As new parents we went back and forth about the video monitor and an audio monitor. My husband, an electrical engineer, researched the different types of monitors and was satisfied with the audio monitor but then which audio monitor to choose from. We took into consideration the cost, of course, but also the private signal. Two of our neighbors had babies the same time we did so we did not want to hear their child or have them hear us.

Pro: Private Signal, Long Range

Con: Cost, No Mute Button

Our Rating:
4 Stars -

We were also looking for a monitor with 2 parent units so we could both have one. My husband keeps a monitor in his office, in the basement, and will hear our son for the night time feedings and then I have one in the kitchen to hear him during daytime naps. We are also pleased that the parent units recharge in a base rather then needing to be plugged into an outlet or replace batteries. On numerous occasions, I have taken the parent unit with me outside while walking my dogs and I was even able to take it with me to another villa while on vacation. Our parent unit has a battery life of about an hour to an hour and half without needing to be recharged.

Finally, we have had mixed opinions about the range of the Graco Digital Monitor. We will occasionally lose the signal even in the house depending on how much wall/staircases are between the two receivers. However, I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to take the parent unit 2 villas over (about 30 yards) when we were on vacation. Maybe our monitor is a little temperamental! The only thing I wish I could do with the monitor is turn the audio off and just use the visual light sensor so I can see that my son is crying but not have to listen to it as well.

Overall, I have been exceptionally pleased with this monitor and even more pleased to read about it in my Parenting magazine’s “20 Great Products.” I would recommend the Graco Digital Monitor to anyone expecting a baby.

DISCLAIMER: The following is an account of my personal experience with this product. It is not intended to be a recommendation or an endorsement. No guarantees are made that you will have the same experience or results with this product. Please read the “Product Disclaimer” section of the Terms of Use for more information.

I first went stroller shopping with my sister who already had kids and she gave me some pointers on things I had not thought about. While at the store we tested every stroller system for weight, ease of strolling and turning, as well as ease of opening and closing the stroller. I was surprised to see that the stroller I had selected based on look was actually one of the heaviest.

The Chicco Cortina car seat only weighed 9 lbs when some of the car seats went up to 15 lbs. Imagine carrying a 15 lb car seat and a 10 lb infant and you are now carrying 25 lbs at an awkward angle! The base of the car seat attached very easily and even had a level to indicate the appropriate angle to have the seat. My car does not have the Latch system but I felt like the car seat was very secure even with just the seatbelt.

Pro: Light weight, great turning radius

Con: Expensive

Our Rating:
4 Stars -

The Chicco Cortina stroller had the best turning radius out of all the strollers I tested. It had a one-handed opening lever so you can pop the stroller open while still holding you baby. I tried this at the store and thought it was difficult but after a few weeks I could pop my stroller open quickly and still not drop anything.

There are 3 things that I do not like about the Chicco Cortina Travel System. First thing, now that my son is big enough to seat in the stroller he wants to sit straight up and look out. However, the stroller back does not come up to a 90 degree angle instead the highest position is reclined just slightly. Second thing that I do not like is the cost. It was way out of our budget and if I had not gotten it as a baby shower gift I would have selected another Travel System that fit into our budget. Finally, since I drive a Toyota Camry, my trunk would be almost full when I had the stroller in there. I usually did not have any trouble with carrying other things like groceries but on occasion I could not carry something because I had my stroller taking up all the space.

Moreover, I have been very pleased with my Chicco Cortina Travel System. I would recommend this system to anyone. If you have this Travel System and would like to share your opinion, please provide your comments below.

DISCLAIMER: The following is an account of my personal experience with this product. It is not intended to be a recommendation or an endorsement. No guarantees are made that you will have the same experience or results with this product. Please read the “Product Disclaimer” section of the Terms of Use for more information.

The Fisher Price Learning Home is one of the best toys I have ever bought for my young toddler. It is great for crawling through and pulling up on it sings over 20 different songs and teaches letters, numbers, and opposites. But the real reason this is such a great toy is that every child I know of has loved to play with this Learning Home.

Pro: Child Favorite, Award Winning
Con: Large in size
Our Rating:
4 Stars -

I bought this Learning Home for my daughter, for Christmas, when she was eight months old. Both her and her 3 year old brother loved it. Her cousins liked it so much too that we ended up having to buy a second one. She liked the lights and sounds while the older kids would learn opposites and show her how to crawl through it. There is a mailbox that they would put plastic envelopes in and shapes that go into slots on the door. It has a doorbell that rings and a clock with hands that move. The only thing that I don’t like is how big it is. But it is worth putting up with the size to see my kids play with it together. This Learning Home costs about $65.00 but it is worth every penny.

The Fisher Price Learning Home has been listed in Parents Magazine as a best toy of the year. I highly recommend this toy. This learning home is one of the few toys that my kids truly used and enjoyed.

DISCLAIMER: The following is an account of my personal experience with this product. It is not intended to be a recommendation or an endorsement. No guarantees are made that you will have the same experience or results with this product. Please read the “Product Disclaimer” section of the Terms of Use for more information.

A child with relatively minimal discomfort from the reflux could benefit from a few lifestyle modifications for the infant and mother. For a breastfed child, the mother can remove any dairy products or cow’s milk from her diet. For a bottle-fed child, thicken the formula by either adding rice cereal to the formula or switching to a formula with rice cereal already added, such as Enfamil AR.

Another tactic for comforting the child with reflux could be to feed the child in an upright position (sitting up not laying flat on his back) and leave the child in a sitting position or at least elevated for 30 minutes after feeding. Also try letting the child sleep in an infant seat, bouncy seat, or swing following feeding instead of putting him on his back in a crib or bassinet. Testing different bottles/nipples (i.e., Dr. Brown Natural Flow bottles) might improve your child’s discomfort as well.

For a child with a more severe case of infant reflux, parents should have the infant checked out by the pediatrician. When the lifestyle modifications have not improved the child’s condition then the pediatrician can determine if medications are needed. Acid reducing medications are becoming more and more common in treating infant reflux. One class of medication is called H2-blockers, also known as Zantac and Tagamet. Another type of medications is called proton-pump inhibitors, commonly known as Prevacid and Prilosec. Some insurances do not cover all medications so check with the pediatrician and pharmacy to know what is covered in your drug plan.

When lifestyle modifications and medications have not improved the infant’s reflux then surgery may be recommended. Surgery known as fundoplication is used as a last resort for severe cases of reflux. It is important to discuss all options and possible complications with the child’s pediatrician. Do not wait to seek treatment for infant reflux as a happy baby makes for happier parents.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Acid Reflux is caused by an immaturity of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) which joins the stomach and esophagus. The LES allows food and liquids to pass from the esophagus into the stomach as well as opens when vomiting occurs. Reflux results when the LES does not close properly allowing the acids to flow back up the esophagus. (more…)

Infant reflux

1. Frequent spitting up and/or vomiting
2. Refusing to or difficulty with eating (choking, gagging)
3. Frequent coughing
4. Constant or sudden crying
5. Arching the back and appearing in pain
6. Poor weight gain
7. Bad breath
8. Poor sleep habits, frequent waking, uncomfortable to lay flat
9. Excessive drooling
10. Runny nose, sinus infection

In some instances a child may not exhibit any of the above symptoms and reflux can be mistaken for other childhood illnesses such as colic. However, most children will show one or more of these symptoms and it is essential to discuss these symptoms as well as reflux treatments with the child’s pediatrician.

Parents today may be  too overly protective of their children. As young as a year old a child should start to learn his boundaries, the rules and the consequences of going too far. Remember you are trying to teach your child the importance of following certain rules. It is not a good idea to overprotect him from the negative consequences certain to follow for disobeying. (more…)