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!!!