Real Mom Reviews
Pregnancy Tips for the Clueless Chick by Jennifer Durbin
If there is anything more overwhelming than seeing a positive pregnancy test, it’s trying to read a giant textbook of pregnancy information! This handy little book covers all of the basics and can be read in one sitting. Best feature? It contains tear-out checklists for interviewing a pediatrician, daycare or OB-GYN—as well as a must-have registry list and how to prepare your home for baby. $9.99, www.CluelessChick.com
How to Look Hot in a Minivan by Janice Min
Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom or a businesswoman balancing work and kids, chances are you find it a little more difficult to be chic with kids in tow. I know I do! This celebrity-studded book is a fun read and offers encouragement and tips to those of us suffering from post-pregnancy ailments such as stretch marks, muffin tops and “momnesia.” I loved the hair help section! $26.99, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, www.Amazon.com
Glamourmom Pregnancy & Nursing Tanks
Staying comfortable throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding is essential and can be accomplished by investing in some good quality tank tops. Glamourmom offers a range of tanks that are flattering and comfy (rare in the maternity wardrobe)! The Nursing Bra Full Bust Slimming Long Top features an adjustable chest band, a relief in the last weeks of pregnancy and early days with baby when your chest can’t seem to decide what size it is! $39 and up, www.Glamourmom.com
BabyBjorn Booster Chair
When your toddler decides she wants to be a “big kid” but she isn’t quite tall enough to give up the highchair, this portable, lightweight booster seat may do the trick! Its non-slip straps are tightened with a unique locking mechanism (no more manual adjustment) and mini-pads that keep it in place. Plus, it’s PVC- and BPA-free and wipes clean with a damp cloth—a definite plus for a busy mama! $79.99, www.Amazon.com
Britax Advocate 70-G3 Car Seat
I am very picky when it comes to car seat safety. Because the AAP recommends a rear-facing seat until age 2, it’s important to find a seat that works for the long haul. This convertible seat is pricey but worth the investment because it can be used from the time baby arrives until he weighs 70 pounds. It features 360 Degree Protection and puts my mind at ease as I drive my precious little ones around town! $379.99, Target, Babies R Us, Buy Buy Baby, www.Diapers.com
Daddy Diaper Bag
The first time we left the house with our newborn son, my husband complained that my diaper bag was “too girly.” If Daddy needs a bag of his own when he is responsible for the kids, this is a perfect solution. This backpack-style bag is ergonomic and designed with an abundance of pockets so Dad doesn’t have to dig through the chasm of chaos that my bag tends to be. $69.95, www.DaddyScrubs.com
Beaba 360° Spoon
Teaching a toddler how to eat is one of the messiest parts of a mommy’s job. This spoon’s rotating handle keeps the spoon horizontal - meaning that food is a whole lot more likely to end up in your toddler’s mouth than on the floor. My son managed to fling food across the room a time or two, but overall we loved having such a helpful tool to aid in his learning. $10, www.Diapers.com
Julie McKinley is a stay-at-home mom of a 2-year-old son and infant daughter. Keeping up with her kids is a full-time job, so she is always on the lookout for innovative baby products that make life a little easier! She blogs at www.DirectorJewels.com.