Tiny Love Musical Wonder Wheel...not so wonderful

My husband and I ventured out on our first roadtrip with our 14.5 month old baby. It was a four hour journey and I felt I was fully prepared. I had snacks, sippy cups, books, a detachable tray to attach to the carseat, and a Tiny Love Musical Wonder Wheel carseat toy. I had stowed this musical wonder wheel away, in anticipation of our trip. I knew that if I introduced it to my daughter too soon, she would quickly tire of it.

On the day of our departure, my husband quickly loaded the toy (consisting of two parts: the wheel and the screen to attach to the seat in front of the baby) with batteries, attached the farm-themed screen to the passenger side seat and clipped the "wonder wheel" to the buckle on her carseat. We put baby into the car and at first, she seemed enthralled with this new toy. She would push the cow button, for example, on her wonder wheel, and the cow would light up and "moo" on the screen in front of her. Seems genius, right? This exploration of the wheel went on for a good thirty seconds, until my daughter decided that it was much more fun to kick the screen instead. This repetitive abuse dislodged the screen and gave my daughter free reign with it. She decided that it was much more fun to beat it over her head and throw it around the car than to simply watch some silly lights. As for the wheel, that didn't last long either. There is no Velcro strong enough to withstand my baby, and within seconds she had removed it and thrown it on the floor. We repeatedly tried to re-attach the Tiny Love toy, but to no avail...she just did not care for it. My advice to snobby mommies: Wonder Wheel = waste of money!
What did work? Books and cheerios. These were the only two things that kept her happy. I guess the best advice is to just keep it simple and stay away from toys that seem too good to be true.

Sound-only monitors are so last season...video is the only way to go

When baby first entered our worlds, my husband and I were ignorant shoppers and failed to realize the importance of the baby monitor. In our naivete, we thought a $37.99 Fisher Price model would suffice, as we were told that a baby monitor is a short-lived item. At first the Fisher Price edition did the trick. We would hear her crying, rush to her side, and nurse her back to sleep. However, eight months went by and my husband and I were walking zombies, sleep-deprived and fed up. I was encouraged by others to "sleep train" my baby, meaning let her cry herself to sleep until she realizes that no one will come to her rescue. Sleep training was something that was difficult for us to do, as we were not comfortable letting the baby "cry it out" as they say. I could never quite figure out what the different cries meant. In my mind each cry meant imminent peril for my little darling. So after much debate over whether sleep training was the way to go to get some rest, I stumbled upon a Summer video monitor at Babies R' Us. The latest model had just come out, featuring a nice 5-inch monitor for me to view my daughter's every move. Now instead of trying to interpret if her wail is just in want of mommy or if she's in actual need, I can just take a glance and rest easy knowing that she's okay. After the purchase of the Summer video monitor, my baby was "sleep trained" in three days. Our daughter is now 14 months and we still use the monitor. We know many parents have pulled the plug on their nightly monitoring of baby, but these days it's nice to know if she's pulling off her pajamas, vomiting in her bed or removing her diaper during the night. So snobby mommies everywhere, be smart and go video!

Just Buy It!!!

The Baby Bjorn Soft bib is a must-have for all snobby mommies. I wish I discovered them sooner. These bibs are so easy to clean, just rinse with water and voila, ready to use again. These bibs also have a unique clasp, so tots can't rip them off five minutes into the meal. A huge pocket is at the bottom of the bib to collect all the droppings from junior, so that means less mess for us snobby mommies to clean up off the floors. Hands down, the Baby Bjorn soft bib is a great purchase for all the snobby mommies out there-you will not be disappointed with this reasonably priced purchase.

Face Off: Baby Bjorn Travel Crib lite vs. Graco Pack-n- Play

       I wish a "snobby mommy" had informed me about the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Lite before I made the mistake of purchasing the Graco Pack-n-Play.  The Travel crib lite is amazing and really works as a portable crib. The crib easily folds in seconds and is easy to tote around in the zippered travel bag.  The mattress is easy to wipe clean, which is a necessity with a baby, and folds up to fit with the crib inside the travel bag.  It weighs approximately 7 lbs., which is easy to manage when you are traveling with a baby and all of their "stuff".   The BabyBjorn Travel crib retails for @249.99, but with a coupon you can save $50 at BuyBuyBaby.   I know some of you mommies may think that this is a bit pricey, but trust this snobby mommy and don't make the original mistake that I did in purchasing the Graco Pack-n-Play.

       What is wrong with the Graco Pack-n-Play?  EVERYTHING!!!  This snobby mommy says that this product tries to be too many things, and fails at all of them.  First, this is not light enough or easy to pack-up or set-up, so forget about this being an option for a traveling crib. Second,  this product is too small to be a large enough area for a suitable play yard.  Last,  those changing tables that attach to the top of the pack-n-play are really unnecessary because you can just set up a changing area on the floor with a pad and a basket to hold some diapers and wipes.  Why overtake your livingroom with this wasteful product when you can buy the BabyBjorn Travel crib lite and the Superyard Play yard, which accomplish both sleeping and playing more effectively and efficiently.

What NOT to buy for baby: Snobby Mommies top 10

10. Wipes warmer - I mean really...aren't we setting a precedent for the rest of our child's life if we warm their wipes? This totally unnecessary product is as silly as it gets in this snobby mommy's opinion.

9. Overdosing on "raising baby" books - We're all insecure when baby enters our worlds, but the truth is that we're not going to find our answers in the pages of Dr. Sears or the What to Expect series. I fell victim to the marketing ploys of baby book publishers and after reading a few pages, I was overcome with a whole new set of fears for the safety of my baby.

8. Diaper pail deodorizers - I gag every time I empty the diaper pail, but who am I kidding thinking some tiny deodorizers are going to mask my daughter's daily doings? The only trick is to empty the pail regularly, so don't even think about masking it with an evergreen scent.

7. Portable bottle warmer - This annoying contraption was no better than a glass of warm water. Sure it has a nice handle, but it really is just a glorified bucket for warming bottles. Save your money and just stick the bottle in a glass.

6. Frilly dresses for newborn - From leaky diapers to the constant spitting up, your newborn is going to go through more wardrobe changes than a Cher concert. Forget the frill and stick with the basics: simple white onesies that come off as quickly as you can snap them on.

5. Shoes for newborn - The only person who is enjoying the baby shoes is snobby mommy. If the baby isn't even crawling or walking there is no reason to confine those growing footsies to a prison of leather, let them breathe for a few months.

4. Bottles without liners - Save yourself the sterilizing troubles and just get liners for the build-up of bottles. Pop a bag in and toss the old one out...trust me, your time is better spent elsewhere.

3. Thick padded bumpers - Sure they make your crib look cute, but this unnecessary accessory is simply an added danger in your crib. I made a bumper purchase pre-baby from Pottery Barn Kids. As soon as my daughter starter rolling, I would find her face pressed up against the thick sides of her crib. My next purchase was a breathable bumper, which we have used ever since.

2. Pack n' Play - I know this Graco-made playpen is a staple for many mothers, but I disagree with this purchase. I find it too large to be used as a portable travel crib and too small to use as a playpen. Instead I recommend the Baby Bjorn travel crib for on-the-go mommies and a "Super Yard" play yard to keep baby confined.

1. A comforter - Just the other day I was in a baby store and I overheard a hugely pregnant woman ask the salesperson for a comforter for baby. I wanted to scream out that not only is a comforter completely unnecessary it's also unsafe. Stick with a "Swaddle Me" wrap and sleep soundly knowing your baby is safe.

Gucci Diaper Bag: Hot or Not?

This snobby mommy says NOT! If you want to splurge on a Gucci bag, go for a real bag or an accessory. You will be extremely disappointed with the diaper bag for several reasons. There are two versions of the diaper bag; the original and the newer version. The original sells for a hefty price, $935, while the newer version sells for a little less, $845. In my opinion, the newer version has improvements with the most notable being more storage pockets. The original has only two bottle pockets on the outside of the bag, while the newer model has four bottle pockets, two on the inside and two on the outside. The newer model also has a couple of storage compartments inside the bag for various baby items, like diapers and lotions, while the original has only one little flap compartment inside the bag. The changing pads in both bags are quite small, so you can count on your precious bundle of joy touching all those nasty germs on the gross public changing tables.

All the mommies out there should steer clear from the Gucci diaper bag and keep shopping around for something more practical for baby. I personally am a fan of the Petunia Pickle Bottom bags for lots of reasons. These bags are stylish, very functionable and affordable. They are perfect for packing bottles, diapers, creams, bibs, outfits, and everything else you can think of for junior. They have two strap options; a regular over-the-shoulder strap and back-pack straps. I have been extremely happy with my bag and receive lots of compliments. This bag retails at a bargain price of less than $200, so with these savings I can splurge on a designer bag for me.

Baby Björn vs. Ergo for marsupial moms

We have all heard that it's good for the baby to get out of the stroller from time-to-time and enjoy the view from above. While still pregnant I decided to purchase the Baby Björn. I didn't feel that I needed the athletic version or the newest "breathable" version of the Swedish-made  infant carrier, so I went with the basic black model. Little did I know at the time of my purchase how much use I would get out of this thing. As soon as my daughter was born, her revulsion for the the stroller was apparent and the only way I could get out of the house was with the Baby Björn in tow. For the first several months I would place her in the carrier with her head towards me. She would fall asleep within minutes due to the lulling cadence of my walk and the white noise of the shopping mall we frequented. After she was able to support her head well, I turned her around. She was entranced by the sights and sounds and I was able to get hours worth of errands completed. As she started to get bigger, the Baby Björn became more and more difficult to use. But the less I used it, the more attached my baby was to it. She would see in laying next to her in the car and point and moan until I let her hold it. Just having the Baby Björn in her little, sticky hands was enough to satisfy her.

By month 10, my baby was simply too heavy for me and I was forced to pack the Baby Björn away. My daughter still had a tendency to get very fussy in a stroller, so I started browsing the market for a carrier that would work for a 22 lb+ kid. It appeared that Ergo was the better of the few available options. I paid the $90 online and received my new carrier in the mail a few days later. The first thing all snobby mommies should realize about the Ergo is that the baby is unable to face out, which for an older baby is a necessity. Secondly, the Ergo is extremely difficult to fasten on your own. I am only able to use this carrier if someone is with me to help secure the straps. My daugther is now 14 months and weighs about 25 lbs. We use the Ergo from time-to-time, and my husband seems to like using it as a back carrier. 

In my opinion, the Ergo doesn't come close to the comfort of the Baby Björn, but if you are looking for a product that will work for your older infant, it really is the only option. Also, I don't recommend the Ergo if you are wearing something nice. The Ergo will stretch, pull and wrinkle whatever you have on, plus it will emphasize unsightly areas of your body...squeezing those post-baby muffin tops even more than your tightest pair of pants.

Oh so smooth !

Bye-bye dry skin, hello perfection!
New mothers can often feel overwhelmed with all the crap on the market for baby skin care. Look no further than Mustela Stelatopia moisturizing cream and Hair/body cream rinse. These two products are a little pricey , but worth their weight in gold. My baby started to develop dry, scaly red patches all over her face and body and I was distraught. I cleaned out the baby aisles in the pharmacy trying to figure out which product would magically clear the problem up. Product after product, I was unsuccessful in clearing up the eczema. However, after just one use of the Mustela Stelatopia products, I immediately started to notice a difference. We do not go one day without these two products. I recommend that all mothers keep these products on hand, because most babies will benefit from this line.

These products can be purchased online at Diapers.com or at BuyBuy Baby and BabiesRus.

Do you Bugaboo?

While the Bugaboo Cameleon seems to be the stroller of choice for celebrities everywhere, is it really worth the $900 investment? This snobby mommy says YES! I was initially drawn to the Bugaboo for my baby due to its bassinet option. There are very few strollers in the United States that offer a bassinet stroller that converts to a toddler seat, while in Europe babies are only placed in bassinet-style buggies for the first several month of their lives. I had been advised that laying flat early on is best for baby, so my stroller options were limited.

There is a bassinet accessory that can be purchased for the Peg Perego Pliko P3, but after evalutating the quality my husband and I decided against it. It was very flimsy and didn't feel like it would provide the proper support for baby. Peg Perego has since released Skate, its Bugaboo Cameleon competitor. My assessment of Skate is that it's a poor imitation of the Cameleon. It's heavy, awkward and the materials look cheap. The salesperson at Buy Buy Baby explained that it is a city stroller and not really intended for car transport and mall use.

We have owned the Bugaboo for more than a year now and have not regretted the purchase. The frame still looks new despite daily abuse. The tires are solid and have yet to be refilled. We have purchased an extra seat cover and hood for the summer. This allows us to use fleece in the winter and canvas in the summer. Plus, the replacement fabrics are an easy way to make the stroller look new again when baby #2 comes along. I recently purchased the Bugaboo umbrella for our stroller. It easily attaches and is simple to adjust depending on the angle of the sun.

So while Bugaboo definitely hurts the wallet, it is a stroller that can withstand bumpy roads, squirming toddlers, dings, dents and anything we can dish out. We also own a Pliko P3 that we have relegated to indoor use only. The wheels are not made for walking outdoors, whereas the Bugaboo can handle any bump that comes its way.

How to manage the diapering supplies

When it comes to buying dipaers and other baby supplies, there is only one place to go: Diapers.com. This site saves you time, and that really is the most precious thing when you are a parent of a young infant. Really, who has time or patience to push a cart up and down an aisle with a screaming baby and then wait on a slow, long line to pay for the crap? I actually thought I would love to show off my baby at Target while I purchased all the baby hygiene stuff, until I got a reality check when the little princess wailed and complained the entire trip. From that point on, I saw the light and to this day can't understand why any mother would put herself through the agony of toting along junior for a diaper run? Mothers...get smart...Diapers.com.

p.s. The few dollars you might save at Costco will be canceled out by the sky-rocketing gas prices. Oh and diapers.com does take manufacturers coupons. Happy shopping!!!