LilSugar

Suck on This: Top 5 Pacifiers For Baby

LilSugar — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:04:00 PST

Binkie, paci, sucker, or pacifier, whatever you call it, it's an important piece of equipment for many newborns. There are many options available, and while they might all look the same during an emergency drugstore run at 3 a.m., when the baby just won't settle, all pacis are not created equal.

Keep reading for a selection of suckers that will help calm baby's cries and soothe mama's nerves.

Double Check Your Baby Goods!

LilSugar — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 04:00:51 PDT

Subsequent babies get lots of newborn hand-me-downs, but parents should double check their items to make sure they are still safe. In the time that passes between one tot's use and the next, goods may have been recalled or held to new safety standards.

Car Seats: Car seats are manufactured to last approximately six years, so be sure to check the manufacture date before installing it in your vehicle. It's also imperative to check the brand's website for news and to make sure the straps and harness are in working order.
Cribs: Make sure the slats are not cracked or missing and that they are not spaced more than 2 3/8 inches apart. The mattress should also be checked to see that it fits snugly into the crib. Precautions also include side drop cribs and the use of bumpers.

To see the rest of the list,

Strollers: Strollers are tossed around throughout their use, so they must be thoroughly examined before reuse. Make sure the seat belt and harness systems are in working order and still attached to the frame. Test the brakes for effectiveness. Consider greasing the wheels to ease the steering.
High Chairs: Check the unit to see that the straps are still in working order and that the tray cannot be pushed off by a pushy tot.
Bottles: If your oldest tot is over the age of two, it is likely that any bottles or sippy cups you used with him contained BPA. Many states have banned the sale of products with BPA in them, and it is advisable to replace your bottles with newer, safer ones.
Breast Pump Accessories: Most breast pump manufacturers suggest replacing breast pump tubes and attachments for each child to eliminate any possibility of cross-contamination. Newer versions also tend to be BPA-free, making them even safer for babies.

Lil Mark: Newborn Essentials

LilSugar — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 05:00:20 PST

A new parent is often amazed at how much gear one tiny baby requires, but some items are more essential than others. I asked you ladies to share a few of your newborn essentials for mommies and daddies-to-be on TeamSugar and there were some great finds.

User Ericka shared her must have for new parents - Long Sleeve Side Snap Shirts. Not only will they keep your wee one bundled up, the mittens will cover her nails so she doesn't scratch herself, and the side snaps make it easy to put on while you're still getting comfortable handling your new babe.

Expecting a lil one soon? Check out more essentials for infants below.

Lil Mark It Mission: Newborn Essentials

LilSugar — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 12:00:27 PST

New parents are bombarded with things to do before their newest family member arrives, but one of the most overwhelming parts is figuring out what to buy.

Help out expectant moms and dads by sharing your ideas for newborn essentials that parents-to-be will want to have on hand before the baby comes, or soon there after. From a swing to bottles to binkies, the list is long but it's also a lot of fun. Bookmark your find on TeamSugar and if you tag your finds as "Newborn Essentials," I'll do a recap of everyone's picks next week. I already added the Boppy Pillow ($30), as well as the scary, but helpful Newborn Nasal Aspirator ($2). Feel free to add as many as you'd like.

Not sure how to bookmark in Team? geeksugar has written an explanation of how to bookmark items on TeamSugar if you need a helping hand.

LilSugar's Baby Registry Essentials

LilSugar — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:56:34 PDT

It's amazing just how much stuff a person as tiny as a newborn baby needs. But as anyone who's gone through it before can tell you, babies are high-maintenance little people! If you're lucky enough to have friends and family who want to gift the new addition, they'll likely be looking to rely on your registry.

Consider registering at a larger, all-inclusive baby store, like Giggle or Buy Buy Baby in addition to a smaller, local specialty shop to provide the greatest variety in terms of projects. Sites like MyRegistry.com and AmazingRegistry.com allow you to create a customized registry from a variety of different online sources, making them a great option when family and friends are spread out around the country. Make sure that you get the most out of your registry by following our guide to everything you need to bring home baby!

LilSugar's Registry Must Haves
Every mom (and every baby) is different, and while we recommend using our list as a starting point, it really helps to see products in person, and talk to other new parents to find out exactly what worked for them. While this list encompasses what we believe to be the essentials, don't be shy about adding on some "just for fun" selections as well. If there's a piggy bank or stuffed animal that you've been coveting, go ahead and put it on there - people love gifting pretty presents. Happy registering!

At Home and on the Go
The amount of living/storage space that you have available should be a factor when making your decisions about whether you need a bouncy seat, playmat, and swing. When it comes to selecting a stroller, think about how soon you may be considering baby #2 - if it's within a year or two, you'll want to check out double strollers or convertible options. And now's a good time to think ahead to a toddler car seat (if you have room to stash it).

Stroller (or two)
Stroller Blanket
Footmuff or Bunting
Infant Car Seat
Toddler Car Seat
Swing and/or Bouncy Sea
Portable Crib
Carrier or Sling
Tummy Time Mat or Blankets

Layette (and Beyond)
You'll quickly learn that people love buying itty bitty baby clothes . . . but the 0- to 3-month wardrobe doesn't last very long! Register for a variety of outfits for baby's first year, but not beyond that. Since you don't know how quickly he/she will grow, it's hard to forecast what your needs will be for more than a year out.

Receiving Blankets
Swaddling Blankets
Side-Snap Undershirts
Coming Home Outfit
Onesies
Rompers
Sweaters
Sun Hats and Beanies
Socks
Sleep Gowns

Keep reading for the rest of our registry essentials!

5 Exercise DVDs New Moms Will Love (and Might Even Use)

Natasha Dantzig — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 08:41:13 PST

Work that body! Of the many pressures new mamas face after giving birth, the desire to get back to their pre-baby bod ranks pretty high for many women. New mamas want to get back in shape for more than aesthetic reasons (although that's clearly one motivating factor); moms have a lot of responsibility; they're often taking care of a newborn with very little sleep, and a healthy, strong body is essential. Even the most committed pre-baby gym rats will likely have a hard time making trips to the actual gym or yoga studio a priority, which is why at home workout DVDs are a major life (and butt) saver. Check out five workouts tailored to meet the needs and tastes of different mamas, and tell us: how did you get back in shape post-baby?

Circumcision Will Not Be Banned in California Anytime Soon

LilSugar — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 13:40:19 PDT

To cut or not to cut? That's the choice parents of newborn boys face when deciding whether circumcision is the right choice for them. It's a choice that a lot of people, often referring to themselves as "intactivists," don't feel parents should have. Anticircumcision groups in San Francisco gathered over 7,000 signatures in support of a ballot measure that would essentially outlaw circumcision for most male children. The measure was shot down Sunday night when the governor signed a bill prohibiting local governments from banning the controversial practice, leaving the decision to the parents.

OnSugar Blog: Cloth Diapers For the Economical You!

OnSugar Blog — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 03:05:45 PDT

Lots of moms like to think out loud and BabyEssentials is one of them. In the latest post to her blog, she tackles the world of cloth diapers.

Why choose cloth diapers? Not only are they environmentally friendly, they are economical too and you will be saving a whole lot without even knowing it!

Here is a simple calculation on how much you will save:

A typical newborn will require 8 diapers a day (small bladders and lots of pee!) and that adds up to 240 diapers a month.
A regular brand diaper (eg. Huggies) will cost you $20 approx. for a pack of 68.
On the average, the cost of a disposable diaper is $0.30.
With our low cost yet high quality cloth diapers, you will be able to break-even in just 2 months (Based on 10 cloth diapers and 20 inserts)! Without much effort, can you imagine how much you actually save?

Cloth diapers are comfy. Why? Cloth diapers are cotton and so are the inserts. Don't you feel good knowing your baby is on something soft and comfortable? Your baby deserves only the best!

Pins, folding and leaks All gone!

Save more: Most families keep their diapers if they might have another baby. Others recycle them by passing them to a friend or a charity. It is a wonderful way to reduce waste in your life and on the Earth! Choose cloth diapering now!

Want to see more? Start following BabyEssentials or start your own OnSugar blog. It's easy, it's free, and we just might feature your content on our site!

Test Your Newborn Reflexes Knowledge

LilSugar — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 07:32:27 PDT

Babies are amazing. From the moment they are born, they can feed, grasp, and position themselves for movement. These newborn reflexes may be involuntary, but they are essential to protect them from danger. See just how familiar you are with your wee one's natural reflexes by taking this quiz.

Take the Quiz

Keep Cool and Save Money This Weekend

LilSugar — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 11:31:38 PDT

It's too hot to do anything besides online shop, so we've rounded up this week's best online deals for mamas and kids.

Save 20 percent at Diapers.com Diapers.com is clearing out its Summer inventory with the XTRA20 promotion. It's still pretty hot out, so stocking up on Summer basics isn't exactly a waste. There's tons of great Carter's gear on sale - rompers, skirts, and dresses as low as $4, and a huge selection of Robeez shoes for between $11 and $16, less than half their regular price. To redeem, enter promotional code XTRA20 at checkout. (Offer expires July 25, 2011)
Buy one get one free at OshKoshB'gosh The original kids brand is running a buy-one-get-one promotion of tons of its basics. Stock up on back-to-school essentials like leggings (two for $18) and long-sleeved graphic tees (two for $20).
Save up to 40 percent at Puma.com Puma is having a semi-annual sale with footwear, clothing, and accessories up to 40 percent off. The brand has accessories starting under $5, clothing for $6, and footwear starting at $12. Shipping is free with orders of $85 or more. (Offer expires July 31, 2011)
Save big at The Children's Place The Children's Place is having a huge sale with lots of stuff for kids, newborns, and babies. It has swim starting at $8, shorts for $5, and tees and tanks for $5. Shipping is free with orders of $75 or more. (Offer expires July 24, 2011)
Create a free online baby book at TotsSites.com Privately share photos, movies, and more with friends and family, because not everyone on Facebook cares to see that first potty picture!