Monday, June 29, 2009

Baby Books

Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book
Product Description
Dear Zoo is twenty-five years old -- and still as popular as ever! And with an updated look, this children's classic is sure to delight a new generation of readers!

Customer Reviews
A great first book
My daughter has loved this book from the very beginning. She was fascinated by the animals revealed when I lifted the flaps, and then had a great time learning how to lift the flaps herself as she grew older. She's a year old now and brings it to me to read to her more than any other book that we have. She gets a kick out of the animal sounds we make when we lift the flaps, too. It's the only lift-the-flap book we have that she hasn't managed to tear off any flaps. I think this book has been instrumental in showing her how much fun books can be - I highly recommend it.

Something tells me it's all happening at the zoo
Tis the ultimate interactive story for the young `uns. An unseen narrator (who we assume must be a child of some sort) narrates a tale of unprecedented zooish generosity. After asking the zoo for a pet, a series of animals are sent in the hope that the child will want them. Unfortunately (and as the book makes clear) many of animals one finds at the zoo are inappropriate pets. Each animal that arrives is hidden beneath a flap. When you lift the flap the children to whom you are reading this tale are supposed to delightedly cry out the name of that particular animal. In this way, you can teach kids the kinds of animals that live at the zoo. For the narrator, though, elephants are too big, lions too fierce, monkeys to naughty, and frogs too jumpy. In the end, the narrator receives a small hamper with the note, "From all your friends at the zoo" containing the perfect pet.

As an early book, this story and its accompanying illustrations are very very simple. I was a little disappointed at the flimsiness of the flaps children are supposed to lift or turn. The copy I paged through had been scotch taped and re-scotch taped several times to keep the book in any kind of semblance of order. It is also a pity that the animals in this book aren't named ever. I don't doubt that kids will, mostly, be able to name them anyway, but it's nice to learn to read the names along with the pictures of the animals. Still, the book is satisfying to read. No subtext here. Nuh-uh. Just a very basic story about a zoo, some friendly animals, and the reasons (or lack there of) of keeping them. For another interesting and enjoyable zoo book, try "Good Night, Gorilla" by Peggy Rathmann (a personal pet favorite of mine).

A favorite with my two year old
This is a great early book. The zoo sends various animals as a pet but they are all unsuitable for some reason (the giraffe is too tall, the monkey is too naughty etc). Finally they send the perfect present: a puppy! The language is simple (in fact, this book was recommended to me by a speech pathologist) and the humor is perfect for the 2-4 age group. My son loves lifting up the flaps and making noises for all the different animals hidden below. The flaps are also cleverly illustrated so that enough of the animal is visible to allow the child to guess which one is being sent. I must have read it to my son more than 100 times but neither of us are tired of it yet!


My Big Animal Book (My Big Board Books)
Product Description
  • Ideal for babies and toddlers.
  • Stunning large format brings images to life.
  • Helps to build a child's vocabulary.


Customer Reviews
A beautiful first animal photography book!!!
My son received this book for his first birthday and it has quickly become a favorite. He still chooses this book regularly at storytime and he is now 18 months old. Reasons to buy this book include...
  1. Great book for language development. The animals are sorted into groups including Baby Animals, Pets, On the Farm, Birds, and At the Zoo. A great book for playing "Where's the..." and "What's that?" pointing games.
  2. Clear, beautiful photos. Each animal photograph is also placed against a solid colored background so that the image really stands out.
  3. Unlike other animal photography books, the pages are not an animal collage with all the animals mixed in together. Each animal is shown in a square or rectangle with the name of the animals printed in lowercase underneath. Babies and Young toddlers are often confused by jumbled images and prefer the simplicity of how the animals are presented in this book.
  4. The book also has a rhyming, interactive text. For example on the zoo page it says, "I'm hard to see when I'm out in the snow. Who am I? (polar bear) I carry a trunk wherever I go. Who am I? (elephant). My toddler, like most, is highly attracted to rhyming text.

One of the best Animal books
I got this for my one year old twins, and they simply love it! They enjoy looking at the bright and colorful photographs of all the animals and this book enables me to make it a fun way of teaching them what different animals look like and the sounds they make. One of my twins always wails when I am finished and I close the book -- she simply wants to look at the book some more! I highly recommend this book for parents with young children.

An early favorite and a fantastic teaching resource
From the time my son first learned to talk, he has shown a fierce curiosity about what things are called as well as a total fascination with animals. I picked up Priddy's My Big Animal Book to help him identify various animals as well as to build his growing vocabulary, and it was a tremendous success on both levels.

The book features large, sturdy pages that catalog a variety of animals you'd find on a farm, in a zoo, or in people's houses. There is also a section on baby animals. The photos are large and colorful, and never fail to capture my son's attention. Between this book and My Big Truck Book (Priddy Bicknell Big Ideas for Little People), my son's vocabulary and understanding of the world around him increased by leaps and bounds. His first trip to the petting zoo and Zoo Atlanta were even more fascinating to him after seeing the pictures in this book. The day he saw real gorillas for the first time, he turned to me with a stunned look and shouted "Gayayas, Dada!" Thinking about that never fails to put a smile on my face! The book also allowed us to use his curiosity about animals to teach him about sizes, animal sounds, counting, and colors.

My son is two years old now and far more interested in storybooks, and the knowledge he gained from My Big Animal Book was a great help in transitioning him to books like Hug and Where's Spot?. He still takes this book off the shelf time after time just to look at the great photographs of his favorite animals.

I highly recommend this durable, colorful, and inexpensive book to all parents of curious toddlers. As teaching aids go, My Big Animal Book has proven far more effective than many a high-priced electronic gadget or DVD.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Sterilizer

Germ Guardian Nursery Sanitizer
Product Description
Germs can be passed on toys, especially moist soft toys, where a wet environment is the perfect breeding ground for germs. Help stop the spread of germs on toys, pacifiers, bottles and other baby items, with the Germ Guardian Nursery Sanitizer.It effective

Customer Reviews
MOM of 4
I have 4 kids and moms are always telling me that you do not even wipe off the pacifiers when they drop on the floor after baby # 2 comes along. Not me this product is awesome. I feel so much better cleaning my babies toys and pacifiers in this machine. This is what I now buy for every baby shower I go to.

works well, but limited usefullness
This is a small sanitizer that works well to sterilize pacifiers and teething items, or other SMALL things your child may touch. It takes 30 minutes for one cycle to run, and uses dry heat, so you can sterilize small toys and things you would not put in a dishwasher or washing machine. It is not designed to sterilize bottles or bigger items.

I love this sanitizer!
My daughter got thrush and so we had to sanitize everything our doctor recommended a nursery sanitizer so we purchased this one. We love it! Now we use it for everything. Every time I wash her bottles I throw them in and then put them up. Her toys go in once every other day. She's three months old now and I still use it at least twice a day and she hasn't gotten thrush again since.


Philips Avent iQ24 Steam Sterilizer
Product Description
The new AVENT iQ 24 Electronic Steam Sterilizer is the first intelligent steam sterilizer and is designed to communicate each phase of the sterilization cycle, so you stay informed. With features such as a digital display, electronic countdown and sound alerts, you can always be assured that contents are safe to use. The fast 6-minute cycle and optional 24-hour mode that keeps contents continuously sterile ensures contents are ready to use, day or night. A pause feature lets you remove some items without interrupting the cycle.

Editorial Reviews
From the Manufacturer
The new AVENT iQ 24 Electronic Steam Sterilizer is the first intelligent steam sterilizer and is designed to communicate each phase of the sterilization cycle, so you stay informed. With features such as a digital display, electronic countdown and sound alerts, you can always be assured that contents are safe to use. The fast 6-minute cycle and optional 24-hour mode that keeps contents continuously sterile ensures contents are ready to use, day or night. A pause feature lets you remove some items without interrupting the cycle.

Customer Reviews
Easy to use, more work to maintain.
Yes, the machine itself is easy to use. The assembly and disassembly isn't horribly difficult, either. The maintenance of the machine is a little more. One MUST use distilled water, not soft or hard water. The machine has to be pre-cleaned before the first use to sterilize the machine itself. After using the distilled water, one must descale the machine at least every 4 weeks. The cycles on the machine are not quick, so if you run out of bottles and need them in a hurry, you might as well boil them. My personal feeling is that it's not that big of a deal to boil bottles and a cooking pan doesn't require the amount of maintenance that this machine does. This is great if you get into a routine of doing it nightly, but not so great if you're in a hurry for a sterilized bottle. However, they have a microwave model for that. In either case, they don't recommend the sterilizers be used with glass bottles and that would be my preference given the information on heating plastics (yes, even bpa-free ones). I think it's a little more trouble than it's worth.

Simple and Trouble Free.
Our newborn boy (now 6 weeks old) requires feeding about every 2 to 4 hours. That little task takes a lot of time and patience plus bottles, caps, nipples and other assorted items which are in continuous need of cleansing and care. We've set up a production line and the last item in the line is the Avent iQ 24 sterilizer.

The sterilizer is in operation off and on all day. It's simple to use and effective, as far as I can tell. It sure beats using the oven, that's for sure. It's been trouble free up to this point. I just put the stuff into the trays, add the water, turn it on and wait until the little electric tone tells me it's complete. What could be more simple? We are using the smaller bottles at present, but can easily switch to larger bottles as the baby grows. We use the sterilizer so steadily throughout the day that we've never used the long cycle. Our little baby-feeding cycle and production line seems to work fine. Now, if I could just get the feeding cycle extended to allow me adequate sleep.

Gary Peterson

Recommended sterilization method
Using the microwave or stove top to sterilize baby bottles is time consuming and unreliable. The Philips Avent iQ24 is quick - takes only 6 minutes - and simple - just push a button. No more waiting for water to boil. No more uncertainty if the sterilization is complete. This device takes care of everything in the most simple way possible. Highly efficient, super easy, very effective.

Yes, the price is high - nearly $100 - but the convenience and safety factor make it a worthwhile investment.

Only downsides are:
1) the cheap feel of the unit (but the plus is the light weight)
2) restrictions on bottle type and size.

Overall, if you don't mind the price, this is a great solution for bottle sterlization.


Breast Pump

Medela Swing Breast Pump
Product Description
The only single electric personal use pump with breakthrough 2-Phase Expression® technology for maximum milk flow. First researched and developed for hospital breastpumps, 2-Phase Expression is an advanced pumping pattern that mimics a babys natural nursing rhythm by pumping in two distinct modes.Stimulation mode: To simulate your babys initial rapid sucking to start your milk flowingExpression mode: To simulate your babys slower deeper sucks to express your milk gently and efficiently.

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Product Description
Designed for busy moms, the Swing breast pump from Medela is a portable, user-friendly and exceptionally efficient pump that can help make your life easier. Originally researched and developed for hospital use, the Swing is the only single electronic personal use pump featuring breakthrough two-phase expression technology for maximum milk flow, proven to reduce pumping time.

Two-Phase Expression Technology
The Swing features two-phase expression technology, an advanced pumping pattern that mimics a baby's natural nursing rhythm. This system works in two modes: the simulation mode and the expression mode. The simulation mode simulates your baby's initial rapid sucking to start your milk flowing, while the expression mode simulates your baby's slower, deeper suckling to express your milk gently yet efficiently. These modes work together to make pumping a quick and painless process.

Comfortable and Convenient
Compact enough to easily fit in your purse, this pump is both safe and comfortable to use, whether you're home, at work, or traveling. The Swing includes many features that help make pumping a positive experience. First, the one touch let down button lets you start pumping immediately, and results in faster milk flow. The included massaging SoftFit breast shield provide exceptional comfort, and the convenient, compact size of the pump lets you place it on a table top, or attach it to the belt clip or included shoulder/neck strap.

You can even store it in your purse, briefcase or the included carrying bag for pumping on the go. Additionally, the adjustable vacuum and speed allows for customized pumping. When it comes to safety, the 100 percent Bisphenol-A (BPA) free Swing ensures a hygienic pumping experience and fresh, chemical-free milk for your baby. It also comes with two durable plastic storage containers and lids for sanitary storage of breast milk.

About Medela
Founded in 1961 in Zug, Switzerland by Olle Larsson, Medela is committed to supporting the WHO Code's depiction of breastfeeding and breast milk as the optimal nutrition for the growth, development and health of babies. The company believes it is their obligation to offer a complete solution, "from breast to belly," of high quality products that enable mothers to provide the optimum nutrition of breast milk to their babies. Today, Medela's primary focus remains to help moms successfully breast feed their babies as long as they wish. This goal lies at the heart of every product the company develops.

What's in the Box
Two each of collection containers and lids, one container stand, one valve, three membranes, one SoftFit breast shield, a carrying bag, Breastfeeding Information Guide, tubing, AC adapter, battery power option, neck/shoulder strap and Instruction Manual.

Customer Reviews
I've tried a bunch... this one is GREAT
OK... so I've been told the Symphony is the Cadillac of breast pumps... but with a price tag of $[...] who can afford that?? Renting it cost $[...] a month if you can find a place to rent it.. I did and used it for a month.. I honestly was not totally impressed for the price. Then I read up on the swing this pump ALSO (like the symphony) includes the Medela 2-Phase Expression Technology - the new standard for unsurpassed naturalness, comfort and efficiency. AND after buying it.. I liked it BETTER then the symphony. Infact I think it works just about the exact same, which is crazy of Medela when the price is SO different. I have tried the Medela Pump in style as well as the Avant Isis and this one is the best.

I would highly reccommend this pump.
POSITIVES:
This pump is portable. Comes with a travel bag, runs on batteries OR you can plug it in. The pump itself is about the size of a Hardees Hamburger. The breast shield is soft and very effective, you can control the speed and it has the letdown mode as well that automatically turns on after a few minutes. The breast shield is soft and comfortable, the suction and speed is the same as the symphony, the pump is SIMPLE to use, FOUR buttons-you can't NOT figure it out easily! It is FAST and emptys your breast totally.

NEGATIVES: (I have to stretch on this one cause I love the pump) It's not quiet, I don't know why the other review says it is.. It's actually louder then I thought it should be.. but not louder then the Medela Pump in style or symphony. But just not "quiet" I don't want you thinking you are going to get something you can pump with at the front of a mini van and noone in the back is going to hear..
It's a Single Pump... I know.. DUH.. but it is a negative, if only they made a double with this size base, I'm almost tempted to buy another.

I highly reccommend this pump, as a mom of three, I've tried a lot of pumps.. I think Medela is selling this pump short saying it is like the pump in style, I think it is comparable to the symphony!

Quiet and easy to use
I was looking for a pump because I'm planning a long car trip which I don't want to make even longer by stopping every 2 hours to feed. Other than that I only plan to use it occasionally -- enough to keep my child taking a bottle. I have the Medela Manual Electric which the hospital gave to me. I used once it once and hated it. It was slow and actually hurt because the required pump action pushes against the breast. This experience made me leary to get the manual Medela Harmony (or similar). I also thought I'd feel weird using a manual pump while fairly visible in a car.

I'm trilled with the Swing.
  • It's cute and the parts are small enough to carry large handbag. The pump itself is about the size of a jumbo bagel. The breastsheild and tubing don't take up much more room. If you choose to plug it in then the cord with its wall wort are almost a large as the pump itself.
  • It's extremely easy to use as the use of the 4 buttons is intuitive.
  • It's quiet. My baby is a noisy eater and she's louder than the pump.
  • I guess the drawback is only one breast can be pumped at a time. I found I can get 70ml in about 15 minutes, ie about the same speed as my child. However, it only takes one hand to hold the bottle/breastshield so I can use the computer at the same time. (If I pumped at a table of the right height I might be able to prop up the bottle/breastshield and have 2 hands free.)
This pump is awesome for an occasional user. I'll speculate that it would be good for someone who doesn't drive a car to work and doesn't want to lug a Pump In Style, and yet has the flexibility to allow pumping to take a little longer.

I know you are not supposed to love your pump...but I do!
My baby was small (4 pounds 14 ounces) when born and was not able to nurse well. I established my supply on a rental Symphony from the hospital. When it came time to return the Symphony I debated whether to continue renting it or to purchase my own pump. The purchase price of pumps really scared me off, but I considered the Swing because it is intended for daily use, which is what I needed, but was not as pricey as the Pump In Style. I LOVE THE SWING. THe Swing is as efficient, if not more, as the SYmphony. THe fact that it is a single pump does not bother me at all because it is so efficient I am done pumping in 20 minutes - both sides. It is so lightweight and portable that you can go anywhere. After a month of being tied to the huge Symphony every three hours, it was a wonderful and welcome change to be able to go places with the pump. I am a full time working mom and currently use the Swing every day. I fully recommend this!




Baby Pacifier

Natural Rubber Pacifier with Sculpted Nipple, 0-6 mos
Product Description
In high demand by environmentally conscious parents. Pure caoutchouc (rubber) is a sustainable raw material, produced from collected tree sap of the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). After the tree sap (known as latex) is harvested, proteins are isolated and discarded, and the remaining pure rubber is dried and preserved. Its protective shield is soft and flat, allowing the muscles of the mouth and the lips to have freedom of movement and thus encouraging muscle activity and development. The shield is larger than conventional pacifier shields in order to prevent the baby from squeezing the flexible material enough to fit into its mouth. The shield will also not leave marks on the baby's face. Three large ventilation apertures (two on the shield and one under the nipple) help prevent skin irritation caused by prolonged contact with saliva. The nipple is soft and malleable. As a result, the tongue has plenty of room for movement. Since the pacifiers are molded in one piece, the nipple and the shield are connected securely, thus preventing the pacifier from falling apart. The grip ring is soft and comfortable for the baby during tummy time. INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE: Must be sterilized before first use by boiling for several minutes. To be washed carefully after every use under running water - should be sterilized for babies younger than six months of age. Not to be placed in dishwasher. Is likely to change color due to exposure to light. Should be replaced every 4-6 weeks. SUAVINEX is Spain's leading manufacturer of childcare products. In business since 1980, their award-winning products are carried by 100% of Spanish pharmacies. Suavinex is a member of the European Organisation CEN/TC/252 which coordinates overall regulations on baby care products.

Customer Reviews
Best pacifier on the market!
My baby LOVES this pacifier. We started off with Gerber Nuk, but after seeing this one I thought I'd give it a try. Now my baby won't even take the Nuk.

We are starting the slow process of weaning him from pacifier... currently we just give it to him at bed/nap time, even though we have other pacifiers around the house, since they aren't THIS paci he just ignores them.

The only negative is that they turn brown after a short time... and they bounce, so when they fall on the floor it can be hard to find them.

Great Pacifier
My 6 month old loves this pacifier. She latched onto it right away, and since pacifiers have been a godsend at soothing her and helping her fall asleep, we use it quite a bit and I am so happy to have found one that is made of natural rubber.

Healthy and Awesome
I found this pacifier while looking for BPA-free alternative. I worried my son would miss his familiar paci, but he took to this right away and seems even more serene with this one! So, not only is it better for him, he also loves it (and unlike the Born Free pacifiers, this one has a loop for a attaching the paci to clothes or car seat + softer!)


Soothie Newborn Pacifier - Pink & Purple - PBA Free - 2 Pack
Product Description
The number-one pacifier used in over 2,000 hospitals nationwide--over half the hospitals in the coutnry! Over 2.5 million pacifiers are distributed to newborns each year--this means that more than half the babies born go home from the hospital with a Soothie Pacifier. Made from medical-grade silicone, in pink for girls. One-piece design for less germs. Soft, latex-free nipple

Customer Reviews
The pacifier you can buy!!!
These are the best pacifiers to sooth your infant. Regular pacifiers are less like a human nipple and more like a bottle nipple. The soothie is the closest to a womans nipple and reduces the chances of nipple confusion. Give it time though because your child may not take to it right away. It took my daughter a couple weeks before she really took to it. It helps when it comes to soothing a child to sleep.

great paci
i love these pacifiers--and more importantly so does the baby. Just be careful if you have pets; they love them too.

Acceptable choice for a breastfed baby!
These were recommended by my IBCLC (lactation consultant)and Speech Language Pathologist (dealing with infant feeding issues) for my breastfed infant. I really liked the pink/purple colors. Although said infant is now refusing anything but the breast.


Baby Pillow

Boppy Cotton Slipcover, Blue Boats
Product Description
The Boppy Slipcover is just like a pillowcase that fits snugly over your existing Boppy pillow. Check out the many cotton polyester designs. There is one certain to match your sense of style. All Boppy slipcovers fit all boppy pillows. Get a couple and always have one fresh when the other's in the wash. This is machine washable.

Customer Reviews
Thin and pale
The Uptown Dots Boppy cover is actually much lighter in color than pictured here; it's not unattractive, but the colors are much more on the pale pastel side. More to the point, the fabric is a cotton muslin that's thin and a little coarse (you wouldn't want sheets made from this material) and since the washing instructions say to dry it only on the "low, delicate cycle," it seems pretty clear that it's ready to shrink upon washing.

LOVE IT!
So cute, one of the cutest slipcovers I have found so far.

On the back is a purple gingham pattern that they don't show here.

So it's kind of like getting two slipcovers in one!

BOPPY LOVER
The covers are needed for the 'uncovered' boppy... any style is great. I recommend the cotton or cotton poly blend vs. fleece as the fleece along with baby's heat will be too much heat for the boppy 'wearer'... And more than one cover is nice for each boppy as when baby leaves little spit up stains etc., you can throw one in the wash and use another...(think pillow case). And about boppy's in general, here's the truth: You can use one for each floor or main 'take care of baby' area of your home. You will never know how much easier life is WITH one of these unless you've done the whole baby 'thing' once without it. It gives the arms a break, gives another set of arms to cradle baby, props the little ones up when they need support, is an alternative for burping (legs go 'inside' the donut hole and head on the boppy like a shoulder and pat away while feeding the other twin ON a boppy wrapped on your lap)...Terrific gift and never worry if they already got 'one'...like I said, more than one is truly like getting another pair of holding arms!



My First ABC Throw Pillow
Customer Reviews
Cute pillow to My First ABC set
This is a really cute pillow to match the Kidsline My First ABC set. This item is not available at our local Babies R Us so I was thrilled to find it online.


Lambs and Ivy Enchanted Forest Decorative Pillow, Green
Product Description
This plush pillow features a loveable deer playing amongst leaves. This pillow features a soft washable suede in the front and woven plaid in the back. This coordinates with the enchanted forest bedding and accessories.

Customer Reviews
Super Cute!
I absolutely love this collection. The pillow is very soft, made of new quality material, and is simply adorable.


Lambs & Ivy Peek a Boo Snoopy Pillow
Product Description
Pillow has a soccer ball, basketball, baseball and basketball embroidered on top of a while background.

Customer Reviews
Small, but I love it
Good quality pillow. Disappointed as to how small it was, but I love it anyway. It's just way too cute and it works perfectly in my baby's room.

cute
I'm expecting my first child and step by step i'm preparing the nursery, the pillow is smaller than i though, but it's very cute and good quality. I also have the snoopy plush blanket and have no complaints about it, its really soft and make a good combination.

Very small
I was surprised at how small it was. It's VERY cute, but tiny!


Baby Monitor

Safety 1st High-Def Digital Video Monitor
Product Description
The Safety 1st High-Def Digital Monitor provides a 100% clear connection anytime, anywhere. The state of the art wideband audio clarity ensures no static, no interference, and guaranteed privacy while monitoring. It has a remote digital zoom and pan. The DataLock technology means no dropped picture or sound. The baby unit is battery operated or can be plugged in. It has secure sound lights.

Customer Reviews
just got this and it is FANTASTIC so far.....
Just got the item delivered today. I did pay a whole lot less then the $349.99 price amazon has it for right now. (and don't buy it from wizard entertainment, they had it [...], and then cancelled my order stating that it was out of stock, and then they have it listed here again, scam artists)
First, the box is nicely configured and when you open it, everything is there to see (some may think this is crazy but i purchased/returned a swat system and the thing was a pain in the butt to get out and put back in)
2nd, hooked it up and there is NO interference.... thats right, NO interference, none.... NO popping sounds, NO dropping picture, NO neighbors kid.... NOTHING... just very, very clear picture and sound. since I just got the system and hooked it up, I have not used the night vision or the zoom in/out, pan features. It seems pretty straight forward to use from the handset. The screen on the handset is somewhat on the small size but the clarity and the quality is pretty good.
I thought the camera and the handset would be a whole lot heavier but they seem to be pretty well made. When you put in the rechargable batteries in the handset make sure you unscrew the little screw at the bottom (or read the directions). So the handset comes with rechargable batteries and a power plug. The camera does not come with the batteries (even though you can run it on batteries) I am not sure about placing rechargable batteries in it.
I will update my review with more info, but so far, comparing it to other monitors, this seems to work flawlessly. I am amazed that no one had come up with this technology before. So my first impression of the item is very good and I would definitely recommend it.

**update 1** 4/25/08 ** tried the item with night vision and it is pretty good. during regular day mode, one thing i realized about the picture quality is that if you have a fast moving object like my dog running across the screen, the picture quality does get a bit choppy. it doesn't drop out but kind of looks like an older cartoon where the motion is not smooth. now this said, it really doesn't matter with an infant, just the fact that you would be using to see if they are awake if moving etc. if your baby is doing gymnastics then it may not be that impressive. the zoom also works pretty well. you get up to 4x digital zoom, when you do zoom in the picture quality suffer somewhat but it is still a great feature. the whole system is pretty easy to navigate. i am still very happy with the item.

**update 2** 9/7/08 ** Still using the monitor like crazy. Couple of things people pointed out. #1) battery life sucks... just awful but for my use which is mostly at night we have it hooked up to the power outlet and we rarely carry it around with us during the day #2) it is pretty annoying to hear that beep and see the logo everytime you want to see the video, its loud especially at night when everything is so quite. Other then those 2 things, the item is still solid. I will take those 2 negatives just for the fact that no one else can see my kid (you can't say the same about the 900 mhz or the 2.4 gig units) At night we have the auto volume limit at 2 and the sound only comes on when the baby makes sounds which is great. The video is always clear with the night vision and you can see every detail. Actually one other really annoying thing #3) is that the actual video unit in the baby's room, has a blinking annoying green light. I am sure you can't turn it off, so I had to put a piece of folded paper and tape it so it wasn't a beacon for the baby. I have had no wireless issues with FIOS actiontek router either. so overall still pretty happy with the unit and its well worth it for the security and privacy perks.

**update 3** 3/30/09 ** OK, so almost 1 year of use, I still highly recommend this to any parent. I don't know how people do without a video baby monitor... do yourself a favor and get a video one and not just an audio.
2 negatives -
  1. The batteries do not hold a charge... period, no juice at all.
  2. The view button, does not really work, you really have to push hard for it to work
NOW THE POSITIVE -
I called safety1st about those 2 problems, they will be sending me a brand new unit. This is what I call customer service!!! They will send me a brand new unit and I just have to send my old one back to them. I have been a very happy customer with the unit. After a full year of use, I would recommend it hands down over any other unit out there.
This is a must for all new parents.

Best monitor currently available.
I recently purchased this video monitor for use in our home, to replace the Summer Infant Handheld video monitor we were NOT happy with. I spent hours reading reviews of all the monitors I could find online. I am happy with my purchase. I believe this monitor was a good choice, although it's not perfect. Here's my review:
  1. PICTURE. This monitor has by far the best picture of any baby video monitor I have seen. That being said, it is NOT "high-def" to the standards of a high-def television. It is high def compared to other monitors currently available. 5 STARS.
  2. SOUND. The sound quality is very good. There is a soft "whoosh" of interference that is constantly in the background when the receiver is on. I have never seen a monitor that didn't have that interference, and this is better than most. The microphone appears to be very sensitive and picks up my child's smallest sounds. 4 STARS.
  3. RECEPTION. The reception is unparalleled in my opinion. There is only an occasional blip of interference on one side of the picture that resolves quickly. We walked three houses away on either side of our house before we lost reception. Needless to say the reception inside our home and in our yard is flawless. Even several houses away the reception didn't degrade in quality - it was perfect until it was lost, displaying a lost connection symbol. A few steps back toward our house restored perfect reception again. Additionally, the monitor does not appear to conflict with our wireless internet in any way. 5 STARS.
  4. PAN/TILT. This monitor advertises the ability to pan and tilt. If you are picturing being able to remotely control the camera to move in any direction, that's not what it does. From the remote parent unit, you can zoom in on the picture 2X to 4X. While in a zoomed view, you can move right, left, up or down within the picture, just as you would if you zoomed in on a picture from your digital camera. You're not actually seeing anything outside the original view, and the camera is not actually moving. The zoom feature does produce fairly clear images, however, and for us we like being able to see both our kids in their bunk beds in the zoomed out view, and then zoom in on each one individually. I find it slightly irritating that to move within the zoomed view you have to keep pushing the right, left, up or down buttons repeatedly, moving only slightly with each push. I wish you could hold down the button and have it move smoothly until you released the button or reached the edge of the picture. 4 STARS.
  5. TIME OUT and OTHER FEATURES. This monitor has an on-screen menu that allows you to set your preferences for the Time Out feature, AUTO level, Night vision (infrared) and adding other cameras. TIME OUT allows you to set how long your want the screen to be on before it automatically shuts off to save battery life - 5 seconds, 15 secs, 25 secs, or OFF which leaves it on until you turn it off. I really like this feature because you can hit the view button to see the picture and then just set it down and it will turn itself off. The sound continues after the screen turns off unless you have set the AUTO LEVEL, which turns the sound off and then turns it on if there is a sound in the room. You can set this to OFF, which keeps the sound on until you turn the unit off, or to level 1, 2 or 3 which makes it more or less sensitive to sound, i.e., it will turn the sound on for smaller noises on level 1 or wait for bigger noises on level 2 or 3. I like this a lot because then you don't have to listen to the "whoosh" of background noise, but you know if your child starts to stir it will turn back on. I am satisfied with how sensitive it is with my 3 year old, I will wait and see how I feel with the baby coming soon, knowing I'll be more paranoid about every noise with him. But so far I like how this works. For NIGHT vision you can turn the infrared on, off, or to auto. I don't know why you would use anything other than auto but I guess it's nice to have the choice. I only have one camera so the part about adding other cameras is not something I can comment on. I will say the menu was only partially intuitive for me, but it didn't hurt me to read the instructions for once and all my questions were answered there. 5 STARS.
  6. OTHER. In the area of nit-pickiness, there is a Safety 1st screen that comes on every time you turn the screen on, as if it shows while the unit is booting up. Whether this is necessary or not I don't know, and it does bug a little, but it's only on there for 1 second so it's not that big of a deal. The screen does return to the view you had before, like if you were zoomed in on a certain spot it returns to that, which is nice. You don't have to find the view you want all over again. The screen is pretty small, smaller than our old one, but the picture is so much better it makes up for it. I would rather have a smaller, but better picture than a bigger crappy one. I do like that the handheld receiver is small and portable, easy to carry in your pocket or use the clip provided. Finally, the power button on the camera blinks brightly when the camera is on, which can be annoying in the dark. I taped tin foil over it to cover it up.
Overall, I would recommend this monitor to family and friends without hesitation. I am sure that future models with improve upon this one, and there are some things I would change if I could, but I am convinced this is among the best if not the best baby monitor available today. I love it. Shop around for the best price.

Best Quality Video Monitor on the Market
This video monitor was our 3rd purchase. We first bought Summer's Video Monitor which was returned even before we had the baby. The first reason was because we would pick up or neighbors baby room, second the monitor screen broke very easily.
Next Monitor we purchased was Graco's, we actually used this monitor for the first 9 months, the video clarity was poor, and the parent unit of the monitor would turn off unexpectedly. At first I thought the rechargeable battery was just bad so I purchased a second plug in cord for the unit only to realize that was not actually the issue. After 2 months of dealing with their customer service they gave me a full refund for the return of my unit.
Moving on to the Safety 1st monitor when I first received the monitor the parent screen I though was really small compared to my other two previously owned. However once I turned on the camera and observed the clarity of the unit I was impressed! I would Highly recommended this unit above all other video monitors.
There are some negatives about the unit when hanging the video camera the power cord seems to be located in the wrong spot. It is located on the bottom part of the unit so there is no way to hide the cord. Second is I am still a little confused on how to switch between options.
But even with these two negative factors the video picture by far is the best quality out on the market. Hope this helps. Good Luck!



Monday, June 22, 2009

Baby Safety

Summer Infant Sure and Secure Double Bedrail, Blue
Product Description
This double sided bedrail from Summer Infant is an essential item for your child when transitioning them from their crib to a bed. Security, ease of use, price and value all in one great item.
Editorial Reviews
From the Manufacturer
This is an essential item for your child when transitioning them from their crib to a bed. It measures 42.5''L x 20''H and assembles in less than 5 minutes. This can be folded down for easy access to the bed or to change linens. It can accommodate twin to queen size mattresses. It is an adorable sesame street bed rail includes light up shooting stars, soft glow star night light, and plays a soothing lullaby.

Customer Reviews
Easy to install and use
It only took me about 20 minutes to install this double bed rail by myself. Basically, you just snap on the pieces to create the two rails, insert each rail into two plastic hinges, connect the two rails through two straps, take off the mattress, place the rails on the box spring, put back the mattress, and tighten the rails to the mattress by tightening the two straps. With one person, after assembling the two rails, the only challenging part was placing the mattress back on the box spring without displacing the bed rails on the box spring. I overcame this challenge by placing the mattress back on the box spring and then re-adjusting the slightly displaced rails. Doing it alone probably took an extra 5 minutes. The instructions were easy to follow and there were few parts to make the assembly nearly fool-proof.

I also like that both rails can be lowered for changing bed sheets or when they are not needed. Please note that it does take a bit of room for the rails to fold down completely so check the rail height to determine the space needed. Once the rails are tightened, it can be difficult to pull a comforter between the rail and the bed. So, I just fold the comforter on both sides rather than let it drape.

LOVE IT!
I tried 2 diff bedrails before buying these. and they deff are the best rail Ive seen on a toddlers bed. Would buy them again in a heartbeat!

So glad we purchased them!
They were the least expensive bed rails we could find online. Shipping was free, as we are Amazon members. How can you beat that? Best of all, our toddler is no longer falling out of bed. We should have bought them a few months earlier when he transitioned to a regular bed. Using pillows just doesn't cut it anymore when they start to flip and flop! Easy to install. I just dread making his bed now, so he sleeps on top of all of the blankets. No biggy. He always kicked them all off every night anyway. They really are sturdy when installed. Our toddler really kicks them and flips against them, and they don't budge. Great deal!


Magnet Locks by Kidco (4 locks per package - key sold separately)
Product Description
The Adhesive Mount Magnet Lock Starter Set from KidCo features the only magnetic lock that installs without tools or drilling. It can be used on 1" solid wood and is perfect for cabinets containing materials that pose a risk to children's health or safety. Locks cabinets to prevent accidents.

Customer Reviews
GREAT PRODUCT! DON'T BE TURNED OFF BECAUSE OF PREVIOUS REVIEWER!!
What the previous reviewer didn't realize is that there are 2 different packaging options for this item. The first option is a pack that contains 1 key and 2 locks for people who want to try it out and the second option is to buy the pack that contains 4 locks but no key for those who already bought the starter kit and happened to like the product. So make sure you really read the description of what you're getting if you're buying online. (This one happens do be the 4 locks with no key so you might want to try the starter kit first...I actually rec. it because UNFORTUNATELY the lock doesn't work with all situations because of draw designs) Then on top of that Kidco also sells the key seperately with no locks for those who have the product, love it, and happened to misplace or lose their key OR want to purchase an additional incase they ever lose the 1st key. I will admit that I think it's pretty lame for a company to try to squeeze every penny out of you especially when it probaby only costs 5 cents to make the darn key and especially when you're dealing with child safety products. As far as how well the product works...I LOVE IT and wish it had worked out better with all my draw situations! It's especially great for those cabinet doors that stand alone and don't have another door next to it where you can just buy one of those wrap around door knob locks that require 2 knobs to be side by side. I didn't have as great of luck with my kitchen draws because the draw panel is added on to the actual draw so it isn't flush with where you put the catch. I put 5 stars to bring the rating up because the last reviewer only gave one and it's actually a great product. I know it will outsmart my baby far beyond any cheaper options out there. I installed them with the adhesive tape that comes with it but I plan on reattaching it with the screws also included because I personally feel that the screws will do a better job AND because I love my child more than my freaking cabinet doors for all those worried about messing up your precious wood cabinets...I mean give me a break...the holes are so small anyway and it's totally concealed, only you will know it's there. ALSO, this locks so tight that little fingers/hands can't reach inside small openings (which usually occures with the other types of locks) and pull stuff out. And also there's an option to turn the lock off for in between kids. DEFINITELY CONSIDER THIS PRODUCT!!!!!

best magnetic lock on the market
These locks not only work very well, but I was able to install them in under 5 minutes with the enclosed screws. You don't have to use the screws as the adhesive seemed to hold well, but who knows what will happen over time. I originally ordered the tot-lok magnetic locks, but they were very difficult to install, especially in tight places.

These locks are the best
The Kidco magnetic locks are the best. Really, any of the babyproofing products by Kidco are far superior to other brands. These locks are incredibly easy to install, I did our whole kitchen (about 12 cabinets) in about 30 minutes. They don't require you to drill into the cabinet, and they also don't show on the outside. They also have a deactivation mechanism if you are working in the kitchen and going in and out of the cabinets a lot.

We ended up purchasing some extra magnetic keys (you can find them in stores, not always available on Amazon.com) because we often misplace them, but you can put them on the fridge which seems to work well.


North States Industries Two-panel Extension Kit for Superyard XT in White
Product Description
Two-panel extension kit expands Superyard XT to 34.5 square feet. By adding this extension kit you can increase the Superyard XT size.

Customer Reviews
Love this gate system
I bought the whole superyard play yard kit and absolutely loved it. The extra extensions you can buy for it are great. I have it set up in a living room to keep my son from getting near my entertainment center and leaving my living room. I found it to be very durable and sturdy. When my son was younger it worked great as a place for him to play in. As he got a little older and became more mobile I set the play yard up in my living room to keep him from getting close to my television set. You can bend the pieces to form almost any design you choose. I would say that if you child is getting close to 3 years old not to buy this though. It's sturdy but probably not for that age. It can also be used as a place to put your pet in and can be used outside. I'd recommend this highly.

Great product to go with Superyard XT
This is almost a necessity when you purchase the Superyard XT.

HINT: Do NOT buy two extensions, as the superyard becomes unstable with more than one set added (per manufacturers specifications).

Life saver
This gate has been a real life and time saver. I bought the extension for it and set it up in about 5 minutes. I set up all of my sons toys in it and let him go. I don't have to chase him around the house and I can get a lot done knowing where he's at. This gate is awesome.


Baby Potty Training

Sesame Street Potty Topper Disposable Stick-in-Place Toilet Seat Covers - 10 Count
Product Description

  • Protects your child from the germs on public toilets
  • Disposable
  • Barrier from germs and wetness
  • Sticks in place
  • Soft and comfortable
  • Reclosable 10 pack


Editorial Reviews
From the Manufacturer
Protect your children (and the whole family) from germs on public toilet seats. Normal tissue seat covers tear apart, soak through, and slide off the seat. Potty Topper cleverly "sticks-in-place" with adhesive tabs, providing a reliable sanitary barrier between little bottoms and big germs. The oversized dimensions cover the sides of the seat too, especially where your child holds on! A soft absorbent top is super comfortable, and a plastic liner below eliminates wet seats from soaking through. You and your child will love the adorable designs.

Customer Reviews
Great when on the run!
These are perfect for toddlers. We take them with us everywhere and never have to worry about toilet seats for our 3 year old.

Really works
Stays in place and is a great barrier. Also compact enough to carry one at all times.

Keep germs away from little hands
I bought these when I was potty training my daughter. It made potty emergencies at the store so much calmer! No more, "Don't touch that!!" It covered most seats completely. The sticky tape stuck with no problem. However, you had to be careful not to pull too hard when removing it or it would stay stuck and the cover would rip around it. Once you figure out how to take it off at an angle with out ripping it, it's a cinch!


Fisher-Price Potty On-the-Go
Product Description
A portable potty that's ready to "go" -- whenever and wherever they are! Sturdy tripod base sets up quickly, neatly and discreetly to provide a sanitary personal potty on the road, at a restaurant, while camping, in the park -- wherever and whenever you're on the go!!

Designed for comfort, cleanliness and convenience, with smooth, easy-to-wipe-clean surfaces and a mess-free, disposable bag and absorbent pad waste containment system. Just tie it, and toss it! Potty folds flat for compact carry in a machine-washable, take-along tote with organizer pockets that keep your personal care supplies handy, like your wipes and hand sanitizer.

Includes 5 disposable bags and 5 absorbent pads. Replace with standard 4-gallon garbage bags and any type of absorbent pads (nursing pads, sanitary pads, etc.).

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Product Reviews
If you have ever planned a family outing around the availability of a toilet, you will understand the value of the Fisher-Price Potty On-the-Go. Now you can reinforce potty training when out about. The base is sturdy and folds flat to fit in the snazzy tote. The tote is discreet and includes pockets for wipes, toilet paper, etc. When the time comes, simply attach a garbage bag, throw in a nursing pad, and dispose. It potty is easily wiped clean, and the tote keeps it from getting dirty when transporting. The Potty On-the-Go includes five disposable bags and absorbent pads, but the nice thing is that they recommend replacing these with generic four-gallon bags and nursing pads--couldn't be easier. --Scott Teal

From the Manufacturer
A portable potty that's ready to "go" whenever and wherever they are! Sturdy tri-pod base sets up quickly, neatly and discreetly to provide a sanitary personal potty on the road, at a restaurant, in the park - anywhere! Designed for comfort, cleanliness and convenience, with smooth, easy-to-wipe-clean surfaces and a mess-free, disposable bag and absorbent pad waste containment system. Just tie it, and toss it! Potty folds flat for compact carry in a machine washable, take-along tote with organizer pockets that keep your personal care supplies handy. Includes 5 disposable bags and 5 absorbent pads. Replace with standard (four-gallon) garbage bags and any type of absorbent pads (nursing pads, sanitary pads, etc.).

Customer Reviews
This is the best On-the-Go Potty
I have this On the Go Potty and love it. It is a bit bulky and does not fit in the basket of my Maclaren umbrella stroller so I purchased the the Potty Bench which folds more compactly.
While the potty bench Travel Potty has a storage for wipes or tissues on the side it is rather small and now that my daughter is getting older (3 1/2) she already seems to be getting to big for it. Sometimes she pees right over the ring as it is very small and then it is a mess to clean up. It uses 1 gallon storage bags which also sometimes leak. Since it does not have its own storage bag, it tends to get a little dirty sliding around the back of our SUV. I usually find a Cheerio or Cheese Nip when I open it up.
I much prefer this Fisher Price On-the-Go Potty. The bag has the storage for wipes, TP, and Purell wipes for our hands. Would highly recommend this one. I use the very small Hefty garbage can liners which have never leaked for me. I usually throw a few napkins in the bottom to absorb the urine so that clean up and throw away is easier. As for storage, it hangs right over the handle of the stroller.

Great potty for keeping in the car, but not suitcase travel
I bought this potty first because there were a few negative reviews about the much smaller potette (which you can find on Amazon as well..). However, I later bought/used the potette for a trip, so am comparing the two below:

This Fisher price one is big and sturdy, has it's own case, you can use plastic grocery bags or trash bags in it, etc. and it's great for keeping in the car for "kid potty stop emergencies". However, it is pretty bulky and would not be handy for any walking, hiking type excursions (I'm talking about around town, botanical gardens, etc. where it would be inappropriate to let them potty in the grass/nature areas & where public toilets are either absent or gross).

The potette however, is perfect for such things - it's much smaller, has handy bags with absorbent pads, and comes in it's own little bag. The pottette is maybe 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick and 7x7 inches when folded into its bag - easy to stick in your backpack or even a bigger purse. The Fisher price on-the-go potty is significantly bigger! When folded up into it's case it is about 12-14 by 12-14 inches in size and 5-6 inches thick. Not good for a purse at all, and takes up a lot of room in a backpack or suitcase if traveling. It does come with it's own handle and shoulder strap, but why lug such a big thing around when the potette will fit directly into your purse or pack? And the potette doesn't weigh anything at all while this might add a pound or two to your load.

We recently went on a cruise from Puerto Rico down through the southern Caribbean. The potette potty was PERFECT!! We went to many national monuments, parks, a volcano & other outdoor sites which had NO public toilets (or super gross hole in the ground toilets) - we easily set up the pottete and the problem was immediately resolved. It's easy to remove the baggie and tie it up so you can avoid potential messes until you find a trash can. The potette was AMAZINGLY portable and handy for our 3 year old!

TAKE HOME MESSAGE: The FP potty-on-the-go is great for in your car, but buy the potette for travel where you want to carry a kiddie potty on your person!

Great travel potty!!
I highly recommend this potty.

I ordered this potty for "emergencies" (e.g. roadtrips and outings at remote locals). However, my daughter likes it so much we use it a lot more than I thought we would. Very easy to assemble and dismantle. The On-the-go-potty comes with supplies but then you can buy a box of disposable nursing pads for absorption and a pack of 4 gallon trash bags and that should last a very long time.


BabyBjörn Potty Chair - Blue
Product Description
Baby Bjorn Potty Chair The Baby Bjorn Potty gives the child a chance to learn to use the bathroom like an adult while using an ergonomically designed chair. The potty features a design which allows for softer forms and more leg room for the child. One of the most important things in picking out a potty chair is picking out one that is comfortable for the child. Potty training is a difficult task in itself. The last thing a child needs is a toilet trainer which isn't comfortable. This potty chair allows the child to get closer to the inside of the potty. It features sturdy armrests and a backrest to get the child comfortable and acclimated to the potty chair from Baby Bjorn. The inner potty is removable for easy clean up. The Baby Bjorn Potty Chair will quickly become a favorite chair of the child's, where they will be happy to sit as long as necessary

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Product Description
Potty training is undoubtedly one of the biggest challenges a parent (and child) can face. The BabyBjorn Potty Chair helps make it easier on everyone right from the start. Made of durable, scratch-resistant plastic and available in an array of bright, glossy colors, this sturdy chair is just the right size for toddlers learning to sit on the potty. You may just want to have one in every bathroom in the house!

Ergonomic Support for Optimum Comfort
Many children begin the potty training process feeling fearful of sitting on the toilet. That's why it's so important that their practice potty give them the support they need to feel secure. The Potty Chair features an ergonomic design with rounded styling, a high, comfortable backrest, armrests, and lots of leg room so your child can get closer to the seat without worrying about falling off, or in. A splashguard at the lip of the seat prevents messes from landing outside the potty. On the bottom of the chair is a rubber edge that keeps the potty chair in place.

Easy-Care Design
The potty training process can be a messy one, but the Potty Chair can help make clean-up easier and more pleasant. The inner section of the potty removable for fast and easy cleaning--simply empty the contents into your regular toilet, then hand wash the Potty Chair with soap and warm water. Environmentally conscious parents won't have to worry about the potty ending up in a landfill once your child is done using it. Instead, you can celebrate the end of potty training by placing the recyclable Potty Chair in your recycle bin.

About BabyBjorn
BabyBjörn AB is a family-owned, Swedish company founded in 1961. Right from the start, BabyBjörn's goal has been to simplify everyday activities for parents and small children by developing innovative products for children up to the age of three. Their products are now used worldwide by millions of parents. BabyBjorn also works closely with pediatricians, a practice that began in Sweden, but now includes an international network of doctors in Germany, France, Sweden and the USA. The company aims to identify those little everyday problems parents face and then to come up with ingenious, long term solutions to them.

Amazon.com Product Description
Potty training is one of the biggest challenges a parent (and child) can face. Thank goodness that BabyBjörn provides a great potty chair to make it easier on everyone. This chair, which comes in a rainbow of bright, fun colors, is the right size for kids and has all the right features for parents.

Made of durable and easy to clean PVC plastic, this chair stands a foot tall-the perfect height for a training toddler. The high back, armrests, low seat, and wide legs offer ergonomic comfort, allowing your child to take as long as needed.

Parents will love that the inner potty (a 5.5-inch diameter bowl) can be removed easily to empty and clean, that there is a splashguard to keep things neat, and that the base’s edge is rimmed with rubber to make sure the chair doesn’t move while in use. A bonus to the environmentally conscious: the chair is recyclable once training is complete!

With so many important features packed into one small chair, you may just want to get one for every bathroom in the house.

Customer Reviews
The MOST SUCCESS of them all!
We are currently training our 2nd child. With our first, we had 3 in diapers, giving us MAJOR motivation to get him potty trained, so we tried almost every seat out there. Most of them were okay, but just got nasty quckly, were hard to disinfect, or were uncomfortable for my son. The ones with the removable splash gaurd are not gentle and can scrape a child's sensitive parts. Those were awful. We were "potty training" for a full year before we finally saw the BabyBjorn potty chair in a local botique, and DS immediately sat in it. He chose blue, and we took it home. Within a week, he was trained, and began using the "big boy seat", so we saved the seat for our daughter. It was incredable! Now our 23 month old daughter is training. We bought her this white babybjorn seat for our downstairs bathroom, with the blue upstairs. She has been "training" for 6 days now, and is almost completely day trained!

This seat is by far the best in our experiences. Here's why: 1. the seat has a higher back and sides, which gives the child support while sitting down, standing up, or simply sitting there. 2. It is NOT easy to tip! several of the others we tried tipped without much effort when our child was putting pressure on the sides trying to sit down or stand. 3. It is super easy to clean - there aren't a bunch of seams to gather gunk, it's easy to wipe down with a clorox wipe and be done. It's also super easy to take the little bucket out, and soak in clorox or hose down. 4. Kids can choose what color they want! This was such a big deal to my children --- also, they are solid colors that can look nice with your bathroom. The surface is also nice that your child can decorate the back with cute stickers if wanted. 5. It works for children of all different sizes! My son was 40" and 42lbs when potty training, and my daughter is 25lbs and a little shrimp, and this seat fit them both WONDERFULLY.

Overall, having tried MANY seats, this one was the absolute best for both our children, and I would highly reccomend it to anyone in need of a seat for potty training success~!

Great potty, especially for boys!
I had a Safety 1st potty that I just hated before I bought this Baby Bjorn potty. It leaked, its round opening was WAY too small, and I had a ton of problems with my son leaking all over the front and on to the floor. Plus it came apart in many pieces and had lots of spots bacteria could hide. The Baby Bjorn takes care of all the problems I had with the Safety 1st potty!

The simple construction is so sanitary and easy to clean. There are no little places for bacteria to collect.

The opening is bigger than other potty chairs and oblong instead of round, so no more pooping on the seat. This alone would have sold me on this potty.

The splash guard is great for boys. No more peeing off the front of the potty and no flimsy detachable splash guards that flip down into the seat.

It has a nice rubber grip on the bottom to keep it in the same place on the floor.

Another plus is that it's nice looking and blends in with the rest of the bathroom.

I'm very happy with the quality and design of this potty and I have NO complaints!

I like the Baby Bjorn potty seat better
My son is 23 months old, and I bought this product and the Baby Bjorn potty seat that goes on the big toilet, thinking I would try them both and see which he liked best. He is scared of the potty chair now because the splash guard in the front "surprises" him when he sits down sometimes, and he gets hurt. He refusus to sit on it now, and only wants to use the potty seat on the big toilet - fine with me because it is easier to clean. The potty chair is narrow, and although my son is on the very skinny side, he sees kind of wedged in there when he sits on it. It doesn't seem that comfortable for his little tushie. I bought the white model, and did not realize that the plastic potty bowl on it is black. This makes it hard to tell when it is really clean. I would give this chair some points for being compact, not taking up much space in the bathroom, and being attractive looking and sturdy. However, it just doesn't seem comfortable for my boy. In my opinion, it does not live up to the quality I expect from baby bjorn products. I do, however, love the Baby Bjorn potty seat that goes on the big toilet, as it is VERY comfortable and seems well-designed for a boy to use. Such a contrast between these two products! Maybe the potty chair would work better for a girl who does not have those "delicate parts" to get hurt by the splash guard.


Baby Nursery Decor

Mobi TykeLight Portable GloMate
Product Description
Mobi 70175 Tykelight glomateonce illuminated, can turn a constant blue, green or pink, or rainbow mode, which will cycle through all colors; led lights do no give off heat, so its cool to the touch; gentle sleep mode automatically dims & shuts off light after 15 min; provides up to 10 hours of constant light when fully charged; turns on automatically when removed from base; built-in nimh rechargeable batteries ;includes low-voltage charging base; surface is soft, durable, impact resistant & easy to clean; lead free

Editorial Reviews
From the Manufacturer
The TykeLight GloMate features a new, easy to clean surface that is soft to the touch, durable and impact resistant. The all white BPA and lead free GloMate, once illuminated, can turn a constant blue, green or pink; or rainbow mode which will cycle between all colors. The built in NiMH rechargeable batteries and low-voltage charging base helps the GloMate provide up to 10 hours of constant light when fully charged. The hassle free GloMate turns on automatically when removed from the base, and the LED lights do not give off heat, so it¿s cool to the touch." The ¿Gentle Sleep" mode when activated automatically dims and shuts off the light after 15 minutes.

Customer Reviews


Great idea, but a few problems
The good: My kids love their new 'light guys' and we no longer have to leave their room lights on all night. Its easy to take along for travel, and I plan to use them on car trips as well, since my daughter does not like being in the car in the dark.

The bad: I ordered 2 lights originally. One of them was defective - the black case on the AC adapter was broken so that it could open easily, exposing the wires inside. I got a replacement and that one had the same problem! The next replacement was fine, however.

The base charger is nice, but its hard to tell if the light is actually charging or not since slightly shifting the nightlight while it is on the base can change the indicator light from red (not charged) to green (charged).

You can only use the 15 minute timer with the blue light. It would be nice to be able to turn on the timer independently of the light color.

Leaving it on blue, the battery easily lasts 12 hours or more. However, the red or changing color modes seem to only last a few hours at the most. So we end up using blue all the time rather than enjoying the other colors.

MOBI GETS AN A+
I have purchased the TykeLights in the past for my kids. MOBI has done a great job with their newest one the GloMate. We just got 3 of them and my kids wont put them down. Even during the day. They have solid colors or a rainbow mode that goes through all of the colors. My kids put them on the charger base and take them off when they want to play with them. No touching power cords. I feel totally safe with these. I highly reccomend these. They are too cute.

My daughter loves it!!!
My daughter loves it the moment she got hands on it. She now likes holding it before she gets to sleep. I like the timer function which just shuts itself in about 15mins. The material looks very durable, it is like a hard (a bit rubbery) plastic. It has also the rainbow mode where it cycles through the different color. I was ready to order more as a christmas presents but saw Amazon has 4-7 wks leadtime now.

Fisher-Price Ocean Wonders Mobile with Remote Control
Product Description
The Ocean Wonders Mobile with Remote Control bathes the entire nursery in a calming environment of underwater soft lights and sounds. The mobile projects moving lights throughout the room. Parents can select from one of 5 selections to play (lullabies and underwater sounds) as the three plush fish characters swim around above. The base has a soft clear front containing water with fish and glitter that swoosh around when the bowl is pressed. Handy remote control means parents can activate everything without disturbing a sleeping baby. The "grow with me" mode allows you to place the mobile on the dresser when the crib years are over, where it will continue to soothe toddlers. Requires 2 "AA" and 4 "D" alkaline batteries, not included.

Editorial Reviews
From the Manufacturer
Turn baby's nursery into a soothing underwater environment! A dancing light pattern of bubbles, fish and swirls projects onto the ceiling, and the light softly glows. Soothing lullabies and ocean sounds play as fishy friends float gently overhead. Inside the crib, baby can press on a squishy pad "fishbowl"! Then as baby grows, the mobile converts for dresser top use, so sweet dreams can continue right into the toddler years!

Customer Reviews
Not just for babies
I actually bought this product for a teen whose past history makes him quite afraid of the dark. It was suggested we get this mobile because it has a way to set it up on a dresser top, it plays music to cover over the things that go bump in the night, it has soft lighting, and a durable remote so my child can turn it on from under the covers. He was skeptical at first, because he is picky about the quality of his music, but the music is very well done. The lighting has four settings (ceiling show, glow downward which lights the fishies up, both, or neither), the sound has two volume settings, so if we have a particularly noisy night, we can turn up the volume for him. Because it's designed for babies and young children, the parts are durable, and the remote is easy to use, even when he's trembling in a darkened room he can find it, point it the right way, and push the oversized button. The only issues I have are that the remote does sometimes take a few tries to work, and I would have preferred an AC jack, even if I had to go buy a separate AC adapter, instead of it chewing through 4 D batteries. If this thing was designed to sit on a dresser and outlast a child's infant months, it would be nice if they'd thought of other options for power.

This is an AWESOME product!!!
Worth the time and effort to read the manual, pick up 4 D cell batteries, put it together, and start it up. This isn't just for baby. The music and light show are just relaxing for the parents too. My wife, baby, and I all love the product. It is harder than most products to put together...but worth it! Some of these reviewers need to RTFM before trash talking this thing. Last night, our baby was screaming her head off until I swaddled her and turned the mobile on.

Great and long-lasting mobile
I purchased this mobile for my daughter before she was born. I tried several mobiles with my son, and never found one that I liked; either the motor was too noisy, or the songs were annoying. This mobile though, is GREAT!! There are four light settings, 1)light show and mobile-illuminating light, 2) just light show, 3) just mobile-illuminating light, and 4) no lights. You can change the song that plays, just in case you get sick of hearing the same thing over and over again like I do. All of the songs are nice-sounding though, and play for a long time. No tinny music-box sounding noises here. My daughter has slept in her bed every night by herself from just a couple of weeks old, and I have to credit this mobile for a lot of that (as my son refused to sleep in his crib at all). She still, at 20 months, watches the fish light show every night while falling asleep. She still loves to look at the cute stuffed fish too, in fact, "fish" was one of her first words thanks to talking about this mobile every day. I just can't say enough good things about this mobile, and it would be a great addition to any baby's nursery.

As a side note, we have used this mobile just about every night for 20 months and we are getting ready to change the batteries for the second time.

One warning, though not terribly major. We used this mobile in our bedroom for the first 7 months (as our daughter was rooming with us) and every time we changed the channel on our television via the remote control, the mobile would turn on/off. This only happened when the mobile had been turned on or off recently (i.e. it didn't happen if we were using the tv in the middle of the day). Our remote just appeared to be on the same frequency as the mobile.

Jumbo Toy Hammock
Product Description
Stretchy hammock conveniently gets toys off the floor and out of the way! Expands up to six feet long and is easy to install. Includes three hooks and can be used in any corner.

Customer Reviews
Great Hammock!
This toy hammock is just what we needed to get our children's stuffed animals out of the floor and up out of the way. I actually purchased another hammock from Amazon before ordering this one, but the Prince Lionheart is much better because it is made of a stretchy material and it holds a ton of stuff. The other hammock was really frustrating because it wasn't stretchy at all, and everytime you tried to throw a toy up into it, five more would fall back out. That doesn't happen with this one. It's a great buy!

Work Out
This item was perfect for holding our Pilates Balls, getting them off the floor and making more room

Love this hammock
My daughter has way too many stuffed animals, and never has enough. They were all over her bed, the floor, etc. This hammock holds alot of stuffed animals! Her room looks so much neater now. She loves it too because it is easy for her to get them down if she wants to play with them. You can hang it at whatever height you would like and mounts easily. I recommend this product 100%.

Health and Baby Care

Air-O-Swiss AOS Ultrasonic Humidifier - 7135
Product Description
The Air-O-Swiss Ultrasonic Warm Mist Humidifier uses high-frequency vibration to generate a micro-fine mist. It has a built-in hygrostat and an output regulator button. A replaceable demineralization cartridge ensures a hygienic, pure water mist, without lime scale or mineral residues. When operated with the pre-heating function, the water is heated to 176°F before it enters the nebulizer chamber. The mist exits the humidifier at a comfortable 104°F, so the mist does not cause room temperature to fall. Pre-heating also keeps the water cleaner. The Air-O-Swiss Ultrasonic Warm Mist Humidifier also features Automatic and Sleep modes. Automatic mode maintains ideal humidity you select in relation to room temperature. When the Sleep mode is set, the unit shuts off after eight hours. Powerful & exchangeable demineralization cartridge prevents white dust Built-in hygrostat for controlled humidification Timer Auto & Sleep modes Output regulator button Multi-function LCD display Powerful & exchangeable demineralization cartridge Quiet operation Easy-to-clean & handle Mains voltage - 120 V/60 Hz Power consumption - 40 W (without preheating), 140 W Room coverage - up to 600 sq. ft. Humidification performance - up to 3.5 gallons/24h Water capacity - up to 2 gallons Unit Dimensions - (L x W x H) - 15.2 x 8.8 x 15.4; Weight - 7 lbs (empty)

Customer Reviews
Best I've ever used
I got this to humidify my kids room. Previously we had been using the old vick vaporizer but it only put out for about 6 hours and had some other issues with getting the mineral content of the water just right.

Anyway this is without a doubt the best humidfier I've ever used. Setup was a little confusing at first (where little parts went. The tube hole through the tank was a little disconcerting but after I understood its function I saw it wasn't going to slosh water everywhere.

For a humidfier it has a amazing number of options.

Warm Mist vs Cool
I had always used "warm mist" but my wife wanted "cool mist", this was the only one that had both. Warm and cool are relative terms however. When I think of warm mist I think of the Vicks which can scald you if you get to close. It heats the room up in operation. This device the warm mist is sort of warm. It takes a few minutes to warm up and if you put your hand over the output you can feel its warm but not hot. It goes to warm by pre-heating the water before it hits the vaporizer. In cool mist it just vaporizes.

Output-
You have two output controls, relative humidity and mist volume for lack of a better term. Think of it as fan speed (but no fan)You set the humidity and it spits out water as needed. I don't know where the sensor is but the position of the output nozzel can really affect its reading.

The tank seems to hold enough water for 24 hours of output or 2-3 nights of use. The output is plenty adequate for a bedroom.

Controls-
Lots of controls on/off, heat/no heat, humidity, output, timer, auto mode and more. This is the big difference betwen this and the lower end model. Someone finally figured out how to put a timer on a humidifier (imagine that). So it runs as many hours as you set it. The sleep mode sets all settings automatically and runs 8 hours. I love it.

Noise-
What noise, this thing is silent. No bubbling or hissing or fan noises.

Filling the tank-
Take it out, flip it, unscrew the deminerlization cartridage and fill er up. Not the most stable but it works. Carry handle makes it easy to take back.

Its everything you could possibaly want in a humidifier. Low maintence, easy enough to fill, quite, lots of settings for any need.

Beats the heck out of the old vicks and some fan based whicking mold catching filter units I've used. The closet thing I ever had was a drugstore one that spit out the good stuff for 15 minutes and then broke. This is a quality product (and price) and should last (I've had it 2 weeks at the time of writing). It may be expensive but it does what you want and will outlast many of the others. If you've got the money its worth it.

Indeed the Best Humidifier on Market
I went to a local Bed Bath and Beyond to find silent or near silent humidifier. Salesman introduced this Air-O-Swiss as the best machine on market. He added Venta-Sonic does the same job but costs $50 less, and all other brands can't compare. I bought both units to compare. Air-O-Swiss is a clear winner, hands down.

The two machines sat side-by-side. It's clear immediately to everyone that Air-O-Swiss is quieter. Even at highest setting, Air-O-Swiss' noise level and frequency are lower than Venta-Sonic's, and they blend nicely into background. They don't give me headaches as Venta-Sonic. At lower settings, Air-O-Swiss can be virtually silent. With Air-O-Swiss on, I slept very well. The next night was Venta night. Unfortunately, the base machine noise was just as bad as the first unit that I returned earlier for noise problems. I tried to go to sleep with it on but after a few hours, headaches and agitation from the noise made me shut it off and switch on Air-O-Swiss and slept through afterwards.

I kept on alternating units days and nights to observe results from continued operation. After three days, Venta-Sonic unit began to add that strange squeeking noise. Air-O-Swiss gave consistent good near silent performance...and going strong still. Just based on noise-level alone, I had to return Venta-Sonic even though Air-O-Swiss costs $50 more. But that extra costs are further justified by the following:
  1. Consistent Performance - I can put Air-O-Swiss on automatic mode with preset humidity level before I go to sleep, when I wake up, my bedside humidity reader (far away from the machine) has within 1% margin of error to the preset desired level. Venta-Sonic however, I can put it to MAX settings, and I get only around 32% sometimes and other times anywhere below 50%.
  2. Greater Output Capacity - My bedroom is 300 square feet+, half of 600 both machines claim can cover. Air-O-Swiss comfortably reaches my desired level (b/w 40% and 50%) with lower settings (It can go as high as 75%, I only set it up to 50%). Venta-Sonic labors over 8 hours at MAX settings and gets me LESS humidity! It won't get me above 50%.
  3. Ease of Use with Digital Control - I like Air-O-Swiss' Auto Mode with Desired Humidity Setting. The machine adjusts output automatically. Venta-Sonic only has two dials, you'll have to experiment for a while to find the optimal settings. As soon as atmospheric humidity changes, which can be daily or a few hours, you'd have to re-adjust again...that's like shooting darts in the dark all the time, you can get close if lucky but never on target.
  4. Better Mist Venting Notch Design - I put both machines on 3-feet-tall dresser. Air-O-Swiss' notch is tilted higher than Venta's. This means when operating cold mist, Air-O-Swiss's disappears into air vs. some Venta's still hit the floor - not enough to form condensation but less efficient in humidifying - perhaps that contributes to Venta's lower output previously mentioned.
  5. Better Craftsmanship - Venta-Sonic is a notch below Air-O-Swiss, appears to be made simpler and CHEAPER.
Filter changes and clean up are similar. Venta needs to change filter cup. Air-O-Swiss needs filter cup and once-a-year silver stick change. Both are fool proof. Venta filters are more expensive but Air-O-Swill has extra silver stick. Cost-wise it's similar. I like Air-O-Swiss's option of replacing resins - just dump old resin in filter cup and put new packet in and you get a NEW filter - this cuts cost by almost 65% and less trash for the environment.

Water tank design is similar. Both fills water upside down. I still prefer Air-O-Swiss because the top is more leveled, easier to sit in sink or bath tub than Venta's tilted top. When moving Venta-Sonic, water spilled between base and tank. I had no problem with Air-O-Swiss.

Anything Air-O-Swiss can improve? Sure! The humidity reader on the machine is adjusted about 13% lower than actual average room humidity. They probably did it to ensure average humidity far away from the unit reaches target, but I think they can do so internally without having to show it. It would be a mistake to read the room humidity off that machine.

After I got the machines, I googled on both. There was one review elsewhere saying that Venta-Sonic broke after a month and half, out of store 30-day warranty and owner took a loss. Air-O-Swiss has 3 year warranty, if I remember correctly, Venta 1 year.

The trouble I went through is worth the finding of the right humidifier for me. Hope this helps those with similar concerns!


Crane Adorable 1 Gallon Cool Mist Humidifier, Penguin Shape
Product Description
Adorable Crane Cool Mist Humidifier provides additional comfort to cold symptoms, dry itchy skin, and chapped lips. The whisper quiet humidifier operates on a low power consumption providing up to 11 hours of moisture from a removable one gallon water tank. Includes an automatic shut off safety feature when water tank is empty.

Customer Reviews
Buy it, enjoy it...it works great plus is cute.
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R36GZF9N1KWIF3 A great little humidifier. Well worth the money for its functionality...the cute appearance is a bonus. It is not loud at all and really cranks out serious humidity.

Quiet, easy to use, and so gosh darn CUTE!
I got the penguin humidifier a week ago after researching multiple brands, some expensive ones, filter ones, big ones, warm ones, etc. And I read the reviews about it leaking or breaking on this one, and essentially there was some complaint on just about every brand out there--always a few problems. So for the $30 this one cost (and the fact that it is ridiculously adorable!) it seemed to cover what I needed: something that was not expensive, not too large and bulky, smaller reservoir so more fresh water going through it (and less water sitting around getting ookey) and would add humidity where ever it was.

It has been running almost non-stop for a week, minus filling times or when we were out, and has worked perfectly. The body reservoir, even when running on high, has lasted at least 16 hours. I haven't had problems with white dust on everything like my old-fashioned gigantic noisy one (I use tap water), and it doesn't spray water drops out with the mist either. It definitely made a difference running at night in the bedroom--no noses and throats feeling 'dry as dust' in the AM. The penguin has a small footprint, about 9" diameter and 12.75" tall. It runs almost silently BUT it does make a trickling noise and actually sounds like our tabletop fountain. It's a nice sound during the day but wore on me during the night; I wasn't used the sound and I kept thinking it's leaking when it wasn't. So now I run it for a while before bed and I sleep much better all around.

Things to watch out for though... the reservoir opening where you fill it, there is a screw-on cap with a spring-valve (like what's at the bottom of your coffee maker basket). There should be a silicone O-ring that fits in the top of the cap. Our O-ring was inside the opening, and since it was clear-ish could be easily missed. The O-ring could cause the cap to leak if not seated properly and the cap needs to be tightened snuggly. When filled and righted (there's even a little handle to carry it by) it should only drip slightly out of the spring-valve. Check that nothing is clogging the spring-valve by pressing it in (before filling) and that the flap is not folded. Only use COLD water in the reservoir, and if you boiled water WAIT for it to be room temp before using. Using hot water could definitely cause this plastic to crackle and crack. The body must sit squarely on the 'butt' or it can dribble over the side a tiny bit.

We have had absolutely no problems with this little cutie, and if I do I'll update my posting. It has a nice rocker on-off switch on his 'left butt cheek'. It has a dial on the front (I'll call it his bellybutton) to adjust the amount of mist; even on high he doesn't drip. The mist dial doesn't seem to affect the fountain noise at all; i.e. the lesser misting does not lessen any gurgling it does. A great little design and it does the job!

quiet, efficient and cute!
This frog humidifier is wonderful. I'm so glad I finally decided to get one after reading reviews on it since last winter. Unlike this picture, the actual product is a true Granny Smith apple green, or some might call it lime green.

PROS
  • quiet
  • no expensive filter required. (my Holmes humidifier requires a new $13 filter about every 6 weeks)
  • shuts off automatically when it runs out of water
  • easy to refil water
  • simple and easy to use
  • cute!

CONS
  • tiny green light is on when humidifier is in use and I persoanlly like a very dark bedroom at night. I just tape a dark piece of paper over it and problem solved. But it can also be a night light for a child's room.
  • must be on a nightstand or some sort of elevated surface. Some people might not have that room to spare.
  • it may be TOO cute and irresitible for little ones to keep their hands off it at first. But the newness wears off.