LilSugar

Name the Famous Baby Brand!

LilSugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 07:00:38 -0700

Whether it's the cute commercials, the catchy jingles or the adorable faces, certain brands become iconic and we continue to see them on the shelves of stores and in our homes. See how well you know your baby brands by taking this lil test!

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Trendtotting: Baby Eggi For Lil Chicks

babysugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:00:35 -0800

I don't know much about the Korean language but if it's as logical as this one word, I have a feeling I'll like it: eggi means baby. I love the simplicity and cuteness of it, much like the company that includes it in their brand: Baby Eggi.

A clothing label made just for kiddos, Baby Eggi is sweet, sassy and cool all in one. The stylish 3-button bell sleeved jacket is easily one of the most chic pieces of apparel I've seen for wee ones and its price tag is quite reasonable at $48. Young lads will look dapper but sporty in the long-sleeved jersey button-up that is suited for a dressy occasion or a roll in the mud. New moms, who are known to be dazed and confused, will enjoy the days-of-the-week onesies that will help keep her mush mind in line.

If mommy needs to legitimize her shopping cart, she might feel better knowing that Baby Eggi donates 20 percent of its net proceeds to partnering children's charities. Oh, and they're offering a 15 percent discount to our LilSugar readers for the entire month of November. Use the code LILSUGAR09 at checkout. Happy shopping!

Does Your Child Watch Baby DVDs?

LilSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:00:32 -0700

The name says it all. Parents who wanted their child to be the smartest kid on the block loaded up on the brainy Baby Einstein DVDs hoping to boost their babe's brainpower. Some parents popped in the educational videos to gain an extra 20 minutes to themselves. No matter their intention, unsatisfied customers will be able to get their money back. The Walt Disney Company is offering a refund to anyone who purchased a Baby Einstein DVD between June 5, 2004 and September 4, 2009 ($15.99/DVD for up to four videos). This comes after a class action lawsuit was threatened against the brand for claiming the Baby Einstein DVDs are educational, especially as studies have found that TV time for little ones under the age of 3-years old is associated with attention problems later in life.

Still, many parents feel there is nothing wrong with a little downtime in front of the small screen and find these gentle cartoons to be good entertainment for their wee ones. Does your toddler or baby watch DVDs?

Has Your Child's Weight Ever Been an Issue?

LilSugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 07:00:08 -0700

Everyone knows that babies come in all different shapes and sizes. That's why it was so odd to hear of a healthy but chubby 4-month-old who was recently denied health insurance coverage. His 99th percentile ranking for height and weight for his age made him ineligible for coverage. The industry standard is to deny a policy for any new patients above the 95th percentile, including babies.

On the flip side, a friend of mine was given a stern talking to about the need for red meat from her mother-in-law because her daughter, a perfectly happy and healthy 9-month old, fell below the 10th percentile for her age group's height and weight. It's hard for any parent to hear that their child does not meet "national standards" and even worse when they are judged or worse, denied health benefits for it.

Thankfully, the Colorado company has rectified the situation and the lil boy is now protected. Has your child's weight ever been an issue?

Cybex 2.Go Combines Best of All Baby Carriers

LilSugar — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 04:00:30 -0700

Wear your baby in style! Though Baby Bjorn made carriers mainstream, companies like Ergo, LilleBaby and Belle, not to mention all of the sling manufacturers, have given mothers many options.

When we took our first look at the European import Cybex last Spring, we were interested in the 2.Go baby carrier – a cross between the Baby Bjorn and Ergo that comes in bright colors. Working with orthopedists and midwives, the company designed the carrier to place 70 percent of the weight distribution on the hips, rather than the back and shoulders. With five different carrying positions – allowing parents to use it when their child is between eight and 40 pounds – the 2.Go proves versatile.

To see what really impressed us, as well as some photos of how the 2.Go works, read more.

The 2.Go's seat and headrest can be expanded to accommodate growing bodies - with a simple unzip, the seat converts into the spread-squat position that doctors recommend for infants. The zipper can also be closed to move the hips closer together for older tots. The well-padded straps didn't dig into my shoulders and the removable bib made for easy laundering. The all-in-one carrier also makes it an economical purchase for mamas tightening their purse strings!

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How Did You Choose Your Doctor?

LilSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 04:00:04 -0700

A, B, C. . . If only selecting a doctor was as easy as teaching your child the alphabet or thumbing through the yellow pages! Choosing an OB/GYN can be compared to studying for a final exam. There are histories to check, references to get and insurance companies that must be consulted. Some receive referrals from friends and family, while others select one simply based on proximity to their home or office. Many women select their doctor before children are ever even a thought in the back of their head, and then want to reevaluate their decision after they become pregnant. It's a giant headache.

According to a new JAMA study, mamas-to-be may want to spend some time researching where her doctor did his or her residency before signing on as a patient. Research into 4.9 million baby deliveries in Florida and New York found that those delivered by doctors trained in the top 20 percent of obstetric residential programs had less complications than those trained elsewhere.

How did you choose your doctor?

Ed Hardy to Launch Baby Product Line This Fall

LilSugar — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 04:00:41 -0700

Was Christian Audigier, founder of Ed Hardy, picking Jon Gosselin's brain about baby products when they were yachting in the South of France? We don't know exactly what the two were discussing earlier this Summer, but perhaps the dad of eight was giving some input on newborn products.

The company just announced the launch of Ed Hardy Baby Products, which will include baby bottles, bibs, and pacifiers featuring the tattoo designs. The BPA-free bottles and suckers will be manufactured in Germany using a silicone treatment to meet current safety standards and are expected to hit store shelves in October.

Are you interested in the latest eclectic offerings?

Should Parents-to-Be Get Paid to Attend Prenatal Visits?

LilSugar — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Women without health insurance or those who are not familiar with the healthcare system often skip their prenatal visits, which can lead to complications for both mother and baby. According to a study by the Harvard School of Public Health, offering expectant moms $100 to begin their prenatal doctor visits in the first trimester and continue through delivery is enough incentive to have them comply.

By offering the financial reward, the researchers saw a 62 percent increase in the number of program participants and a 39 percent decrease in the number of low birth weight babies. The plan, which also offered the participants' doctors a $100 bonus for enforcing the appointments, cost the healthcare companies less in the first year of the babies' lives.

Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me? Daddy's Wardrobe

babysugar — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:00:25 -0700

"Oh, you'll be wearing your maternity clothes for a while after you have that baby." Expectant moms don't exactly want to hear that when they've been forced to wear the same old tired threads for the past four months. Plus, most every pregnant lady dreams her body will bounce back to pre-baby shape before she even leaves the hospital. However, many moms do find solace in their partner's over-sized shirts, baggy jeans and spacious boxers.

The elastic waistband on those maternity pants is enough to make a new mom cry, especially one on a hormone roller coaster. While she may not want to attend the company Christmas party in her hubby's retired work shirts, they sure do make cozy nap time attire and the worn in jeans will make a swollen mommy weep tears of joy. Come bed time, the old man's hole ridden college tees and raggedy boxers are just what the exhausted mum needs to get a good night's (and by that I mean two to three hour stretches) sleep. Did you sport your man's clothes postpartum?

Minui HandySitt Is a Pretty Sweet Seat

babysugar — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:00:55 -0700

Detest the idea of a high chair nestled in the corner of a dining room? Or maybe a toddler has outgrown the starter seat, but still has a tough time reaching the table? The Minui Handysitt ($149) can solve both of those problems. In search of a new high chair, I was stoked when I was asked to test the swanky Danish designed invention. Aside from the attractive modern appeal, the nifty gadget is easily stored it in a flat compact space, pops on any chair with a back and quickly adjusts to suit the child's height. The flat back keeps tots bellied up to the table in perfect posture and allows them to join the conversation and look down on their food instead of grazing it from eye level. To see what I liked about the seat and to see what I would change, read more.

Perfect for my 2-year-old daughter, the seat made her feel like she was an integral part of our dinner conversation. And, due to the height boost, the dining table stayed a bit cleaner and my floor a tad less messy. In addition to the housekeeping aspect, I adore the sleek design of the mini seat. It can be stored flat, making it easy to store almost anywhere - even a suitcase! A simple push and click makes it tush ready. While the Minui HandySitt is a dream for my daughter, my son didn't fare so well in it. A feisty lil guy, he likes to throw his weight back and sideways with full force. Though the chair claims to work for 6-month-old babies to five year olds, I believe we'll have to wait a few more months for my wee man to sit in the lap of luxury. Depending on the child's development, I presume one could use it sooner than six months while others (like mine) may have to wait until their first birthday! And for restaurateurs, this may be just what the manager ordered. These novel seats can hang up on a bar or lay flat under a hostess stand making large space killing high chairs a thing of the past. Confident in their product, the company offers guaranteed satisfaction: "If you don’t love it, we’ll refund your purchase, pay for return shipping and send you $10 to put towards a different high chair. No questions asked, promise." Check out the video and tell me if you're sold.