Udder Covers Nursing Cover Discount Code

Udder Covers is once again offering their $32 nursing covers for just $8.95 (the cost of shipping and handling.) Just pop on over to UdderCovers.com, select the design that you like (I picked the very elegant Jones design shown above), enter the code PLANNING in the promo code box at checkout and, voila, almost free nursing cover. The code is also good for $32 off their gift sets.

Udder Cover discount codes tend to fly around The Bump message boards a lot and the reigning opinion is that they are worth the $8.95. I guess it makes sense since comparable covers range from $20 to $40 at Babies R Us. I also like that Udder Covers are 100% cotton and have a rigid top so that you can maintain eye contact with your breastfeeding baby.

I don't have a nursing cover yet, so I'm thinking that I can't go wrong with this deal. I'll be sure to update you as soon as it arrives!

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Storkcraft Crib Recall

Yesterday Storkccaft, in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commision, issued a recall of more the 2.1 million drop-side cribs with plastic trigger and one-hand-system drop-side hardware, some which were produced under the Fisher Price logo. It seems like we have been hearing for years now about the dangers of these cribs (entrapment or suffocation caused by worn out, loose and otherwise faulty drop-sides) so I'm glad to hear that Storkcraft is doing something about it.

The official CPSC recall statement with details on affected cribs is available HERE.

So, what do you do if your crib is one that was included in the recall? Its actually pretty easy: contact Storkcraft for a repair kit at 877-274-0277 or www.storkcraft.com. You do not need a receipt, just the model number from your crib.

Of course, there is high traffic on the Storkcraft website and phone line, so in the meanwhile make sure that all of the hardware on your crib is working properly and that pieces are not loose, improperly installed, or missing. You may even just want to play it safe in the future by looking into getting a stationary-sided crib. My thoughts: why play with fire?

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Product Review: Medela Softcup Nursing Bra

I picked up a Medela Seamless Softcup Nursing Bra in-store at Babies R Us this past weekend because the wires in my bras are starting to dig painfully into my stomach and I must say that I never imagined a wireless bra could be so supportive--and I'm currently a 38 DD! The bra is comfy, cute, looks great under clothing, and I imagine the single handed cup release will make it a joy to wear while nursing.

The two negatives I do see with this bra are the price (around $40 in most stores) and the fact that the bra is unlined. I'm pretty modest about wearing unlined bras, so I will be wearing this bra only under heavier fabrics and in my own home.

For out of house/thinner clothing wear, I will be buying a lined, Leading Lady Nursing Bra from JC Penney. They come highly recommended from a friend of mine--who looks amazing in them--and they're currently on sale from $18. (Visit JC Penney at the Queens Center in Elmhurst or order online.) I'll post more about Leading Lady when I get mine in.

FYI: The Medela Softcup bra runs pretty true to size, so I would recommend purchasing a cup size larger than your current size for wear after your milk comes in.

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Dr. Stacey Charnes on Epidurals

I had my 33-week appointment with Dr. Charnes last night and she said something to me that I felt I must pass along to Queens mamas who might be considering her as their OB:

I told Dr. Charnes that I wanted to try to go as far as possible without an epidural and she peered at me skeptically and said "I don't recommend that." I explained to her that, of course I would be leaving my options open as most deliveries do not go as planned, but with my history of low blood pressure and low heart rate, I am concerned about the drugs' effect on my body. (I rarely even take over the counter medication--that's how careful with drugs I am.) Her response: there are drugs that can raise your blood pressure back up, so that is not a good reason to go without the epidural.

Well, its not going to be Dr. Charnes' decision once I'm in labor and I will be pretty vocal about that so I'm not too worried. However, if you want a doctor who is going to be completely on-board with an all-natural birth process, you might want to skip Dr. Charnes. As I've mentioned before, she's a good, thorough doctor, but she is not going to make you feel all warm and fuzzy.

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Product Review: Palmers Tummy Butter and Skin Therapy Oil

I was about 40 lbs heavier than my pre-pregnancy weight when I was younger, so I am quite well-acquainted with stretchmarks. My plan during this pregnancy, therefore, has been to not freak out over new stretch marks, but to try and prevent them none-the-less without spending a fortune!



I started out with Palmer's Skin Therapy Oil, which I was able to buy in-store at BuyBuy BABY in Manhattan (7th Ave and 25th St) for around $6 in September--cheaper than most places that I've seen it. I applied the oil once a day to my stomach, hips, and chest and it lasted about two months.

Palmer's oil was nice--it kept my skin moisturized, smelled good, and wasn't too greasy--but I didn't see much of a difference at all in the appearance of my old stretchmarks. I've actually noticed some faint new ones creeping up, which I didn't want but expected since I'm apparently predisposed to them.

One strange thing that the oil did for me was turn the hair on my stomach blonde! The "non-staining" formula also stained a silk dress of mine, but that was really my fault as I didn't wait for the oil to dry.

Palmer's Skin Therapy Oil is not available online at BuyBuy BABY at the moment, though, so if you want to give it a try and can't make it to the store in Manhattan, I'd recommend checking your local pharmacy or Destination Maternity (the average price is $9). I'd actually really recommend, though, that you try something similar to the next product...



I bought Palmer's Tummy Butter at the beginning of my pregnancy but was turned off in the beginning because I couldn't figure out how to get the seemingly hard product onto my body! When I ran out of my Skin Therapy Oil, I figured I'd give the Tummy Butter a go again as I had spent $9 on it (which seems to be the average).

The key to getting this stuff onto you is to actually scoop out a chunk with your finger and then rub it into a nice warm oil in your hands before slathering it on. Its a messy process for your hands, but it keeps my skin really moisturized throughout the day. I just wipe my hands on a wet towel when I'm done and am really careful getting dressed and that seems to do the trick. I haven't had any clothes staining incidents yet.

The stuff works for me too! I've noticed that in just a week of using the Tummy Butter, some of the faint new marks that were showing up when I was using the Skin Therapy Oil are actually getting fainter. Hooray! The tub seems like it is going to last only a month or two though, so, your best bet might be this 3 for $20 deal HERE. I plan to buy some for post partum. (Perk: my husband thinks its smells yummy!)

Now, perhaps just a simple tub of regular cocoa butter would do the trick. Its much cheaper, but the Tummy Butter actually has some extra ingredients like Mineral Oil, Collagen, and Elastin (oh my!) The bottom line is that stretch mark remedies seem to work differently for everybody, so despite my review, each of us must really go through the trial and error process on our own. I like the Tummy Butter, but maybe you won't. But, come on, its well worth the try!

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Daycare Review: Christ the King Community Daycare Center in Middle Village, NY

Sigh. Every time I look into the cost of daycare centers, I get the nagging feeling that we'd be better off if I remained at home. This doesn't mean, of course, that I'll stop looking--whether I find a marvelous, well-priced daycare or ammunition for the stay at home mom cause, I'm benefiting, right? But the search does get painful.

Today I called Christ the King Community Daycare Center at 68-02 Metropolitan Avenue in Middle Village, NY. I've heard good things about this center, which is on the grounds of Christ the King High School. Plus they have a website and, I don't know about you, but I trust something more when they care enough to put in on the web (that's where we all get our info now, right?).

While Christ the King's website it pretty sad content-wise, at least you can see that the school as a whole is a professional operation. Click on the tab that says "Daycare" in the left-hand menu and you'll be able to see the daycare's monthly newsletter as well as their calendar and some basic info.

Now, I've also heard that the monthly costs at Christ the King can be pretty high and that there is a huge wait list. The cost issue was confirmed when I called up the center: it would be $850/month to put my infant son in daycare for 8 hours a day, 3 days a week. While I was told they work on a monthly contract basis and don't have a per hour cost breakdown to give out, I did the math and calculated that a full week of infant daycare (40 hours) would equal $1350/month. While less expensive than a good nanny (think Mary Poppins-like), who can ask upward of $20/hr ($3200/month), this is very comparable to many Manhattan and other metro-area daycare centers who I've found can run around $1600-$2000/month.

The wait list at Christ the King wasn't a big issue, however, at least for infants. I was told to call back, four or five months in advance, as infants move very quickly from their first infant room (for infants who aren't crawling) to their second (for infants who do more than sleep and poop.) I'm sure you'd want to call even earlier for toddlers, however.

So, what is my final verdict? I'm actually not certain. I plan to swing by the center sometime in December to give it a look-see and determine if its safe, wonderful and, ultimately, worth the cost. I'll be certain to report my findings here and in the meanwhile, I'll keep searching. Oh the lengths we mamas will go for our little ones. :)

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NYC Sample Sale: Mylo Dweck Maternity

I know, why don't we have any awesome sample sales in Queens?! It looks like this one will be worth a trip to the city, though. Check it out!

From LazarShopping.com:

Mylo Dweck Maternity Sample Sale
November 10-11
T 8-7 W 8-6
720 Fifth Avenue
(Entrance on 56 Street) 10 Floor
917.402.7847

Attention all pregnant girls. Mylo Dweck Maternity, the trendy maternity hot spot, is having their 2 day Fall & Winter clearance and sample sale with prices up to 70% off. Designers featured here include Michael Stars, Velvet, Seven & Paige Jeans, Olian, Maternal America and so many more. Find great sweaters for $40, coats from $70, dresses for $50 and more! You’ll want to get there early. This sale is always a sell out.

American Express, Mastercard, Visa and cash accepted.

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Product Recall: ALL Maclaren Strollers

From the Baby Bargains website:

Breaking news: Maclaren plans to recall 1 million strollers---all its production between 1999 and 2009---after receiving 12 reports of hinges on the stroller that amputated children's fingertips. The company will send out a cover for the hinges to all owners.

The CPSC and Maclaren will issue a press release in the recall this Tuesday; Maclaren began notifying its dealers of the recall in the past couple of days.

Here is the take-home message until the recall is official:

• Stop using all Maclaren strollers right now---yes, every model made since 1999.

• When the recall goes public on Tuesday, order a hinge cover from Maclaren's web site or phone line. (Note: the web site is not live yet as of this writing).

• Wait until you install the hinge cover before using the stroller again.

We will blogging updates on this recall as they develop this week. Click here to read updates:

http://baby411.typepad.com/babybargains/2009/11/recall-massive-maclaren-stroller-recall-coming-this-tuesday.html

Stay tuned,
Denise & Alan Fields
authors, BABY BARGAINS

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Website Review: Kids.Woot

Wow, sorry for the hiatus in posting! I got hit with a nasty cold that knocked me on my (huge) pregnant ass until now. While I was resting, however, I heard of another great bargain site for kids that I must pass your way!

Kids.Woot is very similar to another favorite site of mine, MamaBargains.com. Every day at 12am, a new discounted children's product goes on sale until it sells out. Today they're offering a Lamaze baby gym for only $29.99 + $5 shipping. So, go ahead, add this website to your daily site-stalking list!

By the way, there are other Woot discount sites that might be up your alley:

• The original Woot offers daily electronics deals
• Wine.Woot offers wine deals
• Shirt.Woot offers--you guessed it--shirt deals
  

Happy shopping!

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