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gear and gadgets for the baby

20 Top Pregnancy Essentials

baby, FAM By February 6, 2016 Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 5 Comments

So, you’re gonna have a baby? Welcome to a different world, Mama. Your body will be going through some amazing, exciting, gross, hilarious, and unbelievable changes and experiences in the next nine months. Luckily, there are tons of great products and services that will make your pregnancy as smooth and easygoing as possible. Here are 20 of the Top Pregnancy Essentials that no stylish Mommy should be without!

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Abeego Flat Wrap Covers for Food

GEAR, home By October 2, 2012 Tags: , , , , , , No Comments

Au revoir, plastic wrap.  Sayonara tinfoil.  These Abeego Flat Wrap Covers for Food are used in the same way, but they’re far safer, effective – and reusable. Made with beeswax, tree resin and jojoba oil infused in a hemp/cotton fabric, these all natural rectangle shaped flat food wraps do not leach nasty chemicals into your food.

The warmth of your hands as you press the wraps around your cucumbers, bowls, cheese or half-eaten baguette (as if it’s not always totally gone) allows you to shape it easily.  The stiffen when cooled.  Oh, and they are compostable, which will make my veggie gardens happy as well.  Lavish and Lime

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The Coolest New Strollers

GEAR, toys By September 19, 2012 Tags: , , , , , , , , , , No Comments
  1. balmoral navy 200We love design.  We love babies.  And the chic stroller makes us want to keep the kids coming….. Here are a few of our top picks at the moment for the coolest new strollers.Silver Cross Balmoral
    An iconic, stately pram, hand crafted in Yorkshire with unique leather suspension straps and a classic carriage that guarantees comfort and safety.
    Weighs 37kg. Prices around $4000
  2. Origami Stroller4 Moms Origami stroller
    Opens and closes itself with a simple press of a button. Rear wheels have built in generators that charge the stroller while you walk (and can charge a cell phone!). Lots of storage (cup holders and removable storage bags) Has running and pathway lights for safety. LCD screen includes thermometer, speedometer and other lifetime odometers.
    for use with children up to 40lbs. Dimensions are 41” l, 28” w, 39” when open. The toddler sized stroller is 32 lbs.
    Prices $849.99 on www.shop4moms.com
  3. CMYK ZenBloom CMYK Zen Stroller
    This stylish, light all-terrain stroller includes a solar lighting system (light beams or flash hazard lights), a freestanding folding design that makes it easy to stash In small spaces.
    Stroller weighs 25.3 lbs. For infant up to 44lbs.
    Price $799 at Giggle.com
  4. ride on carry onRide on Carry On
    Traveling with little ones is made easy with this convertible children’s chair that comfortably snaps onto carry  on luggage. Perfect for rolling your child through the terminal and right to their seat. The padded headrest can be pulled down for use as a tray table. The chair folds flat without removing so it can fit through security and in the overhead storage compartment.
    Recommended for children from 8mnths-5 years (up to 50 lbs)
    Priced at $39.99
  5. Bugaboo Bee Missoni ChameleonBugaboo + Missoni Chameleon
    This stylish, brightly colored stroller features a detachable bassinet, adjustable handle, and four swivel wheels. The suspension is also adjustable and creates smooth strolling.
    include a matching Missoni chevron blanket.
    $880
  6. Mima Kids KobiMima Kids Kobi cosmo stroller
    Has a patented “carrycot” system where the seat can be converted by unzipping the seat. The seat can be rear or forward facing. Removable changing bag, clip on canopy, adjustable handle and seat height positions. Can accommodate another seat while still being average sized for a stroller.
    Weighs 29.4 lbs. Suitable for infants from birth to 37 pounds.
    1200 Euros on kidslovedesign.com
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Bobee Diaper and Wipes Dispenser

GEAR, toys By May 29, 2012 Tags: , , , , , 14 Comments

You will change more than 20,000 diapers in the first year.  AAgh.  Why not make it as easy a job as possible?  The newest must-have nursery item is the Bobee Diaper and Wipes Dispenser is wall-mounted and comes with multi-coloured stickers so that it fits into any decor.  Wipes in the bottom and diapers in the top.  (Both are grabbable with just one hand).  Tres chic.  The bright dots are also a great visual distraction for young babies!

www.onsgear.com

We’re giving away the Bobee as well as a supply of other newborn essentials valued at $110.  To enter, comment on this post with your favourite way for UrbanMommies to interact with you.  Newsletter? Pinterest? Facebook? Twitter? RSS? or through our website.  Thanks and good luck.  Deadline: June 1, 2012.

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Cloth versus disposible diaper cost comparison

Cloth Versus Disposable Diaper Cost Comparison

baby, FAM By October 18, 2011 Tags: , , , , , , 12 Comments

Many people say that the diapers you begin with are the diapers you will use until toilet training.  We would have to concur.  Our hospital made us use cloth from day one (it’s easier to see signs of urination and make sure baby is getting enough to eat).  We could have done without the diaper pins (ouch!!), but now that we have cloth diapers with snaps and velcro, we feel pretty confident.  How many people do you know bought cloth and then returned them after using disposables at the hospital? Here is a Cloth and Disposable Diaper Cost Comparison sheet.

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The Porsche P'4911 Baby Stroller

GEAR, style By August 22, 2011 Tags: , , , , , 1 Comment

We know that we suggested the Cayenne as an excellent push present, and this Porsche P’4911 would certainly make the perfect baby shower gift.  Designed by Dawid Dawod, it’s every baby’s dream (or Dads or Moms but we can project, right?).  Carbon fiber, aluminum, leather, and ball-bearing wheels make this vehicle one of Porsche’s best.

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new mom must haves

New Mom Must-Haves

GEAR, home, style By August 11, 2011 Tags: , , , No Comments

Every new mom has a laundry list of stuff she supposedly can’t do without or must have, courtesy of her girlfriends, doctor, mother in law, or parenting book. Some of it is great, some of it is useless. Here are some things that every new mom must have, and they’re not all gadgets or gimmicks.

1. Baby supplies. No, this isn’t a “duh.” Be prepared, as much as possible. This doesn’t mean have a perfectly color-coordinated nursery and a designer layette: practical stuff. Always try to make sure you have the bathing, diapering and feeding basics at hand. If not, you’ll get stressed out, and everyone suffers because of stressed-out moms. Other items you may have forgotten: baby nail trimmers or files, a bulb syringe (for sucking mucus out), and a baby-specific laundry detergent (sensitive skin, remember?).

2. A bassinet or co-sleeper for your bedroom. Newborns seldom want to sleep in a crib: it’s big, cold, and unfamiliar. A bassinet, or (for me), better yet, a co-sleeper attached to the bed, is much more comforting. You and the baby will usually sleep better, being close enough to soothe and feed the baby right away, rather than having to haul yourself up, traipse to the nursery, and do it there. Believe me, you can get them in the crib later, but in those first days at home, be sweet to yourself and to the baby and ease into independence. You two were together for nine months, it shouldn’t end abruptly.

3. Nursing shields/pads. If you breast feed, you’ll find your chest often becomes a sprinkler system set on automatic at the sound of a crying baby (anyone’s, not just your own), an emotional moment on TV or a sad song, or getting sexually aroused. If you have to be away from the baby during feeding time, your milk will let down on schedule, baby or not. It’s mortifying to suddenly look down and realize that the nice man at the store is staring in horror at the growing twin stains on your shirt. So, keep some of these soft, disposable pads in your purse,diaper bag, glove compartment, wherever. Keep one set in your bra at all times, it extends the time you can wear a bra (because who has time for laundry three times a day, and who wants to buy a dozen nursing bras so you can change several times a day??), and prevents embarrassment. If you choose not to breast-feed, you’ll need these for at least a couple of weeks, until your milk dries up. Sometimes it stops immediately,while other women find they take weeks or months to stop lactating spontaneously.

4. Breast pump, milk bottles, storage bag. If you’re nursing, be prepared: you won’t always be able to be around, or maybe you shouldn’t. After all, Daddy had a part in conception, shouldn’t be get some of the job of feeding you child,too? Oh, and you deserve a nap and shower, too. Eventually, many of us go back to work, sometimes far too soon for comfort. So, you need a pump, and it’s best to start early, while your milk supply is plentiful and still a bit erratic, because that way you can have extra milk on hand. Ask around for advice on what model is best. Much of it depends on how big your breasts and nipples are, and how sensitive you are. Also, battery, manually-operated or electric versions are available. Comparison shop for the best deal and features.

5. Blankets. You can never have too many blankets, seriously. I mean the kind they give you at the hospital: lint-free, soft and warm yet lightweight, and practical. A blanket can be rolled into a bolster, used as a spit-up cloth in a pinch, used to swaddle a fussy baby, used as a towel if you have none clean, and be a great toy for a baby learning about peek-a-boo.

6. Equipment. Here is where gadgets come in. A vibrating seat, swing, play enclosure, baby monitor, etc. are all very helpful but not necessary. They’re mainly for ease and comfort, and if you can afford them, get them.

7. Baby sling or other carrier. No, I’m no earth mother, but I found that carrying my babies in a sling (nothing high-tech, a simple cloth sling was all I used) was immensely helpful and freeing. Not only was the baby close to me to be able to nurse and to soothe them when necessary, my motion comforted and rocked them and made them happy and sleepy. Also, the sling freed up my hands to do other things, like laundry, take care of other kids, clean house, whatever. Just don’t cook with the baby, ok? Some people prefer a backpack or front carrier with fancy straps and buckles and frames, but go with whatever you and your baby do best with.

8. Pillows. Pillows are awesome, to prop you up while nursing, to put between your knees while sleeping, to prop baby up against  on the bed while you’re not holding her, etc. Just always supervise a propped-up baby. If you can afford them, there are special baby-oriented pillows, especially for nursing support, which are great–but a regular old pillow does in a pinch, too, with some positioning.

9. Diaper Disposer. If you use disposable diapers, do yourself a favor and invest in a diaper genie or other disposal system. Sure, your newborn’s poo is innocent and relatively odor-free…but that changes, all too soon. And oh my, how horrible it is to walk into someone’s house and be assaulted by the smell of a full, open diaper pail. Gross!

10. Toys. Sure, we could be talking about baby toys here, but honestly, babies don’t care for toys until they’re a couple of months old. No, this is toys for YOU. Make sure you have an iPod, iPad, or other device well-stocked with things to do, especially things you can do with one hand. Why? Because you will be sitting still frequently, whether you’re nursing or bottle-feeding. Yes, spend time gazing adoringly at your precious child, but it’s not a mortal sin to entertain yourself with a game, music or eBook. Catch up on your correspondence and reading, as long as you don’t let it eat up all your feeding/bonding time.

There are a million other things a new mom could use or need, but nothing will ever fully prepare you for the wonder, exhaustion and joy of new motherhood. You’re not a failure if you don’t have the latest and most expensive products–the basics will do the job. Just enjoy your early days with your baby and be as prepared as possible. It’s a roller coaster ride, but worth every exhilarating and terrifying moment.

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Best Gadgets for Mom

GEAR, tech, toys By August 10, 2011 Tags: , , , , No Comments

I love gadgets, but I admit that they’re intimidating sometimes. The purpose of a great gadget is to be easy to use and to make your life simpler and more streamlined. Modern mums have to be tech-friendly to a certain degree, especially hip mums like us, right? Besides the essentials (smartphone or PDA, iPod/MP3 player, laptop or tablet computer), check out these mom-centric gadgets that will make your life a lot easier…plus they’re a lot of fun!

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What Your Baby Needs: Registry and Checklist

baby, FAM By January 2, 2010 Tags: , , No Comments

With the soon to be arrival of your baby, there are so many things that you need to start preparing and registering for.  Here is our checklist for everything your baby needs.  Walking into a baby store for the first time can be a little overwhelming trying to decipher what you really need vs. all the cute stuff that you may want or even wonder what it is or what it does.

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