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About the author  ⁄ Nicole

Nicole is the Managing Editor here at Savvy Sassy Moms. She is a cabernet sipping, stiletto wearing mama to three girls. She takes pride in caring for herself and the fact that she's never owned a pair of "Mom Jeans". When Nicole isn't here with the other Savvy Mama's she's blogging at her personal blog Moments that Define Life or tweeting @MTDLBlog

 

 

How many times have you seen an average-height person hunched over a teeny tiny umbrella stroller and imagined how uncomfortable that must be? Maybe that’s you we’re talking about too! Now imagine what it must be like to be on the taller end of the human spectrum, even average-sized strollers are far too short. Parents and caregivers hunch over the handlebars and constantly kick the rear axle while walking, interfering with their natural stride and making the outing with baby a bit less enjoyable.

Stroller companies have listened and responded to parents’ wishes for a stroller that can rise to the challenge tall people face. Whether your husband is a tall man or you’re a tall mother, I’ve got a list of good quality baby strollers that will leave you standing straight and walking with purpose.

Umbrella Strollers

These are the strollers likely to give taller people the most grief. At the end of the day, you’re going to have to spend more money to get a better quality product that is comfortable to maneuver. But the good news is that it will likely not be much heavier than the cheapest strollers because of the quality aluminum in use today. As a matter of fact, the weight limits on some of these strollers are amazing! What used to carry only 35 pounds can now carry up to 55 pounds, which is great for all those moms with preschoolers who still need a ride. Here are the top umbrella strollers for tall parents and caregivers.

Joovy
Always looking to improve their products, Joovy has done just that with their umbrella model, the Groove. I personally tested this one out and my tall mama friend used it as well and the first thing she noticed was how comfortable the height of the handles were at 42 inches. While it’s loaded with cool features, it is a tad heavier than you’d expect from an umbrella model.

UPPAbaby
Two models, the G-Lite and G-Luxe are quite popular and considered one of the better brands you can buy for quality. The handles on these strollers go up to 42 inches from the ground, a comfortable height for most taller adults.

Baby Cargo
New on the baby products scene, Baby Cargo has only umbrella models in their stroller lineup. They offer the 100 Series, 200 Series and 300 Series, each adding more features and different colors. All handle heights for this brand reach 42 inches, the tallest you can find.

The above strollers only come as singles. If you are in the market for a double umbrella stroller with tall handles, then you’ll probably feel comfortable with either a Maclaren Twin Triumph or Twin Techno. The handles on all Maclaren strollers go up to 41.5 inches.

All-Terrain/Jogging

Surprisingly, many of the fixed-wheel joggers do not have adjustable height handles. But most of the front-swivel-wheel all-terrain strollers do have this feature. Popular brands like BOB only go up to 40 inches tall, which is probably sufficient for most people. But if you want a stroller that has an adjustable handle, look at these brands.

Jeep
One of the few fixed wheel strollers I can find with an adjustable handle, the Jeep Overland reaches up to 43 inches! It has excellent ratings and a very reasonable price tag.

Mountain Buggy
You’re going to pay more for this brand, but Mountain Buggy all terrain strollers are worth the investment! They have three all-terrain models with adjustable height handle bars:
Swift goes to 42″
Urban Jungle goes up to 44″
Terrain goes up to an amazing 46″
These strollers are offered as doubles, too!

BumbleRide
Offering a colorful array of all-terrain strollers, Bumbleride’s all terrain model is the Indie or Indie Twin double side-by-side. Bumbleride is another luxury brand, but you will get adjustable height handles that go up to 45 inches tall.

Convertible Strollers

These are the luxury, multi-purpose buggies that have broad appeal in a wide range of styles and prices. Convertible strollers have a reversing seat that can be taken off when baby’s a newborn so you can install the car seat or bassinet. Here are some top brands for tall parents.

UPPAbaby
The Cruz and Vista are some of the most attractive and popular convertible stroller models. While the handle height is adjustable, the tallest it goes on this brand is 41.5 inches.

Britax
Improved for 2012, the B-Ready is Britax’s convertible stroller. And it’s a dream to push, especially when the handle height has an 11-inch span between 33 and 44 inches tall. Love that!

Phil&Teds
Known for their all-terrain three-wheeled strollers, Phil&Teds recently introduced the Promenade, a 4-wheeled gorgeous convertible buggy that can transform into a double. The handle swoops outward and gives the tallest parent plenty of stride room even when the second rumble seat is in use.

Lightweight

Lightweight strollers are much like their umbrella counterparts: parents want convenience and compact size, just something a little more substantial. But you run into the same problems with lightweight strollers as you do with umbrella: sometimes that handle is just too short! Simply check here first before shopping.

Baby Jogger
Baby Jogger’s brand new City Versa is not only lightweight but it falls into the convertible stroller category. The handle on this new lovely product adjusts to a 42-inch height.

Peg Perego
While most of Peg Perego’s strollers have two handles like umbrella strollers, they don’t necessarily fold like an umbrella stroller and they have way too many features and a bit more heft to them to qualify as an umbrella. Check out their Pliko Four, Switch, Si and Switch Four. They each have telescoping handles for height adjustment and while it isn’t the tallest, it does rise 41 inches from the ground.

Inglesina

The Avio is Inglesina’s lightweight luxury model with a single handle bar. It is a beautiful stroller that is easy to maneuver and with a handle height at 41 inches, it is high enough for comfort for most taller people.

Now everyone is included for strolling in comfort AND style. Are you tall? What’s your experience been? I’d love to see your comment!

Amy Tanathorn researches the best baby strollers at Stroller Envy, where you can read in-depth reviews for all the most brands and models including video demonstrations, product specs, photos and detailed descriptions.

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Pregnant women no longer have to suffer through unattractive and old-fashioned maternity clothing.  Maternity fashion trends are now following straight off–the-runway looks while still flattering an expanding belly.  Encore Maternity founder and celebrity stylist, Lauren Maslin says, “Go bold. Animal prints, stripes, dark patterns, bright colors and sequins are huge trends for the fall season.”

 

Dresses that skim the body and show off your arms in animal prints, dark prints or stripes work best for day into night. Wrap style dresses flatter every shape. Stick to cotton fabric with a touch of lycra and side ruching for ultimate comfort and style. Finish the look with a skinny belt worn just below the bust.

Invest in fitted maternity t-shirts in white, black and bold colors that fit right below the buttocks. These versatile and comfortable t-shirts can be dressed up with a fitted blazer and the right accessories.

Go casual in a fitted t-shirt with black leggings, a jean jacket, and a pair of converse for errands.  Dress up the look with slim or bootcut maternity jean in a dark wash or colored cord with side elastic panels. Find designer jeans like JBrand, Seven and more for $99 on Encore.  Complete the look with chunky heeled boots, gold cuffs and some long gold necklaces and you’re ready for a night out.

Look for long fitted v-neck sweaters in dark jewel toned colors or patterned cardigans that show off your décolletage and elongate your neck. Brands like Vince, DVF on Encore start at $59. Finish the look with a wide scarf in bold colors or patterns that is large enough to wrap around twice. Scarves are great accessories. They are versatile, great for layering and will keep you cozy in the crisp fall weather.

What are your favorite fall maternity fashions?

About Encore Maternity:

Encore Maternity.com is a revolutionary website devoted to stylish moms-to-be.  Encore offers an upscale collection of gently used and new maternity clothing for a fraction of the retail price. Every item on the site is hand selected and green cleaned.  Encore makes it easy for expecting moms to look and feel their best as their body grows without investing in an expensive maternity wardrobe.

About the Founder:

Growing up in the fashion industry, Lauren Maslin has spent the past fifteen years as a sought after celebrity stylist on both coasts. Early in her career, she was the on air makeover stylist for The Maury Povich Show. Lauren went on to work as the stylist to Jon Stewart, host of The Daily Show, for 11 years.

Lauren discovered consignment shopping at an early age in order to dress in the brands and styles she adored but could often not afford. Encore Maternity .com is a labor of love. “I created Encore because while I was expecting, it was important to me to maintain my pre-pregnancy style but I didn’t have an unlimited budget. I knew Encore could help other expecting moms look and feel great.  My financial priorities were always my baby’s needs, not springing for designer labels, “ Lauren says. While Lauren is extremely proud of her career highlights her most accomplished role is that of mother to her son Jake.

 

For additional questions or to set up an interview with Encore Maternity founder, Lauren Maslin, please contact Candice Lombardi [email protected]

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Here at Savvy Sassy Moms we’ve recently discovered a lovely brand called Zutano that creates clothing for newborns (including preemies!), babies and toddlers. We told you last month the history behind this company that all started with a bike delivery system in New York City after Andrea headed to their event in New York City during the Blogher conference  event.

This month, they decided to send two adorable outfits our way to try out with my twins who are 2.5 years old and we were so tickled about that. The clothes arrived and I was very pleased with the quality of the fabric – it’s soft and thick – which I know will hold up to many washings…and scrubbings at the knees – notice the dirty knee in the picture below? Can’t keep anything clean with these two, don’t let the cute faces and girly-girl bows fool you!

My girls love to run around and have a great time and these legging sets are perfect for their days at preschool where they do just that.

The sets are bright and cheerful – both in color and in the patterns chosen. What I love about the colors that you see is that while they are bright, they are still warm and evoke a sweetness because of the chocolate brown added in the mix. The patterns aren’t so busy that you feel the need to look away. Perhaps it’s just me, but I feel like the color choices play down the patterns here and they balanced it all just right. It’s a delicate balance between pattern and color for me – otherwise I naturally gravitate towards solids or neutrals when I pick up a pattern for my kids.

Overall, these outfits are fantastic and I have no doubt they will get us through the year of fun and play in preschool.

My only note about Zutano is they run a bit big. I ordered a 3T (which they are wearing in other brands) and when they came for my girls who, for their age are tall, they were a bit oversized. We washed them up and they did shrink up a good bit, so that is also a consideration. But if you have a child who is little pea pod, you may want to err on the side of smaller – at least with these particular pants and long sleeve shirts.

Are you a Zutano fan? 

 

I was sent two complete outfits to review for this post but all savvy thoughts and sassy opinions are my own.

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Heidi Klum had me at Project Runway…I love her no nonsense way of running that show. But, without sounding cliche, it will be interesting to see if her tagline will apply over time…

 

come on…you know you want to say it with me…

 

“One day you’re in, and the next day you’re out”

 

Based on what I’m seeing, she was being very mindful with her line because she is in the business of cutting out people for bad fashion and design choices.

 

Her lines are colorful, playful and designed with ease in mind. While they may not meet the personal taste of all parents, I think many will love what she’s come out with.

 

Important details to note:
  • This new collection, Truly Scrumptious by Heidi Klum, will be available in all Babies“R”Us stores across North America and online at Babiesrus.com beginning Saturday, September 15th!
  • Apparel and accessories will be perfect for mixing and matching – she talks about this in her videos on the website that all the pieces can really be combined to make looks so you’re not in need of hunting down a specific partner.
  • Bedding, room décor and gear featuring fun, colorful patterns, as well as optimal functionality. The nurseries are adorable – the Boho Harmony nursery is simply sweet and would be perfect for a little girl arriving and the Dinosaur for a boy is something I haven’t seen before – so it’s a great option for a nursery.
  • Heidi’s collections are being designed for newborns, infants, toddlers and growing kids.
  • The fall apparel assortment includes layette for little ones up to 24 months, as well as whimsical play wear and separates for kids from 2 to 5 years.
  • View videos of Heidi showing off the collection HERE.
When talking about her new venture Heidi had this to share:
“Over the years, I’ve made countless shopping trips to Babies“R”Us looking for the coolest gear, trying out the newest toys and shopping for fun clothes. Babies“R”Us is the ultimate authority in baby products,” said Klum. “I’m so excited to partner with them to create a fun, magical and unexpected collection that is also affordable.  I know how important it is for moms to make smart purchases when it comes to shopping for their ever-growing children.  My friends always joke that I’m the go-to person for advice on gifts and gear. Now, I get to bring my ideas to moms everywhere that offer function with a fashionable flair. My designs for Truly Scrumptious have really been inspired by all the adorable children who are just that – truly scrumptious – and deserve to have nothing but the best!”
We here at Savvy Sassy Moms think Heidi’s collection looks fantastic and there really is something for every taste – so make sure to check it out!

 

Are you excited to take a peek at Heidi’s collection this Saturday? 

 

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When my oldest daughter was an infant, I was just starting to get wind of the crib bumper suffocation risk. Then the twins came along with all their drama and the fact that they had to “learn” how to breath on their own and I was even more aware – so of course, when I came across these recently, while I am out of those baby stages (and plan to keep on movin’ on….ahem….) I thought they were most certainly worthy of a share here.

Parents concerned about letting their babies sleep in a bare crib now have a solution. Wonder Bumpers are a new design of crib bumpers that remove the suffocation risk associated with traditional bumpers that wrap around the bottom of the crib interior. Wonder Bumpers are a set of individual bumpers that you zip around each crib rail separately, leaving space between the rails for airflow. Parents do not have to worry about their little ones pulling the bumpers down on themselves either, because Wonder Bumpers zipper closure keeps them securely in place while making it easy for parents to remove them for washing. This my friends is brilliant. Sure, it’s a pain to unzip so many bumpers, but I would honestly find the untying of the traditional bumper a bit more annoying simply because they would become so tightened it was nearly impossible to undue them.

Take a look at this new spin on the crib bumper….

Go Mama Go Designs is behind this innovative design which promotes airflow while still protecting the infants head and body from the crib rails.

Traditional crib bumper pads have come under heavy fire recently as the CDC released findings from a new study revealing in 2009 alone, 665 babies died from accidental suffocation or strangulation while asleep. The city of Chicago has banned the sale of traditional bumpers, the American Academy of Pediatrics has declared traditional bumpers dangerous and recommends parents not use them, and several other states are considering bans on the sale of the product as well. Parents seeking an alternative product that will protect their babies from hitting their heads on hard crib sides or getting a limb stuck between crib rails can find a safe solution in Wonder Bumpers.

 

About Go Mama Go Designs

Go Mama Go Designs, LLC was founded in 2006 by two mompreneurs on a mission to create products that make life safer, easier and more enjoyable for new parents. Go Mama Go Designs’ innovative products include the award-winning Wonder Bumpers, smart vertical crib bumper pads, and the patented Snug & Tug swaddling blanket, both designed to create a safe, cozy sleep environment for infants.

What do you think about this new spin on the crib bumper?

This was NOT a sponsored post.

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Many hospitals and or birth centers have certain days or evenings when they give tours of the labor, delivery, and post partum areas. It’s ideal to do your tour between your 32nd and 34th weeks. Walking is easier and more comfortable before you get too big. If you do your tour too soon, you may forget a few details.

I hope these tour topics help your tour time to be the most effective. Ideally they may stimulate you to think of more personal questions as you progress towards your delivery.

There are five basic categories of questions

  • Arriving at the hospital
  • Arriving at the birth center
  • Labor
  • Delivery
  • After delivery

Arriving at the hospital

Where do we park? In larger hospitals it can be quite a maze trying to find the best place to park when you are actually in labor. You don’t want to end up in some parking structure that empties you out in some unknown part of the hospital…far away from the birth center. Some facilities have “valet parking” for labor patients, or even special parking slots. Double check if there are certain entrance doors that might be only open during normal business hours. Your birth center tour leader can give you the best parking arrangements.

Should I go to the emergency room or directly to the Birth Center? If you are over 20 weeks pregnant and are not having an “emergency” situation (car accident, broken bone, asthma attack, etc), you should always go to the Labor and Delivery area of the hospital’s birth center. This is where the pregnancy experts are located. The ER team doesn’t necessarily have the expertise found in the birth center area. Most birth centers have a triage area where the nurses/doctors decide what your labor status may be.

Should I walk or take a wheelchair? In most cases it is perfectly fine for you to walk from your car into the birth center. However, if your bag of water has broken (and you’re leaking down your leg), you have high blood pressure concerns, you are in too much pain, or it doesn’t seem safe, take a wheelchair. Ask your tour leader about their particular hospitals guidelines. Also ask where the wheelchairs are located if you need one.

Arriving at the Birth Center

Where do I go? If you are coming for a labor check, the birth center’s triage area should be your destination. Consider this as a “mini ER” just for pregnant patients.

Who checks me and calls my delivering provider? Once you have arrived in the triage area, the nursing staff will usually ask you a bunch of questions (take a history). A nurse will also check you on the inside to see if your bag of water has broken or if you are dilating. Depending on your provider’s preferences, your nurse will generally call your provider and relay the details of your particular labor situation. Based on that communication, your provider will either “come in” or give some instructions (orders) regarding the next step in your care. Your provider may have you call them directly before you come to be checked. This is an individual preference.

Who decides if I am in labor? Most of the time, deciding if someone is in labor is a combination of decisions. It is usually based on the frequency and intensity of contractions and/or determining if your bag of water has broken, and if you are dilating. Every provider has their own “favorite” formula. If your provider relies on the nursing staff for getting this information, the nurses (in a sense) make this shared decision with your provider. If your provider is in the birth center, they will usually make this decision.

How do my prenatal records get from my provider’s office to the birth center? Your prenatal record keeps track of your entire pregnancy. Ideally this information is available for the delivery staff during your labor. For years this communication of information has been a huge challenge, especially with “paper” health records. If your provider uses a computerized or electronic health record, your prenatal records might be “interfaced” with the birth center’s computer system. If there isn’t an interface, or your provider uses paper charts, your records will need to be faxed or “hand carried” to the birth center. You can see the challenges….When do the records arrive? Where are they stored? What about the most recent lab tests? So, in addition to asking the birth center this question, ask your provider.

Labor

Who do I give my birth plan to? Ideally you have reviewed your birth plan with your provider. If all are in agreement, give and review your birth plan again with the nurse who will be with you during your labor. Make sure your support person knows your wishes. If there is a change of nursing staff, make sure your new nurse also knows “the plan”.

Can I eat or drink anything when I’m in labor? When you are home having early labor pains, keep eating and drinking liquids. This helps maintain a good level of energy. When you get into actual hard labor and have been admitted to the birth center, there are usually policies about what you can eat and drink. Ask about this. Many places have a special diet just for laboring women. This usually includes tea, clear juice, broth, popsicles, or flavored gelatin.

Will I need an intravenous (IV) line? Some birth centers have a policy of having an IV access (needle in vein but not attached to fluid). Some centers don’t. Make sure you ask this so you won’t have any surprises.

Will I be attached to monitors? The fetal monitor provides a way of assuring your baby is tolerating labor. In an uncomplicated pregnancy/labor and in a woman who has not had pain medications or an epidural, it is common to have “intermittent” monitoring. There are situations that advise “continuous” monitoring. Ask about your birth center’s policies and your provider’s policies.

How many visitors may I have in my labor room? There usually aren’t restrictions on numbers of people allowed in a labor room. However it is obviously limited by space and, most importantly, the laboring mom’s desires. If you have certain people who “must” be there, make sure you check with the birth center’s policies and how much space there actually is. Make sure your potential visitors also understand.

Can my family/friends spend the night? Again, it does depend on the size of your labor room and if there is a couch to rest on. On your tour, ask to see a labor room so you can see what is available.

Will I have the same nurse for my whole labor? Labor nurses tend to work 12-hour shifts. If you arrive at the beginning of a shift, there is a good chance you will have the same nurse. Otherwise, you may have two happy nurses cover your labor and delivery. If your labor lasts more than 12 hours, you too will have different nurses as their shifts change and new nurses come on. In some situations you may see the same nurse the next day…that’s a long labor.

What are my choices for pain control during labor? It is Important to know what your options are and when to ask for pain medications. Epidural pain management is provided by a provider in the anesthesia department. IV pain medication is ordered by your provider and given by the nursing staff. Be aware of what services are available at your birth center.

How do my friends and family contact me? Cell phones usually work just fine in a birth center, or you might also have a direct phone into your room. If you need to block the phone (don’t want too many calls) let the nursing staff know.

Is there a place for my family/friends to eat while I’m in labor? Be aware that not all birth centers have 24-hour food service for non-patients. Pack a cooler of snacks and food for your major support people so they can keep their energy up for you.

Delivery

Can we take photos or videos during my delivery? Most birth centers allow digital photos to be taken. Some places do not allow videos of the actual birth. Make sure you ask.

Will I need an episiotomy? This is one of those things that no one can really answer until the actual birth. Routine episiotomies are usually a thing of the past. Talk with your provider and get a feeling for their use of this procedure. This is not a hospital policy.

Who will cut the baby’s umbilical cord? If you want someone other than your provider to cut the umbilical cord, please ask the nurse caring for you. This can usually be arranged if the delivery is routine and someone has asked.

Can I hold my baby or breast-feed right away? This should be the goal of any/all birth centers. As your labor progresses, talk with the nurse caring for you so she knows your exact goals for those first important minutes. This is not usually a hospital policy, but rather a shared decision with you and your providers.

When do they take the baby’s footprints? If all is well, this is usually done sometime during the 1st hour after delivery. Bring your baby book with so the staff can also “stamp” the little foot prints into it.

What happens to the placenta? The placenta is usually checked shortly after it comes out (1-20 minutes after delivery). The provider makes sure it is “intact” (no pieces left inside). Unless you have made other plans, it is discarded.

Does the birth center do umbilical cord blood banking? If you plan to use a private cord blood company or you plan to donate your baby’s cord blood, there are several steps involved. First step is to make sure the birth center has the expertise and experience collecting the samples. Don’t wait until the last minute to figure the details. The birth center’s blood bank can offer additional information.

If I need a C-section, can my family come to the operating room? If the C-section is considered an “emergency” (life or death of mom or baby), usually there isn’t time to get a family member ready for the surgery room. If the C-section is for a non-emergency reason, you can expect that one family member can be prepared (scrub clothing, hand washing, and briefing) for coming with you.

After Delivery

Where will I go after I deliver my baby? Some birth centers have LDR (Labor, Delivery, Recovery) rooms and others have LDRP (Labor, Delivery, Recovery, Postpartum) rooms. With an LDR, you usually stay about 1-2 hours after the delivery and are then transported (typically in a wheelchair) to another part of the center where you will spend the rest of your stay with your baby. With an LDRP, you stay in the same room until you go home. What is the arrangement at your birth center…be sure to ask.

Where does the baby go after delivery? If all is well, your baby is most happy with his/her mother. At some point the baby will go to the nursery to get warm, bathed, and checked by the pediatrician. The amount of time spent before going to the nursery varies with every birth center. Don’t forget to ask.

When will I go home? If you had a vaginal delivery and if it is your first baby, usually you stay about 48 hours after delivery. If it is your second baby, and there are no other “issues”, you may ask to go home at 24 hours or so. If you had a C-section, you will probably stay about 72 hours (3 days).

Hopefully this list has been helpful and you get the answers you need. Labor and delivery is full of surprises. With this list you will have some surprises eliminated.

The author of The Pregnancy Power Workbook, Nurse Practitioner Camilla Bicknell called upon her 30-years of experience caring for women who are pregnant to co-write The Pregnancy Power Workbook.  Her career is dedicated to the most underserved and she continues to provide prenatal and gynecology care at a large community health center in Colorado Springs, CO. Camilla is also the proud recipient of The Navy Nurse Corps Association’s 2012 Professional Nursing Award. 

 

 Image 1: abarefoot

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Motherhood is a big job. It requires patience, perseverance and sometimes…a cocktail.

We are loving the concept behind this book, Mommy Mixology by Janet Frongillo – from it’s clever play on words to it’s empathetic stance that motherhood is no walk in the park, this book belongs on the shelf of those who enjoy sipping on a little cocktail from time to time.  While you sip on the Colicky Cocktail Cider after a long bout with that poor little one in your home you can enjoy the stories of someone who knows where you’ve been.

Personally, as a mother to three, two of which are twins, this book is a breath of fresh air. I’m not one to drown my sorrows in the bottle but I do often tackle challenge with humor and adding an equally humorous cocktail in the mix just brightens up the day that much more. I could easily see myself having a Cosmopotty in the very near future since I will be enduring the challenges that potty training twins will entail – that will no doubt mean a drink is in order…just sayin’.

We love bringing fresh and new products and we couldn’t pass up sharing this lively little book. It would make a great gift for a new mother or something to carry you through a particularly tough period in your child’s life…say potty training or sleepless nights….or those dreaded teen years.

Just remember to enjoy responsibly. {wink}

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My husband and I have been at odds with one another over beds for the better part of our ten year marriage. Our first bed was something I liken to a hard rock. Of course, at the time, it was all that we could afford and all we knew, so no big deal. Then we ventured into a standard pillow top bed that started to break down within the first five years. Let’s just say we were not happy campers considering the investment we made. After sleeping on that bed for far too long, my husband finally had enough of his terrible back pain and went with a memory foam mattress. He loved it.

I did not.

It was too hard for me. I adjusted over time and I reasoned that it was likely better for my back than the broken down, divet-filled pillow top we had been using prior to this. But I missed my softer mattress.

Then came along Sleep Number with an amazing offer. They wanted us to try out their new m7 which is their version of the memory foam mattress. Well, considering our memory foam mattress from a leading competitor wasn’t very old, we weren’t sure we should get another memory foam mattress, but then I realized that with the dual-air technology that Sleep Number is known for, we might just hit our sweet spot with this particular bed and as a result… stay married.

{Ahem}

Ok, at least stay sleeping in the same bed for the rest of our married days.

So we headed into our local sleep number store for our personalized fitting.

The staff there was amazing! Leilani and the Manager Moses were so friendly and engaging and absolutely not pushy at all and they tolerated the nonsense going on in the background as they went through all of the details of the fitting.

A word of advice…get  a sitter for your bed fitting…no really.  While I’m sure the people at your Sleep Number store will be more than happy to accommodate you and your children, as ours were – you will be able to focus on your fitting so much better if they are not there. My husband was able to nerd out and find his perfect number but I had a hard time really finding my zen place (ie ignoring the children which men seem to have the unique talent to do) and figuring out if the number was “just right”. As a result, I am still tweaking my number two weeks into our sleep trial. My husband…he’s good.

Our bed arrived a couple of weeks ago and I will say, that even though I’m tweaking my number here and there – I’m very please. Also, the Individual 3D Fitting experience at the store is invaluable because the information they give you about how the bed works to decrease pressure on the points where you find the most discomfort is extremely helpful and worth the time you spend.

When you have two people who have varying needs and comfort levels, having the ability to adjust on your side of the bed to meet your individual needs is ideal and something I wish we would have gone with years ago.

The husband and I have truly found our sweet spot with this bed. He has his firmer number – which is actually surprisingly lower than I thought it would be at 50 and I have my softer number, currently hovering around 30-40. We’re both sleeping really well and another added tidbit, this bed is a lot cooler than our other memory foam bed. That was my husband’s one complaint about his previous beloved memory foam mattress – he was always very hot. That complaint has been resolved because Sleep Number has a cooling gel technology and I can tell your first hand, there is a difference. Plus, if you splurge on their Temperature Balancing bedding solutions – you can add an extra element of heat removal – we picked up one of their pillow covers (as well as a new set of pillows to go with our bed) for just that purpose. It’s pretty refreshing to lay on a pillow that has a cooling technology like that!

Overall, we’re very pleased with the m7 Sleep Number Bed – I think they’ve entered the Memory Foam world with a great product. They have taken their dual air technology and married it with the much loved memory foam and made it even better. If you’re in the market for a memory foam mattress, you should definitely consider Sleep Number’s version, especially if you are like my husband and I and you have varying preferences in firmness for your bed.

Do you have a memory foam mattress? Have you tried the Sleep Number beds before – would you after this review?

Disclosure: I was provided an m7 Sleep Number bed for my review of the product but all savvy thoughts and sassy opinions are my own – this really is a fantastic bed! 

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Having three daughters, my husband and I considered cord blood banking more than once. The first time, admittedly, we didn’t know about it until we were already at the hospital laboring and the thought of the cost at that time wasn’t something we could manage, so we opted not to do it. Then our twins came along and our pregnancy and delivery was so dramatic, that we ended up not making the plans to bank either of their cords.

Do I regret it?

I really hope that I’ll be fortunate enough not to, but I do kind of wish I had made room for it in our budget.  I can’t imagine the feelings of anguish and despair that parents must feel when watching their child endure a fight with cancer or some other brutal disease. The peace of mind that it offers really would be worth the cost to me.

What doest cord blood banking offer to those who do it?

According to Cord Blood Registry:

  • Potential assistance with cancer treatment should the need arise.
  • The ability to use stem cells for various health treatments like improving the effects of Cerebral Palsy.
  • Cure for Sickle Cell Anemia.
  • Possible treatments are being explored for heart disease, stroke, serious wounds, spinal cord injuries and more just by using cord tissue.
With all of this in mind, if I did have another child, I think I would bank our next cord (or cords if we had twins…again….oh geez).
What about you – would you bank your child’s cord? If you’re expecting or planning on another child, then we have the giveaway for you! CBR is offering the perfect giveaway – a chance to win a banking package! a Rafflecopter giveaway  Enter here to win a free Cell Advantage Cord Banking Package!

Also, we’re hanging out most of the day Wednesday for a twitter block party chatting all things motherhood and one of the prizes is another opportunity to win a cord blood banking package! So come hang with us! Details below!!

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No single stroller gives you everything you want and need for both you and your baby. Sometimes you have to buy an accessory or two for extra functionality and bring your buggy as close to perfection as possible.

In my years of writing stroller reviews, I’ve come across repeated sales for certain accessories that come up again and again. I want to share these products with you so that if a stroller you’re shopping for comes up short on a feature you need, you’ll now know that you can get an accessory for that!

And now, let me reveal the five most popular stroller accessories that parents swear by.

Car Seat Adapter

Some of the most popular and sophisticated stroller brands do not come as a travel system set with a matching car seat. Think BOB, Joovy or Baby Jogger. Instead, these brands offer either a universal car seat adapter or ones specialized for certain brands that attach to the stroller differently. Graco and Chicco usually have different car seat adapter designs.

When shopping for your stroller, make sure that you pay attention to the car seat brands it will accommodate, then plan accordingly.

Brands such as Britax and Peg Perego usually come with a car seat adapter as part of the purchase, but the adapter will only fit their particular brand. What if you have a different brand car seat? It’s important to determine if the stroller you want will accommodate the car seat you already have. Many stroller brands make adapters specific for different car seat manufacturers.

Stroller Organizer

This accessory has enjoyed huge sales for a couple of reasons. The first has to do with the popularity of umbrella strollers. Counted on for its light weight, convenience for around town errands and compact fold, the one thing this kind of stroller lacks is a large basket and cupholders. This is dearly missed by the adult pushing it around!

To solve this problem several universal organizers are offered that fit most umbrella strollers by velcro tying the ends around the handle bars for easy on and off when folding. Check out JL Childress, Munchkin or Sunshine Kids. The first and last are the most popular. Each has a big net bag that hangs down the middle to hold your child’s toys, diapers, etc. Then there are two cup holders on each end. More storage between the cup holders such as zippered pockets keep your cell phone and keys in a handy spot.

Famous umbrella stroller manufacturer Maclaren has its own universal organizer.

The second reason for such a high demand for organizers is that some strollers don’t come with a parent console. Again BOB and Baby Jogger come to mind. Britax, Joovy and some Graco models don’t have cup holders for parents, not to mention a place to put their keys.

It’s a great, streamlined look, but once parents take their strollers out, they realize that they sorely miss having this bit of extra storage and so they opt for a console.

Many brands make their own console accessories for both single and double strollers. Think Joovy, Baby Jogger, Britax and Stroll-Air. If you prefer to have a universal console, then Jolly Jumper is highly rated and under $20.

Travel Bag

With so many families with babies and young children taking to the air, bringing the stroller along has become necessary. But strollers cost a lot of money and we don’t want to greet them at our destination all damaged and broken. To protect our investment, purchasing a travel bag for your stroller is a good idea.

Some of these travel bags are quite simple, like the universal JL Childress Gate Check bags, for umbrella, double and regular strollers. You can get one for your car seat too.

Other brands such as BOB and Britax are custom fitted for their strollers and have extra touches like deluxe padding and rollers at the bottom for easy transport.

UPPAbaby has a unique program called TravelSafe, an insurance policy for your stroller. After buying the stroller bag, you register the bag and stroller on their website. If your stroller arrives at the destination with damage, then UPPAbaby will cover the cost. Worry free travel, courtesy of UPPAbaby!

Child’s Cup Holder and Snack Tray

Some jogging, all-terrain and umbrella stroller models do not have any bumper bars or child trays. Some have only bumper bars, which is nice for baby to hang on to, but we quickly miss having a place for their snacks and drinks.

Strollers like Baby Jogger, Britax and BOB have universal mounts where you can buy their snack tray and click it right in. Again Jolly Jumper has a nice canvas one with pockets for drinks. Snacks do better in a plastic container nestled inside the pocket. Carry You Siena Stroller Snack Tray has slightly better ratings and is the same price.

Another option is the Fisher Price Travel Care Snack Pod, featuring two cup holders, one for snacks, one for sippy cup. It has four star reviews and is the simplest of the three.

Head & Body Support Pillow

I remember when my son would fall asleep in his stroller and his little head would lean on the metal frame. I’d always have a towel or burp cloth to fold up and cushion his head. I didn’t know about head and body supports back then!

But for parents who have stopped using a car seat with their stroller, or who opt out of using a car seat with their stroller, baby still needs lots of soft, cushiony support for their heads and bodies. This is where these special pillows come into play.

By far the most popular is the Kiddopotamus Snuzzler Complete Head and Body Support. It has hundreds of reviews and is a 4.5-star rated product. Summer Infant Snuzzler is also a good choice and costs about the same. You might also check JJ Cole, as it is very well rated, too. If you just want some head support for use with the swing or bouncer as well as the stroller, then the Boppy Noggin Nest Head Support is recommended.

What is YOUR favorite stroller accessory?

These are the top five accessories that make your stroller as reliable as possible. There are lots of accessories out there that I didn’t get to mention. What is your favorite, can’t live without product you’ve added to your buggy? Share it in your comments.

Amy Tanathorn researches the best baby strollers at Stroller Envy, where you can read in-depth reviews for all the most brands and models including video demonstrations, product specs, photos and detailed descriptions.

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