Baby Bjorn Active Carrier

Product Name: Baby Bjorn Active Carrier
Submitted by: Dana Irwin; St. Louis, MO
Rating: 8
Where to buy: Amazon.com

Description: A front pack carrier for infants through 23 lbs. It straps onto your body so you are hands free. Your baby can face outward or towards you. Has support straps in the back to help distribute the weight.

Review: You mean I can actually do the laundry and take care of a fussy infant all at the same time? Great for hands free productivity! And most babies love it. They get to be close to their caregiver while all snuggly and secure. No assembly required. It is so easy to work. No confusion here. Straps are made so you can put baby down even while they are sleeping and not disturb them. Great design. It is a simple look, not gaudy in design.

This is also good to use when you don't want to take a stroller (ie. on a hike, a craft fair, etc.) The back support strap is great for extra back support. Friends of mind have the original and claim the active carrier is much better because of the support strap. Your back is still a little achy after using it for awhile but I don't know that you can expect anything less...you are lugging some extra weight around. It is an expensive but very good buy if you will get your use out of it.

V-Tech Soft Explorer Mat

Product Name: V-tech Soft Explorer Mat
Submitted by: Michelle Morgan; Leawood, KS
Rating: 9
Where to buy: Amazon.com

Description: This product is an interactive play mat.

Review: The mat is very brightly colored with animal characters. On the mat are a bee, glow worm, frog, bunny and owl. When they are pushed they say their animals name and sound.

On the front is a raise platform with a ladybug, birds (with birdhouse) and butterfly. When spun the ladybug sings a numbers song to go along with numbers that are on her. The birds in the birdhouse wobble back and forth and sing when touched. The butterfly moves up and down and sings.

The control center can either be on song or baby mode. On song mode it talks to baby and sings even when baby is not moving. When on baby mode it reacts to baby's movements.

I bought this for my daughter who hated tummy time. She loved it. It really encouraged her to move around. She especially loved the ladybug who can be spun around. The songs are very cute.

It is very durable and easy to clean. I have washed it a few times and the bright colors have not faded at all.

Criticism: The only bad thing I can say is the mat is a little thin. I have hardwood floors so I put a blanket under it for extra padding.

Bumbo Baby Sitter

Product Name: Bumbo Baby Sitter
Submitted by: Melanie Triplett; St. Paul, MN
Rating: 4
Where to buy: Amazon.com

Description: The Bumbo Baby Sitter is a unique type of baby chair or booster seat. It's made of foam-like material and comes in a variety of colors. The chair is round and in the middle of the baby’s legs is a divider somewhat like a saddle horn. The seat portion of the chair is somewhat lower than the leg holes so that the baby "sinks" down into the sitter for support and to stabilize the chair. It's recommended as a sitting aid for babies between 3 and 14 months or up to 22 pounds.

Criticism: We purchased the Bumbo Baby Sitter when our son was 4 months old and he had outgrown it by the time he was 5 and a half months old. By that time he had already figured out how to arch his back in such a way that he could tumble up and out of the sitter!

He never did like it much, which was why he tried to fall out of it. For the first few weeks, it was nice to have as an extra place to set him down safely.

It sits nicely on any flat surface, it's lightweight and easy to carry around, and it's really easy to wipe clean of any drool, snacks or spit-up.

It doesn't have any straps, however, so it should only be placed on the floor or on a chair with constant supervision.

But for our son, it wasn't comfortable or safe, so I can't recommend to any parent to spend $40 for such a short-lived product.

Fisher Price Papasan Cradle Swing

Product Name: Fisher-Price Papasan Cradle Swing

Submitted by: Lashonda Morehead; Houston, TX

Rating: 10

Where to buy: Amazon.com

Description: A Fisher Price cradle swing offers two different swinging motions to entertain and sooth baby. The Papasan swing features the Nature's Touch fabric.

It is one of the few infant swings which can either cradle the child in a side to side motion, or rock the child with a traditional back and forth motion. The nest-like seat of the Fisher Price cradle swing comfortably cradles baby in soft, multi-textured materials.

Review: A unique feature on the baby swing is the overhead mobile which soothes by incorporating three playful characters. The characters are a bird, butterfly and dragonfly. Each animal on the infant swing features distinct in between leaves and a mirrored globe which allows baby to see all around.

Fisher Price swings generally feature a removable toy with fun toy, bead bars and tray space to provide the child with activities. The cradle swing features six different speeds along with eight soothing songs and soothing nature sounds. It puts baby right to sleep.

This is one of the great baby swings because it features an infant head support insert and features a two position seat recline and folding for storage.

I love this product. It gives me time for myself. I normally just put my baby in and do house cleaning. It's like an on hand nanny.

Placing the baby in any one of the fantastic infant swings is a great move, but choosing a Fisher Price Swing is a sound decision.

Fisher Price Interactive Baby Grand Piano

Product Name: Fisher Price Interactive Baby Grand Piano

Submitted by: Brannan Sirratt, Fayetteville, AR

Rating: 8

Where to buy: Amazon.com

Description: Fisher-Price has done it again! This interactive "piano" is so much more than lights and sounds. Three settings (play time, music time and learning time) maximize the learning and exploring potential of each interactive feature.

The keyboard on the front has eight keys, each with its corresponding number and one of four colors. The keys can play a note, sing the scale and say each color or number, depending on the mode that is toggled. In addition, pressing a key will play portions of the song that the songbook is showing.

This colorful book makes page-turning sounds and has each note coded by color and number for older kids to learn the songs. On the back of the piano, there are several buttons and switches teaching everything from pitch to speed to just plain silliness. With a nearly endless possibility of noises to make, it will be some time before your child bores with this toy.

Review: My son received this at 3 months old with us all thinking, "It will be awhile before he enjoys it." Not so! Within the week he was fascinated with keeping the songs playing by banging on the flashing keyboard, and it wasn't long before he was turning the pages to play the song he wanted.

It has been nearly 3 more months, now, and he sits alone at his piano and serenades us all. It's not quite enough to let the piano play songs anymore; he wants to play it on the individual note setting. He's even working his large muscles by pulling himself to standing by it. A major plus is that if it turns over during this process, there are no edges that may hurt him. With so much more for him to discover, I can't see him getting bored soon.

Beside the incredible innovation put into this little package, it is super-durable. With all of the pounding, drooling, pulling and tipping, this toy has yet to show even the slightest hint of use.

All in all, this is a wonderful, durable developmental toy. (And this is coming from a nearly anti-battery-toy mama)

Criticism: I would watch the dancing face, however. If little fingers held on at just the right spot, I can see how they'd get pinched.

Rainforest Jumperoo

Product Name: Rainforest Jumperoo by Fisher Price
Submitted by: Michelle Morgan, Leawood, KS
Rating: 10
Where to buy: Amazon.com

Description: This product is a stand alone jumper.


Review: My daughter loves this toy. She received it as a gift from grandma when she was four months old. It only took me about 10 minutes to put together.


My daughter can touch on the lowest setting and bounce a little. She is fascinated by the activity toys and lights. I love that it can be set up in any where, easily breaks down for travel, and that there are controls for the lights and music. It is very sturdy.


This toy is great. I would recommend it for anyone with little ones. We will get a lot of use for now and as she grows. Instead of being set up in a doorway it can go anywhere in a room. It breaks down for easy travel. It is rainforest themed with lots of bright colors and rainforest animals. The tray has three different activity sections with great lights and music. The seat swivels all the way around to allow access to all the activities. Two leaves attach at the top on each side with a toy can and a frog hanging down. There is control panel for the music and lights.

Fisher Price Infant to Toddler Rocker

Product Name: Fisher Price Infant to Toddler Rocker

Submitted by: Kate Towers; Cambridgeshire

Rating: 9

Where to buy: Amazon.com

Description: This seat features a stand so you can have it as a normal seat that sits still or a rocker. Other features include a toy bar that goes across the front of the chair and it vibrates which keeps my little boy amused for hours.

Review: I purchased this online a month ago and I think its great and it has probably been our best purchase so far. My son has loved being in this and has spent more time asleep in this than in his cradle.

I love the fact that we will be able to still use it when he’s older too, so I think its great value for money. I also prefer to use this chair for when I am feeding him as he seems to feed better in this than with his high chair, I think he prefers being lower down. I would definitely recommend this rocker to friends. Great for when he sleeps, for rocking, feeding....everything.

Jeep Wrangler All Weather Umbrella Stroller

Product Name: Jeep Wrangler All Weather Umbrella Stroller

Submitted by: Sarah Grant, Rosamond, CA

Rating: 9

Where to buy: Amazon.com

Description: Very affordable single child stroller. It folds up really smooth and easy, has convenient rear wheel locks, a head rest for baby (under 35 lbs), along with a fold out sun shade/umbrella.

Review: I hate lugging huge things around, and I completely fell in love with this very affordable single child stroller. The all terrain wheels really work great too, I've taken mine over dirt, gravel, and grass and it keeps going without getting stuck. The fabric wipes clean easily, and mall, the park, the zoo, anywhere you take baby. I've even run into the grocery store with it to grab some milk, it's that quick to set up.

There are two little "saddle-bags" on the side to carry snacks and stuff. The lap belt works smoothly, I can snap or unsnap it with one hand.

I can't say enough how convenient it is to have such a compact little stroller in the back of the car that I can whip out any moment for strolling in the mall, the park, the zoo, anywhere you take baby. I've even run into the grocery store with it to grab some milk, it's that quick to set up.

Criticism: I wish it had a strap to hold it folded together after I've stored it under the seat in the car.

Tai Chi for Expecting Mothers

Sometimes, exercise requires a different and unique approach. Tai Chi for Expecting Mothers is one such DVD. Highly rated by consumers, this DVD provides a way in which pregnant moms can become less stressed, have more energy, and allows for a buffer against some of the side affects associated with pregnancy.

The DVD contains a complete whole body work-out combining Tai Chi, self massage and deep breathing meditation techniques to strengthen and relax the body while calming the mind to reduce feelings of stress. It is one of the highest quality independently produced pregnancy fitness DVDs released to date.

Here are some of the rave reviews this DVD has received: “I've never tried Tai Chi before, but I do adore yoga. I'm looking for some variety in my pregnancy workouts and figured I'd go ahead and take the plunge and buy this DVD. My goodness! Was I surprised! About 1/4 of the way through it, I noticed my heart rate was actually up and I was developing a light sweat! Could this be possible? It is! I used to run and do lots of aerobics and I knew what a "light sweat" was like after doing yoga, but this "light sweat" was different. I could actually feel as though toxins were leaving my body.”

Another pregnant mom wrote: “I have only good things to say about this great DVD. So many women take pregnancy as a green light to eat 5 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches a day and just decide to "work it all off later". I am here to tell you that the "later" takes years. I decided to give this DVD a try. Not only did I have increased energy, but I felt great! The instruction is clear and the exercises are easy to follow. I always felt great after the work out. The meditation in the DVD was very helpful.”

What a wonderful way to assist expectant moms by producing a DVD that not only calms and relaxes, but yields positive and long last results.

Where can you buy it? Amazon.com

Fisher Price Kick and Play Bouncer

Product Name: Fisher Price Kick and Play Bouncer

Submitted by: Genesis Davies, San Juan, Saq

Rating: 7

Where to buy: Amazon

Description: This bouncer comes with a padded cloth seat and a toy bar that lights up and plays music when the baby bats at the hanging decorations or kicks.

Review: This is really great for keeping little ones busy while you are trying to get a bit of housework done! My son is a year and a half old and he still plays with the toy bar. A kick plate at the front senses the random kicking of even a very small baby and sets off the music and lights. The music can be set to activate only when the baby kicks, or to play all the time, with lights flashing, which is good when your baby hasn’t yet figured out that his actions make the toy work.

There is also a vibration feature with two settings, very useful for putting a small child to sleep or calming a colicky infant when you are just too tired to bounce him anymore. Combined with the bouncing action of the chair, it is really soothing and the hum of the motor helps quiet infants, as well.

Criticism: The cloth seat is completely washable and very easy to use. The only problem with it is that you have no way to use the chair while the cover is being washed. My only problem with this chair is that the front metal strut broke while my son was bouncing in the chair. This was after about 6 months of use, although in all fairness, my husband used his foot to bounce the chair on that same strut, obviously weakening it!

Luvs Ultra Leakguards Diapers

Product Name: Luvs Ultra Leakguards Stretch Diapers
Submitted by: Jeannie Kerns; Colorado Springs, CO
Rating: 10
Where to buy: Amazon.com

Description: Luvs Ultra Leak guard diapers are the kind of diapers you have been waiting for. They are made with a plastic coating instead of the cloth coating that leaves little cotton ball like particles all on the outside, they have tape instead of Velcro like most diapers these days, and the characters that are across the diapers change every few weeks. You can't go wrong with Luvs Ultra Leakguards.

Review: Well I tell you, I think that I have been able to try almost every diaper out there in the past 20 years. I have gone through the most expensive (like all us new Mommies tend to do) to the least expensive (that is when we realize there all the same) diapers.

Well after using Drypers for the longest time, I decided that I would try a new one. Actually a name brand one that was cheaper by a couple of bucks. To my surprise and that is exactly what it was, I loved them.

I bought Luvs Ultra Leak guard thinking I was going to be disappointed like the rest. But I honestly was shocked. They were like the old diapers. And I am talking like 20 years ago when my first daughter was born.

They have the plastic outside, which I love because the cloth outside is terrible, I was sick of seeing pieces of the diaper balled up when my son walked away. That is what they do, they collect and make lint balls all over the diaper and they are terrible.

The pattern: Well let me tell you I honestly do not like Barney, but yes, my son does. And when he saw Barney on his diaper he was in a rush to put them on. Thank goodness too, because any other time he wants them off.

The tape: Well this is a big thing for me. I am so sick of the Velcro, I can't even begin to start. I don't know who thought that it was better to do this, but whoever it was needs to be spoken to. All that does is give the child an easier way to take the diaper off. That is exactly what he would do. "Mommy my hiney is showing", well if the Velcro wasn't so easy we wouldn't have had that problem now would we have. Sheesh. But with Luvs, I can be at ease that his diaper will stay on until it is ready to be changed. The tape comes off easy and applies easy as well. No red marks to where the tape cuts into the skin because it is hanging off, no problems at all.

As for quality: Excellent. I have used these for about 4 weeks now, and not once has there been a wet bed. With the others, I was washing sheets and blankets on a daily basis. It is nice not to be the queen of the washing machine for a chance.

Anyways, if you’re planning on buying diapers, buy Luvs. They will not let you down, and you save money as well.

Especially for Baby Bottle Warmer

Product Name: Especially for Baby Bottle Warmer

Submitted by: Erica Johns; Lancaster, KY

Rating: 10

Where to buy: Amazon.com

Description: The Especially for Baby Bottle Warmer includes a thermal cooler and ice pack for keeping bottles cold, measured water vials, and the warming unit.

Review: When I was an exhausted mother of a premature baby that needed to be fed frequently through the night, this product was a life saver for me! Instead of having to get up frequently to get bottles from the fridge and warm them up, I never had to leave the comfort of my bed thanks to this gadget!

You just put your bottles into the cooler with the contoured ice pack, and when your baby needs to eat you can just reach over to your bedside table to take one out. You simply pour the water from one measured vial into the heating unit and then add the bottle. Press one button and wait just a minute or two until the bottle is nice and warm. By the time you change baby's diaper the bottle is ready.

Though this product didn't get great reviews at Babies R Us, I truly found it helpful and if I was in the same situation I would definitely buy another one. It sure beats sleepless nights!

Have you used this product? Please comment and let us know what you think!

Avent Isis Manual Breast Pump

Product Name: Isis Breast Pump

Submitted by: Lindsay; Averill Park, NY

Rating: 8 (out of 10)

Where to buy: Amazon

Description: This manual pump is comfortable and easy to use. A silicone diaphragm creates a vacuum for reliable suction. The pump is compatible with all Avent bottle systems, making it easy to express milk directly into a bottle.

Review: If you want a quiet pump, this is the pump for you. It’s not noisy or expensive and is reasonably comfortable. Easy to assemble and clean and very quick.

Have you used this product? Please comment...let us know what you think!