Recommend: Beaba Baby Food Maker

Price: $149.99

I used this machine for several months back when I was making purees for my son, and I loved it. I love that it does everything all in one (steams, purees & thaws). It's easy to clean and easy to use. The only downfall I can see is that you can not make large batches at once.

Pros:
-steams & purees all in one device which means less to clean
-steamer automatically shuts off when veggie is done
-easy pour spout
-comes with a great spatula
-dishwasher safe
-doesn't take up too much space
-can be used to thaw frozen foods


Cons
-expensive
-can not make large batches
-doesn't serve much purpose once baby no longer eats purees

Overall I love this machine and will use it again for my next child. It's a great way to make purees or even to soften harder foods (carrots, etc). It is expensive and pots & pans will do the same job (and in larger portions), but if you are looking for a baby food cooker and can afford this one, I would definitely recommend it.

Update: Hot Sling Carrier vs. Chicco Front Infant Carrier vs. Becco Carrier

Price: $47.99

When picking out a carrier I just couldn’t see myself using one of the back-pack style ones. Ryan had made it clear that he thought they were pretty lame, so I knew he wouldn’t be using it either. As a matter of fact, I’m not 100% sure I put any carrier of any sort on my registry specifically because I couldn’t see myself using it. I think it was actually when I went in after my baby shower to pick items up that I purchased the hot sling carrier. I’m very glad I did! I specifically picked this brand because I liked the material it came in more than some of the other sling-type carrier options.

Note: as you can probably tell from my picture and the product image (me: left, product image: right - LOL) I use it a little differently. Instead of placing it over my shoulder it hits around my neck. As he gets heavier I can see using it on my shoulder as being a more convenient way to balance his weight.

Update: I did in fact transition to using this on my shoulder more. When I did this, it made my arm less mobile. Considering the goal is to be hands free - it wasn't quite doing it's job. As Jude got heavier, the off balance weight got harder on me and put more strain on one side then the other. I still use this as a quick throw on carrier when Jude's fussy and I'm trying to get something done, but it's no longer by fall back (see below for new carrier).

Pro:
- Pretty pattern
- Very heavy/durable material
- Able to hold baby in a variety of ways. Comes with an instruction DVD (I never watched it) and a “how to” flyer to show all positions and recommends weights/sizes for each carrying position.
- Folds up super small so you can fit it in your diaper bag and pull it out when you need it. (perfect if you’re walking through the mall and baby wants to be held instead of sitting in the stroller).
- Very light so it doesn’t add extra weight to baby (if you can carry baby, you can carry baby in sling)
- Holds baby close to you
- Right now he’s still small enough that I can throw a burp cloth, pacifier, receiving blanket, whatever into the sling with him if I don’t think I’ll need his whole diaper bag.
- Comes in a variety of sizes to fit people of different height/weight.
- I’ve used it while cooking in the kitchen, taking him for walks, shopping, etc – makes things easily hands free.

Cons:
- Not adjustable, the size you get is the size you get – unless you know people who are the same size as you, it doesn’t transfer well from person to person.
- Can be warm in the hot weather – but not hotter than any other carrier.
- If we go for a walk with him in the carrier, he usually falls asleep – getting him out when we get home usually wakes him back up. Sometimes his bum gets caught when trying to lift him out, so pulling the sling down while lifting him can be a little tricky on your own.
- Most slings come in pretty feminine materials, but the inside is black and could probably be reversed.
- Pretty expensive considering it’s just fabric (A craft person could probably make one on their own).

Would I Recommend: Yes. I love my carrier and Jude seems to like being in it. But I would also like to experiment further with other carriers in the future as he gets older and takes up more and more space. But it definitely is something I’ll get plenty of use out of and is a great and simple alternative to carrying him around in his travel system.

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Chicco Ultra Soft Front Infant Carrier
Price: $49.99












Pros:
-pretty easy to adjust with baby inside
-baby can be forward facing or facing inward
-comes with a detachable spit-up cloth
-male-friendly
-handy "cuddle pocket"
-straps are padded

Cons:
-can not wear on back
-only 2 carrying positions available
-difficult to remove baby by oneself unless you have a couch (or the like) nearby to assist
-I'm not sure what the weight limit is but I don't think this carrier is designed for a lot of weight(but then again I don't know how weight effects any of the other carriers either. This may just depend on the person carrying the baby)

Would I Recommend: If what you're interested in is a "front carrier" (as opposed to a sling, wrap, or backpack) then yes, I would recommend this product. It's pretty basic and treated me well. I can not give the male's perspective, as my husband refused to wear it (although I do recall one time when he put our dog in it). I may try the Moby wrap next time around.

Becco Carrier

Price: $139.99

Hot Sling Carrier
This carrier has become my new "go to" carrier. It's always in my car or with my diaper bag when I go out the door. I rarely put Jude in his stroller and so it's nice to have something to put him in while out and about.

Before purchasing a second carrier, I went to a "babywearing" class to experiment with different styles to find the one that's right for me. I tried on a few and this was the first one I put Jude in that he didn't try to fuss his way out of.

The link above is to the web page I purchased my carrier from. There are a number of other online retailers that sell this brand but every where I went, the price was always the same. I believe I chose this specific retailer because they offered free shipping, but some others had free give aways with purchases, etc.

Pros:
- After being 'properly educated' on what's good and bad for baby, I was informed that as far as posture is concerned, this is great for mom and baby. Carrier rests on mom's hips and takes a lot of the weight off her back. Well padded shoulders make it comfortable to wear. For baby, it supports the back and bottom well to support their spine shape.
- Comes in a variety of styles and colors.
- Has a detachable hood that can be used to while baby is napping. Apparently some children's heads fall 'back' and it helps to hold it in. Jude's head seems to fall 'in' and lays on my chest, so we use the hood mostly to block the sun while he's resting.
- The snap on the shoulder have an extra lock so baby can't unhook himself.
- There was another similar carrier that I looked at called the "ergo carrier" that boasts the same features. The Ergo however basically had you put the baby directly on you and used the flap to hold baby in place. This carrier however has an extra layer between you and baby, so baby is actually sitting in the carrier. It's extra support and in my opinion better.
- adjustable from one parent to another.
- There is an infant insert. Other similar style carrier required baby to be around 12-14 lbs to start using them. The infant insert that's provided with this carrier allows you to begin using this carrier at 7lbs. I personally do not have experience with this insert as Jude was big enough to use the carrier with out it.
- can transition from front carrier to back carrier which could be nice as baby gets larger. I personally have not used it as a back carrier to this point.
- Can even hold toddlers in a piggy back fashion while still keeping you hands free.
- I've heard that they hold their value well. If you put money out for it, you should be able to get a good bit back out of it if you ever go to sell it (this could also be a con if you're trying to find one used).

Cons:
- When talking to other mothers who had this carrier they complained about not being able to nurse their child while he/she is in it (this was the single biggest complaint I heard). As I said above, there is a thin layer of fabric between you and baby which is what's inableing that. I personally had no desire to nurse while carrying Jude, so this was not an issue for me.
- There are a lot of straps and buckles (one around the waist, one across the shoulder blades, it adjusts around the arms, the part that holding Jude in adjusts, etc). After a few times wearing it, I got very comfortable taking it on and off, but in the beginning, give yourself time to get situated. I'm still trying to work out the sizing 100%, but different layers of clothing, whether Jude's asleep or awake, etc can all have an influence on how he fits in it from day to day. If you plan to swap back and forth between you and your husband I can see it getting annoying to constantly have to re-adjust (but I'm guessing this is the case with any carrier other than a wrap like the Moby that barbie linked to above). Personally I'm fortunate enough to have a husband who has no interest in wearing it.

Would I Recommend: With out a doubt yes. I have been so pleased with it!

I'll also note that there was previously a Becco one. The model I got was the second and through my discussion with another mother it is much better! So, be careful if you plan to purchase a pre-owned carrier that you check which model it is.

Recommend: bumbo chair

Alicia's Take:

Price: $39.99
Play Tray: $10.99

This was kind of a spontaneous purchase for me. I had heard that it was great for helping babies to sit up on their own and since we were working on that milestone, we decided to go for it while at BRU one day. We used it quite regularly when we first purchased it, but over time it's been getting used less and less (we seem to go through spurts on different items in our home based on where they're placed in the living room). Originally I would use it mostly with his tummy time mat. I would sit him next to the mat so that he could reach the toys hanging and he seemed to love it. Ryan also used it regularly to put Jude in while he was in the shower. I'm not sure why we don't use it as much any more, but I'm sure we're not completely done with it.

I'll also note that there are a number of different options (manufacturers) when it comes to these style chairs. I believe we chose the Bumbo brand because I liked the color green it came in and it was the name that stood out most. What I found neat was that they also sell a food tray to go with it (we never purchased it. we expected to go back when Jude started eating solids, but so far the high chair is my go-to seat for feedings).


(Barbie covered some pros and cons below, here are a few things I might add):

Pros:
- helps with stability and posture when learning to sit
- an nice alternative to tummy time for young babies who don't like being on their stomachs, while still keeping them off their backs.
- wide base keeps chair stable.

Cons:

- as Barbie will mention below it might not fit all babies well. Jude is on the slender-to-average side and fits well in the chair, but I could see how another baby may not. I really don't think I can imagine a 14 month old in this chair. I will note though, that because it's helping with posture, I think it's supposed to be a 'snug' fit AND because the material is flexible enough to give when moving baby in and out.
- Maybe not a con, but there was a recall on the packaging of this item which showed parents using this on a high surface. As with any other child items, don't use on tables, couches, counters, etc unless your child is supervised and within arms reach. It's just as 'dangerous' as anything else.
- when Jude would get tired of sitting up he would start to try and wiggle his way out. He would try to arch his back which would push him up in the chair. He was never able to get himself out, but it seems possible that a larger/stronger baby could.


Would I Recommend: Sure. If you are stretching for gifts, I'd tell you to recommend someone buy it for you. If you're strapped for money try and borrow it from a friend or skip it all together (especially depending on the size of you baby). Because it's such a simple design and durable material I'd even say this is an ideal item to pick up second hand if you ever come across one, there aren't any straps or safety features that could be compromised with prior use.



Barbie's Take


(see Alicia's review of this product for pricing info and a link to the item)


I was lucky enough to have a friend let me borrow her bumbo chair for as long as I liked. This saved me a good amount of money, so I am very thankful.



Pros:

-its made of a great material.

-durable

-easy to wipe clean

-comfortable material

-comes in a few great colors. nothing too obnoxious.
-easy to transport.
-great to use during mealtime, or anytime


Cons:
-pricey
-the manufacturer says its good for babies ages 3-14 months. This is not at all true if you have a baby that is even slightly large. I don't think we were able to use it for longer than 3 months, tops (from months 3-6-ish)
-if your child has chubby legs his/her legs will probably not want to lift out of the chair with ease

Recommend: Yes, I would recommend this item. This is one of those items that I would try to borrow from a close friend before buying (obviously, since thats what I did). This is also a great item to ask someone for as a gift. I would definitely recommend someone throw it on their registry.

Recommend: Graco My Ride 65 Convertible Car Seat

List Price: $159.99

Several months ago we had to upgrade to a convertible car seat for our son, as he had outgrown the infant car seat we were using (see Baby Trend travel system review). I did some research and tried to find the best quality car seat that was in our budget. I was repeatedly led back to this car seat. We purchased one for my car, and several weeks later we went back and got a second one for my husbands vehicle. Overall we are very pleased.

Pros:
~comfortable
~easy to install
~feels very secure when installed
~i found that it is almost always on sale
~gender neutral color
~also available in pink
~comes with an extra pad for when use with an infant
~2 cup holders
~easy to tighten & loosen the straps
~reputable brand name
~easy to use harness system
~comes with a pillow attachment (which we never used)
~comes with shoulder strap pads (which we never used)
~great weight range (5-65lbs)
~"approved for airplane use" - not something that we looked for, but the description of the item mentioned it so i thought i should as well.


Cons:
~big (though not necessarily bigger than other convertible car seats)
~difficult to adjust (rise and lower) the shoulder straps

So far we are very happy with the car seat. Yes, I would recommend it

Recommend: Baby Cache Nursery Furniture

Crib Price: $449.99
Dresser Price:$549.99

This is pretty much a repeat from a blog I posted previously in my OWN blog, but I'll highlight most of it here.

I saw this set one day while just walking through BRU. At the time I was not looking for a bed room set, but upon seeing this set I knew exactly what I wanted in my little man's room! Not only did this fit my visual requirements, but it also fit the other requirements I had for a bed room set in my mind (as highlighted below).

Pros:
- sturdy/well made
- drawers on dresser glide in and out easily
- attractive
- able to convert crib into a full size bed (with the purchase of bed rails)
- has two dresser options - we got the lower dresser because we wanted to use the top of the dresser as a changing station
- drawers are deep and hold quite a bit
- depending on your budget, I thought this was a reasonably priced set (last year Ryan and I had priced furniture for ourselves and a full bed was considerably higher than the price of this crib+ the running boards)
- the storage cabinet on the side of the dresser is convenient for bath supplies, first aide type items, wipes, etc and large enough to fit some canvas totes for organized storage.

Cons:
- drawers glide so smoothly that they some times bang when closing - I put some of Judes clothes away while he's asleep so can be bad!
- as I'm sure is typical with most cribs, it's a pain to change the crib sheet.
- because of the way the bars/panels are on the crib, some of your standard crib decor doesn't fit quite right (bumpers, mobiles, etc) - just make sure you check out the crib before buying any of these items!
- I remember when putting the crib together Ryan had a difficult time putting the metal mattress support portion together. I'm not sure if this is normal, but I remember my dad saying "make sure you read the instructions!" about the crib, so maybe it's no more difficult than any others.

Would I Recommend: Yes! So far I've loved this set! Part of my wishes I had purchased the second dresser as well, but really, we hardly fill the drawers we have so why bother? When/if there's a baby #2 I would without a doubt purchase another baby cache nursery set!

Recommend: Trent's Nursery (part 2)

Glider
Shermag White Glider w/ ottoman= $299.99
(im 85% sure this is the price we paid)
(from BRU)

My glider was an item I didn't jump right in to. Literally. When I was in the hospital first learning how to get Trent to latch on properly I was always sitting up in the bed with pillows propped around us. When I first got home I did much of the same. I would sit up on the couch or bed and prop pillows around me. It took me a few weeks to even sit in my brand new glider. The first few times I used the glider I didn't even like it. I felt like the baby was too high up when sitting on the boppy pillow. After just a couple days it was like a light switched was turned on. All of a sudden I was addicted to my glider. I didn't want to nurse him anyplace else. It was just so comfortable. We kept the glider in the living room while I was on maternity leave for convenience sake. When I returned to work we put the glider in the nursery. To this day I use the glider at least once a day....and it's not uncommon to see Kevin rocking Trent in the glider too. My biggest complaint (and it's a pretty big one) is that the locking mechanism on the side will lock on its own VERY OFTEN. Be it mid rock, or as I'm getting up. It wouldn't be TOO big a deal if it wasn't loud when it locked! I always worry it will wake the baby. It's very annoying!!! Perhaps an upholstered chair would have been a better choice. Or maybe we should look into fixing/removing the lock all together. Another thing I should note - these gliders are not designed for big people. They are just too narrow for a wide person to sit in. I don't know what Shermag was thinking.


Would I recommend: I don't know if the locking issue we're having is a defect on our chair in particular or not, so it's very hard for me to say. If I were you, I'd go to a few stores and try a few out.

_______________________________________________



Cordless Blinds

(from JCPenney.com)
Price= I got it on sale for $37.99. They are originally $70.00

A cousin of mine (also a mother) recommended I get cordless blinds for the nursery. Cordless blinds are just that, cordless. By going cordless you don't have to worry about a child choking on, or hanging from, the cord that often dangles from traditional blinds. You can get cordless blinds in several different styles, from several different stores. I went with a roman shade simply because I like the look. I ordered the shade from the internet, and I've never played with cordless blinds before, so I really didn't know what to expect. Kevin and I (probably more Kevin) hung the shade and were both very impressed by the functionality of it (for that price we better be impressed, right?). There is a little plastic clip in the center of the blind at the bottom that you hold and either push up or pull down. It's super easy. I'd definitely recommend them to anyone.

_______________________________________________


Closet Organizer
(from lowes)

No idea how much we spent but I'd guess it was between $50-$100

Lowes has a whole aisle dedicated to closet organization. From the cheaper stuff (pictured) to fancy wood systems. You can purchase something like I have pictured in either a kit or individual pieces. We went with a kit. It comes with everything you need except a few tools. I can remember using a measuring tape, pencil, drill, saw, and marker. You have to cut all the shelf pieces, allowing you to semi-customize the closet to fit your own needs. Of course I did some math wrong and ruined a few pieces, so we had to go back to Lowes. Like I said, they sell many of the piece individually, so it was very nice to only buy what we needed and not have to purchase a second kit. There are a few different styles and designs to choose one so make sure you look at all of the options. And make sure you measure your closet beforehand, just so you can be 100% sure you are buying the right material for your space. I love that we re-did this closet - it's so much more practical than what we had before!

Here is our "before"

Recommend: Jumperoo

Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo
Price: $99.99

Another item I just love.

Pros:
-It's full of things for the baby to look at and play with.
-bright colors
-There are a couple catchy tunes you can play at different volumes.
-Adjustable straps for height (3 positions)
-pretty easy to remove the seat for washing
-toys at varying heights
-seat spins 360 degrees
-toys on all sides
-some lights to catch your baby's attention
-helps promote leg use and muscle development


Cons:
-just too large to fit through doors
-awkward to collapse
-not very travel-friendly
-the dragonfly toy does not stand up like its shown in the pictures. it just flops to the side

Recommend: Absolutely!!!!

Recommend: Fisher-Price Rainforest Booster Seat

Fisher-Price Rainforest Booster Seat

Price: $30.99

When registering I really didn't know if a booster seat was something I would really need, but i figured 'what the heck' and threw it on there. I chose this booster seat in particular because it has a removable toy tray insert that has tons of cool looking toys. My dear friend Michelle purchased it for me and I was reminded just how cute it was. Unfortunately, it sat in it's box for several months before we were able to actually use it. We've been using it now for several months and we just love it. Trent is very entertained by the toys when he's not eating and the tray is great for his puffs. We've taken it to restaurants with us several times and it's been wonderful. You can fold it up a little so that it's easier to take from place to place, and you can use the seat straps as carrying straps.

Pros:

-great toys

-reputable brand

-easy to transport

-adjustable safety buckle

-height adjustable

-tray is dishwasher safe

-straps to secure to chair

-apparently you can remove the back and tray all together once your child is older and use the seat as a big boy booster seat

Cons:

-a little bulky for taking places if you are bringing the toy insert along

-you may not use your high-chair much (this is a joke con, but a serious one. at almost 9 months old we never use our high chair...only this booster seat)

Carter's Pop Floral Tote Diaper Bag vs J.J. Cole Method Stroller Bag vs Gap Bella Tuno Diaper Bag

Carter's Pop Floral Tote Diaper Bag:
Price: my bag is no longer on BRU website but you can find it on other sites for $25-$30

Mine is very similar to the picture except it's all brown. I basically wanted something neutral in color that was easy to keep clean and has many pockets. This bag has 6 pockets on the outside, 1 zip compartment on the inside, and a divider in the inside creating 2 large compartments, and it zips shut. It also comes with a changing pad and an accessory pouch. Overall I really like it. It's a nylon material, so it's very easy to just wipe clean. The only problem I have is that sometimes the straps will slide off my shoulder and the bag will fall down to my elbow. This can be a pain when I'm carrying my son in my other arm. I think next time I will go for more of a messenger-style bag or possibly even a back-pack style.

Would I Recommend: Sure. It's been a great bag. If you're looking for a tote-style diaper bag, this one is great.

________________________________________________

J.J. Cole Method Stroller Bag:
Price:$49.99

This diaper bag was purchased as "ryan's" diaper bag. I (Alicia) had picked out my own more girly bag (see below), so Ryan and I headed over to BRU to find one that he would be comfortable carrying around when it's just him and Jude (if you ask Ryan though, he'll never admit that he 'tried on' a variety of bags to find the perfect one).

Pros:

- made of a very durable (gender neutral) nylon material

- ooddles of pockets for storing multiple items inside and out of the bag

- perfect size for a quick trip out and about (not good for a full day trip)

- we have used it for purposes other than a diaper bag. It does not look very baby-ish so was perfect to tote things around on our own personal day trips.

- came with a changing pad (we didn't know this though and purchased our own changing pad)

- has attachments to easily hook to a stroller

- messenger bag style makes for easy access into the bag while holding baby

Cons:

- on the smaller side of diaper bags so not good for long trips

Would I Recommend: Yes. If you won't be gone for long day trips, this is a great bag.

Gap Bella Tuno Diaper Bag:
Price: $69.99

I saw this bag while shopping around Gap Maternity and just HAD to have it. So, of course, I got it. It came in two color options (brown and green and blue and pink) and looked rather large.

Pros:
- Large enough to fit four (cloth) diapers, a changing pad, extra clothes, toys, sun block and much more.
- Very attractive! (in my opinion)
- I have it in the brown and green, so it’s pretty neutral and doesn’t “clash” with a lot of stuff.
- Wide straps spread the weight out on the shoulder, so it doesn’t weight you down
- Top can tie closed with ribbon, but doesn’t zipper for easy access into the bag.
- Large pockets on the outside for mom’s personal items or other supplies

Cons:
- Didn’t come with a changing pad or anything - I had to purchase these items separately (and for the price of the bag, I feel it should have had something)
- The shape of the bag is designed so it’s wider on the bottom than the top. It’s convenient for stacking items inside, but makes it more difficult to get things OUT of the bag.
- Shoulder style bag in general makes it more difficult to get things in/out with baby in your arms

Would I Recommend: I’m torn. Part of me says no, but part of me says yes. I carry this bag more often than our black messenger bag, but that’s mostly because of looks (and it’s usually prepacked). In general I love it, but I would also recommend that you look around at other options, try them on and think of the items you might be carrying with you on a regular basis and how easy it is to get in and out of the bag you’ve chosen before selecting one.

Recommend: Stroller Hooks

Stroll'r Swivel'rs
Price= $5.99

This is another item I threw on my registry and received at my shower. I assumed they would come in handy whether the stroller I was using had storage or not (one of my strollers does, one doesn't). Sure enough, I've used them a handful of times! You can't hang anything too heavy from them or the stroller will become off balance, but they are great for light-medium bags. My diaper bag is usually the heaviest thing I carry around so I throw it in the storage compartment of the stroller and then hang the lighter bags from the hooks. They are great for free'ing up your arms. I imagine they will be great when the day comes that Trent wants me to hold him as we walk through the mall. It will be bad enough I still have to push the stroller, but at least I wont have to push the stroller, carry my bags, AND carry the heavy child. This is just one of those little items that it doesn't hurt to have. You may not use them often, but you'll be glad you have them when you do use them.

Pros:
-snaps onto most strollers
-the hooks swivel 360 degrees
-inexpensive
-they are made of plastic, so they are easy to clean

Cons:
-can be difficult to remove from stroller
-some reviews on BRU say they break easily (mine have held up well so far)

Recommend: Yes. I like them. They would make a good bow-alternative if you are giving a baby gift.

UPDATE: Stay Fresh Baby Food Containers

Yesterday evening I sent One Step Ahead an email asking if these food containers are BPA free. I assumed they weren't since they are not marked as such, but being that almost everything is BPA free at this day and age, I had a hard time believing these weren't. I got a response this morning and I am very happy to announce that this product IS BPA free!!! Now I feel totally confident recommending them!!!!

Here is the email:

Dear Barbie,

Thank you for contacting us. Item #14361 Stay Fresh Baby Food Containers 12 pack are BPA free.
Please let us know if you have any additional questions.
*Please include original message with reply
Thank you for choosing One Step Ahead & Leaps and BoundsJanCustomer Care RepresentativeOSA Sales (800)274-8440 Open 24 HoursLAB Sales (800)477-2189 Open 24 Hours Customer Service (800)950-5120 or (888)203-2265 M-F, 7 am - 6 pm CSTFax One Step Ahead Orders (847)615-7236 Leaps and Bounds Orders (847)615-8478

Torn: Stay-Fresh Baby Food Containers

Stay-Fresh Baby Food Containers 12-Pack
Price: $9.95 for twelve containers and a tray

Since I make all of Trent's foods, I knew I needed a way to store it all. At first I used ice cube trays but they just weren't cutting it. I did some research and found a few different options, but they all seemed to be very poor quality. The Stay_Fresh baby food containers, however, really caught my eye. I got them in the mail in no time at all and was very pleased when I opened the package. The containers are stackable, dishwasher safe, freezer safe and microwave safe. Each container has a mark at 1 ounce and at 2 ounce. I put a piece of scotch tape on each container and label it with the contents. The tape comes off easily when its time to wash.

Pros:
-stackable, dishwasher safe, freezer safe and microwave safe
-the lids screw on!! this is a huge plus
-marked for 1 ounce or 2
-very portable
-inexpensive
-I've been using mine for only 2 months but they seem to hold up really well
-they do not take up alot of space in the freezer
-the tray is great for the freezer (our freezer has slatted shelves, so the containers would be off balance and take up more space if it weren't for the tray)

Cons:
-if you fill them above the 2 ounce line there is a good chance the lid will pop off in the freezer
-it's hard to read the 1 ounce/2 ounce marking
-exclusively from One Step Ahead - which means you will always have to pay shipping costs and wait for them to arrive
-they "only" hold 2 ounces. This could become an inconvenience if you're child is eating more than 2 ounces at a time
-they are not marked as being BPA free

Recommend: If they were BPA free I would definitely without a doubt recommend them. Since they aren't marked as being BPA free I have to assume they are not, and for this reason I would not recommend them :-(

I have an email into the customer service department of One Step Ahead. I will update if/when I get a clear answer.

UPDATE: Yesterday evening I sent One Step Ahead an email asking if these food containers are BPA free. I assumed they weren't since they are not marked as such, but being that almost everything is BPA free at this day and age, I had a hard time believing these weren't. I got a response this morning and I am very happy to announce that this product IS BPA free!!! Now I feel totally confident recommending them!!!!

Homemade: Laundry Detergent

This is a homemade laundry detergent recipe I got from the Duggar Family website
How Much Does it Make: 10 gallons
Cost: Approximately $10 to get you started but breaks down to approximately $2 for every 10 gallons of detergent

Ingredients Needed:
4 Cups hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup Washing Soda
½ Cup Borax

(I found these items in the laundry aisle of my local grocer)

Recipe:

• Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.


• Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.


• Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)


• Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.
  


• Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.


• Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)


• Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)

(you can use Ivory, Sunlight, Kirk's Hardwater Castile or Zote bars in place of the Fels-Naptha. Don't use heavily perfumed soaps. Alicia and Barbie used only the main 4 ingredients)

Alicia's Take: I have been pleased with it! It's so cheap and easy to make! When we first made it, I had a bunch of my previous detergent to finish up, so never got around to using it for awhile. It's not very appealing to the eye if it's been sitting awhile (can be a little clumping and starts to separate) so when I ran out of my old detergent, I was hesitant to give it it's first go. But since then I've been using it exclusively. With a baby in cloth diapers (and with a baby in general) you go through more detergent than ever and it's been fine to use on his clothing and linens as well.

Barbie's Take: I have been very pleased with our homemade detergent. It was quick and easy to make, and easy to store. We keep the main 10 gallon bucket in our garage and we simply fill up an old laundry detergent container whenever we need to. I love that it has only a mild scent to it....nothing overwhelming (by any means!!). It definitely get our clothes clean and it saves us so much money. I will continue to make this detergent in the future.

Pros:
-very inexpensive
-fairly easy to make
-it works
-good for the environment

Cons:
-could potentially be a pain to store the left-over detergent

Recommend: Summer Infant Bath Time Bubble Maker

Price: $9.99

Back when I was pregnant I registered for this item. I was a little leery about registering for it at first - it's been my experience that most bubble machines end up being a big disappointment (either the fan doesn't blow strong enough winds, or the bubbles are too cheap to actually generate bubbles that last longer than .5 seconds)- but i said 'what the hay'.



I ended up receiving this bubble maker at my baby shower. The next day I set it up - installed the batteries, poured in the bubbles - then walked away. I didn't even try it out - what was I thinking!

Stupid me didn't even use it once Trent arrived. As the months went on I guess the bubble maker turned into an accessory to the tub. One of those things you see every time you go in the room, but you don't really SEE it. Eventually, Kevin was giving Trent his bath and he yells to me to bring the camera up....Kevin finally used it!! Boy was I impressed. This thing really puts off some bubbles!!! At the time Trent didn't seem to notice the bubbles at all, but I kept that thing on for a good five minutes for my own entertainment. I honestly could not believe a cheap little kiddy bubble maker could put off that many of bubbles (re-reading this I realize how lame i sound...what 26 year old gets this excited over bubbles).


Unfortunately, it's hard to get a good quality photo in Trent's bathroom. I think it has to do with the insanely bright orange walls....but you get the idea.

Once we ran out of bubbles I simply poured a little baby body wash/shampoo in the machine with some water and ta-da: more bubbles!

Pros:
-inexpensive
-comes with bubbles
-produces bubbles wonderfully
-not limited to Summer bubbles
-can be sat on edge of tub or attached to tub walls using provided suction cup (which appears to work well)
-there are a couple speed features (i've never played with this)

Cons:
-batteries not included
-noisy. There is a constant loud hum
-a little bulky in size

Nursing Wraps

Basic Comfort Nursing Wrap
price: $10.99

Being that I am quite modest, a nursing wrap was a must for me. I registered for this wrap because it was reasonable priced and it seemed like a great idea. There is a special pocket at one corner of the wrap that contains a little weight. You are supposed to drape the weighted pocket over your shoulder so the wrap wouldn't slide off your shoulder and expose you. I used this wrap only twice but was very uncomfortable both times. Trent and I were new to nursing at the time, so I still needed to use both hands and my eyes to get him latched on. I ended up draping the wrap over my head so that I could get Trent latched. I looked ridiculous!! And I was very aware that I was not as covered as I would have liked to be. Once he was latched I peaked my head out from under the wrap and would continue to peak under to see how he was doing. While the weight definitely helped, it did not prevent slippage 100%. After using this wrap twice I went out and bought myself the "peanut shell" (see below)
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Peanut Shell
price: $29.99

Barbie's Take: The picture does not accurately show this wrap, in my opinion. There is a strap that goes around your neck, to keep it up, and a wire of sorts that creates a window for you to look down and see your baby. This is great for eye contact (bonding) and the baby gets more air flow (when compared to wraps like above, or a cloth diaper - which many people use). I would recommend this wrap to anyone who is modest and wants something more full-coverage. There are several different designs to choose from (especially if you would consider purchasing the wrap online). The only downfall, in my opinion, is that the wrap doesn't have enough fabric for a baby who likes to grab and pull. I find myself occasionally tugging after Trent's hands to keep myself concealed. I would like to try making my own with just a little more overall coverage.


Alicia's Take:When selecting a nursing wrap I remember browsing around at BRU and not being 100% sure which way to go – there were only so many options. After putting the standard nursing wrap (above) on my registry, Barbie told me it was a bad choice and to switch to the peanut shell, so I did! I found a pattern I liked (the vanilla bean design shown) and so was pleased with the overall quality. It came with a cute little burp cloth to match and an elastic band to hold the set together folded up tight.

Usually if I’m nursing outside of our home, I’m in my car in the depths of the parking lot (and when I’m not in the depths of the parking lot, I typically don’t care if someone’s staring through my tinted windows – don’t look if you don’t want to see), so a nursing wrap is not 100% necessary. In this situation, we get latched on and once we’re comfortable I toss a receiving blanket over my shoulder just in case someone walks by. However, the handful of times that I have used this nursing wrap I was pretty pleased with it. The little peep hole is convenient and much better than juggling baby and blanket while latching on.

As Barbie noted though, it could be bigger – and this is coming from two fairly small-medium sized women. If I’m not wearing a nursing tank top, then to get to the nursing bra my side-fat is exposed while my shirt’s up around my neck. I have contemplated purchasing a poncho style nursing wrap that goes all the way around my body to avoid the side-fat exposure, but considering how infrequently I use the wrap I currently have, I’m not sure that it’s worth the extra investment. All in all though I’d say the peanut shell wrap is worth the money and probably one of the best that BRU has to offer. If you’re shopping around online though, I’m sure you could find something with more coverage if that’s something you’re concerned with.

Boppy Pillow - A Double Take

Bare Pillow: $29.99
Pillow Covers: $9.99-$25.99
Boppy w/Cover: $35.99 - $44.99



Alicia's Take: When I dropped the news that I was pregnant to a friend (a guy friend) the first thing he told me was “I’m going to buy you a boppy!”. Apparently he had one for his kids and swore by it (he never did buy it for me though). I personally have mainly used it for feedings, so I can not fully account for the other uses, but it was very helpful with feedings. When I first began breastfeeding, my husband and I had a system where I would sit down cross legged with the boppy on my legs and baby on top of the boppy. It put him at the perfect height for feedings and saved my arms from having to do all the work. Now that he is getting older we’ve gotten away from the regimented boppy feedings and I haven’t really touched the pillow much at all (mostly because the pillow is in his room and I do most of my feedings in the living room), but I still agree with many other parents that it really is a great product. For us, it really helped with the system and avoided needing three pillow to go around my body like some people told me they did.


Even though I very rarely used it for anything outside of feedings, the few times I put him in the center of the boppy while I was doing stuff around the house, it did give me piece of mind that he wouldn't roll off the couch or anything. So I could see why someone would love it for reasons beyond feeding.

As for the covers, mine came with a cover already on it. I have yet to wash it (does that make me dirty?), but I guess in my opinion it could be nice to have regardless. Specifically if your baby spits up on it – even though the pillow will still have the stain, at least your baby’s not laying directly on it AND can make cleaning quicker since pillows can take awhile to dry AND you can have one in the wash and a clean one on the pillow for much less than the cost of two pillows. Perhaps boppy should invest in making some water proof covers that absorb the mess, but keep it from getting on the pillow itself to make it a more practical purchase. _____________________________________________


Barbie's Take: I often hear people say, "the boppy pillow is god". While I do love my boppy, I do not feel like it is the #1 must-have of all time. Apparently Boppy pillows are great for helping an infant with tummy time and sitting up, but I never used it for these things. I used it solely for breast feeding. And like i said, I loved it! It allowed my hands to be free and it kept Trent high enough that I did not have to slouch (it saved my back!!!!). Mine was given to me (THANKS MEGAN!!) so I did not have to shell out any money, but based on the prices above I would definitely say they are reasonably priced and worth every penny....if you're going to breast feed. If you aren't, I wouldn't think it to be a top priority (again, this is just based on my experience. I've heard formula mothers swear by the boppy).

Often times my son would fall asleep right after nursing and I'd have to get up. The boppy, being a "C" shape, would fall to the floor. There are other nursing pillows out there (called My Breast Friend) that have a strap that goes all around mommy's torso, keeping the pillow in place. I have never tried this pillow but I would like to.

Bottom line is, if you're going to breast feed I would definitely recommend getting a nursing pillow of some sort, whether it's Boppy or not.

As for the boppy cases, I think they are unnecessary. I have one that I have never used. If spit up gets on the case it will soak through to the pillow, so you end up having to wash both items anyway. With that being said, my boppy is not plain white; it has a cute print on it. If yours is plain and you want to make it cute, by all means, get yourself a case.

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Pros:
- Helpful with feedings
- Many uses – feeding, sitting around, helps hold baby in cradle position, tummy time, etc.
- Reasonably priced
- Many attractive covers and options
- Appears to be durable and well made

Cons:
- Even with a cover, the spit up and other messes can leak through to the pillow

Do We Recommend: Yes.

Recommend: Monitors (times 3)

We weren't sure which monitor to register for so we went ahead and registered for a "classic" monitor set and a video monitor. We've used each only a handful of times, so it may be hard for me to give a detailed review on either.


Fisher-Price Dual Private Connection Monitor
Price: $67.99


Pros:
-reasonably priced
-I don't think we've had any problems with interference or static
-comes with 2 receivers!
-clear reception
-10 channels to choose from
-has an LED light display on both sides of the monitor that allows you to see if your baby is crying. This comes in handy if you don't want the volume loud
-the handsets can be wireless or plugged in
-the batteries are rechargeable
-very user friendly screen.


Cons:
-I don't think the batteries were included, but I'm not positive


Recommend: Definitely. We've had no problems with this set at all. I especially like that it comes with 2 receivers!

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Summer Infant Day and Night Video Monitor
Price: $99.99


Pros:
-you can see your baby!
-you can see your baby even if he/she is in 100% darkness
-camera can be mounted almost anywhere
-camera is very adjustable
-has a light feature so you can see if your baby is crying. The light adjusts with the intensity of the cry.
-can buy a second camera for another room and use the same monitor. simply toggle between channels
-monitor screen is a very nice size

Cons:
-black and white picture
-takes 10-20 seconds for the monitor to kick in (which is normal, not a defect)
-volume is limiting. your options are a range from loud to very loud, or mute
-a noisy hum all the time unless it's on mute
-if you mount the camera it isn't easy to transport
-monitor is like a little tube tv. pretty bulky.


Recommend: Yes. We've had no real problems or complaints with this monitor at all. There are, however, other video monitor that got great marks on BRU's website that have handheld monitors that are more portable. Some even give a color picture. The downside is that the screens are much smaller.


If you're dead set on getting a video monitor I'd recommend you try to figure out how the monitor will be primarily used. If you think you'll leave the monitor on your night stand most of the time, consider getting my monitor with the large screen. If you think you will need to keep a constant eye on your baby when he/she is out of site, consider the others that you can clip to your pants and take anywhere.


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Safety 1st Hi-Def Monitor:
Price: $59.99


I got this monitor for no other reason than because it had "hi-def" in the name. My brother works for Comcast and I knew he'd swoon that we had a "hi-def" monitor. After adding it to my registry I remember reading the reviews and for the most part people seemed pleased.

Pros:
- long electric cords so they can stretch long distances from outlets - operate on a rechargeable battery so you don't have to buy batteries - and don't have to be constantly plugged in.
- we personally have never had issues with static or interference.
- I'm assuming it's the same for most monitors, but when you turn off the part that's in the baby's room, the parent side beeps (I guess in case someone breaks in??? I don't know, but it's nice to know if the other side is on)
- reasonable price



Cons:
- you have to hold the power button for a few seconds to get it to come on - I remember being confused at first how to get it on.
- can't have the two sides in the same room or it makes that terrible siren sound when they start picking up each others sounds.
- the outside of the monitor is a hard plastic case, but it's not liquid tight so stuff can get inside that you can't clean out.



Would I Recommend: I haven't had any issues and judging from all of the bad reviews on other monitors due to static, I'd say this is a great option.

Recommend: Lamaze Plush Toys

Price: average range is between $10 and $20
When I was pregnant and registering I remember quickly browsing the toy section but not really giving toys too much thought – there were plenty of other things we needed more. After having Jude, we received a gift package from a friend with a collection of plush toys that I remember thinking were adorable and then got tossed in the toy box until he was able to use them. Recently Jude started to take blankets, his hand, anything and put it in his mouth. I thought it was the perfect time to introduce toys and went back to the toy box to pull out age appropriate items. This included a number of Lamaze Plush Toys. They were just as adorable when I pulled them out as I remembered them being when I first received them.

Pros:
- Available in a variety of shapes and sizes
- Bright colors and usually multiple features to stimulate a variety of your child’s senses (educational). For example: mirrors, multiple fabrics in different colors and textures, noise makers, etc.
- As with most children’s toys, they are typically labeled with the age group they are most appropriate for to make your selection easier.
- Smaller toys come with hooks to attach to strollers, car seats, diaper bags, etc to make it easier to tote around.
- Don’t require batteries (maybe a con for the items that do have some electronic parts?) – most of the noise features are not electronic (crinkles, rattles, squeakers etc)
- Seem to be well make – won’t fall apart easily

Cons:
- Because of all the noise parts and other attachments on them, they’re difficult to clean (when your baby puts them in their mouth it’d be nice to be able to clean first).
- Some of the smaller toys seem a little on the expensive side. I’ve seen the small toys for 14.99 and ones double their size for just over 20 dollars (when I’ve purchased them for myself, I always got the bigger toys for this reason). Considering the size difference it seems you get more bang-for-your-buck with the bigger options.

Would I Recommend: Yes! Jude seems to love them. Last night I put him on his tummy with a variety of the toys laying around him and he was very interested in what was happening.

Barbie agrees 100% with everything Alicia says. Trent absolutely loves his lamaza toys!

Skip Hop Outer Space Play Mat vs. Baby Einstein Neptune Ocean Environment Play Gym

Skip Hop Outer Space Play Mat:
Price: $79.99

Pros:

- cute space theme

- mat easily detaches from hanging play-gym portion to be washed.

- each hanging toy does something different (one is a music box that plays twinkle twinkle, one's a rattle, one crinkles, etc)

- easily folds up to be stored or taken on trips

- hanging toys can be moved around and lowered closer to the mat when baby is sitting up. 

- Skip Hop makes a series of other space themed toys that "go" with the mat. 

- no batteries needed.

Cons:

- pretty expensive for such a simple item. There are no super "bells and whistles" that make it really worth 80 dollars. 

- tummy time pillow was never used.

- While I find the colors to be appealing, they're not your standard bring colors and black and whites that generally attract young infant's attention. 

Recommend: If it were on sale or you had a coupon I would without a doubt recommend this item. I personally love it and Jude can lay on his mat for an extended period of time entertaining himself. When I'm laying along side of him, he can enjoy it even longer as I make noises with all the hanging toys. There are many other play mat options though for much less, so do some shopping around before you pay full price. 

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Baby Einstein Neptune Ocean Environment Play Gym

Price: $69.99

Pros:

-holds up well in the washer

-comes with an abundance of toys

-very interactive

-bright colors

-educational

-all toys can be moved around on mat, and can also be connected elsewhere for baby's entertainment

-comes with a mirrored toy that my son (and most babies?!) loved

-comes with a wonderful music box with lights and fun features

-music box can be detached and used elsewhere

Cons:

-music box is quite heavy

-we've had to change the batteries two or three times already (son is 8 months)

-the whale toy that is supposed to be use to help baby with tummy time and sitting up slides out from under baby. It's basically a waste

-batteries not included (3 AA)

-expensive

Recommend: I'd definitely recommend this item to someone who has a coupon! This play gym is among the most expensive play gyms on the market right now, but I think it's great. It's the only one I've ever used so I can't tell ya if the cheaper gyms are just as good.

Recommend: Medela Pump in Style Breast Pump

Price: $279.00 (available in shoulder bag and backpack style)

Alicia's Take: I had no idea where to begin when picking out a breast pump. Not only that, I wasn't 100% sure that breast feeding would with out a doubt work for me, so that thought of spending mega money on a breast pump something I needed to give a lot of thought. However, when you walk into BRU there's a whole display of Medela products, so I started there. I found that it seemed to be a reputable brand, so I went for it. I ended up purchasing mine off of e-bay unopened (it's apparently a huge no-no to use a used breast pump). I can't exactly remember how much I paid, but looking back I probably could have gotten a better deal at BRU with sales and coupons (see below) and had the ability to return if unopened. Either way, it's pretty much been a life saver beginning when I was at home and felt slightly engorged all the way to now as I return to work.  

Barbie's Take: In doing research on breast pumps I came to the conclusion that the Medela Pump In Style was the pump for me. Anyone I spoke to who had it recommended it. At my shower I was given a different pump, a pump I just would not settle for. I went out and bought myself the $279 pump I had already picked out. I was able to use coupons and got it down to $168. Of course I was worried at first that I wouldn't like the non-returnable machine, or that I wouldn't get my money out of it - but it's safe to say, at this point, the pump has paid for itself tenfold and I do not regret the purchase at all. This is an item I would recommend to any working mother who plans to pump.

Pros:

-wonderful overall

-you can find most of the replacement parts you may need right at BRU (easy to find additional breast shields, valves, membranes, etc to avoid cleaning between multiple pumps while at work).

-Medela is rumored to have awesome customer service

-discreet, easy to clean bag

-includes a battery pack (batteries not included)

-you have the option to purchase a car adapter separately

-comes with everything you need to get started

- motor is adjustable to mimic your baby's sucking

- comes with a black mini-cooler and ice pack to store milk in (perfect to put in the work fridge for storage during the day). 

- back pack as a variety of pockets and storage space for pump parts, and other personal items you may need to carry.  

Cons:

-the motor is a little noisy

-replacement tubing is hard to come by in stores. you have to go to a site like amazon.com or mybreastpump.com

-non returnable (if you're on the purchasing end this is a pro, lol)

- since all breast pump items are non-returnable, it can get costly to find the proper fitting breast shields.