Is it worth going to the baby show? Opinions please

[Bessie123]

So, due in Feb and was thinking about going to the baby show on 19/20/21 October. DP can't get the day off work to go on the 19th and he says the district line isn't working over the weekend. We live in East London, so Earls Court is a bit of a schlep. I want to go if it will be useful and show me lots of stuff I need to get, but don't want to spend ages travelling and then hours pushing through crowds of people if it's not really worth it.

Do you think it will be useful to go, or should I not bother?

thankyou please.

[bobsmum]

It's only worth it if you get free tickets. Have a look at the site to see who's going to be there and see if any companies are giving away tickets - loads usually are - look for the smaller ones, rather than big multinationals.

If you do get free tickets, then think ahead about what you're looking for - it is great for shopping if you're looking for specifics, but rubbish for a browse.

THere are freebies and competitions to enter too though.

When I lived in the SE I travelled to the Birmingham one on the train - no parking hassles and not as busy.

[Bessie123]

thanks, bobsmum. I was thinking it would be good for seeing what was available and what I might need. I have googled for free tickets, but haven't found any

[flosspot]

Dunno whether it's worth it, but the day after I got my BFP I booked my ticket...been dying to go for years and never had the excuse!!!!

[Bessie123]

Oh, I'm so over decisions.

I will sleep on it.

All opinions welcome in the meantime...

[bobsmum]

www.thebabyshow.co.uk/earls-court-london/exhibitors-by-company/

I know it's a faff - but this is what I trawled through a couple of years ago!

I got freebie ones from mumsnet (they had a stand once), some vitamin company, totsbots and a baby clothes company - ended up giving tickets away at the door because most of the companies gave me 3 or 4 and I only needed 2

[Bessie123]

Thanks for the responses. I think I will go, and keep my fingers crossed for lots of freebie stuff

[ClaphamLauren]

Bobsmum - did you have to email them or did they just have it on website?

[dal21]

Go if you want too - but go knowing what you want to look at and what you will be prepared to order/ buy on the day if there are special offers - as opposed to buying and then regretting. (Taking measurements of your nursery will definitely be helpful as you can start to plan it based on the furniture you like)

Beware of feeling overwhelmed with the amount of baby stuff on offer, you really don't need it all. I personally avoided the last one before I was due as I found wandering round shops in my own time lots more enjoyable.

[bobsmum]

I picked out some of the companies that looked interesting anyway and looked on their individual websites where some said to email them for free tickets. Local papers sometimes have draws nearer the time too.

The last couple of times I've been there have been special offers to print out from the Baby Show website. Not amazing ones, just 10% off here and there, but if you're going intending to find a buggy or a cot, then it's worth it.

the last 2 times i've always got my washable nappies at the Show. There's always a special show offer on and we've saved a lot of money.

Don't forget that parking will be expensive and food in the exhibition halls will be extortionate, so either factor that into your day's spending or go prepared with a packed lunch

Good grief I sound like some mad Baby Show pro!!

Oh and take a brass neck with you to get multiple washing powder freebies

[nomoremagnolia]

hiya flosspot was searching for you thinking i hadn't seen you in a while and came across this. i went to the baby show in march with DF and her 6 week old, like you had been itching to go we got loads of freebies and i gave mine to df so she got double it's great fun if you want to indulge in all things baby
hope you're doing ok? come and say hi on no1 thread soon...