I totally get it. The idea is to have the comfort, support, safety, and cuddliness of a wrap, but easier to learn and faster to put on. I think this carrier successfully does all of these things, though it does lose a few wrap-qualities along the way.
The Baby Nest allows you to do a very well-supported and comfortable carry, with 2-3 layers of fabric over the baby, but it is not quite as intimidating as one huge 15-foot length of fabric…as they say, it’s a wrap-less wrap. Instead, it consists of 3 loops, two of which are already crossed together and the third, which is adjustable.
Advantages:
–the material!! This is the softest, greatest-feeling carrier, so very delicious to wear! It’s got just the right amount of stretch, less stretch than a Moby or a Sleepywrap.
–stays off the floor. One of the annoying things about wrapping is getting set up without dragging the ends of the fabric on the floor–or worse, adirty/wet/slushy parking lot. No such problem with the Baby Nest.
–The adjustable belt layer also has a pocket! Slip a diaper and some wipes in there, maybe your wallet, and that’s all you need to carry for a quick trip into a store.
–All the advantages of babywearing are here. Baby gets physical comfort and mental stimulation, while parent gets the use of both hands while still cuddling baby, plus easy exercise.
Disadvantages:
–Though it is easier to learn than a wrap, it is less adjustable than a wrap and you need to get the right size for you–and this can change as the mama loses baby weight and the baby grows. But because this is a stretchy fabric, that might not be too big of a deal.
–The number of carries you can do is limited. The carrier must be put on first, and then the baby put in it. I can’t imagine doing a back carry on my own withthis carrier; it would definitely take two people. The package also shows a forward-facing-out front carry, which is not something I recommend.
–The packaging claims the carrier is good for birth-35 lbs. I would disagree. In general, a stretchy fabric is less comfortable/useful as the carried one gets bigger. I tried it with my 30-lb 2 year old, and it was not supportive enough for me. But I can’t wait to use it with this next baby in May!
You can purchase the My Baby Nest baby sling at The Wardrobe in Hunt Valley.
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Are you looking for hip baby products at great prices? Check out Baby Steals- a deal of the day site. Basically, every weekday they post one product (sometimes in various styles, sizes, and colors) that is reduced by 50% at least (sometimes more). They are usually overstocks from past seasons, but, It is always trendy baby gear that “in the know” moms want like BabyLegs, Bical Grippers, Peanut Shell baby slings, various brands of cloth diapers, diaper bags, etc. One more reason why we love shopping with Baby Steals is the great shipping prices. Go read their FAQ section for more details.
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I know you have been there. You are in a public restroom and about to change a diaper, and feel so bad for your baby as you have to lay them down on a cold, hard surface to change their diaper with only a thin, flimsy changing pad between them and the table. Or you are in your home and need to change a diaper, you don’t want to go all the way upstairs to the changing table, but want something comfortable for baby to lay on while you do the deed. Well, now with The Plush Pad from Ah Goo Baby, you will have a soft and cozy place to change your little one.But, this is more then a soft and cozy changing pad! It has memory foam in the changing area to contour to the baby’s body while being changed. The plush minkee fabric is waterproof, but, it is also machine washable, so just zip out the inner pillow and wash! It is well constructed and high in quality, the zipper was concealed, but, easy to find and to remove the memory foam inner pillow. There is even a cover over the memory foam that can be unzipped and washed…and you never know what might happen when the diaper change from hell might come along- it’s best if everything is machine washable!
For quick changes it is easy to roll up and toss into a diaper bag, with the rolled up dimensions being a 3 inch by 10 inch cylinder. It also has elastic loops to keep it rolled up when not in use.
Ah Goo Baby offers several fashionable fabric choices in hip designer prints, so you will definitely find one that matches your style and your diaper bag.
Other uses include: a soft place for a baby to nap or have tummy time. I could also see a child wanted to snuggle with it or use it as an extra pillow (after the diaper days have past). My daughter was using this as a baby sized yoga mat while doing her downward dogs and also wanted to take it to bed with her because it was so soft and comfy to lay on. The Plush Pad is all luxury and function, which makes for great value and who could ask for more?
Use coupon code BM123 for 15% off expires 12/31/08.
Special Beginnings Birth and Women’s Center will host its fall Natural Baby and Child Fair, Sunday, November 16 from 10 am to 4 pm. Local vendors will be on hand to offer their goods, just in time for the holiday season. Â It’s also a great opportunity to check out Special Beginnings and its array of services.Â
The current list of vendors includes:
- Alyhas Alternatives
- Birth Diva
- Kaylala
- Usborne Books at Home
- P&D Woodcrafts Etc.Â
- Bediboo
- Daniel Creations
- La Leche League
- Music Together Chesapeake
- Peechee Neric Â
You’ll be able to find the following products and services:
- Wooden Toys
- BabyLegs
- Great Books for Kids
- Natural, Handmade Body Care Products
- Cloth Diapers
- Baby Carriers
- Breastfeeding Supplies
- Bellycasting Kits
- Doula Services
- Bradley Childbirth Classes
- Pregnancy and Birth Photography
- Soft Organic Toys
- Music for Young Children
- Seated Massage
Don’t forget to visit the Special Beginnings Breastfeeding Boutique, which will be open during the Fair!  There will be boxes at the door for donations to Arden House, a domestic violence shelter for women and their children. Items needed include new clothes, toiletries, pantry items, new toys, gift cards, etc.
Â
Special Beginnings is located at 1454 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd, Arnold, MD Â 21012.
For more information, contact naturalbabyfair@yahoo.com. ]]>
There’s still time to show your support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, in October and beyond.  Bumkins Finer Baby Products is offering a special promotion in an effort to raise consciousness regarding this deadly threat that affects approximately 240,000 women annually.  They have placed their popular Grande Diaper Bag (Rose Circle Print) on sale for $36.95 and will include five pink Breast Cancer Awareness Ribbon pins with each bag’s purchase.  Keep one and give four away to show support for those struggling with breast cancer and to call for further research and funding to eradicate the disease.
 Bumkins will run this promotion until the end of October. Visit their website for further details or to order your bag now. And, as a Baltimore Mama, you can use coupon code bmama08 at the checkout for free shipping on orders of $75 or more.
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Invented by a crafty parent, this sling-style travel high chair is both ingenious and incredibly simple. Those of you familiar with the Ergo or similar carriers will recognize the straps and buckles that create a snug pouch and attach your child safely to most square-backed chairs (as long as it isn’t too tall). Â The set-up is quick and easy, and the quality of the fabrics and construction lets you breathe easy between sips of your latte. My daughter, who isn’t a fan of most types of restraint, was comfortable and happy in the seat; she had the freedom of movement that she craves while still being secured tightly to the chair. Â Extremely portable, My Little Seat folds into a tiny matching pouch that you can throw into your diaper bag or even the pocket of your Ergo. It’s made of 100% poly-cotton, so it’s a breeze to wash and dry, and there are several cute prints to choose from. This is the product I wish I had invented: so intuitive and so useful. We take ours everywhere, and we often use it at home too!
My Little Seat is appropriate for babies who can sit unassisted and children up to 35 pounds. Â As with all baby products, it’s important to read all directions and warnings before use. You can purchase yours at their website for $39.99, which, when you consider how much stress you’re saving yourself and how long you can use this product, doesn’t seem too expensive at all.
Quality Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Appeal Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Value Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Functionality Rating: 5 out of 5 starsÂ
Style Rating: 5 out of 5 starsÂ
Overall Rating: 100% A
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Kalencom‘s $70 laminated buckle bag, shown here, comes in more than 50 designs to make a bag lover’s mouth water. Unfortunately, the images on their web site don’t do their products justice, so it’s hard to get a good look at the wide array of choices. As for the “pretty stripe watermelon” model I am testing, I can tell you it is so fun and attractive, I will want to use it long after I’m done diapering. And if you’ve been avoiding laminated bags because you don’t trust the plastic, you will love that this bag is AZO free. They use no Phthalates/DEHP, DBP, or BOP in their PVC. Other things I like about the bag include: durable construction with a decent interior lining; good size (not too big not too small); two outside pockets with magnetic flaps; adjustable strap; a matching Thinsulate(TM) insulated bottle bag; a matching zippered pouch for dirty diapers or personables; feet on the bottom; a non-laminated large fold-out changing pad (the best kind in my opinion, as it feels ok on baby’s skin, covers more area on germ-infested public changing tables, and is easy to put away); and finally a nifty laminated “Baby’s Emergency Care Card” ala luggage tag, for when you leave the bag with a sitter. I wish I could fit my water bottle in one of the outside pockets, but that’s my only complaint – about the bag itself. While the bags may be designed in New Orleans, the tag on my bag says “Made in China,” so you gotta wonder about the price.Quality Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Appeal Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Value Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Functionality Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Style Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Overall Rating: 99% A
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“Cool!” and “where have you been all my life?” were my first reactions when I saw the Lil Rinser “crazy hat” (as my toddler calls it). After buying every “no tears” shampoo on the market, I realized even my favorite fancy botanical brands were lying about this claim. I resigned myself to shoving bath time on my husband as much as possible, dreading the ritual shrieking during hair washing, and paranoid of getting water in my son’s ears. The hat, super soft and colorful, was invented by a father who “accepted the mission of hair washing from wife, knew there had to be a better way.”
My second reaction: “yeah, right!” as I could imagine my son grabbing the hat from my hands, pulling it off his head, and generally refusing to let something so mystical and purply serve as anything other than a novel bath time plaything. I didn’t expect him to cooperate.
First test: My son, always one to prove me wrong, briefly oo’d and ah’d at the hat and then sat uncharacteristically still and patient while I unsuccessfully gave it an awkward go. The hat fell away and water went crashing over his head. I felt like my grandma the first time she used a VCR, grunting in frustration, “arg, these new-fangled things!”
A few nights later, my son picked it out of the toy bin and said, “I use it!” So I gave it a second chance and this time it “clicked.” With this “crazy hat,” at least with a toddler who is unlikely to sit still or tolerate a second chance when it comes to soap in his eyes, it takes a few times to get “the feel” of the thing, but once you get it, it’s great. My son got it – that it meant not having soap in his eyes, so he welcomed my clumsy effort, and we use it all the time now.
Quality Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Appeal Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Value Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Functionality Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Style Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Overall Rating: 95% A
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Petunia Pickle Bottom is synonymous with luxury diaper bag. The bags are beautiful, functional, and have the price tag to match. Definitely a splurge! But, twice a year they clean house and offer up a sample sale.  Samples, seconds, and overstocks are sold at 30%-70% off retail prices.  Needless to say, quantities are limited. The sale starts tomorrow, October 15th and goes until October 22nd.
http://www.petuniaoutlet.com/register/
But, not only can you shop, save, and help yourself to this great deal…Petunia is also matching it’s sales (up to 10k) with a donation to the Hands and Feet Project. Read more about it here.
]]>Connect ‘your world’ with orphans of the world–help Petunia raise $20,000.
What is a good opportunity for you to save on fashion could be an even better one for an orphan “a world away.” Here at Petunia we are on a mission to rebuild a children’s village in Haiti that was devastated by hurricanes Gustav and Ike.
Petunia will match dollar for dollar any donation you make to the Hands & Feet Project during the week of our Outlet Sale*. At the time of purchase, you will be given the chance to donate additional dollars beyond your purchase price to this wonderful effort. This truly is the opportune time to receive 30-70% off our most fashionable products for you and your baby–and connect your child with a child “a world away.”
We hope we can list your name among those who have helped rebuild this home for abandoned children. They need us now more than ever.
I ditched my first beautiful, silk, Asian-pattern bag because it was too small. When my son was an infant, I didn’t dare leave the house without having everything I could possibly need at any given moment. The diaper bag and its contents could make or break my raw new-mother experience out in the world with my alien son. Once I was more confident, I ditched my second bag (a hip polka dot number) because it felt too big and heavy. My third black quilted bag was great – not too big, not too small, not too conspicuously intended for diapering – and not too well-made unfortunately, as the inside lining tore within a couple months. I finally resorted to a boring old backpack –a good choice for my very active, squirming, tantruming toddler (I always need two free hands, and sometimes I wish I had more). But I still love ogling diaper bags, and I’m always tempted to buy another one, just because they’re so fun, and each one is on to something I really want out of a bag. Anyway, enough on how diapering my son turned me into a bag lady.
As for the Cricket and Monkey diaper bag pictured above (Skylar Large Tote), I LOVE this bag for its many potential uses, which became apparent to me right away: overnight bag for Grandma’s house; toy bag for the car; farmer’s market tote; personal weekend getaway bag; and I foresee it on the beach next summer. As far as a straight-up diaper bag goes, this bag would have been a great match for my everything-but-the-kitchen-sink phase. But it’s so large and spacious (16″H x 20″W), it would have overwhelmed me once I got into the simplify!simplify! mode, when all I wanted to do was shed and downsize the mountain of infant STUFF that was dominating my life. You could fit a small dog in this bag, or a small child for that matter. No worries though, if you like this bag – it’s also available as a small tote (12″H x 16″W). If you want to go the whole nine yards with the 3-Piece set, you could also purchase a matching cosmetic bag (good for tampons or anything else you don’t want to advertise to the world when you open the bag or make a trip to the bathroom). The bags are available in two fabric patterns – one urban (“steel,” shown here) and one earthy (“wheat”). Specifically, what I like about this bag is the following:
- Sturdy 100% cotton canvas (body and inside pockets) – no plastic and totally machine washable!
- Durable 100% nylon lining – in my opinion, the lining is really important – it doesn’t matter how great or cute the bag is if the lining doesn’t hold up.
- Made in the USA – how often does that happen?
- Cell phone pouch – one that actually fits my phone (a razor)
- 3 large, deep, stretchy canvas pockets accommodating nearly any sized water or baby bottle
- 1 zippered pocket – something I’ll use for personal or other items I don’t want my son pilfering, such as medicines
- An easy-to-reach carabiner key ring
- Changing pad
- Four small metal feet on the bottom of the bag
For more photos, information, and other related products, visit: http://www.cricketandmonkey.com
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