Families Online Magazine

Since so much of my work does involve sorting out what’s best and what’s not to recommend to my clients and my readers, I’ve carved out a niche as a product reviewer. While sometimes companies approach me to review their product, usually when I see a product that really catches my eye, I contact the manufacturer to see if they’d be interested in sending me a product to review.

While one may think that I publically review every product that I receive, I don’t. It’s my policy to only publically review the products that number 1, I love myself and number 2, that I use with my own children. When I opt not to publically review a product, I send my contact a letter that shares my concerns, recommendations and reason for not publically reviewing the item.

Being an author whose books are always reviewed (both positively and negatively!) this approach makes the most sense to me. It’s not my goal to share with my clients and readers the products I don’t like. It’s my goal to share with them my personal favorite products. The products I love to use, the products I trust, and the products that make my life as a mom easier.

2010 has been a huge year for new products. I’ve feel in love with some new favorites and have been introduced to some of the most forward thinking products. While years ago, it always seemed I’d see a product and always say to myself “If it only had this, it would be perfect!” This year, I’ve seen some products that have been so well designed and thought out, they’ve rendered my speechless from criticism.

So without further ado, here are some of the products I’ve come to love in 2010.

The Britax B-Ready Stroller

Wow. That pretty much summaries my review of the The Britax B-Ready Stroller. I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect stroller for moms of two under two and I’ve found it. There is nothing about this stroller that was an afterthought and I can’t imagine anything else that could be added to it to make it better. What makes this stroller stand out is that while it can be used as a single stroller, it can also be used as a double stroller.

In fact, the B-Ready has more than 14 strolling combinations and can even accommodate twin infant car seats! When used as a single stroller using the top seat alone, it is designed for children at least 6 months old, up to 55 lbs. But, have no fear! The top seat comes off super easily and the frame can accommodate an infant car seat, making it suitable for newborns as well! When used as a double stroller with two seats, the second seat can be used from birth and up since it reclines! The stroller also folds with the second seat attached, which is unheard of. Each seat has a no re-thread, adjustable, 5-point harness and the B-Ready maneuvers as easy as any single stroller on the market.

The storage compartment even has a zipper in the front and on each side for easy access. The oversized sun shade is awesome and the stroller comes with an awesome additional storage pouch that makes super organized moms like me extremely happy. You must check out this stroller. There are many small details that make it the best. Most moms purchase at least 7 strollers. I believe the B-Ready is the only stroller you’ll need!

Baby Silk Gentle Scalp Rub

As a nanny with over 15 years of child care experience, turned mom, I’m no stranger to cradle cap. Throughout the course of my career I’ve tried most home remedies and over the counter products to remove the scaly flakes associated with cradle cap. As any mom or caregiver whose dealt with cradle cap knows, it’s hard to get rid of and many products and remedies that claim to work, don’t.When I set out to review MD Moms new product, Baby Silk Gentle Scalp Rub, my expectations weren’t high. My four month old son had remnants of cradle cap that nothing would remove.

I was resorting to daily (and messy) applications of olive oil to keep it at bay, but it still would come back. I applied the Baby Silk Gentle Scalp Rub during my son’s bath as directed and didn’t notice really any change. Then his hair dried. Flakes and flakes of the cradle crap seemed to be loosening as they were now in his hair. I took a fine tooth comb and combed it out and to my amazement there was nothing left on his scalp. The flakes were really gone and two weeks post application they have not come back.

A little about Baby Silk Gentle Scalp Rub is creamy blend of natural oils, salicylate, marine silk, Vitamins E and B5, aloe and shea butter and is gentle enough to use daily (although I only needed to use it once). It’s paraben-free and preservative-free and contains no phthalates, lanolin, mineral oil, petroleum, waxes, wheat or gluten. It’s clinically tested & hypoallergenic and is not tested on animals. I will most definitely recommend this product to any mom or caregiver battling cradle cap. It works!

The Nook by Joovy

When it comes to new products, I’m always on the lookout for items that are fashionable and functional. The Joovy Nook is certainly both! For families tight on space, The Nook is the perfect highchair option. It is light weight and folds so flat that you can easily slide it under a couch or store it inside of pantry closet. The tray (that is also removable) swings open for easy access and has a dishwasher safe tray insert to make clean up a cinch. The leatherette seat is easy to wipe down (or you can opt for a machine washable fabric) and the 5 point harness keeps kids safe and sitting in their seat where they belong during meals. Since the seat is designed to keep babies sitting up straight when they eat, the seat does not recline and is not appropriate for babies who can’t yet sit up without assistance.

The Britax Chaperone

With the new research that’s supporting extended rear facing, for parents who wish to keep their infants in a car seat as long as possible, the Chaperone is a great choice. The Chaperone is designed for infants 4-40 lbs, 32 inches or less and with a seated shoulder height of 6.5 to 11 inches. A special foam insert is included with the Chaperone to make it properly fit preemies or low birth weight babies. There are three key features that set this seat apart. First, the seat offers great side impact protection, second, the head restraint and harness are super easy to adjust (no rethreading required!) and third, the base boasts an anti-rebound bar that minimizes the rotational force that can occur during a crash. The seat also feels like it is made well and provides a good amount of padding. The LATCH connectors make the seat super easy to install and the built in lock-offs make it easier to install the seat tightly when using a seatbelt. Using the LATCH, the install was quite snug and secure. The height adjustment knob on the base makes it easy to assure that you get the proper seat angle and the levels on both sides of the seat allow you to easily check for proper positioning each time you place your carrier in the base. With 7 height adjustments, two crotch buckle positions and a front harness adjuster, the harness can be positioned to fit correctly on most any baby. I was concerned that my larger 5 month old would have a hard time adjusting to the seat since his head could no longer flop from side to side (which is a good thing!) due to the adjustable head restraint, but he seems to love it! He has slept more now in the car than he ever has. One point of note: Since the base seems quite long, the seats of smaller vehicles with shorter seat cushions may cause it to hangover the edge of the seat. The Britax website FAQ addresses this topic here

The Britax Marathon 70

The Britax Marathon 70 is a convertible child restraint designed for children 5-40 lbs in the rear-facing position and up to 70 lbs in the forward-facing position. The height limit for the seat is listed at 49 inches and the seated shoulder height is 9-16.75 inches for rear-facing and 12-16.75 for forward-facing. Since all children are shaped differently, children may outgrow the seat by length before weight. My last experience regularly using a Britax seat was about 10 years ago. I recalled being so impressed with the seat then, I was thrilled when I had a chance to review the new Marathon 70. Again, I am impressed with the Britax seat. In addition to having Safe Cell Technology, Integrated Steel Bars (that reduce the forward flexing of the child seat during a crash) and an energy-absorbing Versa-Tether, the seat can be tethered in both the rear and forward facing positions. With the ability to recline in both the rear and forward facing positions, the seat offers ultimate comfort and positioning for the child. One thing I really like about the seat is that my daughter seems to sit lower in it due to the deeper seat pan. The Quick Adjust Harness means no more injured fingers trying to rethread and adjust harness straps. As always, I have a Certified Tech install my safety seats. The Marathon 70 took seconds to install in the rear-facing position with the LATCH system and the install was snug. For parents looking for a safe, convertible seat that allows for extended rear-facing, The Britax Marathon is a superb choice!

The Moby Wrap

Recently I saw a mom wearing her baby in this large piece of fabric at a music class we were at. The baby seemed super comfortable and the mom raved about her “Moby Wrap” and insisted everyone in the class try one. Being a bigger mom, I was hesitant on trying one because I was afraid it wouldn’t fit. I also thought the baby looked so securely placed in the fabric, that it would be just be too difficult to get the wrap on and baby in correctly. In addition, I didn’t think a single piece of fabric could be twisted enough ways to hold a baby safely and comfortably. Boy was I wrong! After the mom continued to rave about her wrap to me I decided to give it try. Knowing my line of work, she really wanted to me to test it out. I reached out to Moby and asked them for a wrap to review and now I’m hooked. I can’t believe it fits me (with plenty of room to spare) and that it is super easy to use. My five month old loves to sit facing it and out and my 2 year old insisted she try it and she didn’t want to get out! Best of all if was comfortable to wear and even in the summer heat, I didn’t feel hot or sticky while wearing the wrap. In addition to being surprisingly easy to get on and adjust, it’s just as easy to get the baby in and out of and the wrap is machine washable! I really like the Moby company. Their website is full of valuable information on the benefits of baby wearing and how-to guides.

Bjorn Comfort Carrier

I was so excited when the new Baby Bjorn Comfort Carrier arrived for my review. The Comfort Carrier is made of organic cotton and is soft and comfortable to wear. The straps are sized very generously and will comfortably fit larger parents as well as smaller ones. The strap adjustments really allow you to get a customized fit and allow you to distribute your baby's weight so he's comfortable to carry. You can use the Comfort Carrier for children up to 2 years, from 13 pounds/(6 kg and at least 22 inches/55 cm) up to 31 pounds/14 kg (26.5 pounds/12 kg facing outwards), so for moms of two under two, this carrier provides the perfect solution for getting out and about with one stroller. If you think your toddler won't enjoy being carried around, think again. When I asked my two year old to test it out with me, she practically fell asleep as we walked around the house. For moms who love the traditional Baby Bjorn and for moms who haven't had luck with carriers in the past, you must check out the Comfort Carrier.

So there you have it, some of my favorite products that were newly introduced to me in 2010. What are your favorite products? I'd love to hear about them. Leave them in the comment section. I love to know what other moms are using that works for them!

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