In case you’re looking for another cool baby site, check out Breezy Mama. In fact, they just posted my tips on how to decorate the nursery for less: http://breezymama.ning.com/forum/topics/baby-products-tip-sheet-4-ways.
I have lots of practical tips like this in my book, Consumer Reports Best Baby Products. What would you like to know more about? Do you have a niggling baby product question? Ask away and I’ll answer asap.
Sandra
Amy F. from Freeport, Maine asks: “What should I look for in a glider?”
Great question! Babies and gliders go together like macaroni and cheese because little ones love the soothing motion. A glider is a definite upgrade from old-fashioned rocking chairs, which are still around, though increasingly hard to find. When you’re shopping for a glider, look for one with a generously wide seat and arms that won’t hem you in. Both these features are especially important if you plan to use a nursing pillow. And with a baby on board, you’ll need the room. Practice gliding in the store with a display-model nursing pillow or your baby to make sure you’re both a good fit in the chair. Well-padded arm rests on a glider may be all you need to support and comfortably feed your baby, negating the need for a nursing pillow. Choose a glider that locks in place or that has a base that’s constructed to hide the gliding mechanism if you have a toddler or if you have only a newborn now but plan to have more than one child. You don’t want to be gliding when you’re feeding your newborn if there’s a curious toddler underfoot; little fingers can get caught in the gliding mechanism. You’ll also want to lock it to keep your toddler safe when you’re not around.
Also, look for a glider with dark cushions, which won’t show the dirt. When I was glider shopping, the one I bought only came with cream-colored cushions–and they got dingy fast. And that was just from normal use, without any accidents, spit-ups, or anything.
Gliders in disguise: Some are fully upholstered to hide their gliding mechanisms.
“Is becoming a mommy blogger a good way to save money on baby products?
I was asked that question this week by a writer for www.bankrate.com. It was a curious question, especially since Consumer Reports accepts no advertising and buys all the products we test. She noted that several of the mommy bloggers in her new-moms group were receiving free baby products from manufacturers. It goes to show you how pervasive this practice has become–getting freebies from companies in exchange for a review (or not).
As you may already know, the FTC is cracking down on product endorsements. An existing FTC rule that states product reviewers must reveal any connection they have with advertisers was extended to bloggers and takes effect on December 1.
Anyway, that question really didn’t quite apply to me. But as a result of it, I’m taking a random and anonymous survey. I’d love to get your thoughts on this…How do you think the new FTC rule will affect the mommy blogger “industry?”
A reader, Danalydiva, asks: “What’s the best home remedy for diaper rash?”
That’s a great question. Here’s what I determined, after doing a little digging: It seems that the best home remedies for diaper rash are preventive. That is, to change your baby’s diaper regularly–basically as soon as your baby pees or poops–so the area stays as dry as possible. That can be an endless job if your baby has diarrhea. For my book, Consumer Reports Best Baby Products, I interviewed Ilona J. Friedan, M.D., director of pediatric dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco Children’s Hospital, who is also a firm believer in using disposable diapers over cloth. “Because of the gel in disposable diapers, irritant diaper rashes that were once commonplace are now rare,” she says. The gel not only absorbs moisture, but wicks moisture away from a baby’s delicate skin. But if your baby doesn’t get frequent diaper rashes, however, there’s no reason to switch to disposables if you currently use cloth diapers.
If a rash develops, it seems there’s no substitute for the age-old remedy of zinc-oxide-based diaper cream–applying a thick coat to the rash. For more on preventing and treating diaper rash, here’s what the American Academy of Pediatrics has to say, just fyi: http://patiented.aap.org/content.aspx?aid=5297.
An activiy gym makes a great baby gift.
“What’s the best baby gift?” Someone recently cornered me with that question at a dinner party. She has a friend who is expecting and wanted to know what to buy her. Hmm…I thought for a second. If you don’t want to consult the mom-to-be’s baby registry, or that mom-to-be isn’t registered, an activity gym (with a gift receipt in case that mom has one already) is a good bet, I said. Newborns to 10-month-olds gets lots of mileage out of an activity gym’s squeaky, colorful, textured toys, which helps them develop their sense of sight, sound, taste, and touch. They bat at the toys until they can reach them. It’s fun to play along with your baby, too. Activity gyms are also good for tummy time, which helps a baby develop muscle strength that fosters physical and cognitive development. Play is your baby’s work and I think an activity gym is a must-have for new parents.
What’s the best baby gift you received? What can’t you live without? I’d love to hear from you.
