Archive for March, 2009

Need Some Ideas For Your Baby’s Nursery?

looney-tunes-stickers If you are expecting a baby then you are probably starting to think about decorating the nursery. Baby nurseries should be warm, happy places filled with color and light. There should feel good in the room for both the baby and yourself as you will be spending a lot of your time in there.

When thinking about designing a nursery, look for designs that will last. Remember that your baby will be a toddler before you know it so designing the nursery to suit an older child it is a good idea. A well designed nursery can last until the child is well into school age and beyond with the room only requiring minor conversions.

Baby nurseries change rapidly as children age. Convertible furniture is not only a great way to deal with this change; it will also save you money. Cribs that convert into a toddler’s bed and then eventually into a double bed will suit your child until he or she is a teenager. Another money saver is the purchase of a baby change table that converts into a dresser for storage once your baby has outgrown diapers.

looney-tunes-baby-stickersIf you are thinking of using bold, dramatic colors rather than the traditional pastels, then don’t overdo it. Bolder colors are better suited as trims around skirting boards and window frames rather than dominating the entire room. Choose the lighter colors for walls and ceilings and a nice colorful area rug for the floor. Your nursery should be cozy, warm and inviting – you don’t want anything too dramatic.

The walls can be decorated with wall art and posters of Disney characters or a favorite theme such as Winnie the Pooh, Looney Tunes, Thomas the Tank Engine or Fairies and Teddy Bears. There is a wide range of appropriate wall art available.

Area rugs and curtains can be in contrasting colors or in the same theme as your nursery bedding. The choices are endless and limited only by your imagination and budget.

bronco-billy-crib-set









If you are looking for a western theme for the little cowpoke in your family then cowboy baby bedding and accessories could be just the look you are after.

There are beautiful fabrics available in western designs and colors to create a unique look and feel to your nursery and a western theme will suit your child up until school age.

Western cowboy baby crib sets are available and include a comforter, fitted sheet, bumper and dust ruffle. Crib sets are an economical way of purchasing your baby bedding and you are assured that pieces will all match.

Additional optional extras include cowboy musical mobiles, diaper stackers, lamp shades, window valances and more. You can even purchase throw pillows, baby blankets and high chairs, and all in a cowboy theme.

And don’t forget the addition of a western themed area rug which will add the finishing touch to the nursery.

Cody and the  Bronco Billycrib set plus Musical Mobile are very popular as are denim fabrics with accents of red and navy plaid to create a warm, inviting look and feel to the nursery to delight any toddler.

bugaboo-stroller


The phenomenon known as the Bugaboo stroller or Frog stroller has hit the US market with a bang.  Bugaboo Strollers are a unique product designed by a small Dutch design company in conjunction with a medical doctor to provide the most ergonomically designed stroller for your baby.

A wonderful stroller that easily adjusts to suit your needs and will accommodate your child from babyhood to pre-school. The Bugaboo is designed to fold easily in a compact package and offers a smooth comfortable ride.

The Bugaboo Frog stroller has the following features:

  • Weighs only 19-23 lb.
  • ‘Frog’-like suspension in the small swivel wheels. Allows curbs and bumps to be easily navigated.
  • 3-in-one system for your 0-4 year old child.
  • Detachable front stroller bar
  • Seat adjustable to 3 position reclining seat
  • Two small swiveling wheels for easy city maneuvering
  • Two large terrain wheels for off road
  • Converts to a two wheel position to be pulled on the beach or snow
  • Reversible handlebar
  • Adjustable/reversible/removable seat/bassinet: Can face child or turn to face walking direction
  • All fabrics machine washable
  • 5-Point harness
  • Parking brake near handlebar
  • Underseat bag
  • Generous sun canopy to block sun and elements. Adjust to 3 positions and removable.
  • Rain cover and mosquito net included.
  • Can fold down complete to fit into small trunk.

bugaboo-stroller-completeCustom made accessories: Parasol, foot muff, wheeled board (for older child to stand on), bag clips, diaper bag, transport bag, car seat adaptor for Graco and Peg Perego.

Optional accessories for your Bugaboo stroller include:

  • Umbrella-with UV protection for the summer sun
  • Footmuff/sleeping bag- for those cold days
  • Diaper Bag – can be worn as a backpack or attached to the Bugaboo handle bar. It includes a changing mat, nice pockets for all your baby and personal items and insulated pockets for bottles
  • Wheeled board- fun for your older child (max. weight 44lb) to stand on and ride along
  • Transport bag- great for travel to provide extra protection during travel
  • Bag clips- that can attach to handle bar for light shoppings or to hold a purse
  • Car seat adaptor


How to Choose a Twin Stroller

Twin strollers are a huge help to people who are caring for young children of similar ages and sizes. They also give parents much more mobility when leaving the house with twins.

However, there are two major categories of twin strollers – side-by-side strollers, where the children sit next to each other, and tandem strollers, where one child sits behind the other. If you’re in the market for a new stroller for your twins, it’s important to know the advantages and disadvantages of each model.

This guide will compare the types of twin strollers, and let you decide which style is right for you.

Comfort

Bob Revolution Duallie StrollerBoth side-by-side and tandem twin strollers have advantages and disadvantages in terms of comfort. Many side-by-side strollers, for example, have the option to recline the seats fully, but some require both seats to be at the same angle.

Tandem strollers, on the other hand, allow the seats to be adjusted individually, but oftentimes the front seat cannot recline fully. This would prevent its use with infants under six months old. Another problem when it comes to the comfort of tandem twin strollers is that the baby in the back seat can kick the seat in front or pull the other baby’s hair, which can make for a very unpleasant ride.

Furthermore, the child in the back seat may have limited legroom, and may have his or her view blocked by the front seat.

Maneuverability

Side-by-side twin strollers tend to be less likely to tip when going around turns. However, tandem strollers are easier to maneuver with one hand, which can be helpful if one child is fussy and needs to be carried.

Side-by-side strollers can be difficult to fit through narrow doors or aisles in stores, making shopping a frustrating task.

Whichever model of stroller you select, ergonomic handles made of non-slip materials and wheels that swivel will make maneuvering with twin strollers much simpler.

Portability

bumbleride-indie-twin-strollerTransportation can be an issue when it comes to larger twin strollers. Side-by-side strollers can oftentimes be folded down into a more compact bundle, which is helpful if you need your stroller to fit into the trunk of your car or if you want to be able to store it easily. Side-by-side twin strollers also tend to be more lightweight, making them easier to handle when packing children into or out of a car.

So which model of twin strollers should you choose?

The answer varies from family to family, but this information should put you on the path to making the decision that’s right for you.

BEST PLACES TO SHOP FOR TWIN STOLLERS

One of the best places to shop for twin strollers is Amazon. They have over 100 different double strollers to choose from. CLICK HERE to browse the full range.

Tips and hints for buying a baby crib

A baby crib will be one of the more expensive investments you will make for your baby’s nursery and as you will need it to last for around three years, you want it to be not only safe but also durable.

There are many things to consider when purchasing a crib. This guide will give you a few hints and tips to help with your purchase as well as describe the various cribs available on the market today.

When deciding on a crib, the first decision you will need to make is what shape you want the crib to be. In the past this wasn’t a consideration as generally only traditional rectangular shaped cribs were available. Today you can purchase not only rectangular shaped cribs but also round cribs and corner cribs.

davinici-convertible-baby-cribRound baby cribs are a nice alternative to the traditional shape and round crib bedding is widely available. Corner cribs are a great space saving device for smaller nurseries. They are also suitable for multiple births as they can be placed together quite easily and look stunning.

Safety is always a big concern with baby cribs. Any baby crib sold in the US today should meet specific safety requirements. Be careful when purchasing antique or second-hand cribs as they may not meet these standards.

When shopping for a baby crib, consider the following:

  • The mattress should be adjustable to allow you to lower the height as your baby grows to prevent him or her from climbing out of the crib
  • The mattress should be of good quality and you can choose from foam or innerspring mattresses. See our article on crib mattresses.
  • The slats should be no wider than 2 3/8 inches to keep your baby’s head from getting stuck
  • One or both sides of the baby crib should be able to be lowered to allow you to easily pick up your baby *
  • Think about purchasing a convertible baby crib which will adjust as your toddler ages
  • Consider corner cribs for multiple births

You can see a full range of baby cribs such as the DaVinci Emily Convertible Baby Crib and reviews at Amazon.com

Baby Boy Crib Bedding

There was a time when baby bedding was all flounces and laces and most of it didn’t fit the decor for a baby boy. Not anymore, nowadays there is an enormous range of designs and colors to suit a nursery designed for a baby boy and shopping online makes it even easier to make your bedding purchase.

The hardest thing will be deciding on a theme or design from the wide range available. However, once you have decided on your theme or design, you can purchase baby boy bedding items in sets or separately, depending on your budget.

Purchasing crib bedding sets is a cheaper option and you are generally guaranteed that the items will all match in color.

red-white-blue-vintage-aviator-boy-setSets can be made up of different items such as:

  • Fitted sheets
  • Crib bumpers
  • Ruffles
  • Crib blankets
  • Comforters
  • Quilts

Choose from designs such as Disney characters, always a favorite, Winnie the Pooh and friends, Thomas the Tank Engine, cars and trucks, army, airplanes, animals, circus, ABC as well as tartan and plaids.

Any one of these designs will enhance the nursery and most of the designs will grow with your baby boy right through the early childhood years.

There is also a vast range of accessories available to match the bedding that you have chosen such as lamp shades, valances, diaper stackers etc.

If you have friends who are expecting a baby boy why not buy them a crib bedding as al gift for the christening or baby shower.

Parents will be delighted to receive such a useful and thoughtful gift.

You will find a wide range of baby boy bedding at Amazon.com

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