Baby Gear

I had planned to use my pack n play as a sleeping unit for the baby for downstairs and our bassinet upstairs in our room. When I came home from the hospital I realized the pack n play was not a good idea, it was too low for me to bend down, because we don’t have a new one with the changing table on the top. I needed a place to have the baby sleep and to change him downstairs because I wasn’t allowed up and down the stairs too often post partum.

My mother in law found this at our local Target ( I had never seen it before) and it has been a life saver! The First Years Close and Secure Sleeper is perfect to use as a portable bed for travel, a co-sleeper or a changing table! The sleeper is anchored to your bed by a large flap that tucks under your mattress and has walls so you won’t roll over on your infant.
I has a soft head barrier that reduces the risk of entrapment and a foot wedge–which can be used as a sleep positioner in future months–ensures baby stays snugly inside the sleep area. The “mattress” is vinyl covered and removable and the sheet is machine washable.

The best part is that it has a little night light so I can check on the baby in the night or change the baby’s diapers without putting on the harsh overhead light. It also folds up so you can travel easily with it!
The only thing I wish it had were pockets to have diapers and wipes handy. This really is a life saver and it is now one of my favorite baby gear items!

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My baby was not ready to come out on his own so my son was born via c-section last week. Kevin Eric was 9 lbs 2 oz 19.25 inches long and is an amazing baby. He is a good eater and since I am breastfeeding that is even more important because I am a novice at it. I can see how many women give up on breastfeeding because it can be a frustrating, tiring experience. I can use any help I can get with breastfeeding and I have found some products that are very helpful and some that are not so helpful.

The Utterly Yours Breast pillow is one of the great products. The breast pillow is designed for women with larger breasts (who doesn’t have large breasts while breastfeeding?!) for support while nursing. The utterly yours breast pillow is a comfortable, wedge-shaped piece of memory foam that holds your breast in position so you can use your hands to position baby properly. It is so easy to use and it has a cover that is machine washable. It comes in cup sizes C to I.

Not only do I love it because it is a mom invented product, but because it really does work. I love mine so much I want to get an additional one, so I can have one upstairs and downstairs! It is so great it even won an iparenting media award! This really is an amazing product for all new moms, and it makes a great shower or new baby gift!

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If I don’t go into labor sooner, I will be having this baby via c-section this morning. Since I won’t be around for a while, while I take care of my newborn and five year old twins, I decided to share with you some of my favorite baby gear. Here are some reviews on things that I cannot live without and things I know you will enjoy:

I love this monitor and will use it for years, they are not just for newborns!

There is nothing like a good swaddling baby blanket.

This nest egg has helped me sleep at night which is a luxury when you are nine months pregnant. I think it will be a great help with breastfeeding too. Go get your own with the coupon, even if you are not pregnant this is great for kids or for travel!

We are trying to be more green in our house and what better timing then when a new baby comes!?

I love these products for Mom. The names and packaging are so cute that I would buy them for that alone! They really smell good too.

I think this is great for the summer. I know I would have to get it if I lived in a state that was hot all year round.

I love this thermometer and couldn’t live without it. Plus it is so much cheaper then it was new to the market and I bought it!

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I am not a fan of a lot of shirts with sayings on them for baby and kids. A Tee with “my mom is better then your mom” is really not my idea of cute on a child. It seems these shirts are everywhere now and I see my share of them on the playground. That is why I was so happy to find dreamkids.ca.

Dream Kids was created by a mom and child development expert to celebrate and inspire our children. They were nice enough to send me one of their most popular onesies and I love it. Not only is “Here to change the world” the most perfect saying for a shirt on a newborn but it is soft and very well made. These are perfect for infants to toddlers sizes 3-6 months to 6T.
Buy one for a new baby, birthday or shower gift and you will be asked by all the parents where you got it!

Remember to sign up for their newsletter for inspirations, ideas and tips for parents.

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We are trying to be more Earth friendly around our house. Now that we have a new little one coming into the world tomorrow (OMG!) what better time to start? We have lots of organic clothing, rattles and things for baby and thanks to Little Twig some bath and body products too!

Little Twig has a fantastic line of bath and body products for babies. They are phthalate free, they use organic ingredients and is extra gentle for baby’s skin. Plus all of their products are cruelty free.
They have everything from diaper cream, baby powder, baby wash and bubble bath to bath mitts and washcloths. Looking for a baby gift? Try one of their gift sets.

This is great for new moms, or for a shower gift.

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Being “green” is becoming more and more important in our home. We are trying to buy BPA and polycarbonate-free pacifiers, toys and bottles, we are trying to conserve water and use Earth friendly cleaning products. This Easter will be no different, we will try and be more environmentally aware with our gifts for our kids. Here are some green Easter ideas for you:

Organic Bunny onesie. This onesie is so cute and perfect for Easter. Also comes in sweet pea or peanut for $24.00.

Wooden Eggs. Use these to play “kitchen”. Made of solid wood, non-toxic color and they are made in Germany.

Easter soap! Fun, different and cheap at $4.50.

Ponytail holders. So cute and perfect for all year round in your little one’s hair. Perfect price at $3.85. The best part? They are handmade.

Bunny Hat. If I wasn’t pregnant I would get pregnant just to buy this hat for a baby! Adorable handmade hat for infants or toddlers. Pick from pink or blue ears. They also have the hats in oatmeal. For a 2-4 years hat it is $26.00.

Veggies! These are adorable organic toy veggies for baby. Who can resist the broccoli?
Made with 100% organic cotton and are $6.50 each veggie.

Fair trade animals. These hand-knit animals from Peru are so sweet for little hands. Each set comes with three animals and can be hung so you can use them as ornaments or as a mobile for baby!

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My kids love the idea of getting things in the mail. Their grandparents in Florida regularly send them boxes of treats so every time the UPS man comes here they think it is for them! They now also love getting cards because they get stickers or money from family. Now they love drawing pictures and mailing them to family and friends.

This Wool Felt Mail Box for kids three and up would be perfect for my kids. It includes a mailbox, a flag, drawstring 12 x 16″ mail bag, shipping box,
3 postcards, 2 envelopes, 6 stamps, 6 address labels, and 6 messages. They all piece together with velcro. This is pricey at $59.99 and if you were a little handy with a sewing machine I am sure you could make something just like it for a fraction of the cost.
My review of this toy? Great idea, easy to play with, uses imagination and kids of various ages would like it but very expensive.

For younger kids this mailbox would be good. A spinning bee makes electronic buzzing sounds when your child bats at him. Your child can mail and retrieve “letters” from the box. We all know how much kids love opening and closing things and this would keep them entertained. Little Tykes toys are also mostly made in the U.S. and are well made.
This toy is also expensive at $99 and is really just for younger kids, I would think after 24 months old this wouldn’t hold much interest.

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When babies learn to walk we all know how unsteady they are. We make sure they have a clear path, we baby proof everything within their reach and we make sure they are as steady on their feet as they can be. That is why Grippies are a great product for all parents.

I always buy socks with grippers on the bottom, but now that my kids are bigger they are harder and harder to find. That is where Grippies come in. Grippies can be put on socks or tights and give kids the traction that they need. They are machine washable and easy to apply.
These are not just for kids either, I would love them on some of my slippery heels and my mother was looking for just this thing for my Grandmother when she was in a nursing home.
Try them for yourself!

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Ok, you have the baby, the clothes, the diapers and the gear. Now what? What do you do with the baby day after day? Stay at home mothers know what I am talking about. The monotony and “groundhog day” type of life can really get to you. It did to me, especially because I didn’t live near any of my friends or family.

This new book from Gymboree (you know the kiddie play place people) will really help you out. Play & Learn 1001 fun activities for your baby and child is a new book with a ton of great ideas, fun activities and a terrific resource for all parents. With age appropriate ideas for children and parents like watch fish in a fish tank for 0+ months to make your own lotto for 5+ year olds it is filled with fun things to do.
These activities are not just to fill your day, it builds skills and fosters a desire to learn. This book isn’t out yet, but you can pre-order yours today for $16.47!

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I have open spots for reviews when I come back from maternity leave.
Currently I am looking to review: diaper bags, breastfeeding tops, toys, stroller accessories, strollers, eco friendly baby gear and clothing.
If you have something you want me to review, please email me using the contact form on the right.

[tag]s baby gear reviews, baby reviews, gear reviews [/tags]

I loved personalized things when I was young. I think all kids do, they make them feel special. I try to get some personalized things for my children and to keep in their rooms. Today I want to share some great personalized items you can get for your kids or for gifts.

Personalization cannot start too early, that is why I love these personalized diaper covers! Cute poly/cotton blend eyelet trimmed diaper covers with your baby’s name or initials on it. Adorable for dressy occasions and perfect for a new baby gift.
This online store also has personalized, burp clothes, tanks, hats, hair bows, shirts, totes and my favorite: headbands.

I bought my daughter an initial tee shirt form this store and she loves it. Get a shirt with your child’s age on it or their initial. They are so cute and made with great materials that hold up to a five year old. These run true to size so order a size up if your child grows as fast as mine does!

Lastly, who wouldn’t want this tee shirt? You can actually write on the front with chalk and it is machine washable. It even comes with chalk! Let your child show the world how (s)he feels today. Order one for your child and one for a gift at these prices!

These are all great personalized ideas for your child, as a birthday gift or for a baby shower. What personalized items do your kids have that they love?

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I know I am germ phobic but c’mon grocery carts and universal high chairs are so gross. You can see how well they clean them (never) and it is enough trying to keep a baby healthy at home. Not to mention kids will put anything into their mouths even the bar of a cart, especially when they are teething. That is why I was so excited to try out the Clean Shopper.

The Clean Shopper is a universal and original shopping cart cover for babies and toddlers. You know the ones that everyone at your grocery store has but you? They are made with 100% cotton-quilted fabric and has two built-in side pockets for storing anything you or your baby will need. Each also has two loops for attaching toys. I was also surprised to find how many fabric choices and prints there are!
They are very well made and are one piece so it is easy to put on by yourself. It also held up to a washing with no shrinking. They also sell a super soft clean shopper that is 40% fluffier than the original clean shopper!
I wish I knew about the twin clean shopper when I had my twins, I never found anything like that and believe me, I looked!

Looking for more ideas? They offer many other products like the clean changer, the clean diner which fits on public high chairs (although the clean shopper works well on these too!) and the clean burper. The clean burper is a fabulous over sized burp cloth that is thick and absorbent. This also held up to a washing well and are shaped perfectly for over the shoulder burping.

Go check out their great products for yourself but they also make great baby shower or new baby gifts!

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