Friday, May 11th, 2012
Super useful!
This sweet Pack ‘n Play is sitting here next to me and bringing back so many memories. Mostly I think of traveling, and how I took my first child, Grace, on probably a trip a month during her first two years of life. Our Pack ‘n Play saw a lot of use! It came as a shock when she turned 2 and cost a full plane ticket. That slowed our travel for sure. Then her brother was born and we were really grounded. But I still kept a Pack ‘n Play at Neenup’s house (you have to visit grandma!) and at Madama’s house (you have to visit both grandmas!). As a travel crib, the thing is a lifesaver.
The one shown here, the newest collaboration between Graco and Disney Baby, is especially tricked-out. It’s Minnie-Moused themed, but not with Minnie all over it or anything. It’s just inspired by Minnie’s girlishness, with flowers and such. I’ve gone on before about my family’s love for Disney, so I won’t go into it now, I’ll just take the opportunity to post a picture of my own Minnie!
My favorite Minnie!
Back to the Pack ‘n Play: It’s got a changing pad and bassinet built in. This makes it a portable nursery. Seriously. It can be a second nursery setup in your living room, or be pretty much all you need in your baby’s bedroom until she’s ready to graduate to a crib. (Side note: My coworker next to me kept her son in a Pack ‘n Play until he was 18 months old, so I’m just saying, you can make one of these your baby’s sleepspot for quite a while!)
Readers who vote in our American Baby Bests contest love the Pack ‘n Play; most use it as the changer and as a playpen in some area of the house aside from the nursery, so they’re not always running back in forth to their baby’s room. And hey, if you love this or any baby product and want to tell new moms, please vote at our polls right here! They’re fun, I promise you.
And good news: Graco and Disney will mail this same $220 Pack ‘n Play Premiere (or I’m sure they could substitute some boy-appropriate gear if necessary!) to one lucky person who leaves a comment at this post between now and the end of the day on Wednesday, May 16. That’s right, we’re running this contest over Mother’s Day! And as a salute to all mommies or mommies-to-be, I’m linking to Disney’s tear-inducing tribute to moms here. (Or am I the only person who cries when I see Dumbo’s mom?!)
Leave a comment, as many as one a day. Maybe tell me who your favorite Disney mom character is! (There aren’t a whole ton to choose from, right? But the mom in the Mary Poppins movie cracks me up, personally.) Read the Official Rules here. And as always, goody luck!
Categories: Babies, Giveaways, GoodyBlog, Shopping & Gear, Solutions, Your Child | Tags: baby, baby gear, Disney, Giveaway, GoodyBlog, Graco, Pack N Play, shopping
Monday, February 27th, 2012
We know motherhood is a tough job, which is why we’re so grateful for products that make the lives of moms even a little easier.
Whether it’s a stroller that always folds on the first try or a diaper that never leaks, we want to give the products that save you precious time and energy some much-deserved recognition with an American Baby Bests Award!
You can nominate your favorite baby product from now until March 12. And don’t forget to come back in April to vote for your favorites!
Check out the winners of the 2011 American Baby Bests Awards.
Wednesday, November 10th, 2010
Got a unique toddler toy or product idea? Product manufacturer Sassy Baby is teaming up with invention platform Edison Nation to find the next great toys and products that will promote child development and growth. The “Sassy Innovative Product Search” contest is on the lookout for innovative toddler feeding items and infant (birth – 6months) crib items that include mobiles, soothers, and bouncers.
The best inventions will appeal to moms, have a high developmental value, and be easy to use. You’ll need to submit a drawing, photo, or video describing and demonstrating your product by December 20, 2010. The best inventions will be chose and produced commercially. Plus, winners will receive a $2,500 advance payment and share sales for up to 20 years. Go to Edison Nation to learn more about being the next great toy and product innovator. So put your thinking cap on and start inventing!
Categories: GoodyBlog, Time for Fun | Tags: Babies, baby, baby gear, child development, children, contest, infant development, infants, invention, product, products, toy, toys
Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008
If you have a Simplicity 3-in-1 or 4-in-1 Convertible Close-Sleeper Bassinet, and it’s more than a few months old, you should stop using it immediately. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging parents to discontinue use of these products because there have been two reports of infants strangling to death by slipping through the bars. The metal bars are placed further apart than they should be and they’re covered by a removable fabric flap that allows the bassinet to convert to the bedside co-sleeping position. If the velcro isn’t properly secured when it’s in bassinet mode, the baby can slip through. Newer models have permanently attached fabric, so aren’t dangerous. Check here for a list of retailers that have agreed to give a refund or store credit for returned bassinets (purchased at those stores, of course).
Photo via
Monday, March 5th, 2007
BabyBeReady bags are a fantastic gift for expecting mommies. These bags are packed with everything but the baby. The survival kits come in 11 different patterns and are stocked with diapers, a rattle, a bottle, a sun hat, and more. One of the best things about these bags is that they give back. The limited edition Smiley bag profits “Jacobs Cure”, a non-profit organization that raises awareness and funds for canavan research. In fact, 40% of the proceeds go to the cause. Buy the bags online or at any of these retailers. It’s a trendy way to tote all your baby’s essentials.
Thursday, March 1st, 2007
If you need something compact for quick diaper changes and you really don’t want to lug your diaper bag with you on every outing, then tushygear is a perfect solution. Invented by a smart mommy of two, the tushygear is meant to store a few diapers and a pack of wipes for when you’re on the go. It even folds open for a soft surface to change your baby on. Just because you have a baby doesn’t mean you have to stop carrying your favorite hobo bag! My favorite prints are orange monkey and fancy ladies. So toss a tushygear in your purse and go. You’ll be the hippest mama on the block.
