Oct 23, 2008 7:28 pm US/Eastern
Having A Baby? Now You Can Hire A 'Baby Planner'
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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You've heard of party planners, wedding planners, and event planners. But how about baby planners?
KUTV
You've heard of party planners, wedding planners, and event planners. But how about baby planners? They help you plan for one of the bigger events in your life: having a baby.
Kara Kolomitz couldn't wait for the birth of her baby boy, but admits it was all a little overwhelming. So she turned to some experts.
"The baby planners left me feeling prepared," she told CBS 2.
From which diapers to buy to which bottles to fill and what car seat to install, baby planners fill expectant moms in on everything and the trend is growing with more and more agencies opening around the country. There's even a national baby planning association now.
"I'd say 95 percent of our customers are first-time parents, not sure what a swaddle blanket is," said Kristen DiCicco of The Baby Coordinators.
They find the top nannies, consult on birthing plans and even recommend doulas and diaper services. Some planners offer over-the-phone consultations while others actually go shopping for or with you.
"Weve already done the research, all the product testing, We've used firsthand many of the products out there," said DiCicco.
But Parenting Magazine Editor Elizabeth Shaw says some would argue that these parents-to-be are missing out on a rite of passage: the craze and confusion of impending parenthood.
"Some people are also saying they're sort of feeding into this belief that you can be the perfect parent and raise the perfect kid if you have the right expert and advice," Shaw says.
Kolomitz says having a baby is stressful enough, so why not hire a little help to weed through what's needed.
"I was able to really simplify the process of getting the baby products that I needed and spend the other moments of my pregnancy enjoying being pregnant," she says.
Fees vary depending on the kind of help you're looking for, but start at $100 or so and can run up into the thousands.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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