The Affluent Anxiety of Modern Infant Care

Modern parenting has never looked so luxurious — or so overwhelming. In this episode, we explore the booming market of high-end baby gear and premium parenting services, from thousand-dollar smart bassinets to designer infant perfume and overnight specialists who cost as much as a hotel stay. As people have fewer children later in life, with more disposable income and less family support, convenience has become a commodity — and social media is pouring fuel on the fire. But with targeted ads, influencer pressure, and rising anxiety shaping what parents buy, we ask: are these products genuinely helping, or are they just the new status symbols of early parenthood?https://www.economist.com/business/2025/01/30/from-cribs-to-carriers-high-end-baby-products-are-in-vogue