Archive for the ‘Baby Needs’ Category

Potty Training: A Sad Farewell

Monday, October 12th, 2009

For about a month now, our toddler has been conquering the world of using a toilet.  It happened quite naturally without any real planning on our part.  She woke up one morning and decided she didn’t want to pee in her diaper so we rushed out to get her underwear.  Since then, anytime we’re home she’s in undies and uses the toilet like a pro (knock on wood).  We’ve even had success with the dreaded number two.

I’m a proud mama but also a sad mama.  I know you must think I’m crazy but yes I’m sad to see the diapers go.  Not because I love tackling my toddler in the parking lot of the zoo/supermarket/playground to change her but because it means we won’t have a reason to use  Earth Mama Angel Baby’s Bottom Balm on her.  I discovered this balm about a month after Dessa was born.  I had just started reading about how harmful some products can be and went on a massive shopping spree to “green” our lives.  This little balm fit the bill and smelled a gazillion times better than anything else I’d tried.  Kelly sold it to me that first day and now she knows to warn me if they’re running low so I can stock up!  We’ve used it religiously on her since then.  It has been amazing; neither of our girls have ever had a diaper rash.

Where some people associate the sweet smell of Johnson and Johnson baby lotion with roly, poly baby thighs and soft baby skin, for me it’s the Bottom Balm that screams baby.  I’m going to admit here that I sometimes open up the jar just to take a whiff.  It’s such a silly thing, really.  But I’m glad we’ve got another little one in the house who I can still use this balm on.  After our littlest one is potty trained I don’t know what I’ll do.  Maybe I’ll stockpile some for when they’re in college and I miss having my babies around.

What scent reminds you of having a cuddly baby in your arms?

On a separate note, if you’ve got any tips for conquering public restrooms, please share.  I’m a germ-a-phobe so if it were up to me she’d wear diapers in public forever!

~Carla~

Bellani Maternity and Whole Foods Cranston team up!

Monday, October 5th, 2009

Are you interested in learning how to make your own baby food? Do you
already make your own baby food, but would like to learn new
techniques and ways to incorporate multiple flavors and textures? If
so, Join Kelly LaChance Guertin and Shannon Giorgio from Bellani
Maternity on October 29th to learn more from this exciting workshop.
Topics covered will include: which foods to always buy organic, ways
to add consistency as a child gets older, keeping food fun and
nutritionally beneficial to your child. Bring questions, and get ready
to roll up your sleeves, we will be making baby food on site! You will
leave with recipes, coupons and more. Be prepared to take baby food to
new heights!  Class is at 6 pm, please call Bellani to register, 401-234-1279.

Monday Morning Coffee Talk

Monday, September 14th, 2009

Good morning from Las Vegas. We scoured the convention center for the past 9 hours. This is the most exciting year yet! Some highlights on what we are bringing back:

Sunshine Kids, Radian Car Seats: You know we love these car seats at Bellani. As car seat techs, Kelly and I havesuperlatch_installation-rgb installed every brand of car seats out there. The Radian 65, 80 and XT are by far our favorite. We learned today about SUPER LATCH. What is it you ask? Super Latch takes the latch system to a whole other level. Instead of only having one anchor, Super Latch actually has three. The weight on it was truly impressive. Most cars are rated for latch until a certain weight…ie: Toyota may only hold a child in latch until 48 lbs at which time you will have to uninstall your car seat and reinstall using the seat belt. The new SUPER LATCH in all 2010 Radian Car Seats will enable you to use latch up till 80 lbs, no matter what car you drive! We are expecting all the 2010 Radian car seats to be arriving at Bellani 10 -1 -09. There are new colors for the XT and the 80. The 65 will have the same three colors. We are accepting pre-orders for the show now. Order while we are here in Vegas (until Wednesday) and receive 5% off your car seat! Call Bellani to reserve yours!

innopDo you Pack Smart? You can with Innobaby products. This is a product we have looked at every year we have been at ABC yet it never caught our attention until this year. What you might recognize is the Packin’ Smart all-in-one storage solution. It lets you stack and connect up to 5 containers together. Need to take cheerios, dried fruit, juice and other items with you? No problem. You can have it all in one place. After the baby food, use it for ribbon, pom pom (yes, I said pom poms) and any other craft item. You can also use it for powdered formula and liquids. What other product can you do that with?

innoBeing a Lactaion Counselor, this has to be my favorite product I saw today. It again is from Innobaby. It’s called Nursin Smart. The entire bottle is made of silicone. There is no plastic or glass. It is super light weight and break-proof. The bottle significantly reduces nipple confusion and provides a similar breastfeeding experience. The nipple actually moves in and out while the baby is sucking on it. It is much softer then your traditional nipple. The next item is the Spoon Feeder which is perfect for babies who refuse to take the bottle, babies for preemies and with cleft palates. I have had two lactation appointments in the last week where this would have been priceless to you. It’s like using a baby cup, but so much easier. Especially when it is 2:00 am and you haven’t slept in days.

Last product from this company, I promise. We hear a lot of customers ask us what to store their children’s food in. After making baby food their are great silicone trays to use, but how about storing freshly made food in the fridge or the strawberries you just cut up for your toddler. Innobaby has come out with Keepin Fresh. Airtight, leak proof GLASS containers. They come in Stage 1 up to 90 ml, or Stage 2 up to 110 ml. This is a great solution for storing all that wonderful food. Sorry there is no picture available, but they will be arriving at Bellani soon.

While strolling through the Modern Child section of the ABC Kids Show we ran into a new/old friend, Jessica Kim from BabbaCover. We first heard of BabbaCo when a new mom walked through Bellani doors with the cutest Infant Car Seat Cover I had ever seen. This fleece and flannel cover sat over the seat entirely. There were window flaps in the front and the back, side cargo pockets that can hold keys, wipes, pacifiers and such, and it really stayed in place! Every time this particular customer was in the store more than one customer would ask where she found it. Jessica is her friend from college, and what does any good friend do when they make baby products and their friend has a baby, but send her one. There is no doubt that it is really cute, and will draw lots of attention to your car seat, and keep germs away from your child. Is this something that we should add to the Bellani repertoire? Retail cost would be $86.00 and we would bring in this print in both Green and Pink.

Man, BumGenius/Cotton Babies is one amazing company. Started with just $100 seven years ago this brand has grown into quite the presence. The innovation hasn’t stopped this year. Cotton Babies is releasing the new Flip one-size cloth diaper system to retailers on January 1, 2010. This diapering system allows you to use any one (or two) of three possible inserts! The Flip is a one-size cover, working from 8-35 lbs that you can add a Stay-Dry insert to, this allows your baby to feel dry, while still being very absorbent, like a BumGenius 3.0. If you would prefer to keep Organic Cotton against your baby’s bottom, you could use the Flip Cover with a one-size organic insert that is made of the same 100% organic cotton that we have come to love from the BumGenius Organic All-in-One One-Size Diaper. Last, but certainly not least, the Flip will also have a One-Size Disposable Insert available, this is a dye-free, fragrance-free disposable insert that you could use while traveling, or for daycare, or if baby has a diaper rash and we need a good barrier! The Flip will retail with one of the two reusable inserts, either the Organic Cotton or the Stay Dry, $19.99 or $16.95 respectively. The disposable inserts will be $4.95 for an 18 pack. There is also an option for a Day Pack, 2 covers and 6 inserts, the total cost for the pack will be $49.95 for the Stay-Dry Liners, and $59.95 for the Organic Cotton. Bellani will begin accepting pre-orders tomorrow, September 14, 2009. Almost forgot, this will be in three colors, Zinnia, Ribbit, and Moonbeam.

Good night all or good morning,

Kelly & Shannon