You have heard about it.

You have seen the letters.

You know it is bad for baby.

But what it is?

BPA stands for Bisphenol A and is found in some plastic baby bottles. Although the safety of using BPA in containers has been in question since the early 1900’s, some bottles still contain the compound. But the tide is turning; glass baby bottles have found new life and a promise of a much safer meal for your little one.

When I was first asked to review the product, I was hesitant – I am as clumsy as they come and the last thing I need is a glass bottle with soapy hands, or frankly, just a glass bottle and my normal hands.

GoBabyLife must have thought about this with their WeeGo – their heavy-duty (read: nice and thick) glass bottles are enrobed in a deliciously sleek silicone sleeve. This protects the bottle from breaking and also from knocking against each other. Best of all, the bottle and sleeve can be boiled or put in the dishwasher together – no need to put on a take off!

Pros:

• BPA free
• Phthalate free
• PVC free
• Polycarbonate free
• Easy to clean and use – the silicone sleeve makes for excellent grip for you or baby!

Cons:

• None

If you are looking for a set of nice, strong glass bottles – these are it, look no further. You will feel much better knowing that you are feeding your baby with only what was intended and nothing more.  You will also feel better knowing that they won’t go crashing to the floor!

Everyone looks for a good stroller – everyone. The stroller is a typical mainstay when travelling with a baby, at the mall or further from home. Before the stroller, and rarely in the Western World, everyone else was using slings or other devices to carry baby on the body – there is even Egyptian artwork from the age of the Pharaohs depicting use of slings!

So when did the stroller come about? The prototypes of today’s modern strollers are built on the first baby carriages and perambulators (prams) of Victorian England. Now, whether going out for a walk around the park or for slightly more extended travel plans, moving along with baby is never easier on body.

Today, I have the pleasure of reviewing the Onyx Stroller.

The first thing you will notice is the lightweight aluminum frame. I thought “I don’t know – this doesn’t seem sturdy” but it turned out I was wrong – once completely put together, the stroller feels as sturdy as other, heavier strollers.

Once baby is in the stroller, that is when the fun begins! Have a glance at the pros and cons below to get a better picture of everything the Onyx Stroller has to offer.

Pros:

• Complete with a 5-point harness designed for security
• Easy-to-adjust reclining seat assures that baby is as comfortable as possible
• Smooth maneuvering with swivel wheels
• Trouble-free locking and unlocking wheels
• Sturdy
• Really comfortable handles for the one pushing
• Holds Graco Snugride car seats
• Allowed to be taken on an airplane, as it fits in the overhead compartment

Cons:

• Canopy can sometimes insufficient if seat is reclined at certain angles

All in all, the Onyx Stroller is a safe, reliable stroller with plenty of perks – both for the little one and for the driver! It is clear to see that the designers kept baby in mind when building this stroller – and it shows. Even if only used for airline travel, the Onyx Stroller is a good investment.

Bottles? check!  Diapers? check!  Sling? uh-oh!

Unlike a few years ago, today you see many a parent wearing their little one – the sling is back and they are popping up all over the place. With so many to choose from, where you do you even begin? Right here! This review will focus on the Infantino SlingRider.

Never before could I believe that a sling could be so comfortable for both parent and child – but Infantino has proved me wrong.

For baby, the sling is wide, so that they are comfortable and not crushed in by both sides, while the opening is elastic – creating a nice, semi-closed top that easy to open. Inside where baby is comfortable, there is a swaddling harness, which means older infants (not newborns, who prefer an extra tight blanket swaddle) are able to be securely fastened into the sling. For my newborn, I swaddle him tightly and just place him on top of the extra soft swaddling harness. Very supple, extra breathable mesh around the head means that air is freely exchanged, eliminating stale air for baby to re-breathe. I find the mesh an extra nice feature and of very fine quality.

For parent, the sling is super easy to put on – just slip over your head and onto your non-dominate shoulder. The strap/harness that sits on your shoulder and goes across your back is well-padded and comfortable, even after hours of wear. The fastener is a favorite feature of mine – the end of the fabric has a clip which assures that even at its most slack, the sling is safe and secure. There’s also a compartment by baby’s feet (on the outside of the sling) to store a cell phone, extra bottle, or whatever else you might need on the go.

Pros:

• Comfortable for both baby and wearer
• Wider than other slings, but safe as well
• Convenient swaddling harness
• Breathable mesh
• Secure fastener
• Extra storage

Cons:

• Because of the thick and soft straps, adjusting size is not 1-2-3 simple, but may take a few moments to adjust

All in all, I would whole-heartedly recommend the Infantino SlingRider. From the comfort factor of both parties, to the knowledge that baby is secure and safe, this sling is a must try, if not a must buy.

Of course, not all slings are appropriate for all families and parents. It is very important to find the right sling for you. Remember to ask to try the sling in-store to get a feel for what the sling is all about. If a sling you are interested is unavailable by you and you must purchase online, make sure you are well informed about the company’s return policy.

The Renaissance of the Sling is in full effect and with many, many brands available, which ones are worth your money – and your time? Through the next few reviews, I will focus mainly on the ins and outs of various slings – pros and cons from both a parent’s point of view as well as my perceived pros and cons from my child’s point of view. Today we focus on the popular HotSlings.

So, with newborn in arm, I tried the HotSlings over a couple of days. With the informative DVD and step-by-step picture instructions there was no way I could do anything wrong and it left my mind at ease about dropping baby! I practiced putting it on and taking it off to make sure I had a fluid motion.

While, in the end, the
HotSlings is not my cup of tea, I can see its benefits for those who it does work for.

A note on picking your size and tip on using the Hotslings should keep you in good stead: it is imperative make sure you buy the correct size, not only for your comfort, but for your child’s safety and avoid overly baggy/loose clothing which may bunch and bundle under the shoulder area if user is not careful.

Pros:

• Contemporary design
• Keeps baby extra snug
• Ability to hold baby or toddler a minimum of 3 different ways

Cons:

• Price

Slings are so individual – each one and every company has a different feel and style. What is good for one, another family will dislike. The HotSling is a popular choice – it comes in 9 different sizes (from Petite to 3X), many choices between fashionable designs, and comes with an informative DVD which helps anyone become a HotSlings master.

While this sling is not my cup of tea, I can see its benefits for those families it works for. A crucial component to find the right sling is to ask to try them out in-store to see what you think of that particular model. If the sling is unavailable near you and you have to buy one online, make sure you know the company’s return policy.

Boon Snack Ball - Simple, but elegant, our kids fight over these little balls filled with goldfish or other snacks. I don’t put them in their lunches though, for fear of losing them in the crowd. The ball breaks in half for easy cleaning, but the orange (or pink) top also swivels open for easy open closed for snacks. $6 from Amazon and BabiesRUs.

We had a chance to meet the inventor, Jose Bensoussan, of the Ubimed Cleanoz Nasal Aspirator Kit at the recent ABC baby and kids product show (2008) and he told a compelling story about this new device. The Cleanoz aspirator is meant to replace the rubber aspirator bulb given by hospitals to new parents. Many parents have been suspicious of the bulb since there is no way to really clean it out or sterilize it and it’s used inside the mouth and nose of very small babies. Better to leave it on the ground the next time it rolls off the changing table and use it as a dog pull toy. The Cleanoz does the job far better and easier using suction to gently pull mucous into a little balloon. After use, or the end of the day, you just throw away the balloon.

Baby Light and Clip - Nail Clipper for Babies If you’ve ever struggled to cut a baby’s finger or toenails, you’ll love this little gadget. It’s a very simple little tool that incorporates a basic baby fingernail clipper and a light so you can clip in the dark while they are sleeping. And, if you’ve ever cut down too close and actually cut your baby (yes, it does happen) because baby was struggling, or you couldn’t see, this clipper has finger guard so you can’t push in too deep. This may seem like just another gadget to some, but your kids will really appreciate it, up to eight years old. And the price is right at $14.99 MSRP and right now only $7.99 on Amazon (9/21/08).

59.95 to 79.95. Great for kids with new baby brothers and sisters.

We love the look and practicality of Clek boosters. The Paul Frank design here on their new booster is very popular with kids. My daughter, at 8, thinks of the clek as “her” seat. Price TBD. Available in January in other colors and designs.

I only have one boy (as a complement to his older sister) and must say, his aim and concentration in the pee-pee department has always been admirable. Without the aid of cheerios or other floating targets, he stays inside the lines, and rarely have I seen him paint the walls. However, I have known little boys who can barely stand still, and who likely unzip and let it rip, ricocheting their spray off the sides of the toilet. I imagine this is the everyday cleanup problem the inventor of the Flippee Toilet Shield had. Annmarie Vanini, the inventor, is the mom of three boys. I can only guess how wide of the target they must have hit before she took pencil to paper and invented this gadget.

At $24.95, and available from Potty Training Concepts and Flippee.com, you might be surprised at how simple it is. It’s lightweight and very flexible, but does what it says it’s supposed to do. If you need it, and you know who you are, this is probably a small price to pay. Necessity is the mother of invention, for strange, other-wise useless gadgets.

Now if we could only get my son to learn to be as self-sufficient when it comes to #2.