Baby Gear

Are you looking for a new diaper bag? Maybe you want one that doesn’t really look like a diaper bag? perhaps you want a smaller one for your potty training child? The new Ju-Ju-Be Be light is perfect for you.

Ju-Ju-Be bags are amazing because they are loaded with fabulous features that every mom wants and needs. The Be Light bags are no exception. They are smaller than a traditional diaper bag, they measure 11×12.5×1.5, lightweight (only 6.4 ounces!) and easy to carry. The straps can be tied short or long in a variety of different positions so that the bag can be carried over the shoulder, or messenger style. Just because this is a smaller and lighter bag doesn’t mean it is light on storage. This bag has two exterior front pockets, a back pocket with the changing pad which is included and various interior pockets that are perfect for diapers, wipes, toys, phones and keys. Everything you need to leave the house with your baby or toddler.
The best part? It is reversible! It is like having two diaper bags in one.

The Ju-Ju-Be Be light comes in eleven colors and patterns. It is machine washable because we all know how gross the bottom of a diaper bag can get! It is hip and stylish perfect for a new mom, a baby shower gift or a mom that doesn’t need to carry that much “stuff” anymore. Yay for Ju-Ju-Be!

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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has ordered retailers to stop selling bedside sleeper bassinets that have been linked to two infant deaths, according to the Washington Post. The “close-sleeper/bedside sleeper” bassinets were made by Simplicity Inc. of Reading, Penn. The agency’s safety alert was prompted by the death of a 6-month-old Kansas girl, who died from strangulation Aug. 21 after getting caught in the product’s metal bars, the newspaper said.

Some 900,000 of the 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 convertible bassinets may be in use today. Their metal bars are spaced farther apart than 2 3/8 inches, which is the maximum allowed by federal law, and this poses a great hazard. CPSC is issuing this safety alert because SFCA Inc., the company which purchased all of Simplicity Inc.’s assets at public auction in April 2008, has refused to cooperate with the government and recall the products! SFCA maintains that it is not responsible for products previously manufactured by Simplicity Inc. This warning does not cover bassinets produced in recent months that have fabric permanently attached over the lower bar.

Most stores have stopped selling them, but please pass this warning to every parent, day care center or consignment shop you know. It is a huge shame that we are only hearing about this a year after the first baby died. Perhaps another baby wouldn’t have died if this information became public.

For more information check out the Consumer Product Safety Commission web site here.

[tags[ bassinets, baby gear, baby gear recalls, infants, close sleepers, recalls [/tags]

I love good shoes for myself as well as my kids. A child’s foot grows so fast that they need goo support, a flexible sole and one that will not leave them with blisters or red marks. I am not a fan of cartoon light up shoes, I love adorable, funky shoes. These are getting easier to find for my older two, but for a pre-walker or a walker? Not so easy.

See Kai Run shoes are the answer I have been looking for. The mom behind See Kai Run shoes found it difficult to find comfortable shoes with flexible soles for her little boy , Kai. So she created them and she made them hip, bold and fun. These are shoes with ultra-flexible soles, soft leather and wide toe box. Our footwear meets the American Podiatric Medical Association’s rigorous standards for foot health and functionality and has been awarded the APMA’s prestigious Seal of Acceptance. Padded collar adds comfort and helps the shoes stay on little feet!

They now have a new line of shoes called “smaller” which are made especially for babies 0-18 months! We have the Jake pair and they are so sweet and beautifully made. We love them as much as we love our Eleven shoes!

Perfect for back to school, for the newest walker in your house, a baby shower gift or just because, See Kai Run are amazing shoes. Now if they would just make shoes for adults, I would be all set!

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When my twins were little they really didn’t have too many diaper rashes. I tried to keep them dry and in good quality diapers, but when they got sick and had a bad case of diarrhea, man the diaper rash was horrible. Red, blotchy skin, they would cry even if I wiped them gently. I tried every diaper rash cream on the market, but they did little to help calm the rash. I wish I knew about Vusion diaper rash cream.

Vusion, which is available by prescription only, is the first and only prescription product ever approved by the FDA for the treatment of diaper rash (caused by a specific yeast infection). It can be used on babies 4 weeks and older and is steroid free. Candida, a type of yeast, is commonly found in the intestinal tract and is carried to the diaper area by a baby’s stool. Treating diaper dermatitis, along with a regimen of washing your baby well and frequent diaper changes, may require the use of a prescription skin medication.
If you didn’t know this you are not alone, according to a Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates study, many moms (52 percent) are unsure or do not know when to see a healthcare provider about their babies’ severe diaper rash.

All moms have to deal with diaper rash at some point or another, so knowing there is something out there to help with the worst diaper rashes is great to know. Thanks to MomCentral for giving me (and you) this great information about Vusion ointment!

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Looking for something cute and different for your little one this school year? Maybe something to dress up an every day skirt? Perhaps you are in need of a great gift for your niece, neighbor or daughter? I have sound something that is perfect for that little girl in your life, fantastic ruffle leggings from bon bon cupcakes!

I was lucky enough to review Bon Bon Cupcakes leggings and they are just as adorable in person. Maybe more because of the adorable packaging. These unique leggings come in a clear plastic bakery box, rolled up and placed in a cupcake liner! Almost to cute to open.
Their products are microfiber footless tights adorned with the sweetest ruffles in all kinds of trendy styles!
Bon Bon Cupcake Leggings are available in generous sizes 0-9 months up to size 6-8. They come in a ton of different colors and three different styles: basic which are single layer ruffles, double layer which have two layers of coordinating ruffles or cupcakes with icing which have rhinestones on them!
Check out their team and holiday leggings too. There is something for everyone in this mom owned shop.

Right now the basic leggings are 20% off and they are offering free shipping, just in time for back to school. I promise you will not be disappointed in these well made, super-soft leggings. My daughter already has outfits picked out for the first two days of school with hers!

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Winters have been mild here in New Jersey but that doesn’t mean it still doesn’t get cold. As soon as fall hit the whole family gets out their robes and slippers. Finding the right slipper that doesn’t fall off, is comfortable and doesn’t make my kid’s feet sweat can be tough. I found Nowali socks/moccasins just in time.

Nowali moccasin socks are traditional moccasins in Sweden that have been made with love and hand stitching! for over 50 years. They have soft leather soles so baby’s feet can move freely, double elastic at the ankle keeps them in place, and the bottoms are non-skid, and you can toss them in the washing machine! They come in various patterns and colors, check out the leopard print for girls. They are sizes 6 months to 4 Years for Kids but they make them for adults too!
CONTEST IS NOW OVER, CONGRATULATIONS TO COMMENT #6 JUDY!

Win It! One winner will get a pair of Nowali moccasins of their very own!

- Go over to Noawli and check out all of their great moccasins.
- Come back here and let me know which pair is your favorite by midnight August 28.
- One random winner will be picked on August 29 and will be notified here as well as via email.

Can’t wait to win a a pair? Get a jump on fall and order your Nowali moccasin socks now. Spend $50 or more and get free standard shipping, plus get 10% off $100 or more. Offer ends on September 1.

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New baby announcements and birthday invitations for kids have become so much more original and cute. Five years ago when we searched for announcements for our twins, photo cards were so expensive and there was little variety. I wish I knew about Lillybeans designs back then because they have such unique personalized stationary, wall art, custom photo cards and much more.

Lillybean designs is run by a full time mommy and wife, part-time attorney, and etsy hobbyist. If you are a regular reader of this blog you know of my love for etsy and products from moms. Check out how beautiful these birth announcements are! We were lucky enough to get a custom wall print for our baby K and it is so pretty in person. This is perfect for our nursery.
These bookmarks would make a original birth announcement, save the date or favor for a christening or communion. Just convo Lillybean Designs for any custom order or print. I LOVE the silhouette nursery print and will have to order one for my kids. It is so different and lovely.

Check out Lillybean designs for business & hip mama calling cards, shower invitations or personalized address labels too! They are quick to ship your order and it comes in pristine condition. Both affordable and adorable this shop has something for every mom or child in your family. Keep them in mind for new moms too!

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Alpha Buddies Inc., a Colorado based company, was created by two moms who wanted to offer unconventional, yet educational clothing to their babies. Co-owner Soonie Suh-Hennessy said that after her son’s birth in 2003, she found a great amount of sassy clothing for kids, but “none of which contained a fun and educational element”. Alpha Buddies unites each design with the theme, “A is for Apple.” In addition to distinctive writers, musicians, and artists, the company recently added an Inspirational Line, that includes, “P is for Peace,” and “H is for Harmony.”
Alpha Buddies wants to help introduce babies and toddlers to the wonderful worlds of music, art and literature as well as cultural, historical, and athletic references.

We were lucky enough to get the adorable “L is for Love” shirt for baby K. The shirt is a super soft 100% cotton and uses water based inks. With each order you receive a “did you know fact sheet” and ours was filled with Rocky Mountain facts that I indeed did not know. Education rocks!
Each shirt comes in sizes 3-6 months up to 6T, so I will have to order some for my older two kids. They now even have a recently introduced organic 101 line.
These shirts make for a great way to introduce art, literature etc in their lives. It starts the learning process and opens the door for teaching and learning. Remember to check back often for more amazing designs as the company continues to grow.

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Trying to find organic clothing for my twins was impossible five years ago, but now, they are everywhere. If you are a loyal reader of this blog you know that I love organic, mom owned companies and ones that give back. Eco ike fits the bill on all of those categories.

Eco ike was started by Faith Moser in 2007 after the birth of her first child. If you are like me you want something for your little ones that is pure and natural and healthy of the environment. They have an amazing like line of 100% organic cotton onesies and lap tees. The love, hope and joy line is so adorable and these tees are made of ultra-soft 100% organic cotton and hand-screen printed with water based inks! How cute is this Bee Green tee?

The shirts are super soft and are available from 6 months to 3T. Are you looking for something for yourself? Then you need to check out their totes, which are perfect for carrying library books to toting groceries. Eco ike also packages your products in an adorable 100% recycled kraft paper boxes, and are wrapped with 100% biodegradable ribbon.
Spend some time on their site, because this great company is natural, sweatshop-free and 100% fair trade. they also give 5% of the proceeds to environmental non-profit organizations!
Go….fill up your cart, shipping is now only a flat fee of $5 and they now offer free shipping for all orders over $75. Giving back never felt so good!

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Thank you all for entering my Seventh Generation Starter Kit giveaway. Wee Generation has such a great diaper bag that gives back so remember them and Seventh Generation next time you have to make a purchase for your house or for a gift.

Our winner via Random.org is commenter #20 Bhavana who said “did not know that the air inside our homes can be up to five more polluted than the air outside. Actually shocking. Since we are in the east coast it is not easy to keep the windows open all year but we sure will try.”

Thank you all and remmeber to come back to reviewingbabygear and parentingourchildren for even more great product reviews and giveaways!

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My daughter took two years to grow enough hair to put a clip into. She was a bald baby like my boys and when she finally did grow some hair, it was fine like spun gold. I have thick, heavy wavy hair, I did not know what to do with this thin, straight hair my daughter has. Clips fall out, and barrettes never stay in.

Out To Tea is a mom owned company that has the answers to my daughter’s hair problems. Their clips actually stay in the hair, they are beautifully crafted French clips, imported from France. They also make beautiful headbands (the first of their kind, patent pending) are elastic and adjustable for a perfect fit.
They have everything from bow clips, beaded or ribbons to sequin clips each of which are perfect for fancy parties or everyday use. Look at how precious the crochet clips are! They are so great, it almost makes me want another baby!

The best part of these clips is that they are not only gorgeous, but they actually work! They hold the hair in place, even in my daughter’s fine hair. The headbands are adorable and my daughter wants one of each! Also check out their beautiful holiday clips. Out-to-tea has quality products for reasonable prices. These make great gifts for all the little girls or babies in your life.
Now if I can only talk them into making clips for my hair.
Dress your hair!

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I am always on the lookout for a great diaper bag. I can never find one that is big enough, has enough pockets and is stylish enough. You can find a terrific “green” diaper bag that is for a great cause at Wee Generation.

The Wee Generation eco-diaper bag has great features like:
Designer upholstery fabric made out of 100% post consumer recycled plastic bottles (Cradle-To-Cradle Certified fabric by Designtex)
Waterproof bottom
Padded back panel
Rear zipper compartment
PVC-free waterproof liner
Removable inserts include an insulated feeding tote, changing tote and changing pad
Detachable insulated bottle holder and zip pouch
External quick-access zip pocket with organizer pockets
Deluxe adjustable comfort strap with quick release cam buckle
Two exterior front zip pockets with key tether Stroller attachment straps
Front flap secures with Velcro and magnetic closure as well as dual buckles
Two front exterior zipper pockets with key tether

What can be better than that? Well, 100% of the profits go to Wee Generation profit partner Healthy Child Healthy World. Go buy one for yourself or for someone else, this makes a great gift!

Giveaway! I have one Seventh Generation (awesome company!) Natural Baby Starter Kit to giveaway to one lucky reader. This awesome bag includes:
-2 packages Size 1 Chlorine-Free Diapers (8-14 lbs.)
- 1 Tub Chlorine-Free Baby Wipes
- Chlorine-Free Baby Wipes Refill
- Natural Baby Laundry Detergent
- Seventh Generation tote
This is something I would love to have so I know you will too!

To win, visit Wee Generation and come back and leave a comment with one fact you learned about them and the great work they are doing. Giveaway will end on Friday August 15th at 8pm est.
*For an additional entry subscribe to reviewing baby gear and leave a separate comment telling me that you have subscribed.

giveaways, Seventh Generation, Wee Generation, diaper bags, baby gear

When I was pregnant the first time, we decided not to find out the sex of the baby. At our first ultrasound we found out we were having twins and that was enough surprise for us, we wanted to find out the sex of the babies. When I was pregnant with our last baby, we decided not to find out and the suspense almost killed me. Trying to buy a outfit for the unborn baby I was carrying was nearly impossible. Everything was blue or pink and the gender neutral color outfits either seemed to masculine or feminine.

Modern Me baby clothing has just the answer I was searching for: adorable unisex baby clothing! Most of the “me shirts” have the graphic printed both right side up, and upside down. It has the text printed
in a simple font, to be easily read by a beginning reader. My older kids love that idea, they can see the graphic right side up from their perspective,
when looking down.

What could be better then a great baby clothing company? One that gives back. Modern Me gives a portion of the profits to the organization Reach Out and Read and San Diego Zoo CRES (Conservation and Research for Endangered Species). Perfect for a baby gift for a birthday or for the expectant mom that is waiting to find out the sex, check out Modern Me.
A important developmental milestone for baby is noticing his hands and beginning to grasp objects so Modern Me’s “me sleeves” draw baby’s attention to his hands with graphics on the wrist, in eye catching colors. What a smart, stylish idea! These shirts are just so cute and we have had many compliments on it.

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Who doesn’t want their child to be the one person who changes the world? Maybe all of our children together will make this world a better place and that is such a great thought. Together with Tiny Revolutionary we are doing our small part here in New Jersey. If you haven’t heard about Tiny Revolutionary yet, this is your lucky day!

Tiny Revolutionary creates socially conscious clothing with the message of Peace, Hope, Love and Equality. Started by partners BreeAnne and Courtney, these shirts are the new face of family, that teach kids as well as adults, to celebrate their individuality. Their clothing speaks about war, the environment and animal welfare.
Having four adopted cousins myself, I am in love with the “chosen” tees. These shirts are amazing for new baby or birthday gifts. My baby has the “I’ll change the world someday” tee and truer words have never been said.

Most of the tees are organic and all are sweatshop free. They are all 100% pre shrunk and are so soft and comfortable. They also use non-toxic inks, which is terrific. Plus, $1 from the sale of each tee goes to children’s charities. Now if I can only get these great shirts in my size, we will be all set! Let’s change the world into one that we want our children to live in. If you want to be the change you want to see in the world, maybe, just maybe, wearing these amazing shirts is the first step!

Tiny Revolutionary, children’s clothing, tees for kids, children’s tees, parenting, baby clothing, kid’s clothing

We still have a good month of summer left here in New Jersey before summer starts. One thing we are planning on doing before our kids enter kindergarten is more days at the beach. We love the beach, the sun and the sand as much as our kids do. There are some challenges with a newborn on the beach, but we found some new products that are great for the beach for your family.

Surfers Secrets was invented by two moms and a a dermatologist and it removes the moisture between your child’s skin and the sand, allowing you to just wipe away the sand easily without using water! I couldn’t believe how easy this was. No more waiting for the showers to be free to rinse off my kids, and ourselves. No more trying to rub off the sand with towels leaving my kid’s skin irratated, and best yet, no more sand all over my car!
Surfers Secrets is Talc free and has grape seed oil and aloe vera in it to help sun exposed skin. Go try some and I know it will be a staple in your beach bag like it is in mine!

The one thing I hate about all the strollers I have had, it that when the baby is reclined, the shade never fully covers the baby. I am forced to put a blanket over the baby to shade him from the sun but it is hot! Protect-a-Bub is a great sun shade that protects baby from the sun’s harmful rays with its 50 SPF protection!
Easy to use, this shade covers baby’s entire body. No more blankets that fall off or making sure you have a shady spot to park under. These great shades will fit any size stroller you have. Protect-a bub also offers shades for car seats. Also check out their blankets, swimwear and hats!

These are terrific products for all of your family’s fun in the sun!

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