Here's a post from CasaSugar Community member JolieElise from the Lovely Little Vignettes group:
Above my kitchen sink I've a little gathering of cobalt blue glass. Wine, water, and coffee bottles gathered around a vintage vase create a nice splash of color when the sun shines through.
For another glass vignette from JolieElise, read more
Could stainless steel replace plastic baby bottles? From stainless steel water bottle company Pura, Pura Kiki is a colorful line of baby bottles ($16 each) that convert into sippy cups. They're BPA-, phthalate-, and plastic-free, making them a seemingly safe option for new mamas. Unlike breakable glass bottles, stainless steel can be dropped or thrown and still be no worse for the wear. The bottles are compatible with most major brand's nipples (including Born Free, Dr. Browns, and Think Baby) and can be converted into sippy cups with a simple switch of the nipple. To monitor a lil one's liquid intake, the bottles feature interior markings rather than the traditional exterior versions. Would you switch to stainless?
Ron Vigdor's two sons were already out of diapers when he created BornFree bottles, but he wanted to give fellow parents a safe way to feed their babies. The real estate and high-tech entrepreneur "saw a way to do good and have a viable business" after watching an early 2006 news report about toxins. His company put the first Bisphenol-A-free bottle on the market. When the BPA scare made headlines, the product flew off the shelves while those of long-trusted and bigger baby brands collected dust. Vigdor won't disclose the exact number of units he sells annually but says it is in the millions. And, despite relatively new BPA-free competition, Vigdor says BornFree remains the leading manufacturer of toxin-free bottles. We recently had the chance to chat about his current and future environmental endeavors.
LilSugar: How do you feel about being attributed with raising awareness about BPA?
Ron Vigdor: First of all, I want to acknowledge the scientific community because I am not in any way related to them. I think that BornFree has been blessed with phenomenal media and phenomenal awareness to be able to elevate it to be known as the safe or toxic-free feeding system.
LS: You had perfect timing because your bottles were online and at Whole Foods before the BPA chaos?
RV: We were online first, but I think that Whole Foods recognized (the need for) BPA-free and gave moms and dads an alternative, which made them just as much of a pioneer as I was. They were the first retailers to carry it (the bottles).
To see what Vigdor had to say about expanding his brand, read more
You don't see many kindergartners wearing diapers or popping a bottle in their lunch bag. Some milestones like rolling, talking, and walking just sort of happen and others like giving up a lovey, forgoing a pacifier, and moving from crib to bed are more learned. Some parents help their offspring progress by limiting the time their tot is wheeled around in a stroller or eats in a high chair. We're curious what you think. Chime in with your opinion on everything from bottle feeding to snuggling with stuffed animals!
Most babies put back a lot of bottles in their little lifetimes, so moms, especially first-timers, want to figure out which brands are best. Some companies cater to tots moving from breast to bottle, while others boast to be made of more pure components. Like children, the feeding contraptions come in all shapes and sizes. Some infants reject one brand and latch right on to another, so we've tested numerous lines and rounded up five of the very best bottles on the market. Check out our picks and let us know which one you (or your children) prefer.
Don't give the baby a bottle, it will cause nipple confusion! Prior to having a baby, the concept of "nipple confusion" is one that most mamas think is reserved for regulars at Hooters. But once a lil one arrives, friends and family will have plenty of advice about the best time to introduce bottles and pacifiers to a breastfed baby.
Most lactation consultants suggest waiting until a baby is a month old before offering her a bottle, giving both mom and her wee one enough time to become comfortable nursing. Some moms follow this advice, while others throw caution to the wind. One friend who recently gave birth told me that she offered both human and man-made nipples from the day her tot was born and never had an issue. Another waited for three months, at which point her son outright refused the bottle if his mother were in the room.
When did you introduce your baby to the bottle?
Cheerio old pal! Generations of babies grew up with Tommee Tippee cups sitting on their high chairs. They could push the cups over, but they'd always pop back up to a standing position, eliminating any unwanted spills. A new generation of lil ones is about to be introduced to the leading British infant and toddler feeding company's latest innovations when the Tommee Tippee line makes its stateside debut at Babies R Us stores later this month.
With a newborn on hand, I eagerly tested the company's Closer to Nature line of baby bottles, which are designed to help babies seamlessly transition between breast and bottle feeding. The extra-wide design of the BPA and phthalate-free bottles ($16 for a two-pack) fits right into the palm of the hand, allowing mom to position it like a breast in a baby's mouth. The soft, flexible nipples are so lifelike that I was almost embarrassed to use them in public. They naturally stretch, just like a breast, while their built-in valve helps reduce air intake. Colicky babies will benefit from the line's Sensitive Tummy bottles ($18 for two) that feature a vent tube to prevent air and vacuum back-up. For formula-fed babies, the line includes formula dispensers that ingeniously screw right into the bottles for easy bottle preparation on-the-go.
To hear about the company's products for toddlers and my favorite part of the line, read more
Bottoms up! When it comes time to move baby from breast to bottle, there are a lot of options on the market. When my son was born, I swore by a barely known brand of bottles that quickly gained momentum after the Bisphenol A scare called BornFree. The non-toxic containers didn't leak and had sippy cups made in their likeness so my child was able to easily transition to a big boy cup at about 4 to 5 months old. While I'm still a fan, there's a new line on the market that I'm equally impressed by and considering for my baby-to-be — Weil Baby. 
Having read a few of the renowned health experts books, I was anxious to check out Dr. Andrew Weil's bottles, training cups, brushes, and silicone nipples and pacifiers. Though creating modern eye candy wasn't his intent, the line's ergonomic lines will be popular with design conscious parents as well as eco-friendly families. Made from glass and Tritan, a clear BPA free material, the bottles ($18 - $19 for a 2pk) have a built-in venting system (no tedious washing!) that helps eliminate gas bubbles and colic in kiddos. The goods are sold in recyclable packaging so you can also feel good about lessening your wee one's carbon footprint.
It's time to get your drink on. From 2 percent milk to sauvignon blanc, the bottles we've been hitting may have inspired a few too many chocolate-chip-cookie binges and late-night dance parties. But milk bottles and wine glasses are also the source of inspiration for a range of light fixtures for your home. Want to take a look?
On this week's episode of Weeds, Mary Louise Parker's character had little to do with her husband and his daughter, after he instructed the baby nurse to feed the wee one formula despite the fact that mama was breastfeeding. While most of us do not find ourselves combating Mexican drug lords, like Parker's character, the issue is universal. How did you handle well-meaning friends and relatives who questioned your choice?
