The personalised shopping experience is offered by mamas & papas and is totally free, plus there’s a way for those expecting to bag a free £100 voucher too
Preparing for the arrival of a little one can feel overwhelming, and for first-time parents, working out what to buy and what can wait can be a tricky task. Now, mamas & papas is offering free personalised ‘buying for baby appointments’ that have been hailed the ‘best experience ever’ by celeb parents Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo.
The appointments can be booked ahead of time online, and done in-store or virtually, depending on preference. Parents in need of a little extra guidance may wish to book The Full Works appointment, which lasts for an hour and a half and covers all baby product areas, while for those wanting to pop in during their lunch break, an hour-long Out and About session is also available.
This allows time for parents-to-be to compare brands and see demos of their favourite products. Those who are time poor may wish to opt for the Short and Sweet half-hour appointment, which is ideal for finding out more about a specific product.
Mamas & papas stocks a variety of products for babies and toddlers, including cots, pushchairs, car seats, travel systems, feeding essentials and more. Shoppers can also get rewards such as a £100 voucher when they spend £1000 with the retailer.
One standout product is the £849 Ocarro 2 Pushchair – Americano, which is suitable from birth to 4 years. Featuring a one-hand compact fold design that can be put down in mere seconds, the handy item also boasts upgraded wheels and brakes for greater off-road efficiency.
Get ready for baby
Free
mamas & papas
Find out more
Book a mamas & papas appointment
Meanwhile, those turning their attention to the nursery may wish to consider the Atlas Cotbed Bundle (4 Piece) – Nimbus White, which has been cut in price from £464 to £395. Some of the product’s features include a stylish woodgrain finish with three cot base heights, which make it easy to lay a little one down when it’s time to sleep.
What’s more, it converts into a toddler bed to last children up to four years, giving buyers a decent cost-per-use. It isn’t just practical buys mums and dads-to-be can purchase at mamas & papas either, as online there’s also up to 50% off toys.
Those wishing to look ahead to the toddler years may want to snap up this gorgeous half-price rocking horse in a ditsy floral print. Normally £119, it’s now just £59.
Alternatively, the super pretty Playmat & Gym – Welcome to the World Duckling has almost £22 off, reduced from £109 to £87.20. Suitable from 0m+, the neutral design would work well in any nursery or lounge.
The brand’s appointments have been designed to offer parents expert guidance tailored to their lifestyle, home and budget, making them ideal for those welcoming a new bundle of joy for the first time.
Elsewhere, John Lewis offers Nursery Advice appointments that can be done both in-store and online. Available in 90 or 45-minute slots, they’re also perfect for new parents wanting product demonstrations alongside a little help in picking their perfect designs.
Bambinista also offers 1-on-1 personal shopping appointments either in-store at Westfield Shopping Centre or on a Zoom call. The retailer stocks popular brands such as aden + anais, MAXI COSI and more.
Back to mamas & papas, and it seems Sophie and Jamie aren’t the only fans of the retailer’s service, as customers have left the sessions rave reviews. Jodie said of The Full Works session: “They showed us exactly what we needed,” while another shopper named Niamh complimented the 30-minute option, saying it “took the guesswork out of getting ready.”
Over on reviews site Trustpilot – where mamas & papas is rated as ‘excellent’ – parents have also been praising the brand’s services. One said: “We had a great experience buying for our first baby! We booked a 90-minute appointment to go over strollers, carriers and car seats.
“Chloe made us feel at ease when we felt out of our depth. She answered all the questions we had, never pressured us to purchase anything, and gave us price match options as well. We felt really supported and confident to make decisions by the end of our appointment.”
Meanwhile, another fan said: “The service was fantastic, we attended a buying for baby appointment and were helped by Charlie in the Leeds store. I couldn’t commend him more, he was incredibly knowledgeable and helpful throughout the process and went the extra mile at every opportunity. I don’t think I’ve left a review for anything in about ten years but his service was of a level where I felt the need to do so.”
It is worth noting that one shopper was a little less impressed with their experience, writing: “Lots of items available in store. Had booked a one-hour appointment to look at prams and car seats.
“Was left disappointed as staff were not providing information/tricks/tips. We had to ask specific questions to prompt any information from our own research online.
“Another staff member eventually saw us confused and trying to figure out the pram by ourselves and stepped in. I would’ve appreciated this from the beginning.”
Despite this, reviews of the service remain overwhelmingly positive, with another happy parent commenting: “Had a Buy for Baby appointment with Jessica today at the Stratford branch – she was brilliant from start to finish – she knew her stuff, wasn’t shy about offering opinions and really made us feel comfortable. Brilliant.”
