Category Archives: Age 0-1 year

From our friends at TheFind.com: Serena and Lily Market Sling

June 9, 2009Age 0-1 year, Age 1-3, Guest post: TheFind.com, New postsbaby carrier, serena and lily, sling, thefind.comAlicia

Serena and Lily is based in California’s Marin County. Marin is known for it’s lush hillsides, organic produce and laid back bohemian vibe all set to the tune of luxurious living and a European car in every garage. To be true to their luxe California upbringing, Marin mompreneurs, Serena and Lily have launched a line of successful children’s bedding, furniture, and accessories.

Our favorite item from the collection is the Market sling. This sling takes the most commonly drab or hideously bright baby sling and takes it to another level. The charming styles are hand-embroidered or screen printed with a modern pretty block print designed by Serena on 100% organic cotton and have a cuddly soft interior. The sling’s design is one seamless piece of fabric without buckles, belts or straps, fits snugly and is easy to wear. The market sling comes in three styles, the Catalina, the peacock and the Prague.

Review:
The No-Cry Nap Solution: Guaranteed Gentle Ways to Solve All Your Naptime

June 5, 2009Age 0-1 year, Age 1-3, Books, New postsbook, development, sleepAlicia

I am a firm believer in naps. It was difficult for me when Madelyn started fighting nap time at about 2 years old but I am determined for her to nap until she’s 10 at least 4. Sebastian, now 9, took naps until he was 5 and still would if it was up to me! I need ‘nap time time’. I need that couple of hours to work in peace, take a shower, or exercise and she needs the nap for many reasons.

In ‘The No-Cry Nap Solution‘ Elizabeth covers many reasons why your child may fight nap time including irregular schedules, being overtired and over-wired by nap time, and reliance on a specific sleep aid. I believe that Madelyn started fighting nap time when we re-scheduled her nap time to 1:00 from her regular 11:30 nap time. She was too wired and tired to settle down at 1:00 so it was difficult to get her to sleep. I would not have thought about her being over-tired, but once we got her back to going down around 11:30-12:00, she fell asleep much quicker and with less of a fight.

Daytime naps might last just a few short hours, but they can affect all twenty-four hours of a child’s day. Naps can improve a child’s mood and reduce fussiness, crying, whining, and tantrums. Studies show that children who nap daily get sick less often, grow taller, and are less likely to be obese when they grow up. Naps enhance attention span and brain development. Naps can also help make up for any shortage in nighttime sleep. Even a one hour shortage in overall sleep hours can have a negative effect on a child – compromising alertness and brain function, and increasing fussiness and fatigue.

Author, Elizabeth Pantley, is the author of several other parenting books including the popular No-Cry Sleep Solution and has four children of her own so I trust that she knows what she’s talking about. I highly recommend The No-Cry Nap Solution for any new parent or even parents of toddlers.. it’s never to late to figure out why the heck your child won’t take a nap and learn how to make nap-time happen!

You’ll find information about all 9 of Elizabeth Pantley’s books on her website.

First Years Kickin’ Coaster + win one!

April 14, 2009Age 0-1 yearbaby glider, baby play, baby seat, first years, kickin' coaster, learning curveAlicia

When Sebastian was an infant 9 years ago, I bought a kicking toy, back play mat thingy for him. He laid on the floor and if he was lucky his feet would hit the little things that dangled down and activated some obnoxious noises. I was so excited about it. Sebastian however screamed when his kicks activated it. It went back to the store the same day. Tim laughed and laughed at me.

The Kickin' Coaster from First Years is along the same concept but on a much more soothing, less obnoxious level. The Kickin' Coaster is a baby seat and activity seat in one and is great for newborns and infants. New babies kick a lot. Sometimes on purpose and sometimes not. The Kickin' Coaster gives your baby something in return for those active kicks, a fun smooth gliding movement, that is sure to delight them!

The seat also includes a stationary setting, perfect for soothing a baby to sleep with vibrations and twinkling lights. With its soothing vibrations, playful songs
and lights, the Kickin Coaster provides fun, strengthening, educational
playtime for baby!

A few key features and benefits:

two seats in one: a soothing infant seat, and an active play seat
soothing vibrations
twinkle lights for visual tracking
removable teether rattle for infant play
teaches cause and effect
strengthens leg muscles

GIVEAWAY! Hold on to your knickers.. we have 3 Kickin' Coasters to give to lucky The Mommy Insider subscribers!
The Mommy Insider subscribers (subscribe here (opens a new window)) can enter to win a Kickin' Coaster! Just leave a comment below telling me why you want to win a Kickin' Coaster and for two entries tell me in your comment what size batteries the Kickin' Coaster takes!

Learn more about and buy the Kickin' Coaster at the Learning Curve website.

Antimicrobial Protected baby clothes, baby sheets, bibs, and more from Bonn Bonn Baby

February 23, 2009Age 0-1 year, Age 1-3, Baby & Kids Clothingantimicrobial baby, baby clothes, baby sheet, bonn bonn baby, changing pad cover, toddler teeAlicia

BonnBonn Baby antimicrobial baby products
Oh, how I wish I had BonnBonn Baby onesies and bibs a couple of years ago. My poor daughter had drool on the neck of her shirt or bib all of the time and really.. what baby doesn't? You can't change their clothes every hour.

BonnBonn Baby introduced a moisture control wicking fabric that pulls moisture away from
baby's delicate skin where it quickly dries. The lightweight antimicrobial material kills mold, mildew, and more.

BonnBonn Baby onsies, bibs, changing pads, and
sheets are great for keeping your child dry and happy.

BonnBonn Baby products are great gifts for expecting and new moms and even those with toddlers.

The bibs are great for teething babies
The sheets are perfect for messy potty training nights so your toddler isn't sleeping on yucky wet sheets
The changing pad's antimicrobial fabric inhibits the growth of odor causing bacteria and fungus on the changing pad.
All products are machine washable and get softer with each wash. I've washed Madelyn's BonnBonn Baby tee and sure enough, it's super soft!

GIVEAWAY ALERT! Keep an eye out for our BonnBonn Baby giveaway coming soon. Join our newsletter using the Subscribe box to the right to know when the giveaway contest starts!

The Shoulder Stroller: the stroller in a purse

January 28, 2009Age 0-1 year, Strollers, Traveldiaper bag, infant car seat, shoulder strollerAlicia

A stroller that fits in your purse. It's true. This little mommy gadget is a back saver to say the least. The Shoulder Strollers attaches to your baby's infant seat and then you place the perfect sized shoulder pad on the opposite shoulder which counterbalances the weight freeing you from back, neck and shoulder pain. They key is that the shoulder strap redistributes the weight of the infant seat to use your larger muscles rather than just your arm muscles. Using all of the muscles in just one arm and shoulder causes your entire back to be unbalanced which speaking from experience can case back pain and cramping.