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*Newborn necessity: The Miracle Blanket (see Products/Textiles and Links) -- the only escape-proof swaddling blanket; this
is NOT the velcro one! Trust me, you need this.
*Best diaper bag: Quarter Moon Sling by Overland Equipment. This is a day-pack, not officially a diaper bag, but it solves
all problems. Not too big; stays on your shoulder when you bend down; zippered so contents don't spill out; feels light on
your back; best of all, you can put it on, take it off, and access the contents WHILE holding a baby in one arm. AND, it
fits in the tiny basket of the Maclaren Volo / Silver Cross Micro strollers.
*Best tableware: Ikea carries a really great bib/bowl set in the shape of a frog. The plastic "trough" style bib
can't crumple and make a mess, and holds big spills. This one isn't too long to fit above the high chair tray or too easy
to pull off (like other brands). The bowl has a suction cup on the bottom that can be reversed so it just prevents sliding.
The set also comes with a cute handled cup, though the lid is really too hard to get on. You can't beat the price: all three
for $2.99!! Ikea also has the perfect little plastic bowls for holding baby food portions; microwave and dishwasher safe,
4 bowls for 99 cents! As a bonus, Ikea is a great place to have a meal with baby in tow: their cafes usually have play equipment,
baby food, disposable bibs, plastic spoons, and even bottle warmers available. As mentioned elsewhere, my favorite spoons/sippy
cups are the First Years Take & Toss disposables.
*Snack Trap! This is a little handled bowl with a special slotted rubber lid that lets the baby feed himself without spilling.
Genius! Charlie is so proud to feed himself Cheerios while riding in the car. Since I used to have to hand him the Cheerios
one by one while driving, I consider this a safety item on par with the car-seat. I ordered a set from BabyAge.com; see also
snacktrap.com.
*Babyproofing solution for entertainment centers and decks. Once babies can crawl, they are drawn like a magnet to the entertainment
center, where they immediately break off the plastic panel-covers, get their fingers stuck in the VCR slot, and reprogram
your TiVo. The babyproofing expert told us we'd have to buy a $250 configurable gate to surround the entire TV; instead,
we bought $3-worth of fiberglass screening (for screen doors) at the local hardware store and lashed it to the front of the
TV stand with velcro loops. You can hardly see it, and the remote control waves pass through it no problem. We are considering
buying a few rolls of the stuff ($4 a roll, apparently) to line our deck railings. It's similar to the mesh the babyproofers
were going to install for several hundred dollars. You just attach it with plastic zip-ties. It's not as sturdy and might
tear or slide down when pulled--but I don't see why it wouldn't work under normal circumstances (i.e., generally supervised,
you might be away for a few moments). You can also have plexiglass sheeting cut for you at Tap Plastics; more expensive,
but also more attractive.
MORE CONTENT COMING SOON
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