Rave Reviews: Eddie Bauer Classic Wood High Chair, Ikea High Chair Support Cushion and Safety 1st Sit! Booster

The time has come for us to retire Miguel’s high chair.

Check out what we’re using now in its place, in this post from my mommy products and services blog, The New Mamma Company.

Rave Review: Baby Trend TrendSport Stroller

Before traveling to the Philippines, my husband and I knew we needed a smaller and lighter-weight stroller to use for Miguel during our trip.

Miguel's first stroller

We’ve made good use of his Graco Quattro Tour Deluxe Stroller (Bombay model) ever since he was born (which I absolutely loved), but because it got quite bulky after a while (it got stuck at an airport screening machine during one of our domestic travels), we decided to hit our local Babies “R” Us store prior to traveling to check out some smaller models.

There were some things about Miguel’s Graco stroller that I didn’t want to give up, the main thing being the large storage basket underneath, which always came in handy during our trips to the mall or the park (I carry a LOT of stuff with me whenever we go out). I also liked the included cup holders (for Mommey and baby) and the built-in sun shade on this thing.

We looked at umbrella strollers first, since nothing beats them if all you’re considering is the weight. Plus, they’re the cheapest, costing only at around $29.99 each. Unfortunately, most umbrella strollers do not come with any of the stuff I wanted to keep (basket, cup holders, shade), so we tested models that were a “happy medium” between umbrella and travel strollers.

We first considered the Chicco Capri Stroller (Black model, $79.99*). It is the closest you can get to an umbrella stroller, but it was better-built, and it came with a small basket underneath and a shade on top. Sadly, the basket was too small, and it didn’t have any cup holders. Price-wise, it wasn’t bad. It seemed practical for our needs.

Next, we looked at the Maclaren Quest Sport Stroller (Black and Scarlet model, $229.99*). This was very similar in terms of features to the Chicco stroller we were considering, but I was put off by the flimsy rubber footrest. I expected much better for something like this. Maclarens are fancy (and so are their price tags), and I know a few friends that use them. There are days when I also dream of owning a branded baby item (hello Bugaboo!), but at this time, I just could not see us spending over $200 for a stroller that I know will get a lot of abuse at the airports (and pretty much everywhere else we take Miggz to).

Then we saw the Baby Trend TrendSport Stroller (Nile model, $54.99*). This one got everything we needed checked off.

Miguel's current "travel" stroller

It was the perfect compromise between a bulky travel stroller with all the bells and whistles, and a lightweight stroller with its ease of use and transport. It had a nice, roomy storage basket, a decent canopy, and a cup holder/food tray for Miggz, plus an additional cup holder for two up by the handle. It didn’t fold like an umbrella stroller, but folded compactly enough to not give us any headaches at any airport we went to. And the best part, it was only $54.99, cheaper than the Chicco we were eyeing, and costed much, much less than the Maclaren. All in all, it was a great buy! Practical and tested! Needless to say, we took it everywhere we went and definitely got our money’s worth.

*Prices listed are the costs when we looked at these models at Babies “R” Us three months ago back in November 2010. Since it’s now February, these prices have actually gone down. An idea for those who are wondering how long it takes for some baby items to go “on sale.” At times…it actually takes sooner than three months 🙂

Baby Gizmo

Tonight I successfully used an until-now-I-thought-was-pointless baby gizmo. If you are a New Mamma…you know what I’m talking about: one of the million and one doodads of infant apparatus they make you register for (or end up buying yourself) at Babies R’ Us, Costco, or some other babystuff-carrying superstore.

My husband had to work some extra hours tonight, so after work, it was just me and the baby. Normally my husband and I would take turns if, let’s say, one of us needed to cook, get on the computer, pay bills, or do another task that could not involve the little one. Well, tonight, I had to pee. Badly. And on this night when it was just me and the baby for a couple of hours, I learned to use the little Bumbo seat so the baby can join me in the bathroom while I do my business. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that before! The seat was loaned to me by a co-worker, whose daughter has since outgrown the barely used little throne. The thing has sat unused on top of a once elegant storage armoire in our dining room, now occupied by a swing, bounce-a-bout, high chair, and car seat. I even talked to my co-worker today about soon returning some of the items she’s loaned, including the Bumbo, as my baby has either outgrown them, or has moved on to graduated gear. In my desperation to pee, I considered a few things: leave the baby in his crib while I take the baby monitor, put the baby in his bounce-a-bout, or leave the baby in the high chair. I did not resort to any of these, afraid that if I leave the baby anywhere for even two seconds, I swear something will happen to him. So then comes in the Bumbo, already just packed in a big paper bag ready to be returned to its loaner. I took the thing with one hand, baby on the other, and together the three of us marched into the commode. I placed the seat on my red bathroom rug, secured the baby with the seat tray, and then finally went about and did my business. All that work for two minutes of relief! Needless to say, I will not be returning that Bumbo any time soon.

We found good use today for that chair =)