Baby Things I Want

I know I already have a post about exersaucers, but now I have a bit more experience and am ready to share more. Hila has now been sitting in the very basic, cheapest on the market, Evenflo Exersaucer. Evenflo makes a bunch of different exersaucers of varying complexities and prices, but I would say that all you need is this one. It has seven removeable toys. No lights, no music, no overhead arch. No ADHD-inducing frills. Nothing fancy at all.

She has been sitting there for about 45 minutes, using her legs to hoist her body around 360 degrees from toy to toy to toy, spending a few minutes at each toy before moving on.

This exersaucer has height adjustable legs (she's at the shortest for now), so I imagine it will last a few months. It is a bit clunky and takes up room and it's "compact fold" is anything but.

But Hila just sat for 45 minutes playing quietly by herself! (Just took her out.)

And like all Evenflo Exersaucers, the toys are removeable and exchangeable, so when she needs a change of scenery, that option is available.

(NOTE: The one we have is actually an older model (borrowed from Bethami -- thanks!) which is actually sort of a mixture of the Wild Thing Deluxe Exersaucer and the Mega Circus Exersaucer -- also relatively inexpensive ($50) with no frills.)

Posted by Sarah on Saturday, May 30, 2009 0 comments  

For a few months now, I've been scouring the internet and local stores for a combo bath and changing table that we can put into our bathroom. If it folded, even better, seeing as our bathroom and laundry room isn't that big either, and we do still need room for laundry. Also, easier to store, so we are less likely to give it away after we don't need it anymore. I wasn't so big on any of the ones I saw online, and anyway, I've started to really get annoyed with online shopping.
But voila! Right here in Modiin at the Dr. Baby outlet store, I've discovered the Elios, by l. rossi, an Italian company that I've never heard of, but apparently has been around for 50 years. Its totally foldable in one piece, has fun colors, and is really sturdy. The bath has built in non-slip pads, although I'll still probably add a seat for the first little bit. It's 600 shekels at Dr Baby, and seeing as its probably one of the only big ticket items that we are buying, (other than closets an and a/c unit), I think we can manage it, seeing as there is no shipping :). I like that the top lifts up and stays up for bathing, that there are little storage pockets underneath, and that it has a hose to emtpy the bath back into the big tub. I also think its the perfect height for short people, but we will have to see when I actually have to hold a real baby in the bath.

PS. I hope I'm that thin when my baby is this age. Not likely.

Posted by Bethami on Friday, May 22, 2009 10 comments  

The masterminds behind the growing stroller industry have finally done it. They have created an expensive and heavy stroller that I am unable to resist. Usually I see those words and I turn the other cheek, but I am looking at these Teutonia strollers head on and I want one.

Welcome to a world where you can create your own stroller. That's right. You pick the chassis (that's the frame -- 3 options), then you choose wheels, then you choose either a carrycot (bassinet), carseat, or regular stroller seat (faces forward or back), and then the color -- and there are many to choose from, like peridot green and burnt sienna. And then you can get an accent cushion to match. My mouth is just watering at the options.

Accessories include a mosquito net, footmuff, liners, other warm stuff, and more. But of note: The Parent Handmuff. This wraps around the handlebar (which by the way is extremely extendable, from very short to very tall) and then has too fuzzy, cozy openings for mom's or dad's hands. So smart!

It's not cheap. Like $600-$700.

(a few minutes later...)
I've just given this a bit more thought, and it seems like there's really nothing that sets these apart from say a Quinny Buzz, Bumbleride Flyer, or a Bugaboo Frog (other expensive and heavy options). I mean, after all, for those you get to choose your color too. So if you like the chassis of the Quinny, Bumbleride, or the Bugaboo, then customizing doesn't seem like such a big deal.

Posted by Sarah on Monday, May 18, 2009 5 comments  

I was all ready to write a post about the virtues of Materna over Similac, when upon my browsing I learned that if I had the options that you all have in America, then I would maybe change my preference.

In Israel, the answer is clear. Materna comes in a square container with a place to hold the scooper, which means a) You don't lose the scoop in the tin and b) You have an edge to level out the formula in the scoop. Also, Materna shakes up smoothly and doesn't create a huge bubbly milkshake like the Similac does. The Materna looks like breastmilk -- so you can fool your friends into thinking that you've pumped. After all, you would NEVER give your baby formula...

The Similac (here in Israel) comes in a round tin and the scoop always gets lost and there's no way to level it out, unless you use the lid, which is annoying. And, like I said above, it ends up making a foamy milkshake. This means that the baby ends up drinking a ton of bubbles (though she doesn't seem to care) and it makes it really difficult to see how much formula is left in the bottle. Also, it is more yellow and stains more.

BUT...wow, the choices that Similac puts out in the U.S. puts our dinky little Similac tins to shame. A hinged lid with a special snap in spot for the scooper. Added iron options. Sensitive options for gassy and fussy babies. DHA, ARA, better calcium absorption, and Early Shield -- not sure what all those are, but apparently they're good for our baby's brain development.

So which one is actually better for your baby? Well, you can't really beat the Similac options. And they claim that their formula is as close to mother's milk as you can get. But until those fancy options come to Israel, then I'll be sticking with the convenient tub of Materna.

Posted by Sarah on Monday, May 11, 2009 4 comments  

Labels: baby food

(Yes, I'm still nursing.)

Buy a bunch of these Motherhood Maternity Sleeveless Lift Up Double Opening Nursing Tanks and you will be set for your whole nursing career.

Here's why I'm in love with these tanks:
First and foremost, the Motherhood Lift Up Tanks are comfortable. They're made from a stretchy fabric but won't ride up on you, are a nice length (not too long not too short), and have nice, wide, comfortable straps.

Second, the neckline is just low enough that you can wear a shirt over it and you won't see the tank, and just high enough that if you decide to go shirtless, you're not revealing too much skin.

Third, I do not like bras. More, I do not like nursing bras. I don't like the clips and I'm not so savvy that I can do it quickly and modestly (if I'm out and about). When I do finally clip it open, the nursing pad tends to fall out. These openings, however, open from bottom to top. They lift up to reveal breasts through two individual cut-outs. Push up, push down -- quick, easy, and painless.

Fourth, since it's a tank top, your stomach stays covered through a feeding and doesn't flop out when you lift your shirt to start tugging at a bra strap. These are great for public feedings.

And last, the bra part of the tank top is padded. Adds a little more oomph to still-not-quite-as-large-as-you'd-like-them breasts and makes for extra leak protection if you happen to forget your nursing pads.

Cons:
1) The padded part tends to get folded up during a wash. After this tank comes out from the laundry, you need to spend a good few minutes trying to get the padded part to lay flat.
2) These are not so big. I'm generally a medium, so got the small/medium and it was a little tight (true, I just had a baby and still have 30lbs to lose, but still). I bought another one which is a large/x-large and it fits great. Because of the stretchy fabric, it'll probably be a close fit no matter what size you get.

I seriously only wear a bra when my tanks are in the wash. I plan on wearing these long after I stop nursing too. Trust me on this one: I probably would not still be nursing if not for these Motherhood Lift Up Tanks.

Posted by Sarah on Saturday, May 09, 2009 1 comments  

Labels: bras, breastfeeding, for mom

Before my second child was born, the only actual piece of baby gear we needed to purchase was a double stroller. This was a huge decision. I decided to go straight for a double jogger since we would only be using a double stroller for serious walking (both for power walks around the neighborhood and on shabbat). I ended up buying the B.O.B. Stroller Strides Fitness Stroller Duallie.

Before buying it, I also researched the InSTEP Safari Double and the Baby Jogger City Classic Double strollers. All of these are side-by-sides (as opposed to front/back or one seat on top of the other). Here's why I chose the B.O.B. over the others:
- more storage room (basket underneath, plus huge pockets behind each seat, plus includes a large parent console)
- most head space/growing room for my already very tall for her age 2 year old
- shock absorbers (the InSTEP does not have them, the Baby Jogger might)
- car seat adapter (must purchase separately) for the first few months. The other side of the car seat adapter is a tray for the older child, without which would mean no snack in the stroller.

Another difference is that the InSTEP only has one canopy that the two kids have to share. The B.O.B. (and Baby Jogger) have separate canopies.

I also love that it folds easily, pushes like a dream, sails right over bumps and cracks, and has a high enough handle bar to accommodate my very tall husband. Plus, it LOOKS COOL. If you have to be pushing a double stroller, this one is as cool as you can get. (I think as uncool as you can get would be an old, beat up front/back one in a plaid pattern.)

Here are its only drawbacks (as I have experienced in the past 6 weeks):
- It is huge. It will never travel with us, and we have an SUV.
- Sometimes the sidewalk is too narrow and I have to tell the kids "keep your hands and feet inside the stroller at all times!"
- It is pricey. It cost more than we recently sold an old used car for. (It retails for $589 for just the stroller. The car seat adapter retails for $89. There are several other accessories you can opt for as well.)
- It only has 1 front wheel, which I love for maneuverability, but some people may prefer the extra stability of 2 front wheels on the Baby Jogger.

Overall, I love love love the B.O.B.

Posted by B on Thursday, May 07, 2009 1 comments  

Labels: getting around, tandem strollers

I am a little overwhelmed. I have about 30 amazon tabs open right now and do not know where to begin. Hila is nearing the four month mark and so it is time to introduce to her the next necessary toy in her developmental range: The Exersaucers. Or the Jumperoo.

Definitions: Exersaucers are big round plastic playgrounds. The baby sits in a seat, can swivel around to different activity centers, can rock, bounce, and spin, and can activate lots of annoying lights and noises. Jumperoos either hang from a door or from two ends of a metal frame and provide lots of bounce for the baby, lots of good leg and core exercise, and often also have lots of toys and lights and noise (but usually less than the exersaucer).

So how to choose? Well, I'm not really sure. At first glance, I like the jumparoos better. They seem less....creaky. All that plastic on the exersaucer makes the whole experience seem a bit clunky, whereas the ride on the jumperoo seems smoother and quieter.

All that being said, I've still pulled out a few of each that have caught my eye.

1. Evenflo SmartSteps Exersaucer Entertainer - This is your classic saucer with lots of music options, removable and replaceable toys, and a compact fold.

2. Baby Einstein Musical Motion Activity Jumper - This jumperoo has a little mini piano on this. Of course, all the reviews on Amazon say that it breaks, but that Baby Einstein is good about replacing parts. And while I don't usually like overly musical and busy baby things, this one seems cute and if the baby is actually "making" music and not just hitting buttons that do all the work, then it actually seems productive. Swivels 360 degrees, just like in an exersaucer. This is a jumparoo that is set in a frame, not on the door. That seems like a safer, more secure option.

3. Fisher-Price Galloping Fun Jumparoo - This one has none of the bells and whistles of the other jumparoo/exersaucers, but is definitely the cutest. It's a jumping rocking horse! Also, in a frame, not for the door.

4. Johnny Jump Up - The old-fashioned, door-hanging jumparoo. I had one of these when I was a kid. There's a picture of me somewhere. I look pretty happy. This one is by far the cheapest ($20) and has no added toys or electronics.

Do you have one? Do you recommend it? Why or why not?

Posted by Sarah on Tuesday, May 05, 2009 5 comments  

Labels: baby comfort, bouncers, playards, toys