Posts filed under 'baby carriers'
Baby Item Recall
It’s amazing how many baby products get recalled; you look online and the list is endless. Many of these products are those toys from lead paint-lovin’ China. That can easily be solved by a parent going out of their way to look for organic, non-toxic, toys made out of natural materials. You may not have a specialized store carrying such inventory near you, but there are certainly many online.
The scary baby products are the ones that are supposed to keep your kid safe, but may just give you a false sense of security. I’ll be updated this list as needed, but it’s good to check in to these sites now and again just to be sure you are not allowing defective, toxic or otherwise dangerous products into your child’s life. And remember, it’s always best to register items, such as cribs, car seats/child restraints, strollers, etc. so that if there is a recall you are notified.
Safer Car / Child Restraint Recalls by Manufacturer (a good way to check each company’s history)
US Consumer Product Safety (Toys)
Also worth a check, sites/organizations dedicated to advocacy and education regarding children’s product safety:
Add comment July 28, 2008
The Best Baby Carrier
When you go 0 to 60 -in terms of baby knowledge- in nine months, it’s best to get help from some friends. Even friends you don’t know, who have the time to write reviews of every dang baby product out there (god bless ‘em!).
So when it came to baby carriers, I really needed help. You absolutely don’t want to get the wrong one – for you or for your baby. Especially with my back injury issues, carrying anything for more than a few minutes (even a light lil’ kiddle) could easily become pain-inducing.
When I asked my friend with two baby wahines for his input, he wrote:
I think that the Ergo Baby Carrier is going to be the ticket for you and your back. I love ours!
I started snooping online at everything out there, but most carriers seemed to hold the baby strangely; either seeming awkward for the baby or potentially for my back. The Bjorn line looked like a popular choice, and it was one I could find all over Craigslist, used, for a reasonable $15-25. Like many though, it looked like it had a strange crotch-oriented positioning for the baby, so I decided to check if there were any comparisons from my unknown mommy friends online. Actually, one review went into much detail about the matter and gave me the answers I needed.
…The Baby Bjorn straps place all the baby’s weight on your upper back and shoulders. As any hiker knows, it is much better to carry extra weight on your hips and that is why any decent backpack has a hip belt. The New Generation Ergo Baby Carrier has a hip belt and it makes a huge difference – much more comfortable for you!…
Seems the Bjorn worked for her ’til her baby was about 16 lbs, and after that the upper back strain became too much. ERGO must stand for ergonomic design, a vitally important aspect. As their publicity claims:
The ERGO Baby Carrier’s ergonomic design supports a correct sitting position for the baby’s hip, pelvis and spine growth. It disperses most of the baby’s weight between the hips and thighs. The ERGO also balances the baby’s weight to parents’ hips and shoulders, and alleviates physical stress for the parent. It can be worn on the front, back or hip position.
Though some contend the ERGO is too large at first, ERGO does make infant inserts which should allow you to be hands-free from the get-go. Nice. And the attached sleeping hood supports the sleeping baby’s head and doubles as a useful nursing cover-up. Since you can throw in your cash and keys in the zipper pouch, what more do you need?
Sure, you have to try them out for yourself (I’ll certainly insert my conclusion once I get my own!). But so far, my back and unborn think the ERGO sounds sooo good. And as icing on the cake, ERGO is locally owned; based in Maui. Though the line is produced in China they claim to diligently observe Fair Trade Practices and make certain workers are paid well and treated with respect. Top off the icing with even more icing…they’ve got a new organic line!
Click on the convenient ERGO link on the sidebar and order yours direct! Local Big Island residents can check them out at the organic baby store Moonsprout (right now still located at 142N Kinoole St. but will be moving to Kilauea -next door to Bears Coffee Shop- within the month! Call 808/935-7523 for more info)
Add comment July 18, 2008
