Safety First - Convenience and Decor Second

I was just in the process of purchasing the child safety locks I posted below for my file and kitchen cabinets - again. The first go around they broke; it seems they can’t withstand the wear and tear that I give them every day opening and closing.  However, these are the most adjustable, flexible locks for cabinets that do not have standard knobs and for people who don’t want to drill holes.

The other suggestion I’ll make is making these in at least a few wood shaded colors. Why are most of the childproof pieces mostly white?  While it may prohibit the child a bit more from attempting entry, it stands out much more, especially when you have an open house and people are looking around carefully.

Last, the only major online store I’ve found that sells these two together is Buybuybaby.com.  Kudos to this store, as they also have a concise range of products that should fit nearly all your childproofing needs!

Mommy’s Helper Slide Latch

KidCo Adjustable Locking Strap

Live in NYC? Take a night off on us!

This month, we are offering New York City parents a chance to win free babysitting (5 hours) courtesy of College Nannies and Tutors!

We know how crazy city life can be — we live here too! Maybe you need to run an errand. Maybe it’s an unexpected meeting. Maybe you just want some time to yourself at the coffee shop.  Maybe you need a night out - without the kids.  College Nannies and Tutors’ Hourly, On-Call Nanny Service is the perfect alternative to trying to find another “babysitter”.

Nannies are screened thoroughly, and you will receive biographical and professional information as well as references. Check out our review here.

For a chance to win, simply sign up for a new Parentville account anytime in the month of January!  If you are already a member, just give one recommendation in the month of January and you can qualify too!

Note: To qualify for a chance to win you must live in New York City. (We will hopefully be able to offer this promotion to other areas in the future!)

Getting the boys to sleep! (and warming up for winter)

My twin boys just turned 4 months old and have recently found their thumbs/fingers/hands (yeah!).  My wife and I decided that maybe it was time to stop swaddling and letting them use their new-found appendages to soothe themselves back to sleep at night (vs us going in to replace pacifiers, etc).  It’s also winter, meaning that their room is a bit colder than it was over the summer. 

Due to all of these changes, we knew we’d need to make some edits to the sleep outfits and accessories.  With that in mind, I’ve pulled together a brief selection of some of the better sleep accessories that we’ve used over the past four months:

Sleep positioners

Secure Sleeper Ultra 3-in-1 Sleep Positioner by Dex

This was the first sleep positioner that we used with the boys.  They didn’t seem to mind it, but they did slide down a bit (since it’s on an angle).  We used it for about a month before going to a different one. It was good, but once they got to be above about 10 lbs, it seemed too small.

The First Years - Air-Flow Back Sleeper

This was the second sleep positioner that we used.  The boys didn’t seem to like this one as much.  Also, we tried to use it to keep them a bit on their sides (so their heads wouldn’t be flat) but they always managed to turn onto the backs with this.  It was easy to use though and they didn’t slide down (since there’s no angle on it).

Swaddles & Blankets

Aden + Anais Muslin Swaddling Blanket

These blankets are great.  They’re lightweight as a “single ply” but fold them over and they have enough weight to keep a baby semi-warm.  You can use them to swaddle (for the first while at least), to keep out the sun in a stroller, as a regular blanket or, if you’re playing and don’t want your kids directly on the ground, you can put them on the floor.  However, once your kids get strong enough, they’ll be able to break out of the swaddle and that’s when trouble comes.  Our boys 1) woke themselves up and 2) had the blanket over their heads (luckily this is a lightweight blanket and we caught this issue early).  We still use these blankets, but not for swaddling

Miracle Blanket *

Yes, the name of this blanket makes you think it’s manufacturers are a bit arrogant… I mean, “miracle”?   Well, they deserve the name.  We tried using regular blankets to swaddle our boys… then we used special “swaddle blankets” with mixed results (see above)… Then our friend recommended the miracle blanket.  As she put it, “It’s like a straight jacket.  But our son wouldn’t move, wouldn’t wake himself up and fell right to sleep.”  She was right!  This worked great.  It’s lightweight (so you don’t need to worry about overheating in the summer or spring) and it is pretty easy to use.  I also liked that you can use it in a few different ways (feet out, one arm tucked, the other free, etc).  This blanket was truly a miracle.

*Note: this isn’t a pic of either of my kids — I took this off of Amazon

Micro-fiber Swaddle Sleepsack™ by Halo

Once it got cold out, we figured we’d move to a thicker version of something similar to the Miracle Blanket… No such luck.  We tried the Swaddle Sleepsack and it was like a mediocre version of a sleepsack and a mediocre version of a swaddler.  Our boys didn’t like this at all and we nixed this one after a few nights.  I think the fact that their legs are covered with the sleepsack and that their arms are wrapped with the velcro-pads was too much for them.  

SleepSack™ Micro-Fleece Wearable Blanket by Halo

This sleepsack is great (and it’s what we’re currently using).  It gives the boys enough freedom to suck their thumbs (which is perfect for us too, as mentioned above) and is nice and toasty for the winter.  They have a non-fleece version that we’ll probably get for the summer.  I like the reverse zipper so that anything dangerous and metal is kept away from their face.  And the leg area is roomy enough that they don’t feel constricted.  Overall, again a good product im my opinion.

Keep an eye out for my next post on mobiles, crib CD players, other Crib baby-entertainment systems and whatever else can keep them busy during the witching hour!

A Great Bundle for Toddlers

We are giving away a VTech Toys Jungle Gym Giraffe with Fuji EnviroMAX Battery Bundle!

Parentville is offering one of our users the chance to give a special gift for the holidays from VTech Toys and Fuji EnviroMAX batteries!  All you have to do is register by Dec. 18 with Parentville to win.

Jungle Gym Ride & Learn Giraffe Bike

The VTech Toys Jungle Gym Giraffe and Fuji EnviroMAX batteries are both iParenting Media Award-winning products.   The more your kid pedals and moves, while improving gross motor skills, the more he (or she) learns! As your toddler pedals, he will learn letters, numbers and objects, plus hear music and “race” the animals via a choice of five modes of play on the LCD screen.

This bike includes an adjustable, kid-safe, bouncy seat with three positions that grows with your child (recommended 18-36 months) and a stable base.

Check out a demo here.

Parentville is also including a pack of AA batteries for the Giraffe, plus 1 pack each of AAA digital, AA Super Alkaline, AAA Super Alkaline, C and D batteries for your kids’ toys as a holiday gift from Fuji EniviroMAX, the environmentally-friendly battery!

Fuji EnviroMAX batteries won the 2009 Seal of Approval from the National Parenting Center.  They are made with no ozone-depleting compounds, so when they decompose, they will not harm the environment if disposed of through normal waste systems. They contain no harmful mercury, cadmium - nor are they packaged with dangerous (and non-recyclable) PVC plastic. These batteries equal, if not exceed, the performance and longevity of major brands and compete on price. Fuji EnviroMAX batteries are also packaged with recycled paper and plastic.

You can find more information on Fuji EnviroMAX on the Facebook page and purchase them at Amazon and direct from the company at www.greenfuji.com as well as at Target, ACO and ACE Hardware stores; select Sears, Target, Do It Best, and Tru Value Hardware stores; Dick’s Sporting Goods, Big Y stores (Massachusetts), Shop Rite and Kings Supermarkets (New Jersey), Shop’ n Save (St. Louis) and Marsh Supermarkets (Indianapolis).

VTech Voices, VTech’s expert parent panel is offering holiday tips on its Facebook page. By joining VTech’s Mom, Pilar Clark, on Facebook, following them on Twitter and enrolling in Club VTech, you can learn more about products and get exclusive offers and updates on new toys and promotions (most recent ones here).

In addition to the other Jungle Gym products - Monkey Moves Smart Seat, Twist & Learn Gorilla Pals and Bouncing Colors Turtle - VTech has three other great gift ideas:

Bugsby ™ Reading System and Starter Book Bundle – (3–7 years)

V-Motion™ Active Learning System – (3–7 years)

V.Smile™ Cyber Pocket – (5 years+)

ABOUT VTECH:

VTech, the creator of the Electronic Learning Products (ELP) Category and the award-winning V.Smile TV Learning System, is a world leader of age-appropriate learning toys. Since 1976, VTech has been developing high-quality, innovative educational products that enrich children’s development, from birth to preteen, through fun and smart play. VTech Electronics North America, LLC is based in Arlington Heights, Ill. VTech Electronics Ltd. is headquartered in Hong Kong with distribution throughout North America, Europe and Asia. For more information on Vtech’s additional product lines, visit http://www.vtechkids.com/shop_landing.cfm

ABOUT FUJI BATTERIES FDK OF JAPAN:

The company conforms to a “total green” manufacturing system and practices the “Three R’s” approach to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Fuji Batteries also freely discloses environment-related information on its business activities, products and services and utilizes any feedback to further improve its environmentally responsible programs.  Fuji EnviroMAX batteries, as all Fuji Batteries, are made in ISO-certified production plants that operate under some of the world’s strictest standards of environmental responsibility.

Best Products and Services from Baby Bites' New Mom Essentials Event

We had a great time at the Baby Bites’ event last week, as we were invited to attend and check out the latest new products and services. Here are our favorites and gift ideas!

Yummy Mummy Store

This new store at 1201 Lexington Avenue in NYC (between 81st and 82nd) is the perfect place to relieve all your stresses about breastfeeding.  Founder Amanda Cole, a new mom and lactation specialist, has a wonderful array of apparel, breastfeeding support items, instructional videos, pumping gear AND bottles/bottle gear, teethers and pacifiers.  She also offers classes at the store - from Breastfeeding Support Groups to Yoga and Safety/CPR.

If you can’t make it to the store, stop online and get what you need, including gift certificates!

One of the interesting apparel items she carries was also at the event, GLAMOURMOM’s nursing tank, which now is the first to carry tanks for full-busted moms.

I’coo Targo Stroller

I’coo is a German company that recently entered the U.S.  I’coo’s ingenious stroller has terrific flexibility and features, and no extras (read: separate bassinet or car seat adapter purchase) needed. The seat turns around and adjusts in height so you can bring baby up to the restaurant table!  It has a washable bar cover for teething babies, an adjustable leg rest and removable foot rest, plus adjustable handlebar. You can easily take off the canopy, which includes a pocket.  All this for $599 is a lot less than other high-end strollers with less features.  Check out a video demo here.  You can I’coo at Little Folks store or online, or Albee Baby store.

Argington Furniture

Barn Bassinet to Crib to Toddler Bed

Argington has a beautifully designed Barn bassinet that converts to a crib, then to a toddler bed.  This company is focused on environmental sustainability, using E-Zero (formaldehyde free) birch/plywood and bamboo. The bassinet includes two sheets and hypo-allergenic foam mattress pad with organic, unbleached cotton. The bamboo version is available at Giggle. You can purchase both the bassinet and crib for $585 and the conversion kit is $99.

Babylon High Chair

The Babylon high chair is great-looking with lots of flexibility.  You purchase the cushions and infant feeding tray separate, but all are adjustable, including the foot rest, which balances on the rungs.  The best thing is this chair can raise to a bar height to sit even with the kitchen island so baby can use it as a table.

Alex & Sam

This is a wonderful online store started by a mom, Talee Zur Potter, with a knack for gifts - for your baby or others! She always has her pulse on what parents want to keep their kids safe and in style! And, a portion of the procedes are donated to the charity of your choice!  You can also create a campaign for fundraising efforts. If you use the PARENTVILLE code, you get 15% off!

Here are some great ideas:

Baby MedBasics first aid emergency handbook

Baby MedBasics is a great guide started by parents who are also medical experts. It gives you the quick action steps in color-coded tabs when faced with health issue such as CPR, burn, poison, choking, fever. This comes in bright colors so it is easily found, and you can include emergency contact information and baby’s medical records. You can get both a larger home edition that can hang on a door/drawer and a weather-resistant travel edition with a clip to attach to diaper bag. Great for grandparents and babysitters, too!

Egg faux shearling booties

These speak for themselves, so soft, plush for the littlest feet (not recommended for walkers).

Personalized Initial Letter Sweater & Zip-Back Hooded Cotton Sweater

These cotton sweaters are personalized. Pick your choice of colors for the sweater and letter! Initial sweater goes up to size 6 kids.  Zip-back sweater lets you cover him more easily and avoid biting on zipper; up to 2 yrs.  Needs 4-6 weeks for arrival.

Fashion Socks

They come in these cute boxes that can be reused for barrettes, crayons after the socks are outgrown.

Caden Lane reversible spill mat

These fashionable, PVC free mats are terrific under high chairs, for playing with playdoh, etc. Measures 35”x39”.

My First Scrubs

A great outfit that can be personalized - “Dr. Joey” - for everyday use or easy Halloween costume!

Twin Onsies

These onesies answer the question everyone’s asking.

Bon Bon Chocolate Courdoroy Dress

Perfect dress for the holidays with a monogrammed and pants cover option. Comes in sizes up to 5.

Win the SENSEsational Alphabet Book and Flash Cards!

Along with our “Take a night off” promotion with College Nannies & Tutors this month, we are now also offering a giveaway for two people to win The SENSEsational Alphabet book and flash cards, if you sign up for a new account at Parentville this month!

See our review of the SENSEsational Alphabet here, and remember you can also get 10% off when you use the code “Parentville” at checkout on the SENSEsational Alphabet website.

Mind, Body & Baby

The Holistic Moms Network is a national non-profit organization which brings together parents who are conscious of holistic health and green living. As a self-proclaimed “green mama”, I was thrilled to attend the group’s 6^th annual Natural Living Conference in Basking Ridge, NJ, with inspiring presentations by renowned family therapist Naomi Adort, Ph.D. and green guru Sara Snow. The conference also boasted a wide range of organic and eco-friendly products and services for babies and parents alike. Here are a few of the brightest offerings:

QuirkyBaby

Located in Princeton, N.J. and on the web, QuirkyBaby offers personal babywearing consultations and has a wide variety of slings, wraps, mei tais and structured carriers. The owner, Jane McClintock is sweet and extremely knowledgeable. Free shipping on orders over $50 and up.

Metro Minis

A natural family boutique on the Upper East Side that carries safe and organic toys, clothes and products for babies. My favorite item they exhibited was an Eco Town play set from Plan Toys.

Music Together

Music classes and cds with snappy tunes will get you and your baby bouncing around. Their new Lullabies CD currently resides in our car for naps!

Plum Organics

Plum Organics serves organic baby food in tantalizing combinations like sweet potato, corn & apple, now come safely and conveniently housed in a BPA-free pouch. Other products include fresh frozen baby food with DHA.

-Jennifer, Parentville Community Manager & mom of 7 month old twin boys

Take a night off -- on us!

As busy parents ourselves, we know how hard it is to juggle everything.  Weeks (and months!) can go by easily without having quality time with your spouse.  That’s why Parentville is offering a lucky member a chance to win free babysitting (5 hours) each month, courtesy of College Nannies and Tutors!

Maybe you need to run an errand. Maybe it’s an unexpected meeting. Maybe you just want some time to yourself at the coffee shop.  Maybe you need a night out - without the kids.  College Nannies and Tutors’ Hourly, On-Call Nanny Service is the perfect alternative to trying to find another “babysitter”.

Nannies are screened thoroughly, and you will receive biographical and professional information as well as references. Check out our review here.

For a chance to win, simply sign up for a new Parentville account anytime in the month of November!  If you are already a member, invite at least one friend using our invite page.

Note: To qualify for a chance to win you must live in the New York/Tri-state area. (We will hopefully be able to offer this promotion to other areas in the future!)

The Rookie Mom's Handbook - Makes You Appreciate!

Heather Gibbs Flett and Whitney Moss wrote this terrific handbook for first-time moms - if you like it as much as we do, you’ll want to get it as a shower gift for someone.  At first glance, the book seems to be a list of “250 Activities to do with (and without!) your baby”, just as it says it is.  Like you aren’t busy enough, how will you have time to read all these activities, let alone do them?

The good thing is, this book gets you started with year one, and you only have to read one chapter at a time by month.  After 10 minutes, you will have some great suggestions in mind.

The book’s premise is not so much what to do if you are bored or lonely, it’s what to do to celebrate life - your’s and your baby’s.  The book uses humor to make you appreciate the things you don’t normally notice, including your baby, but also the things around her.  For example, your baby’s gestures, the way she talks, sleeps, and dances are precious, so capture them in photo and film, but don’t forget about her lovey or blanket. It makes you see things differently, or do things for the first time with your baby (or for the first time yourself or with your husband for that matter), helps to reduce first-time mom anxiety and improve all of your relationships.

Rookie Mom’s makes ordinary baby “to dos” fun for mom and dad, too.  It makes you see that having a baby gives you “freedom” and an excuse to do out of the ordinary activities to entertain baby.  It offers a new perspective on daily activities, for example, going to a plant or camping store and experiencing the greenery, wind chimes and tents, respectively.

We also love the sections that run down “your new fears”, like “you’ll mess up baby’s nap schedule if you do something fun for yourself.”  They speak what we are thinking and assure you, just by listing them, that this is normal.  The book has some great empowerment messages, too.  Meaning, you can’t do it all, count on friends, family, and of course, your husband, to give you a break and pitch in (while assuring you will still have a date night).

This is also a great book for these economic times - generally, the ideas are inexpensive concepts for outings, home-made food, gifts, parties, favors, toys and clothes.  We especially love the photo mentions - capturing baby asleep, or creating a collage including items starting with the initial of their first name.

Finally, Rookie Mom’s doesn’t forget the details:  The back of the book has a quick fill in the blank for key milestones to remember, and they also have a baby log sheet on their website.

The Ultimate Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair - Win It !

Check out this versatile, environmentally-friendly high chair for use through adulthood!  We wanted to share a great review and contest for the chair happening from Momtrends.  Also, check out our Parentville Dad review here!