I suppose the pramis what people see and people want to project a certain image (or aren’t bothered) about themselves, their family and their parenting. That’s what a lot of it is about.
It’s something very visual, when the tiny baby is tide can’t really be seen. Actually, as lots of people say, much cheaper or as can often be found which have the various fittings of the more expensive ones. So it’s possible to get whatever style (bassinet, something that clips on, things that mean baby isn’t disturbed etc etc) at a range of price points. But some brands are very recognisable and that is important for lots of people.
It’s especially important for lots of people with firstborns. Having. Baby brings out all kinds of insecurities in people and being able to walk down the street with the bugaboo, saying to the world, ‘I chose this as the best and I can afford the best and I’m THIS kind of parent and person’ is a powerful pull to lots of people, even if they won’t admit it, or don’t even realise it in themselves.
My parents offered us a new bugaboo with all the bits. I chose instead to have £1.5k for the baby’s bank account and bought a second hand system for £150 which had the fabric of 3-4 years previous. And then I had a McClaren stroller from about 6-8 months, because you could fold them one handed and lob them in the boot or take them on a plane and to be honest, they were the hero pushchairs, because they were so easy and versatile.
But I love second hand. I bought almost everything second hand for the baby and I buy refurnished electricals now and am tuned off by branding, whether it’s via a big logo or more subtle. But perhaps it’s easy for me to say that, because I could afford the expensive versions if I chose them...it’s just I don’t choose them.
In the end though, if there are the occasional items that you would really really love, I think it’s good to treat yourself if they will bring you vast pleasure. But for me, that really is about the very occasional. Lots of people have a sense they need the very expensive branded version of lots of things....and that loses the focus to me. I’ve know people have the bugaboo and it didn’t bring them enormous pleasure....they would admit there might have been others out there that’s eve better in a various ways, or that it wasn’t always the most practical or storable, but they coveted one and they loved it when they had it. One friend paid an extra. £200 for the fabric she loved....she knew it was daft, but she loved it and it’s colour so much and it gave her £200 of pleasure without a doubt. So, only you can know if this thing really matters to you....it might well be a bit shallow, but you’re allowed a bit shallow over a few things I think.
But it’s very true that 3 years beyond the baby phases of their lives, most parents will say they bought lots of things they didn’t need and were suckered in by the baby marketing machine...so bear that in mind too. And for lots, not having that expensive roam might mean they’d an stay off work for another month with their baby....that might put it in perspective for some.