Baby Gear

I am not a fan of most stuffed animals. My kids have a few that they are attached to and a few that they like but never play with. I hate to have things that just collect dust and are taking up space. I have found a stuffed animal that is more though, one that is very special. Zoobie pets.

Zoobie was started by two brothers on a quest born out of a desire for innovation and a love of children. With a tag line of: Play. Sleep. Love. how can this company not be good? These are no ordinary animals, each pet is a plush toy, a soft pillow and a comfy blanket all in one!
Just detach the velcro and unzip a zipper and your stuffed animal can change into a pillow or blanket and back again. It is easy to use and safe for children.

How perfect is this for children to travel with? Instead of packing a lovie, a blanket and a pillow, you have it all in one with these soft, lovingly made zoobies. The signature faces on each animal all contain micro beads, making them extremely soft and each animal has its own definitive extra-soft-to-the-touch body texture, making for exceptionally comfy pillows. The inner blankets are made of extra soft and warm coral fleece.
Choose from a ton of different animals from either the zoo collection or the safari collection.
My only problem with this toy is that my two older children each want one of their own! This makes not only a great gift for a new baby but kids of all ages will love it too!

zoobie pets, zoobies, stuffed animals, kids, babies, baby gifts, gifts for kids, 3 in 1 stuffed animals, baby gear, toy reviews, mom reviews

Lately I have been reading about the “mom” blogging issue that is known now as “Blog-ola”. Apparently many bloggers are writing anything for swag, and even cash.
Moms are the ones who do the most shopping and loyal brand buying in most households. They are a huge influence and companies want them to blog about their products.
I think it is great- to a point. I see many bloggers who have random blogs and write about anything and everything.
I get most of my great recommendations on the newest or tried and true great products from my fellow moms but you can tell when a blogger is just writing posts to get free stuff.

I do not and will not buy something from a recommendation that I think or know someone is being paid to say.
Blog With Integrity is a result that is needed for blog reform.
From their site: “The Blog with Integrity pledge recognizes that there’s no single right way to blog and more than enough room in the world for different approaches.
What matters is the relationship with our readers. Meeting our commitment to them and to our community. Clear disclosure of our interests so they can evaluate our words. Treating others with respect. Taking responsibility for our words and actions.”

I signed the pledge and you can see my button in my sidebar.
That being said, I wanted to make clear my personal blogging policies.
I< strong> have never taken anything (cash or a product) to write a positive review about a product.
I often receive products to review and if I do, I say so in my post.
I never do paid posts.
I turn down many products or services to review every day, I only reviews the ones I feel are a good fit for my blog and readers.
I never post a review of something I (or my children) haven’t tried out, and I will always give you the pros as well as the cons in my reviews.

I aks you to join with me and blog with integrity. Let’s make it known to companies that we cannot be bought with a $5 sample.
Don’t frequent blogs that post for payments.
Stand up for yourself as well as for me.

reviews, mom reviews, blog reviews, mommy bloggers, blog with integrity

My baby loves his toys but his REAL tried and true favorites are simple, non-toy toys. A plastic water bottle and its cap, my eyeglass holder, balls. Some of the favorite of all my kids have been simple things that function as many different toys. Today I want to highlight some of them and give you more bang for your toy bucks.

Parachute. My kids fell in love with this at Gymboree class. Have your child sit under it and wave it over his head, put balls on top and bounce it all over, or use it to drag him all over your yard. This can also be used as a amazing fort for 6 year olds!
This parachute is $25 and comes with a bag for storage.

Stacking cups are my other favorite. Inexpensive and kids love them for many reasons. they love to stack them up (or for you to stack them up) and push them down. They can do this for hours-I know! They love to put them inside of each other or put things inside of them and take them out again. They also love them at the beach, in the pool or bath tub.
Scooping water and dumping it out for hours is total fun for a toddler.

I want to know-what are your child’s favorite not-really-toys toys?

toys, toys reviews, toddlers, babies, kids, baby gear, baby gear reviews, mom reviews

The winner of the WeeSqeak giveaway is comment #78- Christine W.!

The winners of the layette giveaways are coments: #5 Courtney, #54 Mary, #66 Carolsue, #97 Abby and #108 Kathy P.

Please check your emails!

If you didn’t win this time, please keep reading Reviewing Baby Gear and Parenting Our Children for more great articles, tips, reviews and giveaways!

Plus there is still time to win a $40 cake in my Bake Me A Wish giveaway or a Boon Bug Pod!

I have seen KABOOST on the internet for at least a year. While I haven’t had the chance to try one, or the need, I always thought they were very cool. I still have not had the chance to try one out myself, but in theory it is a great idea.

KABOOST is a compact and portable chair booster that raises the height of any four legged chair so your child can sit at the table just like everyone else. Children reach a point where they don’t want to use a high chair or booster seat anymore and KABOOST is the perfect solution. KABOOST has spring loaded arms, rubberized grips, and collapsible design that make it safe, secure, and portable. It will stay attached even while the chair is moved.
In addition to raising the chair itself, KABOOST’s wide base actually enhances the chair’s stability. In fact, a chair with KABOOST is actually more stable than the same chair without KABOOST. It’s rubberized feet prevent slippage and won’t damage floors. KABOOST is lightweight and has a compact fold so that you can take it with you to visit friends, family and going out to your favorite restaurant.
It will hold up to 300 pounds so it is more than enough to hold your growing child.

Features:
Snaps-on chair in seconds
Engineered to improve chair stability
Stays attached even when chair is moved
Non-slip, won’t scratch floors
Fits 4-legged chairs (round or square legs)
2 Height positions
Same heights as standard booster seats (4.5″ and 3.75″)
Grows with your child
No assembly required

KABOOST will not fit:
Chairs with a seat height over 20″
Chairs with a diagonal leg distance over 30″ / less than 19.5″

Do you have a KABOOST? I would love to hear about your experience with this chair booster and if you think it would work in yoru family.

KABOOST, booster chairs toddlers, kids, dinner time, booster seat, chair booster, eating out with kids

There is not a more exciting birthday than a first birthday. I love planning my kid’s birthday parties and the first one is always bittersweet for me. I loved the milestone but was a little sad to see my baby leap into toddlerhood.
What about planning the party though? Nothing could be better than a “green” birthday party for your little one.

Green planet parties has some great ideas and items for planning any party. A large part of reducing waste associated with hosting a birthday party is the disposable aspect of tableware. Green Planet Parties offers biodegradable, compostable and reusable tableware options that are easier on the environment and convenient for the party host to use.

Check out their selection of decorations. From felt party hats to reusable birthday banners they have some fantastic finds.
What about goody bags? They have amazing things for all ages, like the Forget-Me-Not Flower Seed Eco-Box (perfect for weddings or baby showers), funky hairbands (perfect for little princesses) and my favorite the Calafant Goodie Bag Craft
where your party guests will build, color, create, and play with this exciting recyclable craft! LOVE!

They even have a section for gift wrap, for weddings and showers and a terrific tips section.
Love these ideas for your little environment-friendly little one. Also, what a great way to teach kids about being more “green”.

green parties, baby’s first birthday, kids parties, birthday parties, green planet parties, parenting, 1st birthday party ideas, baby showers

My little kids always loved to play with their kitchen. I think it is one of the most universal great toy and a perfect idea for a grandparent gift (hint, hint). My six year olds love their kitchen as much as out 12 year old does and the favorite thing to “bake” in our kitchen is birthday cakes and treats.

How cute is this shop filled with felt birthday treats! Paula McCrosky from Fakery Bakery hand sews adorable cakes, cookies, cupcakes, donuts and even Pop Tarts, in a variety of sizes and colors. Made from felt, these are perfect for an impomtu birthday party or tea party. You can also custom order products!

Sam McLean designs also has adorable play food for kids of all ages! He specializes in handmade Fun Felt Foods for kids to play with or for home decor.
I especially love the variety of this shop. I am loving the chicken dinner set (cutest chicken legg ever!) and the deluxe sushi tray! How adorable!
Make sure you stock up for Christmas, they are having a Christmas in July sale. Take 10% off any item, including clearance items during the month of July!

Lastly check out BugNikDesigns for more great play food. I love the crocheted bacon strips and the blueberry pancakes! Maybe you can get your kids to eat more veggies if they had this salad kit!

play food, toys, gift ideas for kids, felt play food, felt food, baby toys, toy reviews, mom reviews

Summer time in our house is filled with sun and fun. We spend a lot of trime outdoors and even though the kids and I do tan we also have fair skin and a family history of skin cancer. I love to find great family friendly sunscreen at a good price. We use a lot of it, so I am always on the search.

Substance Baby Natural Sunscreen has an SPF 30 and includes zinc oxide–making for an even stronger sun barrier. We love that, in addition to the zinc and the SPF, it is also chemical free!
I just love that in a sunscreen, especially for my children.
It also happens to be waterproof, a necessity in this house of swimmers. From the site: This chemical-free sunscreen also helps shield babies and children from skin damage caused by weather exposure, and keeps their skin hydrated with nourishing natural oils of shea butter, sesame seed oil and jojoba oil.
And with a certified herbalist behind this formula, it’s no surprise that Substance Baby Natural Sunscreen also includes an anti-oxidant-rich botanical blend of calendula, grapeseed and green tea extract to gently cool and soothe skin that’s been heat- and sun-exposed.

It smells like fresh mint and summer orange, not chemicals! Buy now, Substance Baby Sale: Save 20% on all Substance Baby products through July 31.

baby gear, sunscreen for kids, chemical free sunscreen, baby gear reviews, mom reviews, babies, kids, suncreen, Substance Baby Natural Sunscreen

There is nothing that all my kids don’t love more than bath toys. We have a variety of bath toys and there are new toys that are being made into bath toys every week. From Barbies to Hulk, from rubber ducks to old cups- you name it and we have it in our bath arsenal.
Cleaning up all of the toys after the bath is over is not my favorite, especially because our tub is so deep.
Enter the Boon Bug pod bath storage scoop.

The newest member of the Boon family, Bug Pod joins the Frog Pod to help with children’s bath time clean - up, providing a drainable scoop for collecting and rinsing toys. What a great way to organize and store all of the toys, accessories and soaps that come along with bathing a child!
It has a a wall mounted base for storing bath products. It can attache to the bathtub wall with either a super strong adhesive strips or wall mounted screws. We chose to screw it into the wall because it can hold more weight that way.
My kids love to scoop up their toys when bath time is over and I love that it drains and stores easily and no more leftover toys on the bottom of the tub!
Buy It: Buy your own Bug Pod at All Modern Baby, a modern children’s furniture site that carries top manufacturers such as Maclaren, Stokke, Boon and Bugaboo.

Win It: I have a Bug Pod for one lucky reviewingbabygear.com reader!
Just leave a comment here telling me what else you would love from Allmodernbaby.com.

Additional Entries: (Please leave a separate comment for each)

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3. Add me to you Technorati favorites.

4. Visit my other site (www.parentingourchildren.com) and leave me a comment there, then come back here and let me know where you left a comment.
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Contest will end 8/10/09 at 11:59 EST. A winner will be chosen via random.org
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Boon, Bug Pod, bath toys, toddlers, kids, parenting, toys, baby gear, baby gear reviews, toy reviews, mom reviews, giveaways, baby gift ideas

Car seats for our kids is a stressful subject in this house. We are always making sure our seats are installed correctly and that we have the safest seats on the market. We recently moved my twins into booster seats and even though they are old enough at 6 years old, it still scares me.

When the chance to review SeatSnug came up, I really wanted to try it.
From the site: “SeatSnug® is a first-of-its-kind product that enhances both the safety and comfort of children riding in booster seats. It allows the lap belt to be lightly tightened around a child’s hips while riding in a vehicle, preventing seatbelt slack or looseness from developing.”

Children in booster seats are at risk of injury and death due to seatbelt slack. A standard seatbelt allows slack to develop in the lap belt portion while you are riding in a vehicle. Seatbelt slack is acknowledged in the auto industry as a major contributor to injuries and deaths in vehicular accidents!

By gently securing a child while riding in a booster seat, SeatSnug® substantially eliminates bouncing, rocking, tipping, falling over, and ejection, thus reducing the potential for injuries and death in vehicular accidents.

Installing SeatSnug was easy but it warns to follow the directions carefully because taking it off is not so easy, so kids cannot take it off themselves.
This is a great product I will recommend to all of my mom friends.

[tags] SeatSnug, booster seats, car safety, traveling with kids, safety, car safety, parenting, safe booster seats, product reviews, mom reviews [/tags

I think the hardest part to putting together my children’s rooms or nursery was finding the right bedding. The bedding is the anchor for the whole room, what colors and textures you use come from the crib or child’s bedding. I didn’t like the same old things big baby stores offered and after checking out sites online I wish I had known about Carousel Designs when I was pregnant the first time!

If you want non-traditional, fun or even funky bedding for your little one, Carousel Designs is perfect for you.
Fun, colorful designs like this poppy crib set(LOVE!) or simple gender neutral bedding like this solid celery crib set(which was EXACTLY what I was looking for for my twin’s room 6 years ago!) is exactly what Carosel Designs does.

I was lucky enough to have the chance to try the gorgeous Baby Toile Horizon toddler Bedding. The pale brown and perfect blue bedding is complemented with the pretty toile pattern. This is perfect for a babies room and will grow with your baby.
The toddler bedding is extremely well made, super soft (which is not that common with baby or toddler bedding) and stood up to a washing and drying.
What I really love about this site is that you can order the four piece bedding set but you also have the flexibitiy to pick and chose the pieces you want or the extras like the matching lamp shade, valance or high chair pad. How great is that?

This is a great site full of designer bedding without the Hollywood price tag, check it out today.

Carousel designs, baby bedding, toddler bedding, crib sheets, crib sets, baby registry, baby gear, baby gear reviews, nursery bedding, nursery designs, baby shower gift, mom reviews

We live quite a distance from our family and friends so we traveled with our children all the time from the time the babies were a week old. We wanted something to bring with us to put the kids in or help when it was just me and the two babies at a friend or family members home who maybe didn’t have baby “equipment”.
Luckily for us, the Fisher Price Take Along Swing just came onto the market a month after our kids were born.

This was one of my favorite baby products. It was light, easy to fold up and carry and fit great in the back of my small SUV.
It has two toys that when you pull activate songs and lights. The music wasn’t too annoying as with some baby items. It takes 4 C batteries which need to be changed often as is the case with swings. Get rechargable batteries!

It is designed for up to 25lbs which I loved. My kids grew too long for the swing before they even hit the weight limit. The swing was terrific help getting them to sleep in strange places, like on vacation.

My one con with this swing was it was a little hard getting the babies in and out of it. You kind of have to swing them in and under the top bar and I have bumped their heads on occasion on it. (Sorry kids!) As they got heavier this process got harder!

I love this product, I thought it was worth its weight in gold.
Make that platinum!

take along swing, swing, baby swings, baby registry, baby gear, infants, babies, kids pregnancy, new moms, Fisher Price Take Along Swing, baby gear reviews, mom reviews

Here we go again, another baby gear recall:
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with Kolcraft announced a voluntary recall of Kolcraft, Carter’s, Sesame Street, Jeep, Contours, Care Bear and Eric Carle Play Yards. This recall affects an estimated 1 million units.

The play yard’s side rail can fail to latch properly.
When a child pushes against the rail it can unlatch unexpectedly, and pose a fall hazard to children. There have been 347 reports of sides of the play yard collapsing unexpectedly, resulting in 21 injuries to young children, including bumps, scrapes, bruises and one concussion.
This recall involves the Kolcraft Travelin’ Tot play yards, as well as other similar play yards manufactured for Carter’s, Sesame Street, Jeep, Contours, Care Bare and Eric Carle, with model numbers listed below. Some of the units have a bassinet and/or changing table. Some of the models have a mobile, vibrating unit or a parent organizer. Model numbers are printed on a white sticker on one of the feet of the play yard.
Youc an see if you model number was recalled here.
The Play Yards were sold between January 2000 through January 2009 and cost between $50 and $160.
If you own one of these play yards, you should immediately stop using the play yard and contact Kolcraft for a free repair kit.
You can contact them toll-free at (866) 594-4208 or visit http://www.kolcraft.com/.

recalls, baby gear recalls, play yard recalls, Kolcraft recalls, baby gear, Kolcraft Travelin’ Tot play yards, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, babies, infants

Washing a baby can be…challenging. I always feel like I have to hold the baby in the baby bath tub with one hand while I wash with the other. Holding on to a wet, soapy baby is not the easiest thing.
Getting more soap or a new washcloth can be difficult with one hand. I liked my baby bath tub but when I found the washPOD, I knew I had found something great.

The washPod is a new concept for newborn bathing. It is a European type of baby bath, designed to be a “secure and warm environment, similar to that inside a mother’s womb”. It is vertical as opposed to horizontal and the3 design holds the baby upright.
It is smaller then a traditional tub so it uses less water, which is terrific. The bottom is cushioned so K’s bottom was comfortably paced and he did not slip around.
He loves his bath in the washpod, especially since he is submerged more then a traditional bath so he is warmer.

The WashPOD also has cushioned handles so you can carry it even when it is filled with water, someting I could not do with our other bath, once it was filled it was too heavy and bulky to move. It also comes with stickers to help make the appropriate water level, which should be a few inches under the baby’s arm pits when immersed.

Although it did take me awhile to “learn” how to wash the baby in the POD, I really love it. It is compact, easy to store and perfect for babies 0-6 months. This will make a terrific gift for your next baby shower.

[tags] washPOD, bathing baby, infants, babies, washing a baby, baby baths, baby bath tubs, infant tubs, baby gear, baby gear reviews, baby gifts, baby shower gifts [tags]

I am loving the availability of great, eco-freindly toys that are out there now. They are making their way into the market place as many of us parents demand to have safe, simple toys for our children.
As we all know babies and kids can be content with a pot and a spoon, or a box well beyond their attention to a light up, musical plastic toy.
Today I want to feature two items that are on my list of great, must have toys for kids.

This Uncle Goose ABC Blocks With Wagon is fantastic. Beautifully handmade upper case wooden alphabet blocks with wooden wagon
handcrafted from basswood in Michigan which includes 28 blocks,
4 complete alphabets, 3 sets of numerals, and 28 different animal pictures. It looks like something I had a child.
Each block is made with brightly-colored, child-safe, non-toxic inks.
Perfect for ages ages 2+.

How adorable is this Wooden Lawn Mower? From the site: A favorite among toddlers, our solid Wooden Lawn Mower Toy encourages active play as the moving balls make gentle clinking sounds. It is made from contrasting hardwoods and finished with vegetable oil for safety.
This is a classic children’s toy that has long-lasting play value–our wooden mowers will be used for years!
Not bad for $39.99!
Minor assembly is required: the handle will need to be screwed on to the tumbler using the included screw. Perfect for a first birthday!

I love that what is old is new again!

wooden toys, eco-friendly toys, safe toys, safe toys for kids, toddlers, toys, baby gear, toy reviews, parenting