I had no idea there were so many ridiculous baby products out there. Ever see a "Thudguard" helmet? What about Third Arm, Baby Keeper, Daddle, Man Boobs or Po-Knee? Check out this humorous list, courtesy of Cracked.com.
Leave a comment telling us which item on the list is your favorite. Mine is the brilliant Baby Mop concept.
Sweet Mady's Paper was started by mompreneur Michelle, a mother of three little ones.
With the start of school and preschool just around the corner, you must check out these adorable custom lunchboxes. They may be called lunchboxes, but they can be used for so many different things. I know my son loves to carry things around with handles and loves to put his colors, matchbox cars, etc. in boxes, so this "lunchbox" would be perfect. It's also a great stora
ge container for activities in the car. Not to mention a perfect birthday gift!
Don't miss her adorable Call Me Cards. I've heard that once you have mommy cards, you will never go back to looking at the bottom of your purse or diaper bag for a piece of paper and pen just to exchange numbers with a new friend.
She recently started a blog too, so you can stay up-to-date on everything new at Sweet Mady's Paper.
I have been amazed with chalkboard paint ever since I first heard about it and tried it. But I recently came across more amazing options for kids' walls. There's a magnetic paint, dry erase paint and even glow in the dark paint!
These I found are made by RustOleum and can be found at most home stores or paint stores. One of their newest products is a Chalkboard Tint Base which allows you to choose from 12 colors including Fresco Red, Peapod and Grape Fizz to name a few.
Check out this creative wall mural using chalkboard paint (RealSimple.com). I recently saw another picture in a magazine that had large chalkboard rectangles painted around the room. Each had a whimsical, white frame painted around the chalkboard. It looked so real and gave a sophisticated touch to a "chalkboard" in a little girl's playroom.
One of our Baby Blog Addict readers pointed us in the direction of this helpful site. The video stroller reviews are categorized by brand name, type, number of seats and weight. You can also look them in sections: featured, most viewed, highest rated and most reviews. The videos are made and submitted by the product owners.
According to the website, "You can find a review on a double stroller or watch videos about baby strollers, jogging strollers and even lightweight strollers. You can even find product reviews on everything from Maclaren strollers to Bugaboo strollers to Graco strollers and more! We can even help you find the perfect umbrella stroller and the best stroller for the budget conscious."
By Nicki Glenn
BBA Contributor
As the parent of a 23-month-old boy, I get asked the same question over and over by my friends who are expecting their first child. They all want to know my top five things I would not live without during the first 6 months with a new baby. Without fail, my number one item is The Miracle Blanket.
I first heard about this blanket on Babycenter.com. I knew a little about swaddling but not enough to invest the money for this blanket. But as I looked at TMB website, I discovered their blanket was no ordinary blanket. I was worried about investing in something that may not work for my baby, but then I discovered the deal-maker – a money back LIFETIME guarantee!
I ordered my blanket and began using it the night we brought Jonah home from the hospital. I can honestly say that sleep was NEVER an issue for our baby. This truly was a miracle for two parents who love their sleep!
I had many friends call and question me about the blanket because our babies were the same age and there was a vast difference in the amount of sleep they were getting. Each of them ordered the blanket and within one or two nights they were seeing sleep patterns increase by three and four hours. If you have a baby, this is a must-have item!
:: The Miracle Blanket is offering a $5 discount to BBA readers. Use the coupon code BBA432
:: Interested in writing for BBA? E-mail us.
There are a lot of personalized baby items out there, but many of them are too expensive or too impractical. But CoolMomPicks.com has found a website called Jig, "a sweet shop that carries the most adorable personalized onesies I've seen in a very long time."
In the maternity world these days, it's all about high fashion. Women no longer have to worry about sacrificing their sense of style during a pregnancy.
Products for moms and infants have more than doubled over recent years: belly belts (maternity pants extenders), nappy clutches (fashionable diaper bags), breast milk trays (for freezing breast milk), massage oil for babies, parenting magazines, etc. It’s the age of hip parenting.
Hospital pictures right after the baby arrives are not necessarily the most flattering, yet they are usually the first pictures that go out to family and friends; they are posted on your blog for everyone to see; and they are at the beginning of your baby's scrapbook (if they have scrapbooks these days).
Here are a couple of suggestions (no make-up necessary) to make the photos of yourself easier to look at when you are feeling like yourself again.
1) Bring a pretty pillowcase from home. The pillowcase that you are leaning against makes it into all of the pictures, right? Instead of the stark, white one that the hospital provides, bring your own from home. Maybe a pretty blue one or pink one if you know you are going to have a boy or a girl or a neutral one if you will be surprised. These pictured above are from the Martha Stewart "Trousseau" Luxury Bedding Collection sold at Macy's.
2) Now onto that ugly gown that doesn't fit well, is dull and has probably been worn before. There is an alternative! Rachel Zinny is the founder of dearjohnnies "special gowns for special people".
She says, "Like most new parents-to-be, my husband and I planned to take photos right after the birth to share with family and friends. But then I realized that a prominent feature in the photos would be the generic, unattractive pattern of a hospital gown. Did it have to be this way? Why couldn't I be wearing something less institutional and more attractive? Besides, wearing a “used” gown worn by who knows how many other patients wasn't appealing." So she founded dearjohnnies.
dearjohnnies gowns are $65 each and robes are $70. It might be a little pricey for something you can get for free, but after forty weeks of pregnancy, we think you deserve to feel pretty and comfortable. These are also great shower gifts or maybe even a surprise gift from the father-to-be to the mother-to-be...hint, hint to all of you guys out there who are expecting soon.
All this being said, you do realize that no one else is looking at you in the pictures, right? It's all about the baby now!
Check out these adorable Minnie Mouse Clips for babies and toddlers from Bitty Bows Boutique or as their tagline states, "REAL no slip clips for BALDIES thru toddlers".
Four mouse colors available: black, light pink, blue and red. The mouse measures approximately 1" across and the clips range from $7.99-$10.49 each depending on what size you select.
If you are buying these for a Disney trip, don't forget to add the Disney countdown ticker to your blog too!
I was at the park the other day and saw a mother pushing a stroller with this cool fan. She received it as a gift and called her friend on the spot to find out where she got it.
Check out the Pinwheel Fan at One Step Ahead for only $12.95. This would be great for summer, especially for outside parties, festivals and theme parks.
Toys 'R' Us announced today that it will phase out bottles and other "baby feeding products" containing BPA by the end of the year. Wal-Mart last week said that it will stop selling baby bottles made with BPA by early next year.
Stanford University pediatrician Alan Greene, author of Raising Baby Green, encourages parents to reduce their children's exposure to BPA. "I wouldn't use it for my children," says Greene, a father of four.
Greene says parents can avoid BPA by choosing glass bottles or shunning plastics labeled with a number 7 recycling code. Some bottles, such as BornFree, Medela and Adiri, are now marketed as BPA-free. Greene notes that BPA is found in a number of products, including the linings of formula cans. Because BPA may be less likely to leach into dry products, powdered formula could be a safer choice than liquid, he says.
Throw away the markers for labeling your kids' sippy cups. We have better and cuter options for you. A while back we featured Baby Labels on BBA. Now, here's another way to label your kids' sippy cups.
BumpyName Orbit Labels are a great solution for labeling bottles, sippy cups, snack containers and other drink containers. I haven't used them yet, but I've heard a lot of great things about them from other moms. They are no
n-adhesive, so you can use them to tag different items, but if you want to keep them on the same cups and containers all the time, they are also dishwasher and microwave safe.
$12.95 will get you four custom labels and you can get a four pack of two-line custom labels for just $1 more. The two-line labels are also great to list a food allergy below the child's name as a reminder to child care providers.
Diane Debrovner of Parents magazine explains how common safety products may actually cause more harm than good. Check out why these nine products are risks and then you can put the recommended safe stratgies into play if you have any of the products.
1. Plastic outlet covers
2. Bath seats and rings
3. Wipes warmers
4. Crib bumpers
5. Seat-belt positioners
6. Bed rails
7. Sleep positioners
8. Syrup of ipecac
9. Baby rearview mirrors
When registering for a baby bathtub, I chose the First Years Sure Comfort Deluxe Newborn-to-Toddler Tub and after using it, I would definitely recommend it to other parents.
I loved the "hammock" when my son was a newborn and I think he did too...he really looked like he was lounging in it. It made baths much more relaxing for him and for me too. As he grew and was able to sit up, we just took out the hammock and the tub was still a comfy place for him to relax in the contoured seat.
It's desined to fit snuggly over some sinks or it can be used in a regular bathtub, and it's just $16.99 which is one of the more reasonable infant bathtub options.
Do you have a favorite infant bathtub? Let your fellow BBA's know in the comment section below.
Want to win this pair of Sweet Shoes? You're in luck...we're giving them away!
We recently had the opportunity to review a pair of Sweet Shoes, "soft-soled baby shoes with a stylish edge". A stay at home mother of three used the local surf/skate culture as her design inspiration for these edgy and hip shoes for infants.
Sweet Shoes are available for baby boys and girls, newborn up to 24 months and retail for about $29. Their list of retailers and etailers has been growing since their launch in August 2007 and Sweet Shoes will soon be selling the shoes on their own site too.
Unfortunately for me, my son is two and wears a size 8, so his feet are too big for sweet shoes. He wasn't able to test them out, but it's obvious that these are high quality and comfortable shoes. The soles are made with an extra layer of foam between two layers of leather; this provides extra shock-absorption while staying developmentally appropriate for infants growing feet.
Lucky for you, we're giving a pair away to one lucky Baby Blog Addict reader. The winner will receive a pair of the Black and Brown X Bones (size 6-12 months) from their skate styles.
To enter the contest, just leave a comment on this post by midnight (EST) this Friday, February 22nd. Each comment will be assigned a number starting with 1. We'll plug the numbers into random.org to select a winner. Include your email address or a link to your blog, so we can let you know if you win. Or if you'd prefer to leave your pertinent info off the comment, just post a comment and send us an email letting us know which comment was yours, so we can give you a heads-up if you win. Follow that? Email us if you have questions.
**Saturday Update: This contest has ended. We will announce the winner in the next couple of days.
Is it possible for a toddler to drink out of a drink box or pouch without squirting the juice on their face or shirt at some point? Yes it is. Check out the Dwink juice box holder.
This is a great addition to your arsenal of supplies, but it's also a cute take-home gift for a birthday party. Just write each child's name on the Dwink juice box holders. Let them use it at the party and then take it home too. They are available in blue, pink, orange and purple for $4.76 each at Baby Center.
Check out these other theme juice box holders - Thomas the Tank Engine, Bob the Builder, Elmo and Dora the Explorer. Perfect for theme birthday parties.
I love the Albee Baby site. It offers great deals on baby gear including car seats, strollers, high chairs, diaper bags, etc. It's a must to include this site in your comparison shopping. They offer free ground shipping on orders over $100 and reasonable shipping on everything else.
Check out this deal on the Fisher Price Safe Voyage Stroller in Circus Plaid Red on sale for $39.99 from the regular $139.99 price. Also available in Circus Dots or Tan/Black for the same great price. (Thanks for the tip, Becky.)
Before buying or registering for the matching ottoman for your nursery's rocker or glider, check out the Medela Nursing Stool. It's a great alternative to an ottoman, whether or not you are nursing, for a few reasons:
If you are looking for the perfect sippy cup to transition your child off the bottle, look no further. The Nuby No-Spill™ Spout was recommended to me for my son and now I recommend it to all parents too. Nuby says it's for babies 6 months+ (although my son didn't make the transition until 12 months).
The Nuby No-Spill™ Spout is made of soft silicone which makes the transition off the bottle much easier than going straight to a hard top sippy cup. They are reasonable at about $2 each and easy to clean with only two parts - the cup and the lid.
Let us and your fellow Baby Blog Addicts know what you think about the Nuby or if you have any other sippy cup suggestions on the Product Reviews section of our forum (registration required for log in) or in the comments section below.
Worried about your baby or toddler trying to reach for the ornaments or pull down the Christmas tree?
Here are two ideas that might not be the prettiest, but they work.
1) Do you own a Superyard XT? Set it up around your Christmas tree and the presents. Our son didn't like to play in his much, but it was worth the investment when we used a it around our entertainment center when he was reaching at everything. At $64.99 at Babies R Us, it isn't cheap, but it might be worth it to keep your sanity throughout the holiday season and for safety's sake.
2) If you are not using your Pack n Play and you have a small Christmas tree, just reverse roles. Put the tree & presents in the pack n play and let your child play on the floor with the tree out of reach.
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