Babies & Kids Blog » Baby Gear

Husband won’t carry the diaper bag because it’s too “girly”?  Looking for a diaper bag but not into flowers and teddy bears?  Here are five great diaper bags that are so cool, everybody will want to carry them.

Skip Hop Via Messenger Diaper Bag: $64.99

Skip Hop bags are extremely popular because they’re stylish and practical.  The Via Messenger Diaper Bag is simple in design and comes in several classic colors.  It’s 18 large pockets fit everything, and there’s even a personal pocket with a key fob–no more searching for your stuff in bottomless diaper bag pit.  The magnetic closure allows the bag to be closed in several different ways, and it can either be carried or can become a cool stroller bag.  There’s even a cushioned changing pad for baby!

Kalencom Eleanor Diaper Bag: $76.00

The Kalencom Elenor bag is a favorite of mine.  It’s so unique looking, it really stands out.  Two pockets on the outside with roomy interior pockets and bottle holder loops.  The bag comes with a matching insulated bottle bag and a large fold out changing pad.  There’s even a matching zippered pouch, which is great for hiding cash and your debit card.  Kalencom bags are AZO free.  They use no Pthalates/DEHP, DBP, or BOP in their PVC.

Diaper Dude Brown DudePack Diaper Bag $98.00

The coolest bag for hipster moms and dads!  The bag has 4 large compartments with a wet/dry pouch, and it opens up completely to become a changing station.  There’s an insulated food pouch, clips for a stroller strap, and even a removable cell phone and ipod holder!

Pottery Barn Tech Diaper Bag $49.00 $14.99

Check out the sale price on this one!  This messenger style bag holds a lot without getting bulky.  Easy to clean polyester fabric with two exterior bottle pockets, a convenient top handle, adjustable straps and plenty of storage space within.

Foogo by Thermos Large Sporty Diaper Bag: $21.95

This nylon bag is easy to clean, has multiple pockers and a bottom zippered compartment for clothes.  The IsoTec layered insulation structure keeps food nice and cold.  It comes with a changing pad and had 2 side bottle pockets.  It’s simple and sporty looking.

Now daddy has no excuse!  He can carry the bag too!

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more affordable diaper bags.

If you’re ready to move on to something a little faster than a stroller, you may be interested in a bike trailer.  There are many factors to consider when buying a bike trailer, but once you have one you’ll find that you really enjoy it.

How serious are you about biking?  Do you have a top of the line bike?  If so, you should look for a bike trailer that will protect your bike and not cause unnecessary strain to the frame.  This means you’ll probably end up spending more.  Bike trailers cost anywhere from $200 all the way up to the $1000 range.

A bike trailer can attach to your bike two different ways: with a rear axle mount or a frame mount.  Axle mount trailers are better for your bike since they don’t put as much stress on the frame.  On the other hand, frame mount trailers are usually cheaper.  Some models have an external frame that extends around the wheel, making it more stable.

You will find that the wheels of all bike trailers have either steel spokes or mags.  Mags are stronger and usually, cheaper.  However, they cannot be adjusted by a bike shop like steel spokes can be.

How many children do you plan on carrying?  I recommend that you avoid the single kid trailers.  They are easier to pull around, but you want to make sure that you have a little extra room for a sibling, friend, or even toys and all the junk kids carry around.

Every trailer has some sort of padding.  Some models will have extra padding and some may have a “helmet shelf” which is a place where he or she can rest their helmet heavy head during the ride.

Many bike trailers convert into strollers.  Look at how easy it is to convert from a trailer to a stroller.  If you do choose one that converts into a stroller, make sure that it fits into your vehicle.  Look for a trailer that provides good ventilation.  Many models are made of reflective and UV-protected material.  It’s a good idea to get a rain cover in case of sudden rain.

Make sure the trailer you’re looking at is meets safety standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).  This shouldn’t be hard to find.

Now that you’ve read about all of the “rules”, do yourself a favor and test drive one.  Borrow a trailer from a friend or relative first just to see if you’re even comfortable pulling that much added weight.  Pulling a trailer can be a little tricky, and not everybody is comfortable with it.  Then, if you feel good about it and you’ve narrowed down a few models, go into a store and try them out.  Any reputable dealer will let you try before you buy. Once you’re set on which one you want, you can come back home and look for the lowest price online!

My top picks:

InSTEP Quick N Lite Bike Trailer: $149.95

“Light and fast aluminum frame makes family rides more fun and less work. Trailer converts to stroller in seconds without tools, while bright bold colors keep you visible on the road. Features: 6″ alloy wheels Rust-free rims Assembles without tools Converts to stroller Durable aluminum frame Weather shield for rain protection. Seats 2 children. Rear storage area, quick-release wheels. Folds flat to store. Screened canopy for ventilation.”

Schwinn Trailblazer Trailer: $192.99

“Built on an aluminum frame, it features larger 20″ wheels that make pulling it behind a bike effortless. Features: 20 spoked alloy wheels / pneumatic tires with quick release design for easy storage. Aluminum frame design is lightweight and strong. Universal coupler attaches quickly and easily to most bikes. Zippered weather shield provides extra protection for passengers in poor weather. Fits in trunks and storage areas of most vehicles when folded.”

Image: Tripadvisor

Are you ready to put away the baby crib?  Have a second baby coming and need to evict your older child from their crib?

Deborah Lin-Dyken, pediatric sleep disorders expert says:

“There’s no set time when you have to replace your child’s crib with a regular or toddler bed, although most children make the switch sometime between ages 1 1/2 and 3 1/2.  It’s best to wait until your child is closer to 3, since many little ones just aren’t ready to make the transition.  Of course, you’ll need to move your toddler to a bed when he’s simply too big or too active to sleep in a crib anymore.  And once he’s potty-trained, he’ll need to be able to get out of bed to use the toilet.  Another reason parents make the switch to a bed is the impending arrival of another baby.  If this is your situation, make the switch at least six to eight weeks before you’re due.  You want your toddler well settled in his new bed before he sees the baby taking over “his” crib.”

Here are five fun and functional toddler beds:

Kidkraft Princess Toddler Bed: $104.23

Is this not the most precious bed ever?  Perfect for little princesses!  It is low to the ground so toddlers can easily get in and out.  A standard crib mattress fits the bed and bed rails help to keep them from rolling out.  Gold crowns and decorative painting make it something special!

DaVinci Sleigh Toddler Bed: $129.00

Classically styled, this bed comes in several colors including hard to find black.  The sturdy frame is made from New Zealand Radiata Pine and fits a standard crib mattress.

KidKraft Firefighter Bed: $109.95

KidKraft’s Firefighter series will make any boy or girl feel like a little hero!  The Fire Truck bed is brightly colored and has cool ladder cut-outs that also work as bed rails.  A special storage compartment is great for keeping a special bedtime story close at hand.  The silkscreened fire truck details really stand out.  Fits a standard size crib mattress.

Little Tikes Lightning McQueen Roadster Toddler Bed: $196.00

This is the toddler version of the hugely popular twin sized model!  Great for little fans of the movie!  The bed accepts a standard crib mattress.  Beds like this one make it easy to create a theme room for your toddler!

Kidkraft Nantucket Bed: $80.00

Low to the ground for safety, this bed is simple and fresh looking.  It fits a regular crib mattress and is solidly build from MDF and has a non-toxic finish.  It’s very attractive, even down to the affordable price!

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more affordable toddler beds.
Discounts on Da Vinci kids’ beds and KidKraft kids’ beds.

Every parent needs a decent lightweight stroller for walks around town or zipping around the mall.  Here are ten models that you can easily throw in the back of the car for everyday use.

1. Maclaren Volo Stroller: $129.99 - The Volo only weighs 9 lbs!  It’s easy to steer with a sunshade, has a  5 point harness and side ventilation making it a great choice for older babies or toddlers.  The simple design is also aesthetically pleasing.

2. Peg Perego Aria MT:  $99.99 - Peg Perego strollers are made in Italy, and they are cute and modern in design.  The Aria will last you from the newborn period all the way through preschool.  It has a reclining seat, sunshade and even a cup holder for mom’s water!

3. Peg Perego Pliko P3 Stroller: $344.33 - Okay, this one is pretty expensive.  It also happens to be my personal stroller so I have to rave about it a little bit.  I dragged it home from Italy because I fell in love with it so much.  It’s a little heavier, at 16 lbs., but still very manageable.  It features a rear footboard for a second older child to ride, has a reclining seat, 5 point harness, cup holder for parents, and height adjustable handles which have been great for me and my husband as we’re both tall.  It also rides like a dream!

4. Combi Flare Stroller: $73.30 - Pretty light at only 11 lbs.  The Combi has a 5 point harness, sunshade and a seat that reclines for an infant.  What makes the Combi stand out is that it folds down and becomes very compact, which is great if you have a smaller vehicle.

5. Maclaren Triumph Stroller: $139.99 - At around 11 lbs, it’s not quite as light as the Volo, but it has a few more features for the slightly higher price tag such as a reclining seat which allows babies as young as 3 months to ride.

6. Evenflo XSport Convienence Stroller: $59.99 - Okay, I know that not everybody wants to spend half a car payment on a stroller.  Here’s a cheaper model that has features that rival the more expensive models.  The XSport has a large storage basket, an adjustable sunshade and taller handles.  It also folds down to almost nothing for easy storage.  It has a three point harness, which may not be best for young babies.

7. Chicco C6 Stroller: $64.99 - The Chicco is light, at 11 lbs and has a 5 point harness.  The seat reclines slightly for younger babies and the shoulder strap is great for travel. It comes in several fun colors too!

8. Inglesina Swift Stroller: $199.99 - A reclining seat with leg support is nice for younger babies.  It has a basket, sun shade and 5 point harness.  It folds down making it very easy to travel with.  The Inglesina offers a lot of features for not a lot of money.

Need a Double Stroller?

9. Safety 1st Two Way Tandem Stroller: $119.99 - This stroller allows the babies to face out or face each other.  How cute is that?! They can talk to each other while they ride!  It’s 25 lbs, which isn’t bad considering there are two seats.  The rear stadium seat also reclines for an infant, so this would be awesome for a family with a baby and a toddler.  Best of all, it’s affordable!

10. Graco Quattro Tour Duo Stroller: $209.00 - Stadium style seat in the back with simple one button push folding make it great for parents with two little ones.  Toddlers can ride up front until they are 50 lbs, so this one will last!  It’s a bit heavy at 39 lbs, but with all the features it may be worth it!

Every family has different needs, so choosing a stroller can be a struggle but hopefully I’ve helped to narrow it down!

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop though a variety of strollers and stroller accessories.

Being the mother of twins, I have to admit that I feel sorry for Nadya Suleman, a.k.a the ”OctuMom”, better known as the woman who became famous (or infamous, rather) for having 8 children, even though she already had 6 to care for. Although she chose to have this many children, I am not sure that the criticism she has had to endure by the media could have been foreseen. I have to come to her defense in saying that having multiples is tougher than any doctor can fully explain to you!

In this situation, I have to think about my grandmother, who has 12 children of her own. She is a strong woman who raised each one of her children with a moral upbringing and good Christian ethics, and without taxpayer assistance. Rest assured that they have all grown to be good people who are hard workers, and contribute their part to society. Thus, I have seen first hand how you can raise a large family and be successful at it!

It is reported that Ms. Suleman has accepted help by a company called “Angels in Waiting”, who will provide her with free in-home daycare for her children. This got me thinking about the value of daycare and help in general. Though the “OctuMom” has a lot of kids to raise now, couldn’t we all use a little help in raising kids at times? Whether you have one or many, the following products are dedicated to helping those hard-working Mom’s with cutting corners & saving time:

• Baby Tracker, Child Organizer (by Time Too): Plan, organize and track your child’s activities with your childcare organizer.  
• Choosing Childcare for Dummies: From figuring out affordability to knowing what to do if you suspect neglect or abuse, Choosing Childcare For Dummies covers it all. 
• DadGear Diaper Vest: Mom’s carry diaper bags, but Daddy’s can wear more manly vests, with pocket organizers that can fit diapers, bottles, etc. 
• bumGenius Diaper Sprayer: Why use wipes when you can spray & go? Think of a “bidet” for babies. 

Mother’s of the world: unite! Sound off and let us know what you think of the whole OctuMom frenzy. We’d love to hear your views…

Image Source: Transworldnews.com

After just 3 weeks of sleeping in her Moses basket, our brave baby began to prefer her crib. We found that she slept better on her side, and tried to accommodate her growth with a balance of snuggliness and safety, as she was still too young to roll herself back over if she tipped forward in her sleep. We rolled up blankets and tucked them in front of and behind her, but found that since blankets don’t breathe well, she would get very toasty in her sleep. It also got tricky trying to keep blankets rolled up and re-arrange them each time she got up at night and was put back to bed.

The First Years Baby Positioner is a wonderful thing!

A friend suggested this Baby Positioner, which has been the perfect sleep accessory. It has a Velcro adjustment to grow with her. The Baby Positioner provides cuddliness no matter what position she falls asleep in, making it great for back-sleeping babies, too. The ventilation flows beautifully so our baby doesn’t get too hot and sweaty in her sleep, but does allow for us to put a blanket over her without concern about it being pulled over her head. It also serves well for any parents who co-sleep, putting a boundary around the baby for sound-sleeping moms and dads.

There are several similar products on the market. We compared many of these products and found that the First Years version was the best or our baby. This Positioner is a great value, as it cost a fraction of other Positioners. It’s simplicity is a welcome relief after the complications of every other product we had to put together for our baby (swings, strollers, play mats, etc.). Some of the other Sleep Positioners feature a wedge-shape to keep the baby’s head up while sleeping, but we prefer the small flat-laying version so our baby doesn’t slide in her sleep.

And the best feature of all — a baby who is sleeping 4-5 hours a night! Of course this comes with her growth, but any little thing we can do to encourage her healthy sleep, we welcome with open arms and sweet dreams.

To check out baby sleep positioners on Smarter, click here.

Photo Source.

This baby model looks so adorable all cuddled up in this pretty printed car seat snuggler. These snugglers are like little baby sleeping bags that secure all the warm your baby needs for trips around town.  They kind of remind me of the super popular Snuggies. It also comes in a few other prints: Ryder (blue), Claire (brown floral) and Kenna (red and cream).  For almost 30 bucks off…nice!

Snuggle Mez Infant Car Seat Snuggler - Gracie May: $98.00 Now: $69.99

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more car seat accessories.

BabyAge.com is having a big car seat sale where you can save up to 40% off on top brands like Britax, Eddie Bauer, Graco, Evenflo and more.  Here are a few you can purchase for under $100:

Evenflo Titan Elite Convertible Car Seat - Color Columbia: $99.99 Now: $82.02

This particular car seat above is also available in other colors like “Montgomery” (navy and blue colors), “Harrisburg” (cool black and grey print) and “Lexington II” (cool taupe-ish and beige print), but on sale for $99 - which is still awesome.

Cosco Alpha Omega Elite 3-in-1 Car Seat - Bedford: $150 Now: $99.99

Evenflo Big Kid Confidence Booster: $100 Now: $87.99

BabyAge.com also offers $9.99 flat rate shipping!

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop through all car seats.
Discounts on Evenflo booster seats and Cosco car seats.

The print on this baby carrier is so cool!  It’s reversible so if you feel like wearing a contrasting bright red (say, to show your Valentine’s Day spirit). This particular pattern also comes in blue/black and pink/black.

Baby slings like these can be worn from birth to their toddler years.  If you are a new mother and you’ve seen tons of mothers wearing baby slings for the past few year, but want to know the benefits of using a baby sling …click here for list from BabySlumber.com.

Black Disco Dots Baby Sling: $55 Now: $49.95

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more baby slings.

If you’re in the market for a new car seat and don’t want to spend a crazy amount of money, this one by Safety 1st is perfect.  Your child can use this car seat for a few years as it adjusts to fit a child 5-35 lbs, 22-40 lbs & 40-80 lbs (or up to 52” tall).  It is a “3 in 1″ car seat & has a cup holder that can be switched to either side.

SAFETY 1ST 22-453-BCT Convertible Car Seat: $129.99 Now: $69.99

*If you decide to order from BabyAge.com they offer free shipping over $99 when you sign up for their newsletter.

Albeebaby.com offeres free shipping on orders over $100.

Find at Smarter.com: Shop for more convertible car seats. 
                                       Shop through all car seats.