Strollers | Mommies With Style

Couldn’t go to Jamaica without our Joovy Caboose Ultralight!

February 11, 2010 By Jen 4 Comments

My family and I just returned from Jamaica on Friday. We had an awesome and smooth trip, and a large reason why is due to the Joovy Caboose Ultralight that we brought along.

A little background first…

My boys are 5 and 2 1/2. We rarely use strollers anymore, however, I knew I would need to bring something on a trip involving airports, lots of walking, and general travel. When I learned that I had the chance to try out the Joovy, I figured, “why not!,” not truly realizing how fabulous this stroller is and how perfect it was for us and for our trip.

Now a bit on why this stroller is so amazing!

Our Joovy Caboose Ultralight allowed our two boys to comfortably sit throughout our travels. My younger son Jonah (2 1/2) sat in the two-position front seat and my older son Jacob (5) alternated between sitting in the padded, adjustable rear seat and standing. Jacob, who is a very tall child, had no problem using the back seat/standing. (The stroller accommodates kids 6 months through 45 lbs.) Jonah, who never really napped in a stroller previously, enjoyed the Joovy so much that every day around 2pm he asked to get in and take a walk to take a nap. Every single day of our trip Jonah napped in the Joovy for over 2 hours! (See why the Joovy was so important to the success of our trip?!) He also enjoyed keeping his cup and snack in the child tray and cup holder.

I also really loved using this stroller:

First of all, it was a pleasure to steer. I am not going to slam any other stroller manufacturers, but I have been using another tandem stroller for 2 years and will not be using it again after my experience with the Joovy. My now-former not-to-be-named stroller was too hard to push with both kids in it, and much heavier and more cumbersome than the Joovy. The Joovy, however, has these amazing swivel “smooth-glide” wheels which make it a pleasure to push.
It also has a large, awesome basket (which sometimes you lose on a double) and comes with a neoprene parent organizer! (How awesome is THAT?!) The parent organizer holds water bottles, cell phones, keys, iPods, credit cards and money, and more. We stuffed our sunscreen, room key, and some water bottles in it each day and were off!
I also loved that it was extremely easy to fold up and was very light weight. We were able to easily store it in our hotel room (which was not huge) and even got compliments throughout our trip from other parents on how nice and compact the Joovy folded.
A huge bonus for me and my family was the large sun visor/canopy. With a red-headed fair-skinned child in the Caribbean, we were definitely concerned about burning. But the Joovy’s huge canopy easily covered him and also covered part of my older son in the rear seat.
Finally, the Joovy is a really nice looking stroller. Not that I am vain or anything but as far as the typical Sit and Stand goes, I think the Joovy is really attractive. And I love that it comes in a ton of great color choices. We had the bright and fun Sunset color, but also available are Sage, Black, Brownie, Blueberry, Orangetree, and Greenie.

One feature that I did not use but that is fabulous should you have a little one in an infant carrier is the universal car seat adapter. This easy-to-install adapter accepts most major brands and allows you to safely and easily tote around your newborn or infant along with your older child.

Really, I could go on and on about this stroller. It is my new favorite must-have for parents of two little ones. I’m not sure why it took me so long to experience the Joovy Caboose Ultralight, but I will certainly be using it all of the time now… and I highly recommend it to you if you have (or are expecting) 2 young children.

Thanks to Joovy for donating the Caboose Ultralight!

Filed Under: Family Travel, On The Go, Strollers Tagged With: double stroller, Joovy Caboose Ultralight, tandem stroller

Britax Blink Strollers – Voluntary Recall Issued

February 10, 2010 By nancy 1 Comment

Image and video hosting by TinyPic Britax has issued a voluntary safety recall on its Blink Stroller. The recall is in response to a potential risk of harm when a consumer opens or closes the stroller. No injuries have been reported, but as an extra precaution Britax will provide free remedy kits (with hinge covers) to all registered Blink owners.

Please visit www.BlinkRecall.com or call the Britax information line at 888-427-4829 for further instructions.

Filed Under: Strollers

So happy to stroll with my Valco Latitude

February 8, 2010 By julie 1 Comment

There was never a reason, but since my oldest son was born I’ve been lusting after a Valco. Finally, this summer, Valco Baby sent me a sample of the Latitude for review. It was worth the wait. This stroller is a dream come true.

First its super-light-weight. The 19 pound stroller is delightful to push with a smooth roll and a dynamic turning radius along a very narrow base that pushing my 12 pound 6 month old (yes, she’s tiny) is seriously like pushing air.

Even though its a tiny stroller, the actual seat is large enough for a preschooler (tested by the Kindergartener) but comfortable enough for the baby with a full recline. I have her covered in an attached blanket and she sleeps soundly and comfortably.

The 2 handed fold is smooth and simple. And what is fantastic is how small it is when folded. I’m no longer giving up nearly my entire SUV trunk-space to my stroller, now there’s plenty of room for all of my shopping bags, a pack and play, luggage for a trip and whatever else we have packed in at the time. A huge bonus is that, when folded, it still stands vertically, which means a very little footprint when not in use. (Ideal for tight storage spaces, aka my garage).

Of course I need to mention the basket which fits my diaper bag with room to spare–more than I need for walking to the bus stop and enough for a quick trip through the mall.

I’ve also used the stroller for my Stroller Fit class. This is going to sound funny, but its almost too light. Its a great jogger, so easy to move and zoom around the park. While my classmates pushed their heavy joggers, the Latitude moved so quickly that it sped me ahead of the group.

Infant seat attachments are available, though I didn’t use the one that goes with the Britax. The stroller is outfitted and snug enough that, once my baby could hold her head well, I felt fine putting her in the stroller directly.

Honestly, I can’t imagine needing another stroller (I know, easy to say right now, right?) But the Latitude meets all of my needs: neighborhood walks, Stroller Fit class, shopping the mall and shopping centers, even amusement parks. Valco’s Latitude EX stroller is really all I can see myself needing.

So that dream of a stroller? It really can come true.

Find Valco Baby’s Latitude EX at Lets Go Strolling, where you can use MWSVALCO for 10% off all Valco Strollers through March 31st, 2010.

Thanks to Valco Baby for providing a sample stroller for this review.

Filed Under: Strollers Tagged With: valco

The Great Trade-In Event at Babies “R” Us

February 2, 2010 By debbie 3 Comments

Have a used car seat/stroller/bassinet, etc. lying around? I have a few old car seats that are from my daughter and I don’t think they are safe to use for my 2-year old son. So when I heard about the “Great Trade-In” event, I was thrilled!

Through Saturday, February 20th, Babies “R” Us and Toys “R” Us stores are holding the “Great Trade-In” event providing their customers with the opportunity to trade-in any used car seats, strollers, cribs, bassinets, travel systems, play yards, toddler beds or high chairs in exchange for a 25% off savings on the purchase of a new baby item, in any of the product categories from select manufacturers. Participating brands are: Britax, Babi Italia, Baby Cache, Baby Trend, Bergamo, Bertini, Carter’s, Chicco, Contours by Kolcraft, Cosco, Delta, Eddie Bauer, Evenflo, Graco, Jeep, Little Tikes, Safety 1st, Sorelle and Step2.

The “Great Trade-In” event places an emphasis on specific baby products, that due to safety concerns, may not be the best candidates to be handed down or resold. Beyond recalls, certain older and used baby items can be potentially unsafe for a variety of reasons, including damage or lack of compliance with recent advances in product safety standards.

You don’t need to have purchased the item you want to “trade-in” from TRU or BRU. You can bring in multiple items and you will be given one 25% off discount for each item traded in. The discount must be used that day on another item from the participating categories and manufacturers. Trade-In items and purchased items can be from different categories.

Filed Under: Babies, Carseats and Boosters, Child Safety, Family Travel, Feeding & Mealtime, Feeding Baby, Infant Car Seats, Kids, Nursery, On The Go, Strollers Tagged With: Babies "R" Us, bassinet, car seat, crib, high chairs, play yards, Sale, stroller, toddler beds, Toys "R" Us, travel systems

We’re getting around with the Britax Chaperone Travel System

November 16, 2009 By julie 2 Comments

Of course, I want the best for my baby. And when we think of the best in car seats, we’re going to think of Britax. They’ve worked hard to earn the reputation, and its no surprise to me that when it came to creating a new baby carrier/carseat and stroller travel system, they set their standards high, to meet our expectations.

The Chaperone carseat & base:

Longer than most, it fits a child 4-30 pounds rearfacing. Height is up to 32 inches. (this is a baby carrier seat, it does not sit forward facing)
Comes with a base like none I’d ever seen before. It has an “anti-rebound bar” to stabalize seat in case of impact.
No rethread height adjustment: possibly my favorite part of the seat. The head restraint (below) holds the top two restraints in the 5-point harness. In this seat, as baby grows, move this area up to find the proper restraint height. This is much less of a hassle for parents (adjusting with threads is a PITA) and it ensures proper alignment of restraints with 7 heights (should be just below the shoulders when child is rear-facing.)
Side protection: extreme. With wing support around the head that provide extra protection and cradle head from wobbling and ensures proper alignment.
Includes both LATCH and seatbelt installation on the base.
5-point harness is easy for mom and dad to attach and detach.

I’m certain my baby is very safe in this Britax seat. Its easy to carry and strap her in correctly. And installation in the car was simple. It also fits snugly in a single row of my pilot with 2 other carseats (Graco Nautilus and Britax Marathon).In addition to the safety (which, of course, comes first) baby seems comfortable. The “wings” (as I call them) of the side impact protection cradled her tiny head so nicely I was never concerned about her little head hanging to the side (I had to purchase and install cushions for baby’s older siblings). The cushion is also stronger than many other carseats. Not necessarily plush, but it seems more firm–so that she likely feels less of the hard plastic. The Chaperone’s seat is simple to remove and wash (when necessary) and, while just as heavy as other seats, the handle makes it easy to carry. The canopy on the seat is huge, and protects her nicely in the rain. It stays up nicely, but when pushed back (as in, not in use) it sags and often falls under the carrier. I’ve found it simple to remove the canopy and do not have it on the carrier on most days. This is a large seat, and we had to move it to behind the passenger side of our car, as there wasn’t enough room for the driver to move his seat back and actually drive the car. Safety, of course, comes first, and I figure I get a tiny bit more exercise because I’m running from one side of the car to the other.

The Britax Chaperone Stroller:

Its been a long time since Britax came out with a stroller. This one is head turning. At least once a day I get comments like “I didn’t know Britax makes strollers!” and “wow! That stroller looks rather space-age. Nice!” (seriously, I’ve heard some rendition of space age twice. Separately.)

without the carrier, the stroller should be used for kids 6 months to 55 pounds
Chaperone carseat carrier locks into stroller with ease. Canopys meet in the middle to totally cover baby. And you can still access the basket, even with the carseat locked in
basket is huge, really, huge. I can fit 2 fully packed diaper bags, and have room to spare. And (love this feature) the rim has an open setting, so that you can lower the back of the basket to load and unload items and then fix it back to secure items inside
one brake pedal controls both brakes (need to press it firmly), its a pressure adjustment that you use with your foot
SIMPLE one handed fold: just pull the child tray out of position, then pull on the handle on the seat and it folds. Its almost too easy (so says the husband who, upon forgetting how to do it, commented that he keeps thinking it will be harder to fold, considering its so fancy)
snack trays for both child and parent (parent gets 2 cup holders and a little bin with a cover to hold things.)
Adjustable stroller handle height
5-point harness
strong, large tires provide all-wheel suspension. Its hard to tell in the picture, but the back wheels sit wider apart than the front. (The front are also smaller). This allows for a greater turning radius and ease in pushing

In September, I joined a Stroller fit class at my gym. I have a jogger, but with baby in sleeping in the Chaperone carseat, I’ve been using the Chaperone stroller. We spend about half of our hour running and fast walking up and down an incline. I was a bit hesitant about using this stroller when jogging, but the stroller has turned out to be a faux-jogger. Its large wheels move smoothly over the hill as I pick up speed. And the thinner base at the front allows for faster, easier turning. Its turned out to be a great infant jogger. And on Fridays, when my 4 y.o. is at soccer, I have no problem pushing the Chaperone through the grass onto the field. Of course its wonderful in the mall as well. A very versatile stroller for all of my needs. The front wheels pop on upon installation. Make sure you lock them on (by listening for the “snap”) but beware that they do unlock if the button is hit. So that if your stoller moves around in your trunk and the release button hits something, they could unlock. For that reason, I have learned to put additional pressure on the front of the stroller each time I open it.

We’re very pleased with the Chaperone Travel System for our baby. Its the stroller and carseat we’ve been using since the day we brought baby home, without even a second thought that it wasn’t “right” for us. Which is a relief, because every mom knows just how hard it is to find a “right” stroller for your needs.

Thanks to Britax for providing a sample of the Chaperone Travel System for review. Buy yours by December 31, 2009 to take advantage of the $100 Mail-in Rebate Promotion.

Filed Under: Infant Car Seats, Strollers Tagged With: britax chaperone, infant carrier, infant carseat, travel system

Get there in comfort and style, with the Mutsy Transporter

November 14, 2009 By Momfluential 3 Comments

I’m always on the lookout for the perfect theme park stroller and I think I have a contender in the Mutsy Transporter! We just love this stroller for trips to Disney but also for the constant daily school “pick up” runs. Here’s why:

This lightweight, Dutch made stroller has a lot of the bell & whistles of a heavier, larger stroller, but folds up into a tiny compact package that could make even and umbrella stroller envious. It takes up little room in the trunk and does not give me a hernia when I have to foist it in and out, ten times a day.

I’ve long been a fan of Mutsy. Their strollers are of the European tradition – high quality prams that are meant to be used, frequently, in all kinds of weather. Europeans know their strollers! Mutsy has always been a popular choice for their forward thinking designs and details like their easy access baskets.

The Transporter has a very roomy and comfortable seat for children from about 3 months up to around 4 years. With a wide and tall seat they won’t grow out of this one quickly. The seat reclines to multiple positions but does not recline completely flat. If you have a baby under three months and want to use this stroller right from the start, you can get carseat adapters or a bassinet to use with the frame.

Some nice things about the seat: It is well padded and has a five point harness. The fabric is easy to clean and durable. I’m definitely dressing mine up with a cute aftermarket seat pad, because I am all about the stroller pimping/decoration, but there’s no need to embellish, it’s great as it. The seat has a well designed removable pillow with side wings – really nice touch for a toddler who wants to nap in their stroller. My son loves the pillow! A padded bumper bar is also easy to remove. The only thing we’d like to see (perhaps as an accessory option) might be a snack tray. An ample hood protects baby from the sun and we love the peekaboo side windows that let them see the world even when the hood is fully deployed.

Pushing the stroller is a pleasure thanks to EVA foam wheels. These wheels bounce smoothly over bumps, but no flats. I’d not suggest them for your off road treks, but they are perfect for urban use, trips to parks, stores and getting around the neighborhood. The handlebar folds into multiple positions for various heights, so pushing your kiddo can be be a family affair. The handlebar tucks under for the fold.

Speaking of the fold, it’s remarkably fast and easy to achieve which is a great feature for those times when you are hopping on a tram at Disney, or dashing to the car during a shower.

Bonus points for the oversized storage basket on the bottom. There is room there for a big bag and a sweater to boot, and it is accessible even when the stroller is fully reclined. No waking a sleeping baby getting your keys out. We would have liked more storage up top for our stuff however. An included cup holder and parent console would have been much appreciated. Fortuntately there are plenty of options out there for aftermarket add ons for snack, drink and sunglasses storage.

For more photos check out my Whrrl Story on the Mutsy Transporter. See the Mutsy site for Mutsy Transporter Stats.

Filed Under: On The Go, Strollers Tagged With: Easy to Fold Strollers, Lightweight Strollers, Stollers for Themeparks

Big City Moms’ Biggest Baby Shower 10/6/09 in NYC

October 2, 2009 By nancy 2 Comments

Image and video hosting by TinyPic Giveaway is now closed.

Hey expecting NYC mamas– this Tuesday night, October 6th, don’t miss Big City Moms and Cookie Magazine‘s 6th Annual Biggest Baby Shower, which will be held at the American Girl Place at 609 Fifth Avenue. Doors open at 7:30 pm (Super Pass holders can come at 6:30 pm). Standard tickets are still available for $65.

Cybex, Born Free, Rosie Pope Maternity, Cloud B, il gufo, Bugaboo, Skip Hop, Inglesina, Orbit Baby and Britax, as well as many other companies, will be showing off their latest products.

Actress Kelly Rutherford and Dr. Alan Greene will be guest speakers. To attend, please email events@bigcitymoms.com, or call 917-488-8542. For more information please visit www.bigcitymoms.com.

Exclusive for MWS Readers: Cybex is giving away one Super Pass. To enter: leave a comment under this post about what item(s) you feel are splurge-worthy for your new arrival. This giveaway closes Monday, October 5th at 3pm and will be chosen at random on Monday afternoon. Only open to U.S. residents are expecting and can be in Manhattan for Tuesday night’s event.

Filed Under: Giveaways, Parents, Pregnancy & Maternity, Strollers

Bugaboo and (RED) Team up to Fight Aids

September 9, 2009 By nancy 2 Comments

Image and video hosting by TinyPic Bugaboo is teaming up with (RED) to empower parents across the world to participate in the fight against AIDS in Africa. Starting on October 1, 2009, with any Bugaboo purchase, Bugaboo will contribute 1% of their revenue to the Global Fund to help fund AIDS programs in Africa — with an emphasis on the health of women and children. The funds support programs that often include delivery of lifesaving antiretroviral treatment and support for treatment to help prevent the transmission of HIV from mother to child.

Parents can choose to either purchase from the existing Bugaboo range or from the (BUGABOO)RED Special Collection to help those affected by HIV and AIDS in Africa, including millions of mothers and children.

The (BUGABOO)RED Special Collection includes a Bugaboo Cameleon Denim Stroller featuring a black matte frame, dark denim fabric and a distinctive red brake handle. Also for sale is a white leather (BUGABOO)RED Bag. The multipurpose modern carryall includes a changing mat, numerous compartments and removable food and drink containers.

(RED) was founded in 2006 to engage the private sector in raising awareness and funds for the Global Fund, to help eliminate AIDS in Africa.

Filed Under: Misc, Strollers Tagged With: bugaboo, RED

The Quinny Buzz4: A Sweet Ride

September 4, 2009 By cheryl 1 Comment

cherylstroller2 So I was upstairs, putting my four month-old to bed, while my husband got ready to take my two older kids out for a run in the jogging stroller. Suddenly, he burst into the room with some awful, awful news.

No, it wasn’t the kids. They were fine. It was my baby stroller. It met its very untimely and inconvenient demise when it was snapped in two by our closing garage door (yes, we’re checking the sensors!).

I was incredibly lucky to get the chance to test the Quinny Buzz4.

The box arrived when my husband was out of town. I am mechanically impaired, but I had no problem assembling the stroller myself. All I really had to do was pop on the wheels and slip on the under-carriage basket and we were ready to roll.

My son does not like to sit in his carseat. So strolling him around the neighborhood was out of the question. But he absolutely adores riding in the Quinny Buzz’s super-comfy stroller seat. The cushy seat can be placed in a forward or rear-facing position, and can be tilted or set upright. It also has a footrest that can adjust with your growing child.

I love that the pushbar can be easily raised, which is great for someone like me who is 5-foot-8 and is tired of having to hunch over shorter strollers. I also appreciate the front swivel wheels (they can be locked). Taking the boy for a walk is a breeze, as I can easily navigate all dips, curbs and uneven pavement.

Folding it took some practice, as you have to press both levers and push to get it down. Unfolding, however, is a dream. You simply press a lever and it opens on its own. I can also easily lift it into the back of my SUV. And it folds completely flat.

cherylstroller The Quinny Buzz4 comes with adapters for the Maxi Cosi child car seat (the seat is sold separately) a bug net, rain shield, shopping basket and sun canopy. It also came with a replacement seat cushion that can accommodate a bigger toddler (the seat holds up to 50 pounds).

What’s also really fun is hearing all the comments I get whenever I take my stroller out. It comes in fun colors, and mine is a bright strawberry red. It just looks cool. With the Quinny Buzz4, looks aren’t everything – they’re just the icing on the cake.

Filed Under: Strollers Tagged With: quinny, quinny buzz, stroller

I WANT to learn to run. To Start I have a Joovy Zoom 360.

September 2, 2009 By julie Leave a Comment

zoom-360 Its a goal. Not one I’m sure I’ll keep, but a goal all the same. You see, I’ve never liked running. But this year while I was pregnant and unable to working out, a group of friends in my MOMS Club formed a Couch to 5K team. They set goals, got together a few times a week and learned to run. And after several weeks of training, they ran a 5K. Another group of friends began training last year at our gym. They still attended our regular classes, but picked up running on treadmills, tracking and comparing times; cheering each other on. I even saw a few at parks and running around town while training. Now they’re running races. All this amazes me. So, I want to learn to run.

Of course, I’m barely permitted to workout yet. I may not yet have the ability to run, but I have the gear. I was sent a Joovy Zoom 360 stroller a few weeks ago. Setting it up took just a few minutes, with 3 and 5year olds helping their very pregnant mom. It sat in my dining room until my husband came home to take it downstairs to the garage (I couldn’t lift then, either, and it weighs 26 pounds.) So my kids tested it out. One napped in it a few times (he tells me it was as comfortable as his bed.) The other pushed it around (he could barely see over the hood, but he had no problem pushing and the turning radius of the swivel wheel proved fantastic (which was very important considering he was weaving in and out of furniture.)

Finally, we took it out around the neighborhood. It strolled nicely and smoothly with shocks that allowed for pleasant bouncing when we hit bumps.Recommended for kids ages 6 months through 75 pounds, the Zoom 360 can be used for years–and lots of jogs.

And since there will be a lot of jogs, Joovy added clever mesh pockets on the inside of the stroller, one either side of the very roomy seat. The pockets are ideal for holding small toys and cups. Strap your child in to the 5-point harness with reflective stitching, and get set with the multi-position reclining seat–easily adjustable with a firm lock to keep it in place. It also sits higher and straighter than many jogger stroller seats I’ve seen.

For the parent, there’s a great sized stroller basket with an air pump inside, and a neoprene parent caddy containing 2 cup pockets and a zippered pocket for toting your small items. I love that this is so easily removable to wash or bring with you. For the die-hard jogger (and I don’t know if I’ll ever be this dedicated) the Joovy Zoom 360 includes a rain cover.

The fold is simple, and it folds tightly–the wheels are the reason for the 17 inch folded height. If not for the wheels it’d have a very narrow fold height. The front wheel is my favorite aspect of the stroller. Fixed wheels drive me crazy (I know… I”m probably not a true runner, right?) But since I’m learning to run, I know I’ll need it. The switch between fixed and swivel is quick and easy, but locks in firmly.

So, I have the gear… stay tuned when baby is six months and we’ll see if the gear encourages me to run.

In the meantime, set your own goals and start with your own Joovy Zoom 360, retailing for $399 with free USA shipping.

Filed Under: Strollers Tagged With: jogger stroller, joovy, zoom 360

Baby is One Month Old: Products We’re Using

August 31, 2009 By julie 4 Comments

Wow. One month old. How did that happen? She’s growing and changing keeping all of us on our toes. No surprise, she’s our little princess and we’re falling to her every need.

Hats off to Diapers.com for making my life so much easier. There’s nothing as nice as ordering diapers and finding them at your doorstep before 7 am the next morning. I have enough confidence in Diapers.com that I haven’t stressed out about having only 5 diapers left yet.

Last week I received a Britax Chaperone stroller. Its made to attach to our Chaperone carseat/baby carrier and its wonderful. Its a full-size stroller with a sturdy frame, enormous and easily available basket and a simple fold. Its a bit heavier than I would have liked since I’m still working up my strength after a not-so-ideal recovery, but on the bright side, the weight of this stroller keeps it steady and ensures me baby is a lot safer than the travel system I used in the past. The wheel base is secure and much thinner than many other strollers–I’m now fitting between most aisles. The combination of the Chaperone stroller and infant seat put this travel system in its own category–its fancier and finer than most. Get a $100 rebate when you purchase both the Chaperone Stroller and the Chaperone Infant Seat before December 31. This week, you can also enter to win a Chaperone stroller and infant seat when you join Britax’s Facebook fan page and answer their wall question.

I have quite a variety in nursing bras. I’m really liking the Organic Easy Bra by Majamas. Its a tank-style bra with a crossover, which means there are no clips, buttons or snaps to attach detach. When you need to quickly feed, just cross the tank over to the outside of your breast and feed with ease. Its comfortable (no wires, no hooks, no adjustments) and really easy. Get 10% off all nursing products (final price $24.30) when you use coupon code NursingWeek09 at Figure 8 Maternity.

Last week I tried not to gloat, but our girl is a sleeper. In fact, since she was 5 days old, there’s only been one night that she hasn’t slept through the night. I give a lot of the credit to a good swaddle. And I’ve found the best way to get a great, strong swaddle is by using a Miracle Blanket. In fact that one night that she didn’t sleep through, the Miracle Blankets were both in the washing machine. I’ve since ordered more so that that won’t happen again! Order 2 or more and everyone can take advantage of Miracle Blanket’s twin discount of 15% off.

Filed Under: Babies, Diapering, Infant Car Seats, Nursery, Strollers Tagged With: britax, chaperone, diapers.com, majamas, miracle blanket

Ride In Style: The Bumbleride Flyer

August 28, 2009 By kate Leave a Comment

I’m so excited to introduce (I think for the first time?) MWS readers to a company that is quickly working its way up my favorites list: Bumbleride. Their collection of strollers embodies simplicity, sophistication and style while meeting the needs of both mom and baby. I recently had the chance to test-stroll the beautiful Bumbleride Flyer.

In the Box: Although the Flyer has an air of simplicity about it, the Flyer comes with a surprising amount of goodies. Besides the stroller chassis, wheels and canopy, you also receive a padded bumper bar, an infant car seat adaptor and safety belt, headrest and shoulder pads, a rain cover and a cup holder. I’m impressed already.

Set-Up: Assembly was under 5 minutes since the Flyer only requires you to pop on the four wheels, attach the canopy and if you wish, click in either the bumper bar or infant car seat adaptor. Done!

Baby Comforts: Available in five modern color combinations, the interior material is soft and (hurray!) machine washable. The included head support and shoulder pads add additional comfort. There are five backrest position – including completely upright for toddlers and completely vertical for infants – as well as eleven different positions for the footrest. The canopy also provides stellar coverage and zips open in the back for ventilation. This stroller isn’t meant for off-roading, but sidewalk bumps and cracks were barely noticeable with the Flyer’s front and rear suspension.

Mom Appeal: The Bumbleride Flyer keeps moms (and dads!) in mind. First there is the generous and easily accessible under stroller cargo section. Next is the peek-a-book window on the canopy as well as a small, attached zippered pouch to keep keys, cell phones and cash close-by. Then there is the handlebar. The Flyer handlebars not only come with a detachable cup-holder. They are also adjustable in height (from 32-45”) and reversible. Yes, reversible. You can chose between having your baby face out or in with a quick pull of a lever.

Safety: The Flyer has a quick-release five-point harness with straps that were easy to adjust and individual wheels brakes to ensure a secure stop.

Extras: Optional accessories for the Flyer include a CarryCot, Footmuff, JamPak diaper bag and their new SnackPak, a waterproof, insulated, double compartment zippered pouch that makes snacking while you stroll a cinch.

Fold & Carry: With the simple press of a button on either side of the stroller frame, the Flyer easily folds in half and locks closed for storage. Plus the 19 lb. anodized aluminum frame makes the stroller light enough to keep me from breaking a sweat taking it in and out of the car.

The Verdict? A great lightweight, fashionable stroller with lots of features and functions for parents and baby alike. Visit the Bumbleride website to learn more or purchase.

Filed Under: On The Go, Strollers Tagged With: Bumbleride, Flyer, stroller

Bike Trailer + Jogger = Baby Jogger Switchback Hybrid

July 10, 2009 By kate 4 Comments

trailer2 Getting outside is a daily requirement for sanity in our house, and one of our favorite summertime activities is to hop on our tandem bike, load the kids in the bike trailer and ride down to the beach. We’ve tried out a handful of trailers over the years, but none has been as impressive as the Baby Jogger Switchback Hybrid.

The Switchback is not only an incredible bike trailer, it also transitions quickly and easily into a jogging stroller. There are other bike trailers on the market that can do this, but most require you to purchase a conversation kit separately ($$!), require tools and time to switch back and forth between modes and don’t offer a way to store the extra pieces for the other mode on the trailer itself. The Baby Jogger Switchback Hybrid does all of this. And more.

The Interior

Compared to many other trailers the Switchback feels like a four-star hotel! The padded seats cushions and harness covers are luxurious and soft (though practical and machine-washable too) and there is ample legroom (26” length). There is even enough room to store towels, toys and our picnic lunch at my kids’ feet without diminishing their legroom. Suitable for either one child or two (up to 100 lbs. total), the Switchback provides two 5-point harnesses, interior pockets for holding sippy cups and snacks and a sturdy floor board to provide stability when entering and exiting the trailer. On nice summer days, we’ll roll the front wind/rain cover up and just use the zippered bug screen to provide lots of ventilation. But if it’s too cold/windy/rainy and we need to put the wind/rain cover down, I love that the Switchback has two side window vents that still allow the kids to get fresh air (and me to be able to hear if they are behaving).

Now for my two favorite features – the solid, continuous bench seat and the built-in helmet pockets. A previous trailer we used had a fabric seat that didn’t have any solid construction in it. Perhaps it would have worked decently for one child, but when we put two in, both kids would fall into the center, leaning on each other and inevitably leading to a battle of space. Though the Switchback is narrower than some (23” internal width) with the solid bench seat, both kids stay put in their seat space. My other favorite feature is the built-in helmet pockets. In many trailers, when kids wear helmets (as they must), they can’t fully lean their heads back against the seat which usually results in them being in a permanent nod position. The helmet pocket allows kids to sit comfortably while staying safe with a helmet.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Family Travel, Fitness, On The Go, Strollers Tagged With: Baby Jogger, bike trailer, jogging stroller, Switchback Hybrid

Bertini B5: A hot new choice amongst travel systems

July 8, 2009 By julie 51 Comments

bertini My infant carseat expires in about 3 months… not quite enough time to use the old seat for my new baby. So I’ve been surveying the aisles of Babies R Us, Target, and the like for a new seat.

And, really, if I’m going to get a new seat, I might as well get a travel system to make life easier, right? The Bertini B5 catches my eye time and again at BRU, and not just because its also in my garage. With its sharp-looking fabric of black and white with yellow piping, its certain to be a set you give a second look to as well. (Please, go to the store and take a look yourself, or see my image of the stroller here. Its so much a sharper look in person.)

We’ve tested out the B5 carseat in 3 cars, making sure it fits with ease. (According to Car Passenger Seat Tech Dr. Laura Jana, this is extremely important when selecting a carseat. Always ask to take it outside to your car(s) and make sure its a comfortable fit.) Surprisingly, I could fit the Bertini, a Britax Roundabout and a Britax Marathon 3-across in the second row of my Honda Pilot. The squeeze was extremely tight, but it was doable. In the VW Routan (image here) which I recently tested, I found it difficult to install, but not so much because of the B5′s LATCHs, more because the LATCHes are difficult to access in the Routan. It also fit nicely in our Honda Accord, though only 2 seats will fit in there.

A feature I love in the B5 is the ability to keep the handle in the upright position. This isn’t something all seats do (read your instruction guide because all seats are different) and with 3 kids any little step you can avoid (like clicking the handle down) is a bonus.

The seat features EPP ProTech foam (energy absorbing) and adjustable stay in car base which uses either LATCH and tether. As well you can strap the seat directly into the car. And while it provides more legroom than the average seat (allowing for longer babies and longer use than many seats), it also comes with an insert for smaller babies. The seat has been tested and approved for babies 4 to 35 pounds.

The stroller, which is approved up to 50 pounds, offers a large seat base, huge basket, and an easy-to-collapse one handed release. The highlight to the stroller? It stands upright and clips in the baby seat simply by placing the carrier onto the stroller.

Filed Under: Carseats and Boosters, Child Safety, Infant Car Seats, Strollers Tagged With: baby carrier, baby carseat, bertini b5, travel system

Don’t give up your favorite purse for your diaper bag-Get a Pishposh instead!

July 7, 2009 By debbie Leave a Comment

Wouldn’t you love to use your favorite purse as your diaper bag? I know I would! I love carrying a purse, but when I have the need for a diaper bag there is no reason to carry both. So, when I came across the Pishposh, I was ecstatic!

Why give your purse up just because you need to carry some baby essentials? Pishposh is a carryall organizer that can be used as a purse organizer, diaper bag organizer and stroller organizer for your baby basics. How cool is that? It is designed so that you can easily transport the Pishposh from purse to purse, purse to stroller or stroller to diaper bag. What a great way to keep your large diaper bag organized as well! There are 7 outer pockets of different sizes that can hold your wallet, phone, keys, camera, pacifier, etc. Inside the Pishposh is 1 large pocket that could easily hold diapers and wipes, 2 smaller pockets, 1 secure zippered pocket and 2 elastic pockets to hold bottles/cups. There is also some room in the middle to store larger items like clothes or snacks. The pull string close allows for quick access so you can reach in and grab what you need in a hurry.

Don’t miss the days any longer where you could just grab a purse and go. Get a Pishposh and start using your favorite purse as a diaper bag! Use code MWS10 to save 10% off of your purchase.

Filed Under: Coupon Codes & Sales, Diaper Bags & Totes, Family Travel, Mommy Time, On The Go, Strollers Tagged With: Diaper Bag, Pishposh, purse

Wear Spandex. Win a BOB.

June 11, 2009 By kate Leave a Comment

Remember on Tuesday how I blubbered on and on about how much I love the BOB Revolution stroller? (click HERE to read about my infatuation with this stroller) If you visited BOB’s site and thought, “Yeah, great stroller, but it’s a lot of money…sure would be nice to win one….” then brace yourself. Again.

BOB is giving away a stroller. BOB wants to help you get in shape this summer so they are giving away a BOB Stroller Strides Fitness Stroller which consists of the fabulous BOB Revolution stroller plus the handlebar console, exercise tubing and a fitness manual to provide exercise suggestions and help you keep track of your workouts. Normally, this would cost you $399, but for you, FREE.

All you have to do is show BOB that you know how to rock your walk, know how to have fun on your run. BOB wants to see your crazy, creative, adorable, hilarious, wild workout wear. Maybe it’s coordinated velour jogging suits for you and your little one. Perhaps you’ve saved from gems from your high school workout wardrobe. Maybe you crochet a full-body BOB-themed sweat suit. Whatever it is, get a picture of it and upload it here.

BOB will choose one winner of the BOB Stroller Strides Fitness Stroller.

Contest ends June 29th and as of today, there are only 12 other enteries, so your odds are looking pretty favorable. The question is – can you rock that hot pink spandex unitard?

Filed Under: Strollers Tagged With: BOB, contest