Baby Gear

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!

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”.

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When I was new to breastfeeding, I would find it a little difficult sometimes. Especially when I was 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 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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Baby slings are ideal for multi-tasking parents who want to carry their baby and keep that sense of closeness and bonding while keeping their hands free for other tasks. Slings are available in so many styles, colors, and funky prints that there is one for everyone.
I loved my slings ( I have many!) and so did my baby! A few of the more popular brands are:

New Native Baby Carrier - Freedom for your hands. Safely bend over or twist with both hands free. The curved bottom keeps your baby in the sling. Versatile. Carry baby on your front, side or back. Toddlers fit snuggly on your hip. Use one or two for twins. For babies newborn through 35 lbs. Convenient. Its so simple you’re always ready for the next pick-me-up. Put baby in your car seat without taking her out of the sling. Perfect for breast-feeding. Will not confine clothing and you can nurse while doing other things with your hands. Bonding. Helps both mom and dad develop a close relationship with baby.

The Hotslings Pouch - Hotslings pouches are an innovative design that combine fashion with function. Just because you are a mom (or dad) now doesn’t mean you will be stuck with bears, bunnies, blue plaid and pink gingham. Nor will you be stuck with a front pack that only is good for your baby’s first few months while it pulls mercilessly on your upper back.

Karmababy Baby Sling - Not your ordinary baby pouch sling. Karmababy have playful prints that are hard to find elsewhere. Reversible slings come with a knock out print on one side and a soft twill solid on the other. Both sides have a spacious pocket for carrying keys, an extra diaper, whatever you want!

What is your favorite baby sling or carrier?

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The winner of the fabulous Natura 3 piece crib set is #45 Lily who said:
I want the Natura Reflection Mattress 10!

Congratulations Lily!

I have many more great giveaways, reviews and tips this month so make sure you bookmark Reviewing Baby Gear and Parenting our Children and check back often!

I wanted to potty train my kids in the summer for obvious reasons, I knew there were going to be accidents and I figured the less clothes they had on the better.
Of course, they were not ready to train in the summer but as soon as it turned cold and grey here in New Jersey the kids were all ready and able to learn to use the potty.
I wanted to keep them warm but not sweat me out of the house at the same time. I bought the kids these baby leg warmers.

Not only are they adorable but they kept my children’s legs warm and I didn’t have to pull any pants down in our rush to get onto the potty.

After they were potty trained they worked very well with all of my daughter’s skirts and we even did a little flashdancer tribute and put them on over some stretch pants.
These would also be great for newborns when you don’t want pants to put too much pressure on the umbilical cord stump.
They come in all sorts of great colors and patterns for both boys or girls. They have an organic line as well.
Check out these sets that come with a free bib!
They range from $7 to $15 a pair.

They are a good idea for babies learning to crawl also: no more bruised knees!

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The winner of the Evenflo breast pump is #23, Dee! Congrats Dee and check your email.

If you didn’t win this time, please favorite this blog and check back every day because I have some great giveaways going on this month here and at www.parentingourchildren.com!

This recession is hurting everyone. There are tips and tricks to save money and cut back on things but when you have kids, you still have to buy the essentials like clothing, diapers and formula. There is no way around that.
Today I want to share with you some deals I have found to save you some money and maybe a little sanity!

You can download 150 Fun Songs For Kids, which is three CDs worth, for only .99 right now at Amazon. Perfect for April’s rainy days or long car rides with the children.

This deal is for perfect for new moms getting their post baby body back or for anyone looking for a pair of comfortable, wear anywhere pants. These amazingly comfy woman’s pants are made from a soft french terry knit. They are 68% Bamboo/27% Organic Cotton/5% Spandex, come in two colors and are 50% off at $29.00.
Perfect Mother’s Day gift!

Gymboree (one of my favorites) is still having their spring sale with some items at 60% off the original price and more styles being added!

You can take 15% off your order at The Childrens Place through May 10 with code SA249. They are still having their spring sale, 25% off already reduced merchandise and they have many items under $10. Best yet, they have $5 flat rate shipping too!

Lastly, remember to check out coupons.com for your household needs as well as diaper, formula and food coupons!

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Finally, baby bottles made with the very controversial chemical bisphenol A (BPA) will no longer be sold in the United States by the six largest manufacturers of the products.
The companies made the announcement after Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and other colleagues asked them to voluntarily halt their use of the chemical, which has been linked to numerous health effects, the Washington Post reported.

BPA, which is found in many different products mimics the hormone estrogen and can disrupt the body’s endocrine system. The chemical is very bad for fetuses, infants and children because it can interfere with cell function when their bodies and brains are still developing, public health experts say.

How can you avoid BPA?
Make sure and replace old plastic storage containers for food with BPA free products or glass containers. Eat a varied diet, avoid canned foods and canned baby formula which contains BPA in the lining of the can, only buy BPA free baby bottles, sippy cups and food containers, and don’t use polycarbonate plastics to warm or heat food or drinks!
Check the bottom of the product. If you see “PC” which is polycarbonate plastic, do not purchase it. To be safe, avoid #7 plastic. Choose plastics labeled #1, #2, or #5 in the recycling label.

Here are a list of products that are BPA safe and reviewing baby gear approved:

Teethers: http://www.reviewingbabygear.com/eco-friendly-teethers/

Bottles: http://www.reviewingbabygear.com/bottles-like-no-other/

http://www.reviewingbabygear.com/green-to-grow-bottlesgreen-to-grow-bottles/

Feeding: http://www.reviewingbabygear.com/munchkin-products/

Breast Pump: http://www.reviewingbabygear.com/pump-it-up/

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Every mom I know loves baby gear products that are simple and make our lives easier. What you need versus what big baby stores lead you to believe you need are usually two different things. I am highlighting two products today that are not necessary for every mom but are sure nice to have!

Snazzy Baby is a product line “dedicated to making mom’s life easier…simple, safe and snazzy!” The award winning snazzy baby knee pads are great for keeping baby’s knees injury free while learning to walk or crawl. We just moved into our new house and the entire first floor is wood or tile and baby K is just starting to walk. These knees pads are perfect for him because they have “traction beads” which let him crawl on the slippery floor with some traction!
These are not just for crawlers, these knees pads can be used to bike riding, crawling on decks, roller skating or just to save the knees on pants that otherwise get holes in them!

My baby’s own deluxe travel chair is perfect for moms like me, who hate to lug around big, bulky baby gear around. This soft portable chair seat for babies turns a regular chair into a restraint system. Perfect for shopping carts or for visiting family and friends. It attaches easily to most chairs and is for children up to 35 pounds. I used this recently at my husband’s office so I could feed the baby and it worked wonderfully. I keep it tucked under my seat in my car for any time I need a baby “seat” for K.

Also check out Snazzy Baby’s 3 in 1 combo carrier!

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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!

Now, get 15% off the Recycle Love shirt or any other purchase at Tiny Revolutionary through Valentine’s Day with code LOVE.

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The one thing every parent has a problem with at one time or another is meal time. Whether it is a child who doesn’t want to sit at the table, one who always wants to eat with their hands, or a child who is a picky eater parents can all relate to meal time dilemas. I have found some funky dishware that may help with your troubles.

Trebimbi has flatware and dish sets that are colorful and adorable.
Each Puppet Club Table Set includes a child-sized spoon, fork and knife, eggcup (so cute and may just get my kids to eat eggs!), bowl and mug that are really adorable.
Made in Italy, each cutlery piece has a stainless steel body and a colored polypropylene handle. Each piece has a cute smiling face and the pieces can be locked together like a string of paper dolls for easy storage or for fun at the table before dinner.
All of these are dishwasher safe and are recommended for kids two to six years old.

They are not inexpensive at $44.99 but may be worth it if it helps you get the little ones to eat. Amazon has a ton of different styles and colors.
I have not used these but they seem cute enough and could very well be worth the price tag, I would love to hear from someone on how they hold up and if their children love them.

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I am always looking for new, great baby gear to review. I am always open to hearing about a new gadget, toy, clothing or gear that children and their parents would love!
If you have a product you would like to have reviewed here or on my other site www.parentingourchildren.com just send me an email using the contact Erinn button on the right hand side!
You can also always send suggestions on things you would like to see me review in the future!

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Congratulations to Dave, Jessica and Dave for winning the shoes from See Kai Run!

Keep reading www.reviewingbabygear.com and www.parentingourchildren.com for more great articles, amazing giveaways and honest reviews in 2009!

If you are a regular reader of my other blog (and you should be!) you will know I have been trying to live green and buy responsibly this Christmas season. PlanToys is one such company that I will be buying from this holiday season and beyond. They offer great toys that are environmentally friendly.

From the Plan toys site: PlanToys practices the “Three R’s” of green living: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Our manufacturing processes are designed to reduce waste and save energy. We reuse materials, and have introduced innovative methods to recycle paper and other products.
We had the chance to review their new lacing sheep and it is a wonderful toy. The first thing I noticed about it was how well made it was. Children can lace the color corresponding to form a sheep, helping them learn the basic color and sequence. It is adorable. I have my eye on a few other great toys for my baby like the click clack tree or the beautiful rocking horses and my twins, like the parking garage.

I don’t have to worry about lead or other chemicals with Plan toys! We need to support companies like Plan Toys that make safe, well made toys for our children that will last their lifetimes. I will no longer purchase plastic, toxic toys for my children that get broken in a few days. Let us all be a little “greener” this holiday season and shop Plan toys for all the little ones on our list.

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