Quick Favs - Diaper Genie II Elite Diaper Pail

How often do you hear someone say "I LOVE my diaper pail!"  I really do.  If you read the review I posted yesterday, you probably picked up on the fact that the Diaper Genie II Elite ranks as #1 in my book.   I was already a fan of the Diaper Genie II before this came out a year and a half ago, but what an improvement.

What I like: the Diaper Genie II Elite is tall (so you don't have to stoop over) with a lid and self seal both controlled by a foot pedal (so you don't have to squish a nasty diaper down) and its inexpensive ($39.99 or less).  I also like that the multi-ply bags have an anti-bacterial/odor-blocking capability and that you have the option to tie off a small bag if the tot drops something particularly...fragrant.

We now own two of these and have given at least two as baby gifts.  If you're in the market for a new diaper pail (or if you just don't like the one you have) this is money well spent.  It will change the way you feel about your diaper pail.

Review: Munchkin Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail

This is a repost of my review on Amazon of the new Munchkin Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail.  I felt pretty strongly about it so I thought it was worth sharing.





We have 2 kids and over the last three years have owned or used at least 6 diaper pails including the Munchkin Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail.  They are (ranked in order of preference):

Diaper Genie II Elite
Diaper Dekor Plus
Baby Trend Diaper Champ Deluxe
Diaper Genie II
Munchkin Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail 
Playtex Diaper Genie Twist- Away Pail System

Topline:
- The Munchkin Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail is OK, but I wouldn't recommend it.

Pros:
- The baking soda is an interesting concept for odor control
- It is great that the baking soda cartridge is refillable vs. having to purchase another one.

Cons:
- The lower compartment is maddeningly easy for babies/toddlers to open (and apparently fascinating) which allows them access to the plastic film bag underneath. This seems like a serious safety issue. ** (see note below)
- Despite the baking soda, there is no real difference in odor control.  Plus since the bags are a set size so you can't do a "short bag" if you drop in something really stinky.
- Pail is very short (just above knee level on someone 5' 3") and when you have to push the diaper through you have to bend even farther.
- Top hatch is difficult to open with the one hand that is also holding a diaper (since the other hand should be holding the baby on the changing table)
- The "squish" factor involved with pushing a wet (or poopy) diaper through the chute is pretty gross and you can't get a diaper in without touching the bag.
- Base is wider than most so it takes up more floor space in apartments and/or small nurseries.
- You go through the baking soda very quickly.

Aside from my concern with the safety of the accessibility of the lower compartment to small children (maybe I just have a dud pail), I would say this pail is OK.   It does the job, but it would not be my first choice.  If the baking soda really works I wish Arm & Hammer (or Munchkin) would just sell the refillable dispenser to stick in the top of my regular diaper pails.

**  Munchkin was very quick to respond to my concern regarding the door and said that they have improved the design to make a truly child-proof lock.

Quick Favs - First Storybook

Its hard to find a good first story book.  A book with multiple stories in it, none of which are too long or too verbose or generally annoying.  And if it could not involve Disney, Dora, princesses or Thomas we'd be much obliged.  We stumbled on The Complete Book of Farmyard Tales by Usbourne last summer while we were stocking up on books for Grandma's house and it has become a favorite (we had to buy a copy for our house too).

Written by Heather Amery and illustrated by Stephen Cartwright, this compilation includes 20 simple stories about different everyday adventures that happen to a farm family.  They are all 8-10 pages long so they are the perfect length for bedtime or potty time.  

The book also includes a CD with oral versions of all the stories so you can bring it along in the car (or use it to read along with).

Review: Carriers other than the Bjorn

Check out this helpful review that Jamie The Baby Guy just did for StrollerTraffic comparing non-Bjorn baby carriers.  A good read if you're in the market for a carrier.

Quick Favs - CARES Child Aviation Restraint System

As a family who travels a lot, we love smart gear that makes traveling easier.  We love the CARES harness (an abbreviation for Child Aviation Restraint System).  It is an FAA-certified 5-point harness that works with the seatbelt on the plane to make traveling tots safer.  It can be used throughout the flight instead of a carseat for children 22-44lbs (even take-off and landing).

We started using this when Tot #1 was about 2 and it has been great.  It weighs less than a pound, folds up into a tiny bag and easily stashes into a carry-on or purse.  We just check her car seat with the rest of our luggage and it makes getting through the airport a lot faster.


To install the CARES harness You simply slide the red band over the top of the seat (you need to open the tray table on the seat behind you) and tighten the buckle when you have it at your child's chin level.  The two black straps have loops at the bottom that allow the airplane seatbelt to pass through.  The chest buckle clips just like a car seat and "voila!" you have one secure tot (and zero car seats dragged onto the plane).

Although the lower weight limit for this is 22lbs, it may be a challenge for a child younger than 2 who may want to sleep on the plane.   If your child is under 2, it's probably worth using your car seat instead.  Check out our recent review of the Go-Go Kidz Travelmate - its a great option for making airline travel with a carseat easier.

Quick Favs - First Puzzle

Tot #1 has always been very into puzzles so we've seen our fair share.  The Melissa & Doug First Shapes Jumbo Knob Puzzle is our very favorite first puzzle.  The pieces are very thick (over 1/2") and the jumbo knobs make the pieces easy for little hands to grab and maneuver.  The shapes are simple and linear so there are no tricky cut outs to matchup.  The shape names and colors are printed on the pieces as well as on the puzzle itself (which makes them virtually self-guiding).  As puzzles go, this is about as frustration free as you can get.  This makes a nice first birthday present that they can grow into quickly.

Quick Favs - Car Seat Cover

With two kids who occasionally get carsick, we've come to value the concept of a removable car seat cover.  After trying several, the Emmalu Designs Waterproof Removable Toddler Car Seat Cover is our hands down favorite.  It works well on both our Britax Diplomat (which has lots of strange shaped padding and curvaceous angles) and our Radian65 (which is very simple and rectangular).  It gets high marks for covering all of the main trouble spots well with minimal exposed velcro, gaping or bunching.  It also offers a variety of easily adjustable should strap heights.  For the parent of a carsick tot the icing on the cake is that is removes very quickly and its washer/dryer safe!  Yipee!!

Adventures in Potty Training: Part 3 - Panties! Panties! Panties!

I'm going to apologize in advance for the girlie bias here, but Tot #1 is a girl, so this is a panties specific post.  We are wrapping up the final stages of potty training (just nights left!) and though it was worth jotting down a primer on panties since she seems to have acquired quite a collection.  With that said, we have discovered that all panties are not created equal. 

Here is how they fit from smallest/snuggest to largest/loosest (all are 2T unless otherwise noted):

1. Potty Patty Pants
2. Gerber Training Pants
3. Hanes/Fruit of the Loom
4. Gap
5. Gymboree
6. Potty Patty Waterproof pants
7. Petit Bateau

We've tried a lot of cotton training pants (i.e. not diapers) and big girl pants (i.e. panties) so here is the run-down of how they compare:

Gerber Padded Training Pants

Pros: very soft, easy to pull up, inexpensive, available in white (so you can bleach them), unisex

Cons: not very absorbant (you might as well have them wear panties)
Price - $7 for 3 at Target

These are your classic training pants.  They are probably what our parents used.  They are very soft, white or patterns, unisex and inexpensive.  The 2T (also called the Small) ran true to size.  They aren't very absorbent, but they are very nice and a good value.

Potty Patty Pants (size S)

Pros - very soft, very absorbent padding

Cons - runs a little small
Price - $12.95 for 3

These Potty Patty Pants are available on Potty Training Concepts.  The are very soft and cushy.  The fit is a bit like a women's "boy short" style underwear and is easy for a toddler to pull on and off.  They also could hold a small almost-an-accident or a dribble-while-we-run-to-the-potty.  Our only complaints is that the tag placement is a little weird (outside, not squarely on the back) and they tend to run a little small.  We bought a size Small (24 - 29lbs) and found the fit to be similar to a small 18m size.   All in all they are the best of he absorbent "training pants" we found.

2-in-1 Potty Patty Waterproof Training Pants (size S)

Pros - easy to pull on, not crinkly

Cons - balloon-like fit, not exactly water-proof
Price - $24.95 for 3

These are also from Potty Training Concepts, but are totally different.  They are a soft, pull-on "water proof" pants.  The best description that comes to mind is "bloomers" and they run very large (a size S fit much more like a 2T).  There is also a lot of excess material that gives it a balloon like fit.  They are not as crinkly as other waterpoof pants we looked at, but then again they are also are not really waterproof.   They were among our least favorite training pants.

Hanes

Pros - inexpensive, easy to pull on, stays up well, lots of characters to choose from

Cons - not very thick

Price - $4.95 or less for 3

Hanes panties are available almost everywhere in almost every character you could want (Disney princesses, Tinkerbell, Barbie, Minnie Mouse, Hello Kitty, Nemo, etc.).  They are also available for even less without the characters (6 for $5.99 or less).  The material is thin, but they feature a nice relatively thick elastic waistband that helps them stay up and makes it easy to toddlers to dress themselves.  Although the smallest size is a 2T/3T, they easily fit a small 2 year old.  Target, Walmart and most mid-range department stores should carry them.

Fruit of the Loom

Pros - inexpensive, easy to pull on, stays up well, lots of characters to choose from

Cons - not very thick

Price - $6.99 or less for 3

Fruit of the Loom are also available almost everywhere and have some of the other characters you're probably looking for (Dora, My Little Pony, Care Bears, etc.).  They are also available in larger multipacks without characters. The fit and material is very similar to Hanes.  These also feature the thicker elastic waistband so they stay up all day and are easy for toddlers to navigate.  The smallest size is also a 2T/3T, but they also easily fit a small 2 year old.  They should be sold in the same places as Hanes. 

Baby Gap
Pros - thick cotton, easy to pull on, lots of colors to choose from
Cons - stretch out easily
Price - $13 for 3

The Baby Gap panties are available in lots of fun patterns/colors that change seasonally (which means you can also occasionally find them on sale).  The material is a nice thick cotton (thicker than all of the other panties, excluding the training pants).  The wide bands on the legs and waist make them easy to get on and off.  Over the course of the day they do tend to stretch out around the legs.  Generally quite nice.



Gymboree

Pros - easy to pull on, always a bow in the front, lots of colors to choose from, often goes on sale/promo

Cons - runs a little big, stretch out easily

Price - $2 - $4.75 per pair

The Gymboree panties are also available in tons of patterns/colors and you can almost always find them on sale www.gymboree.com.  The cotton is relatively thin, but soft.  They run a little large and have a bit of a bikini-style fit.  Using your Gymboree coupons or Gymbucks towards them makes these a steal.

Petit Bateau 

Pros - soft, white

Cons - runs a very large

Price - $12 per pair

The Petit Bateau panties are nice and soft, but they have an unusual high-cut leg (women would call panties this style "French Cut").  The fit is very, very large.  A 2t is much closer to a 3T.  This is not a great panty for a toddler.


Conclusion:
If you need trainers, the basic Gerber pants are the most economical choice, but the Potty Training Concepts padded Potty Patty pants are a great option if your tot still hasn't mastered the scamper to the potty.  For regular undies, Hanes are a great option for the petite tot or the girl who really needs princesses to make potty training tolerable.   Ditto for Fruit of the Loom if she must have Dora.  Gymboree is actually one of the cheapest on a $/pair basis because you can often double up Gymboree coupons (or Gymbucks) and sale prices, but they tend to run a little big.

Quick Favs - Baby Bjorn Light Travel Crib

In a world where the typical pack 'n play weighs 30+ lbs (which is about as much as a full bag of golf clubs), the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib Light at 11.5 lbs is a dream!  As if the featherweight wasn't enough - it easily folds fits in a suitcase-size handled travel bag that's sturdy enough to check on an airplane.  And better yet - it actually has a soft 1" foam mattress.  And even better - the sides are angled inward from bottom to top so its very, very difficult for a toddler to climb out of.  Wait it gets better - it unfolds itself!   It's expensive, but its so comfortable you'll never leave home without it (and you might just leave it set up in the spare room for the tot to nap in!).

Don't forget to order the organic fitted sheet too!