April 14, 2008 If you are searching for a high chair perfect for your new baby, we have just added 3 more video reviews of this year’s popular high chairs. We have video reviews for 7 of the most popular high chairs (including our top 5) to help make the decision process easier for buying a seat for baby.
http://www.babygizmo.com/media/index.php
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April 10, 2008 I wanted to share something that I saw that was absolutely appalling to me yesterday. As a CPS Tech (aka. Car seat technician or expert), I’m obsessed with children’s safety in the car. I think every child needs to be in a 5 point harness in their car seat for as long as possible. Does that mean buying a more expensive seat that can have your child up to 60-80 lbs in a 5 point harness? Yep! That’s right. I said your 6-8 year old should be in a 5 point harness car seat! Yes, these car seats can be pricey but this is your “baby” and their safety has no price.
So, back to my story. I was dropping my 3 year old off at daycare yesterday and happened to glance in the car parked next to us. Now, it’s not a habit to look in other people’s cars, but we were parked close to it and what I saw in the back seat caught my eye. In the back seat of this rather expensive sedan, I saw two (not one…but TWO) infant car seats installed facing forward. I use the term “installed” loosely because these seats looked like anything but installed correctly. First, both seats appeared to be at least 10 years old. Car seats should only be used for a maximum of 6 years – not 10. Second, infant car seats should never ever be installed forward facing! This parent had these two infant car seats propped up facing forward to try and make the angle similar to a convertible car seat.
I couldn’t let this go. I figured whoever owned this car was putting their children in grave danger if they ever got into an accident. I went into the child care center and asked the director if she knew the owner of that car. I told her about the appalling car seat situation. To my horror, the director looked at the car and said that it was a teacher at the center and she had a 2 and 4 year old! What!?!?! It was even worse than I thought. A two and a four year old in infant car seats? My heart sank for those children. I know many, many parents don’t install their car seats correctly but this was the worst car seat situation I have ever encountered. Since the teacher was in her classroom, the director assured me that she would let her know immediately about her car seats so that she didn’t forget. She thanked me for my concern and headed to the classroom.
I left the day care but couldn’t help but think of those children in harm’s way all day. Today, I am headed back to the day care to see if the car seat situation has been remedied.
After seeing this yesterday, I beg all parents to please make sure you are using the right car seat for your child and that it is installed correctly. Over 90% of car seats are installed incorrectly and that is putting our babies in harm’s way. If you aren’t 100% sure that your child’s car seat is installed perfectly, please call your local police station or fire department and make an appointment for them to check it. Most of these places have CPS Technicians on hand that will gladly check or install your car seat free of charge! Car seats can be tricky but don’t let your child’s safety be compromised because you *think* you did it right.
xoxo
Hollie
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April 9, 2008 As big advocates of car seat safety and keeping kids in 5 point harnesses as long as possible, we thought we would post the information on the new Britax Frontier that is coming out next month!
BRITAX LAUNCHES FRONTIER™ COMBINATION HARNESS-2-BOOSTER SEAT WITH GREATER PROTECTION FOR GROWING CHILDREN
New booster offers True Side Impact Protection®, increased harnessed weight capacity
CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 8, 2008 — Britax Child Safety Inc., recognized as a leader in child seat manufacturing and child passenger safety, has announced the launch of the Frontier™, the first seat to offer children between 25 and 80 pounds True Side Impact Protection® with a five-point harness and an anthropometrically correct fit. The combination harness-2-booster can also accommodate children between 40 and 100 pounds as a vehicle seat belt- positioning booster.
The Frontier addresses calls from groups such as the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration to keep children harnessed as long as possible. The seat adjusts with children as they grow, ensuring that it fits their body, not just their weight. This allows children to graduate from convertible car seats without compromising safety.
“Many children are moving out of the five-point harness prematurely,” said Barry Mahal, vice president of research and development design for Britax Child Safety Inc. “The Frontier fulfills a great need for a combination booster seat that keeps children harnessed for a longer period and grows with them.”
Frontier is equipped with Britax’s revolutionary True Side Impact Protection, the highest level of side impact protection available on the market. One in four of all motor vehicle crashes that involve children occur from the side, and these crashes result in a significantly higher injury rate than front or rear crashes. Britax’s True Side Impact Protection offers design features that transfer energy away from the child during a side impact collision: an energy- absorbing foam liner over a stiff structure to distribute crash forces, side walls that shield the child from intruding objects, deep head wings and sides for head and body containment, and an adjustable head support to minimize lateral head movement during a crash.
The Frontier’s five-point harness accommodates children 2 years old and older who weigh between 25 and 80 pounds and are 12 inches to 18.25 inches seated shoulder height. It provides eight harness positions and three buckle strap positions. A one-hand headrest and harness adjustment, no re-thread harness and color-coded lap and shoulder belt guides also ensure ease of use. Frontier includes Britax’s Versa-Tether®, Harness Ultra Guard System
(HUGS™) and premium LATCH connectors. Once the child has surpassed the harnessed weight or height capacity the seat is easily converted into a seat belt-positioning booster by simply removing the harness system, and can hold a child up to 60 inches tall and approximately 100 pounds.
“It’s widely acknowledged that keeping children in harnessed car seats for as long as possible is imperative to their safety,” said Laura Jana, M.D., pediatrician, child passenger safety technician and mother of three. “Yet in September 2007, Partners for Child Passenger Safety reported that 40 percent of children from 4 to 8 years old were not in appropriate child restraints, putting them at risk. Parents should choose products with a five- point harness that correctly fit their growing child.”
As comfortable and practical as it is safe, The Frontier features rotating, soft armrests; adjustable head support that also serves as sleep support for the child; comfort pads; a removable, washable cover; and two retractable cup and snack holders. The Frontier comes in several fashionable colors schemes:
Red Rock, Rushmore, Canyon and Pink Sky, and will be available at independent and mass retailers in May 2008. The suggested retail price is $279.99.
About Britax Child Safety Inc.
Britax Child Safety Inc. is a leading child seat manufacturer. For more than three decades, it has been a pioneer in developing car seats that enhance safety. Britax’s full line of car seats offers side impact protection, and its True Side Impact Protection™ family of products features the highest level of side impact protection available on the market.
Britax is the best-selling child seat in Europe and has become one of the most-trusted brands by American parents and caregivers since entering the U.S. market in 1996. For more information, visit http://www.britaxusa.com.
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March 19, 2008 So, the Baby Gizmo Buying Guide (http://www.babygizmobuyingguide.com) has been on the shelves for one month! We are enjoying the attention from the media and the feedback we hear from all the moms out there is fabulous. I’ve talked to so many moms recently that tell me that the book was a lifesaver when it came to registering for their new baby.
My best friend, who is due with her first baby at the end of April, told me that she now feels like she is a baby product guru after reading the book and can’t help but share her new found knowledge with other friends.
The book is doing gangbusters in the stores and we are just so excited that we are helping moms become smarter baby product shoppers with every book that is sold. Don’t forget that there are Top 5 lists in all major categories that are updated in real time on http://www.babygizmo.com to work hand in hand with the book.
Thanks to all the moms (and dads) out there for your support!
xoxo
Hollie
Technorati Tags: baby gizmo buying guide, babygizmo, book launch party, hollie schultz, heather maclean
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March 10, 2008 
We just posted our results of our most recent Baby Gizmo Survey to the question “You know you are pregnant when…”
To give all you expectant moms and moms that have been there a good laugh, check out our list of answers at:
http://www.babygizmo.com/news/youknowyourpregnantwhen.php
Enjoy!
xoxo
Hollie
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March 4, 2008 
"Prima Princessa presents Swan Lake" was a delight to share with my children. My daughter (2 ½ years old) loves to dance and play dress up, and this was the perfect way to share the beauty of ballet with my children. I was also pleasantly surprised when my 4 ½ year old son asked to watch it again and began to try the different ballet moves. My children were engaged and enthralled to be part of this interactive DVD.
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March 3, 2008 Moms,
BabyGizmo.com is looking to add some blogging moms to our newly created blog. We would love to have you join our fun group of fellow moms to tell us your experiences. If you are interested in having your own mom blog — give us a shout.
BG
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March 2, 2008 Hello! My name is Katie. I have 3 absolutely wonderful children and a loving husband. I can’t say enough how lucky I am - I really enjoy my life! I love the busy wake up calls, crazy mornings, overly hectic dinner times and the sleepy kisses goodnight. What more could you want? LoL - other than more of the same!
Yes, we want more children. It’s no secret to anyone that knows us. My husband and I had talked about having a lot of children before we were married, with me pushing the high numbers more than him at the time. I could never have gauged how much work it was really going to be. Pregnancy was incredibly draining and then our daughter was quite a handful… all of a sudden having 6 of these little bundles wasn’t just some fun fantasy, it was a reality that scared me. How could I handle more when I had my hands full with just one??
Things had changed a bit by the time we had our second child - I was more confident in my mothering skills and had learned from my mistakes the first time around. Jumping from one to two for me wasn’t as hard as I’d imagined (I’d had some nightmares). Don’t get me wrong, it was work. A lot of it. But then it was work I had grown used to and had learned to really love. And when I saw our children play together I found a renewed love of having more children. Not just some passing wish but something more real and solid - I wanted them to have a close group of friends built right into their family.
We soon had our third child - making us outnumbered by the kids 3 to 2. A scary thought to some, but we have loved every minute of it (yes, even the screaming, crying minutes, though our heads might have disagreed at the time). It’s definitely a LOT of work, but how could I complain about something I love so much? Yes, the house is regularly messy and I’m always at least one load of laundry behind, but that’s not what we’ll remember in 20 years when are children are graduating from college, getting married and having children of their own. We’ll remember the laughter and the love. And that’s what counts.
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March 1, 2008 Gizmos To Help Parents Of Babies And Tots
Baby Gizmo’s Own Expert Heather Maclean Suggests Several,
On CBS News The Saturday Early Show
Here is the article from CBSnews.com. To purchase any of the products that were highlighted on the show, go to: http://www.babygizmo.com/news/cbsearlyshow.php
(CBS) With so many gadgets out there designed to help folks care for the little ones, it’s tough to know which really do the job.
Which are the must-haves? The should-haves?
On The Saturday Early Show, an expert pointed to a bunch she suggests. They’re aimed at parents of babies and toddlers.
And The Saturday Early Show put them to the test with a panel of moms.
Heather Maclean and Hollie Schultz wrote “The Baby Gizmo Buying Guide: From Pacifiers to Potties…Why, When, and What to Buy for Pregnancy Through Preschool.”
Maclean, a mother of three who founded Little Laureate, a media company featuring educational items for kids, visited the show and had these words of wisdom for her fellow moms:
Video Monitor
Your own mom says it’s too expensive and unnecessary. You’ve got other concerns, and it’s pricey, so you leave it off your registry. Reconsider!
Everyone knows audio monitors are an essential, but they can cause, rather than relieve panic by broadcasting all those rustles and whimpers.
Video monitors even have night vision! They enable you to peek in on your sleeping baby without a squeaky door giving you away; they enable you to determine that the crying you hear is due to tantrum and not injury and, with the magic of mute, they can actually help you get a better night’s sleep while still monitoring your baby. Well, well worth the price. Especially considering their future uses: front door home monitoring systems, nanny cams, even a way to spy on pre-teens.
(Summer Infant has a new video monitor that comes with a Crib Soother that can be operated remotely and features lullabies, nature sounds and a nightlight)
http://www.summerinfant.com/videomonitors.htm
Follow Me Fred
Launched at Toy Fair 2008 last week, Follow Me Fred is a self-rolling little puppy used to encourage babies to crawl. He barks, pants, and plays music. He’s bright and colorful (and only $19.95).
Baby Care Timer
It’s ironic that, at the very time new parents are given a tiny newborn to care for, they’re the most sleep-deprived they’ve ever been. The new parent-invented ItzBeen Baby Care Timer is the answer to our “We’re so tired, we’re hallucinating” prayers.
Those first few weeks, we might not remember our name, but we can now easily tell you when our baby was fed last, on which breast, and how long “itzbeen” since their last diaper change.
The ItzBeen TZBEEN timer is really four timers in-one, with a clock, alarm, and even a handy nightlight. You can carry just one or up to five, filling them with powdered formula or infant cereal, snacks, feeding accessories, even pacifiers. ($25)
Soft, But Waterproof Blanket
Everyone knows about the need for dozens of baby blankets. And waterproof, outdoor play mats are essential for springtime outings. But it took the genius of a mom to combine the two and give us a blanket that’s soft and snuggly on one sidem, but completely water-repellant on the other.
The Rainkie Blankie is not only great for all the damp spots you wish to lay a blanket over, but for protecting a stroller or car seat-bound baby from the wet and windy elements. Genius! ($40)
Travel Snack/Formula Keeper
Why moms still travel with full cans of formula in their diaper bag is beyond me. Perhaps because the alternatives are lacking. Individual-serve packages are very expensive, and the traditional round formula containers only hold three servings, and leak.
The Innobaby Packin’ Smart is an ingenious answer to a diaper bag full of Ziploc bags. Sleek, modern and space-saving, the Packing’ Smart has five separate compartments. ($20)
Shopping Cart Cover
An oft-neglected purchase, as soon as baby can sit up, this is a MUST HAVE. Shopping carts are veritable germ breeding grounds, and most babies don’t just touch the handle in front of them, they suck it clean (well, not clean…!). In the past, only really bulky, garish options were available, but shopping cart covers have evolved and now fold compactly for easy travel and include dozens of gorgeous patterns and fabrics, from Hawaiian prints to “minky.”
My favorite is Cuter Than a Duck’s Butt. It covers the whole shopping cart area, even the bigger Target carts, and doubles as a restaurant high chair cover as well. ($65)
Travel High Chair
When you leave the house with baby (which these days, is quite often!), you can’t always count on a clean or safe high chair. Many restaurant chairs have broken straps and are rarely cleaned. I leave nothing to chance and bring my travel high chair with me everywhere: to restaurants, Grandma’s, friends’ houses, etc. Most travel high chairs can be used from the time a baby can sit up right through the booster years.
The very best is the Fisher-Price Deluxe Learning Booster, because it comes with an ingenious tray of toys (that pops off for eating) that will entertain even the fussiest baby until the food arrives. ($35)
© MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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February 28, 2008 I consider myself a diaper bag connoisseur of sorts, and more often then not I reach for my Skip Hop City Chic Diaper Bag in black and white. It is very practical and like the name says it’s fabulously chic! It’s a light weight bag to start, that has amazing style and function. It’s a larger bag with a wide opening and is easy to get things in and out. It definitely holds all of baby’s essentials plus some extras. Some diaper bags out there are so big with busy patterns that you and the baby get lost behind the bag. This bag has just enough pizzazz that people will notice it, but it’s not going to compete with you or the baby.
The outside is an amazing material that is a matte laminated canvas. It looks like fabric but when you get up-close it is actually a very durable material that allows you to wipe it clean if it gets dirty. I’ve been caught in the rain with this bag and it’s held up great. The bottom of the bag also has feet to protect it. The outside of the bag is trimmed in leather and this adds a nice elegance to the bag. I appreciate the two large bottle pockets on each side of the bag that are left open at the top. This allows you to put large baby bottles, sippy cups, and tall items in them such as a water bottle. The bag comes with a matching change pad that fits nicely in the outside pocket. This pocket will also hold diapers and a thin wipes case. I wish the change pad was a little bigger so my baby’s feet didn’t hang off of it, but truthfully I have this problem with most change pads.
The bag has a contrast lining on the inside. The inside lining on the black and white style is a turquoise blue which is nice when the bag is left open or when you reach in to find something. There are four pockets inside, two on either side of the bag. Each pocket is large and you can easily fit your cell phone and camera to catch cute pictures on the go. In case you’re wondering how much this bag will hold, this is what I had in it today without it being overstuffed: two large baby bottles, an adult water bottle, change pad, wipes case, three diapers, blanket, burp cloth, keys, large wallet, cell phone, camera, stroller hooks, gum, pens, extra onesie, two hats, formula case, manila envelope, and sunglasses. I actually still had room for more stuff! The dimensions on this bag are 16″ wide x 10.5″ high x 6″ deep. My favorite thing about this bag as with all the Skip Hop bags are the handy adjustable stroller attachments. These allow you to hang the bag on your stroller handle. The attachment has a cool feature that allows the clip to rotate, making it more user friendly. You also don’t have to detach the included leather shoulder straps in order to do this. It’s a little hard to get the bag on the stroller at first. However, once you get the hang of it you can do it quickly. The bag can be zipped closed for safety when hung on the stroller or left open. I have also tested wearing the bag on my shoulder when I have my baby in a front carrier. The shoulder straps are wide enough that it is comfortable and stays put on the shoulder.
An added feature of this bag is the detachable matching clutch that you can use as a wristlet or small shoulder bag. It is actually like getting two bags in one. The clutch attaches by snapping on two silver rings on the outside of the bag. The inside of the clutch also has the matching lining and slots to hold credit cards. It can be used for money, receipts, a cell phone, or would fit a thin wipes case or a couple diapers. I rarely use the clutch because the bag holds so much. A nice design feature is that when the clutch is off the bag it doesn’t look like it’s missing something.
The bag comes in four different colors for whatever mood you are in that day. The colors are: Columbus Circle which is black and white; Flatiron Floral which is black, white, blue, and yellow; Westside Wave which is red and black; and Park Ave Tulip which is brown, pink and white. However, I have to say that my favorite is the simple, less is more, black and white. At $150 it’s not the cheapest diaper bag on the block but it’s also not the most expensive. It’s definitely worth the purchase!
To buy the Skip Hop City Chic Diaper Bag: http://www.babygizmo.com/p/skip_hop_city_chic_diaper_bag/sh410003.html
Laurie
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