08. 7.2008
Cuddledry: bugs in the bathroom
Since my mother-in-law sent us a towel/poncho, I've been absolutely sold on them: so easy to throw on, no more slippage, tripping, or shivering by the poolside.
On the other hand, while my daughter is utterly thrilled with the Dora the Explorer motif, it's not exactly ticking all my design/illustrator boxes. A quick search reveals that there are some nice designs out there, but some of my favourites so far are these Cuddledry bug ponchos.
Such is the attention to detail that they even have little antennae; the wing design means that they might even double up as dressing-up costumes, should the fancy take you. My only quibble? £29.99 is really rather steep.
Posted by Myf
Category:
bath/health
Tags: bath bugs towels
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07.29.2008
Survival Kits from 5 Minutes Apart
I really like the setntiment behind the products offered at 5 Minutes Apart. This website is devoted to taking care not only of Mom, but the family as a whole, when it comes to delivering and caring for a new baby. They've got something for everyone, in the form of survival kits and pre-packed overnight bags, including expectant dads sleeping over at the hospital, siblings anticipating the unknown, and those moms out there recovering from a c-section. I particularly love the breastfeeding survival kit since I, like (I assume) many women out there, was clueless as to the less-than-glamorous aspects of breastfeeding that aren't taught in those lactation classes. Included are a My Breast Friend pillow with extra cover, Soothies, washable nursing pads and more. A great idea for a shower gift or just something nice for a friend.
Posted by Katie
Category:
bath/health
| gear
| mealtime
| parenting
| pregnancy
Tags: breastfeeding hospital labor & delivery sibling
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07.28.2008
Smartshield sunscreen products
It's already mid-summer, so I bet you're running low on your bottles and tubes of sunscreen and need to replenish. Here's a brand of sunscreen that you might not be aware of that you should consider - SmartShield, the eco-friendly sunscreen. What's eco-friendly about it, you ask? This oil-free, Aloe Vera based sunscreen is biodegradable, hypoallergenic and PABA free, but it's also safe for marine animals, making it the perfect sunscreen if you're swimming about with fishes.
SmartShield offers a wide range of products, but the 2 that might interest parents are the Kids SPF30 Sunscreen Lotion and the SPF30 Spray with Insect Repellent, which features a DEET free, clean cedar scent that discourages bugs. Using the spray on the kids' faces gave me a bit of pause (maybe because it's alcohol based?) but I liked using it on the rest of their bodies and the bug repellent/sunscreen combo is very clever!
Posted by Jenna
Category:
bath/health
Tags: bug repellent sunscreen
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07.21.2008
The Buddy Bath by OK Baby
My husband and I were recently over in France for a wedding. The dollar being what it is, we decided to make the airfare worth it and hit Germany and Switzerland on our way there. Naturally, we went to a lot of baby stores and had to restrain ourselves from buying a lot of cute clothes, toys and gadgets over there (lest we get hit with a hefty baggage weight fee). This Buddy bath by the Italian company OK Baby was one of those gadgets. I believe what my husband actually said was, "Where the heck was this when we had our baby?!?!"
We loved this bath because it allowed wiggle room for baby's arms and legs, unlike most infant baths which seem a bit tight once baby has a few months under his belt. (By the way, the Buddy is for babies from 0-8 months.) A suction cup base allows you to use this bath in an adult sized tub without fear of slipping. Had we the space (or, most importantly, a new baby), we would have snatched this up and made room in our luggage.
Posted by Katie
Category:
bath/health
Tags: bathing infant bath
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05.29.2008
Clean Conscience: Method Baby Products
By now, I think it's safe to say that a lot of parents out there are trying to be a bit less Clorox and a bit more Seventh Generation when it comes to their babies and toddlers. Having been in the game myself for a short year and a half, I feel a new obligation as a mom to be kinder not only to baby's brand new body, but also to the earth.
It seems our friends at Method agree and have now tossed their green hats in the ring with a new line of baby products made from all natural ingredients such as rice milk, corn sugars and mallow. From baby lotion to baby hair and body wash, from bubble bath to diaper cream, they've thought of it all. And the packaging is pretty cool, to boot.
Posted by Katie
Category:
bath/health
Tags: bath bathing green health
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05.13.2008
Food sponges
Our children come to us complete with little character traits and foibles we could never have foreseen. Neither my husband nor myself, when planning our family's golden future, predicted that sponges would play such an important part. And yet, for better or worse, we now have a sponge worshiper in our midst. An obsessive counter of how many sponges she has in the bath each night. Someone who notices immediately if one of her sponges has been moved slightly from where she left it on the side of the bath.
It's a mystery to us, and yet, we figure it's pretty harmless as far as a three-year-old's obsessions go. So, for us, these food sponges look like a good purchase: they'll please our daughter and add a little levity to bathtime too. For those families blessed with children with a more straightforward attitude to bathtime (ie, they hate it), these might be useful too.
Posted by Myf
Category:
bath/health
Tags: sponges toy food
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05. 5.2008
Ikea Potty
If the whole bright colored kid's stuff thing is really cramping your style, you may want to consider this sleek, new, black training toilet from Ikea. Each polypropylene pot comes with a duel-sided, anti-splash guard as well as a non-slip bottom. Or if you're afraid your child will react to this seat much as they do to their first exposure to Darth Vader, the potty is also available in numerous other, less gothic, hues. And they're only $3.99 each! I have a friend whose daughter never really took to toilet training until she got a fuchsia potty; then she couldn't get her off. At this price, one could afford to get whole rainbow of pots to accommodate any toddler's mutable moods... or any parent's changing style.
Posted by Justine
Category:
bath/health
Tags: ikea potty training
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05. 5.2008
Canvas Water Bucket
Now that Spring has sprung here in NYC, my son and I are finding ourselves in the park a whole lot more. Of course, it's not just us going to Central Park. It's our blanket, the sand toys, a ball and an array of other "necessities". Which is why I'm kind of loving this canvas water bucket. Almost a foot in diameter and just over one foot tall, this canvas water bucket makes a great catch all for all of this loot (wet or dry), whether you hang it over a stroller handle or place it near the door as a toy depository. Of course, you could also use it for (yup) water, say at the beach this summer. It collapses into a flat little pancake and is thus beach bag friendly.
Available at Design Within Reach, but you can also find it in different colors and sizes (and probably cheaper) at various camping and army/navy type stores. Via Swissmiss.
Posted by Katie
Category:
bath/health
| gear
| toys
Tags: buckets canvas storage
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04.30.2008
Pepin bath buddy - functional and fun
Hailing all the way from France, "Pepin" is a cute and clever guy. With his absorbent, cotton body and bright taggie head and limbs, he's both a washcloth and a doll...as much fun in the bath as out! You could also use him as a teether (dip one end in water and freeze). Plus I just love his contemporary hues. Très magnifique!
Posted by Justine
Category:
bath/health
Tags: bath doll wash cloth
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04. 4.2008
Angel Brush: Teether's Best Friend
Take a gander at the Angel Brush by Baby Buddy. Upon first look, you may think to yourself, "Uh, what part of the baby is that for?" Touted mainly as a toothbrush, this flexible tool has six (count 'em, six!) surfaces of small bristles on its H-shaped brush head that clean and massage the tops, bottoms, fronts and backs of baby's' teeth and gums --- perfect for all of your little teethers and junior brushers.
Recommended by pediatric dentists, the Angel Brush won the iParenting Media Award - not too shabby! With proper supervision, of course, your tot is certain to chew and brush her way to a gummy euphoria. My son certainly did!
Available at Right Start.
Posted by Katie
Category:
accessories
| bath/health
Tags: teething tooth brush
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