From now through January 31, 2010, you can get free shipping on any order from Nomie Baby by using the code “holiday09″ at checkout. Nomie Baby, you may recall, makes those great car seat covers for infants and toddlers. Not only would one of these covers make a great gift for a friend or loved one with a baby or toddler, but with the free shipping promotion, you might want to pick up one for your own child as well.

ChildrensCarSeatCovers.com is a website that sells trendy, stylish car seat covers for both infant and toddler car seats. One of my favorite designs is this Groovy Guitar style by EmmaLu Designs, perfect for your little rocker. It’s easy to put over your existing car seat, too, as instructions on the website will tell you. Plus, these carseat covers are removable and waterproof, making those long trips a bit less frustrating for parents. You can view the array of styles available at ChildrensCarSeatCovers.com, where the Groovy Guitar cover sells for $70.

Nomie Baby, the makers of those great car seat covers, is currently having a Free Shipping special in honor of Independence Day. When you place an order at nomiebaby.com, use promo code “July 4th” at checkout to receive free shipping. Hurry, though, if you’re interested: this offer expires July 6.

The Babbaco Beep Beep Snuggle Fleece Car Seat Cover made me smile the moment I spotted it at BellyDanceBaby.com.  It is not only sure to make people feel happy (and ask questions) but it is handy as well, as it is equipped with pockets for diapers, keys, wallets, etc. The Babbaco folks had convenience and fun in mind with this design. However, I wouldn’t say they had economy in mind, as the price tag is a hefty $89. I’ve seen entire car seats for sale at that price before! However, designer doesn’t come cheap. If you’ve got the budget, why not have fun with your infant car seat?

The nomie baby car seat cover can turn your old, worn, sticky car seat into a brand new seat. With elastic edges that fit most car seats, the nomie baby car seat cover slips over the seat’s existing cover without the hassle of removing it. It is washable and waterproof, making it much simpler to deal with spills that occur during car trips. It is made of three separate fabrics to provide the most comfort, cushion, and absorption. This would be a great way to deal with those travel “accidents” that sometimes occur during potty training - just slip off the cover, which is held onto the seat by velcro, throw it in the washing machine, and dry it, and you can reuse it over and over.

The nomie baby car seat cover comes in Infant and Toddler/Convertible Car Seat sizes, and is available in a wide variety of colors.You can view the nomie baby car seat cover at nomiebaby.com, where it sells for $34.

The Natural Seat Topper by Innobaby is designed especially for babies with sensitive skin and/or eczema. Made of eco-friendly ramie, known for its breathability, the Natural Seat Topper fits over car seats, strollers, swings, and more, to keep baby comfortable. It also helps to reduce any discomfort from perspiration, and as it’s absorbent and breathable, it helps to keep baby from perspiring in the first place. You can view the Natural Seat Topper at InnoBaby.com, where it sells for $29.99 to $34.99.

One of the biggest problems we have when traveling is our son’s head flopping to the side when he falls asleep in his car seat. Once when my husband had to put on the brakes suddenly, my sleeping son’s head and neck came out of the seat so far we were afraid he’d been hurt. Luckily, he hadn’t, but we’re conscious now as soon as he falls asleep in the car seat of keeping an eye on him in the rearview mirror and waking him if his head starts to flop.

This Toddler Coddler Car Seat Head Supporter Pillow looks like a much better alternative to waking our son every 5 minutes. It says it works with any forward-facing car or booster seat to keep a child’s head and neck from slumping side to side. (Not sure about slumping forward, probably nothing can prevent that). The ad says it also works with strollers and joggers. Recommended for ages 12 months and up, you can purchase the Toddler Coddler for $22.98 at NetKidsWear.com.

Learning Curve is having a sale on some of its most popular toys and other baby/children’s items, such as this “Getting Started” Thomas the Tank Engine for just $4.99 (regularly $10.99). Other items on sale include the Bob the Builder Build Along Electronic Tool Bench for $9.99 (regularly $19.99) and the Magna Light Travel System, including stroller and carseat, for $169.99 (was $269.99). Visit LearningCurve.com to see all of the steals and deals available.

 
Last night, we went out to eat. Usually, we walk up and our youngest son stays asleep in the buggy, but last night, he woke up. We sat him in a high chair and gave him a car seat buddy; he’s no longer in an infant car seat but we use it on the buggy. He had a grand time pressing the button for music, chewing on the happy animal faces, and swinging it around. I now know that Infantino Car Seat Buddies really grow with my child, making the $8.99 they’re sold for at BabiesRUs.com totally worth it. It was a relief to eat our meal without having to hold our 6-month-old or sneak bites between entertaining him and helping our older son with his needs.

I was immediately drawn to the Combi Coccoro Convertible Car Seat by its cool orange color and its unique modern styling. While color and style alone are not the best factors to consider in choosing a car seat, this seat has a lot going for it. One of its biggest selling points for families with multiple children is that it allows you to fit three car seats across in the back seat of most cars. I have one friend in particular who has been trying for several years to find a combination of car seats that will allow her to do this.

I am impressed by the safety feature which shows green or red to indicate whether the buckle is properly snapped. I love my Britax, but I have had it come unbuckled several times when I thought it was secure. This indicator would make me feel a lot safer. The seat is designed for both rear and forward-facing use, and from birth to 40 pounds. It comes in a number of shades, although I love this orange one (I’m just not sure we could keep it looking so pristine). This will definitely be on the short list of seats I’m considering for our baby when she outgrows her infant seat. You can purchase one for $199 at BabyAge.com.

We got a lot of our baby items from this website and saved a lot of money. Even when things aren’t on sale, they are always reasonably priced. This is where we got our son’s Britax Marathon car seat which we started to use when he was able to face forward at one. We love it and have covered a good many miles with him in it and he’s always been very comfortable.

There is plenty of room to adjust the seat straps as he gets taller. They also have some very cute designs to choose from so, as in some sales, you’re not stuck with a fabric style you didn’t really want. This is a favorite car seat with celebrity parents too including Britney and Jamie Spears, Matt Damon and Michelle Williams.

Britax is rated at the top in safety polls but they are also more expensive than some other brands so I really would recommend taking a look at this sale. The one that is pictured in the sale advert above is the Britax Boulevard Convertible Car Seat in Madison and is priced at $229.99 (down from $309.99). It is recommended for ages newborn to 6 years from 5lbs to 33lbs.

For front facing children they must be at least 20lbs first. It is quite an endurance test to get it into the car in the first place, but the great quality and comfort is well worth the price tag. Visit Albeebaby.com to check out their sale.

 
The fourth item on my list of necessities for baby is a stroller. If you’re not into pushing your baby around in a buggy and you travel by foot as often as I do, I think a carrier of some sort is in order. You’ve got to have your hands free (and save your back and arms) at some point in time and for that, I have a Mei Tai. However, I also have Evenflo Congo Journey Travel System. We have dragged this thing through mud, muck, rain, snow, gravel and whatever else dares to cross our paths for over 3 years and it is still in good shape. The front tires had to be reinforced but otherwise, nothing is awry.

My favorite features are the bug net, relatively simple folding system, and smooth steering. It is rather bulky but great for long treks and durable (we’re on our second son.) The front piece lifts, making getting your child in and out simpler, and there’s even a detachable piece that stores away underneath to keep legs and feet protected until they’re too big to be kept in. The car seat attaches to the top and is a handy carrier and travel rocking chair for baby. It comes with a canopy and head cushions to keep baby’s head steady. We paid much more than the $129.99 price tag on Amazon.com but, happily, it was worth it.  

We all know that finding the right car seat can be a time-consuming, and expensive, process. BabyAge.com has made the process a little less painful for your wallet by having a sale on car seats. The site is offering up to 40% off certain brands and models of car seats, including Britax, Graco, Cosco, and Safety 1st. This Safety 1st Alpha Omega Elite Convertible Car Seat which normally sells for $199.99 is currently on sale for $99.99. They are also offering free shipping on any order $75 and over using the code B2A28 at checkout. The sale is only on for a few more days, so if you’d like to find a nice, quality car seat at a reduced price, visit BabyAge.com now.

I’m already thinking about the travelling we’re going to be doing this summer and wondering about what it’s going to be like, especially now that our twins are too big for the snap-and-go stroller. We actually saw one of these Gogo Kids Travelmates in action last time we flew and decided we would definitely soon be purchasing two of our own. Instead of lugging your car seat around the airport and having a separate stroller for your child, you can wheel them around in their very own car seat. You simply attach your car seat (the Travelmate works with many different brands) and go. Weighing only five pounds, it folds up easily and even fits in the overhead bin. And the best part is that in many planes, you can even wheel your child right down the aisle. What a great way to make travelling with kids a little easier.

You can find the Gogo Kidz Travelmate for $79.99 at babiesrus.com. If you’re a parent of twins, it might be worthwhile to purchase this in store so that you can get the 10% off the second item; unfortunately they don’t yet offer twin discounts online.

My poor older daughter, who is almost ten, will likely be in a car seat forever, since she is barely 50 pounds now.  Since her existing booster is starting to look a bit shabby, I’ve been looking around for a replacement.  I’ve been very happy with our Britax Decathlon, so I think that I am going to invest in this Monarch Booster from the company.

The things that are great about this seat are that it has a one-handed height adjuster, side impact protection (a feature I wish I had on the Decathlon), and can be converted to a backless booster when the time comes.  It is designed for kids from 30-100 pounds, so it will grow with your child.  Best of all, it doesn’t look babyish.

You can purchase one of these seats for $179.99, with free shipping, at elitecarseats.com.