Product Reviews

Bath time for baby just isn’t quite complete without a little rubber ducky to play with.  Unfortunately, many of the rubber duckies on the market are made of very hard plastic that not only makes it difficult for baby to hold onto, but the plastic may be unsafe. 

I received a few different rubber duckies at my baby shower, and one stands above the rest.  It’s the Original Rubber Duck.  The thing I disliked about the other rubber duckies I received is that they weren’t made from rubber at all, but rather a very hard plastic.  My baby had a hard time grabbing onto these ducks.  The Original Rubber Duck is exactly what it says it is, made from 100% natural rubber.  There aren’t any unsafe plastic chemicals hiding out in it anywhere that you have to worry about.  On top of that, the rubber is so soft and pliable that my son has been able to grab onto it and hang onto it ever since he learned to reach for things.  Since it is soft, it is great for chewing on as well.  He plays with it non-stop every time he gets a bath. I also love the simple, classic look of the duck. 

I’m definitely into the Original Rubber Duck and so is my son!  It’s cute, it’s soft, and it’s safe!

The Diaper Champ by Baby Trend is one of the few popular options of diaper pails on the market, along with the Diaper Genie and Diaper Dekor.  After spending a lot of time comparing these three styles of diaper pails, I decided on the Diaper Champ, mainly because they don’t require purchasing special bags.  Just a standard trash bag or even plastic grocery bag can be used.  I thought that this fact alone made the Diaper Champ superior and more economical than the other diaper pail brands. 

Here are the specifics of the Diaper Champ.  The pail basically comes in two main pieces that are easily fit together after purchase: the rotating lid with piston on the top and the diaper-storing chamber at the bottom.  A tall, 13 gallon garbage bag fits great, but used shopping bags can also be used.  Bags can easily be inserted and full diaper bags removed by the push of button to access the storage chamber.  The pail is mostly white and can be purchased with either blue or pink edging, which is a fun option for parents who want the pail to match the nursery.  The Diaper Champ holds up to 30 dirty diapers and retails for about $30.  It also comes in a standard or deluxe model.

After having used the diaper pail for 6 months, there are a lot of things I like about it.  It is extremely simple to use.  Just place the diaper in the opening at the top, rotate the handle, and the weight of the piston drops the diaper into the bag.  There is very minimal contact with you and the diaper, which is great since other diaper pails require you to shove a diaper into the bag itself.  The diaper can also easily be disposed of using only one hand, which is great when you need the other to hold onto baby.  The price was great compared to the other diaper pails and I loved using the scented tall trash bags to help combat any extra odors.  For the first few months, I didn’t notice a problem with any odors and I was extremely happy with it.

However, this fact changed when my son started on solid foods at about 5 months of age.  After exclusively breastfeeding up until this point, the odor of his stools definitely changed with the start of solid foods.  As I continued to use the diaper pail, I found that the odors from the dirty diapers did leak out into the rest of the room, forcing us to start disposing of the dirty diapers outside in our main garbage bin.  I still am able to use the pail for wet diapers, but not dirty diapers.  Considering that it is only good for wet diapers at this point, we might as well could have just purchased a regular small garbage can and not a diaper pail for the nursery and saved a little bit of money. 

Here is a quick breakdown of the pros and cons of the Diaper Champ:

Pros:  Easy, one-handed use, doesn’t require special bags, cheaper purchase price compared to other diaper pails, color options available

Cons:  Odors leak when baby starts solid foods

Knowing what I know now, I’m not sure I would have made this purchase, but would have rather just bought a small, regular trash can for the nursery and save the money.  The Diaper Champ did work great at the beginning, but now it is simply not necessary.  Maybe you have or will have better luck with the Diaper Champ.

Have you or someone you know used the Diaper Champ?  What do you/they think about it?

I’ve seen a lot of advertisements in magazines and on the internet for Johnson’s Bedtime Bath and the claim that it will not only help your baby fall asleep faster, but will also help them sleep longer.  To any parent who has a baby that has trouble falling asleep and sleeping through the night, this may sound pretty compelling.  However, just reading their advertisement gets the logical side of my brain second-guessing their claims.  It just seems too good to be true. 

I decided to investigate a little more, having not actually tried the product myself, yet.  I started by going to the maker’s themselves at Johnson’s.  It says right on their description of the product that it’s “clinically proven to help babies fall asleep easier and sleep through the night better.”  As I read this, my brain is interpreting it as, “Just buy our magic potion, use it on baby every night, and all of your sleep problems will be instantly solved.”  There has to be a catch, and there is.  Read carefully and you will see that Johnson’s is actually saying that doing a bedtime routine every night is actually what helps baby fall asleep faster and sleep better, not the product itself. 

Now let me clarify, I have nothing against Johnson’s.  In fact, I use their baby products more than any other and I’m sure their Bedtime Bath line is great.  I just hope that people aren’t mislead into thinking that buying their Bedtime Bath product alone will make their baby sleep better.  A good and consistent bedtime routine is essential, and I would bet to say a good routine will make good sleep habits whether you have a specific nighttime bath formula to use or not. 

Although I already have a working bedtime routine with my baby already, I plan on trying Johnson’s Bedtime Bath just to be able to compare it to their other products.  The official review will be in the works.

If you would like more information on creating a bedtime routine for your baby, read about how to teach your baby to fall asleep on their own.

What is your experience with Johnson’s Bedtime Bath?

Glass bottles are making a strong comeback to the baby bottle scene.  Since the introduction of plastic baby bottles, glass had become more of a rarity, but now with BPA and other chemical scares, some parents are choosing glass over plastic.  One of the most prominent glass baby bottles on the market today is the Evenflo Classic Glass Nurser.  And ‘classic’ is definitely the best word to describe them.  Evenflo has been manufacturing glass baby bottles for over 70 years and boasts that they always have been, and always will be, BPA-free. 

After starting the first few months of my son’s life using the Breastflow bottle only to be disappointed, we made the decision to abandon the Breastflow and try something completely different.  After spending a lot of time researching different bottles and keeping in mind we wanted something reasonably priced, I decided to give the Evenflo glass bottles a try. 

Here are the specifics of the Evenflo Classic Glass Nursers:

The bottle itself is made of clear, chemical-free glass and comes in both four and eight ounce sizes.  They come with a  plastic collar, a sealing disc for milk storage, a white nipple protector, and are available with either silicone or latex nipples.  The opening is standard in size and can be paired with many other brands of standard-sized nipples.  These bottles are very basic and simple, hence, what makes them classic.  There are no special valves, vents, or extra parts that need to be cleaned.  The nipples vent by using Micro Air Vents as opposed to some of the more complicated, and expensive, bottle venting systems on the market today.  The volume is marked on the side of the bottle with clear, raised glass.  The bottles are also available with a Cozy sleeve, a BPA-free, removable sleeve that helps insulate the bottle.  The sleeves come in a number of colors and have small raised bumps to help baby with gripping.  The sleeves feature a double-loop system to easily apply and remove from the bottle.  There are also other brands of sleeves available that fit the Evenflo bottles, such as Siliskins.

What originally attracted me to the bottles was their simplicity.  I was tired of the extra parts involved in the Breastflow bottles and wanted to avoid anything like them in the next bottle I chose.   I also disliked how the plastic bottles developed a permanent haze and scratched easily and had read that glass bottles held up best overall.  We seemed to find the perfect fit for what we were looking for in the Evenflo glass bottles and, at roughly $2 a piece, was willing to give them a try. 

My son was about three months old when we first used them, and I was pretty nervous since he was used to the larger Breastflow nipple.  To my surprise, he latched on and drank the entire bottle with no problems.  The Evenflo nipple never gave us any problems with nipple confusion either, and he had no problem switching between breastfeeding and bottle feeding, which I was kind of anxious about.  The bottle vents very well, despite the fact that there is no special venting system or parts, and we had no problems with excess gas or fussiness after feeding. 

What I love the most about these bottles besides their simplicity is their durability.  They clean up very easily and still look as new as the day I bought them.  I can use a bottle brush on them and there is never any scratching and they wash perfectly in the dishwasher.  I have dropped them a number of times on our wood floor and none have broken or even chipped.  I know that these bottles will last until my son grows out of them, and will be just as good for any future children. 

Another great thing about Evenflo glass bottles is that they hold the temperature of the milk very well.  The thickness of the glass helps keep milk warm longer, and even moreso with an added sleeve.  The sleeves also add some flair to an otherwise plain bottle.  Baby will love the bumpy texture and bright colors as well.  My son has had no issues learning to hold the bottle on his own, despite the fact they are heavier than plastic.  The sleeves are also dishwasher safe and I have washed them without removing them from the glass with no problems. 

These bottles are also great for breastfeeding.  Glass is one of the best options for storing frozen breastmilk and these bottles come with sealing disc to make it easy.  Evenflo glass bottles will also hook directly into any style of Medela breast pump.

One of the few issues I have had with the bottle is the nipple collapsing, which I soon found was due to the way I screwed on the collar.  When the collar is screwed on too tightly, the Micro Air Vents built into the nipple can’t vent, so the nipple collapses.  A simple loosening of the collar immediately fixes the problem.  You will know the bottle is venting correctly when you see air bubbles flowing upward into the bottle while baby feeds.  The only other issue I’ve had with one of the bottles is the nipple cracking.  It only has happened to one nipple, but it is worth mentioning.  Because they are glass, there is always the possibility of them breaking or cracking, and they are heavier than most bottles.

Here is a quick breakdown of the pros and cons of these bottles:

Pros: Simple and classic, very easy to clean, no residue build-up, durable, chemical-free, hold temperature of liquid, compatible with insulated sleeves, standard neck size fits multiple brands of nipples, Medela breast pump compatible, great for breast milk storage, inexpensive

Cons: Possibility of breaking, heavier than plastic, nipple may collapse, nipple may crack

Overall, I am extremely into the Evenflo glass bottles and wish we would have started with them versus the Breastflow bottles.  I am convinced they are one of the best bottles out there, and they also happen to be one of the cheapest.  Give the Evenflo Classic Glass Nurser a try.  I don’t think you’ll regret it.

What do you think about Evenflo’s Glass Nursers?

Many parents are avoiding certain plastics not only in baby bottles, but also in toys and the feeding supplies they use.  A friend of mine who is very into using only natural and organic baby products bought the Bambu baby bowl and spoon and fork utensil set for us to use.  Now that we’ve used it for a couple of months, I have a definite idea of what I like and dislike about them.

First of all, I’ll give you the details.  I specifically have and use the Bambu 4-1/2 inch diameter Mini Me bowl in Naked, which simply means it is the natural bamboo color.  This particular bowl also comes coated in blue, kiwi (shown left), spice or bubble gum.  These bowls are hand shaped from organic bamboo and are extremely smooth to the touch.  You don’t have to worry about splinters.  They are also very light-weight.  The bowls are coated with a safe lacquer that makes them waterproof and able to hold hot or cold foods.  However, they are not dishwasher safe and should not be left to soak in water for a long period of time.  Clean up is easy with a quick rinse in soapy water and towel dry. 

After using the bowl for over two months, there are a lot of things I like about it.  First of all, I love the way it looks.  I love the natural look of the wood.  It is very different from any other baby feeding product I’ve seen and it is plain-and-simply cute.  Although I’m not the type of person who avoids plastics for my baby at all costs, I do like the fact that it is made from a completely natural substance.  This next one might surprise you, but I actually like the fact that it isn’t dishwasher safe.  This requires that I wash it immediately after my son eats, which means it is ready to go for his next feeding, always.  I have used the bowl for both hot and cold foods, and it hasn’t caused any chipping, splintering, or peeling in all of it’s use.  I love the depth of the bowl. It seems deeper than most baby bowls I’ve seen.  And I love how light and compact it is.  Another great thing is that when baby outgrows using this bowl, it can easily be used in the future for snacks, or even as a prep bowl.

The only thing I say I might dislike about it is the cost.  They retail for over $10 for one bowl, which is kind of steep.  However, considering the quality, function, and safety of it, I think it is worth it.

As far as the feeding utensils, a Bambu baby utensil set is available, which includes a fork and a spoon.  The set is made of the same organic bamboo as the bowl.  There are only natural wood colors available.  They are 5 inches long and each has a curved handle to make it comfortable to hold.  Again, the utensils are completely smooth and light-weight.

Many of the things I like about the utensils are similar to that of the bowl; completely natural, light-weight, and easy to clean.  I also like that the bamboo  is easier on a baby’s sensitive gums as opposed to using a metal spoon or fork.  Their handles are thick and curved and make it easy and comfortable to hold.

Probably what I dislike the most about the utensil set (besides the price) is that the actual fork or spoon area that baby eats from seems a little large.  Although my son had no problem eating off the end of the spoon when he was four and five months old, it is a little bit more bulky than a lot of spoons out there.  Also, the tines on the fork are big and somewhat dull, so if you’re planning on using them to spear a hard piece of food, it may be a little more difficult than using a traditional fork.  However, I think this adds to its safety.

Overall, I have loved my Bambu bowl and utensils, and I plan on purchasing more when the need is there.  I am very into Bambu!

Have you ever used Bambu?  What do you think?

For moms planning on breastfeeding and supplementing with a bottle, there are a number of options for breastfeeding-friendly bottles.  One of the very popular and highly-advertised bottles is the Breastflow Bottle by The First Years.  The manufacturer claims that these bottles come as close to natural feeding as possible, using a unique double-nipple system that requires both compression and suction to cause milk flow.  The bottle is supposed to help make the transition between breastfeeding and bottle-feeding seamless.  They are made of BPA-free plastic, are a wide-mouthed design, and come in five and nine-ounce sizes.

I have personally used the bottles for a few months with my son.  I planned on breastfeeding before he was born and did a lot of research as to what the best bottle would be to supplement.  Overall, the Breastflow bottles get great reviews, so I decided on these.  I first introduced a bottle to him when he was three weeks old.  To my surprise, he took the bottle immediately and had no problems finishing it.  We had also tried the Medela bottles that came with my pump, but he would not take to it.  The Breastflow bottles were superior in this way.  Over the months that I used the Breastflow bottles, there were no problems with nipple confusion when I’d switch between breast and bottle.  I thought they were the perfect bottle and recommended them to my friends.  At this point the only thing I did not like about them was having the extra nipples to clean.

However, once my son reached about three months old, I started noticing some problems.  The outer nipple would collapse every time he fed with it, no matter how tight or loose the nipple ring was placed.  The shape and design of the outer nipple made it impossible for him to make a seal with his mouth when it collapsed, making his feeding long and frustrating for him.  I also noticed that the bottles were building up a permanent haze that could not be removed with washing, which is common for plastic bottles.  I finally got frustrated enough with collapsing nipple and decided to go with a completely different bottle, the Evenflo Glass Nurser.

Here is a quick breakdown of the pros and cons of these bottles.

Pros: Easy for baby to latch, mimics breastfeeding, wide-mouthed opening makes it easy to add liquids or powder, cute design, BPA-free

Cons: Double-nipple means more parts to clean, film builds up on plastic, nipple collapses, bottle doesn’t fit Medela breast pumps

Despite the fact that I had a bad experience in the end, there are definitely some good things about the Breastflow bottle.  I was definitely into it at first, but later we had to make a change.  Maybe the Breastflow bottle will work for you and your baby.

If you’re trying to make a decision on a bottle for your baby, please read this article on glass versus plastic baby bottles.

What do you think about the Breastflow bottle?

The best burp cloth, as a matter of fact, isn’t a burp cloth at all!  I’ve tried the flannel and terry cloth varieties, and they’ve all been one big, non-absorbent disappointment.  I was discussing this with my sister, and she recommended using cloth diapers as a burp rag.  Yes, I said cloth diapers!  She gave me some that she had on hand and I haven’t turned back since!  Specifically, they are the Gerber pre-fold cloth diapers.

So what is so great about them?  First of all, they are large.  They will easily cover your entire shoulder with room to spare, so no worrying about baby missing the mark.  Even better is their thickness.  Since they are made to be used as diapers, they are much thicker than your typical burp cloth.  If your baby spits up a lot, it will do a great job absorbing it instead of letting it run right through the material.  The material is much more durable than flannel and terry cloth burp rags, but it is still soft and pliable. 

I also love that the cloth diapers can be used for other purposes.  I use them on a daily basis when I feed my son cereal.  I tuck them into his shirt to make a bib and it covers his entire chest and lap, unlike a typical bib which just protects his chest.  I don’t have a problem with food getting on his clothes when I use the cloth diaper.  I also use these for a simple drool/runny nose cloth.  Once again, the absorbency of these cloths work great to wipe the face off because it doesn’t just smear around the wetness on his face. 

If you are the type of person that fashion is more important than function, consider purchasing some decorative trim from a craft store and sewing two strips along each side for trim.  It’s a simple and inexpensive way to dress up a basic cloth diaper and you don’t have to sacrifice fashion for function.

Don’t waste your time on other burp cloths and give these old-fashioned cloth diapers a try!

There are a million different baby products out there on the market and sometimes it’s seems hard and almost impossible to decide what is going to be best for baby.  Just go stand in the baby bottle aisle at your favorite retailer and see how many choices of this product alone there are to choose from.  It can be downright overwhelming to pick something as simple as what to feed your baby with, especially if you’re new to the baby scene.  There are so many options to choose from, from vented to wide-mouthed to drop-ins to double-nippled.  How is one going to make sense of it all and decide what is best for baby, and secondly, best for you.

In this particular article, I’m going to address just one basic component of the bottle; what it’s made of.  The most common types of bottles are made of either glass or BPA-free plastic.  Are you trying to decide between the two?  I personally have used both glass and plastic, so I will give a break down of what I liked and disliked about each and conclude which I like the best.

First of all, the plastic bottle I first used for my son was the Breastflow bottle by First Years.  The makers of this bottle claim that it helps support breastfeeding by mimicking the feel and flow of a breast.  My son took to it right away and had no problems switching back and forth between bottle and breast.  I also have used the plastic bottles that came with my Medela Freestyle breast pump, mainly for milk storage.  So what did I like best about using plastic bottles?  Probably what attracts most moms to plastic; I liked that I didn’t have to worry about them breaking when dropped.   As baby gets older and is able to hold his own bottle, it will be nice to know that the dropped bottle won’t have a chance of shattering.  It’s a safety thing.  No one wants to put baby in harms way.  Another plus is that plastic is light-weight.  When hauling around a diaper bag on your shoulder a good part of the day, it’s nice to have the lightest items possible, and plastic obviously wins in this respect.

So what are the disadvantages of plastic?  At first I didn’t notice so it so much, but the more I used the bottles, they seemed to form a permanent film on the inside that cannot be removed with scrubbing.  To make things worse, scrubbing oftentimes scratches the bottle.  Plastic is very susceptible to scratches and dings.  For those of you who are clean freaks and perfectionists, you will probably not like the way your once perfect bottles look after a couples months or even weeks of use.  Also, plastic bottles like to bounce around the dishwasher for those who like to wash their bottles in this fashion.  Another disadvantage of plastic is the possible  leaking of chemicals when the bottles are warmed.  By now we have all heard of the BPA scare, a chemical that used to be in plastic baby bottles that was afraid to cause a number of hormone issues in rats and possibly humans.  Yes, BPA has now been removed from plastic baby bottles, but who is to say that there isn’t another possibly harmful chemical in the plastic that we don’t know about yet?  Plastic definitely has it’s drawbacks.

Now to evaluate glass.  I have also used the Evenflo classic glass nursers.  They are a basic glass bottle, with no bells or whistles, for a very reasonable price.  My son has had no problem with their design.  One of the biggest advantages to glass is clean-ability.  There never is, and never will be, any built up residue from milk, even after months of use.  Every time they are cleaned they come out looking as good as the day you bought them.  They are also scratch resistant.  You can use a bottle brush on them all you want and there will be no scratching.  Another advantage with glass is that you don’t have to worry about any chemicals leaking into the milk, which is an added bonus to parents out there who are extra careful about what is put into baby’s body.  Glass also holds heat longer than plastic, so warmed milk keeps its temperature longer.

The disadvantages to glass are quite obvious.  Glass is heavy, and glass is breakable.  Babies using glass bottles may have a little more trouble learning to hold their own bottle since it is heavier for them to hold.  And of course glass always has the ability to break, although most glass bottles are made heavy duty and don’t break very readily.  Silicone bottle sleeves are also available to protect bottles from breaking.

Having personally used both glass and plastic bottles, I have found that I am most into glass bottles.  Although they are not perfect, I love the fact that they are perfectly clean and perfectly safe for baby.  I haven’t had a dropped bottle break yet and I love their classic simplicity. 

I would recommend, for those who are unsure of whether glass or plastic is best, to try out both and decide what works best for your baby and your lifestyle.  Clearly there are advantages and disadvantages to both glass and plastic.  What is best for baby, and you, is what features you place as the most important.  There really is no right or wrong answer.  Just find what is right for you and your baby.

Read in-depth reviews on the Breastflow bottle and Evenflo Glass Nursers right now!

Do you prefer glass or plastic baby bottles?  Why?

One of my friends bought the funniest chew toy I’ve ever seen for my son, but it turned out to be the best!  It’s the Vulli Chan Pie Gnon natural rubber teether, and it’s everything a baby could ever want in a chew toy.  It’s narrow neck and soft rubber body makes it very easy for baby to hang onto, even when they are just learning to grasp objects.  The cute mushroom shape is fun for little baby gums to chomp on, and they will especially love the large bump on top of the mushroom’s head to suck on.  When squeezed it lets out a soft squeak which makes baby laugh.  Plus its little eyes and freckles make it so cute!  It is by far the most liked chew toy for my baby, and I’m sure yours!  They also make one with a loop and one with two bumps on the head for different textures.  Try it out!  I’m sure your baby will be into it!