It’s that time of year again when the weather is starting to get cold, and blankets never seem to stay on with a wiggly infant in a carseat. Also, infants tend to be particularly impatient when it comes to being dressed in several layers of clothing.

My son was born in March of last year and here it stays cold until somewhere around May. In anticipation of the colder weather I knew I wanted to get some sort of bunting cover for my car seat and stroller, so I purchased the JJ Cole Infant BundleMe. When I first opened it, I couldn’t believe how soft and pleasant the fabric was. The inner fabric was a velvety soft microsuede and the outside was a chic waterproof and windproof nylon material. The fit was great too - I have a Graco Snugride infant carseat that this fit on perfectly. The straps easily fit right through it, too. The best part was that I didn’t need a blanket and I didn’t need to layer my son with clothes if he had to go somewhere in his carseat. Once zipped up, the BundleMe kept him snug and warm even in the coldest and windiest of weather. I even continued to use it without the top cover once the weather got warmer, simply because the microsuede is a much more pleasant material than the carseat itself.

The JJ Cole BundleMe comes in two different sizes: infant and toddler, and it comes in several styles and colors. The particular style I have is called Urban, and this is the style with the microfleece - Other styles have different types of warm fabrics, such as shearling and fleece. The BundleMe has been crash tested on carseats, and the carseats comply with all crash safety standards with the BundleMe on. For more information about this product visit the JJ Cole Collections website.

Popularity: 3% [?]

When my son was 14 months old, we planned a two week trip to Poland to visit with my grandparents (his great-grandparents) and we brought the Sit ‘n Stroll Carseat/Stroller with us. This combo stroller/carseat turned out to be one of the best things we purchased for our trip. This is a must have for parents who travel extensively with their children!

The Sit ‘n Stroll Carseat/Stroller is a comfortable carseat with a 5 point harness that with one squeeze of a handle transforms into a stroller. We were able to take my son into and out of the car without unstrapping him from the seat, which was very convenient at the airport. Also, this seat is FAA approved and although we didn’t use it on the plane (he was still a lap kid) we saw another couple using it on the same plane as a seat. It even fits through the x-ray machines! While in Europe we used it as a car seat in all the taxis and buses that we took. It went everywhere we went, even all over the cobblestone streets, which was truly a test to its durability. The Sit n’ Stroll Carseat/Stroller also steers very well and the handle is comfortable and easy enough to use for steering with one hand. We now have it handy as a backup carseat, if we ever needed it. We are planning a trip to Florida next spring and you can be sure that the Sit n’ Stroll Carseat/Stroller will be on our list of things to take.

The Sit n’ Stroll Carseat/Stroller can be used rear or forward facing in the car. It is approved for airline use. It can also be used as a booster seat in restaurants. It accommodates 5-40 lbs, and itself weighs 17lbs. For more information and to purchase the Sit n’ Stroll, please visit: Lilly Gold Online Boutique.

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Popularity: 8% [?]

The Graco Pack ‘n Play is one item which I did not realize would get used so much. I initially thought of it as a luxury item, but decided fairly quickly that it was one of my “must haves” after seeing how I used it on a daily basis for various reasons.

At first my Graco Pack ‘n Play was in our downstairs livingroom, where I used it as a changing table and a secondary sleeping area (i.e. bassinet). It then came with us on a month long trip to Florida when my son was 8 months old, where it was used as a portable crib. After my son outgrew it for sleeping, I used it as toy storage for months in the living room. Then my second son arrived, and my older son was still in his crib at that time. So instead of buying a bassinet or second crib, we used the Pack ‘n Play in our bedroom as bassinet until my youngest turned 6 months old. Then we came full circle with it returning to the living room. It now gets used as a safe play area for my son, and provides him with a nice way to practice cruising.

The Pack ‘n Play is very easy to put together and fold down for portability. It is also easily changed from bassinet to crib. The mattress pad is a nice quilted material and the sides are mesh for good ventilation and visibility. It comes with a carrying case, basically the size of a large duffel bag. Graco makes these in so many patterns and colors, and they usually match their other items such as swings, strollers, highchairs, etc. Graco, as well as other companies such as Eddie Bauer, make sheet sets for the Pack ‘n Play, for when you need to use them as a sleeping area. The Graco Pack ‘n Play also comes with a removable parent tray for storing diapers and supplies, a mobile with cute soft toys, and it comes with a detachable electronic music/sound machine that has a night light.

For more information about the Graco Pack ‘n Play, please visit GracoBaby.com.

Popularity: 4% [?]

There comes that awkward stage in a baby’s development when they are interested in exploring the world but they still are not able to sit upright without some sort of support. I loved the Bumbo Seat during this stage because it allowed me to free up both of my hands and play with my sons, plus it kept them happy by allowing them to be in an upright position.

The Bumbo Seat is a very cool invention which allows you to have your baby in an ergonomically upright supported sitting position once the baby has good head control, freeing up both of your hands for play or feeding. There are no straps on the Bumbo Seat, but rather the shape of the seat allows for the weight of the baby to anchor the seat down on the ground without the risk of tipping. One of the best things about the Bumbo Seat is that is is lightweight and portable. I have taken my Bumbo Seat to grandparent’s homes, restaurants, and on vacation. It is even used in pediatric physical and occupational therapy centers, as well as school based therapy programs to aid with increasing trunk strength and control.

The Bumbo Seat is made from a soft foam and is easy to clean. It is available in 5 colors, and you can also get a play tray which attaches to the seat. The play tray is great for playtime with toys or when starting out with finger foods. For more information about the Bumbo Seat, visit the website HERE.

Popularity: 4% [?]

This is truly one item I could not be without - everywhere I go, it goes too. I use it several times a day for feeding my 7 month old. I also used it throughout my older sons first year for feeding, tummy time, and supported sitting.

The Boppy Pillow is initially great for feeding your baby, whether you breastfeed or bottle feed. It puts the baby in a comfortable and safe position on your lap or around your waist. Later, I have used the Boppy Pillow for supported tummy time, as well as supported sitting. (My husband even used it as a pillow for himself in the hospital while I was in labor!) The Boppy Pillow has a washable cover which can be bought in various gender specific or gender neutral patterns, styles, or colors.
For more information about the Boppy Pillow, visit the Boppy Website.

Popularity: 3% [?]