No, not just because they have cool names...ok maybe partly..

But I could not live without:

Bumbo ortha-seat for kiddies

Kiddapotamus- a swaddling blanket with velcro and wings (have tried other types, they all failed dismally compared to the mighty Kiddapotamus which can succesfully hold my very active, very kicky 6 month old who still thinks h ought to be swaddled)

Bubzilla 1 piece baby sling- fits in your handbag, you buy it in your clothing size so it fits your body properly and does not slip, baby can be in all different positions up to 3 years old where they are held on your hip wthout putting your back out. Cannot rave enough about this product- would recommend to anyone, especially fellow 'tricky back' sufferers. And my bub loves being in it.

I was searching for something totally unrelated and found this site. It's a forum where people complain/compliment companies for thier customer service etc. Just thought it might be of use to others here in minti-land!! I found it quite interesting.

http://www.speakyourmind.com.au/default.asp

 

I am really dissapointed witha company called Premium Nappies in Melbourne. I recently contacted them about the nappy mates and postage costs to brisbane. They initially quoted me $8.75 freight to my postcode, just north of brisbane. Then when I went to order them they told me it was going to be $50.80 I am really disgusted in them. SO the get a great big thumbs down.

This is the first email they sent me

RE: delivery costs‎ From: Premium Nappies and Adult Care (sales@premiumnappies.com.au) Sent: Monday, 2 July 2007 11:19:31 AM To: 'Fran XXXXX' (XXXXXX@hotmail.com) .ExternalClass P {padding-right:0px;padding-left:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;} .ExternalClass {font-size:10pt;font-family:Tahoma;} Hi Frances,   The delivery cost from Melbourne to Narangba 4504 is $8.75 for the carton of Bebes Nappy Mates to be sent to you.   Kind Regards,
Premium Nappies Pty Ltd

And the follow up email

RE: order request‎ From: Premium Nappies and Adult Care (sales@premiumnappies.com.au) Sent: Monday, 16 July 2007 11:18:34 AM To: 'Fran XXXX' (XXXXX@hotmail.com) .ExternalClass P {padding-right:0px;padding-left:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;} .ExternalClass {font-size:10pt;font-family:Tahoma;} Hello Mrs XXXXXXX,   We are happy to send you a carton of the Nappy Mates to your home address, but as we are in Melbourne Victoria, delivery charges to your area would be $20.00 plus the cost of goods via courier. So Total for goods and delivery would be $50.80.   Please let us know if you would still like to proceed with your order and we can send you direct deposit details via email.   Thanks   Premium Nappies Pty Ltd

(I have removed certain details like the email address I used and my surname for privacy reasons, and so no creepy email scammers can get my addy!)

 

I brought a great medicine dispenser from the chemist the other day. Unfortunately someone threw out the packaging so I don't have the brand of it. But it has a syringe (ok so not so woopie doo) and a device that fits inside the neck of the medicine bottle so you can tip it upside down and get the exact amount needed. The same way that the nurofen bottles are set up. But the adapter is ribbed and cone shaped so will fit fit into bottles of all sizes. It cost about 8 bucks.

the fischer price laugh and learn learning home is fantastic we got it at kmart on special and my son loves it he drops the balls down the rain spout posts mail (or his foot and sometimes closes the mail box on his dads hands lol) plays with the door lights and just has a ball, our friends kids like to play with it too when they come over.

My 9month old is doing the commando crawl thing and sitting up on his own etc.  I wanted to buy him some age appropriate toys to encourage all his new tricks.  I found a Plastic Blue Monkey, (cant remember its real name) It has wheels on the bottom (which stop if he falls over) and his arms are on spreings.  What he does is, runs away when he you touch his arm and he makes fun music.  The theory is that the baby will chase him around the room encouraging him to crawl.. My little fella loves bashing this monkey and if he manages to stay on his wheels and runs away my son chases him so he can bash him again.

I purchased this when our Childcare folding bedrail was left somewhere on the Gold Coast on holiday last year.  I put it together then slid it onto the mattress.  There was a gap of a couple of inches between the mattress and bedrail due to the folding mechanism and I decided to tell people with small babies not to buy it as their baby would slide through it.  After having it a few months my daughter at nearly 3 slid through it and was stuck with her back to the mattress and her chest jammed against the frame of the bedrail. She was unable to breathe and it was only that I found her when I did that no damage was done.  I'm a mother who co-slept for the first 2 years and now still will check her out throughout the night which is just lucky or I could have woken in the morning to have a dead child.  I took it to the company I bought it from and showed it to them. Their response was that as it was put together properly and meets Australian Safety Standards there was to be no refund or exchange! I rang the manufacturer and ACCC all to no avail unless I want to fight it through court. I would have in any severe damage was caused to my daughter but as it was I checked on her at about 8:30 and she was near the wall side of her bed, I checked on her at 9:30 before going to bed and she was stuck so she wasn't left for long anyway.

The Childcare bedrail that folds like a Porta-cot and has it's own little travel case is the best thing I've ever bought and I bought another one soon after the bedrail incident, although I did have to save up for it because I had already spent $60 on the first one then $70 on the second one and had to get a third for another $60.  As a single mum, that's a lot of dough!

So if you are in the market for a bed rail, I would recommend the Childcare brand, especially if you travel on holidays like we enjoy doing.  They fold right up and fit in a suitcase but when unfolded extend to more than half the length of the bed.

I have been having a little problem with my two eldes having a bath, when shopping the other day I bought two products that I give a big rate to.  My kids now are asking for their bath at night and get very excited the trouble I have now is getting them out.

The first product  is Willy's Bath Colours they are little coloured tablets red, yellow and blue, you pop them in the bath and the water changes colour.  They are safe and non-toxic they do not stain the bath, walls or tiles or the kids!!!  Mix the tablets to make other fun colours.

The second is Johnson's Kids Super Sudzer, its an easy grip soap bar that the kids can use to wash themselves.

Does anyone have any favorites or advice regarding stroller systems or strollers for newborns? This little one will be my first and I am a little overwhelmed by all the stuff out there.

I bought one of these the other day in the baby section of woolies.  It's fantastic!!!  I put ice in it to help him with the teething and I put food in it at the dinner table so he can get used to new flavours.  He loves the ice best and he likes to bash things with it.  I know, technically its not a toy but he thinks it is!  They are only $6!  total bargain!

this is a great toy, we bought it for my 8mth old and she loves it, even my older two girls play with it

it plays different tunes and helps to learn ABC'S and counting and body parts very educational, 10/10

We got this for the kids for Christmas, they have played with it constantly, I think it was $145, only from Toys R Us stores.  It comes with a cover and of course the umbrella, little boats and spade.

 

I would like to give this a big rate.......

$69.95

When Christmas was approaching all Shy wanted was a kitten. We have 2 cats that are older and 2 dogs as well. We were going to get her a kitten but I was not too keen on a kitty litter tray again or toilet training another cat. Plus the added expenses of feeding and caring for it right now. So we decided on a fureal pet cat for her and it was the best decision ever. She is loving it very much it sits there and when patted it meows and blinks its eyes and then starts purring. It lies down and sits as well. If you scratch its cheek it purrs contently. on its chest it also enjoys that but stand on its tail or pull it and it hisses at you and growls. It eyes blink when active and when it meows or hisses its mouth moves. I think this is a great idea even for people who live in a rental and can not have a cat so their kids can enjoy a close enough one any way. Great investment Shy got what she wanted her own kitty and we do not have to worry about vet bills or feeding this one. hehe

fureal cat   Sasha                                                                     shy and Sasha

Cheers
Angie

We brought this for Amy as one of her main presents for christmas (she has the large white house) she adores it and has already made a start on decorating it with her crayons and paints, it was a bit of a challenge putting it together but it was also christmas eve so we were a bit flustered.

Amy on Christmas morning in her little cardboard playhouse

My sister in law bought these

and they tear really easy.  I give

then a thumbs down.

My son just had a birthdya last week and he recieved a really neat toy that I thought I would share with you all.

It is called TOMY Thomas Big Loader Toy set.  It is for ages 3 and up becaus eit comes with small coal balls that the child could swallow.  My son loves this toy and watches it go for a long time.  He is only two but doesn't place objects in his mouth.  He just likes to watch the trains work. 

I tryed to get a picture of it but it wont allow me to upload it, so here is a websit you can see it at.

http://www.allaboardtoys.com/thomas_the_tank_engine_train_and_friends/tomy/tomy_train_sets/tomy_thomas_big_loader_toy_set.asp

After having my daughter by ceaser we purchased a Babyhood Cuddle bed.  There are a few other names for these as well...It is a small mattress with what looks like a swimming noodle around it.  It is all enclosed in a pretty material and the idea is so that you can put baby safe in this little bed and they cannot roll out.
I had seen them in magazines but had never seen one anywhere else.
When my baby was born I was quite sick and unable to look after her properly or lift her.
She refused a conventional bassinet.
We placed this snuggle bed into her cot and shed feel totally secure.  In the morning my husband would take her out and place her on our bed beside me still in her bed and off he'd go to work.  Because of the noodle shaped sides I was not able to roll on her or she out of it while I was sleeping.
We were able to put it into her porta cot or on the couch or on the lounge room floor or wherever we went or were.  It cost us $80 to buy and was the best investment we made.
Now that she is older we have taken the mattress out and use it for a  pad for her physio or massage.   Once she is even older we will give it to her to use as a little seat to lie on the floor obviously with her legs  over the end...and later on a cute bed for her dolls. 

http://www.babiesgalore.com.au/show_product_search.php?searchtype=category&categoryid=82&start=8
The price on the site is nowhere near what we paid at our local baby store so look around before buying.
They have a lot of different names depending on who produces them.  
Our brand was a babyhood.  The fiber it is made out of is baby safe and allows air to circulate through the underneath to help keep baby cooler.

This link has a picture of one to give you an idea.
They are lightweight and fantastic

*****
Luv Deb

Another little review I've written on the game Cariboo - it helps youngsters learn colors, shapes, counting and letters.  What more could you ask for?

Wrote a little positive review of these neat little magnetic acrobats!

Please go to this link:

http://www.hasbro.co.uk/recall.asp

My nephew was brought this for his birthday from Asda, I don't know if they have put out a recall but Hasbro have so please check this link out as there have been 2 incidents of children choking.