Monday, April 26, 2010

What to look for in a stroller


Buying a stroller can be very overwhelming. As I've found out, there are practically endless options. You can buy an umbrella stroller, a snap and go, a travel system, or a full featured stroller. What are all of these and what is best for you? This is the question that most moms-to-be face. Let's talk about what makes a stroller higher-quality and what the different types of strollers are.
Number 1: Ease of pushing. When buying a stroller, take in mind that you will have anywhere from a 7lb to a 35 lb (or more) kid sitting in the stroller! Also, you might have a diaper bag, purse, groceries, or any other number of things in the stroller as well. Therefore, a 15 lb stroller may now weigh 55 lbs with all that extra weight added in. So, you want to look for a stroller that pushes relatively easily. You should not buy a stroller before you try it out. Try out a friends stroller or find a store that will let you play with the stroller before buying it. One thing you should try is pushing it using only one hand. Many times you may be talking on the phone or carrying something, leaving only one hand free for pushing the stroller.

Number 2: Tires. The tires can make or break a stroller. This point is closely related to point one - bigger tires are easier to push. This is simple physics, so ask someone smart if you don't understand it. Air tires provide a bit more cushion for the child. They absorb a bit more impact. The downside is that you may have to deal with flat tires on occasion. There is another air tire called a "forever air tire" and this is an air tire surrounded by foam or rubber so that you have the same benefit of an air tire, but it should never go flat. Next comes foam and rubber. Some people have preferences about one of these over another. I have read that if you live in a cold climate, the foam tires can crack. Yet, I have also heard that foam has a bit more give than rubber, giving a smoother ride.
Number 3: Basket. The basket size is very important. Some baskets are large while others are small. Some are very easy to get to and put stuff in, but others are a little harder to reach. This is a personal issue - some people don't carry a whole lot of things with them, and don't need the space the basket takes up. Yet other people love a large basket since they plan on using the stroller to go grocery shopping or to the mall, or they just want to put all the babies items in the basket.

That's enough for today. Soon, I will be highlighting a few of the more popular strollers on the market.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Pregnancy Pillow

So, there are some products that every mom needs to have from the moment they find out they are pregnant. In this post, I'll highlight one of them. The first thing is a good pregnancy pillow. Getting a good night of sleep is so important! From the moment you find out you're pregnant, most likely you will be spending time getting up at night to use the bathroom. I also had trouble sleeping soundly and getting comfortable. Your body is changing and it can be painful when moving around at night. A good pregnancy pillow will give you something to curl up with and hopefully relieve some of the pain and tossing and turning that you might experience.


There are many of them on the market. Some people purchase extra big body pillows at Target. Others get something more specialized towards pregnancy such as the Boppy. I have to say I stumbled upon the most wonderful pregnancy pillow. It is a newer product and its called the Bosom Baby made by Luna Lullaby.


The pictures are a little small, but this is a wonderful pillow. It is very soft and cushion-y. It provides the right amount of support without being too stiff. It is great for cuddling with, without taking up the whole bed (like the pillow in the first picture!). It will fit between your legs to give your hips the support they need. And, it comes in cute colors! You can also use this after pregnancy to support the baby and help with breastfeeding. Any other pregnancy pillows that you guys swear by? Let me know your thoughts on them!



Friday, April 16, 2010

Ready for summer?

With all the sunscreen brands and claims out there, it's hard to really narrow down which chemicals and ingredients are most effective, which are actually good and which one's you can do without. Since the FDA has yet to fully establish what is okay to print on sunscreen labels, outrageous claims by some companies can make it even more difficult to distinguish what information is even accurate. We've tried our best to simplify the information out there and hopefully give you some piece of mind when it comes to choosing a sunblock.

First you need to know that there are two main different types of sunscreen, chemical and physical. Chemical sunscreens are absorbed into the skin as a means of protecting against sun damage. Although some of the chemical ingredients used in this particular format of sunscreen has shown to be the most effective, some studies are beginning to show that the negative impact resulting from your body absorbing such chemicals could outweigh the benefits. Chemicals such as oxybenzone applied over large patches of skin for long durations of time can be significantly absorbed into the bloodstream, and with long term use could actually contribute to such skin disorders as melanoma.
Physical sunscreen sits on top of the skin and either absorbs or reflects the suns rays which has proven to be a safe alternate to chemical sunscreens. These products typically include either zinc or titanium dioxide which leaves the white residue you see in many sunscreens. Zinc oxide is currently the only FDA approved safe sunscreen chemical on the market for children under 6 months of age; it provides complete UVA and UVB protection as well as has anti-inflammatory properties. However be mindful that some sunscreens now include Zinc Oxide in nano-size particles which minimize the white residue left on the skin; there currently is growing concern about the toxicity in nanoparticles and how if it could be harmful to the skin. Titanium Dioxide, although effective in protecting against sun damage, has also turned up to be an ingredient to reconsider. In recent studies has shown to cause "DNA damage in human cells" and it is also speculated to be a potential carcinogen.

Keep in mind that a little sun exposure can actually be beneficial for the body to adequately produce Vitamin D, so spending 10-20 minutes a day in moderate sunlight without sunscreen can actually be a good thing. However if you plan on spending a more prolonged period of time outdoors, you might want to consider a sunscreen that is hypoallergenic and toxin free. Currant Baby recommends Supergoop the first sunscreen on the market designed by two doctors to be free of carcinogens and endocrine disrupters such as oxybenzone, proplyene glycol, octinoxate, parabens, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. This fragrance free formula is perfect for sensitive skin and also includes antioxidants A,C, & E.

This summer we hope that sunscreen will be the least of your worries, with the help of Currant Baby...know that the products we provide will always have your babies health and safety in mind.

Grow happy!