Mom Central: Hot Parenting Products

Carry It All

As any mother of a newborn would know, sometimes you could use an extra hand (or five). Get the extra hand you’ve been looking for with stroller organizing products from Carry You. The simple installation process lasts all of ten seconds since the organizers attach onto the back of your stroller with Velcro, and they won't interfere with the reclining & collapsing features of the stroller. The waterproof and spill-proof Nylon organizers are large enough to fit all the little extras for baby.

The Carry You Milan Deluxe Stroller Organizer has two cup holders, which are perfect for holding your water and your baby’s bottle. The large Velcro pockets that are great for important items that you can’t lose (your wallet, your planner) and two smaller pockets for pacifiers and snacks. The front mesh pocket is great for the things you need to get to right away.

Carry You has a variety of different organizers, snack trays, and other stroller accessories, and can even tell you if the Carry You products will fit your stroller. Prices range from about $30 to $40 for an organizer. Check them out at www.carryyou.com. 

Silly Billyz Bibs

Roomy vs. teensy bibs, cotton vs. plastic bibs…you can never have too many bibs, and Silly Billyz has a great assortment of styles and sizes. All have absorbent, anti-pill fleece on the front and a water-resistant nylon back to prevent leaks. They’re machine washable and dryer safe. We reviewed the new Messy Eater Bib, which looks like a smock, with long sleeves gathered at the wrists and full coverage down past the knees. There’s a Velcro neck closure and string ties that fasten in back. It’s perfect for every baby—after all, have you ever heard of a “Neat Eater” baby? I truly love this bib and was actually on a months-long search for something exactly like this. Standard bibs do very little to protect Baby’s clothing, as mushy baby food and liquids almost always plop onto, ooze underneath, or seep through. With this Messy Eater Bib that covers about 95% of the body, there’s less chance of that happening…a lot less! Although the fleece front is washable, sometimes I reverse the bib because the nylon backing worn in front is easy to wipe clean. This bib is also great for messy older-kid activities like finger painting or cooking with Mom. Visit the Silly Billyz store at http://livelovedream.com/sillybillyz/catalog.php to see all of their products.

For Mobile Moms

If you’re a mom on the go (is there any other kind?), you’ll appreciate these portable unique products. The MoBoleez Breastfeeding Hat is a soft floppy topper that’s placed on Baby’s head while you breastfeed. The wide brim provides just the right amount of privacy. With several colors and whimsical designs from which to choose, it’s much more stylish than wearing a blanket, which tends to slide off. A bonus is that the MoBoleez is made from eco-friendly materials. To learn more, check out www.moboleez.com.

If you’re fed up with dirty changing tables in public restrooms, or no changing table offered at all, bring along Oskerbee’s Diaper Tote and Portable Changing Station. It was invented by a full-time Dad who was tired of searching for sanitary places to change his baby girl. The changing station looks like a mini cot, with fold-out chrome legs and an easy-wipe vinyl cover with safety straps. It folds in half to fit into the accompanying diaper bag that has several handy pockets for changing-related doodads. I love the idea of this lightweight changing unit that can be used just about anywhere outside of home. Still, the entire package, although not too wide, is quite large to carry around especially if you’re just strolling through the mall or the supermarket. I’d be more likely to use it on long car rides or camping trips where it could be stored in the car trunk. Also, I wish the chrome legs had rubber bottoms to give it more traction on the floor (or more dangerously, but likely to happen, on one of those restroom countertops). Visit www.oskerbee.com/Scripts/index.htm for more info.

Butt Naked Baby

It seems like more and more of my blogs are about “going green,” and it is going way beyond the produce I buy at Whole Foods. Skin care, for Mom and baby, seems to be the latest craze in organic products. Babies are ultra sensitive, especially their skin, and there has been a long standing problem of skin negatively reacting to the chemicals, artificial dyes, and strong fragrances sometimes added to lotions and powders. This is why I was interested when Butt Naked Baby was sent my way.

The product name alone if enough to make you stop and take a second glance, but it is the gentle ingredients that keep babies skin soft that makes it noteworthy. Butt Naked Baby has a full line of organic products like shampoo, an oatmeal bath, a lightweight lotion, oil, butter cream, powder, and even soy wax scented candles for mom.  The original is unscented and recommended for newborns and babies in their first year, or if your baby has extra-sensitive skin. 

Butt Naked Baby also carries their products in scents made from naturally derived essential oils good for both boys and girls. Their other scents include Sunshine (made from Bergamot and Tangerine oils), Classic Powder, Dreamboat (Lavender and Chamomile, perfect for baby’s bed time), Posh Baby (an array of flower petals), Baby by the Sea (Green Tea and cucumber), and Ginger Milk (Sugar and Spice, which would be perfect for the upcoming chilly season).  Check out all their natural products at www.buttnakedbaby.com.

My Conservation Baby

For all those eco-conscious parents out there, here’s a new way to spread the word: onesies, baby hats, and tee shirts with the messages “Stop Global Warming,” “Conserve,” and “Protect the Environment.” MyConservationBaby.com is an online store that offers high-quality, good-looking clothing with a purpose. Think Angelina, Brad, and their brood who were some of the first to make community service a fashion statement.

The onesies and hats come in eye-catching camouflage and tie-dye prints or solid colors, and the tee shirts are available in toddler and adult sizes. At first glance, the messages seem overly simplistic (e.g., who doesn’t wish we could just “stop” global warming with a snap of our fingers?) and even political (since it’s undeniably a hot topic of debate), and I hesitated having my innocent baby become a channel for them. However, the truth is that we all need reminders to be less wasteful, and the earlier we start to instill conservation habits and awareness in our kids, the more likely those habits will continue for a lifetime. Whether you teach your child just a few good habits like turning off the faucet while brushing his teeth and shutting off unused lights, or go the extra mile by encouraging interest in nature and wildlife, it’s clear that everyone can take steps toward appreciating and preserving our environment. 

Special for Mom Central viewers: MyConservationBaby.com is offering 30% off your entire order! Just enter the code word “DEBROFF” in the discount code box when you place an order. Take advantage of these savings now by visiting www.myconservationbaby.com.

Ubi Changing Table

The portable Ubi Changing Table has managed to combine comfort and innovation that reminds me of something I may take off the shelves of IKEA. The unique changing table is definitely not something I remember seeing when my kids were still in diapers, and comes in light or cherry wood. It is fashionable enough that it can be placed in any room of the house without seeming too obtrusive or unsightly. One of the great features of the table is its cushioned surface with an easy-wipe, anti-microbial surface. This makes it comfortable for the baby, but also an easy clean up for mom. One of my personal favorite features is the fastener on the surface that holds open a diaper, ready for a changing. The fasteners work great, holding the diaper tightly (really useful with super-squirmy babies!) and therefore speeding along the diaper change. The deluxe version includes a spring-loaded dispenser (holds about 7-10 diapers depending on their size) that automatically shoots up a fresh diaper as needed.

The table holds up to a 30-pound baby and has safety belt straps so no matter how much you infant may wiggle they won’t be going far. I like its portability, now Moms won’t have to worry about hiking up the stairs every hour to change a diaper. A drawback, there’s no extra storage space for wipes or creams, but these can always be kept in a storage area nearby. The Ubi Changing Table comes in 6 mod designs. Visit www.ubi-baby.com for more info.

To order one now, click here! UBI Deluxe Changing Table

That Baby CD and DVD

Rock-a-bye baby on the treetop, when the wind blows the cradle will rock.  Lullabies are so calm, so peaceful, and, well, slightly boring. Song’s for babies haven’t changed much and although there is a bit of nostalgia in singing our child the songs our mother sang for us, it is always nice to start your own traditions.  That Baby has developed a new classic CD and DVD set that turns our favorite songs from the past into lullabies.

That Baby was created by a mom and dad, who carefully selected 11 songs that parents and baby can enjoy together. They picked right with some of my favorites like Bob Marley, Fleetwood Mac, and Bruce Springsteen. Each song is reworked and arranged in a mellow acoustic format by Stephanie Schneiderman.  That Baby DVD is calming with images of children at play, nature, animation, and puppets. Now maybe those long car trips to grandma’s can be a little more relaxing and enjoyable for you and baby.

The DVD costs $24.95 and the CD is $14.95 or you could buy them together for $34.90.  For more information on purchasing That Baby DVD or CD, and for a full track listing please visit their website.

Crystaleigh Baby Products

When we were younger, shoes and purses were our accessories, but as motherhood comes baby products are our new fashion statements. Mother’s have changed over time, and the products for mom and baby are beginning to reflect this change.  Blankies are no longer boring, mother’ are “going green,” and trendy clothing for your child is almost as important as the diaper, just look at little Suri Cruise! Crystaleigh Baby products offer a little bit of luxury with the combination of functionality. 

Crystaleigh Baby has managed to create a posh line of baby blankets and onesies.  The most popular selling blanket has a rich chocolate color on one side and a smooth pastel on the other. I just want to know if they make one in my size! The cloud collection comes in the same great pastel colors with rosebud chenille on one side and smooth chenille on the other side.  The newest collection is the Paisely Collection that has a soft cotton print on one size and cozy raised dot chenille on the other.  The blankets are trimmed in a silky satin ruffle that gives the blanket an expensive look.  The blankets come in a travel or crib size.

The Onesies are adorable with designs by Amy Hetland and are made with 100% cotton.  The designs come in seven styles and are good for both girls and boys.  The Crystaleigh Baby Products are perfect for holiday gifts or baby showers. The onesies are carried for infants 0-12 months.  Crystaleigh will even personalize gifts with babies name or initials in your choice of thread. 

Products range in price from $22 and up.  Crystaleigh Baby has a variety of other gifts great for mom and baby.  Check them out!

Boogaloo Bath Toys

Bath time can sometimes be a stressful time for parents. Splashing, nagging, finding the right toys, water too hot, water too cold, and just to get them into the tub Boogaloo has a fresh new line of bath toys in attempt to ease the struggle. The innovative toy company is dedicated to making products that are both fun and functional for baby development.  These toys help babies develop motor skills and concepts such as “cause and effect,” memory, and repetition.

One of my favorite products from their line was the Swirly seahorse and the Octobuddy. When you pour water into the top of it trickles through, spins the internal wheel, the critters pop up and blink their eyes.  The book and Mitt set comes in three different characters. The Mitt is made from quick drying, soft terry toweling turning it into a Great Puppet wash mitts.

The Appliques are soft squares of playful jungle animals that stick onto any wet surface. Each of these toys comes in unique designs with vibrant colors. Boogaloo makes several other stylish products for infants and toddlers including developmental doll toys, crawl mats, non-slip eating mats, bottles, diaper bags, cooler bags, and toddler character backpacks. Visit www.boogaloo-toys.com for more info.

Rockabye Baby Lullabies

Diehard fans of big rocks bands such as The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, U2, Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, and Metallica may be protesting that turning their favorite tunes into lullabies is not possible! But Rockabye Baby has accomplished quite a feat.  They have transformed the hard driving beats of famous rock’n roll songs into ultra-soothing instrumentals.

Skeptical? You’ll simply have to hear it to believe it. Performed by various musicians, songs such as U2’s Sunday Bloody Sunday and The Rolling Stones’ Start Me Up are completely refashioned through instrumentals. The result is unbelievably mellow melodies that are first unrecognizable. However, after a few notes eventually and a familiar chorus and you may find yourself singing along, “You make a grown man cry…”

The best thing about these albums is the novelty soothing your baby to sleep with the songs that you love. You can never start too early getting your child hooked on the classics!

Each CD costs about $17. To see the whole collection or to order, visit www.babyrockrecords.com.