$50 toys, $10 snack traps and no baby pouches!!!

Baby stuff is CRAZY expensive here.

That is what everyone kept telling me before coming.  Today, I went to the small Infanti baby store at the mall where they sell strollers, car seats, toys, pack n plays, etc, to get a better idea of what I'm in for.  I've decided that baby stuff isn't CRAZY expensive here, it's OUTRAGEOUSLY CRAZY expensive.  For example, the things that stick out in my mind are below (notably, I didn't look at the strollers or car seats, so I can't comment on those right now - although you might remember my post about the stroller from before...)

$8 for one of these:
http://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-Snack-Catchers-Colors-Vary/dp/B000GB0NZK/ref=pd_cp_ba_0
(as you can see, $4 for two on amazon)

$50 for this (in Spanish):
http://www.amazon.com/LeapFrog-Shapes-Sharing-Picnic-Basket/dp/B004560BPY/ref=sr_1_7?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1401824183&sr=1-7&keywords=leap+frog
(as you can see, <$20 for it on amazon)

$20 for one of these, made by Chicco, that's actually worse quality:
http://www.amazon.com/BABYBJORN-Soft-Bib-Pack-Yellow/dp/B000CSBP3G/ref=pd_rhf_se_s_cp_6_FZ92?ie=UTF8&refRID=18BQ7XE9QHGEP0PC76AQ
(as you can see you can get 2 for $16 of the coveted Baby Bjorn ones.  Notably, I thought I lost the one that we brought and I about had a heart attack. If you have ever used one you will completely understand why.  Thank goodness I found it and now chain it to myself everywhere I go.)

It's disgusting.  You people are so spoiled with Babies R Us and Target!! I'm beginning to think that it may be worth the shipping charge on amazon.com...

But, what I really miss that I can't find anywhere are baby meal pouches (Ella's kitchen, HappyBaby, PlumOrganics, etc). They do have some applesauce ones, but that's not what I want.  I always had a few of those in my bag since Sadie loved them and they felt healthy (organic lentils, tomatoes and spinach as an example).  All they have here are jars of non-organic baby food (is the snob coming out in me?) that are just chicken or beef. Not really meals.  I officially have 2 left, and I'm saving them for emergencies.  So, if you ever want to visit, bring pouches!!

Now that I have ranted about this, I would also like to add another perspective (I'm a Libra, right?).  It seems obvious that the reason these items are so expensive (or non-existent), is that they are clearly unnecessary.  Babies have been getting on fine without them for centuries in many different places, including the US.  I guess I have just been spoiled!