I know this is not the right place... But I trust your opinions!!!

[kseltmann]

My best friend works in TV / advertising and is always looking for favorite baby products to advertise on her program (it has a parenting segment that she runs). I try to keep her updated on the latest and greatest babygear and mommygear, but I am just one mommy and I have just one baby. Can you let us know what your favorites are? Things that maybe we don't all know about... small companies with great ideas... websites you swear by? I have given her the names of all of our favorite diaper bag companies so any other info you could offer would be just terrific.
Thanks for all of your help,

Kathryn
Emily 9.24.03

[robmab719]

Shopping cart covers by Cathy Sheesley (www.sewcuteboutique.com) - we always get so many compliments on ours and lots of people asking "where did you get that?"

Birth announcements by Naptime Productions (www.naptimecards.com) - good prices, plus you send in your own photo and they make it look beautiful!

Robeez shoes (not an earth-shattering discovery, but I didn't know about 'em until I found this board). I love the fact that DD can't kick them off and, when they get dirty, you just pop them in the washer.

And not sure this is what you're looking for, but photography -- we had some portaits done by Amy Sinischalchi (www.shadesofyouphoto.com) that I absolutely love. She shoots in black and white and does hand-tinting, so the portraits are truly one-of-a-kind.

[jasabo]

I love the shopping cart covers by covers4kids

And Marilyn at arunningstroller.com has great customer service and good prices.

Oh, and Snack Traps are fabulous!! They're cups with tops on them that kids can reach into and grab Cheerios, etc., without spilling. I think a mom invented them. snacktrap.com

Lisa - mom to 1 yr old twin boys

[Amala]

It would be wonderful if she could include some baby slings and other carriers on the program to help people get beyond Baby Bjorn. There are some great products out there, mostly made by WAHM companies. Four good places to start are:

http://www.zolowear.com
http://www.tentoes.com
(for beautiful slings)

http://www.cottoncradles.com
http://www.kangarookorner.com
(for a wide range of baby carriers)


My son is now 13 weeks old, and he is in and out of our slings all day (confession: I already have five different kinds). They make life so much easier for me, he loves to nap in them, they are great for grocery shopping, and they can be used through the toddler years. I keep one in my diaper bag at all times. I always wish that more people knew about them!

[boys2enough]

Hi,

1. I'll second the Naptime productions. Got our birth announcement/holiday cards from them in 2002 and we got so many compliments from people. The price was not as high as I expected either.

2. And I believe it is time that Kim at Whimsical Wears got her "big break." Many here were wowed by the workmanship and her excellent customer serive. I personally was doubly impressed by the joy and pride she takes in her work--everyone of us should be so lucky to have so much joy and pride in our own works. :) Her web site is

www.whimsicalwears.com

3. The only one baby products that I bought that won my DH over is the Me-Too chair.

http://www.metooproducts.com/products.htm

4. Sproutspout: ingenious invention that turns regular drink bottles into spill-proof bottles. The only downside is they only offer one size and my 6 yo does not drink that much Gatarade.

http://www.sproutspout.com/story_fr.html

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of these companies above. lol. ;-)

Cheers, Lin
Mom to 2 wild boys
D 3/98
G 11/02

http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/kao/otn/pnoodles.gif

[Chelsey333]

I know this is not the sling forum, but I have a question for you regarding slings. I bought a New Native sling, but I wasn't sure if I was a sling person. The first couple times I used it, baby slept the entire time (he was about 2-3 wks old). Now he is 5 wks and I feel like he is all smooshed in there. Sometimes he starts to fuss when I put him in there, and then sobs. So I take him out and he is happy as can be in the Baby Bjorn. I find the Baby Bjorn pretty comfy. The sling kind of hurts my back, I am sure it might be the one I got. The other thing about the sling, when we go outside, I feel like he might be roasting in it bec it is 80 degrees and he is cocooned in it and pressed up against me. did you feel that way when you first started using the sling?

[LD92599]

Lin & Others:

Had to chime in...there's another company that makes something similar to Sproutspout..it's the company that makes snack trap. There's 2 sizes and I've used them on Poland Spring, Aquafina, etc.

http://www.snacktrap.com/Page.bok?template=lil_topper_home

ITA agree w/ Whimsical Wears, Me-Too Chair (or similar...we have the Regalo one and LOVE it w/ the 5 pt harness!), Zolo Slings, Snack Trap...and, and i have these straps w/ snaps on them to hold things to high chairs, stroller, the hook on chair, Covers4Kids AND sewcuteboutique (have one of each!).

Laura
mom to William
3.5.2003

http://homepage.mac.com/ld14m

[Jeanmick]

A big "YES" to the snack traps too! I love it! There was a reference on this item a few months back (I think it's in the Around the House Forum) and the poster was not too thrilled with it. I, on the other hand, love it! My DS uses it all the time!

[kseltmann]

OH MY GOD! Thank you for all of your replies! I think this is the best board! Not only are you all willing to help your fellow mommy board-members, but a total stranger who works in TV!
Thank you thank you thank you!

Kathryn
Emily 9.24.03

[boys2enough]

Thank you Laura for the tip on Snacktrap. I checked it out on their web site and now WISH that I didn't buy 4 packs of the Sprout Spout! lol. The size of the Snacktrap thing will be more useful. Wooo, more baby "crap" (my dh's term) to investigate and buy, lol.

thanks!


Cheers, Lin
Mom to 2 wild boys
D 3/98
G 11/02

http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/kao/otn/pnoodles.gif

[ginamlee]

I didn't know about the Snack Trap thing. Thanks for the info.

I saw that they offer special pricing when you buy 12 or more so I contacted them about that. Maybe we can do an INEXPENSIVE co-op for once! If I find something out, I will post in the Around the House forum.

[Amala]

Sling questions reply:

I started putting him in our slings----a zolo silk and a MNM pouch---when he was about 3 weeks, and have now added a Hotslings single cotton pouch for summer (it is great), a Tentoes black raw silk pouch, and a Hug-a-Bub for hiking and dancing. He does well in all of them, but doesn't always want to be in a sling---if he's hungry, for example. It did take me a while to figure out how to best get him in to the various slings, and so on, so give yourself a little time. Also, there is some smooshing involved---like the womb!

In general, though, if I put him in one and he starts fussing, I take him out and put him back in, just in case he wasn't comfortable the first time. Usually though, if he is crying at first, I comfort him, bouncing and sing to him (Row Row Row Your Boat is *our* song), and that usually calms him down.

You might want to try a different type of sling (I've read mixed reviews of the New Native)---if its hot where you are, a hotsling might be perfect, as very lightweight fabrics are available, and the design is super simple to use. They're also very reasonably priced, so its worth giving it a try.

Finally, in addition to the carrier forum here, the best place for reviews of slings is on http://www.thebabywearer.com
You do need to sign up to read the reviews, but it is worth it, and your name isn't sent out or sold or anything like that.

Good luck with it!

[masetane]

One of my favorite things was the Bundle Me blanket for the car seat. So easy to use and warm. I had the fleece one for the winter and the windbreaker one for spring. Can't recall the manufactuer but I bought it at Buy Buy Baby ( such a great store for selection and customer help). I also bought the Toddler Toastie. Similar to the Bundle Me - it is a quilted, waterproof sack for my stroller for toddlers - kept kids nice and warm!!!
caroline

[lmariana]

I'm going to add the Bumbo Baby Sitter to the list, I love this thing! We use it at home for watching videos, while traveling as a high chair, and even in restaurants so that we can all sit in a booth together and not have a high chair in the middle of traffic. It's lightweight, soft, and washable with a cloth. I bought mine from http://www.shophsg.com/bumbabsit.html.

ETA: I also wanted to say, that the reason this is beyond a standard booster seat is that you can use it as yearly as 3 months old. So, it's great in the stage where they're outgrown the infant car seat but are too small for a real high chair.

Mariana
www.heinzandmariana.com
Mother of Gabriel, 08/14/2003

[masetane]

does the snap trap hurt their fingers when they pull the snack out? That was one of the reasons I bypassed it at Buy Buy Baby!
caroline

[parkersmama]

That thing looks coo-ooo-oool! I wish I'd know about it earlier!

[Twin Mom]

Gina - I would definitely be interested in a coop on the SnackTrap snack cups and spout attachments. I am looking forward to hearing what you find out.

Thanks for checking into it.
Aileen

[DeborahM]

No, it's a flexible rubbery-plastic. I did have to show him how to get the snacks out, and help him out for the first couple of times. My DS loves it - it's easy to hold w/ the 2 handles. I love it b/c there's no more spilled food all over the floor, car, etc. from him dumping out snack bags. Wish I found it earlier!

Deborah
Mom to Thomas and soon-to-arrive baby girl

[lmariana]

The best part is the cute pictures of the chubby babies in birthday hats!

Mariana
www.heinzandmariana.com
Mother of Gabriel, 08/14/2003

[Ami]

Hi:

Some of my favourites:

baby Carrier Baby Trekker www.babytrekker.com
Diaper Bag- Baby Sherpa www.babysherpa.com They were just featured in the June issue of Parenting as best outdoor gear!
Bibs- Bumkins- they have the greatest washable bibs that are pvc free (remember PVC is bad for babies!) They have the cutest prints and the bibs are a soft material that is waterproof, packs great in your purse and last forever. They also have a great line of cloth diapers.
Their website is www.bumkins.com

Fresh baby is a neat one that carries a line of recipes and products for making your own baby food. www.freshbaby.com

Shwinn/Instep Bike Trailers are great quality for good value.

Bravado! Maternity wear and undergarments are realy nice and fashionable. Website is www.bravadodesigns.com

My 2 favorite Parenting books are: The Baby Book by William and Martha Sears and The Baby Whisperer by Tracy Hogg (baby and Toddler versions). I give both of these books as gifts to new parents they are the best!


Thanks for the opportunity to share some of our best of products!

Ami

PS I also find that there is a lot of "stuff" out there that new/first time Moms purchase that is totally useless and either plays on fears or doesn't really solve the problem only the sympton.

[sugarsnappea]

LOL! That was probably my post. Initially, I didn't love the snack trap. But now I can't get along without it. I think DD was at a bad age when I first introduced it, she was always ripping off the top. I gave it another chance and now I love it.

I consider snacktraps and comfy straps my essential outing gear!

[Mikesa3]

>I consider snacktraps and comfy straps my essential outing
>gear!


What's comfy straps??
Nancy-Mom to 6 great kids

[lmladuke]

I second the bundle me - loved mine - plan on using it again for the new baby.

Lori

[Jeanmick]

I also have to agree w/ Bumkins bibs! They're the only ones I use! :)

[boys2enough]

Thank you, Gina!!!! I am definitely in for the Lil Topper and the Snack Traps. We have so many crumbs around the house that we are now having ant problems. argh!

Thank you, Gina, you are the Queen of Co-ops! :)

Cheers, Lin
Mom to 2 wild boys
D 3/98
G 11/02

http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/kao/otn/pnoodles.gif

[kseltmann]

About this bumbo...
What age is this appropriate for? What age does it go to? DD is 9 months old, is she too big for this seat? I think its absolutely adorable...
Thanks again everyone for your feedback!

[ginamlee]

Finally, a co-op we can all afford! LOL!

Christine, the president of Snack Trap, has been so nice to work with. They have never done anything like this before, and went to work to create a program and a web site for us!

This offer expires on July 26, 2004.

Here is the website to check out the offer: http://www.snacktrap.com/Page.bok?template=bbb

http://www.adoptionannouncements.com/ebay/BBB-Disc-062804.jpg