May 20th, 2010
The other day, I chatted with Louise and Garen, radio hosts of The Frugal Yankee. (Love their site, BTW, www.frugalyankee.com.) We were talking diapers, specifically how to save money on them. They wanted to know about the age-old question: How much can you save by going with cloth diapers vs. disposables? The answer: Hundreds if not at least $1,000 by the time your baby is out of diapers by using cloth instead of disposables–if you’re willing to do lots of laundry detail (and not use a diaper service). Forget pins and plastic pants. If I were doing it all over again, I’d definitely try out pocket and/or all-in-one reusable diapers such as Fuzzibunz (www.fuzzibunz.com) or Bummis (www.bummis.com). They take cloth diapers to a new, more convenient and doable level for a fraction of the long-term costs of disposables (which amounts to roughly $2,500 by the time your baby is diaper-free). But cloth/reusable diapers aren’t for everybody. Maybe you hate to do laundry, for example, or your baby is in daycare, in which case, you’ll need to use disposables some of the time, or your baby is prone to diaper rash. As you probably know from previous posts, disposables have done wonders for eliminating irritant diaper rashes.
Stores and Websites often put diapers on sale as "loss leaders" to induce parents to shop there, so take advantage of good deals.
In any event, here are three more ways to save on both types of diapers:
–Shop Wal-Mart and Target. You’ll find rock-bottom prices on disposable and reusable diapers at www.walmart.com and www.target.com. Don’t be afraid to try the store brand and save at least 3 cents per diaper with every change. (It adds up!)
–Visit www.drugstore.com, www.diapers.com, www.amazon.com, and www.cvs.com for good deals on name-brand and store-brand diapers (and save yourself a trip to the store) and stock up at sale time.
–Save on regular deliveries. Amazon’s Subscribe and Save program, which pops up at the checkout, offers the best deal if you sign up for regular deliveries; you can save 15 percent and get free shipping too.
What do you do to save money on diapers? Give us the poop!
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Tags: babies, diapers
Posted in Budget Baby | No Comments »
May 17th, 2010
I’m just as intrigued as anyone about the ensuing controversy surrounding Pampers diapers with new Dry Max and the growing Facebook contingent of parents who say that it’s causing diaper rash.
As a parent, word of mouth–whether it’s which stroller to get, what daycare to stay away from or enroll in or which bottle your baby liked best, can be a powerful influence in terms of what or what not to buy and other baby-care decisions. You think, “If it’s right for that mom or that baby, it’ll probably be right for me or my baby.” Facebook and Twitter are taking the concept of word of mouth and amplifying it to a national level. There’s certainly nothing wrong with that but as a journalist and a mom whose been swayed by other mom’s opinions from time to time and discovered that their advice wasn’t always right for me, I’m naturally skeptical about going with the crowd.
The Bottomline for Me–which may not be right for you
If my kids were still in diapers, I’d definitely buy Pampers with Dry Max and try them out. I love the concept that they’re 20 percent thinner than traditional Pampers and wear like underwear. From my research for Consumer Reports Best Baby Products, I know that some babies are more prone to diaper rash than others. Did you know, for example, that breast-fed babies are less susceptible to diaper rash than formula-fed babies, especially as they transition to solid food? Also, some babies are more susceptible to diaper rash in general because their skin is just more sensitive. Overall, diaper rash can be caused by lots of things. But before someone told me a particular diaper caused diaper rash, I know I’d have to see for myself.
What about you? What’s your take on Pampers with Dry Max?
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Tags: babies, diapers, Dry Max, Pampers
Posted in Safety Savvy | 3 Comments »
May 13th, 2010
The Graco Snugride 35 is just one example of a car seat that allows kids to ride rear facing longer. It's for infants from 5 to 35 pounds and less than 32 inches tall.
You know to keep your baby riding rear facing in her infant or convertible car seat in the back seat until she’s at least a year old and weighs at least 20 pounds. But did you know there’s a movement a foot to keep infants and toddlers riding rear facing much longer than that? Many manufacturers of infant and convertible car seats are upping the weight limit in the rear-facing mode to 30 – 35 pounds. (Note: Infant car seats are only used rear-facing; they’re never used foward facing.) With the new upper weight limits on many car seats in the rear-facing mode, kids can conceivably ride backward until they’re 2 ½ to 3 years old, as long as they’re within the height and weight limits of the seat.
Statistics show that riding backward is safer. Kids are up to 75 percent less likely to be injured in a crash. But what do you think? Any downsides to riding this way longer? If your toddler was within the weight and height limits in the seat in the rear-facing mode, would you still be tempted to turn the seat around before she turns 2 1/2 or 3? Why? Just curious.
I look forward to your comments.
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Tags: car seats, infants, toddlers
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May 12th, 2010
Check out my new baby shopping tips in the Atlanta Journal Constitution: http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-shopping-deals/2010/05/10/shopping-for-new-baby/?cxntlid=sldr_hm. The piece covers how to get the most mileage out of your baby registry. In general, be sure to have more than one registry since gift givers tend to like options, and keep in mind that you can register for cash too, which comes in handy down the line, at sites such as www.depositagift.com and www.myregistry.com.
Happy new baby!
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Posted in Budget Baby | 2 Comments »
May 6th, 2010
Shopping for an infant car seat, a convertible seat or a toddler booster? Then you’ll want to check out “Ride, Baby, Ride,” my piece on infant, convertible and toddler car seats in this month’s ShopSmart magazine, (June 2010), which is on newstands now. In the piece, I worked with Consumer Reports to report on the best infant seats, convertible car seats and toddler booster seats. You’ll find our top picks in each of these categories, which helps take the guesswork out of car seat shopping. You’ll also find installation tips and how to know when to trade up to the next-level car seat. I hope you find the piece helpful! Let me know…
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May 5th, 2010
Here’s a question from Amber of New York City, mom to 1-year old, Chloe:
“My baby loves to drop things from her high chair, whether it’s food, her bottle, or her spoon, and squeals with laughter when I fetch things again and again. It’s fun yet exasperating. How can I teach her to stop?” 
If your baby is under a year old, you really can’t teach her to stop. In fact, throwing food helps your baby learn cause and effect–if she throws food from her high chair, it falls down and you’ll pick it up. Instead of getting exasperated, play along for another round or two. When you’ve had enough, say something like: “That was fun, but Mommy isn’t going to play anymore,” then stop picking up the food.
By the time your baby is a toddler, though, she’s old enough–and developmentally capable of understanding–that flinging food isn’t okay. Toddlers may still do it when they’re bored or want attention, or if they don’t like what’s being serving. To end the antics, state a rule positively, such as: “Food is for eating and it belongs on your plate.” Stay calm. “A huge reaction from you will only reinforce the bad behavior,” says Marcy Guddemi, Ph.D., executive director of the Gesell Institute of Human Development in New Haven, CT. If your toddler keeps it up, end the meal.
Game over.
High chair shopping tip: Look for a fixed center crotch post, which prevents your baby from slipping under the tray and getting his head caught between the tray and the chair (it happens!). Check the leg openings, too. They shouldn’t be large enough for a child to fit both legs in one. And inspect the safety belt. Some high chairs have three-point harnesses, but a five-point harness (shoulder straps that attach to the waist belt) is better.
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May 1st, 2010
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
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April 29th, 2010
Quick quiz
True or false: Babies younger than 6 months shouldn’t wear sunscreen.
Answer False. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says it’s safe for infants younger than 6 months to wear minimal amounts of sunscreen on small areas such as the face, neck and the back of your baby’s hands. In general, however, the AAP advises that you keep a baby younger than 6 months in the shade of a tree, umbrella, or stroller canopy and to dress your baby in lightweight long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Why? “Babies are more prone than adults to sunburn because their skin is thinner and their body’s protective tanning response isn’t developed,” explains Jim Chow, M.D., associate director of the division of dermatology at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, in Columbia.
If you can’t avoid exposing your baby to the sun, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun-protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher that contains titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.
Blue Lizard Australian sunscreen (available at Amazon) contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
These key ingredients physically block the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays without irritating your baby’s sensitive skin. Otherwise, try to keep your baby covered.
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April 29th, 2010
The kitchen is one of the most popular rooms in most homes because let’s face it, that’s where lots of the action is. 
When your baby becomes mobile, you’ll want to think one step ahead and try to minimize the dangers there. To keep your fearless adventurer safe and sound, here are some top kitchen child-proofing tactics to keep in mind:
- Get into the habit of drinking hot beverages from a travel mug to avoid spills. Use placemats instead of a tablecloth. A common scenario: “Mom puts her coffee on a table with a tablecloth, which gets pulled from the table coffee and all,” says Meri-K Appy, president of the Home Safety Council, in Washington, D.C.
- Use safety latches and locks on cabinets and drawers to prevent mishaps from household products such as plastic wrap, food storage bags, knives, scissors, and other sharp objects, refrigerator magnets or any small kitchen knickknacks.
- Lock household cleaners, any type of liquor, vitamins and medicine, even those with child-resistant packaging, in their original containers a cabinet out of your child’s sight and reach. Keep in mind that child-resistant packaging isn’t childproof. Persistent toddlers may be able to pry them open.
- Push electric coffeepots and teakettles away from the counter edges, and wrap dangling cords in a twist tie.
- Turn the water heater down to 120 degrees F or lower to prevent scalds from faucets. An infant’s skin burns much more easily than an adult’s.
- Cook on the back burners of the stove, and turn pan handles so they don’t extend over the edge of the cooktop. Pull off front stove knobs and store them safely until it’s time to cook. You can also buy childproof knob covers and stove shields, which block a child’s access to the stove top.
- Don’t leave your toddler alone in a high chair, and always use safety straps.
- In the pantry, move all breakables, such as drinking glasses and dishes as well as plastic bags and cooking sprays and oils up, to the third shelf from the bottom. The same goes for foods that are choking hazards for toddlers, such as raisins and peanuts.
- Don’t store alcohol or cooking oil under or above the stove or oven, from which heat radiates. These flammable substances can easily ignite if they get hot enough, which is a fire hazard. Store these substances in an out-of-reach location for your child.
- When you cook, use a safety gate or keep your child in a play yard or high chair—in view but out of harm’s way.
- Keep your kitchen stepstool in a closet when you’re not using it to prevent your little one from climbing into trouble.
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April 25th, 2010
“Check out” this link to a YouTube video a nice librarian I’ve never met did about my Consumer Reports Best Baby Products book, 9th edition. Librarians do YouTube videos? Apparently, they do now!
http://www.miladir.com/product-consumer-reports/best-reference-baby-products
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