byKateonApril 27th, 2012 | 5 Comments | Life, On the Go
We’ve been using the Mamas & Papas Mylo for the past two months since Max arrived. It’s been a part of adventures at the doctor’s office, the zoo, and our neighborhood. A few weeks ago, we took the Mylo on the road on our trip to Callaway Gardens. Turns out the Mamas & Papas Mylo is well suited to navigate nature as well as the suburbs.
A large part of exploring Callaway Gardens is walking the trails through the gorgeous woods and gardens. The older kids walked the trails (often slowly, but surely) and baby Max slept rode in comfort of the Mylo Stroller. Some of the trails are paved and others… not so much. We followed signs on a popular path from the Butterfly Center to the Education Center where we had lunch. Turns out we got a little off course and ended up on some paths that were not nearly as paved or worn as we expected. As a result, the Mylo was truly put to the test with some serious “off-roading.”
We locked the front two wheels which help maneuver on rough terrain and the front and rear suspension were definitely put to the test. While the Mylo isn’t built for such a circumstance, it was definitely up to the test and made it through the Gardens.
The Mylo has also been a vital part of the much more mundane adventures of a stay at home mom on the go. The Mylo has an amazing turn radius and is easy to push with one hand, making it perfect for shopping and heading in and out of stores and restaurants. The stroller is so light and easy to push that you’d never know it’s a full-size luxury stroller. It is honestly easier to push and maneuver the leatherette handle with one hand than it is to push smaller, lighter strollers with two hands.
Heading into lunch with friends.
Shop! The Mamas & Papas Mylo is $699.99 and includes the stroller chassis, seat unit, canopy, and shopping basket. It comes in four fun colors: Plum Pudding & Raspberry Ripple, Dove Grey & Sandcastle, and Black Jack (seen in this post).
Thanks to Mamas & Papas for providing a sample in exchange for review and coverage.
Traveling with a child – of any age – is an experience unlike any other. The sheer number of things that you need to bring knows no bounds and can make packing and traveling daunting. Luckily, worrying about packing and schlepping your child’s booster seat is no longer a stressful or worrisome element of travel. The BubbleBum Inflatable Booster was designed specifically with travel in mind but it will be a lifesaver for a number of circumstances.
What is the BubbleBum?
BubbleBum, the cost-effective, portable, lightweight, brightly colored, inflatable car booster seat for children aged between 4-11 easily deflates and folds flat so that kids or mums can carry it in rucksacks or handbags, making it perfect for holidays, rental cars, taxis, coach journeys, school trips or car pooling.
BubbleBum Specifications
Seat Dimensions: 13 x 13 x 4.5 inches
Weight Minimum: 40 pounds
Weight Maximum: 100 pounds
Age Recommendation: 4 – 11 years
Height Maximum: 57 inches
BubbleBum Booster Seat Review
I will admit that at first glance I was hesitant to embrace the idea of the Bubble Bum. It just seems too simple and small and inflatable to be safe, right? Then I noticed it was recognized as one of the safest booster seats when it was named an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Best Bet for 2011. And I realized one of the most trusted car seat safety advocates likes the Bubble Bum. And then, of course, there’s the fact that the Bubble Bum has passed the same safety tests and regulations required of all children’s booster seats. Once I got smart and actually got the BubbleBum in my hands, it became obvious why the seat is as safe as heavy competitors – it’s really smart.
The Bubblebum booster seat arrives compact and folded in a small travel bag. To use the BubbleBum, an adult blows up the seat using a valve on the back. Once the seat is fully inflated, the seat is surprisingly firm and supportive thanks to memory foam and energy absorbing material. The BubbleBum has three seat belt restraints: two to position the lap belt in the correct spot and one to ensure the shoulder belt is in a safe position. The shoulder restraint comes from the booster seat and is adjustable to position the shoulder strap of the seat belt at the right spot for your child. It’s easy to use and adjusts quickly.
Our family will get more use out of the BubbleBum than simply using it when we travel. Our car has a third row, but it’s only accessible by folding one of the second row seats which isn’t realistic for day to day when you use three car seats. However, for many occasions, like when we have family in town, we’ll fold the second row seat and my son will use the BubbleBum in the third row. We also think it’s genius for car pool! The BubbleBum is so affordable that it’s a great option to have stowed in the car “just in case” you need it – just in case you pick up a friend’s child from school or just in case you want to have a spontaneous play date. And, if your family is like ours and you need to fit 3 car seats in a row, the BubbleBum is narrow and compact and fits 3 across.
To Buy or Not to Buy
To Buy… We were quickly won over by the smart design and safety features of the BubbleBum. It’s easy to use, extremely affordable and very compact which is perfect whether you leave it in your car or take it when you travel.
Or Not to Buy… My son is still on the small side for a booster seat full-time so the BubbleBum isn’t ideal for us for day to day use.
Thanks to Bubblebum for providing a sample product. This review is based on our experience. Always check the User Guide and seek the help of professionals when finding the best seat for your child.
When baby arrives, he or she will be strolling in style. I’ve been obsessed with the Mamas & Papas Mylo stroller since seeing it in person at the ABC Kids Expo in 2010. My love of the stroller was reaffirmed after another demonstration at ABC in September 2011. Mylo is truly a stroller where style and function meet and the result is a fabulous stroller built to fit a family’s real lifestyle. Read on to see why I am delighted this is the stroller for our family with baby.
Meet Mylo
When you have your baby your stroller goes everywhere with you- we wanted to design a stroller with everything you want as a parent, and everything your baby needs. Mylo has the lightest steering, making it easy to navigate around the mall or busy sidewalk. Both the seat and the bassinette give the best in baby class for comfort and luxury, whether it’s walks in the park, visits to grandparents or sending baby off to sleep at night.
Baby’s Features
Unique soft moulded seat gives the best in class for baby comfort
Smooth suspension is fine tuned so baby isn’t disturbed by bumps under the wheels
Seat faces both ways – just squeeze the paddles under the seat and turn around
Backrest reclines fully and foot rest lifts up so baby can sleep soundly
Fits Maxi Cosi, Cybex and Graco infant carriers – just clip on the optional adaptor and go
Head hugger supports baby’s head as they doze
Large canopy gives plenty of shade on sunny days
Five point safety harness keep baby safe inside
Suitable from birth through 50 pounds
Parent’s features
Iconic and industrial design with a choice of colours – be the envy of other moms and dads!
Unique single handed fold is effortless, with or without the seat attached
Light to push with a compact fold that’s ideal for small car trunks and storage spaces, even with seat attached
No expense spared on quality materials, including a leatherette handle
Height adjustable handle and one touch brake
Easy gliding swivel wheels can be locked for the straight and narrow
Large shopping basket unzips on both sides for easy access
Out and About with Baby
Stay tuned for lots more information about the Mylo. In addition to a thorough written and video review we’ll be featuring the stroller in our “Out and About with Baby” series. For several weeks after baby arrives we’ll be sharing how this stroller fits into our life. From using it with our infant car seat to walks around the neighborhood to pushing big sister while wearing baby… the options for this stroller are endless.
Shop! The Mamas & Papas Mylo comes in four fun colors: Welly Green and Lime Jelly, Plum Pudding and Raspberry Ripple, Dove Grey and Sandcastle (pictured above) and Black Jack. The suggested retail price is $699.99 and it’s available for purchase from numerous online retailers.
Thanks to Mamas & Papas for providing a sample in exchange for review and coverage.
A few weeks ago I shared a photo of the JoovyRoom Playard with the following caption: Here’s baby’s nursery!
The baby will be sharing our room for several months until we move so for all intents and purposes, the Joovy Room was the extent baby’s nursery. We’ve since acquired an actual wooden crib, but I have to tell you the Joovy Room has everything we need to serve as a small, organized space for a baby. The Joovy Room Playard sets the bar very high for playard travel cribs.
Meet the Joovy Room
The Joovy Room has elevated the playard to a new level. This premier, full-feature nursery center is a bassinet, changing station and playard, all in one. The Joovy Room has exceptional good looks while offering supreme functionality. Parents love its convenience and multi-purpose usability.
Room Playard Details
Playard Weight: 34 lbs.
Playard Dimension Folded: 10.5″ x 15″ x 31″
Playard Dimensions Unfolded: 34″H x 35.5″ W x 49″L
Playard Minimum Age: Birth
Playard Maximum Height: 35″
Bassinett Maximum Weight: 15 lbs.
Parent Organizer Maximum Weight: 9 lbs.
Joovy Room Review
The Joovy Room Playard is a full-feature travel crib that has everything you need to create a mobile baby nursery. The Room is a good size without being overbearing or dominating the space its in. It unfolds and folds easily and you can arrange for the Room to be used as a bassinet. Unlike other playard bassinets I’ve used, the Room has a very sturdy support system when in bassinet mode, including metal braces that supper the length of the mattress. The official bassinet maximum weight is 15 pounds, but I have to admit that my kids have tested this by climbing in the thing by themselves. I’m happy to report my 42 pound 5 year old didn’t break the thing when he climbed in to “play baby.” But, seriously, that is NOT recommended.
One of the best features of the Room is the attached parent organizer with 9 compartments for storing baby essentials. There are six large pockets on the end and three smaller containers on the top of the organizer for smaller must haves. In addition, there’s are storage pockets on the end of the Room near the changing table. Honestly, when we got a wooden crib to use in our room I was disappointed to lose all the storage and organization the Room offers.
The changing table is VERY sturdy. Far more stable and secure than other playard changing tables I’ve used. It holds up to 25 pounds and includes a belt to secure your child. The changing table secures on three sides of the playard, which creates a very stable surface, but it means that you can’t remove it casually when you’re not changing a diaper. The Room is large enough that you still have plenty of access to baby sleeping in the bassinet but it would be nice to be able to fold the changing table out of the way when not in use.
The Room has a built-in nightlight and music system which plays sweet nursery tunes. Or, you can plug in your MP3 player and soothe baby with your favorite tunes. The playard moves easily on two wheels and comes with a very nice travel case.
We’ve moved the Room to a common family area where it will serve as a bassinet for day time naps, a place to set baby out of the reach of curious siblings and a convenient place to change baby. I know we’ll get a lot of use out of it when baby arrives and look forward to having a safe place for baby to rest.
To Buy or Not to Buy
To Buy… The Room is a great Playard and Mobile Crib. I absolutely love the clean, modern look of the Room and the parent-friendly features like tons of storage and a safe and secure place to change baby. The Room has impressive safety features and feels far more sturdy – from the bassinet to the changing table – than comparable products. We give the Joovy Room an enthusiastic two thumbs up.
Or Not to Buy… The only inconvenient feature of the Room is that the changing table doesn’t easily move when not in use, blocking access to the bassinet. (Of course, this fact is also part of what makes the changing table so sturdy.)
Shop! The Joovy Room is available in Black, Blueberry and Orangie for $270. Its on sale directly from Joovy and also our affiliate Amazon. Make sure you follow Joovy on Twitter and like them on Facebook to keep up with the latest product information.
As if folding up a pack’n'play is not annoying enough, traveling with one can be even worse. They rarely stay folded, the bags that come with them are hard to put on and not very durable, and there’s never anywhere to store accessory rods, sheets, and other attachments. Enter the bover bag, a stylish and handy way to pack and carry playards in style.
About bover bags
“How it Began: One day not long ago, two very frustrated parents were trying to pack their car for a week at the shore. As the father loaded the car with his hands full of gear, the pack n’ play he was carrying fell from his hand, causing a domino effect as everything collapsed around him. When they got to their beach house, they realized they had forgotten the sheet and two rods because there hadn’t been a place to put them.
‘There’s gotta be a better way!’ he cried out. And the bover was born.
Just throw it over your shoulder and you’re all set. The bover’s shoulder strap gives you two free hands, large rod and sheet pockets mean you never leave gear behind, and the thick double-quilted fabric is chic and easy to wash. We also lined the interior for ease of entry and quick cleaning. With the bover, you’ve got it all.”
You’ve got it all, indeed
I think I heard a chorus from the heavens when I easily slipped the bover bag over my freshly-folded pack n play. Normally that task is a struggle as I wrestle with both the playard and the ill-fitting bag that came with it. The bover is lined in a fabric that is designed to slip on easily. And let’s not forget the fabric on the outside – the patterns and quilting are so stylish thatI foresee us using this bag for other travel purposes even after Charlie has stopped using a pack’n'play. The generous pockets held all of accessories rods for my model, which is saying alot considering that I got the version with all of the bells and whistles – changing pad, bassinet setting, etc. I love that the bover bag allows me to keep to keep all pieces and related – linens in one place. The best part about this bag is that it’s hard to tell what’s inside it, so it’s not immediately obvious that I’m carrying quintessential baby gear.
To Buy or Not to Buy
To Buy… It’s pretty, it’s functional, it’s durable – seems like good enough reason to me!
Or Not to Buy… At $49.99 each, they might not be a necessity, but they are versatile enough that you will definitely get your money’s worth by taking advantage of their many uses.
Shop! You can purchase at the bover website or at the NJ, MD, or PA stores listed online.
Win your very own bover bag!
How to Enter: Visit the bover bag Facebook Page, click the “like” button, and write on their wall about how a bover bag might make travel easier for your family. Come back and comment on this post to enter to win your own bover bag!
Thanks to boverbags for providing a sample and the giveaway prize.
We are very excited to introduce a brand new baby gear company: Baby Cargo. Created by a team of designers, Baby Cargo’s goal is to marry a modern aesthetic with functional baby products. The first products the company introduced is a line of contemporary, lightweight umbrella strollers. The Baby Cargo stroller is a modern take on this classic – and very necessary – stroller, and we love the result. Check out our thoughts on the Baby Cargo 200 Series stroller and read on to see how you can win your own!
Meet Baby Cargo
As you explore your baby’s world, you will find your travels go a little bit smoother with the right equipment. We are a team of experienced designers who also happen to be new parents. Throughout our careers, we have longed for an opportunity to make things that help make life easier. At Baby Cargo, we’ve managed to combine our true loves — design and baby making, uh, parenting — into a few really smart places to let our babies rest, play, eat, stroll… live.
Baby Cargo 200 Series Stroller Details
Product Size 42 inches height x 12 inches wide x 12.5 inches deep
Product Weight : 14 lbs.
Seat Dimensions: 12.5 inches wide and 18 inches tall with 28 inch clearance to canopy
Carrying Capacity: Up to 50lbs.
Age guideline: Birth & Up
Easy to carry with shoulder strap and handle
Five-point safety belt
Infinite recline positions
Adjustable canopy
Under stroller cargo basket
Includes rain cover
Baby Cargo 200 Series Lightweight Umbrella Stroller Review
A good umbrella stroller has to do a lot of work in a lightweight package. The Baby Cargo checks all the important boxes: very lightweight, good weight capacity, easy to use and, of course, a great appearance. The Baby Cargo 200 Series Stroller is a versatile stroller that will be just as at home in a city apartment and a suburban garage.
We’ve been testing the 200 Series around town with a 3 year old and 5 year old who are both well below the 50 pound maximum weight capacity. A great feature is that, because of the nearly flat recline, the stroller can be used with babies from birth. I love that, without any costly accessories and with a little easy adjustment, all three of my kids can ride in the same stroller. The stroller has a 5 point harness and the straps are very easy to adjust to fit your child. There are three slots for shoulder straps and the waist belt tightens with a simple pull. The leg rest also adjusts to make the ride more comfortable for your child. Another great comfort factor is the cushioned seat – a definite improvement over the average umbrella stroller.
My 5 year old is obviously on the taller side for the stroller (picture above right) – the seat back is 18 inches from seat to top, but there is plenty of clearance for his head below the canopy. The seat is about 12.5 inches wide and both my kids fit perfectly fine. The sun canopy isn’t particularly large and is one area for improvement on the stroller, but we do really like the see through window making it easy to keep an eye on your tot. The stroller has independent brakes on the rear wheels. You can also lock the front wheels inline for travel over more rugged terrain.
Other features for the parent’s comfort include high handles – both my husband and I can push it comfortably, a cup holder, buttoned pocket on the canopy and pockets in the storage basket. The basket isn’t the biggest and is difficult to reach if the stroller is reclined. It will definitely fit essentials for a day out with kids like cups, blankets or toys but it might be a tight fit for a large diaper bag. The stroller is easy to fold and unfold and has a shoulder carrying strap perfect for travel. Another great feature for this price point is the included rain cover.
One of the things that makes the Baby Cargo different is its modern aesthetic. The 200 Series has a black matte aluminum frame, which is rust-resistant and looks awesome. The stroller’s design is influenced by modern home furnishings and features tone-on-tone fabrics for a subtle and sophisticated look.
Baby Cargo Video Review
To Buy or Not to Buy
To Buy… The Baby Cargo 200 Series stroller is a great, versatile lightweight stroller. The stroller is full of features to comfort baby in a great looking package to please parents. The stroller is easy to use, folds compactly and can be used from birth through 50 pounds. The seat is padded, with infinite recline and an adjustable leg rest for child’s comfort. Parents will appreciate the easy to maneuverability, easy compact fold and comfort features like pockets and cup holder. There’s definitely a lot to like about Baby Cargo and we look forward to seeing more products from the company!
Or Not to Buy… The only weaknesses of the 200 Series are that the sun canopy is on the small side and the storage basket can be difficult to reach. The positives far outweigh the negatives.
Shop! The entire collection of Baby Cargo strollers is available from our affiliates Wayfair.com and Amazon. Prices range from $109 for the 100 Series, $149 for the 200 Series and $179 for the 300 Series.
Win! Your Choice of Baby Cargo Stroller!
How to Enter: Visit Baby Cargo and check out the modern lightweight umbrella strollers. Leave a comment here telling us what stroller (series & color) you’d pick if you win.
Earn Extra Entries – valid only after completing the first required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.
Share or Like this post on your Facebook or give us a shout out on our wall.
Follow Baby Cargo AND The Shopping Mama on Twitter and tweet this giveaway. You may do this every day, just leave a link when you do. Meet Baby Cargo – modern baby gear and enter to #win a stroller @TheShoppingMama bit.ly/wix02L
Many of us traveled over the holidays and learned via painful experience that going anywhere with small children requires a lot of planning and a lot of gear. For this reason, we’re excited to be offering a giveaway for the totally functional and travel-friendly BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light. Designed with ease of use in mind for parents and comfort for babies, the Travel Crib Light is a travel sanity saver.
About the Travel Crib Light
Easy to take along: Weighs only 11lbs/5 kg including carrying case.
Simple set up: In one simple movement the travel crib is set up and ready for use.
Safe for your child: The sturdy mattress keeps the travel crib firmly on the floor.
For use from newborn to three years old.
The textiles closest to the child have been tested and approved in accordance with Oeko-Tex Standard 100, class 1 for baby products. They are guaranteed harmless to children’s sensitive skin and will not trigger allergies.
When your little one is done sleeping and you’re off to the next destination, the Travel Crib Light folds super compactly into a 19 x 24 x 6 inches zippered carrying case.
Because you never know what will happen, both the mattress cover and crib fabric are removable and can be machine-washed in hot water, using a gentle detergent. The travel crib’s outer shell can also be removed and machine-washed separately in warm water.
Travel Light Crib Video Demo
Shop! The BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light is available in Blue, Gray or Black with a suggested retail price of $280. It’s currently available from our affiliate Amazon for $235.
Win! A BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light!
How to Enter: Spread the word about this giveaway on Twitter or Facebook. Leave a separate comment for each time you share this giveaway. You may share on Twitter and Facebook once a day. You do not need to do both entry methods to enter, but doing both will earn extra entries.
Twitter: Visit @TheShoppingMama and enter to win a @BabyBjornUS Travel Crib Light worth $280 bit.ly/w79rUy
We are excited to share another great product from Tiny Love. We’ve already given you the scoop on the Gymini Move & Play and now it’s time to talk about the Take Along Mobile. Tiny Love has a great select of Mobiles & Soothers, but we love the Take-Along version because, well, you can take it with you to soothe and entertain baby on the go.
About the Tiny Love Take Along Mobile
Wherever you go – all you need is Take Along Mobile™, which will keep providing your baby comfort and amusement at home or on the go.
5 different tunes and 30 minutes of pleasant music
3-in-1 mobile: fits pack and plays or travel cots, car seats, strollers and bassinets
Designated connector for each mode of use
The Take-Along Mobile is available in two schemes – the traditional Take Along mobile (above left), which has been a best seller since its introduction about a year ago, and the new Tiny Princess version (above right).
Take Along Mobile
One of the things that I know will be different about this baby when it arrives in March is that it will have to live on the go. There’s just no way to put the lives of my other two kids on hold so I can stay home with a newborn. Instead, this baby will go along on trips to and from school every day, dance lessons, sports classes and on and on. I know that I need gear and toys that can go with us. The Take-Along Mobile is just that type of gear.
The Mobile is built for life on the go with the ability to fit and attach to everything you need: a car seat, stroller, bassinet and pack and play. There are different connectors at the top so it can attach to whatever you need. Below you can see the arm to attach to a pack and play or bassinet. The arm expands and screws on tightly to fit to a number of different things.
The velcro around the arm for the bassinet also attaches to a car seat handle and there’s another clamp that will grip the top of a stroller hood or the like. It’s pretty amazing how easily it switches from one mode to the next and how utterly flexible the Mobile is for day-to-day life.
The colors and hanging friends on the traditional Take Along Mobile are gender-neutral and perfectly suited for a boy or a girl. The Princess, of course, has lots of pink and prettiness. The Mobile has 5 different tunes to soothe baby as the little creatures spin around above. It does require 3 AA batteries that are not included.
To Buy or Not to Buy
To Buy… The Take Along Mobile is priced at a very affordable $25 price point, which is great considering all the ways you can use the Mobile. The music is baby-friendly and won’t make an adult want to headphones.
Or Not to Buy… Car safety seat technicians warn against attaching anything hard to a car seat for use while in the car. To be on the safe side, don’t use the Mobile while driving, but on the infant car seat when out and about.
Shop! The Tiny Love Take Along Mobile in Animal Friends or Tiny Princess has a suggested retail of $24.99. Both are available on Amazon for about $20.
One for You, One for a Friend Giveaway
Win! Both the Animal Friends and Tiny Princess Take Along Mobile!
How to Enter: Visit Tiny Love and check out the developmental toys and leave a comment with another toy you think baby would enjoy.
Earn Extra Entries – valid only after completing the first required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.
Sign up for the Tiny Love Newsletter (purple button on the Tiny Love homepage.
Share or Like this post on your Facebook wall.
Follow The Shopping Mama on Twitter and tweet this giveaway. You may do this every day, just leave a link when you do. Tiny Love Take Along Mobile – one for you, one for a friend giveaway @TheShoppingMama http://t.co/8S8kledU
We’ve been using the Mamas & Papas Mylo for the past two months since Max arrived. It’s been a part of adventures at the doctor’s office, the zoo, and our neighborhood. A few weeks ago, we took the Mylo on the road on our trip to Callaway Gardens. Turns out the Mamas & Papas Mylo is well suited to navigate nature as well as the suburbs.
Heading into lunch with friends.
BubbleBum, the cost-effective, portable, lightweight, brightly colored, inflatable car booster seat for children aged between 4-11 easily deflates and folds flat so that kids or mums can carry it in rucksacks or handbags, making it perfect for holidays, rental cars, taxis, coach journeys, school trips or car pooling.
. Make sure you follow 
. Prices range from $109 for the 100 Series, $149 for the 200 Series and $179 for the 300 Series.
for $235.
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