LilSugar

Are You a Crocs Mom?

babysugar — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 06:00:53 -0700

Love 'em or hate 'em, they're everywhere! Crocs have taken tot toes by storm and are still growing and gaining popularity and not just in America. The Japanese are infatuated with the porous rubber shoes as are other cultures. The initial design suited gardeners and the like just fine but the business got sassy and added Mary Jane and ballet flat styles to the mix. Easy to slip on and keep clean, they can also be hazardous in certain situations. They are slippery when wet and they have been known to cause some trauma on an escalator or two. So tell us, are you a Crocs lovin' mom?

10 Products and Inventions That Make Most Mommies Cringe

LilSugar — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:00:29 -0800

For every lifesaving mommy product on the market there's another one that makes moms wonder: Are you kidding me?! I've put together some of my favorite, mind boggling, cringe-inducing and playgroup diving products. Check out the lineup. I dare you.

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Lil Find: Babbaco

babysugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:00:53 -0700

When it comes to baby products, it seems that everything has already been invented. Cushions for car seat straps, mixers for bottles of formula, swaddle blankets for dummies, and loads of other contraptions. So when I see something totally new and creative, I tend to have a, "Why didn't I think of that?" moment.

That's what I thought when I saw these funtastic car seat covers from Babbaco ($88). New moms frequently take their newborns on strolls and cover their infant seats with blankets in hopes of shielding their offspring from direct sunlight, loud conversations, or inquisitive strangers. Along comes a gust of wind and the blanket flies off into the wind along with mommy's plan. Created by mother Jessica Kim, the sprightly covers have an elastic bottom that offers babies protection and privacy. And, unlike blankets, two peepholes allow mommy to keep an eye on her little cocoon nesting without interrupting the wee one's slumber.

Mommy's Lil Helper: Protecting Your Tot's Tush

babysugar — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 07:00:43 -0700

Airport, mall and restaurant bathrooms often offer the appropriate amount of space to do a quick change, but their cleanliness is not always top–notch. Leave the germs behind by using a large biodegradable Clean and Green Changing Table Cover ($5/pack of eight). Having used blankets and plush teddy bears to keep my wee one's head from touching the surface of public changing tables, these eco–friendly disposable pads
would have been a welcome addition
to my diaper bag.

Simple or Swank: Block Wagon

babysugar — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:00:52 -0700

One of my earliest memories is stacking up buildings with wooden blocks. A cinch to construct and even easier to tear down, they were and still are some of the best entertainment for tots. The only thing that could improve them is a carry–all to store them in.

Simple: For a bargain $8, you can have your blocks and wheel cart, too! IKEA offers the Mula wagon with 24 colorful blocks in tow.
Swank: Add $7 more and you get the Melissa and Doug unit block on wheels with 36 bright blocks.

Which one is the block wagon of your dreams?

Mommy's Lil Helper: Mosquito Net

babysugar — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 08:00:08 -0700

Mosquitoes and bugs have a hard time making a life for themselves here in my chilly city by the bay, but having grown up in Houston, I know what it is like to be swarmed by the blood sucking insects that inflict itchy pain. As I plan a trip back to Texas, I am plotting how my babe will brave the pesty buggers.

My first line of defense is a mosquito net from Hedvig Bourbon. Practical without being an eyesore, the $28 pest blocker has bright butterflies and dragonflies adorning the elastic hemmed polyester netting. Claiming to fit most strollers, prams, carriers and car seats with canopies, I am sold.

It can't guarantee that I'll walk away without welts, but Hedvig Bourbon will help my wee one stay that way.

Junior Jetset: Carseats on the Go

LilSugar — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:21:37 -0700

Traveling with tots doesn't have to be difficult. The SafeGuard Go Hybrid booster seat ($199) has created a carseat that makes traveling much easier and keeps your child safe.

Classified as a combination carseat, the SafeGuard Go has a five point harness that can be used on a child up to 60 pounds and then converts to a regular booster seat for a child up to 100 pounds. These weight standards far exceed any other combination carseats on the market.

The craftily designed carseat also has a soft back and padded headrest that fits into a convenient lightweight travel carrier case once it's been folded down. Installation is simple and easy, something that comes in handy when you find yourself at a rental car agency at midnight.

An important point: The Safeguard Go, when in five point harness mode, does require the LATCH top tether, which can be found on all 2003 or newer vehicles, so do make sure your rental car has the LATCH system before traveling.

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.

Love Your Leading Tot in Full Uniform Costumes

babysugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:00:54 -0700

There's something about a man, er child, in a uniform. If mama thinks she loves fleet week for the handsome sailors, imagine her reaction when she dresses her babe up in the pressed navy gear. If her lad prefers land over sea, mommy can check out the fireman and sheriff attire for a different line of duty. And what is sure to deliver some giggles and smiles? The postal service uniform complete with a satchel and hat. The UPS tot is also guaranteed to provide some hardy laughter in all the "brown" apparel. If the youngster is obsessed with band-aids and stethoscopes, bust out the scrubs and some gloves for a costume that will have mom swooning over her own lil McDreamy.

Which uniform do you like best for tiny trick-or-treaters?

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.