Category Archives: Age 1-3

Baby proofing

4 Baby Proofing Products Every Home Should Be Equipped With

Baby proofing
Even this cute baby (my daughter) got into things she shouldn't!

Before a baby even starts to crawl, parents should begin baby proofing the home.  Speaking from experience, there are many things an infant can get into. Many parents, like myself 12 years ago, wonder where to start when it comes to the safety of their child. I quickly learned that power cords, a sharp table corner, cabinets, electrical outlets and the pool if the family has one, are some of the dangers parents may want to start baby proofing first.

Parents can baby proof electrical outlets by using plastic outlet plugs. Outlet covers are cheap and available in any store that sells baby items.  Electrical outlets are extremely dangerous.  I should know.. I put a bobby pin in one when I was a child.  It is very important to baby proof all outlets in your house by using outlet plugs.  Outlet plugs are difficult for a baby or toddler to remove but parents are able to remove them easily.

Safety 1st Deluxe Press Fit Outlet Plugs
Example: Safety 1st Deluxe Press Fit Outlet Plugs
There are table corner protectors to soften sharp edges of coffee tables, end tables and counters.  My daughter, now 6, has had her fair share of head-to-table encounters if you know what I mean.  She has always been on the more clumsy side than my son was so we went all out on the baby and child proofing supplies during her clumsy years.

Safety 1st Expandable Table Edge Bumper
Example: Safety 1st Expandable Table Edge Bumper
Cabinet safety locks and latches keep small children out of cabinets that contain dangerous products. Cabinet locks can be found in the baby section of most retail stores and are easy to install.  Cabinet safety locks are relatively easy to install and make it so that parents and older children are able to get into a cabinet easily while babies and toddlers aren’t. 

Dreambaby cabinet Safety Latches
Example: Dreambaby Cabinet Safety Latches
Baby gates keep toddlers from going into areas they don’t need to crawl around in, like the backyard where the family pool is. The great thing about baby gates is that they can be stretched to fit different sized doorways. They can also be moved around to any doorway, insuring infant safety.  At one time we had four safety gates installed around our house, including one on our front porch.  You never know where your baby or toddler will venture off to so it’s better to be safe than sorry and install a baby safety gate wherever you think your baby should not wander off to.

safety baby gate
Example: Dreambaby Extra Tall Swing Close Gate

There are also products to baby proof and conceal power cords that can be found in hardware stores and retail stores.

If parents still aren’t certain they have covered all the basics then they might want to consider contacting a local baby proofing company. The company would provide parents with all the products and materials they needed to make their home a safer environment for their child.Children get into trouble all the time. They are always sticking things in their mouths, taking a tumble down the stairs, poking hair pins into outlets and knocking their heads on sharp corners. This is why it is so important to make sure that the home environment is a safe haven before the baby becomes mobile.

Alicia Hagan, Editor
* Some links featured in this article are affiliate links.  If an item is purchased using affiliate links, we may receive a small commission.

SnoozeShade – Protect your Baby from the Sun and Help her Sleep While on the Go!

 

SnoozeShade stroller and car seat shadesYou should have seen the ‘shades’ I rigged for my kids in the car when they were infants.  We would bring tape in the car on road trips knowing that we need to tape a pillow case to the window and then to my baby’s car seat in order to provide her with some shade so she could sleep without sweating.  My husband’s homemade shades more often more efficient than mine because he had more patience to rig up a super duper homemade shade in the back seat of a van, than I did.

SnoozeShade stroller and car seat shadesIf you are on the go often, like most parents are, then you’ll love Snooze Shade.  This is one of the few products that I have actually considered a Mommy Must-Have.

I’m sure you will be outside a lot during these summer months so be sure to (1) put sunblock on your kids and (2) keep one of these cool (literally) SPF 50+ SnoozeShades on your infant’s car seat to keep her safe from the sun and heat.

The SnoozeShade for Infant Car Seats is great for:

  • those times when your baby can’t switch off.. there’s just too  much going on for her to fall asleep
  • encouraging good sleeping habits and better napping when you and baby are out and about
  • sun protection while taking a walk in the park
  • protection from the blaring sunshine that comes through the car window while on road trips right when she’s about to fall asleep (speaking from much experience)

 

The SnoozeShade for Infant Car Seats (Amazon.com link) comes with a storage pouch and is quick and easy to put on your infant’s car seat.
SnoozeShade also makes a shade for strollers, the SnoozeShade Original.

Learn more about SnoozeShade on the SnoozeShade website.

Disclosure: I was provided with SnoozeShade products for purposes of this review.  My review is an honest opinion based on my experience with the product and was not influenced by SnoozeShade.

Alicia Hagan, Editor

Original Animal Art Baby and Toddler Apparel from Lucky Duck & Friends

Mommy’s of new baby boys and girls will love Lucky Duck & Friends unique, one-of-a-kind baby onesies.
My kids wore onesies almost every day of their first year of life.  Onesies are easy to put on, allow for quick and easy diaper changes, are available in a variety of colors and designs, and best of all.. Lucky Duck & Friends offers parents the most adorable designs on baby onesies that I’ve seen in a long time!

Check this one out..

Deer baby onesie by Lucky Duck & Friends

Pippa with Lucky Duck & Friends is an artist who specializes in one of a kind baby and toddler clothing that is unique because all of the designs on her baby clothes are taken from Pippa’s unique acrylic animal paintings and then digitally printed on the clothing.  Unique right?  Other prints include an elephant, penguin, duck, and lion cub.  Pippa’s designs capture the carefree and loving nature of kids.  Her designs remind me how innocent little baby’s are.

This baby onesie (Baby White Onesie with Original Animal Art – Deer) has an original image that is based on one of Pippa Scott’s unique paintings.

Lucky Duck & Friends baby onesie
Thank you to our model Elyrika!

Lucky Duck & Friends’ baby onesie features:

  • 3 snap bottom closure for easy opening
  • Ribbed color and leg cuffs
  • 100% ringspun cotton

Lucky Duck & Friends original baby clothesLucky Duck & Friends baby onesies are available in 6, 12, and 18  months sizes.
Priced at just $20 you can stock up on these unique, adorable, outfits for your baby.  I think all of the designs are all pretty gender neutral so even if you don’t know if you are having a boy or girl, go ahead and buy a few of these onesies.  Your baby will look adorable in any of them!

Lucky Duck & Friends baby clothes make unique and cute gifts for expecting and new moms.  I was at the Atlanta Baby & Child Expo yesterday which is where I found this beautiful baby girl Elyrika who modeled the Lucky Duck & Friends baby onesie seen in the photos above.  Several moms and a couple of dads asked if I was selling the onesies.  They would have bought them right there on the spot if I had been!

You will also find beautiful greeting cards, presentation boxes, and youth apparel with Pippa’s artwork printed on them, on the Lucky Duck and Friends website.

Connect with Lucky Duck and Friends

Alicia Hagan, Editor

Disclosure: I received the onesie above for purposes of this review.  I was not required to write a review and all opinions are 100% my own.  I only write about and feature products that I would buy for myself or my family.

Britax Frontier 85 Booster Seat Review

When my daughter left the hospital she was placed in a Britax car seat like this one.  She rode in that seat, safe and secure until she was over 5-years-old.  Some people say that was too long but I wanted to ensure that she was safe and she never complained about comfort so I kept her in it as long as I could.  At a little older than 5-years-old she became a bit too tall for that car seat. I wanted to continue using a 5-point-harness on her until she was about twenty or so but she grew a little too tall and I realized that she would be plenty safe in a booster seat at her age and height.  I recently received a Britax Frontier 85 booster seat to review and I am very pleased as is my daughter. I am very happy with the safety features and asthetics while my daughter loves the dual cup holders, arm rests, and high back.

Britax Frontier 85 booster seat review
Britax Frontier 85 Booster Seat

Every parent wants their child to be as safe as possible in the car, and that’s the result with the Britax Frontier 85 Booster Seat. The Frontier 85 is designed for children that are 2 years old and a minimum of 25 pounds and 30 inches. The Frontier 85 will seat children to 85 pounds and 57 inches with the 5-point harness, and it then converts to a booster seat for children 40-120 pounds and 42-65 inches. The seat allows for the highest seated shoulder height available, which is 12-20 inches with the harness and 13.5-24.5 with the booster.

Britax designed this booster seat with several top-quality safety features, and their dedication to keeping children safe with an easy to use Harness-2-Booster seat shows that they are leaders in the industry.

I had the Frontier 85 out of the box and installed in my car within 15 minutes. That 15 minutes included removing the harness straps from the booster seat as she is using the lap belt, adjusting the back height, snapping the LATCH connectors into my car’s seat, and once I had the seat in the car I made sure that the Versa-Tether was very tight.

Britax Frontier 85 booster seat
My daughter in her Britax Frontier 85 booster seat.

The Frontier 85 has lots of features to help prevent injury.

The Energy-Absorbing Versa-Tether slows forward movement, reduces the force caused by a crash, and includes a two-point attachment which anchors the top of the seat. The Harness Ultra Guard System (HUGS) and Tangle Free Five-Point Harness works with the tether to reduce movement of your child and protect them. HUGS are located on the chest area of the harness straps and work with the higher center of gravity of larger children to keep your child safe as they grow. The Tangle Free Five-Point Harness has 10 height positions and three buckle positions to help transfer crash forces over the strongest parts of their body. These leading safety features reduce the risk of injury and leave you with peace of mind.

Britax’s Frontier 85 Booster Seat also lets your child ride comfortably, with features such as armrests and integrated cup holders. The cup holders do not increase the width of the seat and will hold common beverages such as a 20-oz water bottle. Keeping mom’s comfort (and sanity) in mind, Britax designed the seat with a washable cover.

If you’re looking for a Harness-2-Booster seat, the Britax Frontier 85 is the ideal seat. No parent should have to worry about their child’s care or comfort while driving, and the Frontier 85 eliminates all concerns.

If you aren’t sure when your child will be ready for a booster seat, take a look at Britax’s Booster Basics page where you will find detailed information about how to tell if your child is ready for a booster seat or not.

Connect with Britax:

Alicia Hagan, Editor

Disclosure: As stated above, I received a Britax Frontier 85 booster seat for review purposes at no charge.  All opinions are 100% my own and honest and were not influenced in any way.

Little Tikes® Pillow Racers™ Review, Video Demo, and Giveaway

A ride-on toy and a pillow in one!  How great is that?

Now your child can zoom around the house on Little Tikes® new Pillow Racers™ ride-on toy.  Pillow Racers™ have easy to grip handles so your child can hang on tight for hours of speedy fun on his Dino, Turtle, or Lady Bug Pillow Racer!

Little Tikes Pillow Racers review
From top left to bottom right#1 - In the box, #2 - Everything that comes in the box, #3 - Bottom, #4 - Assembled

 

The four caster wheels allow Pillow Racers™ to move in any direction and quickly at that!

We found that Pillow Racers™ move well on short-carpet floors and even faster on tile and hardwood floors.  Be careful when your child takes off on the hardwood floor for the first time as his Pillow Racer may zoom off a little quicker than he expects!

My five-year-old daughter is having a blast delivering things to me on her Pillow Racer Dino!
She has delivered books to me, toys, hair accessories, and more! I didn’t expect her to have such a great time with it because she’s older than the recommended age range but.. oh now she’s delivering hair spray to me.. she’s loving it! She weighs 42 pounds so she’s within the 50lb weight limit.

The soft Dino, Turtle, or Lady Bug cushion detaches from the base so it can be used as a pillow.
Simply turn the Pillow Racer over, undo the velcro on the bottom and unscrew the handle and wahlah.. your child can rest on the pillow he was just riding on.. or you can give it a quick hand-wash.

Pillow Racers™ are great for summer vacation road trips.
Your child will love having their favorite toy and pillow with them on your next road trip and you’ll love knowing that he can pop their Turtle, Dino, or Lady Bug back onto the base and release that energy that’s all pent up from your long road trip.  I know that’s not just my kids. 

Little Tikes Pillow Racers
Little Tikes® Pillow Racer cushion being used as a pillow

Pillow Racers™ Features:

  • Soft, washable character – Dino, Turtle, and Lady Bug available
  • Each character cover easily detaches from the base and can be used as a cuddly friend
  • Four caster wheels allow easy, quick turns
  • Easy grip handle attaches to the base to provide extra stability for riders

Pillow Racers™ are for children ages 18 to 36 months or up to 50lbs.

You can buy Pillow Racers™ for about $39 on Amazon.com here or on Little Tike’s website here.

Watch as my daughter tries out the Little Tikes® Pillow Racers™ Dino for the first time.  

 

Do you want to win a Little Tikes® Pillow Racers™ Dino?

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Alicia Hagan, Editor