The Safe Sporter

We were big fans of the Safe Sippy when it first came out so we were thrilled to find out that now Kid Basix has come out with a sports bottle for the older crowd. Check out the new Safe Sporter, it comes in 2 sizes 12 oz and 16 oz with 3 colors available in each size. Just like the Safe Sippy it is also stainless steel and BPA free. Some features include a mud cap for keeping the spout clean when not in use, pull spout that is easy to open, wide mouth opening for easy cleaning and fits ice cubes too, TPR sleeve which is nice as the stainless steel gets very cold when cold liquid is inside (the sleeve helps little ones get a good grip on the bottle without getting too chilly) and plastic "coaster" bottom. L tested out the 12 oz and loved it though he has a hard time with the mud cap, it is a bit tight for him and he is unable to open it on his own but has no problem with the pull spout. He can open the spout, close it and close the mud cap all on his own. The pull spout is made of a softer plastic that L decided to chew on within 3 mins of using his Sporter. This at first made the non-spill pull spout a leaky mess but I was able to try to mold it back into shape and after a trip through the dishwasher it seems to have shrunk a tad so that it is spill proof once again. (Yes it is dishwasher friendly!) It doesn't look as new but it does the job and L has not chewed the spout since. The Safe Sporter fits in your vehicles cup holders and still fits nicely into most diaper bag bottle pockets. Preteen C and I used the 16 oz and we both really enjoyed it. C was able to take it to his sporting events and not have to worry about it leaking in his bag and because of it's mature look no one even second guessed it as a toddlers bottle. You can't put carbonated beverages or pulpy juices in it but water, milk and non-pulpy juice is a go and it's really all we ever put in our bottles.
The Safe Sporter 12 oz retails for $14.95 US and the 16 oz retails for $15.95 US it can be purchased from their US based online store and they ship to both US and Canada or see here for a retailer near you in both the US or Canada.

eta a note from Bret @ Kid Basix: FYI, we are changing the spout to a harder material (and design) so that kids who are chewers can’t mangle the spout. We’ve had a couple other reports and decided to be proactive and make the spout in a harder material. These will be out by summer, along with some other great redesigned features that will improve the bottle.

Applesauce on the go?

L is the kind of kid who never stops eating. He is always hungry, no matter how much you feed him. So not only am I always on the hunt for healthy snacks but ones that travel well without a mess are a must for us as we are always out and about. When we were offered the chance to sample Go Go Squeez, an applesauce product for on the go we were excited. I did worry about the mess as applesauce just doesn't seem like a mess free travel food. Go Go Squeez comes in a re-sealable pouch and contains the equivalent of one serving of fruit. The pouch has a little straw type spout with a lid that your child can suck the applesauce out of. It contains 100% fruit with no added sugar and is also Kosher certified. The first time I gave it to the boys I sat them at the table and surprisingly this product really is mess free. Not only that but they both LOVED it, even preteen C. The part I enjoyed the best was that L actually sat quietly at the table without getting up for 20 mins slowly enjoying his Go Go Squeez. Ah the joy of peace and quiet in a content toddler. I now have no problem giving L a pouch in his car seat when we are out and about because I don't have to worry about the mess, their is no chance that he would even waste any by not letting it get to his belly. Go Go Squeez comes in 5 kids pleasing flavors; appleapple, applebanana, applecinnamon, applepeach and applestrawberry.

Go Go Squeez retails for $2.99US for a box of 4 or $0.99US for a single pouch and can be purchased at any Whole Foods in the US or in Quebec at Sobeys/IGA and Jean Coutu Pharmacies. Both US and Canada can purchase online at Amazon and MyBrands.

Our early surprise and our newest tester!!

Welcome to our newest little tester baby K, born to the mama on Valentine's Day 2 1/2 weeks early no doubt. K is a little boy and he weighs 7lbs 5oz. Mama and baby K are at home resting but reviews will be back up and running shortly.

WINNER ANNOUNCED FOR AMON MATERNITY GIVEAWAY!!!

Congratulations to "billie the girl"!! You have won a $50 GC to Amon Maternity!! Please check your email on details about your prize.

It's my potty and I'll go if I want to

So we're coming to the end of potty learning here, potty learning with boys is usually a long journey but we finally see the light and have gone a few weeks without accidents here. Now we just have night time to worry about. We have stopped buying disposables and We thought we'd touch base again with some more potty products that we are using. Don't forget to check out our past potty product line ups here and here.

The Potty Song cd-
Every time L successfully pees or poops on the potty or the toilet we play this cd and I let him play it as many times as he wants just as incentive. Usually he only wants to play it a few times which is good for me. L is enthralled with this cd not only does it praise him for using the potty but it also knows his name!! The song is catchy and easy to learn, you can even sing the song to them if you are somewhere without the cd. I love the fact that the song is a reward without it being candy or a material object that you constantly have to give the child and really what is a better reward than praise and self esteem?

The Potty Song cd retails for $9.95US or $5.95US for an MP3 download and can be purchased directly from their US based website, they ship to both US and Canada.

Aaah Toilet Paper Foam-
Sometimes only a wet wipe will do the job but what if you are all out of wet wipes? Aaah Toilet Paper Foam is a small dispenser of liquid that foams up and turns your toilet paper into the wet wipe you need. It's fragrance free and completely flushable unlike some wipes. It also last longer than a package of wipes and helps use less toilet paper b/c of the moisture you are getting cleaner results faster than with just plain toilet paper. The travel size also takes up less room in your diaper bag and there is no chance of it drying out like wipes.

Aaah's Toilet Paper Foam Personal Clean Package retails for only $9.95US (plus s/h) or purchase the 8oz for $7.95US or the 1.6oz (travel) for $4.95US. US and Canada can both purchase from their US based website ByeByeDry.com.

Kandoo Flushable Toilet Wipes-
I never thought that I would waste money on wipes after we were done with diapers but here we are and I am buying them and using them. Actually I originally got the wipes for free with a coupon, when you purchased a pack of Pampers you got the Kandoo wipes for free. I had a ton if coupons so I stocked up and put them away. Can I just say how happy I am that I did this? When it came time to need them I was happy that they were still freshly sealed and moist. Gone were the days of using half a roll of toilet paper to try to remove the glue type poop from your little one's behind. I've never had to use more than one wipe which is good b/c they recommend that you do not try to flush more than 2 wipes at a time. I've started buying them in the larger refill packs eliminating the purchase of the plastic wipe tub. I find the tub to be a waste of money as the wipes seem to instantly dry up in them which is surprising because my Pampers wipes don't have this problem unless they have been sitting for a long time and Kandoo is made by Pampers. So I just stick to the re-sealable package and it works just fine for us and is portable enough for the diaper bag too.

Kandoo Wipes retail for $3.99CAD and can be purchased at Walmart in both US and Canada.

A Potty For Me by Karen Katz-
This is a lift-the-flap instruction manual on how to use the potty. This sweet little book is about a little girl who gets a new potty from her mommy and all about her learning to use the potty. It addresses diapers and accidents and how even mommy uses the potty too. It also talks about wearing big kid pants and how proud you will feel when you finally use the potty.
A Potty For Me by Karen Katz retails for $8.99CAD and can be purchased at Chapters.Indigo in Canada and Barnes and Noble in the US.


I Love My Potty by Lara Jones-
This little girl talks about all the fun and silly things that she can do with her potty from wearing it as a hat, carrying her toys, it can be a car, a ,drum, a cozy seat. But sometimes it's just a place to go potty. :)

I Love My Potty by Lara Jones retails for $.53CAD and can be purchased used at Amazon.ca in Canada or Amazon.com in the US.



The Gas We Pass (The Story of Farts) by Shinta Cho-
If you loved Everyone Poops by Taro Gomi from our last potty round-up you will love The Gas We Pass. This book of course is all about farts which L just loves being a typical boy. Big farts, little farts, smelly farts, scentless farts, animal farts, people farts; this book has it covered. It talks about eating and your digestive system and why we fart. If easily offended this book might not be for you but in an all boy household here it really is hard to be offended.

The Gas We Pass (The Story of Farts) by Shinta Cho retails for $10.25CAD and can be purchased at Chapters.Indigo in Canada and Barnes and Noble in the US.

Belly support for your ever growing baby belly **GIVEAWAY CLOSED!!!**

When I first started wearing my Amon Maternity Band it seemed a bit snug and awkward. I was glad that Amon Maternity had advised me to pick a size up when I was confused between 2 sizes. At first I wasn't sure if the band was for me. It was a learning experience due to my muffin top that most women are cursed with I was unsure where and how to wear the band. I figured out for me it worked best if I wore the band over my muffin (hehe) and under my underpants. (I've been wearing boy shorts lately due to comfort so different underwear might hit you in a different spot.) I found that this eliminated the band rolling up and having to readjust it every time I had to pee, which is quite frequently. I also found that after a few weeks my very high belly started to sit a bit lower and the band became increasingly more comfortable. I think that fact that I was carrying so high in the beginning was the reason for the initial discomfort, after all this is more of a support band than a cover your belly band. In fact I know that the lower my belly sits the more I enjoy my band and look forward to wearing it. As I near the and of my pregnancy I find myself reaching for my band more and more especially on days I know I will be out and about all day with plenty of errands to run. The Amon Band features an extra wide, under tummy support with an expandable tummy section for your varying pregnancy size, back support panel and breathable microfiber fabric. Sizes range from small to X-large and it comes in 3 colors; black, white and nude. The band is machine washable and hang to dry. Amon Maternity also carries full support pregnancy briefs, skivvies and even bodyshapers for postpartum wear.


The Amon Maternity Band retails for $25US and can be purchased directly from their online US based store, they ship to both US and Canada or see here for a list of retailers near you.

One lucky Baby Let's Shop reader will receive a gift certificate redeemable at Amon Maternity's online store for $50!! Just post a comment and let us know what product or products you are most interested and why, please remember to include your email address. The winner will be chosen at random on February 10/2010 10am PST. The winner will be contacted by Amon Maternity with details on how to claim their prize, the prize must be redeemed by February 15 2010. Contest open to US and Canada residents.

Finding the perfect cloth diaper

We've spent the past year or so testing out various cloth diapers and finding out our likes and dislikes. L has spent most of his diapering days in disposables because I wasn't sure I could handle the commitment of cloth but after trying out many brands I feel more confident about going cloth the next time around. Recently we've been lucky enough to have the opportunity to test out both Fuzzi Bunz Perfect Size diapers and One Size diapers. These are the first pocket diapers we have tried and we absolutely love them. They are the reason we have made the final choice to cloth diaper the next babe. Fuzzi Bunz are available in a large selection of colors and prints with both boy, girl and gender neutral choices.


The Fuzzi Bunz Perfect Size diapers are available in 6 different sizes to find a perfect fit for your little one. Sizes range from xs, small, medium, large, petite, xl fitting from 4lbs-45+lbs; now that it quite the range. Features include fleece inside, back pocket with super absorbent insert, adjustable snaps for both the leg and waist area, soft waterproof outer PUL layer in color or print, leg elastic and side snaps.



Fuzzi Bunz One Size diapers include the same features as the Perfect Fit but one size fits from xs(4lbs)- L(30+lbs) and also have an adjustable elastic and button waistband and leg holes to customize the best fit. They even offer an online One Size diaper sizing guide for help on getting the right fit. The elastic is also numbered by the button holes ensuring the right fit. When sizing for a smaller babe though the diaper does tend to get a bit bulky, this bulkiness does go away as the babe gets bigger and sizing changes.


I really loved both options but have decided to go with the Perfect Size for the next babe and have already stocked up on some. They were easy to use and not a lot of extra steps involved. They are both machine washable and dry-able, though you can hang them up to dry if you choose. I've had them sit too long before washing before and they have not fallen apart when I had to wash them and strip them a few extra times. ( I have had some other brands fall apart due to this) Fuzzi Bunz come with a microterry insert that are stuffed into the open pocket at the back of the diaper. Once they are dry you can pre-stuff them before you put them away making diaper changes a bit faster. For overnight use you can add an extra insert (purchased separately) for extra absorbency if you find your little one pees more at night. The One Size diapers come with both a large and small insert for different sizing. When it comes time to wash your diapers the inserts usually fall out easily when you give them a quick shake over the washer. Rarely do you have to dirty your hands by pulling things apart for wash like some other brands. We also have not experienced any side leakage from these diapers once we upgraded to two inserts at night. If you are ready to give up on cloth diapering I suggest you try out Fuzzi Bunz, they are a breeze to use and we just love them!

Fuzzi Funz Perfect Size retail for $23.95 CAD and the Fuzzi Bunz One Size retail for $25.95CAD. In the US you can purchase your Fuzzi Bunz straight from the US based FuzziBunzOnline.com or in Canada you can purchase yours at Forbabywithlove.ca, they don't have a lot left right now but they are having a sale that you can save 25% with the code "iloveu" until February 14. They have great service and it's where I stocked up on my Fuzzi Bunz. ;) Or you can search here for a retailer in your area.