August Featured Planner: Shannan Carr & Lisa Cattie of Bottles to Britches
What uniquely qualifies you to be a baby planning expert?
As a mom of three wonderful kids under the age of four, Shannan is a “frugal mom” who has spent the last four years researching and testing many of the baby gear items available on the market today and finding some of the best deals on those items.
After struggling to conceive her son, every choice Lisa made for him seemed so much more important. Lisa spent hours upon hours searching products and reviews online, reading books and testing gear in stores. This continues as his needs change and develop.
What qualities should an ideal baby planner have?
The most important quality for a baby planner to have is to understand that every family is different. Products that might be ideal for one family may not work for another. An ideal baby planner needs to take the time to understand the expecting family’s lifestyle and needs.
What are your specialties as a baby planner?
We love to help families find the products that will work best for them. Shannan is a “frugal mom” who understands that babies are expensive and will make sure that parents aren’t spending more than they have to. Lisa believes that we can make small changes and informed choices to make our homes healthier for our kids and ourselves while reducing our impact on the environment.
Tell us a little bit about your background.
Both Lisa and Shannan have a background in accounting but their experience as moms is what has made them great resources as baby planners. No one knows what works and what doesn’t as well as someone who has been there and done that. Since Shannan has been either pregnant or nursing for the past 5 years, she is well versed on the latest and greatest products out there.
What is your biggest piece of advice for a new parent?
When everyone is offering up unsolicited advice, listen. Sometimes the craziest sounding tips are the most useful. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for and accept help. Being a new parent is a huge adjustment and a lot of work.
Our favorite piece of advice is “Don’t be afraid to “spoil” your baby. Enjoy every minute with them!”
What is the nicest thing a client has ever said about your business?
Heather Mankes
Expectant Mommy
I am expecting my first baby in September. This is both exciting and a little nerve wracking at the same time. There is so much stuff to buy, research, and learn about that I didn’t even know where to start. Bottles to Britches have been my saving grace through my pregnancy and my planning and organizing for the soon arrival of baby Abigail. They have given me advice and suggestions on baby products, organization, and have been available to ask pregnancy related questions, which you can only ask someone who has been there. I would recommend Bottles to Britches to any expecting mother. They are a wealth of knowledge and resources; and only an email or phone call away.
How do you stay current on trends in the baby and child industry?
We keep up with pregnancy and parenting publications plus many social media outlets which prove to be the most valuable sources of information. In addition, we keep in touch with the other baby planners in our company and throughout the industry as well as manufacturers of prenatal and baby products. We also test as many of the new products as possible and always test something before recommending it.
Of course, first-hand experience is a huge benefit, and we have a lot of it!
