Kids & Baby Shopping Review

Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics Baby's First Blocks

2009-09-12T07:11:00.000-07:00

My 8 month old has been playing with this for 2 months, and she LOVES it. She feels the shapes, chews on them, throws them, bangs them together, etc. However, she doesn't actually put the shapes through their correct hole. The lid comes off way too easily! She rips the lid off, bangs it on the red box, throws it, chews it, but never uses it as it is intended. Perhaps if the lid snapped on somehow she would learn how to put the shapes into the holes.
I do use this toy to say the name of the shape and the colors, and I try to show her how they fit into the holes, but she's not interested.
One good thing is you can wash them in the sink with soap and water very easily. You can't do this with a lot of toys.

Earth's Best Organic Infant Formula with Iron, 25.75-Ounce Canister

2009-09-12T07:10:00.000-07:00

This has been a great product for our daughter and we will continue to have her use it. Amazons price through subscribe in save is near impossible to beat. There are 2 problems. 1. We live in Tucson and the formula arrives very hot. The product explains that it should never be exposed to extreme temperatures. It gets so hot in the UPS truck that when you pop the lid it sprays out powder. That amount of heat is likely not good for some of the ingredients. 2. Amazons warehouse does a poor job packaging the cans. They put the cans to one edge of the box with bubble plastic on the other end. The cans get dented and Ive read where they have arrived opened. The product itself is fantastic.

Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat, Matrix

2009-09-12T07:09:00.000-07:00

So I did a LOT of reseach before buying this, read multiple message boards, then to the store to look at them, etc. This replaced a britax that was passed down to DD #2 for my rather large 4 yo girl(40lbs, 40inches)I want to keep her harnessed for as long as I can. I finally decided to go for it b/c of
1)price (though it really wasn't an object) but I am a big fan of bang for your buck,
2)sturdiness, i was never a fan of graco until i bought this seat. It's got a nice weight, sturdy frame.
3)comfort, memory foam! DD loves it, she sleeps very comfortably in it without slumping over like she used to.
4)size, not gigantic like the regent but large it enough to have a big kid sit in it
I was concerned about its looks but it's much better looking in person.
Finally, who can beat amazon's price!
I highly recommend it, I think it will last my DD until she's prob 7-8 yo (My average sized 8yo nephew fits!)

LeapFrog® Learn & Groove Musical Table

2009-09-12T07:08:00.000-07:00

I got this toy for 9-month-old twins, but I was suprised to find that two to five-year-olds are also amused by it. I would not buy it specifically for older children, but if your baby has older siblings, this will be a hit with them as well.

It can become a hazard once your child is able to climb. It can become a stepping stool onto higher, dangerous places (like bookshelves and toy cabinets).

Other than that, it is a fantastic toy. There is a variety of music in there, so it is not as annoying for parents as some other electronic toys. It is also very sturdy. Ours has been through some serious abuse (it has even gotten soaked in the rain) and it still works well. Despite all the keys and buttons, it is fairly easy to clean.

Baby Einstein Takealong Tunes

2009-09-12T07:07:00.000-07:00

I just bought this to take over for our soon-to-be adopted infant. I was very happy with the small size and weight (perfect for an infant to hold). But most of all, the sound quality is fantastic (and not too loud) - and not electronic sounding at all. And the tunes are all pleasing to the ear and not annoying kid versions. I will like listening to it as much as our son!

Pampers Cruisers, Size 4 (22-37 Lbs), Economy Plus Pack, 140 Cruisers

2009-09-12T07:06:00.000-07:00

As a mom of 5 Boys, I offer my experience with disposable diapers.

I imagine myself having to wear diapers all the time and look for the best fit which I feel equals the best comfort. I have found that a great fit PLUS often changes equals no or minimal leaks.

In order to achieve a great fit you need to start with the correct size. I have found that the numbers on the box mean nothing! YOur babies height and frame size really determine which size your baby needs. It is usually a lot of trial and error but I have always purchased the next size well before my babies were actually the weight stated on the packaging.

Sagging, that is, when the crotch hangs down makes for a very uncomfortable diaper. Huggies supremes have the elastic in the back of the diaper which tends to hold the diaper up better, but I have discovered that there is so much padding between the legs that this style simply does not work for boys.

The wide stretchy sides that pampers cruisers have make achieving a perfect fit very easy! Although, sometimes I have to roll the back of the diaper back a bit to get that perfect fit. If pampers had a little bit of elastic in the back, they woudl be perfect! Also, the padding inside is trimmer in the crotch area making it not as bulky.

I also love the new woven liner. It is very soft. I don't know if it serves any other purpose but I feel better putting someithing soft and somewhat airy on my little baby.

I have tried Pampers Baby Dry, Huggies Baby Shaped and Supreme, Luvs, Walmart's Brand, and CVS premium. I am all about saving money where I can but I also want baby to be comfortable.

I have found all disposable diapers to be pretty much the same and no matter what brand you use, they all serve their purpose. With all the different types I have tried, I have never disliked any one enough to not use the entire pack. In fact, if I go to purchase diapers and there is an irrestible sale on another brand, I will purchase them and only buy a small pack of cruisers. I mix them up in our changing area and end up using both types. Sometimes I have three and four varieties mixed in there.

I do have to admit, the Pampers Cruisers are my first choice and always the ones I am reaching for first. I like the way they smell and especially the way they fit, even more now that Luca is up and Cruising around. They are the only ones I have found to not sag and shift with our toddler's many busy antics and movements.

Hope this helps!

Seventh Generation Baby Wipes Refills, Chlorine Free and Unscented, 70-Count Packs (Pack of 12) (840 Wipes)

2009-09-12T07:04:00.000-07:00

I ordered these wipes from Amazon in mid 2008 and again in early 2009, but the wipes were different. See Customer Images.

In 2008, the front of the package was beige and had "seventh GENERATION baby" on the "leaf" logo. The text on the front was in English only; the back was stamped "MADE IN UK." The ingredients were "Water, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose (plant-derived cleaning agent), Glycerin (vegetable oil derived), Citric Acid (provides stability and pH balance), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate (vitamin E acetate), Potassium Sorbate and Sodium Benzoate (food-grade preservatives)." As of 2009, the weight of the package was 1 pound (although it's possible that moisture is slowly leaking out).

In 2009, the front of the package was blue and gray, and had just "seventh GENERATION" on the "leaf" logo on the front. The opening to access the wipes is smaller than in 2008. The text on the front was in English and French; the back was stamped "MADE IN USA." The ingredients were "Water, Polysorbate 20 (cleansing agent derived from sugar), Glycerin (soothes and cleanses skin, vegetable oil derived), Citric acid (provides stability & pH balance), Potassium sorbate (a natural preservative), Aloe Barbadensis Gel (helps heal skin), Tocopherol acetate (Vitamin E acetate, helps heal skin)." These ingredients were rated 2 (a "low" hazard) on a cosmetic safety database on the Web. The weight of the package was 1-1/4 pounds when received.

Although both packages said "unscented," there was actually a slight odor perhaps from the citric acid and aloe. We've used both the 2008/UK and the 2009/US versions without problems like diaper rash. Buy these from Amazon.com!

Seventh Generation Chlorine Free Baby Diapers, Stage 4 (22-37 Lbs.), Case of 120 Diapers

2009-09-12T07:03:00.000-07:00

We have been using Seventh Generation Diapers (started w/ size 4, and now in size 5) since my daughter was 16 mos old (she's now 27 mos old), and these have been the best diapers for her sensitive, and diaper rash prone skin. I love the feel of these diapers and they hold a lot. We switched from Pampers Cruisers to these diapers and have never looked back.

I am not happy about the new reformulated diapers, and that they made the package have 8 less diapers, and the gel material seems to be a little more slippery than it was before. Since we hopefully have less than six mos. left of diapers I don't plan on going diaper hunting again, but messing with something that isn't necessarily broken really irritates me.

Vulli Sophie the Giraffe Teether, Brown/ White

2009-09-12T07:02:00.000-07:00

My 5 month old daughter LOVES her Sophie the Giraffe toy! This toy is absolutely wonderful in every way. Sophie is made of soft rubber and makes a pleasant-sounding squeak whenever any part of her body is squeezed, so even a young baby can elicit a reaction from the toy with minimal effort.

I don't know what it is about Sophie, but whenever my daughter plays with her, she gets very vocal and talkative.

I saw another review which referred to this toy as "a glorified dog toy". That reviewer is mistaken, and simply doesn't realize the value of this toy.

- Sophie's body, while soft, has several areas of thicker rubber (the nubs on her head, her ears, and her feet) which are perfect for teething babies to gnaw on for relief.
- Sophie's contrasting colors (spots) are visually stimulating to a baby.
- She is easy to grip given her long, thin neck.
- This toy is made of 100% natural rubber and uses food-grade paint (SAFE!).
- This is a quality baby toy which will last for many years.

I would much rather pay $20 for a safe, engaging toy for my baby, than pay $5 for some piece of junk with lead paint.