LilSugar

The Gifted Child: Gifts For a Newborn Baby

babysugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:00:12 -0800

The best holiday present of all is a newborn baby! While you can't go out and buy a baby, you can buy things to doll them up in and entertainment tools to light up their wee eyes. Spoil babies rotten with some of these wooden treats, musical toys, and sassy threads. Baby may not get what's going on, but he'll love the attention being paid to him.

If you like it then you should put a name on it. Make it known that he is one unique child by giving him a present with his moniker scrawled across it. A baseball bat, a train, or a fuzzy topper will make for precious gifts with extra meaning. Snugglers will appreciate a cuddly blanket for a posh snooze in the crib while snowbound babes will enjoy a sled made just for them.

Opinions Please! What's Your Stroller Recommendation?

LilSugar — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 07:00:55 -0700

The difference between a mad woman and a happy mother? Her stroller. I'd go so far as to say it's the single most important material purchase parents make for their baby since they use it all the time. As we prep for baby number three, we'll be purchasing our fourth buggy. Clueless of what to look for, we went through two with our daughter. First, we shelled out for an elaborate system that couldn't handle the city streets and had poor shocks and squeaky wheels after our first lengthy walk. Then, we invested in a jogging stroller that was great...until we had to turn it - its front wheel was stationary.

While expecting my son, I did my research before buying (the then largely unknown) phil & teds E3 with the doubles kit. For three years, the amazing invention rolled everywhere from Lake Tahoe's nature trails to my husband taking it off-roading over rocks in Golden Gate Park. The orange fabric has endured more than a few mud and chocolate milk splashes and my lil guy eventually preferred to walk (read run) everywhere so the beloved buggy has retired to our garage. To see what I need in our next set of wheels and to offer your recommendations, read more.

My husband and I want our soon-to-be infant to have a fresh, clean carriage so we're figuring out what to get next. Our needs are a bit different than before - the stroller will be mostly for the new babe, but I want the convenience of an attachable seat in case my son hits the hay when I head out shopping or want to walk long distances to shed postpartum pounds. Living in a city full of cracked sidewalks and pot holes makes durable tires a must and I don't need a ride that accommodates an infant car seat since we'll be using our Britax Boulevard from the get go. Since I'll be juggling three kiddos in parking lots, I'll also need a buggy that is quick to collapse and easy to pop in the trunk. So far, the front-runner is the phil & teds Vibe, which comes highly recommended by BabySugar and is a brand I trust. Do you have a stroller suggestion that fits my criteria? If so, please share!

10 Lights to Keep the Nights Bright

babysugar — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 07:00:18 -0700

Good night. Sleep tight. Don't let the bed bugs bite. MOM! Please turn on the light! When youngsters have a tough time getting shut-eye in a pitch black room, they will appreciate a lil light being shed on them. Save some tears and energy by keeping the overhead switch off and introducing one of these luminous friends to your tot.

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Tips on How to Pick a Car Seat For a Newborn

babysugar — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:00:42 -0700

One of the things at the top of an expectant mom's checklist is to purchase a car seat, but often times she has no idea what to look for in terms of safety and design. Though five star safety ratings are helpful, there are some fairly simple aspects she may also want to take into consideration.

First and foremost, mom should confirm the seat will function properly in her vehicle. Smaller cars may not work with every make and model. The safest seat on the market won't do any good if it can't fit!
Make sure it is suited for infants if intended for a newborn baby. The infant car seats typically provide more padding and protection for a tiny noggin.
If the newborn car seat is detachable and fits on a base, check for ease of use. Most recent models are a breeze to handle.

To see the rest of the pointers, read more.

Pay attention to the width and placement of the straps. A wider strap is preferable as it will not get easily twisted in the buckles and will allow for quick buckling. The straps and crotch buckle should also be adjustable to accommodate a growing child.
Check to make sure the latches or other installing hardware are durable and simple so mom and pop can install or uninstall in a cinch.
Children will make a mess in their seat so one should make sure it is machine washable, breathable, and of course, removable!
Beware of exposed metal pieces, as they can become a hazard when the car heats up.

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.

Compact Zzapper High Chair: Ga Ga or Gag?

babysugar — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:00:25 -0700

Who doesn't appreciate parents trying to add modern flair to their kid-friendly abodes and prohibit heinous plastics from their living rooms? But, do some items push the envelope? Though the Compact Care electric green wooden Zzapper high chair would be ideal for Judy Jetson and moms with similar decor taste, other parents may find the design and its $818 price tag far less palatable - especially when the Stokke Svan has a strong resemblance for $260. What's your take on this high chair?

Babymel x2 Diaper Bag Does Double Duty

babysugar — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:00:06 -0700

Just when I thought I'd seen the end-all-be-all of diaper bags, I was sent the Babymel x2 to review. Specifically designed for parents of twins, it's perfection for any mom on the go. The designers created a two-in-one satchel that easily detaches so mom can carry only what she needs.

This bag is ideal for the following mamas:

Mums of Twins: Mothers with twins can pack a separate bag for each tot. Instead of trying to decipher which bottle belongs to whom, they can easily reach into the babe's particular side leaving confusion and concern out of the equation.

Moms of Varied Ages: Often times, moms of two have to double check sizes of diapers before putting them on their youngsters. A tiny infant wouldn't do well in a size five diaper and a 30 pound toddler would look ridiculous in a nappy that's too tight. Keep their goodies isolated by divvying up the loot. And, if mum has to drop one child off at daycare, she can release the bag with two simple clicks and take the other with her.

To see uses for this bag, read more.

Traveling Mommies: Flying with junior is always a challenge. Typically mamas pack a bag of entertainment goodies, snacks, books, and crayons. Always armed for diaper duty, she's usually got another bag full of creams, wipes and pampers. The Babymel x2 relieves some of her stress by carrying it all in one. Mama can relax until she gets to her seat at which point she can stow the toy portion of the bag under the seat in front of her and tuck the parcel full of diapers in the overhead to be retrieved during times of need.

Any Mom: When less is more, mom can unsnap one of the totes and leave the house with whichever color fits her fancy. When mummy is heading somewhere for an extended period of time and she needs more space, she can easily fasten the other side to the hooks to be doubly equipped.

A unique concept, the construction of the bag is well thought out and executed. The Babymel x2 has secretive zippered pouches on each side allowing baby bottles and sippy cups stability and insulation. Inside the zip style totes are two changing pads and plenty of pouches for rattles and the like.

Babymel X2 Diaper Bag - Black/Red - $99.99	Babymel X2 Diaper Bag - Army/Sand - $99.99
Babymel X2 Diaper Bag - Black - $99.99

Video Monitors Help Mama Keep Uninterrupted Tabs on Tots

babysugar — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:00:33 -0700

"DON'T buy a video monitor for your nursery! You'll be addicted to watching it and will never sleep again." These warnings from experienced mothers were ones I wish I ignored. After spending $100 on a regular monitor, it took me a year to realize the error of my ways.

While some mommies find monitors useless or at least expendable, I rely on mine to keep tabs on my snoozing babies. In hindsight, a video monitor would have saved me getting out of bed to check on my wee one's sleeping status or interrupting my tot's quiet downtime. As soon as they see mama peep in the room, that playtime is over! Instead of discovering his toes or chewing on a toy, me wee guy is amped and ready to get out of the crib. Already six months into my second child's life, I'm set on investing in one of the gadgets. Which kind of monitor, if any, do you prefer?

Safety 1st® Digital Audio & Video Monitor - $269.99	Summer Infant Complete Coverage Video Monitoring System - $299.99
Summer Infant Day & Night Pink 2.5" Handheld Color Video Monitor System - $199.99	Summer Infant Best View Color Handheld Video Monitor - $229.99
Sassy Web Watch Video Monitor - $279.99	Graco iMonitor Video Vibe Digital Monitor - $199.99
Summer Infant Day and Night Baby Video Monitor Set - $139.99	Fisher-Price Remote Control Video Monitor - $184.99

StrollAway Makes More Room For Mama

babysugar — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 05:00:54 -0700

If Urban Babies Wear Black, then urban mamas are black and blue from tripping over baby paraphernalia in their shoebox apartments. Mothers living in tight quarters must perform magic tricks to find spots for the exersaucer, high chair, bottles, plates, clothes, rocking chair, and stroller. Brave (or resigned) mommies often leave their swank buggies in the hallway or on the sidewalk with the hope that strangers will leave them untouched. Now ladies don't have to check the trust at the door anymore. Terrain-challenged mums will do back flips for the StrollAway stroller holder.

The $50 gadget fits over the door, leaving no wall marks or door damage - ideal for renters. The heavy duty steel construction makes it durable enough to hang most every stroller brand over most size doors. And for pushchair hogs hoarding three or four buggies in the name of travel, exercise, and grocery shopping, Metrotots is due to come out with a wall mount for the garage and a multi-stroller rack system.

PishPosh Mommy Pack For Practical Mamas

babysugar — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 08:00:10 -0700

Move over diaper cream and pacifiers - this is mama's bag! Stubborn ladies who are bent on slinging their sassy totes around rather than standard diaper bags will love the idea behind the $45 PishPosh Mommy insert.

Instead of stashing a bottle in the pocket of a swanky designer bag and risking spilled milk on pricey polished leather, the PishPosh pouch holds all of babe's necessities and zips up to easily fit into most totes so moms can pull or pack it when they see fit.

Lilsugar readers can get 10 percent off their purchase with the code: LILS10