Product Reviews Archives - Get Your Baby to Sleep

Best Baby Mobiles for Cribs

August 1, 2013 by getbabytosleep 1 Comment

One important item for soothing and entertaining your little one in the crib is the baby mobile. Here, we’ll talk about the benefits of crib mobiles and review some of the best musical, black & white, and organic baby mobiles.
Contents:
Benefits of Baby Crib Mobiles
What Is the Best Baby Mobile?
Musical Baby Mobiles
Black and White Baby Mobiles
Organic Baby Mobiles

Benefits of Baby Crib Mobiles

Baby mobiles are a great addition to your nursery. Here are three good reasons why you should have one:

Soothing baby to sleep. A musical mobile can be part of your bedtime routine, signaling your baby that it’s time for sleep.
Safe baby entertainment. If you need to put your baby down to answer the phone or pick up around the house, mobiles offer a wonderful source of entertainment.
Stimulating development. Research suggests that bright colors and engaging music can help stimulate your baby’s sensory and cognitive development.

What Is the Best Baby Mobile?

We’ve put together a Slideshare presentation on the benefits and considerations when choosing a crib mobile for your baby.

Musical Baby Mobiles

Most (but not all) musical mobiles play sounds or music to help entertain and soothe your baby. This comes in two forms: wind-up and battery-powered. The most common complaint I hear about the wind-up ones is that they don’t play for long enough – usually only 30 seconds to 2 minutes. The battery-powered ones often play for longer periods of time, but they obviously mandate batteries. By this point you probably wish you held stock in Energizer or Duracell, don’t you? It might be worth having one of each kind.

Fisher-Price Precious Planet Projection Mobile
Reviews:
Features:	Soft, colorful animal friends from around the planet Plays a full 20 minutes of music and nature and heartbeat sounds Includes a remote control
Baby Mobile Review: The #1 bestselling baby mobile on Amazon.com is two products in one: a musical baby mobile and a projection night light for the crib. The canopy below which the plush animals dance and twirl catches the night light projection, keeping it close enough for your baby to see and focus on. When your baby gets older, you can remove the canopy part and now it’s a crib soother with a night light that projects to the ceiling. And the music plays for 20 minutes! No wonder this is the bestseller.

Tiny Love Classic Mobile
Reviews:
Features:	A classic developmental mobile to enrich cognitive and emotional growth Colorful sliding beads on the arms that move while the mobile rotates 20 minute continuous play of melodies or nature sounds Built-in night light behind the smiling pony on the mobile base
Baby Mobile Review: I love the products from Tiny Love, and their Classic Baby Mobile is no exception. The appearance is eye-catching: black-and-white discs support colorful dangling animals including a duck, a bunny, and a pony. The mobile base attaches securely to the side of the crib, where three easy-to-press buttons allow you to choose between the classical melodies and nature sounds to soothe your little one to sleep. The moving parts of the mobile can be removed, after which the base can serve as a cribside night light and music player.

Tiny Love Sweet Island Dreams Mobile
Reviews:
Features:	Island theme whose animals move in multiple directions Soothing night light 20 minutes of continuous music
Baby Mobile Review: Another great mobile from Tiny Love, only this is the “island dreams” version. The form and function are similar to Tiny Love’s classic mobile. This mobile has multiple dimensions of movement for the island pals, and also plays continuous music. Three puppet-like island friends–a giraffe, bird, and monkey–dangle from the branches and move to the music, captivating your baby’s attention.

Zutano Owls Musical Mobile
Reviews:
Features:	Individually handcrafted in knit with embroidered details. Fabric arm cover included Plays Brahm’s lullaby
Baby Mobile Review: One of the most unique baby mobiles is from Zutano, a maker of some of the cutest baby pajamas I’ve seen. Their musical mobile plays Brahm’s lullaby while four little owls spin around to the sound of it. How cute are they!? This is a bit on the pricey side, but it’s one of the most unique and colorful baby mobiles I’ve come across in putting together these reviews. The Zutano mobile plays Brahm’s lullaby, which I just love. You can also turn the music off and just run the mobile.

Black and White Baby Mobiles

Black and white baby mobiles are quite popular these days. The thinking is that because babies’ color vision doesn’t mature until around 4 months of age, the black-and-white contrast on a mobile is more likely to get their attention. Unfortunately, there aren’t nearly as many options for black and white crib mobiles, but I found two that I really like.

Baby Boom I Luv Zebra Crib Mobile
Reviews:
Features:	Rotates and plays a lullaby Wind-up so no batteries required. Adjustable arm fits most crib rails
Baby Mobile Review: This whimsical and soothing mobile is black, white, and pink. It coordinates with the “I Love Zebra” collection, featuring 100% polyester plush zebras and hearts. You wind up the mobile, and then it rotates slowly while playing a lullaby. This combination of movement and sound will keep your baby’s attention but doesn’t require batteries, which is rare for baby gear these days.

Wimmer-Ferguson Infant Stim-Mobile
Reviews:
Features:	Stimulate visual activity and encourage early motor skills Introduces baby to high-contrast graphic toys for early visual and multi-sensory development Features contrasts objects of bright color with bold black-and-white designs
Baby Mobile Review: The award-winning Stim Mobile is one of a kind. It features vivid color and bold black-and-white images: Simple-to-complex images stimulate early visual activity and pre-reaching movement. There are black and white patterns for the first few months, then bright colors and eye-catching pictures to use as your baby gets older. One reason this mobile is so popular is its ingeniously simple design. The mobile includes hanger with attachable arch and 20 images that you can swap in and out at will. Simply put, this is the best black-and-white baby mobile I’ve seen.

Organic Baby Mobiles

If you’ve already invested in organic bedding sets, clothing, and sleep sacks for your little one, you probably want the same natural materials in a baby mobile. Organic mobiles are harder to find, but Kids Line makes one with deer that’s cute and well-reviewed.

Kids Line Organic Willow Musical Mobile
Reviews:
Features:	Fabricated from 100% pure organic cotton Suspended deer slowly turn to the soft music of Brahms’ lullaby Attaches to most standard-size cribs with an included universal suspension arm
Baby Mobile Review The Willow Organic baby mobile from Kids Line is made from 100% pure organic cotton materials. These little deer spin slowly around above your baby to the tune of Brahms’ lullaby. According to the reviews, these deer are a bit darker in color than they appear in the photos.

Crib Soother and Sound Machine Reviews

February 19, 2013 by getbabytosleep Leave a Comment

Sleep soothers, or sound machines, are incredibly helpful to put in baby’s room. By providing a consistent, soothing noise when you put your baby to bed, these devices help teach your infant that it’s time to go to sleep.
Contents:
Benefits of Soothers & Sound Machines
Baby Soother Reviews
Sound Machine Reviews

Benefits of Soothers and Sound Machines

A sound machine is one of those kinds of baby gear that you might think you can do without. However, there are a few reasons you might want to add one to your baby sleep bag-of-tricks:

Soothing sounds for bedtime. You can make a lullaby or sound effect part of the nightly routine – an audible clue that tells your baby it’s time to go to sleep for the night.
Drown out other noise to prevent wake-ups. You can’t control every noise around your house, like neighbor dogs barking or some joker mowing his lawn right in the middle of nap time. A sound machine provides constant white noise to help drown these things out.
A comfort for nighttime wake-ups. It’s nice to have a little soothing music to flip on if your baby wakes up and is fussing a little. This has

Baby Soother Reviews

Here, I review the top-selling baby soothers on Amazon and discuss the features of each. First up: soft, plush baby soothers that your baby can touch and hold.

Cloud B Sleep Sheep

Features:

4 different soothing sounds
Velcro tab for securing outside crib
Removable sound box

Soother Review:
This soft and cuddly plush toy plays four soothing noises: mother’s heartbeat, spring showers, ocean’s relaxing surf and whale songs. It plays for 23 minutes and then shuts off automatically. The sound box has adjustable volume, and is removable. The Sleep Sheep also comes with velcro straps so that you can attach it to a crib or stroller. This is the #1 baby soother on Amazon, and the #2 soother is a smaller travel sleep sheep.

Cloud B Gentle Giraffe Travel Soother

Features:

Award-winning travel companion from Cloud B
23 and 45 minute timers
Ideal for strollers, car seats, or baby carriers.

Soother Review:
The travel-size Gentle Giraffe features four peaceful sounds: Safari Groove, Victoria Falls, Jungle Trails and Babbling Brook. The auto-shutoff timer can be set for either 23 or 45 minutes, and the giraffe comes with velcro straps so that you can attach it to a stroller, crib, or car seat. This little guy is adorable!

Slumber Bear with Silkie Blanket

Features:

Invented by a doctor and used in hospital nurseries for 27 years
Requires AAA batteries.
Baby’s sound or movement activates bear’s soothing sounds.

Soother Review:
The Prince Lionheart Slumber Bear is a sort of “audible pacifier” that your baby can cuddle. A unique feature is that it plays an actual recording taken inside a mother’s womb, for the most natural soothing sound that you can offer your baby. In addition to a soft silk blanket, this guy has little velcro paws for attaching to crib bars or strollers.

Sound Machine Reviews

Sound machines are like little music boxes that hang on the crib or sit on a table in your baby’s room. These aren’t as cuddly, but they usually have a wider range of music, sound effects, and volume controls.

Marpac Dohm Dual Speed Sound Conditioner

Features:

White noise generator with 2-speed operation
Measures 5.8″ in diameter, 3.8″ tall; weighs 1.8 pounds
Made in the USA of durable plastic
One-year warranty

Sound Machine Review:
Marpac Dohm invented the original sound conditioner in 1962. The modern version remains simple but effective: it creates pure white noise with the sound of rushing air. Not only does it provide a comforting background sound, but drowns out any noises that might wake the baby. It’s compact and lightweight so it won’t take up a lot of room on a shelf or changing table. More importantly, you can bring it wherever the baby goes to help your little one sleep.

This is currently the #1 selling “sound conditioner” and with about 1700 people giving it 5 out of 5 stars on Amazon, you can’t go wrong. Get one for your room too!

Graco Sound Machine

Features:

12 soothing sounds included, plus port to plug in Ipod or MP3 player
Handy soft glow night light
Compact size for easy travel

Sound Machine Review:
The sound machine combines a soft-glow night light with 12 high-quality soothing sounds (white noise, nature sounds and lullabies). You can also plug your MP3 player into the auxiliary port and play your own sounds or music for your baby. One great feature is that you can plug it in or run it on batteries. Plus, it’s small and compact and thus travels quite well.

Kids Sleep Machine

Features:

A night-light, wake-up indicator, and alarm clock in one
Helps kids stay in bed until it’s time to get up.
Three levels of brightness

Sound Machine Review:
This is a visual soother, designed to help your baby self-regulate at night. The blue light and sleeping image remains lit when your child should be asleep; the bright and sunny image lights up when it’s time for him to wake up. There’s an optional alarm so that older children can use it as an alarm clock.

Why Buy A Sound Machine?

If you don’t have a crib soother or sound machine in the nursery, get one right now! There are few better things that you can buy, inexpensively, and quickly improve your baby’s sleep habits. Sound machines drown out the noisy guy in the apartment upstairs and the jerk neighbor who has to mow his lawn during nap time.

They provide a soothing background sound that your baby learns to associate with the comfort of his or her own bed. Heck, we use one in our own room for the very same reasons.

Get one of these. You won’t regret it.

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Best Crib Mobiles reviews musical, black/white, and organic crib mobiles.	Travel Crib Reviews covers light-weight, ultra-portable bassinets and cribs for traveling.	Wireless Baby Monitors are a great way to keep a close eye on baby.	Baby Swing Reviews compares bestselling portable and free-standing baby swings.

Mini Crib Reviews

February 14, 2013 by getbabytosleep Leave a Comment

Mini cribs offer a cozy, compact, and safe place for your baby to sleep. As with most products, there are lots of choices. We’ve done the research to find and review the best mini cribs to help you find one that’s right for your baby.
Contents:
Benefits of Mini Cribs
Mini Crib Reviews
Mini Crib Mattress Reviews

5 Benefits of Mini Cribs

Many parents invest in a mini crib in place of or in addition to a standard crib. These aren’t the little bassinets that you saw at the foot of the parents’ bed in black and white movies. These are full-featured cribs with solid construction and stunning designs, but slightly more compact than a standard crib. They’re still quite roomy; even a 2-year-old would be comfortable in most of them. Here are five great benefits that mini cribs offer:

1	Saving space in an apartment or small house. Mini cribs have a footprint that’s 25% smaller than a standard crib. That saves you a lot of space if you have a small nursery, apartment, or house. Surprisingly, though, babies are usually content in mini cribs even when they’re 2 years old and 25 pounds. A mini crib is sturdier than a portable bassinet. And most mini cribs let you install musical baby mobiles and other accessories.
2	Overnights with grandma & grandpa. If your baby spends any nights or weekends with the grandparents, a mini crib or bassinet is a comfortable, safe place for them to sleep without taking over the house. And your baby is more likely to sleep in a crib there if he or she has one at home. These are cheaper than full-size cribs, too.
3	Lightweight portability. All of the mini cribs that we review below weigh less than 40 pounds; most of them are 25 or 30 pounds. Some even have wheels. This makes them ultra-portable for moving from room to room without breaking your back, but you can lock them into place so that they’re stable while your baby is in them.
4	Room sharing with the parents. Sharing a room with your baby has lots of benefits – it lets you monitor your baby while he or she sleeps, and offers parents some peace of mind. In fact, room sharing (but not bed sharing) is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. It’s also convenient for handling late-night feedings in the first couple of months.
5	To keep in the cabin, lake house, or vacation home. If you have a little place at the lake or vacation home, mini cribs are a compact and relatively inexpensive option to ensure that your baby always has a comfortable, safe place to sleep while you’re there. No more toting around the pack-N-play or swing just to give your little one a spot to nap in! And as I said above, if your baby is accustomed to sleeping in a crib, a mini crib’s not that much different (just a bit smaller).

Mini Crib Reviews

	DaVinci Emily Mini Crib
	Reviews:
	Size:	39.5 x 28 x 38 inches ; 36.5 pounds
	Features:	Four level mattress support board Nearly half the size of a regular crib Converts to twin size bed with conversion rails (sold seperately) 1 year limited warranty Made of sustainable pine from New Zealand.
	Mini Crib Review: The DaVinci Emily Mini Crib is currently the bestselling mini crib on Amazon. Constructed of sustainable New Zealand pine, this mini offers all of the features of a full-size crib, but in a smaller package. It has four mattress adjustments (usually you start at the top setting and lower it as your baby grows). It has a lead-safe and phthalate-safe non-toxic finish. You can even convert this mini crib to a twin bed when your baby gets older. One of my favorite features of DaVinci mini cribs is that they’re made of solid wood – pine from New Zealand’s sustainable forests. I can’t say enough about buying real wood furniture. This stuff lasts and can be passed down generations. Particle board furniture from China can’t do that. Pine construction makes this minicrib sturdy but lightweight. You can let a 25-pound 2-year-old sleep in it, and still move it easily around the room. That’s according to one of the reviews. The mattress pad is pretty thin (1″) so you’ll undoubtedly want to purchase a mini crib mattress. You have a few different color options for this mini crib, including (from darkest to lightest) ebony black, expresso, and honey oak.

	Bloom Alma Urban Crib
	Reviews:
	Size:	19.2 x 37 x 33 inches ; 50.6 pounds
	Features:	Solid wood construction Modern design for urban spaces Sets up in 5 minutes, no tools required Folds up for compact storage and transport Rolls easily in small rooms and hallways
	Mini Crib Review: The Bloom Alma Mini Crib is designed for three things: style, mobility, and storage. The construction is solid wood with stainless-steel detailing. The design is urban-inspired, and lets you wheel (on 4 casters) your napping baby from room to room. Even through narrow hallways. It folds up when not in use for storage or travel. The setup takes less than 5 minutes, and requires absolutely no tools. This co-sleeper/bassinet has two mattress level settings to accommodate your baby as he or she grows. Overall, a simple, elegant, well-made crib for small living spaces. Note: The cappuccino, grey, and orange colors are sold by Amazon.com and get free shipping.

	DaVinci Alpha Mini Rocking Crib
	Reviews:
	Size:	38.8 x 26.1 x 35.4 inches ; 26 pounds
	Features:	Can be rocked as a rocking cradle, or can be locked into position with rocking stops Made of New Zealand sustainable pine wood Lead-free and safety certified. Multi-level support frame to adjust to your child’s growth Two teething rails to protect the rails and casters for easy mobility
	Mini Crib Review: The DaVinci Alpha Rocking Mini Crib is a safe, compact crib with one outstanding feature: the ability to rock your baby in the crib. This makes it an excellent choice for keeping next to the parents’ bed, because if the baby wakes, a gentle touch to rock the crib back and forth will often soothe him or her back to sleep. Another nice feature is the rollers, which lets you move the crib easily from room to room. This mini crib doesn’t take up much space, but surprisingly, lots of parents are using it until the babies are 12 months old or older. This is also a lead-free mini crib and safety certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA). You can get this crib in dark cherry, pure white, or natural pine colors. White seems the most popular choice, as it makes cute bedding sets really pop.

	Delta Children’s Products Riley Mini Crib
	Reviews:
	Size:	40.4 x 27.4 x 5.5 inches ; 40 pounds
	Features:	Compact yet stylish crib No moving parts, all sides are stationary. Converts to twin sized bed, toddler bed or day bed 3″ waterproof mattress pad is included Available in 3 different colors.
	Mini Crib Review: The Delta Children’s Products Riley Mini Crib is the perfect space-saver for apartments or small houses, grandma and grandpa’s house, the cabin, or other places where space is at a premium. It has two mattress settings and converts quickly to a toddler bed, day bed, or even a twin. The 3″ waterproof mattress pad is enough to keep most babies comfortable; though you might want to add a 50-spring mini crib mattress. The design and finish of this mini crib are both very well done. It has a solid construction of real wood. A single person can assemble it in 30-45 minutes, and the mini crib (when assembled) moves easily from room to room. This crib comes in dark cherry, chocolate, or white, so there are lots of options to match any bedroom.

Mini Crib Mattress Reviews

If you buy a mini crib, don’t forget to buy a mattress for it! Choosing a mattress for mini cribs is rather straighforward, since they’re mostly all a standard size (about 24 inches wide and 37 inches long). Thickness varies between mattresses, but you probably don’t need something more than 6″ thick. The most important feature is that the mattress fit snugly inside the mini crib, allowing no gaps where your baby might get stuck.

	DaVinci Mini Crib Mattress
	Reviews:
	Size:	37.1 x 23.8 x 5.8 inches ; 7.5 pounds
	Features:	50 coils in a tempered steel unit. 14 gauge coils and 9 gage border rod for edge support. Resinated polyester fiber batting padding. Reinforced Triple Laminated Wet-Proof Cover. 25 year limited manufacturer warranty.
	Mattress Review: This mini crib mattress is a 50-coil mattress, durable with a tempered steel spring unit for added firmness. It has a triple-laminated wet-free cover and hypo-allergenic construction to keep your baby comfortable overnight. The 25-year limited manufacturer warranty is kind of amusing – it’s unlikely you’re going to need a warranty that lasts more than a few years, right? Still, it’s a sign that the manufacturer stands behind this product, and I do like that. With 50 heavy-gauge coils, this mattress gives same healthy serenity, just in a smaller package.

Best Baby Sleep Movement Monitors

February 2, 2013 by getbabytosleep Leave a Comment

All three of our children went to the NICU, which is at once a terrifying and comforting experience. Terrifying, because it’s the NICU and your newborn needs intensive care or monitoring. Comforting, because of the high-tech vital status monitors, trained nurses, and pediatricians. Our twins spent a couple of weeks there, and came home with portable (rented) heart/lung monitors.

Even so, we liked the idea of a machine that monitors baby vital signs — especially while sleeping — these medical-grade devices were bulky and far too expensive to buy. Fortunately, there’s another option: high-tech baby sleep movement monitors that you can buy and use in the home. There are actually several options for these, but two of them really stand out, and we review them in detail here.

Snuza Halo Movement Monitor

Features:	Detects irregularity or pauses in baby’s breathing. Ergonomically designed to fit comfortably on baby’s diaper Vibrates to stimulate baby after 15 seconds of no movement Sounds audible alarm if no movement after 5 more seconds
Reviews:

The Snuza Halo movement monitor was really the inspiration for this review, once we learned about it. This portable monitor clips to your baby’s diaper, where it monitors breathing for any irregularity. If no movement (breath) is detected for 15 seconds, it vibrates to stimulate the infant. If there’s still no movement after 5 seconds, an audible alarm sounds to alert you.

What’s nice about this movement monitor is that it’s portable and unobtrusive, and it’s arguably more sensitive for under-the-mattress sensors (especially if you have two twins in a crib). If you have any doubt of whether or not you’ll love this product, just read the first two customer reviews.

Angelcare Baby Movement and Sound Monitor

Features:	Complete sound and movement monitor for nursery 2 under-mattress sensors and 2 parent receivers Nursery unit has a night light and room thermometer Ships in frustration-free packaging.
Reviews:

Another great option for monitoring is the Angelcare Baby Movement and Sound Monitor. This set includes two under-the-mattress movement sensors and a nursery sound unit with thermometer and night light. There are two parent handheld receivers, each with its own charging base.

The sensor pads detect the slightest baby movements, and you have the option of turning on an audible “movement monitor” that tics softly whenever movement is detected. That’s a steady sound of comfort for mom and dad!

Why Baby Movement Monitors?

Maybe you’re still on the fence about whether or not to invest in a baby movement monitor for your infant. We think you should buy one right now, and here are three reasons why:

Extra safety. Sound and video baby monitors are wonderful tools to monitor your sleeping infant, but a movement monitor is closer and more direct. Unlike other sensors, it alerts you when something’s not happening but should be. That just covers an extra bit of sleep safety for your little one.
Peace of mind. As parents of three children, we know how hard it is to sleep those first few months. You’re hyper-paranoid that something will happen to your infant, and that’s perfectly normal. The thought that you have a high-tech device helping monitor your child is a huge comfort… it’ll help you sleep better knowing your little one is safe.
A small price to pay. These movement monitors are what, a hundred bucks? That’s a tiny sum compared to the amount you probably paid in hospital bills and baby furniture. I’d argue that for what it gets you, the cost of a baby movement monitor is well worth it!

Formula and Baby Food Reviews

January 29, 2013 by getbabytosleep Leave a Comment

When it comes to formula and baby food, there are a lot of choices out there. You have some important decisions to make, because what you feed your baby will have a profound impact on his or her health and well-being. Thus, we’ve brought together all of the reviews you need in one place.
Contents:
Why Buy Baby Food Online?
Infant Formula Reviews
Baby Cereal Reviews
Solid Baby Food Reviews

Why Buy Formula and Food Online?

Many parents buy their infant formula and/or baby food in a brick-and-mortar store and are quite happy with it. It can be convenient to pick up a few things while grocery shopping, you get them home right away, and you know exactly where everything came from. That said, there are some advantages to shopping for formula and baby food online:

Lower prices. Often you can buy in bulk online and find competitive prices. You avoid sales tax in many situations, and often you can get free shipping. All that translates to saved money, which will make a difference in the long run.
Better selection. One of the main reasons I shop online is to get a better selection. Sure, you’ll probably find Enfamil or Similac in the store, and they’ll have what seems like a good selection of baby foods, but that pales compared to what you can find online. This is especially true if you’re after organic baby foods.
Fast shipping. You do have to plan in advance a bit when you buy baby food online, but the shipping can be very speedy. Especially if you’re on Amazon Prime as we are — often things we order in the afternoon still arrive the next day.
Customer reviews. Ever been in the store, and thought about buying something you’ve never tried before? There’s no way to know if it’s a crappy product or not (certainly the packaging won’t admit as much). When you buy online, you have the power of dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of customer reviews. There is no better tool to help make good buying decisions.

Infant Formula Reviews

Breast milk is the first choice for your infant’s growth and development, but if and when you choose formula, there are a lot of options out there. Here, we review some of the best options for premium, pre-mixed, gentle, and organic baby formulas.

	Enfamil Premium Infant Formula Enfamil’s premium formula with prebiotics provides everything that your baby needs for growth and development. It’s clinically proven to improve brain and eye development, and its “triple guard” supports the immune system too. Provides complete nutrition at every feeding, including proven benefits for brain and eye development. Natural dual-blend of prebiotics feeds the “good bacteria” in your baby’s digestive tract. Includes DHA and ARA This is a 23.4 ounce tub This formula is for infants 0-12 months of age; Enfamil has other options for older babies.
	Similac Advance Formula with Iron, Ready to Feed You know those feedings when your baby is screaming and you just can’t get the bottle warmed or mixed fast enough? That’s when these pre-mixed formula bottles are lifesavers! Similac Advance with EarlyShield is similar to Enfamil’s TripleGuard, with a blend of prebiotics, nucleotides and antioxidants that are found naturally in breast milk. Has DHA and ARA, to help support your baby’s brain and eye development Nipple Ready and disposable. Meets kosher guidelines Perhaps most importantly, there’s no refrigeration required! Keep some in the diaper bag, in the car, in your carry-on luggage, etc. Make sure to pack clean nipples in a plastic bag. I can’t tell you how many times these have saved us by providing quick, ready-to-drink formula.
	Gerber Good Start Gentle Formula Some babies have especially sensitive tummies. To reduce spit-ups and digestive discomfort, you can switch to a “gentle” formula like Gerber Good Start. This formula starts with 100% whey proteins that are already broken down, so it’s easier to digest, and then is tailored with all of the vitamins and minerals that your baby needs. Supports the immune system naturally with a blend of antioxident vitamins A, C, E, and zinc. Gentle formula that’s easier to digest, so good for preemies and the reflux-prone. Gets 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon.com This formula is also eligible for Amazon Subscribe-N-Save, which lets you order it on a regular basis and save 5-15%. Also, keep an eye out for the Amazon coupon which turns up now and then on the product page.
	Earth’s Best Organic Infant Formula The leading maker of organic baby food offers this infant formula that’s specially blended without the use of growth hormones, steroids, antibiotics, pesticides or chemical fertilizers. It’s patterned after breast milk: high quality protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids (DHA & ARA). Has a whey/casein ratio that is almost identical to mother’s milk Meets all FDA requirements for infant nutrition Kosher certified and USDA organic Uses organic lactose and organic glucose solids as a carbohydrate source This formula gets very good reviews on Amazon (>250 of them give it 5/5 stars). It contains no artificial colors or flavors. This is about as natural as you can get outside of breast milk!

Baby Cereal Reviews

Next, let’s talk about cereal. This is generally the first non-liquid food that you’ll give your baby, at around the time that he or she can sit up with support. Your pediatrician may recommend single-grain rice cereal first. It’s smooth, hypo-allergenic, and inexpensive. Once your baby has mastered the single grains, however, you’ll probably want to branch out and let him experience new flavors, new tastes.

If you want to do that, especially if you want to find organic options, check out the Earth’s Best line of baby cereals. Here are two of our favorites.

Earth’s Best Organic Rice Cereal with Apples

This extremely popular mix combines the whole grain organic rice cereal with apples for a naturally sweet and tasty cereal. Your baby might prefer this over plain rice cereal, because the apples give a little flavor to it.Earth’s Best organic cereals are grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides, or genetic engineering. There’s no definitive evidence that these things are harmful to humans, but the less man-made chemicals going into your baby, the better.

USDA certified organic
Made from whole grains
No added salt or sugar
Kosher certified

Earth's Best organic Baby Oatmeal Cereal

Earth’s Best Organic Oatmeal Cereal with Bananas

Another popular mix combines the Earth’s Best organic oatmeal whole grain cereal with bananas for a tasty mix. The banana flavor doesn’t always mix well with other baby foods, but many infants seem to like it plain. Again, these organic cereals are grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides, or genetic engineering.

USDA certified organic
Made from whole grains
No added salt or sugar
Kosher certified

Solid Baby Food Reviews

Last but not least, let’s review the options for solid baby food. There are a million of them. You can go to your grocery store aisle browse the Gerber or Beechnut offerings. As I mention in my guide Six Tips to Starting Solid Food, you can even buy natural applesauce and offer that to your baby.

You can even buy fruits, vegetables, and grains to make your own baby food. But if you’d like more options, to buy in bulk, or to offer organic baby foods, here are some great baby foods available from Amazon.

	Earth’s Best Organic 1st Fruit Starter Kit This starter kit contains an assortment of three unadulterated fruits: bananas, apples, and pears. These single-ingredient, pureed foods are what you’ll introduce after your baby masters baby cereal. All of the ingredients are certified organic without use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers. Pack of twelve 2.5-ounce jars (30 ounce total) in a sturdy cardboard box Excellent source of vitamin C, as most fruits tend to be. Packaged in a sturdy storage tray that clearly indicates each flavor
	Earth’s Best Organic 2nd Fruit Variety Pack When your baby is ready for 2nd foods, this variety pack offers some tasty new options. It contains three jars each of four purees: pears, peaches oatmeal banana, apples & apricots, and peaches banana raspberry. Everything’s made from the freshest certified organic materials. Four varieties to offer baby a wider range of tastes and textures. Organic, pesticide-free sources Great source of vitamin C Available in Amazon frustration-free packaging. I love the cardboard box!
	Earth’s Best 2nd Vegetable Variety Pack This pack contains four vegetable varieties: carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squash, and peas with brown rice. My guess is that your baby will love the carrots and sweet potatoes most of all, as these have a sweeter taste. Start with this pack to see what your baby will and won’t eat; after that, you can order any single flavor in packs of twelve. 100% certified organic pesticide-free ingredients Good source of vitamin C Frustration-free packaging available No sugar or salt added
	Ella’s Kitchen Organic Baby Food Pouches If you’re on the go and need portable baby foods, or looking for some new flavors to try, look into the line of organic baby food pouches from Ella’s Kitchen. This pack contains twelve pouches of a single blend: sweet potatoes, pumpkin, apples, and blueberries. All very healthy foods, and gently pasteurized so no refrigeration required. You probably won’t find anything like this in your local grocery store. 100% organic fresh fruits and vegetables Shelf-stable (no refrigeration necessary) Convenient pouch form that travels and dispenses easily No additives, not even water, so nothing dilutes the fresh fruit and vegetable goodness of these blends. Even though our little ones are a bit older, we still rely on these little fruit pouches. They’re perfect for taking in the car, to the zoo, or just to provide a healthy snack that the kids have fun eating. Just don’t show them how to blow up the empty pouch and stomp on it!

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Best 4-in-1 Convertible Cribs

January 27, 2013 by getbabytosleep Leave a Comment

A baby crib may be the most important piece of furniture you buy for the nursery. It’s often the most visible thing in the room, and hopefully where your baby will spend the most time. It can also be one of the most expensive items, and probably one where you might not want to skimp.

Why 4-in-1 Convertible Cribs?

The most popular (and bestselling) cribs these days are convertible, meaning they can be changed to a bed for when your baby gets older. The majority of these are 4-in-1 convertible cribs, a single piece of furniture that serves as:

Standard crib. A standard 4-sided crib, usually with adjustable mattress heights to accommodate your growing little one. The highest mattress settings are for newborns; the lower settings help prevent them from climbing out as they get bigger.
Toddler bed. The next step is a small bed with rails that still uses the crib mattress, but lets your toddler climb in and out on his own. These open up the room a little bit and most kids just love them.
Day bed. This is probably the least-used option, but you can remove the toddler bed rails and make it a 3-sided day bed (pillows not included) and keep it in the nursery, giving you a place to sit during the day.
Full-size headboard. Last but not least, the 4-in-1 crib usually converts to a headboard/footboard for a full size (double) mattress. I wish this were a twin mattress, which seems like the natural progression, but even our 2-year-old daughter was comfortable in a full.

These options not only save money and storage space, but ensure a consistent look for your baby’s furniture as he or she grows.

Best Convertible Crib Reviews

As with most baby products, there are many choices when it comes to convertible cribs. Here, we compare and review the bestselling 4-in-1 convertible cribs.

	Delta Canton 4-in-1 Convertible Crib
	Reviews:
	Size:	54.5 x 34.5 x 43.5 inches ; 62 pounds
	Features:	Converts to toddler bed, day bed, and full size 4 different mattress height options Built of solid hardwood, not particle board. JPMA safety certified, non-drop-side design
	Crib Review: Currently the bestelling 4-in-1 convertible crib on Amazon, the Delta Canton is a solid choice. Literally, because it’s made of hardwood and not particle board. This crib is made to grow with your little one: it has 4 different mattress heights, then converts to a toddler bed, after which it’s your choice of day bed or full-size. Safety is a priority. This crib is certified by the Juvenile Product Manufacturers Association (JPMA), and has a non-drop-side design for superior safety. Assembly takes about an hour, by most reports, and the tools are included.

	Baby Mod Cadence 4-in-1 Convertible Crib
	Reviews:
	Size:	54.5 x 35.0 x 42.0 inches, 70 pounds
	Features:	Made of solid wood: New Zealand pine Mattress spring system with 4 height settings Exceeds all U.S. safety standards; JPMA certified Several non-toxic finishes available
	Crib Review: This is one of the most popular cribs on WalMart.com, as evidenced by the 5 stars with almost 250 reviews. It’s sturdy, made of solid wood (New Zealand pine) and has a non-toxic finish. This is the ebony finish; it also comes in expresso, white, and cherry.

	Graco Stanton Convertible Crib
	Reviews:
	Size:	53.9 x 32.4 x 43.2 inches ; 46 pounds
	Features:	Convertible from crib to toddler bed to day bed to headboard for full size bed. JPMA, ASTM and CPSC safety certified 3 different mattress positions for the crib Available in cherry, black, or classic white finish
	Crib Review: Here’s a sturdy, stylish crib that you can get for a great price (usually under $150). The Graco Stanton convertible crib features the traditional sleigh design and converts to day bed, toddler bed, or headboard for a full size. In crib form, there are 3 different heights for setting the mattress. The reviews of this crib are striking; most people give it 5 out of 5 stars, and their comments all sound the same: “We were worried that this crib was going to be cheap, but it turned out to be wonderful. Great value!”

	Stork Craft Tuscany 4-in-1 Crib
	Reviews:
	Size:	54.2 x 33 x 43 inches ; 79.8 pounds
	Features:	Solid wood construction with four stationary sides Converts from crib to toddler bed to day bed to full size headboard Meets or exceeds all U.S./Canada safety standards Easy to assemble with permanently attached instructions
	Crib Review: Stork Craft makes wonderful products, emphasizing safety, usability, and style. Their 4-in-1 convertible crib is no exception. It’s made of solid wood and has four stationary sides for an extra-safe design. The finish is durable and non-toxic. I really like the fact that the assembly is easy, and the instructions are permanently attached. This crib has seven different color options: black, white, natural, oak, expresso, cognac, and cherry. You can virtually find it in a color to fit about any nursery!

Convertible Crib Mattresses

Don’t forget that you’ll also need a mattress for your baby crib! Luckily, all of the convertible cribs here take a “standard” crib mattress, which is about 52 inches long by 27 inches wide. See our article on the best crib mattresses for our recommendations from Kolcraft, Sealy, and Serta.

Other Types of Baby Cribs

If you’re looking for a sturdy but compact crib that doesn’t convert to a bed, check out our mini crib reviews. Looking for something to take on a trip or leave at grandma & grandpa’s house? Have a look out our guide to portable travel cribs.

Pram Stroller Reviews

January 4, 2013 by getbabytosleep Leave a Comment

When we were new parents, we had no idea what we needed in a baby stroller. Sure, we wanted one that folded up to be compact, but beyond that, we had no idea which features were important. It turns out that baby prams and strollers are a grass-is-greener type of baby gear: you always want the model that you don’t have. To help you make the right decision, we’ve assembled this guide which includes reviews of some of the best baby strollers. All of these are strollers for single babies; visit the Best of Twins website’s twin or double stroller reviews if you’re looking for a double stroller.

For pram and stroller reviews, we break it down in to these classes:
Contents:
Light-weight/Umbrella Strollers
Pram Style Strollers
Stroller Travel Systems

Light-weight/Umbrella Strollers

Light-weight strollers, especially umbrella strollers, are designed to be compact. They forego some stroller features to save space and weight; in the United States, umbrella-type strollers are sometimes the only kind you can take on the airplane. They’re also advantageous if you have a small car or want to save space in the home or garage.

Contours Lite Stroller
Reviews:
Features:	6″ front single swivel and 8″ rear wheels Multi-position reclining seat 5-point harness with strap cover sleeves 3-tier adjustable canopy
Baby Stroller Review: This is a sleek, light-weight stroller with a contemporary look. The 6″ front and 8″ rear single wheels provide low-resistance strolling. It’s also designed so that you can maneuver it with one-hand, which is useful if you have a grocery cart or another child in tow. And it folds with one hand, too. The aluminum frame is strong, modern-looking, and keeps this stroller light enough that you can throw it into the trunk or airplane. There are some “baby comfort” features built in as well: a reclining seat with multiple positions, soft sleeve covers for the 5-point harness, and an adjustable canopy to keep out the sun, rain, and nosy strangers. Save 46% When You Buy at Amazon

Inglesina Swift 2012 Stroller
Reviews:
Features:	Ergonomic soft-touch handles for easy maneuverability Reclining, four-position backrest Easy umbrella fold and carry handle Roomy storage basket
Baby Stroller Review: The 2012 Inglesina Swift stroller is a sporty and lightweight umbrella stroller. It folds into a compact shape with convenient carry handle, and the whole thing (including canopy) weighs 13 pounds. One important change made in the 2012 model is an extended canopy system, for better protection from the sun and rain. Also, there’s a roomy basket that matches the color of the seat and provides a surprising amount of cargo space. The ergonomic soft-touch handles allow for easy maneuverability, and the stroller itself is nicely padded. There are four different recline positions so you can find one that’s right for your baby. On the plus side, it folds up to be quite compact. On the minus side, if you have an “oversized” baby or toddler, this model’s probably not going to be comfortable for long periods. If not, however, this is as compact and stylish of an umbrella stroller as I’ve seen. Currently $10 off List at Amazon

Pram Strollers

Pram strollers are the “classic” style of baby stroller – the basic design has been around over a hundred years. Today, pram strollers maintain that style with state-of-the-art features, like detachable carriers, comfortable suspensions, and rain covers.

Roan Rocco Classic Pram Stroller
Reviews:
Features:	Classic pram with bassinet and front/rear facing seat Comfortable suspension and air-pumped wheels Height-adjustable handle Adjustable backrest and footrest Rain cover and mosquito net included
Baby Stroller Review: The Roan Rocco is a classic pram stroller suitable for multi terrain strolling. It has the traditional look of a pram, married to a modern suspension and inflated wheels for maximum comfort. Everything’s adjustable, from the height-adjustable handle bar (about 27.5 in – 43 in) to the 3-point backrest and adjustable footrest. The bassinet has convenient carry handles, a padded mattress, and a 5-point safety harness. Currently 35% off at Amazon

UPPAbaby Vista Pram Stroller
Reviews:
Features:	Welded and formed aluminum alloy frame Reversible seat with 3 position adjustment Sun and weather-shield with easy zip attachment to canopy Rubber coated tires never go flat Shock absorbing front and rear suspension
Baby Stroller Review: The UPPAbaby Vista Pram Stroller is a pram and portable bassinet all in one. Both are interchangeable with no fabric swapping. This thing is well-built: welded aluminum alloy frame, high performance aluminum spoke wheels, and a shock-absorbing front and rear suspension. I really like the weather protection features. There’s a sun and weather shield that attaches to the canopy with 50 SPF sun protection. The rubber coated tires never go flat. The bassinet is made of all natural cotton and organic soybean fibers. Save $100 on this pram at Amazon

Stroller Travel Systems

Travel systems are a somewhat recent innovation in baby gear: car seats that become full-sized strollers. These are handy for a few reasons:

They save space, as you don’t need a bulky stroller in the car. All you need is the wheeled base.
Your baby stays in the car seat, which snaps into a stroller base. Critical if your baby’s already asleep!
Car seats make for especially safe stroller seats.
The car seat, base, and stroller base are included, so everything fits nicely together.

Chicco Cortina Keyfit 30 Travel System
Reviews:
Features:	Multi-position “Memory Recline” seat 3-position leg rest and flat recline Linked one touch rear brakes and all-wheel suspension Reversible laminated canopy Large seat with room for infants up to 30 pounds
Travel System Review: One of the top-selling travel systems on Amazon is the Chicco Cortina Keyfit 30. This thing is stylish, and safety-oriented too. The interior is lined with “EPS” energy absorbing foam for improved impact protection. A newborn insert is included for infants from 4-11 pounds. Here’s something to love about this travel system: With one hand, you can remove it from the car, remove it from the stroller base, adjust the 5-point harness, and fold the stroller base to stash in the car. So you can hold a baby or a bag of groceries while doing all of it. Comfort is another strength: the “memory recline” seat remembers the last position the seat was in when the stroller was folded, the leg rest has 3 positions, and the laminated canopy is fully reversible. That’s key for blocking out the bright early morning or late afternoon sun. A couple of convenience features merit mentioning as well: a tray for both parent and child, cup holders, ergonomic carrying handle, and an accessible shopping basket. The brakes are a “one touch” system so you don’t have to set/unseat each rear wheel separately. Also, the Keyfit 30 base has a unique “single pull” latch adjustment to make car installation much easier. All in all, there’s a lot to like and it’s obvious why the Chicco Cortina travel system is a bestseller. Save 16% when you buy it on Amazon

Britax B-Agile Travel System
Reviews:
Features:	Lightweight aluminum frame Tangle-free 5-point harness Energy-absorbing foam liner 3-wheel stroller base Side impact protection
Travel System Review: I saved the best for last: currently the #1 bestselling travel system on Amazon is the Britax B-Safe/B-Agile Travel System stroller. This is a lightweight, compact stroller featuring a one-hand, quick-fold design with an automatic chassis lock. The padded, supportive seat features a 5-point harness system with head pad that is adjustable without having to rethread or unhook any straps. Safety is a priority in the design. The side impact protection distributes crash forces, shields from vehicle intrusion and contains the baby’s head and body in the event of a crash. I love the canopy on this travel system. It’s extra-large and has mesh ventilation so that you can see your baby while pushing it. The comfort-ride suspension keeps your comfortable on uneven terrain, and the 3-wheel design makes this stroller uniquely maneuverable. The stroller base is even compatible with other car seats if you get the car seat adapter. Currently 18% off When You Buy Here

Starry Night Night Light

December 22, 2012 by getbabytosleep Leave a Comment

Starry night turtle night light

Getting babies and toddlers to fall asleep on their own is sometimes challenging, especially as they get old enough to be curious about or afraid of things in the world. Fear of darkness is one of these. We’ve been looking for a long time for something that would both comfort a child and entertain without over-stimulating at bedtime. The “starry night” night light seemed like a good fit.

We set out to find the best constellation night light out there. It turns out, the most popular and favorably reviewed night lights are made by Cloud B.

Contents
Why a starry night night light?
Twilight Turtle
Starry Night Ladybug
Sea Turtle Night Light

Why A Starry Night Night Light?

There are various different kinds of night lights out there, and I’ve evaluated many of them in my guide to choosing a night light for baby. In our case, we prefer the starry night kind because:

Soothing but not stimulating. The stars are projected in a soft, colorful light. They don’t move (unless the turtle is moved), so it comforts the child without being entertaining enough to keep him or her awake too long.
Quiet. Some of the other projection night lights we’ve tried play music or sound while projecting something on the wall or ceiling. It’s too much stimulation (almost like TV) and made our kids want to stay awake to watch.
Safe for children. There are no small or moving parts, no exposed light bulbs, or anything else that might cause me concern in letting my children play with this. That’s unusual for a night light!
Educational. The twilight turtle projects some real constellations on the ceiling, so you can start teaching your children to recognize them.

Twilight Turtle Night Light

Because the turtle is soft and easy to carry, he gets treated like a stuffed animal, usually ending up in bed with our daughter as she falls asleep. That’s become a much faster process since the night light arrived; usually we’re on the hook for 3 stories and rocking and snuggling before she wants us to close the door. Now she wants the door closed right away so her stars are easier to see.With a 45-minute auto timer, there’s no need for us to go in and shut it off either. All around, we love this night light!

The Twilight Turtle night light by Cloud b is one of the best gifts our daughter ever received. It projects a complete starry night sky (with moon!) onto the ceiling and walls of her room. Pressing any of 3 buttons changes between the soothing colors of amber, blue, and green. It’s lightweight and battery-operated, so we’ve taken it along in the minivan as well to great effect.

Features:	-Projects a complete starry night sky onto the walls and ceiling of any room -Three color options (blue, green, and amber) for dynamic, magical environments -Auto shutoff with 45 minute timer -Requires 3 AAA batteries
Dimensions:	14 inches x 8 inches x 5 inches
Reviews:

Ladybug Starry Night Light

This slightly smaller but equally (if not more) adorable version of the starry night night light is a cuddly ladybug. Just like the turtle, she projects a starry night sky with three color choices, but hers are sapphire blue, emerald green, and ruby red.Weighing less than a pound and battery-operated, this is a perfect night light option for your little girl or bug-obsessed little boy.

Features:	-Auto shutoff with 45 minute timer -Three color options: Sapphire Blue, Emerald Green and Ruby Red -Includes Twilight Ladybug story and adoption certificate -Requires 3 AAA batteries
Dimensions:	12 inches x 8 inches x 5 inches
Reviews:

Endangered Sea Turtle Night Light

I saved my favorite one for last, the Cloud B Sea Turtle night light. This one’s colors are all ocean-themed (blue, green, aquamarine). It also features 5 endangered sea animal images on turtle shell that illuminate one at a time: the Blue Whale, California Sea Otter, Knysna Seahorse, Leatherback Turtle and Vaquita Dolphin. It comes with a “twilight turtle storybook” with educational facts about endangered species.Best of all, a portion of the proceeds from each turtle are donated to an international conservation organization.

Features:	-Shell glows in three “sea” colors: ocean blue, emerald green and aquamarine -Auto shutoff with 45 minute timer -Star Guide to help identify constellations
Dimensions:	12 inches x 8 inches x 5 inches
Reviews:

Give Your Child the Stars

This is hands-down one of the coolest sleep-related items we’ve gotten for our kids. Not only has it shortened the bedtime process, but it’s been a fun addition to nighttime journeys in the minivan. So far the batteries have lasted a long time — I suspect the lights are LEDs — and the turtle we’ve named Shelly is a cherished member of the family. And hey, who wouldn’t like to give their little one the stars to sleep under?

Wireless Video Monitor Reviews

December 20, 2012 by getbabytosleep Leave a Comment

We love having a wireless video monitor in the nursery. Nothing is more comforting than being able to see and hear your baby at night or while working around the house. A few years ago, there were only a handful of decent video baby monitors available, and they were all prohibitively expensive.

Now there are dozens of options, from the low-cost the high end. Which video monitor is best for you? Here, we evaluate the top rated video monitors, compare their features, and highlight some of our favorite models to help you choose one for your nursery.
Contents:
Features of Wireless Video Monitors
Wireless Video Monitor Reviews
Baby Touch Wireless Video Monitor by Summer Infant
Motorola MBP36 Wireless Video Monitor
DXR-5 Wireless Video Monitor by Infant Optics

Key Features of Wireless Video Monitors

Here are some of the terms and features that we evaluate in wireless video baby monitors:

Range. This is how far the receiver can be from the transmitter (which is in the nursery) and still get a signal. At best, these are guesses from the manufacturers; the actual range depends on the elevation difference, wall thickness, interference from other electronics, etc. Even so, it’s safe to say that you want a longer range if possible.
Frequency. Higher is better, so 2.4 GHz is better than 900 MHz. Generally speaking, the higher the frequency, the stronger the signal between your transmitter and your monitor. Also, devices that are on the same frequency (such as a monitor and a cordless telephone) may interfere with one another, so it’s best to take stock of your current electronics while shopping for a baby monitor.
LCD Screen. LCD stands for Liquid Crystal Display – it’s the color screen that displays your nursery’s video feed. Remember that this measurement is the diagonal, not the width. Most monitors have a 3.5″ screen, and the owners of monitors with smaller screens often complain that they can’t see anything. Some monitors or camera-only packages don’t come with a handheld LCD unit, but transmit to your iPhone, iPad, or smartphone. So obviously the screen size is whatever you’re using to look at it.
Night Vision. High-quality video baby monitors transmit color images during daytime naps. When the nursery is dark (at night), the monitor will need infrared night vision to see anything. Monitors without it will be blind in the dark, rendering the camera useless unless it has infrared night vision (all of the monitors we recommend do). At night, the infrared lets you see your little one, but the images will be in black and white or grayscale.
Tilt, Pam, and Zoom. These let you move the camera remotely to get a better look at your baby. They’re especially useful if your baby (1) moves around in the crib, and/or (2) is a light sleeper, because you don’t have to go into the nursery to adjust the view field of the camera. And you will need to adjust the camera! It seems like our boys wedge themselves into a different corner of the crib every night.
Dual Camera Capability. If you’d like to keep an eye on more than one child, it’s useful to have a video monitor that supports additional cameras. Both the Motorola and the Summer Infant baby monitors support this; the Summer Infant is particularly nice because it has a scan mode to flip between cameras automatically.

For the sleep safety conscious, you might consider complementing a wireless video monitor with a baby movement monitor, like the Snuza Halo, which alerts you of any irregularity in your infant’s breathing.

Wireless Video Monitor Reviews

Here we review twoof the bestselling and top-rated wireless video baby monitors available today. Though there are certainly other wireless baby monitors out there (Angelcare, Philips, Safety 1st, and others), these two monitors — from Summer Infant and Motorola — are consistently the most popular based on customer rating and sales rank.

Baby Touch Wireless Video Monitor by Summer Infant

Monitor Review:

The Summer Infant Baby Touch digital video monitor is consistently a top selling baby monitor on Amazon. This super quiet camera can be remotely activated so parents can reposition their viewing angle to better see the baby. Infrared night vision lets you see your baby in the dark, too. For multiple angles or to monitor more than one child, this monitor lets you add up to three additional wireless cameras.This video monitor has a lot of features to like:

The ability to pan, tilt, and zoom camera remotely
Two-way audio so you can hear and talk to your baby
Rechargeable, portable 3.5″ LCD viewer.
Belt clip, built-in stand, and sleek magnetic docking base.

Two features set this monitor apart from other wireless video monitors. First, the touch screen lets you adjust tilt, pan, and zoom in a user-friendly fashion, far superior to the clunky side controls on other monitors. Second, when multiple cameras are installed, the Summer Infant monitor auto-rotates through them on a timer, letting you watch multiple rooms without doing anything.

Model:	Summer Infant Baby Touch Digital Color Video Monitor
Screen:	3.5″ Touch Screen LCD
Reviews:

Motorola Wireless Video Baby Monitor MBP36

Monitor Review:

The Motorola wireless baby monitor is usually the #2 best selling monitor on Amazon The latest model features a 3.5″ screen, two-way communication so that parents can talk to the baby, and data encryption.
It has a longer advertised range than the Summer Infant, up to 600 feet. Plus, there’s an audible out-of-range warning to let you know when the monitor isn’t receiving from the transmitter. This is an important feature for a baby monitor, as some models don’t have it.The Motorola also has a remote nursery temperature sensor, which is critical if your baby’s room fluctuates in temperature as ours does. Like the Summer Infant, the camera has night vision and can be panned/zoomed remotely. And you can add an extra camera to monitor two rooms or two angles at once.
Motorola Secure Transmission

My favorite feature of this monitor is the Motorola 2.4 GHz FHSS technology. Much like Motorola’s 2-way radios, these monitors transmit with an encrypted Motorola signal so that only your LCD receiver can pick up the audio and video feeds. It also won’t interfere with other electronic devices. A nice feature if you live close to other parents with monitors.

Model:	Motorola MBP36 Remote Wireless Video Baby Monitor
Screen:	3.5″ Color LCD, up to 25 FPS
Reviews:

Baby Christmas Pajamas for the Holidays

December 5, 2012 by getbabytosleep 1 Comment

How cute is this? Posed in front of the fireplace and Christmas tree, no less!

The holiday seasons are approaching, and if you have babies (or small children) in the house as we do, that’s a very special time for you. Christmas is one of those times when you really come to appreciate being a parent. Everything becomes a memory or a new tradition. You find yourself doing things — like putting out milk and cookies for Santa — that you haven’t done since you were a kid. And even if it’s your baby’s first Christmas (and you know he or she won’t remember a thing), you want to make it as special as possible.

Christmas Pajamas for the Baby

Finding a cute set of Christmas pajamas for baby is one great way to do that. It makes for a great photo opportunity (exhibit A to the right) and captures this moment in time in your child’s life. Heck, if you want to go all out, there are lots of matching Christmas pajama sets for the whole family. I’m not willing to go that far, but I did look around to find some of the cutest baby pajamas on Amazon.


Mud Pie Baby-girls Newborn Triple Tree 2 Piece Set Long sleeve Christmas tree shirt, polka-dot pants and an adorable tutu!	Mud Pie Newborn Reindeer Long Johns These long johns will keep your little reindeer warm over the holidays!

Mud Pie Baby-Girls Santa Tunic And Leggings This is a cute 2-piece set with flared bottoms on the pants and a polka dot Santa shirt.	Carter’s Red Reindeer Snug-fit Pajama Set A cozy pajama set with bright colors and a cute reindeer on the front.

I believe in Santa Claus!

Do You Believe in Santa?

We just watched The Polar Express, another favorite holiday tradition of ours. The movie (and also the book) really set the stage for the holiday season, and remind kids that Christmas isn’t just about presents.

It’s a great defense against the seeming barrage of cartoons, movies, and even (gasp) Disney productions in which the existence of Santa is doubted. You have to be so careful in what you let your impressionable young little ones watch this time of year! Also, what they might overhear: Be prepared to kick or elbow eggnog-soused relatives who might blab the wrong thing out in front of your kids.

With that in mind, here are two more little Christmas pajama sets that I love, for your little ones who still believe. Put them on Team Santa this year!

Mud Pie Infant I Believe Santa Set

This machine-washable 2-piece set inclues red corduroy pants with green tree embroidered pattern, and a white long-sleeved shirt.

Mud Pie Santa Infant Overalls

These adorable red-and-white-striped overalls have a felt Santa applique, snap closures, and matching back pockets.

All of these are available at Amazon right now; even standard shipping will get them to you well before Christmas. You might also enjoy our article on cute baby pajamas for year-round; we found some adorable sleeper sets out there!

Are Christmas Pajamas Worth It?

Some part of me wonders if it’s silly to buy pajamas that they’re only going to wear a few times in December (and possibly January, depending on how long you stay in the spirit). But they’re so cute, especially for taking photos that you can give as gifts or send to relatives. Also, a lot of families have the tradition of opening one gift on Christmas Eve, which is perfect if it happens to be a set of cozy pajamas for your little one.

So yes, go ahead and spoil your little one with some cute Christmas pajamas! Or get them as a gift for friends or relatives. The photos will be well worth it. And while we’re on the subject, see last week’s article on keeping baby jolly over the holidays.

Benefits of Baby Crib Mobiles

What Is the Best Baby Mobile?

Musical Baby Mobiles

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Black and White Baby Mobiles

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Organic Baby Mobiles

Baby Mobile Review

Benefits of Soothers and Sound Machines

Baby Soother Reviews

Sound Machine Reviews

Why Buy A Sound Machine?

What To Read Next

5 Benefits of Mini Cribs

Mini Crib Reviews

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Mini Crib Review:

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Mini Crib Mattress Reviews

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Why Baby Movement Monitors?

Why Buy Formula and Food Online?

Infant Formula Reviews

Baby Cereal Reviews

Solid Baby Food Reviews

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Why 4-in-1 Convertible Cribs?

Best Convertible Crib Reviews

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Convertible Crib Mattresses

Other Types of Baby Cribs

Light-weight/Umbrella Strollers

Baby Stroller Review:

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Pram Strollers

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Baby Stroller Review:

Stroller Travel Systems

Travel System Review:

Travel System Review:

Why A Starry Night Night Light?

Twilight Turtle Night Light

Ladybug Starry Night Light

Endangered Sea Turtle Night Light

Give Your Child the Stars

Key Features of Wireless Video Monitors

Wireless Video Monitor Reviews

Baby Touch Wireless Video Monitor by Summer Infant

Monitor Review:

Motorola Wireless Video Baby Monitor MBP36

Monitor Review:

Christmas Pajamas for the Baby

Do You Believe in Santa?

Are Christmas Pajamas Worth It?