[Two Editor’s Notes]
1. New York Family & The Plaza Hotel are giving away a
two-night Babymoon to new and expectant parents (with infants or
toddlers. Sign Up Here. We’re also giving away two sets of Skip Hop’s new and wonderful 4-piece crib bedding line. More Here.
2. New York Family has just established a wonderful (and free)
weekly e-newsletter for expectant and new parents (up to toddler).
Check it out and sign up here. —
What’s great about getting the
low down on anything from Jen Rabulan-Bertram is that she’s that rare blogger
with a genuine journalism background. These days, when she’s not freelancing
or posting on her popular blog, The Next Kid Thing, she’s raising two
boys, her five-year-old and her newborn, in Denville,
NJ, which is
35 miles west of the city.
“Though the space is nice out here, one of my
favorite things about suburbia is the easy access to the city, whether for work
or for play,” she tell us.
As you’ll see, her taste is as
smart as it is reliable. Like Jen says, “As a second time new mom and a
blogger, I get to see a lot of great products. Ultimately, I consider the best
products for my family to be functional, well-designed and
sustainable.“
One more thing: after you read
about the products she loves for new parents, don’t miss the bonus tip!
Jen’s Picks
1. Svan High Chair: This
high chair is the most-used kid product in our house. We bought it when our
first was just a few months old, and he still uses it multiple times a day when
we sit down at our table to eat, craft, etc. When you’re living in a small
space, I appreciate when kid furniture blends with everything else (i.e., isn’t
an eyesore). When we didn’t have room for a dining table in our 1-br apartment,
this chair and its detachable tray made feeding time a breeze. I love the small
footprint of this wooden high chair, and the fact that it grows from the baby
days into a kid chair. After everyday use, the chair is still in great
condition, making the Svan high chair one of our best
investments.
2
. UPPAbaby Vista: We bought
the UPPAbaby Vista the year it first came out. There were rarely any UPPAbabys out on the street yet, so we constantly made heads turn out of curiosity.
Today, UPPAbaby has quickly become a popular choice for urban and suburban
families alike because of its versatility and comfort. I love the smooth ride
of this stroller, and how I can always turn it on a dime, even in the most
crowded space. The basket space is a great asset, especially when it comes time
to grocery shop. From bassinet, to car seat carrier, to toddler seat and back,
the UPPAbaby Vista is yet another product that is truly growing with our
family.
3. Stokke Bounce ‘n’ Sleep: This is a
simple concept that makes so much sense. It’s essentially a system that
involves a bouncer and a daybed. If baby falls asleep in the bouncer, you can
move the sleeping baby without worrying about waking him/her by carrying the
bouncer with its handle and placing it into the coordinating daybed. Additionally, the daybed can be used on its own, making it a great alternative
to a bassinet or pack and play. Again, I love the small footprint of the Bounce
‘n’ Sleep and the beautiful European aesthetic blends seamlessly into our living
space.
4. Tommee Tippee Closer to
Nature Monitor: Monitors have come a long way since our first kid! This 
monitor
has so much function in such a small package. Not only does it deliver a clear,
crisp image, but the audio is just as great. For parents who need that extra
peace of mind, this unit also comes with a sensor pad that can detect if there’s
no movement. My favorite function of the Closer to Nature monitor is the talk
back feature that gives the system a walkie talkie-like function. I’ve been
known to use it as a way to chat with the older kid to ask him for an extra hand
to get a pacifier or clean diaper; but for others, I’m guessing you can use it
to coax babies to go back to sleep without entering the room.
5. Charlie Banana Reusable
Diapers: As a green-minded mama, I’ve used my fair share of eco-friendly
diapers, both disposable and cloth. As a former urban family, we know that
laundry can sometimes be an impossible feat, which is why I love hybrid
diapers. Charlie Banana diapers are beautiful cloth diapers that can be used
with cloth inserts OR disposable inserts, making them a feasible way to cloth
diaper for families who travel often or don’t have a washer and dryer within
reach. Of all the cloth diapers I’ve tried, the quality of these diapers have
withstood the frequent washes and subsequent wears the best. The fluffy, colorful bums
on baby are an adorable added extra.
Bonus Tip! From the Hips by Rebecca Odes and Ceridwen Morris: I love the play by play on
what to expect during your pregnancy and beyond, without all the scare tactics.
It was written for moms “who get it” by moms who I can totally relate to. The tone of the book, added graphics and helpful insight make this my
must-read for expectant parents. I even brought this one to the hospital as my
reading material and gave my OB a book review while I was in
labor.
For more of Jen her work, check
out her blog, The Next Kid Thing, or email her at jen@nextkidthing.com.
