Baby Gear
Medela Freestyle: Everyone, please give a hand for hands-free pumping!
As I write this review, I am actually pumping with Medela's newest and only hands-free double electric breastpump, the Freestyle. You can actually kick back and relax as you pump - or strap it on and walk around (but it would be more effective to do this at home in private). Or take it on the road with you. It comes with a cute tote and the parts are so small. We are going to Montreal this summer on a road trip, so the Freestyle will be coming along with me. The vehicle adapter (use Medela 12V Vehicle Lighter Adapter (#67153) is extra, but the motor is so strong, even when it runs on its rechargeable battery power. It is the easiest breastpump I've ever used (I've tried my fair share) and the set up time is so much quicker (I mean with attaching the parts to the unit before your pump). As always, I love their "Two Phase" Expression technology.
The Freestyle comes with a kit to make it hands-free, a pump motor that is about the size of your hand, two SoftFit breast shields, a cooler bag, connection tubes and a tote bag to fit it all into. The hands-free kit works great (but looks a little odd). I liked it and once I figured out how to put it together... The motor fit in the palm of my hand and was powerful. My only wish that it was quieter. But since the pump motor was so portable, I can deal with a little noise. You can adjust your speed and suction quickly (and with one hand). It will even remember your settings. Click here to see a video about how the Freestyle works.
June 16, 2008 in Baby Gear, Car Accessories | by Nancy Horn | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Baby Planet Unity Sport Twin Lightweight Stroller: A smooth green ride that won't take all your trunk space
I have not had an easy time entering double stroller land -- but I've found a great choice -- the Baby Planet Unity Sport Lightweight Twin Stroller ($319.99). I had researched and tested a few doubles and even tried to get by with a single stroller as long as possible. But I knew I had to face the fact that I needed a double stroller, with a 12lb baby girl and a 27 lb toddler who prefers to ride.
But there were some variables in the equation. We live in an apartment in a urban area (so space --both storage and width is an issue). I have to navigate though 3 doorways, plus an elevator, before we even get to our car (we have a garage next to our building). The double stroller would have to be compact, lightweight and fit in my front closet and my Camry's trunk easily. It had also had to have great suspension too (I just can't use a stroller if the suspension is poor). So, then began the tandem vs.side- by-side stroller debate. After trying out a few tandems, I just felt that a side-by-side was the better choice right now, even though I knew I would have to squeeze through doorways and store aisles.
I had been eying the Baby Planet Unity Sport Lightweight Twin for a while. This side-by-side umbrella stroller had everything I was looking for. I was impressed with how lightweight it was (for a double), with a compact fold (and yes, it fit in my front closet).
May 22, 2008 in Baby Gear | by Nancy Horn | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Are you Doing Enough to Save your Kids From Skin Cancer?
If you want to make using sunscreen on your kids a good daily habit, you need a lot of it. This giant pump dispenser of sunscreen from Dr. T's Supergoop is the perfect thing to leave out on a bathroom counter, on your boat or poolside. You're less likely to forget with the visual reminder and less likely to run out with the large size. Plus it's really great quality stuff. Read about the formula and how you can protect your kids at the Dr T's Supergoop Site.
May 19, 2008 in Baby Gear, Gear Reviews | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Snack Attack : Earth Friendly Snack Sacks Store your Treats
Here's one of my new favorite products: The Snack Sack. It is reusable, and easy to carry.
The Snack Sack is a cloth bag with a stainless steel bowl inside. It cinches closed, and has a carabineer clip for attaching to just about anything. It can hold any kind of snack. You can take the bowl out to use it for fruits and veggies, or leave it in for dry items like cereal. The bowl can be washed in your sink or in your dishwasher and the sack is machine washable. It is 4” in diameter and approximately 7” tall. It easily fits in any bag or attaches to any strap or stroller. This product is made by two enterprising stay-at-home parents just looking for another way to help do their part to save our planet.
Last weekend we took our boys to a wedding. It was a late afternoon wedding, and I knew that snacks were not going to be readily available. I filled two Snack Sacks with pretzels and put them in my diaper bag. I was so glad I did because both my boys had a snack attack before the ceremony even started.
The sack and bowl are sold separately, so be sure to purchase both when you place your order. In addition they have an organic version made of 100% organic cotton. The choices of fabrics are super cute and come in a variety of colors and designs to match each person’s personality. By the way, for those of you wondering, yes I have my own Snack Sack as well.
Car & Caboodle readers special: e-mail snacksack@gmail.com your order, mention you read this review, and you will get $1 off each bag you order. This offer is good only for e-mailed orders.
April 24, 2008 in Baby Gear, Car Accessories, In Car Entertainment | by Candice Kahn | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Baby Bjorn Baby Carrier Synergy: I'm Bjorn Again
I constantly wear my baby (and unfortunately have a bad back) - so any baby carrier I use has to have good back support. Recently, I tested the Baby Bjorn's Baby Carrier Synergy and fell in love.
I use a carrier to hold the baby every time we leave the apartment, either for trips in the car or trips on foot to the park. It's much easier than lugging my infant car seat up and down from my apartment and I also have a toddler who prefers to ride in a stroller. While I've started using double stroller, sometimes using a single stroller while wearing the baby is just easier. When I first tested the Baby Carrier Synergy, I strapped baby Allegra in, and I wheeled my toddler in his stroller to our local park to test it out. The Synergy supported my back perfectly. I wore this carrier for hours, while chasing my very active toddler. I didn't feel any back strain whatsoever. Having my hands free was also terrific. I was able to push my older child on the swings and go down the slide with him, while still wearing the baby (who slept blissfully in it most of the time).
The second time I tested it, we drove to the mall. Again, I wore the baby in the Baby Bjorn Baby Carrier Synergy and wheeled my toddler down to the car in the stroller. I unsnapped the from the Bjorn and snapped her into her infant car seat. Then my toddler went into his car seat. I unsnapped the Baby Bjorn from my body (leaving the harness part on) and drove to the mall, where I put the baby back into the Baby Bjorn and put my son into the stroller. The Synergy was again very comfortable and I was able to wear it for hours.
I also couldn't believe how lightweight the Synergy is. It's made of a 3D mesh fabric, which wicks away moisture and heat - great for constantly overheating mamas like myself. This fabric was developed especially for Baby Bjorn and weighs practically nothing. It's super flexible - you can fit the entire carrier inside the mesh elastic storage bag (which is attached to the inside pocket). Now, as I continue to use the Baby Carrier Synergy, I can actually stash it compactly in my diaper bag, bottom of my stroller or my trunk. Well done, Baby Bjorn!
Suitable from 8 to 26 lbs, this carrier is designed to be worn on the front side of an adult's body. Babies can either face inward or outward. As the baby grows, you can adjust the sliding buckle to lengthen the carrier.
I think that the Baby Carrier Synergy will be perfect for the summer, with the extremely breathable mesh. Since the mesh dries so quickly, this also may be great for running through the sprinklers at the park!
Click here for a store list or online retailer
April 21, 2008 in Baby Gear | by Nancy Horn | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Nature's Baby PU-All Conquers Mystery Odors
We all have the best of intentions of keeping our cars clean and odor free after kids. Really we do. We're not going to be like those people with mystery smells wafting around in the back.
Except one day it happens. That adorable four month old has an "incident" in the carseat and you swear you are never going to be able to drive with the windows rolled up ever again. Even in the freezing cold and pouring rain.
This is the time, my friend, to break out the PU All spray from Nature's Baby Organics. It's made from safe and nontoxic stuff that actually, magically, removes the bad smell from your car, your home, even the dreaded diaper pail. Don't ask me how it works! I just love that it does.
We're fond of the Vanilla Tangerine smell too - fresh and not overwhelming or chemically. Unlike the so called "new car smell" that they will try to sell you at the carwash.
Purchase PU-All from the Nature's Baby Site.
March 7, 2008 in Baby Gear, Gear Reviews | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Permalink | Comments (0)
Tags: cleaning, non-toxic, organic
A Little MomSpit Goes a Long Way in the Car
Messes happen. That's why we all need MomSpit in the car.
No, not the real thing, silly. That would be gross. The next best thing. MomSpit in a bottle. This magical foaming cleanser restores something akin to cleanliness and freshness with nary a sink in sight.It comes in scents like Fig and Green Tea. Ahhhh, isn't that nice?
MomSpit in the bottle is alcohol free and claims to even kill germs. Use it on little faces, hands and even dirty birdy feet before that icky-sticky lands all over the backseat.
Check out the MomSpit site for more info and where to purchase.
March 4, 2008 in Baby Gear, Gear Reviews | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Permalink | Comments (0)
Tags: cleaning
Two New Products from Uppa Baby for Families on the Go
In the world of strollers, the UppaBaby Vista is one of my favorites. I'm looking forward to using one of these top stroller performers whilst out strolling with my new baby. And with the addition of the Uppa Baby Piggy Back Ride Along Board my three year old son can still come with on longer walks, and catch a ride if needed. The ride on board is nice looking and made from an attractive natural wood. It flips up and out of the way when not in use and does not impede the stroller fold in any way.
I'm also loving Uppa's Baby Bubble. 
This lightweight pop-up cover fits on most infant carseats and shields baby from sun, wind, rain, dust, bugs and the prying eyes and sticky fingers of all the other kids at my son's preschool. If I were a celeb, it would be a great paparazzi foiler as well. Much more reliable than a draped blanket and a cinch to use and store, and quite cheap to boot ($19.95) this one is a mommy must have.
February 10, 2008 in Baby Gear, Gear Reviews | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Permalink | Comments (0)
Tags: car seats, strollers, uppa baby
Wander Wear Helps Keep Kids Safe
It's every parent's nightmare and can happen in an instant. You stoop to tie your shoe and your three year old sees someone walk by with a balloon and poof! They're off!
With 7 out of 10 kids experiencing public separation from a parent or guardian at some point, it's fairly likely that even the most conscientious of parents will experience that lost child panic at some time or another. Which is why Wander Wear was created. Wander Wear makes a line of products for easy kid identification in crowded places and publishes books and literature that help educate kids and parents about what to do in case they are separated. I especially like their clip on kid tags for days when we are going to be someplace large and crowded, like Disneyland. The tags provide a specific and highly visual place for you to write your cell phone number, so that you and your child can be quickly reunited in case of separation.Their brightly colored tees and baseball caps also make it easy to quickly visually locate your child in a crowd.
Wander Wear items are sold separately or in family packs.
February 6, 2008 in Baby Gear, Gear Reviews | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Adiri Baby Bottles Travel Well, Even Upside Down
Here's a new twist on the baby bottle. The Adiri Natural Nurser baby bottle. It's fabulously functional and more healthful for your kids as well. These bottles are super easy to fill (from the bottom), easy to clean, and free of harmful chemicals like phtalates and bisphenol-a. The entire nipple and dome of the bottle are soft and shaped similar to the breast and therefore breast fed babies are more receptive to using these. I love how few parts these bottles have. They are sleek and streamlined and seem to travel really well. And it does not hurt that they look fabulous too.
Available at The Right Start store for $12.99
January 25, 2008 in Baby Gear, Gear Reviews | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Permalink | Comments (1)
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Swiss Strolli Rider Turns Your Single Stroller into an Occasional Double
Love your single stroller and feel like you don't want to find room for a double stroller in your trunk when the new baby arrives? Need to find room for a third child on your double?
If you have an active toddler or young child who needs to hitch a ride on occasion, check out the Swiss Strolli Rider ($115). This easy to add on attachment does not interrupt your stride and is a fun and easy way for little kids to roll with your baby.Sitting on the bike seat and holding on to the handlebars may be easier for some young children than riding standing on a board style attachment.
Purchase the Strolli-Rider from Happy Stroller.
January 23, 2008 in Baby Gear, Gear Reviews | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Handysitt Booster Seats are the Perfect Take Along Seat
Securing suitable restaurant seating for kids aged 6 months to 4 years old, is a daily drag for parents. Sure you have your system that works at home. But when you take your show on the road you put yourself at the mercy of establishments that don't always cater to kids. Sometimes the options are scary. An unclean or uncomfortable seat for baby does not predict a nice meal out for everyone else. You can solve this problem by keeping a Handysitt in the trunk of your car. This folding booster is sleek, chic and takes up little space. It installs in under a minute, onto almost any chair, or freestanding (with optional stand-alone kit) in a booth or on the ground for alfresco picnics. The seats are made in Denmark out of high quality hardwoods and steel. They have a three point seat belt and are appropriate for babies who are able to sit unassisted, on up to 4-5 year olds. When they are not in use, the seats fold into a discreet carrying case that takes up very little room in the trunk of your car. These seats are great for road trips and trips to Grandma's house as well. Purchase your Handysitt ($89.99 - $99.99) from ShopHandysitt.com.
January 9, 2008 in Baby Gear | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Permalink | Comments (1)
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Along for the ride - fun rolling luggage for the kids
It's a suitcase and it's a ride on toy. Which is why these hard sided children's travel cases by Trunki are irresistible.
Trunki suitcases are small and lightweight enough for the kids to pull along themselves. But if you meet with any resistance to this plan, invite them to hop aboard and hitch a ride.
The versatile suitcases come in bright pink, green and blue versions. They hold one to two days worth of goods or make a perfect activity case for a longer trip. Their latches were designed to foster independence - so that kids can participate in packing and unpacking their own bags.
The wheels are suitable for rolling on smooth surfaces - don't take this one off-roading.
Check the Trunki site for travel tips for parents traveling with kids and advice where to acquire one.
November 29, 2007 in Baby Gear | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Permalink | Comments (0)
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The drive to deliver - getting new parents ready for that big trip to the hospital!
Perhaps no single car ride is as memorable for a parent, as the ride to the hospital to deliver your child. As much as you think you are prepared, when the time comes, it's easy to overlook a few essentials.
That's why one company, The Little Stork, started offering their pre-packed hospital delivery bags. Order up one of these fully stocked and packed bags, put it in the trunk of your car, and you are good to go. The bag comes in three versions, all of which include the labor and breastfeeding essentials for mom. They have thought of just about everything you will need for your time in the hospital.
Upgrades to the deluxe package include personal clothing items such as nursing bras, gowns and a take me home outfit for your baby. Most of the items are organic and/or made from natural fibers. Even the bag. Goodies are packed in a sturdy oversized canvas carryall that leaves you a little room to add your own additional must have items.
Customize your package to the gender of your child and your own clothing sizes. When the big day comes, your car will be packed and you will be ready to roll.
November 26, 2007 in Baby Gear | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Permalink | Comments (0)
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