Babies & Kids Blog » Baby Gear

From the Celebrity-Babies.com: Courtney Thorne-Smith smiles while snuggling with son Jacob Emerson, 21 months, during a walk in Brentwood, Calif. on Friday. Jake is the only child for the former According to Jim actress, 41, and husband Roger Fishman. Courtney wears Jake in an Ergo Baby Carrier in Black/Green ($135).

Don’t pay $135! You can get the very same Ergo baby carrier for $105! 

Find a wide variety of discount baby carriers at Smarter.com.

If you’re looking for gorgeous baby bedding, you must see these deals! These two jungle themed sets are simply adorable!

Jessie’s Jungle 6 Piece Crib Set: $179 + Free Ground Shipping at BabySuperMall.com.

It’s hard to find a jungle themed bedding set that doesn’t look too “boyish” so this is perfect! The set includes a crib bumper, crib sheet, crib skirt, crib quilt, window valance and a diaper stacker.

Azania 6 Piece Crib Bedding Set by CoCaLo $189.99 $148.49

Cocalo’s Azania’s set has nature-inspired prints and textured fabrics in various shades of green, ivory and brown with accents of light blue and orange are embellished with detailed appliques and embroidery. The Azania collection offers everything parents need to create a perfect nursery for their little explorer.The Azania six piece crib bedding set includes a quilt, fitted sheet, bumper, dust ruffle, diaper stacker and valance. Neutral colors would work for both boys and girls!

Shop for more discount baby bedding at Smarter.com.

Check out this cool stroller featured on the Celebrity Baby Blog:

“After Miss Julie costars Sienna Miller and Jonny Lee Miller — no relation! — were spotted out for a walk with Sienna’s pup, Bess, and Jonny’s 10-month-old son Buster Timothy on Monday in the West Village.

The two actors are currently performing in Broadway’s After Miss Julie, on stage through December 6th.

Buster rides in a Baby Jogger City Mini Stroller in Orange/Gray ($230).”

Don’t pay $230 for the Baby Jogger! Mercantila has if for $218 with FREE shipping!

Shop through a variety of strollers at Smarter.com.

I feel almost evangelical about this particular item of baby equipment. The Totseat saved me many a headache searching for high chairs while either visiting relations (whose high chairs had long been relegated to the garage) or while eating out with a baby in tow.

Some restaurants are not so child-friendly and may have few, if any, highchairs. Others have an abundance of germ-ridden highchairs that only the most brave of parents would subject their child to. The solution - a Totseat!

The Totseat is a fabric baby seat that fits over the top of pretty much any chair, the straps are then tightened to secure the baby in place. It packs up neatly into a little fabric bag which in turn fits easily into your handbag.

The Totseat is especially useful for travel. When in Italy with my children I used it all the time when eating out, very few restaurants had high chairs so I would have been lost without it. An added bonus are the gasps of admiration you will get from other diners at your preparedness when you produce the Totseat from your handbag like the proverbial rabbit from the hat! Take a bow!

There was a time (pre-children of course!) when I thought a stroller was merely a means of getting a child from A to B and anything with wheels, short of a shopping trolley, would suffice. When I became pregnant with my first child, I quickly came to the realization that the perfect stroller was the Holy Grail for all mothers-to-be.

I found myself researching all the various aspects online, in magazines and regularly scouting the streets for mothers with prams and strollers. It soon became clear that there were first and foremost two categories of strollers/ prams. Those for the mother to use and those for mothers who had a nanny. The nannies seemed to get the glamorous ‘Mary Poppins’ style prams that looked fabulous, but required great mental and physical might to maneuver around the streets. The mothers who would use the stroller themselves made more pragmatic (although I like to think equally stylish!) choices.

Once you had decided which category you belonged to (I was the former), the next decision was based on where you would be using the stroller or pram and what you would be using it for. If you were likely to take the stroller jogging with you (not me), then a three wheeler was a good option. If you were more likely to be maneuvering in and out of shops (me) then an easy-to-handle, lightweight but sturdy stroller/pram would be required. Cue the Bugaboo Frog.

Bugaboo Frog Stroller Orange

As soon as I took the Bugaboo for a test-drive around the shop-floor I was sold! All the other strollers and prams I had tried had been cumbersome and chaotic looking, and that was without a baby and all the paraphernalia inside! I wanted a pram that would convert easily into a stroller which would in turn be sturdy enough to do a child up to the age of 3 or 4. The clean design and straight lines of the Bugaboo struck me most and its ease of movement sealed the deal!

Over 4 years and three children later, the Bugaboo Frog has served us well. We since added a ride-on board so it has proven its adaptability yet again! A number of my friends who bought other prams, ended up buying separate strollers, then a lightweight stroller and all sorts of attachments for each. We had no need to buy anything other than the Bugaboo as it served all our needs and is still going strong!

Shop for other Bugaboo strollers at Smarter.com.

If you’re having a baby, you know how expensive baby stuff is. Everybody wants to save a few bucks, so using hand-me-downs or used baby items seems like a great idea. Toys R Us and Babies R Us are encouraging parents to make sure used baby items are still safe for use, and offering an incentive to trade them in for newer, safer models.

From August 28 - September 20 Toys R Us/Babies R Us is holding “The Great Trade-In.”

Here’s how it works:

1. Bring in a used baby item from the following list: used cribs, car seats, bassinets, strollers, travel systems, play yards and high chairs

2. Get a 20% savings on the purchase of any new baby item in one of the categories listed above

Some other important details: New purchases must be made on products made by the following participating manufacturers: Baby Cache, Babi Italia, Baby Trend, Bertini, Britax, Chicco, Contours by Kolcraft, Cosco, Delta, Eddie Bauer, Evenflo, Graco, Jeep, Nature’s Purest by Summer Infant, Safety 1st and Sorelle

Safety First: Sometimes newer really is better.

* Toys R Us points out that most people don’t check recall information on used or hand me down products. To check a product to see if it has been recalled, visit the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission website.

* Some items, like car seats, actually expire as a result of material degradation. For example, the plastic can become brittle over time and the seat will not perform properly in the event of an accident.

* Used products are often missing instruction/safety manuals, which include important information on assembly or installation.

* Finally, newer products often have the benefit of technology enhancements that improve the safety and performance of an item.

We have already discussed infant car seats and now it’s time to dig into the topic of convertible car seats and booster seats. A convertible car seat can be used rear facing for infants under the age of 1 and forward-facing when a child weighs at least 20 pounds and is 1 year old. Some convertible car seats now hold children up to 65 pounds.

A booster car seat can be used once a child weighs at least 40 pounds. An increasing number of state laws require booster/youth car seats until a child reaches a certain age and/or weight, such as 7 years of age and 80 pounds. Although the age and weight requirements vary from state-to-state, it’s a safe move to opt for a booster car seat even if it’s not mandatory in your state.

When you are looking at various car seats, check out the safety features. Many reasonably priced car seats now have energy-absorbing foam linings similar to those found in bicycle helmets. These linings are comprised of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam or Expanded PolyPropylene (EPP) foam. Be sure the foam lines the entire car seat.

Look for a convertible car seat that uses a five-point safety harness rather than a molded plastic T-bar. Most convertible car seats cost about $100, although they can be purchased for $250 and up.

If you are shopping for youth/booster seats, avoid shield boosters. These car seats have a plastic shield that swivels and is held in place by a car’s lap belt. While the price tag may be tempting (shield boosters typically cost about $25), the American Academy of Pediatrics doesn’t recommend using this type of car seat. When selecting a plan to spend about $70, although pricier models can be purchased for more than $200.

Do not purchase a used car seat. Unless you know the history of a car seat, and can confirm that it has not been in a moderate or severe crash, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that you buy a new one. Plus, when you purchase a new car seat, it comes with a warranty. Most major manufacturers offer a limited 1-year warranty; others promise to replace a product for a lifetime. Always return the product registration card enclosed in the product packaging. This card lets the manufacturer know where to notify you in case there is a recall.

Image: memphisparent

Yesterday I gave you some ideas on how to choose an infant seat. Today I want to share with you my list of the top 5 infant seats. You’ll see that all of these seats have a lot of important features and cover all price ranges.

Britax makes some of the best car seats that are being sold today. The reviews for Britax are almost always outstanding The Britax Chaperone Carrier comes with tons of advanced features such as:

*Tangle Free, 5 Point Harness with 7 harness heights and 2 buckle positions for a snug and secure fit
* True Side Impact Protection shields from vehicle intrusion, contains head and body, and keeps head, neck and spine aligned to limit injury and distributes crash forces
*Anti-Rebound Bar stabilizes child seat by minimizing rotational forces associated with front and rear collisions
* Ergonomic Carry Handle allows comfortable carrying of child in carrier by contouring to forearm and body
* Extra Large Canopy protects baby from rain, harmful UV rays and blocks wind
* Front Harness Adjuster provides easy front adjustment when loosening the harness system
* Easy to Install Seat-to-Base design self-guides carrier into proper locked position
* LATCH with Premium Push-Button Lower Connectors for a fast, effortless, and tight installation
* Height Adjustment Knob for proper seat angle and positioning
* Easy to Read Level Indicators provide quick reference for proper angle of recline
* Built-in Lock-Off secure the vehicle seatbelt so that the child seat does not move more than one inch side-to-side or front-to-back at the belt path
* Premium Push Button Lower LATCH Connectors for a quick, simple and tight installation

The chaperone will fit babies rear-facing from 4-30 lbs and up to 32 inches tall.

The SnugRide infant car seat is very popular among parents because of it’s many features and decent price, it will serve you and your baby well. Some of the Features of the Snugride are:

* EPS, Energy Absorbing Foam Liner
* Deluxe canopy!
* Infant head support to cradle baby
* 5-Point harness
* Click-in-carrier and stay-in-car base allows for a smooth transition from car to stroller
* Ergonomic handle for added carrying comfort
* LATCH equipped

The SnugRide infant car seat is to be used rear-facing only and is for infants 5 to 22 lbs and less than 29 inches tall.

2009 Peg Perego Primo Viaggio Car Seat: The Viaggio infant seat is the ultimate in luxury! The interior of this car seat is designed with Side Impact Protection to provide ultimate safety for baby in case of an accident. The reinforced frame provides added security. Instantly attaches to any Peg Perego stroller and conveniently features one-hand unlatching from stroller, chassis or car seat base. The Viaggio is for babies weighing up to 30 lbs. or up to 30″ tall.. It has many great features:

* Exceeds the most stringent Side Impact Protection safety tests
* Harness buckle provides secure, quick-release
* Stylish, easy to use rubber grip handle
* For use with or without base
* Unique five-point “Freedom of Movement” restraint belt system
*Adjustable base installs in car with LATCH system or seat belt
*Indicator level shows correct installation angle
• Adjustable hood
• Certified for use in automobiles or aircraft
• Complies with federal National Highway Traffic Safety Administration standards
• Removable, breathable plush seat pad made of Comfort-Dry™ fabric that’s gentle on baby’s skin

The Evenflo Embrace Premier Infant Car Seat has all of the important features but comes with an affordable price tag! If boasts these features:

*2 Buckle positions
*3 Harness positions
*3-Position adjustable base
*5-Point safety harness
*Adjustable canopy is removable
*Approved for aircraft use
*Car seat features a base position indicator window
*Central track ball angle indicator ensures proper angle for your infant
*Ergonomic EZ-Carry handle
*Includes Evenflos warranty
*One-hand harness adjustment
*Rear-facing only designed for babies weighing between 5 and 22 pounds and measuring no longer than 29 inches
*Removable infant head support
*Removable washable padding

First Years Via Infant Car Seat: The Via is a great infant seat! It features a multi-beam back frame for added reinforcement and triple-layer padding that will give your baby superior comfort. The Via Infant Car Seat also has deep side wings for side impact protection and a full EPS foam liner. And for mom and dad’s comfort, there is a uniquely designed comfort carry-right handle. More features such as:

* For infants 4 to 22 pounds and up to 30” tall
* Uniquely designed comfort carry-right handle
* Deep side wings for side impact protection
* Two separate LATCH attachments points making for a safer installation in your car
* Built-in lock-off for secure installation

Shop for car seat accessories at Smarter.com.

An infant car seat is probably the most expensive and definitely the most important thing you will buy for your baby. Not only protect your baby in the car, you will find that you use it for naps and carrying your baby around out in public. There are so many to choose from and it’s important to study the various models and features beyond the color and pattern.

Check the ratings:

Check out Consumer Report’s ratings and even online reviews from other parents. User reviews are often the most enlightening.

Stay-in-Car Bases:

Most infant car seats have a base system that can be left in the car, which makes getting the seat in and out easier.. If you have more than one car, or a grandparent that baby sits, etc. find out how many bases come with the car seat and how expensive extra bases are if you’ll need them. Some infant seats can be installed without a base. Make sure you can easily get the seat in and out of the base easily as you‘ll often have your hands full.

Five-Point Harness:

Look for an infant car seat with a five-point harness, with straps that go over baby’s shoulders and hips. This will protect baby better, especially in side impact accidents.

Weight and Height Limits:

Check the weight limit on any infant car seat you’re considering. Many infant car seats will accommodate a baby up to 20 pounds, but some infant car seats have a slightly higher weight limit. By the time your baby reached the weight limit, you may be ready to have him or her in a convertible car seat. Pay attention to the height limit and watch your baby carefully in the infant car seat, as it is outgrown by height when the top of baby’s head is within an inch of the top of the shell. Legs hanging over the bottom is not a safety issue, so don’t worry about that.

Check the Harness Adjustment:

Check out how the harness is adjusted on infant car seats. It will need to be tightened and loosened regularly, based on what your baby is wearing and also on frequent growth spurts. Some infant car seats are designed in a way that puts the harness adjustment in an awkward spot once the seat is installed in a vehicle. Try the car seats out in your vehicle and make sure you can reach the harness adjustment easily, and that it works smoothly.

Image: Squidoo

A baby monitor is probably the single most used baby item a parent will use. Choosing one can be hard because there are so many options. When selecting one, look for the following:

• A low-battery indicator: If the batteries quit, you won’t hear baby, so you need to know right away when to replace the batteries or plug it in.

• Size: The smaller the model, the more easily you can carry it with you wherever you go.

• Multiple receivers: Some models come with two receivers which is nice because you can leave one next to where you sleep and carry the other around. With certain brands, you can purchase additional receivers.

• A sound activated light: Normal household noise can drown out a baby’s cries, but with a sound activated light you’ll know with just a glance whether or not baby is awake.

• The right bandwidth for you: Some high-end models offer a wide bandwidth (up to 900 megahertz) for better clarity. That’s fine if you live in a suburb or out in the country. But if you live in an area with a lot of potential interference (portable phones, cell phones, other monitors, and so on), a low bandwidth, such as 40 megahertz, will serve you better in the long run.

Baby monitors can cost anywhere from $40 to $90 for radio models — the price depends upon the frequency level — and up to $300 for those with the video option.

Here are my top three baby monitor picks:

Graco iMonitor Multi Child Digital Baby Monitor $116.00

Monitor two children OR two rooms at the same time! Two color sound lights let you “see” which child you are listening to as it switches between rooms. Adjust volume AND length of time to listen for each room. Digital security for complete privacy so you can’t hear your neighbors and they can’t hear you. Rechargeable batteries with docking station make it super convenient. Compact parent unit with belt clip for easy mobility. It comes with two child units and two parent units.

Summer Infant Baby’s Quiet Sounds Hand Held 2.5″ Color Video Monitor $174.95

The Baby’s Quiet Sounds Hand Held 2.5″ Color Video Monitor is small, lightweight with a 2.5″ screen and color camera with 900 MHz technology for superior clarity and range. Night vision allows you to see baby in a dark room. Rechargeable batteries last up to 10 hours with a 350 ft. range. You can even turn off the video at night and just use the audio feature!

The First Years - 49 MHz Two Receiver Monitor $34.99

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a nice baby monitor. With 49 MHz technology, lightweight portability and sound lights that let you see baby’s activity level, The First Years 49 MHz is a great choice. It includes two receivers so you can keep each receiver in a different room or so two listeners can have a monitor handy at all times. Plus, low battery indicator provides extra reassurance that when your monitor is quiet, it just means that baby is sleeping-not that your monitor isn’t working.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more affordable baby monitors.