Diapering

You’ll get plenty of oohs and ahhs when you and baby are out and about with this very stylish Messenger Diaper Bag by Gucci. If you’re a Gucci shopper then add this to your collection. Practical as it is extravagant, this bag has a fold-out changing pad and adjustable strap.

It measures 17.3″L x 5.1″W x11.8″H and costs $935.00 at Gucci.com.

Diaper cakes are all the rage these days for baby showers, and there are tons of fun designs on the market to choose from.  If you like the idea of a diaper cake, but want to make sure that you are making an environmentally-friendly choice, you might want to check out the cakes available at growinstyle.com.  What is great about these diaper cakes is that they have all the appeal of other popular cakes, but they are made completely from eco-friendly components.

The Sophie the Giraffe Cake is made of approximately 70 Earth-friendly diapers.  You have a choice between Seventh Generation or Baby NatureCare.  The cake also includes an organic onesie, an organic burp cloth, and organis receiving blanket, and a reversible organic blanket.  Finally, the set is finished off with some truly great treats–a Sophie the Giraffe teething toy (a classic European toy receiving a lot of positive press these days), an adorable Chan Pie Gnon teething toy from the same maker, a Natursutten natural rubber pacifier, a handmade dragonfly clip, and a 2.6 oz tube of Weleda Calendula baby cream, a product I myself swear by for diapering a new baby.

Any new parent will be delighted with this attractive, practical, and all-around eco-friendly gift.  You can purchase one for $140 at growinstyle.com, or check out the other great cakes available on the site.  There is one to fit any budget.

The GR8X Baby Traveller Deluxe might sound like a sports car, but if speed is your need this backpack and changer is made for you and yours. You can see how easily it will fold back into a backpack. Just look at how everything spreads out for easy access when it’s time to change baby. This product saves you time from setting up a sanitary changing area and scrounging around in a packed diaper bag for needed items.

The changing area measures 36 cm high x 33 cm wide. Closed, the bag measures 36 cm high x 39 cm wide. The GR8X Baby Traveller Deluxe comes with removable stroller straps, adjustable backpack straps, removable change mat, insulated bottle traveller, mobile phone pouch, and plenty of pockets for everything you’ll need to change your baby. It is machine washable for easy care.

Price: $79.95 at BabyEarth.com.

Having a sanitary area to change your child is important, but sometimes you must improvise. The Manhattan Momma Patemm Pad is a changing pad that actually folds into a diaper bag. When folded, the Patemm Pad measures 9×9x2. It unfolds into a 28 inch round. This unique changing pad also has large pockets for diapers and wipes, and enough room for an extra set of clothes. Made from latex-free oilcloth, it has an easy clean up.

The Manhattan Momma Patemm Pad was invented by a mom and has received national and international acclaim by parents, caretakers and the media. It is available in both blue and pink. Price: $49.94 at Littledudesanddivas.com.

This gift basket comes with a lot of specialty items from Snobby Babies that just make it unique.  We could put together our own gift baskets; buying cute items along a certain theme…and that would be nice. But, if you really want to be “snobby” this Snobby Babies Shower Bliss basket includes a Minky Baby Blanket, Wipe N Go, Avant Babies Bottle with Cover, Couture Baby Bib, Burp Cloth, Pacifier keepsake and gift card.

These items are all tied with ribbon and wrapped ready to give right out of the box! This is a baby shower gift that is sure to make an impression: “That the receiver is pretty special herself!” Price: $125 at snobbybabies.com.

This changing mat from the European company Kuster is an innovative departure from the mats I am used to using. The mat is made from memory foam that shapes to ergonomically fit your baby.  Everyone in my house has been squeezing it because it just feels so cool.

I am excited to use this mat for several reasons.  One is that it has a molded form with raised sides, so it can be used with the style of open-topped changing table that I am planning to buy.  Another is that it is very soft and comfortable, and super-easy to clean–just wipe it off.  Finally, it looks stylish, and will easily blend into any nursery design.  It would make a hip baby gift, too.

You can purchase this changing mat for $49.95.  It is available in pink, blue, or cream.  An optional liner is available for an additional $20.  You can purchase one from barebabies.com.  Use the code up10offkuster to receive 10% off the purchase of any Kuster products.  Check out the company’s whole line of innovative products at kuster-usa.com.

Do you like the idea of a diaper cake, but not the traditional style of most cakes available?  Then you may want to check out this fun Sushi Diaper Cake by Jen Kalea.  The cake includes a handmade blanket, 10-14 Pampers size 1 diapers, a Ty brand stuffed fish toy that is safe for all ages, three onesies (or alternately one outfit), two acrylic and bamboo soba noodle plates, chopsticks, and decorative “garnishes.”

This cake is definitely a departure from traditional cakes, and it would no doubt be a hit at any shower.  If this edgy sushi theme suits your style, you can purchase one for $119.95 at thesillywagon.com.  You have your choice of girl, boy, or gender neutral clothing.

I’ve mentioned Skip Hop diaper bags before, but mine is plain black with a dragonfly embellishment I added to on one pocket. I like the more fun colors they have to offer, such as the multi-stripe Double Deluxe version. It’s convertible, with the option of being a diaper, messenger, or stroller bag.

Its seven pockets and roomy design (18″L x 4 1/4″W x 13 1/2″H) are practical but its sleek style and color choices (the other stripe option is blue but there are solid color alternatives as well) appeal to the stylish mama. Two of the pockets have magnetic fasteners, making for quick changes and less fussy packing.

There are even removable shoulder pads for the straps, great for the overloaded mommy or daddy. If this is just your bag, check it out at babycenter.com (follow the Store link) for $80.00.

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Here’s a two-in-one idea that I would have liked to try out. I remember those long doctor visits, standing in line at the market, waiting in line at Disneyland. Having the diaper bag work double duty would have been helpful!

The Sidekick Diaper Bag has compartments for all the necessities - a large pocket, zippered diaper/wipe pockets, double side pockets for bottles and sippy cups, insulated bottle wrap and changing pad. It even has a cell phone pocket.

You and your youngster are good to go with the Sidekick diaper bag and built-in child carrier. It comes in green or orange and is priced at $79.

Visit go-baby.com. And happy trails!

I’ve tried quite a few diaper creams over the years, from the ultra-cheap to the ultra-expensive, and Mustela’s Diaper Vitamin Barrier Cream is one of my all time favorites. There are several things about this cream that I love. One is that it is not thick and difficult to apply like many creams, and its not greasy like many popular ointments.It is a very smooth cream, so it is easy to apply, and doesn’t make a mess.

I also love the scent which is pleasant (reminiscent of lilacs) without being overwhelming. It is no wonder that celebrity moms such as Britney Spears and Kerri Russell are fans of the company’s baby products.

The product contains zinc oxide and is recommended for daily use as a preventative measure. A tube is a little more expensive than some other brands, but a little of the product goes a long way. You can purchase a 1.9 ounce tube on sale now for $7.50 at babyandmeboutique.com.

Tushygear makes all kinds of blankets, burp cloths, and baby changing essentials. These products were inspired by the demands of motherhood and designed by a mother of two. Their products come in a number of fun prints. I am particularly drawn to the Tushygear on the Road kit and to the Melrose fabric pattern shown here.

The set is a changing pad and storage container all in one. It holds diapers, wipes, and folds out to become a comfortable (and hygienic) changing pad. You can tuck this little tote into your diaper bag or carry it alone as a clutch. With so many cute patterns to choose from, you will feel stylish however you carry it.

It opens to 28” x 12”, but folds to a compact 12” x 8”. You can purchase one for $38 at tushygear.com.

I’ve had three different diaper pails over the years and never used any one of them with any regularity. I honestly have no desire for another one, but I had to see what all the fuss over the Vipp Diaper Pail is about.

Vipp makes high quality, medical-grade trash bins, and their diaper pail is constructed in the same way. It is therefore airtight and odor-resistant. It is made from stainless steel and has a very modern, sleek design. this diaper pail doesn’t require any special bags, which is nice.

Although I have no plans to buy one of these for our house, if you are a diehard diaper pail user who is looking for something durable and trendy, a Vipp Diaper Pail may be for you.

This diaper pail is available in either cream or white and retails for $295. You can purchase one at giggle.com.

Vipp Diaper Pails were also reviewed on the Ninizzz Blog and the Choocicos Blog.

This diaper bag is designed to appeal to men, but I quite like it myself. It has an old-fashioned satchel look about it that is quite pleasing to the eye. It comes in either heather grey or heather olive felt. Both colors are quite attractive, and I love the unique texture of the felt.

The inside of the Scout Journey Pack bag appears to be quite well-designed for outings with a little one. There are two large pockets and one large snap pocket. A lined pocket protects your cell phone and an antique brass wipes case gives the bag extra charm.

There is one bottle pocket on the inside, and two on the outside. The outside pockets can be unsnapped, and one can be moved to the interior bag if you so desire. You can invert the bag’s liner to dump out crumbs and the other unwanted debris that tends to accumulate.

You can purchase your own Scout Journey Pack diaper bag for $138 at hipbabygear.com.

I’m not ready to go completely modern for our nursery, but I do enjoy looking at the bold new designs that are currently on the market. I find this changing table to be quite striking. It can be purchased with a cabinet on one side and three drawers on the other (as shown here), or with two sets of drawers.

Either way, this piece will grow with your child as it can be used as a dresser or toy storage when he or she outgrows diapers. The table measures 33” x 44” x 19”. The cabinet has a shelf inside. You can customize your changing table my choosing from color, dark pine, or light pine rails and from a number of patterns for the cabinet doors.

The body of this changing table comes in a number of colors in addition to the white shown here.
You can purchase this modern piece of furniture for $1200 at moderntots.com.

Luxurious change time anyone? After finding the Swirly Change Pad Cover, I love the idea of lying my little ones down on a cloud to be changed. It certainly might help with the squirmy, I-hate-to-be-changed phase, considering it wouldn’t seem as cold and stark as the average change pad.

In a room filled with blues and greens, much like my own nursery accessories and bedding, it would be the perfect accent to pull things together. Made to fit on most change pads, it comes in several pretty colors and one pleasing texture (there are other texture choices as well, with this being my favorite.)

At $34.95, it’s a splurge baby’s bum will be thankful for. Found at yummystyle.com.