Baby Gear

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]

There are many nice baby blankets on the market today. Some companies have great fabrics and colors for their blankets. I have searched around for a great blanket for my kids on more then one occasion. It has to be soft, well made and made with a great fabric. What if I told you that you could design your own blanket for your baby just the way you want it?

Myubby is a great company that produces made to order custom baby blankets! By using their blanket builder, You can choose from more than 50 unique fabric styles and color/print options, 11 poly satin edging colors or stitch options and, custom ubby personalization features and add-ons.

It is simple and so much fun to build your own blanket. First you decide if you want your blanket to be one or two sided. Then you pick your fabric and color. After that you pick what color you want your satin edging to be and which stitch style. Finally you can add an inscription up to 54 characters or a monogram and of course, the embroidery color and style.
After that the good people of myubby start making your 35″x45″ blanket and they will ship within 2-3 weeks of receipt of order. If you need it faster, they can ship it out in 6 business days for a small added fee.

I can tell you that the myubby blankets are so soft and sweet. It held up great in a washing and I know it will be my son’s favorite blanket in no time flat. Perfect for a new baby gift. Give a myubby blanket for a shower gift too, they also have gift certificates available.
So go, and make a beautiful blanket as unique as your child is.

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A couple of months ago I was lucky enough to win a terrific blanket from the Cariboo company. The Cariboo company along with Puretec™ New Zealand have created the first 100% wool nursery blanket, the Cariboo Earth Puretec Blanket. I didn’t know what to do with this beautiful blanket, It is such a luxurious baby item, should I really use it for my baby who may spit up or, worse yet, poop on it?

This blanket is so soft and really feels lightweight, but is very warm. It is not a typical scratchy wool blanket. The blankets come in
five colors: natural (the one I have), chocolate, blue, sage and pink. They are 100% natural, completely hypo-allergenic, eco dye colored, anti-itch, formaldehyde free, naturally fire-retardant and environmentally sustainable. This one measures 30 x 30. The Cariboo company also makes a larger blanket that measures 44 x 48 and is $159.95.

This is not a cheap blanket at $99.99. The cream colored blanket is so soft looking as well as soft to the touch (important when you are buiying a blanket for your baby!) and the chocolate color is so rich looking. Those are my two favorite colors of this blanket, but the pink, blue or sage are great baby gift colors. The quality is worth it if you can afford it or it can make a great baby shower gift, even if you chip in with someone! Any mother would like this blanket for their baby.

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I have written before about how my new baby does not like to sleep during the day. He likes to nurse 2433 times and to be held, but that is about it. The swing, bouncer and mobiles keep him entertained for a bit but then he wants to fuss again. I was ready to try something new. That something new was SoundSleep for babies.

This is not your traditional lullaby music, this is a blend of digitally recorded sounds from the womb. It is a 60 minute CD that not only can help babies fall asleep faster but can help them sleep longer. Who doesn’t want that?
I was skeptical at first because there are a ton of books, CDs and DVDs on the market claiming to “help babies sleep” or “puts babies right to sleep”. So it tried it and I have to say, I am impressed.
I put it on in a dark room and put K down for his nap. He was asleep in minutes. I wanted to fall asleep! I have to admit, this is very calming music and it reminded me of what is playing at the spa when you get a massage.
Our next test is to see if it keeps our five year old son nicknamed “Rooster” in bed longer in the morning, I will just keep the CD on at night on replay.

I would buy this for a new mom or any mom with kids who have a problem falling asleep. It got my seal of approval and better yet, it also got my baby’s!

WIN IT!! I have one SoundSleep CD to give to one sleepless parent!
Just leave a comment by May 4th at midnight with your best tip on how to get a baby to sleep.

Sorry only open to US residents.

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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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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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There are a few things I look for in a baby blanket: soft, large enough to swaddle and well made. If it comes in a great pattern, is loved by celebrities or is made in the USA, that is all gravy. In my experience all babies love a good swaddle and finding the right blanket for the job is the key to some sleep. For you AND the baby!

I will save you the trouble of searching, I found a great swaddling blanket at swaddledesigns.com. the great people at swaddle designs were kind enough to send me three products to review from their company, the ultimate receiving blanket, the baby lovie and the baby burpies.
The first thing I noticed about all of them were how soft and well made they were! They all took a test drive in my washing machine and came out perfect.

Did you miss the chapter on swaddling in your baby book? Have no fear, swaddling instructions are sewn on the blanket! Perfect for Grandmas or Dads who often forget just how to do it!
Swaddling is so important for sleeping better, reducing the risk of SIDS and reducing colic.
Any baby would be attached to this lovie with its soft satin border and satin back. Remember to order more then one so you can rotate one into the wash! The baby burpie is a generous size and very absorbent, a must have in a burp cloth!
I love this ultimate receiving blanket so much I will be ordering more.
The fabric choices are amazing and perfect for any new mother and this is a gift any new mother would love.

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I never had any problems with my kids at bedtime for the first few years of life. When I separated my twins into their own rooms, suddenly my son was scared of the dark. Really it just turned out to be a delay tactic to stay up a little bit longer every night, but it worked. We tried a bunch of different things to make him feel better. The cat sleeping with him, the bedroom door open, the closet light on, etc.
If I had found this glow bear I think this would have done the trick!

Glo-e bear is a light up snuggly bear. It lights up in seven different colors! Use the magical wand to activate the bear. It automatically turns of in fifteen minutes, just enough time to let your little one fall asleep. It comes in your choice of colors, white or pink (the pink is $3.00 extra). If you are not crazy about the bear or have more then one child, they also offer a puppy, a monkey or a heart or square pillows. At 21.99 it is not much more expensive then a regular stuffed animal.

This might just get your kids wanting to go to bed at night. Even if your little one is a great sleeper, this is a nice gift for Valentine’s day, Easter or a birthday for kids of all ages.
Or, you can go a more traditional route and just get a personalized night light that is monogrammed or with just an initial!

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When you are pregnant for the first or fourth time you know there is a lot of things you need for a baby. They may be small but they can take over your house with their “stuff”. Some things you need for day to day living and some baby gear is a luxury. Besides diapers, wipes and clothing, a baby monitor is very necessary.

When I had my twins I received a baby monitor as a shower gift. We were living in a apartment and the traditional monitor was ok, although I would get to hear the occasional phone conversations of my neighbors that the monitor picked up. Now that I am pregnant again I wanted a monitor that allowed me to see the baby now that we are mostly downstairs during the day and the baby’s room is upstairs.
I had the pleasure of reviewing Summer Infant Day and Night Handheld Video Monitor. This 900 MHz monitor blows away my old traditional monitor. This portable handheld unit is perfect for moving around the house and still being able to see your baby. There are also traditional sound lights that visually show baby’s level of activity. There are nighttime LED lights on the camera that makes the baby fully visible both day and night!
The video monitor has batteries or you can use it with an AC adapter. It also has a kickstand which is perfect for me to view it while I am doing dishes, using the computer or watching TV.

Don’t get this monitor just for a new infant, I would have loved this for my twins when they first transitioned into their toddler beds. It would have saved me countless trips upstairs to see what they were up to. Parents love this monitor, go ahead and read the reviews yourself. This is one of my new favorite baby products to tell all parents about.

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There is nothing better then the sight of a cute little newborn swaddled in a blanket. My ovaries ache just thinking about it! My twins, like most babies, loved to be swaddled tightly but I was always worried about overheating. SIDS is a huge concern for any parent and overheating a baby with many layers in the winter is something you do not want to do in order to prevent SIDS.

The amazing people at adenandanais.com sent me a one of their swaddling blankets and I am in love. Their amazing muslin fabric blankets are like swaddling your baby in the softest gauze you can imagine. The 100% muslin cotton keeps baby warm without overheating baby like many heavier blankets can.
They are very large at 47′ x47′ so you can use it as a blanket for a toddler or double it over for swaddling a newborn. I think this would also make a great nursing cover in a pinch!
They have various patterns and color choices for boys, girls or unisex. They come in a set of four for $44.00 or in a gift pack of two for $29.95.

They offer many other items on their web site also like hooded towels, washcloths and their new dream muslin blankets. This is a perfect gift for a new mother or for a shower gift. This blanket is light enough that they are perfect for summer babies.
I can see myself using this blanket with my new little one all the time. I had better order more!

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I still have my favorite baby blanket, it is tucked away in one of my drawers. My sister still has hers and my kids still sleep with their favorite baby blankets too. Those favorite “lovies” you have as a child are some of your favorite memories. If you are looking for a great lovie for your child or for just an amazing blanket, look no further.

The gigi blanket company has the greatest blankies I have ever seen. The security blanket is perfect size for small hands and a perfect size for the diaper bag or your purse. They have a soft nubby side and a smooth silky side. Chose the fabric you love most for each side!
Born out of one mothers frustration on finding the perfect blanket for her daughter, Gigi makes blankets, burpis and even tooth fairy cases. Check them all out, their prices will not break the bank.

I know this blanket will be my new baby’s favorite and I am already planning on buying more once the baby arrives.
Now, if they only made one for adults!

Use the coupon code “gigiships!” to get free shipping on all orders
now through December 18th!
The last order date for gigis to arrive by Christmas is by noon on Tuesday, December 18th

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Are you looking for something a little more stylish for your baby’s first bed? Cradles are a great choice for next to your bed in your child’s first weeks of life, or for a place to put the baby in another area of your house. Check out some of these splurge-worthy, modern, unique cradles that are not necessarily budget friendly.

Check out this Caiboo Earth folding bassinet. It is made with sustainable pine and collapses for easy storage. It comes in tow stain colors and is stained with water-based, biodegradable finishes. Perfect for limited space or apartment living. It also has all-natural cotton fabric with are unbleached. Exclusively at giggle.com for $450.00.

This cradle is from a Berlin based initiative called E27. When your baby has grown too big for the cradle, you can remove the cradle and use that as a basket, and attach the included saddle to change the cradle into a modern rocking horse! How fun! It is nice it does something else for $438.00.

I love the idea of this Lullaboo rocking cradle. It comes with an organic cradle mattress and with four finish colors to chose from. It is $590 and comes flat packed and is easy to assemble. This also comes in a non-rocking version for the same price.

Lastly, treat your baby to real style with this iron cradle. This cradle is very ornate and looks like it belongs in a palace. It comes with the mattress and has various choices of finials and colors for $1,199.00.

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Many moms go back to work after their maternity leave is up. Some have to go back for financial reasons, some love their work and don’t want to give it up. That means unless you have a parent at home to watch your baby or child many parents send their kids to day care. When I picked up my kids from school there was a day care on the bottom floor and I would always peek into the windows and see all the toddlers at nap time sleeping on their mats with their lovies and blankets. It was so adorable.

If you are looking for a sleeping mat for your kids, this one would fit the bill fine. It is a backpack style slumber bag with built-in pillow! Folds easily into self-contained backpack. It comes in primary colors, it has adjustable shoulder straps, a nametag to make sure it doesn’t get lost in day care, fleece lining and no zippers so it is easy for younger kids.
This is not only great for daycare but for sleepovers, camping or pretend play. It is $29.99.

The Disney store has nap mats on sale right now online. They have Little Einsteins, Pooh, Mickey Mouse, Princesses, and Lightning McQueen nap mats. They measure 24” W x 46” L. All have a quilted pad, have an attached pillow and tie with Velcro. They are on sale for $9.99 right now down from $29.99, such a great price and perfect if you are looking for a gift.

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Although I never had one, I just love the idea of a moses basket for babies. There are so many unique ones on the market today. It seems like such a cozy, safe place for an infant and I also just love the esthetics of it! It is also great to travel with. Now you have something to put baby in for nap or play when you are visiting friends or family.
It is also an alternative to a baby hammock or bassinet.

These moses baskets are warm and cheery. They each measure 32 x 12 x8 and come in various, beautiful patterns. They each include the soft bedding and a matching blanket.
Babybeemine.com has many choices when it comes to moses baskets. They are more traditional with the removable hood. They also offer many fabric and lining choices and the basket can be used until baby is approximately 15 lbs.
This site also have some with faux fur lining and matching blanket!

These baskets get as elaborate as you would like them to. They have chenille, fur, cotton and organic baskets on the market today. These baskets really make amazing baby gifts. Add things inside like bottles, bibs, outfits, pacifiers and toys then wrap the entire basket in cellophane and decorate with ribbon. Everyone will want to invite you to their shower when they see you walk in with this! This is the show stopper.

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Any parent knows that kids songs, are usually just for kids. I know I want to poke my ears out hearing “Cinderella” sing some day my prince will come or some high pitched kid singing pop goes the weasel, over and over again. The same goes for lullabies.
We would play classical piano music instead of traditional lullabies for our kids, because if we had to listen to it, we at least wanted to enjoy it!

Rockabye Baby! saved our day. Rockabye Baby is not traditional lullabies, but rock classics that YOU love that are transformed into beautiful instrumental lullabies. Everyone from The Rolling Stones to Metallica to Coldplay are reconstructed into lullabies using instruments like the glockenspiel, vibraphone, mellotron, harp and bells.
Yeah, I don’t know what they are either, but they sound amazing.

Do you want one of these cds for your very own? You are in luck, I have two Baby Rock Christmas cds to give away. Filled with rock classics like 2000 Miles and Do They Know It’s Christmas? I am sure you will love it so much you won’t just listen to it at Christmas time.
To enter to win one of these cds simply leave me a comment on parentingourchildren.com!
Deadline for this contest is midnight November 23. Good Luck!

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