from libvraries and all the MN advice is freely given!

So I prefer not to read the mags, just as I preferred not to buy wedding mags for the same reason.( the company used to sell one of those as well)

Working in mags doesn't half make you cynical.

[TheBreastmilksOnMe]

I would steer clear from them all if I were you. They all send out an unrealistic view of parenting/childbirth/pregnancy in my opinion, all very twee and fluffy and they try to sell you a certain type of lifestyle which can leave you feeling inferior if you cannot afford this buggy or that steriliser.

I second what Miffster suggested and pop down to your local library and take out a few good books then you can see all the different ways of doing things and pick out the parts that you think will suit you best. MN is very good and probably the best place to get any information as you will hear so many different peoples stories and opinions.

[TheBreastmilksOnMe]

Another thing with them is that they make you believe that you need so much stuff during pregnancy and after the baby is born. You don't. Again here on MN there has been a few threads talking about all the useless stuff you thought you had to have but never really used. Stuff like nappy bins and top and tail bowls. They all just want to make you spend. Best avoided.

[MrsBadger]

they are all a lot of rubbish
just buy the one with the free mini change pack thing on the front, they're very hnady, and bin the mag

if yopu have questions post on mn

[TheCrackFox]

They are all crap so don't buy any. Save the money to buy something nice for yourself instead.

Stick with Mumsnet. It is free and you get proper advice and support.

[DetectivePotato]

Um. I like Mother and Baby, better for when you are pregnant and have a small baby. Pratical Parenting is my faviourite though.

I always ignore the products they have. Yes they look lovely but magazines ideas of affordability and mine differ greatly!

[japhrimel]

They're not great for info IMO. I read them to look at product/clothes ideas like I might read a non-prenancy mag. I wouldn't read them for health info.

[5DollarShake]

The articles are just one person's opinion. You're better off coming on here to post about concerns and get a variety of opinions, IMO.

[LittleSilver]

heap of crap

[DetectivePotato]

"The articles are just one person's opinion."

Same with newspapers though. Surely we are capable of reading something then making our own decision. Some of the articles are based on research etc and other mothers experiences. I find that nice to read.

[callalilies]

Please don't buy any of them, they're all full of crap and make all sorts of annoying assumptions about their readership.

[DetectivePotato]

I don't think they do at all.

I like reading them, there must be a lot of others out there who do as well otherwise they wouldn't sell.

I don't think its anyones place to tell the OP not to buy them at all.

[callalilies]

She asked for opinions on which one is most helpful. My answer to that is none. Obviously we can't tell her what to do, but my personal view, and that of most people on the thread, is that as she is looking for helpful information, she'd be better off looking elsewhere.

[Vistana]

I've found that books are much more useful as the mags can be very condsending and not very relvent to me. I have just brought one that had a good free gift. Plus most info in the mags is available online for free!