Quiz: Finding Your Perfect High Chair

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On the hunt for your perfect high chair? Take our quiz to help you narrow down the field and find the best high chair for your babe.

Be sure to keep track of how many A’s, B’s, C’s and D’s you score!

The Quiz:

1. My kitchen:

a) holds all my kitchen gadgets. And there are a lot of them.

b) is tiny. I barely have any room!

c) blends seamlessly with the style and décor of the rest of my house.

d) is spotless. I don’t like anything cluttering up the counters.

 

2. My ideal high chair would:

a) adjust as my baby grows and keep him entertained all through dinner so I can eat!

b) fold up and out of the way when I’m not using it.

c) get ohhs and awwws from visitors.

d) be self-cleaning. Is that possible?

 

3. My diaper bag is:

a) an oversized bag that holds wipes, diapers, snacks and more! Everything my baby or I might need when out and about.

b) a compact clutch that holds just the bare essentials.

c) a chic, designer diaper bag with a modern silhouette.

d) super organized. Everything has its own pocket or pouch and I never have to dig for my cell phone.

 

4. When shopping for a high chair, my biggest concern is:

a) how many adjustments it has.

b) if it will fit into my kitchen.

c) how it looks.

d) how easy it is to clean.

 

5. My ideal stroller:

a) reclines, has a large canopy, toy clip, bumper bar and snack holder.

b) folds up compactly.

c) makes a fashion statement.

d) has a washable seat cushion.

 

6. When I have friends over for dinner, I’d like them to:

a) be impressed with all the features of the high chair.

b) not have to maneuver around the high chair.

c) notice how well the high chair coordinates with my house.

d) not find smashed peas on the high chair.

 

7. I’m most interested in a high chair that:

a) has height adjustments, seat recline, a footrest and tray compartments.

b) has a small footprint.

c) will look nice in my kitchen.

d) has a tray that will fit in my dishwasher.

 

Now….Add up your A’s, B’s, C’ and D’s, and read on to help you find the perfect high chair for you!

Mostly A’s: Feature Happy
You love gears, gadgets and gizmos! You’re looking for a high chair that is more than just a seat for junior, but can adapt, entertain, and grow with your child. You’ll be swayed by high chairs that have lots of things to adjust, come with interesting trays and those that have useful extras like storage baskets underneath, pockets on the back or can transform from a high chair into a booster.

Try: Peg Perego Siesta can be used from birth up to toddlerhood, has a rubber storage net on the back of the sear for holding bibs, reclines 150° for infants and offers 45 different possible positions.

 

Mostly B’s: Space-Saver
You’re looking for baby gear that is compact and won’t add clutter to your life or house. High chairs that have a small footprint, fold up and have a simple, streamlined design are your best fit. If your need a high chairs that fold up, decide if you need it to be free-standing when folded – not all are.

Try: Keekaroo Height Right High Chair doesn’t fold up, but has a small footprint and can transform into an adult chair when your child gets older.

 

Mostly C’s: Style Savvy
Design is key when you’re shopping for baby gear. You want your guests to notice your high chair for its chic style, not its sloppy space grab. You lean towards modern shapes and stand-out colors that will get your high chair noticed – for all the right reasons.

Try: The Boon Flair has vibrant colors and a unique pneumatic lift that is sure to garner attention.

 

Mostly D’s: Clean Machine
Kids = messes, but you try your hardest to keep things as neat and tidy as possible. You look for baby gear that is easy to wash, wipe down, launder, or hose off. Your ideal high chair will have no crevices for crumbs to hide and have a wipeable or washable seat cushion.

Try: The Phil and Teds Poppy high chair has no seams to hide stray cereal and a one-piece, wipeable tray for extra easy clean-up.

 

Midwife or OBGYN? Doula? How to find the best practitioner(s) for your pregnancy.

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Trying to decide between an OB/GYN or midwife, considering a doula? Here we explain the differences and share tips from moms about how they decided. The most important thing of all? Finding a practitioner who you trust and who listens to you.

OB/GYN
Description: An OB/GYN is a primary health care professional trained in both obstetrics and gynecology that allows the physician to provide complete care for a woman’s reproductive system including pregnancy, labor and delivery.

Duties: prenatal care; family planning; sonograms; pap smears; delivery; Cesarean sections; other gynecological surgeries

Certifications: OB/GYNs must receive their M.D. from an accredited medical school, complete a 4-year residency program, pass the United States Medical Licensing Exam and be certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG).

Covered by insurance: Usually

Midwife
Description: A midwife is a primary health care professional that provides care during labor and delivery at a hospital, birthing center or the mother’s home. Midwives that are appropriately licensed can also help with family planning and perform gynecological exams and prenatal visits.

Duties: prenatal visits, sonograms, gynecological exams, family planning, labor and delivery at home or a hospital, newborn care.

Certifications: There are a variety of certifications for midwives.

Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM): trained and licensed in both nursing and midwifery. CNMs must have a bachelor’s degree and be licensed by the American College of Nurse Midwives. Because of the additional nursing license, CNMs can provide the greatest breadth of care.

Certified Midwife (CM): trained and certified in midwifery. CMs must have a bachelor’s degree and be certified by the American College of Nurse Midwives.

Direct-Entry Midwife (DEM): trained in midwifery through a college program, midwifery school, independent study, or apprenticeship.

Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs): trained and certified by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM).

Covered by insurance: Can be. Check with your insurance provider to see if there are member midwives in your area.

Find a midwife in your area

Doula
Description: A doula acts as an assistant to the mother, providing non-medical support. Doulas can be used in conjunction with OBGYNs or midwives. Birth doulas provide support during the labor and birthing process; postpartum doulas provide support for the baby and mother in the days and weeks following the delivery.

Duties: provide information, emotional support, and physical comfort; help fulfill the birth plan; act as a liaison between a mother, her partner and medical practitioners; provide breastfeeding education; assist with newborn care; help the family transition; teach newborn soothing techniques.

Certifications: There is no required training to practice as a doula, however it is wise to look for a doula that has been certified through an organization such as DONA International [http://www.dona.org] or CAPPA Academy [http://www.cappa.net/].

Covered by insurance: Not usually

Find a doula in your area

Why I Chose A…

Midwife
“We used a midwife with both of our kids. Our first was born at a birth center and the second was born at home. I wanted a med-free birth, but knew I was not strong enough to say no to them if they were available! We also wanted a more personal connection with the person delivering our child. We were ecstatic with our decision both times. I loved that I didn’t have to wait in a waiting room for each appointment and that my prenatal visits felt like therapy sessions. My midwives know my name, my husband’s name, where we live, my kids’ names, even my dog’s name! This is priceless to me – the fact that someone who is seeing such an intimate side of my life really knows me.” – Danielle A.

OB/GYN
“I decided to go with my doctor, mostly because he is the most laid back doctor, and from the moment I met him, he made me feel like this was all under control. He also made me feel like I was the one in control of the situation, and we’d be working as a team.  I also liked that he wasn’t pushing drugs on me or trying to hurry up the process, which unfortunately can sometimes be the case. I’m really happy with my decision. Mostly I’m glad because my doctor is top notch, and had something gone awry, I knew that medically, I was in good hands. For me, knowing that I was in a medical facility, under my doctor’s care in the case of an emergency, I knew I would be attended to quickly.” – Suzuette M.

Doula
“I hired a doula for my first baby. During our birthing class, my husband suddenly felt we needed more support in the delivery room. I happily agreed out of fear that he would pass out when I needed him most! It ended up being a great decision and I accredit my wonderful birthing experience to her.  I was most concerned about peace of mind and a positive, natural birth. I needed reassurance that someone was there to help me make decisions and advocate for me. My doula and I met on several occasions during my pregnancy and I totally trusted her. I did pay out of pocket and would gladly do so again. I loved my experience and am so grateful for the way it played out.” -Annie V

And remember…

It doesn’t always go as planned
“I was prepared to go the all-natural route and saw midwives throughout my entire pregnancy. However, at the last minute, I ended up needing a C-section and was so thankful that my midwives were associated with an excellent OBGYN. In the end, I felt like I was in great hands with my midwives and great hands with the doctor who performed my surgery. My insurance covered all because my midwives were under the OBGYN’s practice.” -Adrienne M.

It’s more about the person than the title
“I chose a midwife at a birth center for my first child. I was afraid of medical interventions, and I chose the option that I thought would minimize the chances of interventions. Complications with that pregnancy and with my second pregnancy led me to an OB for my second child. My experience showed me that it’s less about what type of practitioner you have, and instead the practitioner themselves. There are fantastic midwives and midwives that will throw you to the surgeons. Same goes for OBs. My amazing OB helped me have an unmedicated VBAC and was always completely supportive.” – Jessica L.

 

Win a Peg Perego Primo Viaggio convertible car seat for newborns and toddlers!

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The Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 5-70 convertible seat (MSRP $329.99) takes your child from infancy through toddlerhood by converting from a rear-facing to a forward-facing premium car seat.

Win a Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP 5-70 convertible car seat

About the seat

  • Rear-facing from 5-pound newborn up to 45 pounds or 30 inches

  • Forward-facing up to 70 pounds or 49 inches

  • Includes padded infant insert for better fit and comfort

  • Strap holders on side of seat make it easy to sit child in seat

  • Premium soft jersey fabric lining seat interior is easy to clean, breathable and absorbs moisture

  • FAA-approved for use in aircraft

  • Use LATCH straps in rear or forward facing for secure installation

  • One-hand adjust on the harness / headrest with 10 height positions; no re-threading of straps

  • Side Impact Protection protects child’s head, neck and spine

  • Energy-absorbing foam, Expanded Poly Styrene, in shell and head panel protects child’s head and torso from impact forces.

  • A Shock Absorbing Foam Element device located below the shell crumples upon impact, reducing stress on child’s neck and shoulders in the event of a crash.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY BY
May 31, 2013 @ 11:59PM (EASTERN)


How to Select the Right Baby Monitor

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You might think that the purpose of a baby monitor is to watch your baby sleep, but the real purpose is to let you sleep. If you have a way to hear or see when your infant needs assistance, then you can hopefully try to grab some shut-eye of your own without worrying you won’t be there if junior needs you. Here’s what you need to know before you make a baby monitor purchase.

Types of Baby Monitors

Audio Monitors: Audio baby monitors allow you to hear your baby while in another part of the house.

Video Monitors: Video baby monitors allow you to both see and hear your infant. Video monitors may be in black and white or color.

Wi-Fi Remote-View Monitors:  This latest addition to the monitor scene, Wi-Fi baby monitors use a camera, smart phone or tablet to monitor your child and allow you to access the feed via the Internet or an app.

Movement Monitors: The purpose of movement monitors is to track the minute movements your child makes while sleeping and alert you if these movements stop. Some movement monitors come with audio or video monitoring as well.

Key Features: More is not always better. Decide which features are the most practical and useful to help you keep an eye (or ear) on your baby.

Analog vs. Digital: Both analog and digital baby monitors transmit via a radio frequency.The difference is that digital baby monitors encrypt this signal so that other people with baby monitors or other receiving devices can’t pick up the signal. Digital baby monitors are a bit more expensive, but they do prevent you from hearing another person’s baby crying on your baby monitor – a bit freaky.

Frequency, Reception & Interference: Different electronic devices in your home utilize different frequency bands – 49 MHz, 2.4GHz, 5.8 GHz, etc. For the clearest reception, look for a monitor that operates on a different frequency than other wireless devices you may have (cell phones, wireless phones, routers, Bluetooth devices, etc.). Keep in mind that depending how close they are, your neighbor’s wireless devices could cause interference too. For the best reception and most secure frequency, look for a baby monitor with DECT or Digital Enhanced Cordless Technology. These baby monitors are more expensive, but use a special 1.9GHz frequency that the Federal Trade Communication set aside for voice-only communications.

Range: Take the range listed on the box with a grain of salt. The advertised range and the actual, real-world-using-it-in-my-house range can often be very different. Your best bet is to focus more on frequency than range and to be sure to keep your receipt in case the monitor you buy can’t even transmit from your upstairs to your downstairs.

Number of handsets: Two handsets can be nice since in your sleep-deprived stupor you may forget where you put one of them, but one handset is usually adequate for most families.

Two-way communication: If you want to do more than just hear or see your baby in the next room, look for a baby monitor with two-way communication. This feature allows you to soothe your baby with “goooooo to sleeeeeep” or “shhhh” without having to go into the room. It can also be handy for catching mischievous toddlers in the act of climbing out of the crib or other no-nos.

Sound lights: Sound lights provide a visual notification of noise, allowing you to see that your baby is crying, even if you’re vacuuming, in a noisy room, or watching The Voice extra loud. With the exception of very inexpensive baby monitors, they should come standard.

Sound activation: While novice parents might think you want to hear your baby all night long, the truth is that the baby monitor picks up all sorts of sounds that do not require your attention – arm flops, contented sighs, sleep giggles, etc. Regular baby monitors will pick up each and every one of these sounds and amplify them into your sleeping ear. Get a baby monitor with sound activation however, and all the inconsequential noises that happen while a baby sleeps won’t disrupt your sleep. But any cry and awake cooing will activate the monitor and let you know that baby is up.

Additional – If you want more bells and whistles, some pricier baby monitors come with temperature read-outs, humidity reports, built-in nightlights, nature sounds or lullabies.

If you’re looking at video monitors, here are some addition features to consider.

Adjustability: Getting the camera in the right spot can be one of the trickiest parts of setting up your video monitor. Be sure to look carefully at how the camera attaches. Does it need a flat surface to stand on? Can it clip onto furniture or shelves? Does it allow you to adjust the height? A camera is useless if you can’t install it in the right position.

Pan, scan and zoom: Video cameras that allow you pan, scan or zoom will offer you greater flexibility to see your child and can be especially helpful as your baby becomes older and more mobile in his crib.

Number of cameras: If you have more than one child (or are planning to), you might want to consider a two-camera video monitor system which allows you to monitor multiple rooms at the same time. There are also single-camera system that allow you to add on additional cameras as needed.

Color, B&W or Infrared night vision: While a video monitor with a color screen will provide a clearer view of your newborn, it will also come with a higher price tag. Do look for a monitor with quality night vision as this is when you’ll be using the baby monitor the most.

Clarity of picture: The image clarity will depend both on the screen size and image resolution. Look for a screen between 2.4” and 3.5”.

 

What to REALLY Pack in your Hospital Bag

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If you visit any parenting website or read any parenting book, there will undoubtedly be a list of what to pack in your hospital bag for delivery day. These lists are very nice, very long, and unfortunately, often very unrealistic. Granted some of you will indeed light your relaxing scented candle, turn up the Enya on your Bluetooth speakers and give birth in a gorgeous, brand new birthing gown. But for the rest of us, here’s what you’ll really want to pack for D-day.

Traditional list: Cute birthing gown, slippers, socks.
Reality check!  FYI – the birthing process is messy. True, hospital gowns are no chic fashion statement, but they get can easily be moved out of the way, they get job done and you don’t care what gets on them. Most hospital also offer socks if your feet get cold during delivery. Some kind of easy on/off footwear like sandals can be helpful if you’re making laps around the delivery ward trying to get your labor going.

Traditional list: Birth announcement envelopes to address
Reality check!  There is a good chance that you may have some downtime while you wait to dilate. But I’m pretty sure that carefully addressing envelopes in between contractions isn’t going to sound like much fun. Instead stash some of your favorite magazines in your bag or keep the TV remote close by. You’ll want something easy, enjoyable and distracting while you wait.

Traditional list: Important papers
Reality check!  This one IS important. Be sure to pack your driver’s license, insurance card, hospital forms, and if you’ve made one, a birth plan.

Traditional list: Electronics
Reality check!  Cell phones, cameras and video cameras are important for capturing those first moments, but be sure to pack chargers or extra batteries too. Definitely not the time you want to run out of power.

Traditional list: iPod and speakers, tennis balls, massage oil, inspirational object, etc.
Reality check!  While it doesn’t hurt to pack these items, there’s a good chance you won’t actually use them. Choose one or two that may have the most impact for you to stash in your bag, but don’t plan on transforming the hospital room into your perfect sanctuary. If the aesthetic of the delivery room is especially important to you, look into giving birth at a delivery center or into home birthing options.

Traditional list: A nursing bra and pads
Reality check!  Your milk won’t come in until 3-4 days after delivery so pads are usually unnecessary as leaking won’t be a problem – yet. Also, until your milk comes in you won’t really know the size your boobs will be so buy a cheap, soft, easy to open/close nursing bra to get you through the first few days. Avoid anything with underwire, lace, or complicated clasps. Learning how to breastfeed can be tricky enough without battling your bra each time too.

Traditional list: Toiletries and hair products
Reality check!  Giving birth is no spa getaway so leave your full toiletry kit at home. Definitely pack some lip balm, your toothbrush, hair ties and those one or two key beauty products (lip gloss, concealer, etc.) that will help make you feel slightly put together when guests drop by to say hello.

Traditional list: Cute post-delivery coming home outfit
Reality check!  Although you’ve just given birth to your baby, you’ll still look pretty pregnant, so leave the skinny jeans at home. Pack a pair of your maternity yoga or sweat pants that are comfy, easy to get on over the post-delivery granny panties you’ll be wearing, and if you’ve had a C-section, can be adjusted to find a comfortable position with your incision.

What did I forget? What were you glad you packed for your delivery day?

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