LilSugar

I Tote My Tot in a . . .

babysugar — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 11:00:02 -0800

Many women love the feeling and ease that baby carriers offer. Mamas don't have to worry about managing a stroller or keeping both hands busy.

Slings are timeless but in recent years, inventions like the Baby Bjorn, Snugli, Ergo, and other carriers have flooded the market place making it tough for a mom to select one.

Did you have a baby carrier? If so, which one?

Pacific Coast News

Mommy Alert: Graco Infant Snug Ride Voluntary Recall

babysugar — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 07:59:17 -0800

It's hard to believe that one of the most popular infant car seats that was rated Consumer Report's Best Buy, has announced a voluntary recall of its Graco 2007 Stand Alone Infant Snug Ride ($69–$89). According to their site:

"Graco has determined that the backing of the seat pad on certain stand-alone SnugRide infant car seats manufactured in the United States, may be prone to deterioration or tearing, especially after washing. If this occurs, children occupying the car seat may be able to remove the padding material from the back of the seat pad and place it in their mouths, posing a potential choking hazard.

This notice does not affect SnugRide car seats sold with a stroller as part of a Travel System.

This issue does not affect the ability of the child restraint system to protect the occupant in the event of a motor vehicle crash."

Check your seat and see if you need to order the replacement parts. This is for seats sold between Aug. 1, 2006 through Jun. 30, 2007. Luckily, no injuries have been reported. Thanks for the heads up, Graco!

Tired of Wrestling the Crib Mattress, Try These Alternatives

LilSugar — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 09:00:20 -0700

Mamas-to-be spend months choosing crib ensembles for their little bundles of joy. Thirty percent of LilSugar readers still buy bumpers to complete the look despite how controversial they've become. The crib sheet is a staple for even the bare bones parents who have stripped their kiddos' cribs down to just necessities. The coverlet provides an essential barrier between a wee one and their mattress. But because safe mattresses fit snug in crib frames, many moms find themselves wrestling the cushion when it's time to change the linens. The Clouds and Stars' QuickZip Crib Sheet ($35) is one product that eliminates the amount of mompower the task takes. The sheet's base stays put on the mattress while the top zips off for easy cleaning.

Do you have any quick solutions for changing a crib sheet?

A Few of Lil's Favorite Things: September

LilSugar — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:00:04 -0700

This month families will fall back into a routine as the kiddos head back to class and parents get organized. While you're stocking up on items to take you through the rest of the year, consider some of our fabulous must haves that make a mama's life easier! From baby gear to art supplies, we've got a few favorite lil things.

Storksak Jess Diaper Bag ($158). Whether you've got one babe or a bunch, the British brand makes amazing totes for mothers on the move. The Jess is a well-made, stylish bag that provides enough space to stash necessities and sits firm on a mum's shoulder so she can hold onto lil hands or push a stroller.
Made Me Blush Smartzip Sleeper ($24). The soft cotton one piece is perfect for a sleeping babe because it zips both ways making changing diapers a cinch.
Snugli Sway Soft Carrier ($35). Many slings involve a mother wrapping her wee one, but the Snugli has a secure insert to buckle the newborn in and even nurse!
Simple Shoes for Kids ($38 - $42). These colorful and flexible shoes will keep your toddler on track and in style.
Corsario Soft Pencil Case ($25). Made my Haba, this cute pirate cannon can hold writing utensils and erasers while doubling as a rolling desktop toy.

Did You Find Solace in a Mom's Group?

babysugar — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:00:38 -0700

As children, many girls dream of having babies at the same time as their best friend. While it's a nice concept, it rarely works out so perfectly. Geography, age, significant others, and life get in the way making it more common for women to enter motherhood at different times. In hopes of finding someone who understands their circumstances, many ladies turn to mothers' groups where conversations of breastfeeding, swaddling, and crawling are common, informative, and often fascinating. Through these meetings, women tend to form long-lasting bonds and their children become as close as siblings. However, they're not every mum's cup of tea.

I, for instance, tried to join a group but was only one of two to show up and even then, the other lady didn't speak English and lived across town. Luckily, I was fortunate to have many friends having babies at the same time and didn't need a secondary resource. A friend of mine recently laughed her way out of a session and was asked not to return. I think she may have been booted for fitting into her snug white prepregnancy jeans just a tad too soon for their liking.

Did you find solace in a mom's group?

Make the Honor Role With Hip Styles For Girls

LilSugar — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 05:00:00 -0700

Even lil girls who are fussing about returning to school take some delight in picking out their first day of attire. Careful planning and discussions with friends will likely take place leading up to the first day back. Before heading to the mall, or clicking open a new computer window, check out our picks for some of the hottest styles for girls this year.

White House Style – The Obama girls' love of classic looks, and Crewcuts, will serve as inspiration for many girls this season. Copy the look with a ruffled cardigan, an A-line cord skirt and a traditional rubber rain boot to keep her tootsies dry.
Layers and Layers – Add some depth to your kiddo's look by layering pieces together. Start with a basic foundation, like a pair of skinny jeans, add a blouse and vest – which is all the rage this year – and finish the look off with some moccasin-inspired boots that fit snug over her jeans.
Leggings All the Way – The leggings craze is far from over, with this year's styles boasting buttons, zippers and patterns. Top off a pair with a striped tunic and some comfortable ballet slippers for a chic and casual look.

Enter to win a $1,000 wardrobe for your child from Tea Collection!

Simple or Swank: Natural Wooden High Chairs

LilSugar — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 05:00:31 -0700

Well made wooden highchairs are back in style . . . only this time they grow with child! The chair's neutral tone that blend with the rest of the family's dining set and their ability to fit snugly under the table make them a smart choice for mamas desiring a streamlined kitchen area.

Simple: The natural wood Keekaroo high chair ($149) features an adjustable seat that can be used for children from six months old on up.

Swank: The Stokke Tripp Trapp ($249) started the "grow-with-me" high-chair phenomenon with its adjustable height and footrest and the ease with which it can be pulled right up to the table. Which do you prefer?

Double Check Your Baby Goods!

LilSugar — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 04:00:51 -0700

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, read more.

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.

Krazy For Kokopax Carrier!

babysugar — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:00:00 -0700

My weekly trip to the grocery store can be harried with a two-year-old and an infant, but if I can put one of them on my back then life is easier. When Kokopax sent us a backpack to review, I jumped at the opportunity to test it out and lighten my load. A fan of the classic Baby Bjorn, I wasn't sure that Kokopax would make chores any simpler than the front baby carrier. Certainly the Bjorn and other models like it allow for closeness and warmth, but the Kokopax gives mom the freedom to hold a full load in her arms while baby sits pretty behind her.

Clear View Carrier Cover: Kid Friendly or Are You Kidding?

LilSugar — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 04:00:04 -0700

Plastic bags come with warnings to keep them away from children due to suffocation risks, but what about a car seat cover designed to keep lil ones dry? The Clear View See-Through Carrier Cover ($16) is a waterproof vinyl cover that fits snugly over most car seats with its elasticized sides. With only a cut out for the face – allowing fresh air to get through – the product is said to protect from rain, wind and snow while keeping tots visible at all times. What's your opinion?