The Atlantic

Babies Don’t Need Fancy Things

Our culture sends parents the message that if they buy the right products, they can ensure their child’s success. The idea is an illusion—but a tempting one.
Source: Tyler Comrie / The Atlantic

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In the months before the birth of my first child just over a year ago, I often lay awake at night letting parenting anxieties swirl. Chief among these was a decision that now seems trivial but at the time seemed crucial: What should our baby sleep in?

The best option, according to the online sources I consulted, was —a $1,695 “smart” bassinet that responds to a baby’s cries with soothing rocking motions. I could have taken this recommendation and moved on; instead, I dwelled. Buying the “world’s smartest and safest baby bed,” as the Snoo claims to be, did seem like the responsible choice. But generations of babies have slept fine without a Snoo, so surely we didn’t really need it. Then again, now that such a thing exists, shouldn’t I take advantage of,given my budget? And was it even really the best option out there, anyway? Could there be something even ?

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