Baby Gear

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.

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Baby K hates his high chair. He is not one of those babies who will sit and play sitting in his high chair or is content to watch what is going on. He wants to get in, eat and get right out. I know that he will not be in his traditional high chair (which I hate anyway) for every long.

Enter the Mutsy Grow Up booster seat. You will never find a more stylish, modern booster seat. What makes the Grow Up different from traditional booster seats is the padded seat reducer so your child is super comfy. The flexible seat along with the base allows your baby to sit comfortably on a average grown-up chair. It has an easy to use harness to keep baby in the seat.

The Grow Up is so easy to clean- just wipe down with a damp cloth. A huge plus with me is that the botom of the seat did not scratch my chairs like others I have had in the past! I love that is comes in four bright colors: raspberry, apple, mandarin or aqua. This seat is suprisingly light too, easy to take on and off. Perfect for traveling to friends or relatives houses with or even bring it to your local restaurant.
This seat fits kids up to four years old!

This of this seat for a baby’s first birthday, shower or new mom gift!

The Mutsy collection is available at Goores for baby to teens. For Reviewing Baby Gear readers use code rbgmu for 10% off ANY Goores order!

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I have recently come across great cotton burp cloths. Zebi baby has a great collection of 14×21 soft cotton burp cloths. They are not ordinary burp cloths, they are made with beautiful fabric patterns with a vintage feel. They are perfect for a boy or a girl or a picky mom.
The bucket of burpies I received came with three burpies in a 1 gallon reusable pail. Use the pail for a diaper caddy or for art supplies! We use our to house small baby toys and baby K loves to dump the toys out and put them all back in over and over.

Zebi baby also makes kerchief bibs with are so cute for any aspiring cowboy or cowgirl. They are made with the same great vintage fabric and are perfect for collecting all that drool without being so long that it hinders crawling. Use them instead of bibs for older children!
Also check out their bibs, diaper covers, pants, organic tees and mom and me matching aprons. My daughter and I have to get the matching aprons for all of our baking that we do. So cute!
If you are looking for something for your fur baby, you will love their chenille dog kerchiefs.

These are great gift ideas, new baby or shower gifts. I love my bucket of burpies and every mother knows you can never have enough burp cloths!

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When I decided to breastfeed the twins, it was harder than I thought. My son, L had torticollis, a shortening of the neck muscles so nursing him was hard because he could not turn his head certain ways. Couple that with having some complications after my c-section and breastfeeding was not for us.
When I had baby K, I nursed and boy, was it harder than I thought. He had a tongue tie which made it hard for him to nurse as well. I had the lactation consultants in the hospital visit often and I had them come to the house after to try and help us. I sucessfully nursed him for 5.5 months, but I wish it was longer.

I would have loved to have had Shari Criso’s DVD Simply Breastfeeding. From Amazon’s site: Invite Shari Criso into your home to to learn how to breastfeed your baby in just two hours! What makes this breastfeeding DVD stand out from the others is Shari’s friendly approach. You can skip to the chapter that covers the breastfeeding challenges you are experiencing at that moment. Perhaps your baby isn’t latching or getting enough milk. Whether it is the wee hours of the morning or night, Shari is available via her DVD, Simply Breastfeeding, 24/7! There is just too much information out there on Breastfeeding, half of which contradicts the other half. It can be really confusing! But, it does not have to be that way! Simply Breastfeeding is all about giving you a simple yet effective step-by-step process and system that will allow you to successfully Breastfeed your Baby and get all of the Physical and Emotional benefits that come from Breastfeeding for both you and your Baby.

It sounds great and for $39.99 it is MUCH cheaper than my lactation consultant!
Has anyone tried this DVD yet?

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One of the things I had to get rid of from my two older kids when baby K came along was their sippy cups. Since they had every sippy cup available to man, this was hard task but I had to. Their old cups contained BPA. Trying to find BPA free sippy cups proved a little easier than finding bottles about a year ago.

The Safe Sippy from Kid Basix are stainless steel drink cups and exactly what we needed! From their site “From the clean, non-leaching stainless steel cup to the unique safety features to the plastics free of Bisphenol A and other harmful chemicals, The Safe Sippy™ cup was created to accomplish one simple goal: Clean In, Clean Out.” They kept contact between water and plastic to a minimum, and they insisted that all our plastics be certified free of Bisphenol A, phthalates and DEHA.

Perfect for my child! I love the slim design and how it can fit into any of our diaper bag pockets. It is also lightweight, which means it is easy for my 13.5 month old to carry and drink from and light enough for him to drink with one hand, his preferred method.
It is also virtually spill proof, we did get a few sprinkles when it was held upside down and shaken, but so does every sippy cup I have ever owned.

The grippy sleeve is perfect for easily handling and for sitting it on tables and counters but the sleeve is a little hard to get on and off. It is easy to get it off is the cup is a little wet though.
Overall, I think this is a great sippy and I will be ordering more for K soon!

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Just another case for breastfeeding all of our babies. Traces of a chemical used in rocket fuel were found in samples of powdered baby formula, and could exceed what’s considered a safe dose for adults if mixed with water also contaminated with the ingredient, a government study has found.

The study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looked for the chemical, perchlorate, in various brands of powdered baby formula. The study was actually published last month, but the Environmental Working Group issued a press release yesterday to draw attention to it.
The chemical has also been found in several cities’ drinking water supplies. It can occur naturally, but most perchlorate contamination has been tied to defense and aerospace sites.

There is no studies right now that have shown the chemical caused health problems, but scientists have said significant amounts of perchlorate can affect thyroid function. Thyroid problems can be problematic if not treated and can impact fetal and infant brain development.
The government does require formula to contain iodine, which counteracts perchlorate’s effects.
The largest amounts of the chemical were in formulas derived from cow’s milk, the study said.

Melamine in formula, BPA ridden formula containers and now this. I think this is the best argument for breastfeeding your baby so (s)he doesn’t need any formula, I have ever seen.
Tell me if you give your baby formula, does this recent study concern you?

What can you do about it? Call your baby formula company and ask if perchlorate is in your formula, and ask what they are going to do about it.

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source: www.cdc.gov

From the Munchkin site:
The Snack Catcher - No more spilled snacks on the floor or car seat. Our clever Snack Catcher cup keeps bite-sized snacks inside the container until little fingers pull them out. Even if it tips over! The soft flaps make it easy to access and the little finger cleaning bumps are a special plus for keeping nearby surfaces cleaner. This is one snack holder that will catch your attention…and keeps messes to a minimum!

Domed container holds 9 oz. of dry snacks
Protective bottom keeps tabletops scratch-free
A place to write child’s name on the bottom
Pack of 1 or 2 Snack Catchers

The Mighty Grip™ 10 oz. Straw Cup is a must have for families on the go. Just think, a toddler cup that won’t spill when it falls…not even the slightest leak out of the straw. Thanks to our brilliantly designed straw valve and uniquely contoured shape, this cup and its contents will stay put in little hands. The straw is made of soft silicone for comfortable drinking. Cheers to care-free sipping!
Holds 10 oz. of liquid
Top rack dishwasher safe
For kids 2+ years

Munchkin offers many products not just for feeding baby but for the bath and more. Munchkin seems to be sold everywhere and I am pleased to say now offers many BPA free products (which is all I buy).
I would love to know what Munchkin products do you own and how do you like them?

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Headed up by mom of three, Diane Zissu, Baby Smart is a company that provides great baby and toddler-friendly products. The Cooshee changer is one of those products.

The Cooshee Changer is a micro-cell foam with anti-bacterial integral skin for the “healthiest” changing surface. It has high sides so the baby cannot roll out easily. It doesn’t get as cold as a traditional changing pad and the best part is, no need for covers anymore! No buying and washing covers, this can just be cleaned easily with a quick wipe down with a baby wipe!
It is very lightweight and waterproof, comes in five color options and is recommended for ages birth-three.
This is perfect for an extra changing station downstairs of your house or when you travel.

The Cooshee booster hybak has a high back design that provides proper seating posture, comfort and stabillity. It has low arm rests so the child can come right up to the table. It is soft and comfortable and easy to wipe messes away! This is perfect to bring to restaurants instead of using their sticky, germy seats. It comes in five color choices and is for children 2 1/2 and up.

These BabySmart items along with the booster classic seat and the tubguard are perfect a baby shower gift, to buy for traveling, for first time moms or to leave an extra set at Grandma’s house.

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Go to any toddler’s birthday party and you will see the same sight: endless amounts of bottles and sippy cups. Every kid has at least one and they all look the same. Then your kids picks his off the table and disappears with it. You find it on the floor, but there is the same cup on the table, and another one on the counter. Which one is yours?

Try these labels from Mable. Classic Stickies and Skinny-Minis™ are perfect for toys, containers, cups, bottles and are made to withstand dishwasher, microwave, UV Rays and kids. Now you will be able to find your child’s cup or bottle in no time. They also make labels for shoes, bags, clothing and for kids with food allergies.
This is very useful for kids who go to daycare, bring their lunch to school or camp. These are $18.50 for 45 labels.

If you don’t want to put a label on your cups what about these bands for cups, snack cups and bottles? They are non-adhesive, reusable and personalized. They are microwave and dishwasher safe and come in great colors. A four pack is $11.95 and considering what sippy cups cost these days, this is much cheaper then replacing lost ones.

You could also get a monogrammed bottle & sippy cup custom designed covers.
But maybe that is going a litle too far?

Any of these are a must have for preschool or daycare. I have had one of my children drink out of a stranger’s cup before and I was totally grossed out.

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Baby K hates his high chair. He is not one of those babies who will sit and play sitting in his high chair or is content to watch what is going on. He wants to get in, eat and get right out. I know that he will not be in his traditional high chair (which I hate anyway) for every long.

Enter the Mutsy Grow Up booster seat. You will never find a more stylish, modern booster seat. What makes the Grow Up different from traditional booster seats is the padded seat reducer so your child is super comfy. The flexible seat along with the base allows your baby to sit comfortably on a average grown-up chair. It has an easy to use harness to keep baby in the seat.

The Grow Up is so easy to clean- just wipe down with a damp cloth. A huge plus with me is that the botom of the seat did not scratch my chairs like others I have had in the past! I love that is comes in four bright colors: raspberry, apple, mandarin or aqua. This seat is suprisingly light too, easy to take on and off. Perfect for traveling to friends or relatives houses with or even bring it to your local restaurant.
This seat fits kids up to four years old!

This of this seat for a baby’s first birthday, shower or new mom gift!

The Mutsy collection is available at www.kiwikidsgear.com and reviewingbabygear readers are invited to use code rbgmu to receive a 10% discount on any Mutsy order from www.kiwikidsgear.com!

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While I wanted something to clean my newborn’s bottom with, I didn’t want all the alcohol that comes with many wipes on the market. I have made my own wipes, but with three kids I need a lot of wipes every day.
Pampers Sensitive Wipes seem to be the best choice for me.

I want something gentle to wipe the baby’s face with and also the occasional dirty feet of my older two, as well as clean the bottom well. I was afraid this would be too thin or delicate, but it stood up. This is also fragrence free, which is great.
We keep them by the changing stations, in the kitchen for food messes and in our diaper bag. Buy them in bulk like we do!

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There are a ton of bibs on the market today, but they are usually the same old thing. Dabib is different, it has a unique “scrunch collar” that minimizes leakage of liquids and solid foods onto the baby’s clothing. Any mother knows this means less stains on clothing and that means less laundry! Dabib is made with super absorbent micro fiber terry front and a waterproof back.

DaBib was just chosen by San Francisco Daily Candy edition as one of only five MUST have items for new moms. In order to celebrate, www.dabib.com is offering a coupon for reviewing baby gear readers, 10% off purchase with code MOM2008 but it expires on June 30 so act fast. Also, order 3 or more bibs and get free standard shipping (continental US only).

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I loved personalized things as a child and now so do my kids. They only want to use the cups with their names on it, or their name tooth brushes and always look for personalized items when we are out.
It was great when my twins were learning their letters and then to spell things, because they recognized the letters in their name.

Olive Kids has great things for children of all ages and one of them is personalized placemats for children. Olive Kids placemats are thick, durable and will withstand being used over and over again by children. They measure 12” x 18” and are made with heavyweight laminate for easy clean-up.

They have the cutest patterns to chose from. Trains, outer space, Under construction, tea party, pirates, race cars, butterfly, sand castle, flower, holiday and many, many more!

At $9.99 they make perfect birthday or holiday gifts and you can get a few for each child. They even have a five pack of assorted mats. They are a great alternative to the character-based entertainment licenses. They have more classic designs that kids all love.

They also have other personalized items like personalized clocks, gorgeous name and art prints, floor pillows and book marks. These are great for decorating a child’s room or nursery or for gifts. Check out Olive kids today, I am sure you will find many things that will keep you going back!
What are your children’s favorite personalized items?

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Since I am still new to breastfeeding, sometimes I find it a little difficult. Especially when I am out in public. Where do I breastfeed that is safe, and private? How do I nurse without my breastfeeding pillows? Also, how can I keep myself covered while in public? These are all commonly asked questions by other nursing mothers, I have recently discovered. When I came across the breastfeeding bonnet by MoBoleez, I knew I wanted to try it.

MoBoleez was founded by a nursing mother of two (you know how I love to support mom owned businesses!) who wanted to design something unique for the breastfeeding mom. This 70% bamboo and 30% cotton hat fits perfectly on baby’s head but has a large, floppy brim to cover mom’s breast. The hats come in pink, blue, green, cream and red, and each has a very cute designs on the top and a “hi mummy” on the brim for mom.
The hat is much softer then I thought and it held up well after a trip in the washing machine.

I have a cover up that I use to breastfeed in public but with warmer weather approaching, I think it would be hot for both me and K. I love the idea of this hat, it keeps the sun out of the baby’s face and gives me the privacy I want. Great idea and well executed.
Go order one today for yourself or as a great baby shower gift!

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When I had my lactation consultant come to the house for help, she mentioned Medela had just come out with a hands free pump. I love my Medela swing pump but I would love to have my hands free to do things like check email, make breakfast for my kids and answer the phone.
The hands free model interested me.

Medela freestyle is the only hands free double-electric rechargeable breastpump on the market. It offers freedom to all the mothers attached to the pump, literally.
It comes with the pump, SoftFit™ breastshields, 4 collection containers with lids, rechargeable battery, carry bag with removable cooler, cooling element, power cord, hands-free kit with two size straps and bra adapters, waist belt with extension piece, instructions and a information guide.
It is not cheap, but a good pump never is.

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