Hamilton Beach Bébé Products Make Life Easier

THE WHAT: Hamilton Beach Bébé Mini Blender and Hamilton Beach Bébé 3 Cup Food Chopper

THE HOW: Dishwasher safe, this mini blender and food chopper are the new parents' best friend. Small enough to fit on the kitchen counter without being cumbersome yet powerful enough to get the job done. 

THE WHY: Because making baby food from scratch is family-budget-friendly and really just easy! 

THE REVIEW: Both tools were used to make a week's worth of baby food and the result was easy, fast and perfect.  The elements wash up in a jif (yes, I use words like jif). The chopper was fairly quiet (a big WIN for when making baby food with baby in the kitchen - quieter is better). The one touch blender was even so simple and safe that my 8 year old was able to "make" baby food for her brother.  (Also, works great for smoothies for the whole family!)

PARENT CLUB RECOMMENDED.

Britax Baby Carrier Review

THE WHAT: BRITAX BABY CARRIER (featuring the CarryLong System, which reduces the risk of back and shoulder strain during extended wear by distributing weight across the shoulders, back and hips.)

THE HOW:
accommodates babies 8lbs-32lbs
padded waist and shoulder straps
distributes weight across shoulders (comfortably)
removable infant insert
baby can face inwards or outwards
detachable bib
easy snaps
adjustable head support

THE REVIEW: Without hesitation, recommend BRITAX BABY CARRIER!  We tested it out on short walks, just doing chores around the house and full day trips and the comfort of carrying baby was excellent.  (Yes, we have tried other leading brand carriers and this one excelled in easy on/easy off, comfort for parent and comfort for baby).

Really like the detachable bib to keep the carrier clean.  The one hand snaps allow for easy on/easy off (even when the baby is sleeping).  The versatility of positions is great for newborns and toddlers. 


Baby shower in your future?  This is a go-to gift for any expectant mom!  Parent Club recommended!

Replays Are Worst Then Real Time

Last night, I took some mashed avacado from my plate and gave a bit to Thing 3 to try (didn't like it).  I left the dinner table to prepare some infant cereal for him only to return at the moment Thing 2 was spooning something into his mouth.

"YOU CAN'T..."

But it was too late.  He started choking and gagging and making that horrible silent choke noise (you know the one) and then he threw up again and again.

"You can't feed him!"  I said.

Thing 2 said she only wanted to help.  ok - said I - you saw he was hungry and you wanted to help but sisters can't decide what babies eat or drink - parents decide what he eats ok?!  ok?!

Everyone was fine and dinner continued.  But I replayed that moment over and over again.  What if I hadn't turned around?  What if she had given him an even bigger spoonful of raw snap peas?    In real time, you react...in replays you re-live...again and again.

And it reminds me once again...I need to go for a CPR course.

Fisher-Price Makes Diapers? Who Knew?!

Parent News Alert!: Fisher-Price makes diapers. Wait.  Change that.  Fisher-Price makes great diapers. 

My 5 month old had a chance to test-drive Happy Days and Happy Nights Fisher-Price diapers.  Result: not one diaper failure! (a #WIN as baby is transitioning to pureed foods and you know...when babies change to food...well...their diaper deals change too).  

My rolly-polly baby needs stretching diapers (I've tried a few brands - stretch is a must).  And both days and nights diapers formed to his curves very nicely. 

Now do you need a different diaper for both day and night?  Honestly, I don't know...depends on your baby I guess.  My DS now sleeps through wet diapers at night so the extra absorbent happy nights diapers did prevent leakage (and not a wet bum rash to be had!).

I didn't know Fisher-Price made diapers but now that I do...I'm going to keep a look out for them on shelves. (I hear from the other Fisher-Price #playpanel moms that they are available in Canada at Walmart).

Disclosure:  I’m part of the Fisher-Price Play Panel and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own

Vaccines and Austim

Do vaccines contribute to autism? I'm putting this out there for Parent Club discussion, comment and knowledge sharing because this hot topic is close to my heart.

Next week, Thing 3 goes for his 1st well baby visit...where the 1st set of vaccines are usually given...and I am not informed. Yet.

The best way to be an advocate for your child is to be informed. And I'm coming to you, dear readers, who have been there, done that, or have a friend who experienced it. What do you think about vaccines and autism?

Google brings up Jenny McCarthy's Time interview in the top search results when searching if vaccines contribute to autism autism. (And Jenny thinks it does).

Dr. Oz has an article on his site penned by Dr. Ari Brown investigating vaccines contributing to autism. (Dr. Brown presents it doesn't).

Now I admit, these might not be the most academic sources for my research thus far...which is why I'm coming to you...

What think you on the autism Vs. vaccine debate?

Please chime in your comments below. Obviously this is a personal (and perhaps for some - passionate) topic...thus I ask comments be respectful yet authentic.

Parent Club Review: Playtex The First Lil' Gripper

THE WHAT: New! Playtex® The First Lil' Gripper™ Straw Trainer Cup

THE HOW: The 1st Playtex trainer cup that combines a squeezable body with a straw. Mom can prime the straw with the drink, helping children aged 4 months and up, develop the skills for independent sipping.

THE WHY: Easier to hold, spill proof, leak proof and break proof (love that last one!)

BONUS: BPA and Phthalate free

THE LINK: check out playtexmommyville.ca for your surfing pleasure.

Merci to Playtex for supplying product for this review - and you know Parent Club honestly endorses and respectfully critiques products that attempt to make life easier for busy families.

Parent Club Picks - Nuby Nibbler

THE WHAT: The Nuby™ Nibbler™

THE HOW: Soothing for teething baby (fill it with ice). Bonus: helps introduce your baby to solid foods without the risk for choking

THE WHY: Open the Nibbler - place frozen banana (or whatever frozen you like) in the mesh bag - close the nibbler up and give to child. Baby can hold the Nibbler herself with the easy-hold handle and nosh away.

THE BONUS: 0% BPA

This is a shameless recomendation and thus no compensation nor product as rec'd. We just had to share!

Is Breast Best or Formula Faster?

Opening this up to debate in the Parent Club...

Is Breast Best or Formula Faster?

A hot topic amongst new parents - I know. But I also know its a personal choice - and one that external parties (family, friends, the internetz) must respect (so let's respect ok).

I have known many Moms who planned for breastfeeding only to have a roadblock appear. The dissapointment. The emotional pull ("am I a bad mother if I can't make milk for my own child?"). The challenges of finger feeding and latching and pumping.

There are Moms who chose not to breastfeed because it just isn't their thing. There
are certain cultures and generations where breastfeeding just isn't done.

Studies do show that breastfeeding is best for one's child. It creates immunities and such. Plus, it's always the right tempreture.

But for those who chose (or don't chose must must go with) forumla - there is the decision of which "brand" is the right one.

I direct you to a post by Curious Dad (a Canadian) which compared "brands" from a cost and nutritional standpoint: Store Brand Formula

What think you about Breast Vs. Formula?

Thing 3 has arrived!

Born: Sunday Dec. 26th, 2010
After a fast 1 hr and 40 minutes of labour (drug free - good ghandi!)
Thing 3 (a boy child) has arrived.

Thing 1, Thing 2 and Thing 3 are all doing well (Mom and Papa are tired)

Parent Club Review: Tommee Tippee

THE WHAT tommee tippee is an internationally renowned manufacturer of great value baby products including baby feeding bottles & breast pumps.

THE WHERE: available for purchase now at toysrus.ca (click on that link to see product line)
THE REVIEW: As you know, I am expecting, so the invitation to the tommee tippee Canadian launch was timely. (First off ->2 keywords; BPA-free and Phthalate-compliant). These products are designed to be simple, easy, practical and intuitive.

Nipples for bottles and sippy cups are require no more force than to drink from a breast, making switch from breast to bottle that much easier.

They have an anti-colic system for their bottles which make a more comfortable eating experience for babies with tummy trouble.

The trainer cups, sippy cups, water bottles are truly spill-proof (aside: at the launch everyone - EVERYONE - drank out of sippy cups - how's that for experiential learning? I tell you - my cranberry juice did NOT spill or drip!)

And my fav.? The food pots - which are great for taking kids' snacks on the go (and I hear they make great vinaigrette containers for when Papa takes his salad to work!).