Babies & Kids Blog » Nursery

Baby mobiles are more than pretty.  They can be soothing and help baby’s developing mind.  Look for infant mobiles which can be used up to 7 months.  After this period, you want to remove the mobile so baby can’t pull it down.  Look for a baby mobile that has both black, white and red attachment as well as other bright colored attachments.  This way, the newborn can look up at the black, white and red attachment to begin with, and later on other bright colored attachments.  According to research, the newborn baby’s vision is very limited.  They can only focus on contrasting colors, most notably black and white.  Any toy geared for stimulating newborn baby’s vision should have highly contrasting colors.  Here are five great choices:

Beetle Dance Mobile by Haba: $32.39

Brightly colored beetles will surely grab baby’s attention.  The soft beetles can also be removed from the mobile for play.

Pottery Barn Chase Sailboat Mobile: $59.00

The graphics stand out so even a newborn can see them.  Soft and neutral so it will blend with any decor.

Glenna Jean - Imagine Black and Red Art Mobile: $152.31

This unique contemporary mobile hangs from the ceiling.  Baby will enjoy focusing his or her eyes on the boldly colored metal disks.

Bebe Star, My Little Farm - Musical Mobile: $52.99

Perfect for your little farmer!  Black, white, and red stand out to your newborn.  Very cute for a farm themed bedroom! It plays music too!

Penguin Talk Mobile by Flensted Mobiles: $40.00

I love penguins so much!  This is so cool.  It would work in any room and the stark contrast of black and white is perfect.

Do you ever wonder what exactly your baby can see?  According to the Smith Kettlewell Eye Research Institute:

“Although their vision is not as good as adults’, research has shown that babies have many visual abilities, so that their visual experience is quite rich and well-organized.  It is certainly not a “booming, buzzing”, patternless confusion!  Even at birth, a baby’s acuity is good enough so that in your arms, he or she can see many of features of your face –your eyes, your mouth, your nose, even a fly landing on your nose!”

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

Purchasing your first baby crib is exciting—until you actually start shopping.  With so many choices and options, it can be difficult to choose.   Start by determining your price range.  The most expensive cribs are not automatically the best just because they cost more and you shouldn’t feel guilty if you buy a cheaper model.  The most important thing is safety and durability.  Here are some suggestions to make your crib shopping experience easier.

Safety First!

All new baby cribs available today will meet minimum government standards regardless of price.  A safe crib should have tight-fitting mattress with almost no space between the mattress and the frame.  Carefully check that the crib has no cracked or broken slats.  Make sure all the hardware is included.

Antique or used cribs are desirable to many, but you must make sure that slats should be no more than 2 3/8″ apart (approximately the width of a soda can) and corner posts should not be higher than 1/16″.  Avoid cribs with decorative cutouts on the headboard or footboard.

Convertible crib?

Convertible cribs that turn into toddler beds are very popular and seem like a great bargain but consider whether or not you will have more children—you may end up having to buy a toddler bed so a sibling can use the crib.  Also, most cribs require the purchase of a special kit to be convertible which adds to the cost.

Drop sides?

Cribs are available with single side drop or double-drop sides that slide down.  Recent safety concerns have caused Toys R Us to begin phasing out the sale of drop side cribs.  Another option is a drop-gate crib with a fold-down side.   The safest choice would be to stick with a crib with fixed sides.  If you do end up with a drop side crib, make sure that it’s easy to lower the side while you’re holding baby.  The knee push lowering method is the easiest.  Make sure that the sides do not lower so much that baby can climb out.

Adjustable Mattress:

Adjustable crib mattress height is important so that you can easily put a sleeping newborn to bed at the highest setting and lower when the baby is older and mobile.  Look for a crib with at least two or three mattress heights is nice.  How is the mattress supported?  Avoid vinyl straps that could wear out.  Look for metal bars or a metal spring system to support the mattress.

One thing that many parents overlook is whether or not the crib can be wheeled around the room.  Look for sturdy casters when you’re shopping for a crib.  They make vacuuming MUCH easier!

Now that we’ve talked about the important stuff, let’s talk about the fun part: style!  Do you want a big fancy cherry wood crib?  How about something sleek and modern?  With possibilities are endless!  I recommend that you choose something fairly simple that will blend with whatever décor you choose for baby’s room.  My daughter’s crib has simple lines and is black and it looks great in her pink room.

Here are some great cribs:

The Da Vinci Kalani 3-1 Crib: $307.64

The sides do not move, ensuring stability and safety.

The Oeuf Sparrow Crib ($690) meets or exceeds all safety standards and has a sleek modern design.

The Dream On Me Contemporary Crib ($114.75) is proof that you can get everything you’re looking for in a crib and stay within budget.

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

I love Hello Kitty.  I especially love the cute pink Hello Kitty themed products like this baby chair.  There is a cute little compartment in the front for little toys or books. Babies & kids 18-months to 4 years will enjoy this chair.

Hello Kitty Soho Chair: $142.50 Now: $111.89 (Lowest Price on Smarter)

If you decide to purchase this Hello Kitty chair from TargetDecor.com, you will receive FREE GROUD SHIPPING!

Shop for more baby chairs at Smarter.com.

Here are some great deals I found in HappyMothers.com’s clearance section. 

Avent ISIS iQ DUO Twin Electronic Breast Pump: $299.99 Now: $219.95 - Save: $79.05!

Bob Strollers Ironman Yellow Diaper Bag: $65.00 Now: $22.95 - Save $42.05!

Peter Potty My First Potty: $19.99 Now: $9.95 - Save $9.05!

Bobby Newborn Lounger: $34.99 Now: $25.95 - Save $8.05!

Cariboo Classic Changing Table: $350.95 Now: $249.99 - Save $109.01!

Click here for their entire collection of clearance items.

Happy Earth Day!  Here is a list of the top 10 economically friendly baby products found on Smarter.com:

                                                         Organic Baby Reference Guide: $24.95

“The Last Word On Raising Baby, Organically.” This book teaches parents how to raise their children in an eco-friendly & stylish environment.

                                               Washable Merino Wool Breast Pads: $14.95

These reusable pads are more comfortable & more environmentally friendly than disposable pads.

                                                              Cariboo Activity Gym: $159.95

This activity gym is made from New Zealand Radiata pine & has a lead free finish.

                                                 Ocean & Tea Onepiece Bundle: $54.95

This baby clothing set is made from soy bean fiber which has “superior warmth retention and moisture transmission.”

                                                                 Roller From Plan Toys: $7.99

This toy is made from eco-friendly rubber wood & contains child-friendly paints & finishes.

                                                          Fleurville Re-Run Messenger: $75.00

The fabric that was used to make this messenger bag is made from use plastic bottles.

                                     Kee-Ka Sweetpea Organic Swaddle Blankie: $25.44

This cozy blankie is made from 100% organic cotton.

                                                Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Skin Creme: $11.99

Burt’s Bees Products are made of natual ingredients.  This cream is 98.71% natural.  Good enough for me!

                                          Contemporary Dollhouse From Plan Toys: $99.99

This dollhouse is made from chemical free & natual rubber wood & finished with child-friendly & non-toxic paint.

                                 Tadpoles Fitted Flannel Sheets Organic Natural Cotton: $29.99

Made with 100% organic cotton & SO SOFT!

Click here for more organic & eco-friendly baby products.

I love modern babies & kids products like the many unique products found at ModernTots.com.  They are having a Spring Sale where you can get some of their items for 40% off!  Plus, when you spend $99 or more you get FREE SHIPPING, which is very easy to do considering the amount of adorable products they carry.  Here are a couple of my faves that are on sale:

                                                  BB2 Toy Caddy: $250 Now: $150

                                                  Puff Ball Vest: $57.12 Now: $40.80

                                                       Links Throw Quilt: $134.40 Now: $96

                                                       Dash Diaper Bags: $54.60 Now: $39

                                                                E-Mail Train Set: $105 Now: $75

On the Today Show on NBC this morning they featured 8 gadgets as necessities for busy parents by mother Cat Schwartz.  Here are some of the exact gadgets or similar products found on Smarter.com:

                                                           Voice Activated Crib Light: $10.00

This crib light will give your comfort with it’s warm colored lights & pleasant heart beat sound.  It will give you a rest from having to tend to them until they fall asleep because the moment they make a noise they crib light activates.

                                                              Hands-Free Diaper Pail: $34.99

This diaper pail activates with a sensor.  Just like newer public restroom that have hands free flushers & sinks.  No germs please.

                             Super-Efficient Changing Table - UBI Deluxe Changing Table: $129.99

This changing table has a built in diaper dispenser for quick & easy diaper changes.  Not to mention LESS FUSS!

                                                                    Tuba Light: $196.00

Babies love lighting.   These Tuba Lights are for comfort, soothing & even play time!

                                    Glowing Pillow - Bela Baby Nurse N Glow Pillow: $35.95

This pillow allows mothers to see if they baby is “okay” while they are nursing.  Also promotes proper spinal alignment while nursing in bed.

                                  The Best High Chair - Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair: $229.99

This high chair looks a bit odd, but it’s supposed to be the best!  You can put your child right up to the dinner table with the rest of the family, very easy to clean & can be turned into a toddler chair.

                                  High-Tech Stroller - Orbit Baby Infant Stroller System: $899.99

This stroller can be used during the first 3 years as the systems grows with your baby.  It can even be used at restaurants as a high chair!

                                    Handy Blender: Breville Cordless Hand Blender: $99.95

Use this blender for easy recipes for you & your baby!

Click here to read the full article by Cat Schwartz on MSNBC.com.

Baby products are not always cheap as we all know.  The after President’s Day sales are still going on.  JCPenney.com is having a baby sale on baby bedding, baby furniture & apparel where you can get between 15-40% off!  Here some adorable & afforable baby cribs they feature on sale each for about or over $100 off: 

Honey Pine “Traditional English” Convertible Crib

Was: $399.99

Now: $299.99 $100 OFF!

Vienna Combo Crib & Changer

 Was: $599.99

Now: $449.99

$150 OFF!

Simmons Stratford Crib - Closeout!

Was: $399.99

Now: $219.99

$180 OFF!

 Simmons Roosevelt Crib - Closeout!

Was: $699.99

Now: $369.99

$330 OFF

For more baby cribs click here.

Here are some of my favorite affordable baby furniture pieces on sale right now: 

  Neighborhood Wide Dresser

  Was:  $699.00

  Now:  $549.00    

I love this dresser because of the bright blue color which would fit well in any little boy or girls room.  It also comes in  white which can easily go with every bedding set color.

  Parker 2-Door Changer

  Was:  $316.95

  Now:  $269.00

I love the rich looking wood of this Honey Oak color.  This changing table also comes in Cheery, Natural & Pearl White.  You can store all your changing supplies right underneath the table for easy access.

Da Vinci Monterey Changing Table 

Was:  $139.00

Now:  $109.00

This changing table doesn’t conceal your changing supplies as well as the one above, but it is still very cute and will match any nursery decor perfectly.

Ellis Crib n’ Changer Combo 

Was:  $449.95

Now:  $369.99

I love this crib & changer combo because your child can use it for years!  The drawers on the end can move around and you can remove one of the sides of the crib to make an equally adorable toddler bed! 

Da Vinci Parker 4 Drawer Dresser

Was:  $339.00

Now:  $259.00

 Every nursery need a sturdy dresser with plenty of drawers.  This piece has 4 wide drawers for plenty of storage space.  It comes in Cherry, Natural & Oak. 

Check out our Smarter Home & Garden Blog to read about super cute and unique children’s room decor by Teresa Thompson.  Her line is kind of pricey, but you can always add your favorite items to your registry and hope that your oh-so-giving family members will be in the generous mood. 

Smarter Home & Garden Blog:  Artistic Light Fixtures: Hot Air Balloon Chandelier