Gear Guy Guide: Baby Carrier Edition
Sizing up the latest carriers
May 22, 2012
Boy oh boy has the baby carrier scene evolved since the last time we reviewed the major players. Truthfully, there are more slings, wraps, and carriers than we can keep up with. Fortunately, our trusted Gear Guy, Jamie Grayson of The Baby Guy NYC, has made it his mission to know the pros and cons of every single one. "Here are five of my current favorites," he says. "And yes, all of them are ergonomically designed to save your back some misery. Otherwise, you'd never hear about them from me."
Boba Carrier 3G, $120-125
Made with a lightweight fabric that doesn't retain as much body heat as other carriers, the Boba 3G is suitable from birth (7-45 pounds), offers front and back carry positions, and fits a variety of waistlines (up to 58 inches), without requiring an extension belt.
Perks: Stirrups enable your toddler to support his own weight as he grows, and the shoulder straps are contoured to avoid BoobSmash when wearing the baby on your back. There's also a nifty built-in snap to secure shoulder bags in place.
Drawbacks: If you find one, let me know.
Bottom Line: Comfortable, easy to use, great lightweight fabric.
Deets: $120-125 at store.bobafamily.com
Stokke MyCarrier, $249.99
Suitable from 7.7 to 33 pounds, the Stokke MyCarrier features a "Parent Harness" with separate attachments for front and back positioning. Its fabrics meet Global Organic Textile Standards, which means anything your baby chews on will be chemical-free.
Perks: The MyCarrier has handy pockets on the sides to carry small items, and a really terrific back-carry feature that allows you to put your child into the carrier before you put it on.
Drawbacks: Beyond the higher price point and 33-pound weight limit, the MyCarrier looks quite daunting when you pull it out of the box—it's really strappy. It took me a bit to figure out, but once you do it's relatively easy to use.
Bottom Line: Great fabrics, super comfy, and definitely appeals to the stylish parent. Tricky but cool.
Deets: $249.99 at mbeans.com
Catbird Baby Mei Tai, $75-95
Featuring the standard buckle-free Mei Tai design, the Catbird Mei Tai is really just a big square with long straps that you wrap around your waist and shoulder to achieve a pouch. It's suitable from birth to 40 pounds, and offers front, hip, and back carry positions.
Perks: It comfortably fits wearers of many different sizes, and is the most affordable of the bunch.
Drawbacks: Some parents find that buckles provide peace of mind. Also, Catbird is not carried by most major retailers, so it can be difficult to find one to try on.
Bottom Line: Comfortable, easy-to-use, affordable, and provides a multitude of carry positions for parents who like to change things up.
Deets: $75-96 at catbirdbaby.com
Britax Baby Carrier, $129-139
The Britax Baby Carrier accommodates front-carrying only (inward or outward-facing), and is suitable from 8 pounds (with an insert) to 32 pounds.
Perks: The carrier slips on over your head, eliminating the need to fumble for a rear buckle. It also comes with a drool bib and an optional seat extender for tots who need a bit more support in the leg/thigh area.
Drawbacks: The back is not adjustable, so narrow-shouldered parents might find the straps slipping off.
Bottom Line: Very comfy and easy to use. Hooray for no learning curve, but I do wish there were a way to wear it on the back.
Deets: $129-139 at buybuybaby.com
OnyaBaby, $149
Available in cotton or nylon (great for warmer weather), the Onya is suitable from 15 to 45 pounds and accommodates both front and back carrying positions.
Perks: It conveniently converts to a portable high chair with an integrated harness that pulls out of a pouch on the front. I also like that the plastic buckles are covered with fabric.
Drawbacks: The chair harness can take a bit to figure out, so practice at home first.
Bottom Line: Comfortable, attractive, and multi-puposed.
Deets: $149 at onyababy.com
The New Sunscreen Rules
Understanding the FDA’s recent labeling mandates
May 15, 2012
--Photo by JellyBean Pictures
Sunscreen is a no-brainer for babies in 2012. Unfortunately, understanding the differences among brands is less clear-cut. To help, the FDA is now mandating that sunscreen manufacturers adhere to more stringent labeling requirements and more consistent claims about what a sunscreen can do, and what type of UV protection it offers. We've asked Dr. JJ Levenstein, renowned pediatrician and co-founder of MD Moms, to help us understand the new labels we'll be seeing on shelves this summer.
Broad Spectrum. It's important to remember that SPF only measures protection from UVB rays; choose a "broad spectrum" sunscreen that also reduces the risk of skin cancer and premature aging through UVA protection. New FDA mandate: only sunscreens that have been tested and pass muster for both UVA and UVB protection will be allowed to be labeled Broad Spectrum.
Water Resistant. Eventually all sunscreen washes off, so new packaging will no longer bear the terms “waterproof” or “sweatproof." Instead, allowances will be made for claims of water resistance up to 40 or 80 minutes.
Minimum SPF. It's more important to use sunscreen properly than to use a very high SPF. SPF 50 only blocks out about one percent more UVB rays than SPF 30 (which blocks 97 percent). Very high SPF sunscreens (like SPF 100) only offer a negligible amount of additional coverage, but tend to lead to a false sense of security—and may have a higher risk of irritation.
Label sleuthing aside, here are Levenstein's top tips for using sunscreen with babies in 2012.
Ideally, babies should not be exposed to direct sunlight during their first several months of life. If avoiding direct sun exposure is impossible, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) currently recommends protecting a baby's skin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen that offers an SPF of at least 15 (ideally 30).
Get a Vitamin D boost. Vitamin D production in the skin (essential for bone health) is likely diminished if you avoid the sun entirely or routinely protect your baby with sunscreen. If your baby is exclusively breastfed, she should take 400 international units (IU) of Vitamin D supplement daily by mouth; formula-fed babies get adequate amounts of Vitamin D.
Choose a physical sunscreen. A physical sunscreen that contains zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide coats the skin, deflects UV rays, and protects almost immediately after application. By contrast, chemical sunscreens delay protection against UV rays, and may increase risk of skin irritation.
Skip the irritants. Look for sun care products without oxybenzone, phthalates, lanolin, mineral oil, petroleum, or waxes.
Be wary of Vitamin A. The EWG and outside toxicologists are currently disputing the potential cancer-causing effects of Vitamin A in sunscreen, so for now it's probably best to try to eliminate Vitamin A derivatives (retinol and retinyl palmitate) in your sun products until more studies are published.
Consider SPF clothing. Dress your child in clothes that offer UV protection, or wash tightly woven cotton clothing in a UPF rinse, which can raise the SPF value of clothing from 5 (the SPF value of an average T-shirt) to 30.
Motherhood in 2012
The 10 things every modern mom should know
May 08, 2012
As a Mother's Day tribute to the smartest, funniest, and most talented moms we know, we've rounded up our favorite parenting tips from around the web—the ten things every modern mom should know.
1. How to make your own brown rice cereal.
2. The difference between sunscreen and sunblock.
3. The safest way to install a car seat.
4. How to rock a muslin swaddle.
5. Where to buy everything your baby needs—without paying full price.
6. How to preserve the memories—in 3D.
7. The right way to give an effective time out.
8. Which pages to dog-ear in Fifty Shades of Grey.
9. How to take digital photos that don't suck.
10. Why you should never compare yourself to those moms who "do it all."
The Quintessential Birthday Hat
(And other fab first-birthday accessories)
May 01, 2012
It's kind of surprising how much crap you'll find if you browse online for first birthday party supplies. So we were totally floored to discover Gaddie and Tood's old school handmade party hats ($16.50)—brilliant for photo ops, and totally worthy of nursery shelf display, after the party. We're also suckers for SewBarefoot's natural burlap birthday banners ($17.95), Lil Threadz' organic blend patchwork "ONE" tees, and the ready-made fondant number cupcake toppers from Edible Details ($21 for 12). And when it comes to choosing a party theme, the best place to steal ideas is hostessblog.com. Just sayin'.
