Category — Baby Gear

The Delta crib recall news inspired me to do some research on the safest baby gear currently on the market.  Here’s what I’ve found so far:

The Childsafe Crib: I was a bit shocked at the size of the Cildsafe crib, but after checking it out, I really like the efficient use of storage space in the design, and  the fact that it converts into a toddler bed.  Plus, it was designed by a mom and engineered for safety by NASA, so that should help parents sleep easier in light of all the recent crib recalls.

Stroller Safety Flag: A great way to make kids more visible to drivers.  The Stroller Safety Flag can move with kids from tandem strollers age all the way until the bicycle age for added safety.

Britax Boulevard CS Car Seat:  Reviews say the Britax Boulevard CS Car Seat lives up to its safe reputation.

I have been a big fan of Kid Kustoms‘ awesome stroller designs for a while now, but they have really outdone themselves recently by introducing the world’s first trike conversion kit for Roddler strollers.  The tricycle is just as cool looking as the stroller, with mag wheels and fender covers that will appeal to the most style-conscious tot.

I love the idea of a stroller that grows and changes with the kids, and I hope some other stroller companies follow suit.  It would be great to see all-terrain jogger strollers that could transform into baby’s first mountain tricycle.  For all these reasons and many more, I declare The Roddler today’s Stroller of the Day.

Well, we’re back to the teen pregnancy issue, and it looks like we’ll have to revisit breastfeeding, because news just broke that Jamie Lynn Spears is pregnant again, and the rumor as to why or how is that she thought she couldn’t get pregnant while breastfeeding.

Sigh.  You know what, it’s Friday and I don’t think I can unpack Jamie Lynn’s baggage right now.  I will just wish her and the family best, and name a Stroller of the Day in their honor: the Graco Double Stroller.

Graco has a ton of great double strollers, but I really think the Quattro Tour Duo Stroller is perfect for the Spears crew.  It’s called “the ultimate in comfort for enjoyable outings for two” and has one-hand fold down for easy storage, which is great for moms who are busy with two toddlers.  The Graco stroller is also sleek enough to cruise down Melrose Ave, but sturdy enough for Main Street in Kentwood, LA, so it can travel along with Mom Jamie Lynn and the kids.  Pretty convenient!

In celebration of Stroller Month, here are some cool stroller accessories:

Stroller Suspenders: These adorable baby-safe straps help keep baby blankets from falling on the ground or getting tangled up in stroller wheels.

BOB Duallie Stroller Handlebar Console: Double jogging strollers are transformed into a home away from home with the addition of a handlebar console.  Moms and dads have easy access to everything from cell phones to beverages, so they can relax and enjoy the jog without having to fumble around under the stroller.

My Monkey Moo Stroller Pads: Babies will have an extra comfortable ride with the addition of a My Monkey Moo Stroller Pad.  It’s machine washable and can also be used as a changing pad.  I could see it coming in handy when taking babies off-road in an all terrain stroller.

I had the best intentions when I came up with the plan for Stroller Month.  Granted, I had been enjoying my second glass of wine at the time, but it did truly seem like a blogging epiphany.  “One totally unique stroller a day, plus weekly stroller votes.  It’ll be like a football pool, except only with strollers!”  Except that’s not quite how it is panning out.  So instead of trying to write a quick witty sentence or two about a totally different stroller every day, I am going to focus my efforts on just a few stroller styles and manufacturers, then at the end of the month we’ll vote on the strollers, instead of the weekly voting.  Sorry football fans, I just couldn’t make it work.

But let’s not dwell on the negative.  Let’s kick this week off with today’s Stroller of the Day, the jogger stroller.  I’ve already discussed the beauty of the double jogging stroller, but I neglected to mention the sleek efficient ride of the single-child jogger stroller.   Like their double-sized brethren, jogger strollers allow the entire family to enjoy the great outdoors while the parents get some exercise.  Healthy habits start early!

Here are some great tips for selecting the best jogger stroller for your needs:

About.com: Tips for the Safe Use of Jogging Strollers

Active: Jogging Strollers: Tips for running with small kids

Running 4 Women: Looking At Jogging Strollers

To shake things up a little, I have decided to declare October “Stroller Month” here on Baby Blog Blog.  Each daily post in October will end with a “Stroller of the Day”, and readers can vote for their favorite stroller of the week every Friday.

I’m kicking off Stroller Month with what I consider a marvel among strollers as the first Stroller of the Day, the double jogging stroller.  The stroller pictured above is the Tike Tech Trax360, an all-terrain stroller built for two that also has precision handling and suspension.  What I like best about this double jogging stroller, though, is that the kids get to sit side by side, and can enjoy the view together, while mom or dad get a workout in.  The entire family can enjoy the great outdoors together while staying healthy.  Pretty cool!

I admit, I am a little Halloween-obsessed.  But these baby vampire costume ideas are seriously cute.

Young bloodsuckers in training prefer Lil’ Vampire Pacifiers.

This Baby Vampire bunting costume features exquisite tuxedo styling-for ages 0-6 months.

A less traditional approach to the classic Vampire costume: the Vampire Bat.

My head feels like it’s going to explode after seeing the Heelarious baby high heels.  I can’t get over how ridiculous they are.   I am a little freaked out by the concept of dressing babies like adults, but I guess I am in the minority with that opinion, because Heelarious baby high heels are flying off the shelves.  On the upside, these high heeled baby shoes will go great with:

• The Baby Gold Digger Onesie

• Baby Perfume

• The Lil Kim Baby Toupee

I have noticed many people around town using baby strollers for everything but babies.   Since some (but not all) of these people are homeless men that I assume don’t have babies, this raises some questions for me:

1. Where are they getting the strollers?  Do people just leave unwanted baby strollers on the side of the road or something?  Are they being stolen from unsuspecting babies?  Are they finding used strollers at thrift stores?
2. If the strollers were purchased and not found or stolen, why choose a stroller?  Surely there must be other cart alternatives that cost around the same or less than a used stroller and can carry items more efficiently.
3. What kind of laws apply to things like strollers used for non-baby purposes?  For example, the stroller in the photograph above was locked to a Tow Away/No Stopping Sign for 4 days before I even took this picture.  Does that count as parking in a tow-away zone?

Here are a couple more close-ups of the stroller and lock:

I don’t get it.  Anyone have any ideas on how this stroller trend started?

Babies who divide their time between the French Riviera and Beverly Hills, while trying to master the subtleties of potty training and their ABCs, demand exclusive quality baby gear for play dates and preschool parties. The following baby products have enough taste and refinement to make an impression worthy of the poshest tot:

Amber Hagen Cashmere/Cotton Dinosaur Hoodie: Only $160 for blend of 20% cashmere and 80% cotton. For an extra fee, I am sure you can also buy instructions on how to get baby spit out of cashmere.

Silver Cross Balmoral Pram: This perennial celebrity favorite can be yours for just under $3k. Vroom-vroom.

Minimink Wrap: I wish these came in adult size. It would probably cost more than my car, but it definitely looks “luxurious.” Baby-sized wraps are a slightly more reasonable $120.

Of course, babies with busy social calendars need plenty of fashion options, so here are a few more great links:

• Elegant Baby
• Swanky Moms
• Baby Laundry Boutique