Bottle Warmer vs Electric Tea Kettle

My experience with bottle warmers is they generally seem to be a waste of space, not to mention they don’t seem to work most of the time.  I suggest you skip the bottle warmer, and purchase an electric tea kettle.  An electric tea kettle allows you to put either tap or purified water in it, and when you are ready to  prepare baby’s bottle, (either by thawing breast milk, or preparing formula, hot water is ready in less than one minute!

While you’re at it, pour yourself a cup of tea! And now, you haven’t wasted your money and space on a strictly “for baby” item!

Electric tea kettles range from $20-$80.  Target has a wide, decently priced selection. www.target.com

Infant Tubs Vs the Kitchen Sink

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his is one of those items that I just can’t wrap my mind around.  While I understand it probably makes daily life easier, there really is no use for it once babe can sit up unassisted (and refuses to lie down in an infant tub anymore!)  My mom bathed me in the sink.  Once I reached toddler hood I she transferred me to the bath tub.  Scattered through out my photo albums are evidence of this.  How embarrassing.  I digress.  This is an item you’ll probably use for about 6 months or so then you will be faced with realization you just spent $30 on an item that you will most likely have to toss or give away.

If you feel uncomfortable bathing your child in the sink, I suggest you purchase a bus boy tub.  They are just deep enough for a comfortable infant bath, and when baby has outgrown it, it can be used for storage! Shown is picture of a 7″ restaurant tub, selling for around $8.

Changing Table Pad vs. Changing Table

If you looking to save some space and eliminate the items you toss when baby is grown, consider swapping that changing table for just a regular old dresser with a changing table pad on top.  These ergonomically designed pads ($25) can fit most dressers.  A suitable dresser dimension to fit a changing table pad is 30Lx16W.

These easy to find pads can be found at your local Target or Walmart.

Svelt and Svan!

One of things I abhor about children’s items is the traditional highchair.  They are difficult to store, hard to clean, and baby seems to be isolated in their lonely highchair. Not to mention most of them are eye-sores!

The Svan (www.svan.com) highchair comes in stylish colors, can scoot right up to the table so baby can sit with family (when tray is not attached), and best of all, this converts into an adult sized chair.  For $250 bucks you will get your money out of it!

Many of you may be asking, $250! My moral code of ethics generally doesn’t allow me indulge in such pretentious baby items, but I fell in love with the design, concept, and usability.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Go Cloth!

My first choice for a cloth diaper  is aptly named “Bum Genius” (www.bumgenius.com).  Their cloth diaper is the first cloth diaper to feature stretch -to-fit tabs Complete with Velcro or snap options.  Two new products have hit the market with great success: The One Sized Diaper that fits infants from 7-35 lbs ($17.99) and their award winning All-in-One Cloth Diaper which retails for $15.99.

Pros: Cost effective and Eco-friendly.

Cons:  As a nanny my hands are wrapped around these Bum Diapers frequently.  One of the biggest drawbacks is they are a pain to wash.  Two cycles, one spin, to different temps which means visiting your washer twice in a 50 minute period.  And when your child gets to eating more solid food, they recommend you throw the waste in the   toilet and then throw the cloth diapers in the washer.                                                

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Go “G”!

My nannypick is not cloth, and it’s not disposable!  gDiapers (www.gdiapers.com) are unique because you can flush, compost, or toss them.  Yes, you read that correctly! Once I stumbled upon these I decided to make and exception.  gDiapers, which stands for green diapers, consist of a washable, cotton outer ‘little g’ pant and a plastic-free flushable diaper refill. They are made of breathable material just like sports clothing.  They have also received a Gold for using the Cradle to Cradle Design principles.  For more information on Cradle to Cradle, check out their website at www.c2ccertified.com

gDiapers range from $12.99 to $18.99 and come with to “snap in” plastic inserts which guard against extra leaks.  A box of refillable liners will cost around $15 for 40 of the small liners (same price for medium/large but for only 32 liners.  A case costs around $52 and contains 160 of the small liners and 128 for medium/large.

Silikids for Siliskin!

As the controversy rages on over unsafe chemicals in plastics, more and more parents are going glass!  Unfortunately over the years the media has touted glass as cumbersome, outdated, and fragile.  Not the case anymore!  With parents clamoring for safe bottles, glass has another rush of clientele.  If you’re concerned about durability, then take a look at some new products that protect that cherished glass.

Going glass doesn’t have to be costly, but some companies out there think so!  While attractive and trendy, the Wee Go glass baby bottles (includes sleeve) are $18!

Alternatively, a new company has hit the scene debuting a new bottle cover, Siliskin by Silikids (www.silikids.com).  It’s like a big, thick silicone condom that protects your bottle when it goes places it shouldn’t and does things you don’t expect (4oz sleeve is $10, 8oz sleeve is $12).  Best of all, they fit evenflo glass bottles, which are roughly $2.50 a bottle!  You can buy the sleeve separately or with a glass bottle (4oz bottle & sleeve $10; 8oz bottle & sleeve $12).  All products BPA/chemical free.

Bottles, Babies, and BPA

Recently there has been a public uproar concerning BPA, which is a chemical found in many plastics, notably infant bottles.  High levels of BPA have been linked to breast cancer, prostate cancer, and uterine fibroids.  Additionally, there is speculation that the chemicals in some plastics and the rise in autism are correlated.

BPA infected bottles alone are not the only culprit.  Some types of Tupperware, water bottles, beverage bottles, the LINING of you infant formula can, and canned goods especially have the potential to carry BPA. Beyond switching baby bottles, another way to lower exposure to BPA is to avoid heating foods and liquids in plastic containers that contain the compound. The amount of BPA that leaches out, the NTP says, may depend more on the temperature of the liquid, food, or container itself than on the age of the plastic bottle or dish.

Here is the deal folks.  It’s easy to get caught up in the moment and transform every item in your home to environmentally/baby friendly.  Take things one step at a time and don’t beat yourself up about having BPA plastered thought your home.

TIP!  if you’re exhausted from hunting through the grocery store, decoding numbers on plastics, and inspecting each item relentlessly…go glass instead!  It’s that pure and simple.

In the meantime, here are some great websites which will help you become BPA free, and embrace the alternatives!

Supplier
http://www.newbornfree.com/

News
http://health.usnews.com/usnews/health/articles/070808/8bisphenola.htm

http://zrecs.blogspot.com/2007/05/sippy-cup-showdown-safer-bpa-free-sippy.html

Things You Need and Things you Don’t!