There's a fine line between a baby dropping a toy ("Oops!"), and a baby tossing it on the floor just because it's a fun game for her to throw it and you to pick it up. Fun for baby, maybe not so much fun for you. Especially if we're talking about a busy (germy!) restaurant floor... or a sidewalk... or the backseat of your car. There are many different styles of tethers and toy leashes out there, and I can't speak for all of them, but I can share with you the great features of "the little lasso", a made-in-USA tether that can hold a sippy cup just as well as a tag blanket, and whose website encourages you to "stop playing fetch". With a "C" shaped plastic oval loop on one end (firmly attached so it can be moved a bit but not removed, at least not by baby) and a "noose" on the other end that adjusts to hold just about anything you want to keep off the floor. The little lasso has a sturdy elastic encased in a gathered tube of machine washable fabric, and has three large plastic beads threaded on it to allow the size of the tether noose to be adjusted.
An adult can easily insert a toy into the noose and then tighten the bead/elastic of the tether to ensure a good tight fit. The other end of the tether (the plastic clip end) then can attach to baby's highchair or stroller (or wherever else you need it). Being about a foot long from clip to toy, it will keep things from hitting the floor when dropped, preventing unnecessary spills and broken items, as well as saving your back (and perhaps also some of your sanity as well). Simply give the tether a tug to retrieve the dropped item, and you and baby can get on with your day. Eventually, baby will probably learn how to retrieve the item herself, although it's anyone's guess if (s)he will ever be satisfied without your intervention for each "oops"...
I find the little lasso most helpful at dinnertime, whether at home or away - to keep a few toys attached to baby's high chair while I hustle to get supper on the table (or on special occasions, while I sip wine and look forward to the wait staff bringing my plate from the restaurant kitchen...) My little one also seems amused with its elastic properties - Daddy holds onto the clip, baby holds onto the toy. Tug of war ensues...eventually baby lets go of the toy and BOING-G-G-G off it goes - laughs all around. Plus the toy is still on the tether so no one has to go chase it down.
If you think something like this can help you to save time, energy, and stop the endless cycle of pickup/wipe off/give to baby/drop/pickup, have a look over at http://www.thelittlelasso.com/, check out all of their lovely designer fabric patterns, and maybe pick up a few for yourself or for the next baby shower you get invited to. You won't regret it!
Married mom of two kids, likes to shop, but not to waste her family's money. Hence, a blog giving honest reviews of mom, baby, kid, family, and related tech products, to help you decide what to spend YOUR family's hard-earned cash on.
Showing posts with label convenience. Show all posts
Showing posts with label convenience. Show all posts
Monday, October 24, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Infantino EcoSash Wrap & Tie Carrier
After my review of the Moby Wrap, it should come as no surprise to you that I enjoy babywearing. Or, should I say, I enjoy the freedom it gives me. Freedom from having a heavy carseat tugging at my arm sockets. Freedom from having to balance a baby on one hip while reaching for a cup of coffee with my free arm (and then attempting to drink said coffee without baby splashing it all over both of us with her endlessly waving arms). Freedom to shop at Costco without having to leave the baby in her carseat on the "Carts" side of the checkout.
I have heard many great things about the Ergo baby carrier, and had the opportunity to take it for a test drive with my little girl last month as my sister let me try hers out. This isn't an Ergo review (since I don't own one, I am not going to consider myself qualified to review it) but there were a handful of thoughts that came to mind when I used it. First of all, I really liked the support around the waist/hips. And the fabric was really nice and soft (she has the ERGObaby Black Sport Carrier). So I got my daughter adjusted in the front carry, I had the padded shoulder straps over my shoulders, and then - I had to get my sister to close the buckle. I don't know about you, but I don't always run around with an assistant. Unless you could count my 4 year old, which I don't, because if I'd asked him to close a buckle on the Ergo he'd probably answer by saying something like "rawrrrr, I'm pretending to be a spike-o-saurus" and headbutting my hip. And I'd be left trying to safely buckle in a squirmy baby in a parking lot by taking both hands off her and reaching over my head and ... ouch. My neck and back hurt just thinking about it.
I love the Moby Wrap because it's so simple. One knot, and you're done. I just wanted something like that, only with a little less fabric to deal with. So I went to a local store that carried a number of babywearing options, and tried out several different styles of carriers. I tried the BabyHawk Mei Tai (loved it, but they only had one in stock and I didn't like the fabric), another very soft similar style carrier, the brand of which I cannot recall right now (loved how small it folded up, it would literally fit into my coat pocket, but did not like that the straps had no padding), and finally the Infantino EcoSash Wrap & Tie Carrier. It was packaged up in its own carrying/laundering bag made of a black mesh, so I did have to dismantle the packaging to try it on. Thankfully the store owner was OK with this.
I love how there are no buckles to fuss with, but the carrier still feels somewhat structured. It has a reversible front fabric panel (goes from modern abstract vines to plain black, in case I have to make my husband wear it somewhere) and two loops into which to thread the shoulder straps to facilitate an easy back carry (or to make the front carry a bit more secure by ensuring the straps coming from behind you stay in place around the height of baby's torso. The EcoSash actually has the wearing instructions printed on satiny soft panels so that you don't always need the book in front of you (when you are starting out, use the book. Once you are adept at wearing it, you won't really need the instructions in either place. You double-knot the shorter straps around your waist, then hold baby in front of you, lift the front part, long straps go over shoulders, criss-cross behind you, feed through the front loops on left & right, then double-knot in the front. The shoulder straps are padded and so are quite comfortable even after a few hours of wearing with an 18lb baby in it (I haven't worn it for longer than that, so I can't comment what it would be like to wear all day). I do wish that the waist straps were either padded or stiffened in some way, because even though they are nice and wide, they do just sort of bunch together after being knotted around my squishy middle section (AKA waist).
The carrier is also baby approved, she is warm and comfortable in it, and apparently sucking/chewing on the shoulder straps is a fun and tasty way to pass the time. She also loves being able to look right up at me, and to look around at everything going on, especially when we are out shopping. I love that when she is in the baby carrier, random strangers are less likely to touch her than when she's in her carseat (although, random strangers' children are not shy at all about holding her hands, which dangle out of the sides of the carrier most of the time...).
I have not yet laundered my carrier, and since it is a deep black colour, I will likely wash it on its own the first time, maybe with an old cloth tossed in to see if it stains other clothes. It does come with its own mesh bag for laundering, so that is a nice feature. I can just imagine what fun it would be to have to untangle all 4 straps from my old school top loader's agitator...*shudder*. If I find any major issues after laundering I will be sure to update here.
**Updated**, so I laundered the Infantino EcoSash Wrap & Tie Carrier a couple of days ago, in the mesh bag that comes with it. It washed just fine, and did not stain my other clothes (granted, I washed it with all my "dark" delicates, I wouldn't throw it in with anything white or light coloured). I must not have tied the mesh bag tightly enough, because the straps did work their way out of the top opening and snaked around my top loader, though they did not actually get tangled with anything. I had to hang it up to dry, and we've been having awful wet weather here, so it's day two of indoor hanging to dry, and it's still a bit damp. It says explicitly not to put it in the dryer though, so I will just try and be patient while it dries (and use my Moby wrap in the meantime).
If you want to learn more about the Infantino EcoSash Wrap & Tie Carrier, check out the product page on Infantino's website. You can also read more here on Step2's website. It sells for anywhere between $60 and $80 depending on where you shop.
I have heard many great things about the Ergo baby carrier, and had the opportunity to take it for a test drive with my little girl last month as my sister let me try hers out. This isn't an Ergo review (since I don't own one, I am not going to consider myself qualified to review it) but there were a handful of thoughts that came to mind when I used it. First of all, I really liked the support around the waist/hips. And the fabric was really nice and soft (she has the ERGObaby Black Sport Carrier). So I got my daughter adjusted in the front carry, I had the padded shoulder straps over my shoulders, and then - I had to get my sister to close the buckle. I don't know about you, but I don't always run around with an assistant. Unless you could count my 4 year old, which I don't, because if I'd asked him to close a buckle on the Ergo he'd probably answer by saying something like "rawrrrr, I'm pretending to be a spike-o-saurus" and headbutting my hip. And I'd be left trying to safely buckle in a squirmy baby in a parking lot by taking both hands off her and reaching over my head and ... ouch. My neck and back hurt just thinking about it.
I love the Moby Wrap because it's so simple. One knot, and you're done. I just wanted something like that, only with a little less fabric to deal with. So I went to a local store that carried a number of babywearing options, and tried out several different styles of carriers. I tried the BabyHawk Mei Tai (loved it, but they only had one in stock and I didn't like the fabric), another very soft similar style carrier, the brand of which I cannot recall right now (loved how small it folded up, it would literally fit into my coat pocket, but did not like that the straps had no padding), and finally the Infantino EcoSash Wrap & Tie Carrier. It was packaged up in its own carrying/laundering bag made of a black mesh, so I did have to dismantle the packaging to try it on. Thankfully the store owner was OK with this.
The carrier is also baby approved, she is warm and comfortable in it, and apparently sucking/chewing on the shoulder straps is a fun and tasty way to pass the time. She also loves being able to look right up at me, and to look around at everything going on, especially when we are out shopping. I love that when she is in the baby carrier, random strangers are less likely to touch her than when she's in her carseat (although, random strangers' children are not shy at all about holding her hands, which dangle out of the sides of the carrier most of the time...).
I have not yet laundered my carrier, and since it is a deep black colour, I will likely wash it on its own the first time, maybe with an old cloth tossed in to see if it stains other clothes. It does come with its own mesh bag for laundering, so that is a nice feature. I can just imagine what fun it would be to have to untangle all 4 straps from my old school top loader's agitator...*shudder*. If I find any major issues after laundering I will be sure to update here.
**Updated**, so I laundered the Infantino EcoSash Wrap & Tie Carrier a couple of days ago, in the mesh bag that comes with it. It washed just fine, and did not stain my other clothes (granted, I washed it with all my "dark" delicates, I wouldn't throw it in with anything white or light coloured). I must not have tied the mesh bag tightly enough, because the straps did work their way out of the top opening and snaked around my top loader, though they did not actually get tangled with anything. I had to hang it up to dry, and we've been having awful wet weather here, so it's day two of indoor hanging to dry, and it's still a bit damp. It says explicitly not to put it in the dryer though, so I will just try and be patient while it dries (and use my Moby wrap in the meantime).
If you want to learn more about the Infantino EcoSash Wrap & Tie Carrier, check out the product page on Infantino's website. You can also read more here on Step2's website. It sells for anywhere between $60 and $80 depending on where you shop.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
1Password
A mom, at any given moment, has what feels like a million different things to remember. Things like where her keys are, what she promised to bring to Saturday's potluck dinner party, her son's favourite cartoon character, the fact that she needs to pick up a kitchen timer and potting soil next time she's out shopping, and of course, all fifteen thousand passwords to every single website she has ever signed up for.
There's not much I can do for you if you don't have a place by the front door for your keys or a shopping list where to note down things you have to buy (may I suggest Grocery IQ?) However, I think I can help with that last one. 1Password is a secure way to manage your passwords & online identities, as well as to keep track of other important, sensitive pieces of data. With a tagline of "Have you ever forgotten a password?" it's easy to see how this piece of software can be useful in anyone's life, including a busy mom with more important things on her mind than what her log on credentials are to the local recreation centre's online registration system.
With versions for Mac, Windows, iPhone, iPad, and Android, plus web browser integration, you will honestly never have to look far for your passwords. Now there are some other ways to go about password management. The easiest of course being to use the same password everywhere. Oh, except that's actually a really, really dumb idea. Not every place is as security conscious as your online banking might be, and giving away your email/password combination at just one site that becomes compromised (or has questionable security/privacy to begin with) can result in your identity at many other sites being compromised by someone trying your email/password combination there. Plus, different websites have different password requirements, so maybe one will be OK with your easy to remember "qwerty" or "abc123" but others will need you to have 2 letters, 2 numbers, and 5 interspersed asterisks or tildes (~). Not to mention, that your usernames may also be different from one site to another. Gosh, it's making my head hurt just thinking about it.
With 1Password, as the name suggests, you only need to remember ONE password. Make it a multi-word password instead of a gibberish series of letters, numbers, and symbols, and it becomes even easier to recall. This one password unlocks the 1Password tool - on your computer or on your phone, and you can then easily log in, either by copying the credentials for a form you are already on in your browser, or by clicking a link inside 1Password which automatically launches the browser and logs you in to where you want to go. The password data file is secure & encrypted, and you can opt to store it in the cloud (so it's available to you everywhere), or in your Dropbox account (there are many other options as well such as a password-protected PDF, or a file to put on your own USB stick). I personally use the Dropbox syncing service, and my husband and I share the password data file, so yeah, he can access the password to read my email, but if I get hit by a bus tomorrow, he can also pay the electric bill. (That works for us. Your situation may vary.)
One of my favourite features of 1Password is the ability to generate passwords - so I don't have to keep thinking up unique, clever passwords - I can just have the app generate them and it stores them for me. It has made me feel much better about my online life, being able to have a unique and secure password for each site I have an account on, and to be able to manage all of these from one simple and accessible place. Another great feature is the browser integration - I don't even have to open 1Password to use my passwords - I just click the integrated button, enter my master password (I can set the timeout period so I don't have to enter it All.The.Time), and bam, it fills in my credentials for whatever site I'm on.
You can read more about 1Password or download your free trial over at https://agilebits.com/1Password. 1Password costs $39.99 for Mac or Windows, and $14.99 for iPhone/iPad. For some reason, it appears to be free for Android (lucky you guys!).
There's not much I can do for you if you don't have a place by the front door for your keys or a shopping list where to note down things you have to buy (may I suggest Grocery IQ?) However, I think I can help with that last one. 1Password is a secure way to manage your passwords & online identities, as well as to keep track of other important, sensitive pieces of data. With a tagline of "Have you ever forgotten a password?" it's easy to see how this piece of software can be useful in anyone's life, including a busy mom with more important things on her mind than what her log on credentials are to the local recreation centre's online registration system.
With versions for Mac, Windows, iPhone, iPad, and Android, plus web browser integration, you will honestly never have to look far for your passwords. Now there are some other ways to go about password management. The easiest of course being to use the same password everywhere. Oh, except that's actually a really, really dumb idea. Not every place is as security conscious as your online banking might be, and giving away your email/password combination at just one site that becomes compromised (or has questionable security/privacy to begin with) can result in your identity at many other sites being compromised by someone trying your email/password combination there. Plus, different websites have different password requirements, so maybe one will be OK with your easy to remember "qwerty" or "abc123" but others will need you to have 2 letters, 2 numbers, and 5 interspersed asterisks or tildes (~). Not to mention, that your usernames may also be different from one site to another. Gosh, it's making my head hurt just thinking about it.
With 1Password, as the name suggests, you only need to remember ONE password. Make it a multi-word password instead of a gibberish series of letters, numbers, and symbols, and it becomes even easier to recall. This one password unlocks the 1Password tool - on your computer or on your phone, and you can then easily log in, either by copying the credentials for a form you are already on in your browser, or by clicking a link inside 1Password which automatically launches the browser and logs you in to where you want to go. The password data file is secure & encrypted, and you can opt to store it in the cloud (so it's available to you everywhere), or in your Dropbox account (there are many other options as well such as a password-protected PDF, or a file to put on your own USB stick). I personally use the Dropbox syncing service, and my husband and I share the password data file, so yeah, he can access the password to read my email, but if I get hit by a bus tomorrow, he can also pay the electric bill. (That works for us. Your situation may vary.)
One of my favourite features of 1Password is the ability to generate passwords - so I don't have to keep thinking up unique, clever passwords - I can just have the app generate them and it stores them for me. It has made me feel much better about my online life, being able to have a unique and secure password for each site I have an account on, and to be able to manage all of these from one simple and accessible place. Another great feature is the browser integration - I don't even have to open 1Password to use my passwords - I just click the integrated button, enter my master password (I can set the timeout period so I don't have to enter it All.The.Time), and bam, it fills in my credentials for whatever site I'm on.
You can read more about 1Password or download your free trial over at https://agilebits.com/1Password. 1Password costs $39.99 for Mac or Windows, and $14.99 for iPhone/iPad. For some reason, it appears to be free for Android (lucky you guys!).
Tuesday, September 06, 2011
Cloth By Tel - OS Pocket Diapers Review & GIVEAWAY
For a quick rundown of my cloth diapering past, check out the first post in this series here. As you know by now, I've chosen to go with OS Pocket diapers with snap closures. That's OS for One Size (fits 7lb to 35lb, supposedly, using a series of snaps to adjust the length/rise of the diaper) and Pocket meaning they have a pocket between the outer layer and the inner layer, into which the absorbent liner(s) is placed. The snap closures allow the diaper to be fastened over and over, securely each time (as opposed to a hook & loop closure which can get less "sticky" as time goes by and threads/lint clog up the hooks).
I purchased a number of generic brand OS Pocket diapers from a local retailer, Cloth By Tel, and have happily been using them for over 5 months now. They come in regular (smooth fabric) or Minkee (soft/fuzzy) outside layers, in solid colours or various patterns. I think the Minkee cow and zebra prints are just the sweetest! The inside liner fabric is a fluffy fleece that helps wick away moisture from baby's delicate skin, and presumably the fluffy factor also helps remove solids from the diaper (we're still 100% on breastmilk here so have not had to deal with "real" poo yet). The diapers have a generous sized opening in the back for stuffing the liner(s) in, and a fleece flap that folds over the liner to keep the microfiber off baby's skin. Each diaper purchased includes a single liner, and Cloth By Tel also sells extra liners if you want some for overnights.
Thus far, the diapers have held up well to being used in regular rotation, washing every three days, and line drying the pockets. I do occasionally throw the liners in the dryer, especially on rainy days, and they don't seem to be any worse for the wear. The construction seems to be pretty uniform, the tabs each have two snaps, the front of the diapers have 10 snaps in a row so you can really customize the fit, and the rise adjustment has three levels for different size babies. My baby girl started wearing these as soon as her umbilical cord stump fell off, around 8-9lbs. She is now a robust 17lb 15oz at 5 months old, and so I've got the diapers at the largest rise setting already. I am curious to see how the diapers will continue to fit as she gets older, but I do remember with my son that as his shape changed over the months, I had to adjust his diapers differently to get a good fit, so I imagine these will be similar.
There are sturdy elastics sewn in at the back of the diaper (to keep runny messes in), as well as in the leg openings (ditto). They are very stretchy and as they are sewn inside the diaper, no elastic marks are left on my baby's legs. I was concerned that the thick fleece inside would be too warm in the summertime, but it did not seem to be bothersome to my daughter at all, and she did not seem too warm in her diaper as compared to the rest of her body. We have had very few diaper rashes, sometimes just a touch of redness, which went away after a bit of "air time". On the odd occasion that we've wanted to use diaper cream, we stuck with Skinfix, and made sure to use a diaper liner (as is recommended for all balms with cloth diapers). We have not had to do anything special with the diaper cleaning process, the initial prep wash was super easy with just a squirt of dish detergent and a double rinse. Even after 5 months of continuous use, they are all still stain free and smell fresh and clean with our current routine:
-dry pail with pail liner for 3 days max
-cold 20 minute soak
-hot 10 minute wash with EcoNuts laundry soap
-2x cold rinse
-line dry/sun when possible, else line dry covers indoors and machine dry liners
I've talked enough about the diapers, but I do definitely need to mention Cloth By Tel's fantastic prices and deals - the diapers run from $8 for the regular/print/Minkee ones, to $10 for ones with bamboo inserts. She also sells leg warmers, swim diapers, wet bags, wipes, bio-liners, and extra liners/soakers. Cloth By Tel is on Facebook, and frequently has great sales/package deals to help you get the best bang for your cloth diapering buck. Shipping charges are very reasonable, and she ships the diapers quickly, so you get them without much of a wait. Go check out her selection over at http://www.clothbytel.com!
Cloth By Tel has generously sponsored a giveaway of ONE regular in-stock OS Pocket Diaper to one of my lucky readers (*Canada and US only for this giveaway*). This contest will be open until Friday, September 23rd. To enter, please visit http://www.clothbytel.com and leave a comment below saying which product is your favourite.
Plus earn up to 4 extra entries by:
 |
| Smallest rise setting |
 |
| Spotless, after 5 months of use. Elastics all in great shape |
 |
| 10 snaps across the top of the diaper |
-dry pail with pail liner for 3 days max
-cold 20 minute soak
-hot 10 minute wash with EcoNuts laundry soap
-2x cold rinse
-line dry/sun when possible, else line dry covers indoors and machine dry liners
 |
| Largest rise setting |
Cloth By Tel has generously sponsored a giveaway of ONE regular in-stock OS Pocket Diaper to one of my lucky readers (*Canada and US only for this giveaway*). This contest will be open until Friday, September 23rd. To enter, please visit http://www.clothbytel.com and leave a comment below saying which product is your favourite.
Plus earn up to 4 extra entries by:
- Liking "Geekmommy Reviews" on Facebook and telling me you did this in the comments (be sure to let me know your name on Facebook)
- Liking "Cloth By Tel" on Facebook and telling me you did this in the comments (be sure to let me know your name on Facebook)
- Following @geekmommyreview AND @clothbytel on Twitter and tweeting about this giveaway (be sure to link to the tweet in the comments)
- Following this blog on Google Friend Connect and telling me you did this in the comments
Sunday, September 04, 2011
Cloth Diapering - It's All About Choices
As I might have already mentioned, I cloth diaper my baby. I do it mostly because I'm cheap, and I just can't imagine spending money every week on diapers to throw away. Of course, it doesn't hurt that it saves a ton of waste from polluting our landfills, and that cloth diapers come in so many adorable prints and colours! Plus, with all the easy to use cloth diaper styles that exist nowadays, it's no problem at all to get other caregivers on board.
When my son was a baby, cloth diapering wasn't really a "thing", I didn't know anyone else that was doing it (at least not til after I started), and I didn't do it all the time. I bought disposables to use for naptimes, overnights, shopping trips, family visits, and so on. We used a mix of Kushies AIO cloth diapers (all-in-ones), Kushies fitted diapers plus waterproof covers, and other generic brand fitteds that required covers. I didn't dislike the process, but there were definitely things that bothered me, such as:
1) The Kushies AIO's I used took FOREVER to dry (even in the dryer, I had to run them through two cycles to get them dry)
2) After many cycles in the dryer, the Kushies AIO's started to leak, it seems the heat from the dryer cracked the waterproof exterior fabric
3) The hook & loop closures got gummed up with fuzzies and threads in the wash/dry cycle and were less & less sticky as time went by
4) Although you are supposed to be able to reuse the waterproof covers several times before having to wash them, I found they got smelly and had to wash them more often than not, so I needed more of them
5) Being oblivious to the concept of a diaper sprayer, I was at a loss as to what to do with the poo... I ended up using popsicle sticks to scrape it into the toilet, which was effective but then at the end of the day I'm stuck holding some sh*t on a stick (pardon my french)...
Despite all of this, I was really happy to have made the decision to cloth diaper my son. So, this time around when we found out we were expecting a new baby, I was excited to check out the new options in cloth diapering. The local industry had certainly come a long way since the last time I was buying diapers - there were multiple cloth diaper stores within driving distance from my house. I sold all of my old Kushies and paraphernalia, and decided to start fresh.
This time, I educated myself about my options. I got a larger diaper pail so I could do diaper laundry every 3 days. I got 2 Planet Wise pail liners so I wouldn't have to rinse the pail. I invested in 37 one size pocket diapers (OS pockets) of various brands, and a number of extra liners for overnights. I bought and hooked up a BumGenius diaper sprayer, and got a number of rolls of diaper liners to use on days where some bum balm/cream is required. I bought a number of wetbags to allow cloth diapering on the go, and I made my own diaper wipes out of some old receiving blankets I had retired.
I'm proud to say that my daughter has been in cloth diapers since her umbilical cord fell off, and I haven't once missed disposables or regretted my decision to go 100% cloth. I'm so pleased with how cloth diapering is going this time around that I am going to start a series of reviews on my blog in the month of September so I can share some of my favourite items & lessons learned with all of you. There will even be some great giveaways, so be sure to enter for your chance to win!
When my son was a baby, cloth diapering wasn't really a "thing", I didn't know anyone else that was doing it (at least not til after I started), and I didn't do it all the time. I bought disposables to use for naptimes, overnights, shopping trips, family visits, and so on. We used a mix of Kushies AIO cloth diapers (all-in-ones), Kushies fitted diapers plus waterproof covers, and other generic brand fitteds that required covers. I didn't dislike the process, but there were definitely things that bothered me, such as:
1) The Kushies AIO's I used took FOREVER to dry (even in the dryer, I had to run them through two cycles to get them dry)
2) After many cycles in the dryer, the Kushies AIO's started to leak, it seems the heat from the dryer cracked the waterproof exterior fabric
3) The hook & loop closures got gummed up with fuzzies and threads in the wash/dry cycle and were less & less sticky as time went by
4) Although you are supposed to be able to reuse the waterproof covers several times before having to wash them, I found they got smelly and had to wash them more often than not, so I needed more of them
5) Being oblivious to the concept of a diaper sprayer, I was at a loss as to what to do with the poo... I ended up using popsicle sticks to scrape it into the toilet, which was effective but then at the end of the day I'm stuck holding some sh*t on a stick (pardon my french)...
Despite all of this, I was really happy to have made the decision to cloth diaper my son. So, this time around when we found out we were expecting a new baby, I was excited to check out the new options in cloth diapering. The local industry had certainly come a long way since the last time I was buying diapers - there were multiple cloth diaper stores within driving distance from my house. I sold all of my old Kushies and paraphernalia, and decided to start fresh.
This time, I educated myself about my options. I got a larger diaper pail so I could do diaper laundry every 3 days. I got 2 Planet Wise pail liners so I wouldn't have to rinse the pail. I invested in 37 one size pocket diapers (OS pockets) of various brands, and a number of extra liners for overnights. I bought and hooked up a BumGenius diaper sprayer, and got a number of rolls of diaper liners to use on days where some bum balm/cream is required. I bought a number of wetbags to allow cloth diapering on the go, and I made my own diaper wipes out of some old receiving blankets I had retired.
I'm proud to say that my daughter has been in cloth diapers since her umbilical cord fell off, and I haven't once missed disposables or regretted my decision to go 100% cloth. I'm so pleased with how cloth diapering is going this time around that I am going to start a series of reviews on my blog in the month of September so I can share some of my favourite items & lessons learned with all of you. There will even be some great giveaways, so be sure to enter for your chance to win!
Monday, August 15, 2011
Nursing Covers - Udder Covers and Cover In Style by Hooter Hiders
I'll admit, I'm not really that big on "covering up" when nursing my baby - it's usually too warm for her and me, she is at that distracted age where she would just grab it and pull if I did try to use a cover, and it's just one more thing to carry around.
However, there are occasions where a coverup has been perfect. Take for example the time I had to nurse my son in the hospital waiting room when he was just a few days old. Neither of us had any idea about breastfeeding and so latching was an awkward and time consuming process (with way more exposure than I was comfortable with at the time). Or how about the times that I have ventured out to church with a baby, that isn't exactly the kind of place where I'd like to whip out a boob... Not to mention that not everyone is as easygoing as I am with breastfeeding in public, and some places even give nursing moms a hard time (that is awful, I'm glad no one has ever told me to cover up, I think they would have gotten an earful!).
I have a new black and white Udder Covers brand coverup and a borrowed pink and white Cover in Style coverup by Hooter Hiders. Both operate on the same premise, they are a rectangle of fabric with a strap attached, and a section of hem between the strap connections that has some boning to make a stiff opening when the strap is fastened around your neck. This opening can be made bigger or smaller by loosening or tightening the strap. Both nursing covers allow this to be done fairly easily using a double d-ring fastener. Once the cover is on, simply bring the baby into position, arrange the fabric around him/her, and rest assured that no one will be seeing anything that you don't want them to. I suppose if you are sitting down and someone stands up behind you, they could possibly see in from the top, but really? Who does that? (Please tell me no one does that...)
The Cover in Style has a terry fabric pocket on one corner, it's great for wiping up any milk leaks or spit up without having to wrestle with another piece of cloth. Both coverups fold/roll up quite small and so they don't take up much space in your diaper bag. I usually keep mine in the car so that if I happen to be in a place where I need it, I have it handy. They are machine washable (delicate cycle recommended), and can go in the dryer on low heat, though I usually line dry mine.
Both the nursing covers come in a great selection of colours and patterns, I would recommend a lighter colour if you think you'll use it outdoors where the sun can make it uncomfortably warm for you and baby. You can check out the selection of Udder Covers at http://www.uddercovers.com, as well as use the store locator to find a local retailer (and save yourself the $10 shipping!). Although they don't seem to make the Cover in Style anymore, you can also look at the similar Hooter Hiders and Bébé Au Lait nursing covers at http://www.bebeaulait.com. All of these brands will cost somewhere in the $30 to $40 range.
However, there are occasions where a coverup has been perfect. Take for example the time I had to nurse my son in the hospital waiting room when he was just a few days old. Neither of us had any idea about breastfeeding and so latching was an awkward and time consuming process (with way more exposure than I was comfortable with at the time). Or how about the times that I have ventured out to church with a baby, that isn't exactly the kind of place where I'd like to whip out a boob... Not to mention that not everyone is as easygoing as I am with breastfeeding in public, and some places even give nursing moms a hard time (that is awful, I'm glad no one has ever told me to cover up, I think they would have gotten an earful!).
I have a new black and white Udder Covers brand coverup and a borrowed pink and white Cover in Style coverup by Hooter Hiders. Both operate on the same premise, they are a rectangle of fabric with a strap attached, and a section of hem between the strap connections that has some boning to make a stiff opening when the strap is fastened around your neck. This opening can be made bigger or smaller by loosening or tightening the strap. Both nursing covers allow this to be done fairly easily using a double d-ring fastener. Once the cover is on, simply bring the baby into position, arrange the fabric around him/her, and rest assured that no one will be seeing anything that you don't want them to. I suppose if you are sitting down and someone stands up behind you, they could possibly see in from the top, but really? Who does that? (Please tell me no one does that...)
The Cover in Style has a terry fabric pocket on one corner, it's great for wiping up any milk leaks or spit up without having to wrestle with another piece of cloth. Both coverups fold/roll up quite small and so they don't take up much space in your diaper bag. I usually keep mine in the car so that if I happen to be in a place where I need it, I have it handy. They are machine washable (delicate cycle recommended), and can go in the dryer on low heat, though I usually line dry mine.
Both the nursing covers come in a great selection of colours and patterns, I would recommend a lighter colour if you think you'll use it outdoors where the sun can make it uncomfortably warm for you and baby. You can check out the selection of Udder Covers at http://www.uddercovers.com, as well as use the store locator to find a local retailer (and save yourself the $10 shipping!). Although they don't seem to make the Cover in Style anymore, you can also look at the similar Hooter Hiders and Bébé Au Lait nursing covers at http://www.bebeaulait.com. All of these brands will cost somewhere in the $30 to $40 range.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Milkbands
Since someone, somewhere, determined that August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month, I thought I would post a few breastfeeding related reviews for you to enjoy. This one is of a neat little product called Milkbands. New moms have a lot on the brain. There are the big things like doctors appointments and vaccination options and schedules, and small things like remembering to eat and shower, changing diapers in a timely manner, and oh my goodness, when is the last time baby had a bath? (Tip: if baby's neck smells like sour milk, it's time for baby to have a bath...). Oh, and then there is the feeding. The sleep deprivation, and the endless feeding. And the sleep deprivation that makes you forget when the last time is that the baby ate, and on what side. You may end up doing the squeeze test to see if you can determine which side you are supposed to offer next...which is fine, til your husband sees you doing it, and gets that look in his eye...no dear, I don't need any help with this specifically. If you want to be useful, go empty the dishwasher or fold some laundry ;-)
So, how do Milkbands make your life better? What exactly are they? They are bracelets that you wear on one wrist, similar to the yellow Livestrong bracelets, and they can keep track of the side you last fed on, the time since the last feeding, how long the feeding was, and more. You flip the bracelet inside out to record the side you last fed on, and the text for LEFT is lowered, and RIGHT is raised, so you can even do it in the dark. There are plastic sliders that fit onto grooves in the bracelet which you can move up and down to track the feeding start time, or the duration (whichever you are interested in). The bracelet is comfortable, unobtrusive, and waterproof, so you never have to take it off.
I did find the original sliders that came with the Milkband were prone to breaking, after being used for a while I would go to adjust them and notice that one was very loose or missing. I definitely broke one while changing the sheets on my bed, my wrist got caught between the mattress and the bed frame. Thankfully the Milkband came with four sliders (only two are used at once on the bracelet), and after two of them broke, I contacted the company and was able to order replacement sliders (they were free, but I did have to pay a couple of bucks for shipping). The replacement ones are much sturdier, and after I finished using the Milkband, I packed them away with it (in case I ever need to use it again).
The Milkband is not something you will need for a long time, but for those first few hazy weeks (or months), it is a very convenient way to keep track of feeding times and sides no matter what time it is or where you are. It sells for under $10 and is definitely worth it! Check out more about Milkbands at http://www.milkbands.com.
So, how do Milkbands make your life better? What exactly are they? They are bracelets that you wear on one wrist, similar to the yellow Livestrong bracelets, and they can keep track of the side you last fed on, the time since the last feeding, how long the feeding was, and more. You flip the bracelet inside out to record the side you last fed on, and the text for LEFT is lowered, and RIGHT is raised, so you can even do it in the dark. There are plastic sliders that fit onto grooves in the bracelet which you can move up and down to track the feeding start time, or the duration (whichever you are interested in). The bracelet is comfortable, unobtrusive, and waterproof, so you never have to take it off.
I did find the original sliders that came with the Milkband were prone to breaking, after being used for a while I would go to adjust them and notice that one was very loose or missing. I definitely broke one while changing the sheets on my bed, my wrist got caught between the mattress and the bed frame. Thankfully the Milkband came with four sliders (only two are used at once on the bracelet), and after two of them broke, I contacted the company and was able to order replacement sliders (they were free, but I did have to pay a couple of bucks for shipping). The replacement ones are much sturdier, and after I finished using the Milkband, I packed them away with it (in case I ever need to use it again).
The Milkband is not something you will need for a long time, but for those first few hazy weeks (or months), it is a very convenient way to keep track of feeding times and sides no matter what time it is or where you are. It sells for under $10 and is definitely worth it! Check out more about Milkbands at http://www.milkbands.com.
Friday, August 05, 2011
Bumbo Baby Sitter
If there is one thing that has been an "essential" baby product, it's the Bumbo Baby Sitter. With its smooth clever shape and the readily identifiable hexagonal box (the presence of which, for some strange reason, increases the resale value on Kijiji and Craigslist!?), it can be found in more and more homes that have babies. And despite the recall (don't get me started on how I feel about recalls that are not about defective products but about owners thinking a product is going to take over the job of parenting for them...) the Bumbo Baby Sitter (hereafter referred to as "the Bumbo") is still very popular. It is useful from quite a young age (as soon as baby can hold his/her head steady), until your child either learns to squirm out of it or until his/her legs are too chunky to fit into the leg openings. I have the Bumbo in lime green, and bought it secondhand for my son when he was a baby. He wasn't huge at birth, but by the time he was steady enough with holding his head up, his legs were just about too chubby to fit (yes! true story!). So we did not get much use out of it for him. My daughter on the other hand, is 4 months now, and still fits into it (despite similarly chubby legs, they must just be a touch slimmer).
We take it with us when we go out to eat (OK, rarely, but on those rare occasions it helps), when visiting family, and even when I'm doing dishes or we're having dinner as a family at home. It's a very handy place to be able to put her when she wants to sit up and watch what we are doing. As long as she is in arms reach, we are comfortable putting her on the dining room table, or the kitchen counter (you would have to decide for yourself if you feel that's a good option for your situation). The chair has a wide base and a sturdy design so most babies sitting relatively still should be pretty safe where they are, as long as they are not unattended. If I could change any one thing I would make it have a functional handle or handles, so that a) it would be easier to carry from home to car and back again and b) so that it would be possible to carry the chair with baby in it from one surface to another.
The Bumbo is made of a soft foamy plastic type material (advertised as hygienic and non-toxic), it is wipeable/washable (you could even take a garden hose to it if a particular baby poo incident required that type of attention...). This is great because I know my babies like to spit up just as soon as they are sitting upright, and easy cleanup makes me happy. It comes in a bunch of bright, solid colours, and you can purchase an optional white play tray (which I suspect would be helpful in making the Bumbo double as a high chair for meals, though I haven't had a baby small enough to both fit in the Bumbo and eat real food yet).
You can read more about the Bumbo Baby Sitter at http://www.keendistribution.com/product/bumbo/bumboSeat.php. They even make really cute Bumbo covers! I don't know if I would give up the easy wash surface of the original Bumbo, but it is intriguing to be able to change the look of the Bumbo chair just by changing a cover.
Do you use a Bumbo chair? Does it make your life easier? Did you stop using it after the recall?
We take it with us when we go out to eat (OK, rarely, but on those rare occasions it helps), when visiting family, and even when I'm doing dishes or we're having dinner as a family at home. It's a very handy place to be able to put her when she wants to sit up and watch what we are doing. As long as she is in arms reach, we are comfortable putting her on the dining room table, or the kitchen counter (you would have to decide for yourself if you feel that's a good option for your situation). The chair has a wide base and a sturdy design so most babies sitting relatively still should be pretty safe where they are, as long as they are not unattended. If I could change any one thing I would make it have a functional handle or handles, so that a) it would be easier to carry from home to car and back again and b) so that it would be possible to carry the chair with baby in it from one surface to another.
The Bumbo is made of a soft foamy plastic type material (advertised as hygienic and non-toxic), it is wipeable/washable (you could even take a garden hose to it if a particular baby poo incident required that type of attention...). This is great because I know my babies like to spit up just as soon as they are sitting upright, and easy cleanup makes me happy. It comes in a bunch of bright, solid colours, and you can purchase an optional white play tray (which I suspect would be helpful in making the Bumbo double as a high chair for meals, though I haven't had a baby small enough to both fit in the Bumbo and eat real food yet).
You can read more about the Bumbo Baby Sitter at http://www.keendistribution.com/product/bumbo/bumboSeat.php. They even make really cute Bumbo covers! I don't know if I would give up the easy wash surface of the original Bumbo, but it is intriguing to be able to change the look of the Bumbo chair just by changing a cover.
Do you use a Bumbo chair? Does it make your life easier? Did you stop using it after the recall?
Monday, August 01, 2011
Jaybird SB2 Sportsband Bluetooth Headphones
In the past I've written about a number of things that make running easier and more fun (RunKeeper and ArmPocket SPORT i-20). Today I will share my review of the Jaybird SB2 Bluetooth Headphones. I got these last year after doing a fair bit of research on different options. Previously, I had used a pair of wired sport earbuds, which often needed to be adjusted while running because the combination of the movement & sweat would shift them around. Every now and then one of the wires would swing around and get stuck in my ponytail or hands, and sometimes even cause the earbud to fall out entirely. Not to mention that the little space above my ears was getting mighty crowded, what with the sport earbud hooks, my sunglasses, and my cap! Having a set of Bluetooth headphones seemed like a great way to deal with the problem of wires getting tangled while running, but since they are not exactly cheap, I wanted a set that were designed for fitness, that were likely to last even when getting a bit sweaty from time to time, and of course, they had to be stylin' as well!
The Jaybird SB2 Sportsband is all of these things, and then some. With a LIFETIME sweat-proof warranty, I felt confident that they would withstand the rigours of a good workout. They come in 9 different colours, each of them nicer than the last (I opted for the Runner's Red). The controls are easy to operate as they are just silicone covered buttons over the right ear. The top two control the tracks (next/previous) and the bottom two control the volume (up/down). The center button turns the earphones on/off, and allow you to enter voice control mode on your iPhone. The headphones expand to fit a range of head sizes but fit comfortably and don't require adjusting while exercising. I use the smallest setting, but I know a couple of guys that have them and they just expand to fit perfectly. They even fit nicely over my running ball cap. They come with two spare pairs of foam earpiece covers, so you can swap them out while one set dries... or you can just save them as backup pairs for when your current pair wears out. The audio quality is excellent on these headphones, which is important when you need your RunKeeper audio coaching prompts to come across clearly.
One thing I noticed is that the earpiece has little mesh fabric covers, presumably to help keep moisture out. I only have one of these covers left as it has come detached from the earpiece itself (probably came off inside one of the foam pads at some point...). It doesn't seem to interfere with the audio at all, and now I just make a point of removing the foam pads after exercising so that the moisture doesn't stay in contact with the earpieces. My husband also has a pair of these headphones, and he loves his as much as I love mine. He actually did have a situation where the battery stopped holding a charge (they charge using a simple USB cord) and he worked with the vendor to get a replacement pair, as the problem was covered under their lifetime sweat-proof warranty. The replacement pair came fast and without any hassle, we were very pleased.
If you want to learn more about the Jaybird SB2 Sportsband Bluetooth Headphones, go check out the information and selection on their website at http://www.jaybirdgear.com/sb2/. They sell for less than $100 at various online retailers.
The Jaybird SB2 Sportsband is all of these things, and then some. With a LIFETIME sweat-proof warranty, I felt confident that they would withstand the rigours of a good workout. They come in 9 different colours, each of them nicer than the last (I opted for the Runner's Red). The controls are easy to operate as they are just silicone covered buttons over the right ear. The top two control the tracks (next/previous) and the bottom two control the volume (up/down). The center button turns the earphones on/off, and allow you to enter voice control mode on your iPhone. The headphones expand to fit a range of head sizes but fit comfortably and don't require adjusting while exercising. I use the smallest setting, but I know a couple of guys that have them and they just expand to fit perfectly. They even fit nicely over my running ball cap. They come with two spare pairs of foam earpiece covers, so you can swap them out while one set dries... or you can just save them as backup pairs for when your current pair wears out. The audio quality is excellent on these headphones, which is important when you need your RunKeeper audio coaching prompts to come across clearly.
One thing I noticed is that the earpiece has little mesh fabric covers, presumably to help keep moisture out. I only have one of these covers left as it has come detached from the earpiece itself (probably came off inside one of the foam pads at some point...). It doesn't seem to interfere with the audio at all, and now I just make a point of removing the foam pads after exercising so that the moisture doesn't stay in contact with the earpieces. My husband also has a pair of these headphones, and he loves his as much as I love mine. He actually did have a situation where the battery stopped holding a charge (they charge using a simple USB cord) and he worked with the vendor to get a replacement pair, as the problem was covered under their lifetime sweat-proof warranty. The replacement pair came fast and without any hassle, we were very pleased.
If you want to learn more about the Jaybird SB2 Sportsband Bluetooth Headphones, go check out the information and selection on their website at http://www.jaybirdgear.com/sb2/. They sell for less than $100 at various online retailers.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Dropbox
Dropbox is a nifty little service that I like to compare to a virtual USB key. You can sign up for a free account that gives you 2GB of storage up front (with an opportunity to "earn" more space), and if that's not enough, they have paid accounts that you can buy to have more storage. You set up a folder on your computer and anything you put into it, syncs with the Dropbox service so it's accessible from any computer (as long as you log in). You can choose to share files you place on Dropbox (so if your sister wants full resolution pics of her kids that you put on Facebook, you can put them in Dropbox for her to grab), or you can keep them to yourself.
You can set up multiple computers to sync with Dropbox and then anything in the folder is automatically shared with all computers. For example, my husband and I have our iPhoto library stored in Dropbox (we break off a new library every 6 months). This way, whenever he or I sync our photos from our cameras/iPhones to our computer's iPhoto library, they automatically are available to both of us. Which is good, because I'm the one that does the photo printing/uploading to Facebook, while my husband is often one to take pics with his iPhone.
You can also access your Dropbox files from work or other locations, so this can come in handy if you need to access personal data throughout the day, but perhaps you don't have it with you on a USB key. It also means you don't have multiple versions of a document or file kicking around - you are always accessing the latest version on Dropbox.
As an added bonus, since Dropbox is storing your files, if your computer decides to stop working for whatever reason, your files are safe and can be accessed from other devices or you can just pull them back onto your computer once it is repaired/replaces.
The free account comes with 2GB up front, and you can do things such as referring others for space credits. Speaking of which, if you are intrigued, you can certainly use my referral link to sign up: http://db.tt/zuBjhfY.
Dropbox is a pretty simple way to have instant access to files you need, without having to remember to carry them with you on a USB key. It is also a nice way to back up things that you wouldn't want to lose if your computer suddenly died, such as your resume or perhaps a selection of your wedding photos. And since it's free, it's a no brainer if you've ever wished for a little more tech convenience in your day.
Check out more at http://www.dropbox.com or if you don't mind, use my referral link: http://db.tt/zuBjhfY
You can set up multiple computers to sync with Dropbox and then anything in the folder is automatically shared with all computers. For example, my husband and I have our iPhoto library stored in Dropbox (we break off a new library every 6 months). This way, whenever he or I sync our photos from our cameras/iPhones to our computer's iPhoto library, they automatically are available to both of us. Which is good, because I'm the one that does the photo printing/uploading to Facebook, while my husband is often one to take pics with his iPhone.
You can also access your Dropbox files from work or other locations, so this can come in handy if you need to access personal data throughout the day, but perhaps you don't have it with you on a USB key. It also means you don't have multiple versions of a document or file kicking around - you are always accessing the latest version on Dropbox.
As an added bonus, since Dropbox is storing your files, if your computer decides to stop working for whatever reason, your files are safe and can be accessed from other devices or you can just pull them back onto your computer once it is repaired/replaces.
The free account comes with 2GB up front, and you can do things such as referring others for space credits. Speaking of which, if you are intrigued, you can certainly use my referral link to sign up: http://db.tt/zuBjhfY.
Dropbox is a pretty simple way to have instant access to files you need, without having to remember to carry them with you on a USB key. It is also a nice way to back up things that you wouldn't want to lose if your computer suddenly died, such as your resume or perhaps a selection of your wedding photos. And since it's free, it's a no brainer if you've ever wished for a little more tech convenience in your day.
Check out more at http://www.dropbox.com or if you don't mind, use my referral link: http://db.tt/zuBjhfY
Monday, July 25, 2011
Contigo AUTOSEAL Madison Water Bottle (24 fl oz/750 mL)
It looks like we are finally into the hot, sunny days of summer. The days where you can easily rush about for hours out in the sun, only to realize at lunchtime that you are thirstier than you have been in a long time, because you didn't take a break to get a glass of water. Oops! And if you're like me, by this time, you probably have a headache from the dehydration, and a baby wanting to nurse (how are you supposed to make milk if you don't have enough liquid in your body to hydrate yourself??)
I have taken to using my Contigo water bottle to make sure that I always have something to drink with me, wherever I go. The water bottle holds about 24 fl oz or 750 mL of liquid, and has a waterproof top that screws on for a tight seal. The top has a nifty mechanism built in that allows the liquid inside to come out only when you are ready - it has a button you push with your fingers that opens up the hole near your mouth when you drink. The top also has a carabiner style clip on it that lets you clip the bottle onto your purse, backpack, stroller, even to the belt loop on your jeans if you're really desperate for a place to put it. The Contigo water bottle is made of sturdy BPA-free plastic (remember the indestructible Nalgene bottles? It's like that. I've actually left mine on the roof of my car and driven away, had the bottle fly to the pavement, and it barely had a scratch on it.
These reusable water bottles are much more environmentally sound than continuously buying single-use water bottles, and much cleaner & better for you than reusing single-use bottles. I find them to be a lot easier to keep clean than the narrow-neck aluminum or stainless steel bottles, and they don't dent when you accidentally drop them. (Or am I the only one with a cupboard full of reusable metal water bottles that won't stand up because the bottoms are awkwardly dented?) They can go in your dishwasher, mine have even survived the bottom rack, but we don't use the heat-dry option, so do that at your own risk. The tops are dishwasher safe but you can be more thorough with the cleaning if you do it by hand with a mini bottle brush type thing.
Now I do have one peeve about these bottles, though it hasn't stopped me from using them. That is the top has a vent to let the air in when the water comes out. Nothing wrong with that, except this vent has a plastic cap with a couple small gaps/holes when it's installed, which not only allow the air to get in, but also allow gunk from your dishwater/dishwasher in, and worst case, it could let small insects inside as well (say, if you're gardening and putting your bottle on the grass beside you...). Let me tell you the story of the earwig...well it's not much of a story, except that it took me a LONG time to figure out what that "funny smell" was every time I took a drink... turns out it was an earwig that had crawled into the air vent space (once I forgot my bottle outside overnight...) and it died in there...and I imagine every run through the dishwasher disintegrated it a bit more... Well I ended up prying the vent lid off, and found the earwig, I washed it out about a thousand times, threw up a little in my mouth, and debated whether to keep the bottle or to throw it away. Well it turns out that my love for the Contigo bottle exceeded the yuck factor, so I kept it. But from that day forward I made sure to pull up the air vent cover on all my Contigo bottles before running them through the dishwasher, to make sure that nothing gross got stuck in the air vent space.
Well, now that I've thoroughly grossed you out, I'll tell you that you can get these bottles at Costco for under $20 for a set of three, or follow the embedded purchase links to get them from Amazon. You may possibly also be able to buy them elsewhere. And when you get them, I have two tips. One: don't leave them outdoors in the grass overnight and Two: if they smell funky at some point in the future, try prying off the air vent cap and clean it out thoroughly.
You can read more at Contigo's website: http://www.gocontigo.com/water-bottles.html.
What's your favourite way to stay hydrated on the go?
I have taken to using my Contigo water bottle to make sure that I always have something to drink with me, wherever I go. The water bottle holds about 24 fl oz or 750 mL of liquid, and has a waterproof top that screws on for a tight seal. The top has a nifty mechanism built in that allows the liquid inside to come out only when you are ready - it has a button you push with your fingers that opens up the hole near your mouth when you drink. The top also has a carabiner style clip on it that lets you clip the bottle onto your purse, backpack, stroller, even to the belt loop on your jeans if you're really desperate for a place to put it. The Contigo water bottle is made of sturdy BPA-free plastic (remember the indestructible Nalgene bottles? It's like that. I've actually left mine on the roof of my car and driven away, had the bottle fly to the pavement, and it barely had a scratch on it.
These reusable water bottles are much more environmentally sound than continuously buying single-use water bottles, and much cleaner & better for you than reusing single-use bottles. I find them to be a lot easier to keep clean than the narrow-neck aluminum or stainless steel bottles, and they don't dent when you accidentally drop them. (Or am I the only one with a cupboard full of reusable metal water bottles that won't stand up because the bottoms are awkwardly dented?) They can go in your dishwasher, mine have even survived the bottom rack, but we don't use the heat-dry option, so do that at your own risk. The tops are dishwasher safe but you can be more thorough with the cleaning if you do it by hand with a mini bottle brush type thing.
Now I do have one peeve about these bottles, though it hasn't stopped me from using them. That is the top has a vent to let the air in when the water comes out. Nothing wrong with that, except this vent has a plastic cap with a couple small gaps/holes when it's installed, which not only allow the air to get in, but also allow gunk from your dishwater/dishwasher in, and worst case, it could let small insects inside as well (say, if you're gardening and putting your bottle on the grass beside you...). Let me tell you the story of the earwig...well it's not much of a story, except that it took me a LONG time to figure out what that "funny smell" was every time I took a drink... turns out it was an earwig that had crawled into the air vent space (once I forgot my bottle outside overnight...) and it died in there...and I imagine every run through the dishwasher disintegrated it a bit more... Well I ended up prying the vent lid off, and found the earwig, I washed it out about a thousand times, threw up a little in my mouth, and debated whether to keep the bottle or to throw it away. Well it turns out that my love for the Contigo bottle exceeded the yuck factor, so I kept it. But from that day forward I made sure to pull up the air vent cover on all my Contigo bottles before running them through the dishwasher, to make sure that nothing gross got stuck in the air vent space.
Well, now that I've thoroughly grossed you out, I'll tell you that you can get these bottles at Costco for under $20 for a set of three, or follow the embedded purchase links to get them from Amazon. You may possibly also be able to buy them elsewhere. And when you get them, I have two tips. One: don't leave them outdoors in the grass overnight and Two: if they smell funky at some point in the future, try prying off the air vent cap and clean it out thoroughly.
You can read more at Contigo's website: http://www.gocontigo.com/water-bottles.html.
What's your favourite way to stay hydrated on the go?
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