Articles - Babies

Georgia Family picks top 12 baby products of the year

Snuggle Nest

Designed especially for parents who wish to sleep with their infants, therefore it’s especially perfect for moms who’ve just had C-Sections. It positions the infant above the level of the adult torso and provides three padded hard surface barriers to protect infants from suffocation and entrapment. It comes with a vinyl foam mattress fitted tightly with a 100% cotton envelope sheet. Entirely machine washable. It zips up and has a handle for easy toting. For newborns until able to roll over or pull up. Afterwards, can be used as a changing table on any surface.

$50, Baby Delight, www.SnuggleNest.com,

Puppytunes

This cuddly dog can sit up. Each oversized leg makes a different harmonica-like sound when squeezed. The dog is vanilla scented and has crinkly ears. He can hang from a car seat or stroller bar. This dog will encourage your baby’s sense of smell, touch, vision, and sound.

$20, Lamaze, www.learningcurve.com.
1-877-810-9350

Pump In Style Companion Breast pump

When you use this professional breastpump, you can understand why it has won the AMBY award. It’s a breeze to use, and Its autocycling action simulates your babies nursing pattern.The Companion is made for moms dedicated to breastfeeding but living a life that puts them on the move. The pump’s stylish multiple bag system allows mom the easy option of taking only what she needs and is non-auspicious for business. It offers four power options—manual, electric, battery, or vehicle lighter adapter. There is a cooler bag complete with four collection bottles/lids and a cooling element. The system also comes with 20 CSF collection storage & freezer bags, breastfeeding info and guide, double pumping accessory kit, a microfiber 2-piece professional bag for cell phone, credit card, pen, and paper holders, and removable shoulder strap. It has dishwasher- and boil-safe parts, adjustable speed control and full range vacuum.

$299, Medela, Inc., 
www.medela.com.
1-800-835-5968.

Totco Toilet Trainer
Finally, a potty that’s not an eyesore and actually looks like a real toilet. This white, true-to-life design helps children train faster. This potty even comes with a handle that when pushed makes a real flushing sound. This light weight potty can also be attached to a real toilet, when the child becomes more comfortable with using the real McCoy. The easy-to-grip handle makes emptying the pull out container a breeze.

$40, Totco, Inc., 
www.tot-co.com.
814/398-2209

Baby Foot Muff

Made in Germany, these superb toddler footmuffs for strollers and infant footmuffs for car seats & carriers will shield your child from the harsh elements of cold weather helping you avoid bulky layers and falling blankets. The soft, plush interior is made from 85% cotton and 15% polyester fleece with filling for added warmth. The water repellant exterior of 60% polymid/nylon, 40% polyester air tech fabric will keep your child dry. Machine washable, it can also function as a play or changing mat when the bottom is opened and also includes five buttonholes in the back for seatbelts to come through.

$75.00 Toddlers & $65.00 Infants, Eckert, 1-877- footmuff
www.babyfootmuff.com.

Pony-Go-Round Musical Pony

This fuzzy pony is so soft he feels like silk. He comes in pink and blue. When you wind the pony up, he plays "All the Pretty Little Horses" while slowly moving his head from side to side. Despite his music box inside, he’s still cuddly. This ultra-soft adorable pony is sure to win over your family’s hearts.

$24, North American Bear Company
www.NABEAR.com,
1-800-682-3427.

Primo Viaggo Infant Carrier-Sunscapes

This carrier has Italian fabric that is removable and hand washable. The five point safety belt with adjustable shoulder straps. The belt also has cushy fabric section for added protection. Adjustable carrying handle. The carrier comes with a car seat base and a deluxe retractable hood that will protect your baby from the elements. Since the instant G-matic attachment easily attaches to the Aria CSR stroller to create a travel system, it would be perfect if it were a few pounds lighter weight. For infants 5 to 20 lbs.

$139, Peg Perego,
www.pegperego.com.

Aria CSR—Sunscapes Stroller

Combining ease and style, this super light-weight stroller is easy to fold—folding to only 10" thick—it has carrying handle, and stands upright when closed. It has a two position recline of up to 148 degrees with the pull of a zipper. It has a swivel front bumper that can easily be moved for quick access to baby. It has swivel front double wheels with shocks and a large folding basket underneath. Adjustable shoulder straps, five point harness, and rear wheel brakes make the stroller ultra safe. The seat, backrest and canopy with window are made from plush, removable and washable Italian fabric. The stroller also comes with a G-matic plate system allowing the Primo Viaggio Infant Carrier to be easily snapped into the stroller. For children 6 to 36 months, up to 40 lbs.

$169, Peg Perego, 
www.pegperego.com.

The Donna Fertility Tester

There is a new more convenient way for a woman to tell when she is more likely to conceive. The microscope, the size of a lipstick, allows a woman to learn her ovulation cycle. This saliva ovulation test produces results with 98% accuracy in just 5 minutes. The tester can be used anytime, anywhere, over and over again for up to a year. A very convincing research study can be seen at the website.

$60, Donna Distributing LLC
www.thedonna.com, 
1-866-BUY-DONNA.

This ultra affordable unit offers parents what no other monitor offers— a finder button that works like a pager on your cordless phone. The monitor is easy to carry, has LED sound lights so you can "see" and hear your baby’s sounds, a low battery indicator, rechargeable batteries, 2 channels to reduce static/interference, and clear long-range reception of 400 feet.

Gentle Touch Teddy Bear

This soft and fuzzy brown bear will delight your child with his colorful musical paw pads and tummy that, when pushed, play a variety of child favorites like "Old MacDonald," "Farmer in the Dell," "The Mulberry Bush," "Three Blind Mice," and "This Old Man."

$20, Eden, 1-800-704-8697, 
www.learningcurve.com.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Snug Ride LX5 Car Seat Runner-Up

The 2002 revamped version of this top-rated car seat has enhanced the product with features like a 5-point harness with up-front adjustment providing a snug fit, a level indicator for correct rear-facing positioning, a convenient stay-in-car adjustable base & canopy. The carrier weighs 7 pounds and offers infant head support and fabric-lined washable padding. Note: If you have no interest in putting your carrier in your stroller, this is the car seat for you as it is lighter weight and less expensive than comparable models. For infants up to 20 lbs.

$79.99-$89.99, Graco 
www.gracobaby.com.

Kick Start Air-Tivity Gym

With a kick of their feet babies activate colorful characters that fly up and down on a cushion of air, while balls move round and round in a sphere, accompanied by electronic sounds and music. As babies get older they can sit up and push levers with their hands to activate the fun. 6 months and up.

$25-35, Playskool, 1-800-PLAYSKL,
www.playskool.com.

Sure Comfort Newborn-to-Toddler Tub

This is a great multi-stage tub that fits into most kitchen sinks (double and single basin), offering parents safety and convenience when bathing their child. The tub holds enough water to keep baby warm and comes with a color change drain that alerts parents when the water is too hot, foam mildew resistant grippers on the back and bottom to hold baby in place and a separate basin for clean water rinsing, or storage of baby cleaning products. When baby becomes older simply move the child from the sloping incline to the opposite side that offers upright seating.

$17, The First Years
www.thefirstyears.com.

Take & Toss Spill-Proof Cups

Trainer cups holding 7 ounces is ideal for drinks while on the go. Feature snap-on spill proof lids, easy sip spout design, dishwasher and microwave safe. A 6-pack at $3 allows you to leave them behind without fretting about it.

This ultra soft, machine washable, hippo will make a great floor pillow for baby. This lavender lovable has feet that rattle, and little birds on his back that crunch and squeak. As baby gets older this cuddly hippo is sure to make a great bedside companion.

Preggie Pops

These tasty pops, conceived and delivered by Healthcare professionals, offer some pregnant women a natural way to ease morning sickness. Flavors include peppermint, spearmint, lavender, sour lemon, sour tangerine, ginger, and sour raspberry.

21 pops $10. Preggie Pops,
www.preggiepop.com. 
1-866-773-4443.