Recently in Car Seats Category

There is nothing more important than safety and when it comes to car seats, nothing on the market is better than Britax. That's just the bottom line. You pay more but it is a worthy investment. So, when I heard about this Amazon closeout sale on Britax car seats (up to $110 off!) I, of course, had to share. Take advantage of this sale and get the best car seat there is. It is not cool or gadgety or lightweight. It is safe. Who cares about anything else. OK, it's comfortable too which is important. The top of the line is the Britax Boulevard, originally $329.99, it is now $239.99 (plus Free Super Saving Shipping & Free Returns), you save: $90.00 (27%).

The Britax Advocate 65 is like the Boulevard but with an added feature of Side Impact Cushion Technology. Originally, $369.99, closeout price is now $259.99 (also Free Super Saving Shipping & Free Returns) for a savings of $110.00 (30%). Both of these come equipped with the Click and Safe feature that audibly let's you know the harness is snug and secure.

This sale puts these superior car seats' prices in line with mediocre ones. The decision is now made easy. Get a Britax! There are many models and colors to choose from but make sure you select one that is sold by Amazon and not thru one of their partners to get the closeout pricing.

This year marks the historical high of infant hot car deaths. It's easier for us assume this only happens to negligent parents but statistically that is not the case. These accidents usually occur when the parent's routine is altered and their brain goes on auto pilot mode of their regular routine, which does not involve transporting a tot in the car. For example, a parent normally does not drop off the tot at childcare but due to circumstances must do so on a particular day. The parent gets in the car and the habit forming part of the brain, which is stronger, takes over and drives them directly to work. Since they've never had to remove a tot from the car at the place of work, the brain naturally blocks out all cues and inclinations of doing so.

As with everything involving safety, it is better to be safe than sorry. We have monitors and safety measures for everything, but why not an alarm that reminds us to take our tot out of the car? There are 2 products that do just that. The Cars-N-Kids turns on automatically with the weight of the child and plays a lullaby every time the car stops. It is only $29.95. But because it plays a lullaby every time the car stops (including stop lights), I prefer the Child Minder, which has a device attached to your car keys and the alarm will go off if you are more than 15 feet from the car when the child is in the car. The Child Minder has a chest clip that replaces the current chest clip of your car seat, so when it is clipped, the system is turned on. This product is $69.95 and you can get additional key rings for additional caregivers for $28.95.

Parenting Magazine has an article with other precautions to take to avoid this from happening to you.

No more slumping!! We've all tried to accomplish this same effect with diapers and blankets. Well, leave it to the professionals to design a positioner that actually works. This is made of memory foam and is designed to support the entire baby, from bottom to shoulder blades (which actually helps open the chest and allows for better breathing). You can make adjustments for a perfect fit. This product has been safety rated for infant car seats. At Amazon for $34.95.

I have all the car seats I need until I won't need car seats anymore. But this Clek Oobr booster seat is making me want to upgrade. Most boosters do not attach to the car, you just use the seat belt across the body. But this one is attached via the latch system, for good measure and in my opinion, a necessity, even if it is just a mental one. Some cars' seat belt system does not register a rider under a certain weight and the latch is not meant for anyone over 40 pounds. Although I always lock the seat belt (I pull it all the way through so it locks and will not extend farther) when using a booster, I still want the added benefit of having the seat tightly in place. The latch in this seat is rigid to ensure the seat does not shift and also makes it easier to install. There is a quick release in the front of the seat making it easy to transfer from car to car. The Clek Oobr seems to have the upper hand in superiority with advantages and features like its high safety rating, a reclining back for sleeping, comfortably padded, stain resistant Crypont Super Fabric, great looking design and colors, and has a removable back to convert and grow with your tot. Of course, price is the real issue here, I already spent $280 on 2 Britax car seats so spending $274.99 on another 2 (I have 2 tots!) is a major consideration. Clek Oobr Booster Car Seat at Amazon for $274.99.

Happy New Year!  As we celebrate a brand new decade, I would like to look back and recap on my favorite products from 2009.  These are things I cannot live without, some are luxuries but all of these make my life as a mommy better!

Beaba Baby Cook

One of the best inventions of all time!  We all want fresh and nutritious food for our tots, but who has the time?  This Beaba Baby Cook does all the work for you, just throw in the washed produce and it will steam and puree it for you.  This is not a luxury, it is a necessity!!  Beaba Baby Cook for $149.

Cares Child Restraint System

Do not even consider getting on a plane with a car seat unless you have a new born under 9 months.  This 5-point harness seat belt will save your sanity and make your travel actually pleasant!  For $74.95.

I thought Pediped Originals were the best things on earth until they came out with Pediped Flex for toddlers.  Super cute and incredibly comfortable.  The best part, the insoles that come out as your tot grows so you get extended wear by one whole size!  That is serious value because we all have barely worn shoes that were outgrown before they made it out the door. Prices range from $39-45 depending on style.

Right Bank Babies

Oh how I love this line!  Original, spunky and more style than my own wardrobe.  My tots always look their best while glowing with their own personalities in Right Bank Babies designs.  I have to stop though, they are starting to look like paid models for the line!

Chasing Fireflies - Best website ever!  You will find so many treasures from clothing to gear to unique toys.  The only problem is, they do not tell you the designers of their products are you are pretty much stuck buying from them.  Luckily, they have great customer service and their prices are great, with incredible sales!!  They take care of me so I just make my life easy by going to them first.

Nalgene Tritan Grip-N-Gulp BPA-Free Water Bottle - Best Sippy Cup!  I don't do spring cleaning, I do new years cleaning.  To start off a brand new year, I have to clear out everything I don't want or need, which includes all the sippy cups other than the Nalgene.  I still love Siggs for the road but for everyday use, this is the only leak proof sippy that does not have a thousand little valves and nozzles.  It has one.  Try it, I promise you will not look back. For $7.70.

Monica Rich Kosann Jewelry

Sentimental jewelry becomes even more special as a mom.  But you have to be careful because there are some really bad cheesy photo pendants and lockets.  Monica Rich Kosann is real precious jewelry, the details are exact and delicate for pieces that are worthy of a Jewel Snob.
Take a look at the collection.

Little Giraffe Blankets

I have a pile of blankets that is higher than the height of my closet.  And that pile pretty much stays untouched because the only blankets I end up using are the Little Giraffes.  They are soft, lightweight, thin and as comfortable as a cloud.  Hands down the best gifts for a baby shower.
At Layla Grayce for $78

Uppa Baby Stroller

I have 6 strollers so I know what I'm talking about.  This Uppa Baby is the best.  The reason I have so many strollers is because there was not ONE that fit all my needs.  Sometimes I'm going for a long walk so I need the performance of the Bugaboo, other times I need my Maclaren Volo for it's lightweight and easy collapse features for the New York subway.  Then there are those days you know your tot will fall asleep so you need one that reclines.  The scenarios are endless but this Uppa Baby seems to handle them all with ease. For $669.99 at Uppa Baby.

Flip UltraHD Camcorder, 120 Minutes (Black)

I am pretty sure most parents already have the Flip but in case you don't, get one immediately.  You will never miss another YouTube moment every again with this tiny 2 oz HD camera that takes up less room in your bag than 2 tubes of lip gloss.  The picture quality is amazing, truly HD and easy easy easy to operate. And for $149.99, it is an easy sell.

This is an ice pack to cool the car seats during scorching hot summer days. We went to the desert one time to visit family. When it was time to leave the inside of the car got so hot it would have been cruel to put my tot in the car seat that was 200 degrees. Actually I think it would have burned her. We tried turning on the air conditioner but it wasn't doing anything so we had to removed the car seat and put the entire thing in an ice box (those freezers that open on top) for 20 minutes to cool it off. And of course, we had to reinstall the car seat afterward. Pain in the butt does not even begin to describe that experience. And then we couldn't stop anymore after that because we didn't want to do that all over again. Well, and we didn't have an ice box readily available on the road. This Seat Chiller would have been a life saver. Even if you don't live in the dessert or plan on visiting one, we all know how hot car seats can get even on a semi-hot day. Besides, it just isn't comfortable for our precious little tots! You put the chiller in the freezer and lay it over the seat and buckles until it cools to your liking then you take if off before seating your tot. You can also use this to cool yourself, I plan on laying on this to calm back inflammation. At Baby Dagny for $30, comes in blue, green and purple.

Here is the perfect alternative to having to throw a blanket over your car seat on a cold and windy day. My super fabulous stylist friend, Leslie Rutherford told me about this. This cover fits snugly on any car seat and is super cute! There is even a peep window for you to check on your tot without a disturbance. Blankets on a car seat can be tricky especially on the handle when you're carrying it - you do not want to risk any mishaps! They're really well made and conceptualized which is obvious in all the little details. These comes in a variety of colors and patterns in either Fleece or Flannel for $89 at Babbaco. My favorite is the Beep Beep design that looks like a little VW bug!

Getting your first car seat or needing to upgrade to a bigger seat? Even if that is in the near future, I would get in on this sale now! Amazon is discounting almost all Britax car seats. I have 2 Britax Boulevard seats for my 2 tots - they are pricey but I cannot imagine compromising on something as important as this. Now is your chance to buy some peace of mind and save some cash on the most important gear for your tot. Check out Amazon's extensive Britax selection. Offer expires Feb. 15th at 11:59pm EST.

Seriously, the hardest part of traveling with little tots is the car seat situation. For my long haul from LA to Taipei, I got a seat for my 16 month old but that meant bringing on her giant, really heavy Britax. Once in Taipei, we took a quick 1 1/2 hour flight to Hong Kong so I opted for the lap. Did you know you still have to pay for lap babies on international flights? It is about 25% of the price of an adult ticket, which is ridiculous since they weigh less than your average suitcase. Anyway, on my flight to Hong Kong the flight attendant gave me a seat belt extender that attached to my seat belt then went around the baby like a normal seat belt. This is much safer than just holding with your arms - and you should NEVER belt the baby in with you, in the event of a mishap, you will crush your baby!! Or what if you fall asleep and let go of the baby accidentally? I have never seen this when traveling domestically so when I got home I started researching to find something similar but I found something way better! This works the same way, it attaches to your seat belt but it has an entire vest harness instead of a single lap belt so it distributes the impact over the entire torso. You can rest easier knowing that if you fall asleep, your baby will be happily tethered to you! Makes a great gift for the family on the go. The Baby B'Air Flight Vest Travel Harness is $25.95 at Amazon.com.

We all know that traveling is a pain in the neck with tots in tow but by far the worst part is dragging and lugging the car seats around!! And I have the giant Britax Boulevard which is the heaviest car seat on the market. Obviously, I was not taking traveling into consideration when buying that model. Now that my older daughter is over 38" and 30 pounds, I opted for an easier travel car seat, the Compass Folding Adjustable Ultimate Booster Car Seat, $79.99 at Amazon. It is a dream to travel with! First of all, it is ultra light and it folds over to be super compact. It is a booster seat so it uses the shoulder/lap belt on a car, which means no sweating and nail breaking installation! But my reason for getting this is the same reason I opted for the Britax, it is the safest booster car seat on the market. This is the highest crash tested booster seat with side impact protection. It has EPS foam, two retractable cup holders and triple layer padding for ultimate comfort. This will fit tots until they are out of booster seats so I am set for car seats. I am on a trip to Taiwan where going to visit family is a daily activity but everyone takes cabs here. I just grab this and go and since I am visiting family, I just leave the seat with them for the day until I am ready to head out again. Even when I get home, this is great as a secondary car seat for family members who take my tot out or even when I am picking up other kids for a playdate. The The First Years Carry Bag For Compass Booster is $18.31 and an absolute must for travel.