Baby Gear

When I found out I was pregnant, I knew I wanted to breastfeed. I had tried to breastfeed the twins but with having two babies coupled with complications after my C-section, I didn’t go longer then a few days. This time I wanted to be prepared and that meant a new breast pump, so I went out and researched all the pumps and I chose what I hoped was the best one for my needs, the Medela Swing pump.

The Swing is a great compact pump, I love how small and efficient it is! It operates in two modes, using a patented 2 Phase Expression technology designed to mimic the way babies feed naturally. The first phase is a let down mode like how the baby “nibbles” on the breast, and the second is a nursing mode that uses slower, longer and stronger pulses of suction. It has two buttons that let you easily control how strong the suction is.
One of the things I was looking for was a pump that was Bisphenol A-free and the Medela Swing Pump is one of the only ones that are Bisphenol A- free on the market today.
It comes with a great little carrying bag and two bottles for your expressed milk. This swing is so quiet and compact I used it on the NJ turnpike last weekend while three kids slept in the back!
Don’t worry, I wasn’t driving!

This is a great pump with a great price tag, $125.00, (check Amazon often I have seen it go even lower!). It has great reviews on Amazon, and it is so easy to use.

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Breastfeeding has been a little challenging to say the least. The baby and I have had to work at it. Getting comfortable for me was one of the hardest things to do. I would find myself with backaches and tension in my shoulders from feeding him improperly. Enter the appropriately named My Brest Friend deluxe pillow and all of that is gone.

Every parent has a boppy and the boppy has its place, to help hold the baby or for the baby who is new to sitting up alone, but the Brest Friend pillow is specially designed for breastfeeding. It has a wrap around design that helped to support me and my aching back so much, especially when I nurse at night in bed. It has a velcro adjustable strap that you can adjust with one hand and arm rests for your arms. The pocket is wonderful to keep my utterly yours breast pillow and a burp cloth handy.

Don’t get me started on the fabric, it is soft and wonderful! There are so many fabric types and patterns to chose from. If it gets dirty just take off the slip cover and throw it into the wash it will come out as good as when you put it in. I love this pillow and I credit it and the web site support on breastfeeding with really helping me with nursing. If you know someone who is breastfeeding or you are planning on it, I highly recommend this great pillow.
You, your baby and your back will thank me!

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A lot has happened in the five years since I have had kids. I found out early in my pregnancy that everything my kids had when they were babies from bottles to rubber ducks were laden with BPAs. I was suddenly on the hunt for new bottles and pacifiers for our new baby. Green to grow was one of the companies I found with BPA-free bottles.

Green to Grow was founded last year and makes exclusively BPA-free infant and toddler feeding products. Instead they are made from PES plastic, which gives them a natural golden color. They make 5 oz and 10 oz regular or wide neck bottles from PES plastic and medical-grade silicone, made in Taiwan.
The first thing I noticed about these bottles were how cute they were with fruit faces on the front of them. They are easy to use and clean without valves or other intricate parts. They range in price from $7.49 to $10.49.
You can feel good about buy these bottles because not only are they safe for your baby, but they are made with 100% recycled packaging, soy inks, and 1% of annual profits going to environmental causes!

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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 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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Babies are so cute and cuddly but kids sure can produce some gross things from their bodies! There are some things moms know they cannot live without like diapers, wipes, washcloths and burp cloths for those big messes babies can make. Some of these things are great as is, but others could use a little improving, like burp cloths, I wish I knew about the burp catcher when I had my twins, but I am not prepared for this new baby!

The burp catcher was invented by a Mom (as all great things are!) and a re a new and improved form of a burp cloth. Burp Catcher has an ingenious pocket that hangs open to catch baby’s spit up before it hits your new sweater, carpet or someone else! They come in fleece or flannel and a ton of colors and patterns to chose from.
Go pick one up for yourself or for a baby gift.
Every mother will love this!

I turn down many things that people want me to review for various reasons, then there are some web sites that I see that I would love to review and I know how lucky I am to get the chance. The American Terry Co. is one of those web sites. Everything they have is amazing and I am now a true believer in American Terry Co.

The new baby box is enough to make me want four more babies. It comes with a generous sized terry hooded towel, toddler bib, a cloth for burps or to us as a wash cloth, an adorable rubber ducky all packed in a sweet vintage suitcase that I know I will use again and again. All of it was in the “wink” print which is perfect for those mothers who don’t know the sex of their baby. All the products are made with Turkish terry and are the most soft and absorbent 100% cotton I have felt.

They have many other gift sets choices, these beach buckets are going to be my go to gift for all the toddlers in my life, they are a perfect! If you think all they have is children’s products you would be wrong, they have colorful robes for babies, teens, men and women. They also have custom embroidery! Everyone loves a gift with their names, logo or monogram on it. Check out their web site and you will find great gift ideas for baby shower, kid’s birthdays or even pick out a plush robe for your spouse for Valentine’s Day!
Also check out their new organic line due out in February.

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When I was pregnant with my twins I made the decision to nurse them as long as I could. I had various complications after my emergency c-section, so nursing them was not as easy as I had hoped it would be and lasted only days. This pregnancy I know that again, I will try and nurse as long as I can. I am a modest person though, so the thought of nursing in public makes me stress. I don’t want to be so exposed, it will still be cold here in NJ when the baby is born so how do I cut down on my exposure?

If you have the same concerns, have I got the product for you! Bebe au Lait has the most gorgeous nursing covers you have ever seen. A product born from a mother’s frustration over the nursing covers on the market when she was breastfeeding her children. She designed her own “hooter hiders” and instantly they became a hit. They come in so many fabric choices that are perfect for any chic mother!

You connect the straps for your comfort level, place the cover over your head and you have a type of nursing apron. The neckline has boning in it so you can easily view your baby while nursing. Best of all, wash and dry as you would any of your delicates.
What a surprise when I found out all of the covers have a terry cloth corner for clean ups and a small-item storage pocket for my chapstick and other things I can never live without!
This product is perfect for all breastfeeding moms who want a little more coverage, it is stylish folds down neatly into any diaper bag and mine hasn’t wrinkled yet. They now also carry a luxe silk version for occasions when you want a more formal cover and a 100% certified organic nursing cover, something for everyone. Go pick one up today!

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A potentially cancer-causing chemical called bisphenol A is in the lining of most cans of liquid baby formula Says the Environmental Working Group. The chemical can and does go into the formula at levels that are dangerous for babies. This has been shown to cause reproductive disorders and neurobehavioral problems in laboratory animals.

Bbisphenol A, or BPA, is a component of the plastic epoxy resins used to line metal food cans.
The group recommended that parents avoid liquid baby formula and use powder formula instead until companies line baby formula cans with bisophenol-free resin, the Toronto Star reported. The Environmental Working Group had calculations indicate that babies fed powdered formula likely receive 8 to 20 times less BPA than those fed liquid formula from a metal can.
More than 100 independent studies have shown that small doses of the chemical can cause developmental problems, cancer, obesity and early puberty.
The makers of Nestlé, Similac, Enfamil and PBM (who make store-brand, generic formulas that you can buy all over) all said that they use BPA in the linings of metal cans holding liquid formula. They use them on powdered formula as well, except for Nestle Good Start.

First it was unsafe baby bottles and sippy cups and now the formula itself. If there was ever a good reason to breastfeed your baby, this is it.

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When you are going to have a baby there are some items of baby gear that you need. A stroller, car seat, a crib, diapers and a high chair. There are alternatives to a traditional high chair these days which is perfect for parents who live in apartments, don’t have a big kitchen or just don’t like the bulky piece of baby gear. I had two big old high chairs in my kitchen, so I understand.

Fisher Price Healthy Care booster seat is a great alternative to a high chair. It connects to virtually any chair, has a 3 point restraint system and 3 height adjustments to grow with your child. The back and tray can be removed for an older child. It also has the best feature for any high chair or booster seat, a dishwasher safe removable tray. I would never buy any feeding chair that didn’t have this.
This is inexpensive at around $23.00 so you can buy one for the grandparent’s houses. This is also perfect for traveling with!

Kaboost is a revolutionary idea in alternatives to high chairs. This attaches to a regular chair to add height for a smaller child. It just snaps on a chair, is very stable and can holds up to 300 pounds. It comes in three different colors and at $39.99 makes any chair into a high chair. I wish I thought of this!

If you really just want a regular high chair this Graco chair is the slimmest when folded. This seat comes complete with 6- position height adjustment, 3- position recline and two trays that are dishwasher safe. It is slightly more expensive then the average high chair at $129.00.

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Are you looking for great accessories for babies? Maybe you are searching for a great baby gift or something unusual to bring to a new mom and baby? Look no further. Burpbees are unique personalized gifts that any new mom or new baby would love.

They make coordinating burp cloths, bibs and onesies with various ribbon embellishments. All the burp cloths are made from 100% pre-folded cotton diapers. Take my word for it, these are so soft and absorbent. Of course they are machine washable too.
They make two kinds of bibs, a drooler bib for infants that can be personalized. They are great for babies who are teething and well, drooling. They have a tie closure.
They also have larger bibs for older babies and toddlers. The ribbon bibs coordinate with burp cloth and pocket onesies designs. These are made with a velcro closure.

The 100% cotton onesies can be personalized and are short sleeved. They can be coordinated with the bibs and burp cloths. They also make custom fleece/flannel baby blankets by special order.
I also see on their information packet that they sell personalized children’s aprons and tote bags for $15.00 each but I did not see them on the site. The aprons would be perfect for my twins, they love to cook and bake with me and for that price I can afford two!

These are wonderful shower gifts, a change from plain white burp cloths and onesies. Plus all gift sets come wrapped very sweetly in ribbon with a decorative pacifier. Their prices are affordable, check out the different prices and packages.

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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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I was in Target (my favorite place!) this morning and spied the melamine dishware that I love on clearance. I love these pieces because they are easy to clean, do not stain and are not going to break when my children or a baby drops it or throws it. they are usually all top rack dishwasher safe too which makes cleanup very easy. I also love any children’s plate or dish that is divided. I think it is easier for kids to manage what is on their plate and it is easier for you to see what size portions you are giving them. It is also a great tool to help teach kids about the food groups. These also have a lip so it is easy for kids to push foods to the side to help “stab” it onto the fork.

These cafeteria style plates are great for older kids and for outdoor eating. They come in a ton of colors and they also have matching flatware.
Here are some great patterns and styles for kids of all ages. I think I want the ladybug plate set for myself!

Of course when baby first tries to feed themselves you better have a sunction cup plate or bowl. This is perfect because baby can’t play fetch with you and his cutlery. Because really, don’t you clean enough already?

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