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Top 5 Best Sterilizers | 2018 Reviews

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Top 5 Best Sterilizers | 2018 Reviews

There’s probably no chore that can take the glow out of having a new baby in the house faster than having to wash and sterilize her bottles. You can do it several times a day or you can let them pile up for days and do them all at once – but either way, it’s definitely a buzz kill every time you have to put your gorgeous newborn down and go slave over those never-ending bottles. And if you’re out of town visiting the in-laws or your parents, it’s even worse (unless they’re so excited about the baby that they volunteer to do all of the dirty work).

Cheer up and look at the bright side: sterilizing baby bottles used to be even more of a tedious job when you had to boil them (which didn’t really sterilize them anyway). Today, we have the choice of electric sterilizers, microwave sterilizers and UV (ultraviolet light) sterilizers, all of which make the chore a lot more bearable and a lot less time-consuming.

Electric and microwave units each make use of hot steam to kill all of the nasty bacteria and germs that can find their way into baby bottles; many units can handle multiple bottles at once (taking care of that depressing sight of dirty bottles lined up on the countertop), and some electric ones will even clean, dry and deodorize the bottles while they’re being sterilized. UV may be the future, but it’s expensive and most units will only sterilize the nipples.

It’s easy for first-time moms to overlook the need to completely sterilize and disinfect their baby’s bottles, since most of the dishes we use as adults come out of the dishwasher just fine. But bottle sterilizers are one of the most important purchases you can make when you have an infant to take care of, and unlike most baby accessories, even high-end sterilizers are pretty easy on the wallet.

Here’s our rundown of the top 5 best sterilizers you can buy; we’ll include choices from all three categories of sterilizer to give you a good range of choices.

You may also want to check our comprehensive Baby Bottle Sterilizer Buying Guide.

Quick Comparison Table

Philips AVENT 3-in-1 Electric Steam Sterilizer

Wabi Baby Electric Steam Sterilizer and Dryer Plus

Munchkin Steam Guard Microwave Sterilizer

Philips AVENT Microwave Steam Sterilizer

UviCube UV Sterilizer, Sanitizer and Dryer

Omron 10 Series Wireless Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor with Cuff
Wabi Baby Electric Steam Sterilizer and Dryer Plus
Munchkin Steam Guard Microwave Sterilizer
Philips AVENT Microwave Steam Sterilizer
There’s one thing we have to get out of the way before we go into any details on the UviCube: $300. The good news is that for that price, you can sanitize almost anything you can think of in this unit, including toothbrushes, sponges toys, smartphones, and other electronics.

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

Electric steam

Electric steam

Microwave

Microwave

UV

6 bottles

8 bottles

4 bottles

4 bottles

10 bottles

Philips AVENT 3-in-1 Electric Steam Sterilizer

Philips AVENT 3-in-1 Electric Steam Sterilizer

The most popular type of sterilizer is electric, and the best electric sterilizer is the AVENT 3-in-1. This unit is compact so it won’t take up much space in your kitchen after you plug it in (it’s the size of about two large soda bottles), but it can handle six standard bottles or fewer wide-necked ones. You should be aware, though, that it will not fit eight-ounce natural flow bottles like the ones from Dr. Brown, or stainless steel bottles. The “3-in-1” in the name refers to the fact that you can separate the modules that make up the machine. For example, in order to sterilize smaller items like nipples and pacifiers you can just use the removable compartment at the top or use the bottom compartment for breast pumps, plates and accessories.

Unfortunately, the “3-in-1” doesn’t refer to the three functions we’d hope to see in this sterilizer: sterilizing, drying and disinfecting. The AVENT doesn’t dry your bottles for you, instead requiring you to leave them in the unit for a long period of time to let them dry naturally. Of course, you can take them out and dry them by hand – but then they’re no longer sterile, are they? The compartment does shut off automatically and then keep the bottles sterile for up to 24 hours while they dry, so the news isn’t all bad, but that does take some of the glow off the fact that it only takes the AVENT six minutes to do its primary work.

And it does that work well. The high-pressure, high-temperature steam unit gets hotter than a dishwasher and kills 99.9% of germs (well, that’s what all of the manufacturers say, we didn’t actually measure it ourselves for any of these units) through the same process used by hospitals to sterilize their medical equipment. One important note: this sterilizer, like many steam models, is prone to developing a buildup of caramelized milk solids after a while. It’s necessary to soak it in a vinegar and water solution to descale it every so often to get rid of the stain, so the gunk doesn’t get into the bottles.

The AVENT 3-in-1 only weighs about a pound so it’s easy to pack and take to grandma’s house, or move around the kitchen if you need extra counter space for baby’s bath. We think it’s a valuable addition to a home that has just welcomed an even more valuable human addition, at a reasonable price of around $50.

Details of the Philips AVENT 3-in-1 Electric Steam Sterilizer

Style

Electric steam

Capacity

6 standard sized 11-ounce bottles

Other functions besides sterilization

None

Run time

6 minutes

Automatic shut-off

Yes

Weight

1 pound

Size

6 x 11 x 14 inches

Warranty

Two years

Wabi Baby Electric Steam Sterilizer and Dryer Plus

Wabi Baby Electric Steam Sterilizer and Dryer Plus

This is another great electric sterilizer; its big advantage is that it does some of the things the AVENT doesn’t, but its disadvantages are that it’s not quite as convenient to use and it’s double the price. We’d really rank the two products 1 and 1a if we had that option, but instead we’ll just leave you with that disclaimer and let you choose between the two.

What the Wabi Baby does that’s so attractive is dry the bottles with hot air after they’ve been sterilized with hot steam. Sterilization takes longer than in the AVENT, 15 minutes or so, but the selectable drying time of 30, 45 or 60 minutes means your bottles are completely ready for use in an hour or so. The design of this sterilizer lets you leave bottles in the unit for short-term storage as well, running a 10-minute drying function every three hours to keep them completely dry over a half-day period. We’re not quite sure how useful that is since we simply remove bottles when they’re done, but apparently many people feel that it’s a nice feature.

There are several other electronic goodies programmed into the Wabi Baby, including a memory setting which lets you push one button to repeat the last sterilization/drying program you ran, a countdown timer, and one-button descaling once you’ve put vinegar or citric acid into the machine. This sterilizer is bigger than the AVENT and will hold eight standard bottles (or six wide-necked ones), but that means it’s going to take up a larger footprint on your counter and isn’t quite as convenient to move around. There’s an included rack to let you sterilize and dry small plates, breast pumps or other items; either way, this unit is very easy to load and unload.

If you want to spend the extra $50 for the drying function (or if your preferred bottles won’t fit into the AVENT), the Wabi Baby is the electric sterilizer to buy.

Details of the Wabi Baby Electric Steam Sterilizer and Dryer Plus

Style

Electric steam

Capacity

8 standard sized 11-ounce bottles

Other functions besides sterilization

Yes, Drying

Run time

15 minutes for sterilizing, 30-60 minutes for drying

Automatic shut-off

Yes

Weight

5 pounds

Size

12 x 12 x 10 inches

Warranty

One year limited

Munchkin Steam Guard Microwave Sterilizer

Munchkin Steam Guard Microwave Sterilizer

We’re a bit old-fashioned. For example, we never use the microwave for something that’s better done on the stove or in the oven. It’s not a matter of being “afraid” of microwaves, it’s just that microwaves are primarily designed to cut corners and save time, rather than to do something the proper way. For that reason, we weren’t sure about the whole idea of sterilizing bottles in a microwave – but we quickly discovered that bottle sterilization in the microwave works well, particularly when you’re not at home and don’t want to drag a large sterilizer with you.

The best microwave sterilizer we’ve found is this unit from Munchkin which weighs about a pound and can be taken anywhere. It’s also larger in size than many competitors, so it’s able to fit as many as four 9-ounce bottles plus nipples (if you arrange everything carefully). It’s even better for smaller 4-5 ounce bottles, which may be what you’d take with you the road anyway.

The Munchkin Steam Guard is easy to use. You just add water to the designated line on the unit, lock it tight, and microwave it for the length of time specified in the directions (the time varies by the power of the microwave you’re using, but it’s usually about four minutes). Let it sit for a couple of minutes, and you’ve got sterilized (but not fully-dried) bottles ready to use. The sterilizer will fit in all standard-sized microwaves and comes with tongs to help you remove the hot bottles when you’re done.

We’re not sure that we’d prefer microwave over electric sterilization as a permanent approach – but that’s just because we’re old fashioned. This is a great option for traveling, though, and for a lot of people it may be a better way to go than taking up space on their counter with yet another appliance. The $15 price certainly makes it worth checking out, whichever category you fall into.

Details of the Munchkin Steam Guard Microwave Sterilizer

Style

Microwave

Capacity

4 standard sized 9-ounce bottles plus accessories

Other functions besides sterilization

None

Run time

Approximately 4 minutes for sterilizing plus 2 minutes standing time

Automatic shut-off

N/A

Weight

1.3 pounds

Size

12 x 11 x 6 inches

Warranty

Information not available

Philips AVENT Microwave Steam Sterilizer

Philips AVENT Microwave Steam Sterilizer

The AVENT microwave version of their sterilizer works in almost exactly the same way as the Munchkin. It’s a smidge larger so you might be able to fit an extra bottle into it (Philips says the capacity is four 9-ounce bottles or two 11-ounce ones, which seems about right) and costs a few bucks more. But once you’ve placed (or crammed) your bottles, nipples or breast pump into the sterilizer, you add water, microwave for the specified amount of time, and open it up a couple of minutes later. As with the Munchkin, you can also leave the container closed to keep the bottles sterile for as long as 24 hours.

All of the sterilizers we’ve looked at are BPA-free and fine for use with your baby supplies, and we really didn’t find anything to argue for choosing either the Munchkin or the AVENT. How did we decide which to list higher on our rankings of the top 5 best sterilizers? We flipped a coin, because either one will do the job nicely.

Details of the Philips AVENT Microwave Steam Sterilizer

Style

Microwave

Capacity

4 standard sized 9-ounce bottles plus accessories

Other functions besides sterilization

None

Run time

Approximately 4 minutes for sterilizing plus 2 minutes standing time

Automatic shut-off

N/A

Weight

2.1 pounds

Size

12 x 11 x 7 inches

Warranty

Two years

UviCube UV Sterilizer, Sanitizer and Dryer

There’s one thing we have to get out of the way before we go into any details on the UviCube: $300. The good news is that for that price, you can sanitize almost anything you can think of in this unit, including toothbrushes, sponges toys, smartphones, and other electronics.

There’s one thing we have to get out of the way before we go into any details on the UviCube: $300. The good news is that for that price, you can sanitize almost anything you can think of in this unit, including toothbrushes, sponges toys, smartphones, and other electronics.

Why include such an expensive option on this list? Well, even though UV sanitizing may be the future of baby bottle care, the other models currently on the market are so small that all you can put into them are nipples, pacifiers and the like. The UviCube is the only one large enough to take a bottle – in fact, it can handle ten 8-ounce bottles easily.

If you’re interested enough to want to know more, there are two settings on this device. The ten-minute cycle sterilizes dry items, while the 45-minute cycle sterilizes for ten minutes and dries for 35 minutes. The UviCube uses 250 nm ultraviolet rays to effectively wipe out any germs or bacteria by destroying its DNA. The machine is UL rated, works great and dries as well as sterilizes. If you’ve got the coin to spend or you’re a germophobe who wants everything in your house sterile, it’s terrific. Otherwise, it’s probably too expensive for most parents.​

Details of the UviCube UV Sterilizer, Sanitizer and Dryer

Style

UV

Capacity

10 standard sized 8-ounce bottles plus accessories

Other functions besides sterilization

Drying

Run time

15 minutes for sterilizing, 45 for sterilizing and drying

Automatic shut-off

Yes

Weight

15 pounds

Size

14 x 12 x 15 inches

Warranty

One year

The post Top 5 Best Sterilizers | 2018 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.


Top 5 Most Useful Items for Twins | 2018 Reviews

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Top 5 Most Useful Items for Twins | 2018 Reviews

Are you expecting twins? Perhaps you already have a toddler and are expecting another one on the way? Whether you have twins or multiples, it is important that you choose baby gears that are designed for two kids. You would not want to have to lug two items with you when you can do with one, right?

But, what is the best and most useful baby stuff for twins that you should have at home? Beyond two sets of clothes, diapers, bottles and so on, there are also certain tools, equipment and furniture that will help life with twins or multiples much easier for the parents and the babies. (Having this arrangement also helps eliminate quarrels between the two kiddos when they grow older.)

Do you go out often or just love strolling outside for an afternoon walk? You might consider getting a stroller or a carrier! Of course, do not forget to bring a huge diaper bag to carry all their essentials! What must have baby items should breastfeeding moms have? We are definitely thinking about nursing pillows and rocking chairs that are designed for mommies with a kid in each arm.

It can be very tempting to purchase anything and everything that you think will make life comfortable for everyone but the truth is you do not really need a lot. So, if you are wondering what the most useful items for twins might be, check out our reviews for the most recommended products for twin mommies and daddies.

Quick Comparison Table

Baby Trend Sit N Stand Double Stroller

My Brest Friend Twins Plus Deluxe Nursing Pillows

Stuff 4 Multiples Twin Carrier Twingaroo

Skip Hop Duo Double Signature Diaper Bag

Baby Relax Double Rocker

Baby Trend Sit n Stand
My Brest Friend Twins Plus Deluxe Nursing Pillows
Stuff 4 Multiples Twingaroo Twin Baby Carrier
Skip Hop Duo Double Signature Diaper Bag
Baby Relax Double Rocker

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

39 pounds

2.2 pounds

2.4 pounds

Polyester

83 pounds

Baby Trend Sit N Stand Double Stroller

Baby Trend Sit N Stand Double

Whether you have twins of the same age, Irish twins or a toddler and a baby, this double stroller is the best purchase you will ever make that will make both yours (and your hubby’s) and your kiddos life more comfortable.

In our opinion, this Baby Trend Double Sit N Stand stroller is the best stroller for twins available in the market. Why so? It comes with in stadium seating which can accommodate two infant car seats at the same time. Finding a stroller that can do just that can be tough and we are glad to have found one. Did we also mention that it does not only accommodate the Flex Loc car seat but also the other brands? It might be a little difficult to deal with this kind of seating arrangement for same age kids but they are a more preferable arrangement for kids who are a few years apart.

Another reason we love this tandem stroller is that it can accommodate children in multiple positions: sitting, lying down, in car seats and even as a standing platform if there is an older child. The stroller comes with a very large basket to fit everything that you need when going out with two children and it also comes with two child trays and a parent tray, with cup holders each. The stroller also comes with two huge canopies that provide maximum coverage for the passengers which can both be removed if necessary.

Another reason that many parents love this stroller is that it is extremely easy to push and maneuver. In addition, it comes with a foot activated rear brake and can easily be folded and stored away with just one hand.

If there is just one baby item for twins that you can buy, it should be this sit and stand tandem stroller which we believe is the best in the market. It also comes with a very reasonable price so we are definitely placing this at the top spot.

You can also check other tandem strollers that you can use with twins or multiples.​

Details of the Baby Trend Sit N Stand Double Stroller

Weight

39 pounds

Dimensions

13.8 x 18.5 x 43 inches

Recommended Weight

5 pounds to 80 pounds, combined

My Brest Friend Twins Plus Deluxe Nursing Pillows

My Brest Friend Twins Plus Deluxe Nursing Pillows

Breastfeeding a baby can already be a pain and a huge challenge for moms, but what happens if there are two of them to take care of? Well, thankfully nursing pillows are not just designed for one kiddo because it has also been updated to become a baby gear for twins.

What we really love about this nursing pillow is that it has been truly designed to help add support to a mom breastfeeding two kids at the same time. They are definitely perfect for use not just for kids of the same age but also Irish twins and those who have a gap of one to two years. It is perfect in that it comes with a wrap-around design that can be adjusted to fit most sizes. Even the back support can be adjusted to make the mom super comfortable during the entire time that she is breastfeeding her babies.

What else do we like about using these baby items for twins? It can be used to accommodate any type of breastfeeding position whether football, cross cradle or any other hold as long as it makes mom and the two kiddos comfortable. The aim of this nursing pillow is to help ensure that the kids are properly latched and positioned to their mom’s breasts so that they can get the most milk and that the mom does not get hurt in the process, even when breastfeeding two kids at the same time. You do not even need a lot of help getting one baby on and then the other on the other side because they will not roll over.

And, it certainly knows that moms can get bored when breastfeeding so it comes with a small pouch on the side which can fit small items like a phone or tablet and a small water bottle. It is such a big help for twin mommies and is definitely cheaper than the other brands so it deserves to be at the second position in our list.

Details of the My Brest Friend Twins Deluxe Nursing Pillows

Weight

2.2 pounds

Dimensions

27 x 22 x 6 inches

Recommended Weight

16 ounces to 25 pounds

Stuff 4 Multiples Twin Carrier Twingaroo

Stuff 4 Multiples Twingaroo Twin Baby Carrier

Wearing your babies and taking them very close to you, wherever you go, is a wonderful experience that you should never miss having with your kids especially when they are very small. But, what happens when you have twins? Well, we sure are very glad that there is a baby carrier made just for twins.

When you go shopping for twins, make sure to include this Twingaroo twin baby carrier which is the first of its kind, allowing two kids at the same time to be carried hands-free. While the positioning of the babies is not something some parents like (with one kid at the back and another one in front), not having both babies in front means that there is a lesser chance of hurting your back or hips.

Even better, this twin carrier also comes with a built-in diaper bag so you do not have to lug yet another bag – remember, you already have two kiddos with you! The diaper bag comes with two insulated bottle holders and compartments to place in diapers, clothes and a few other essentials for twins. We do love that it comes with wide padded waistbands so that the weight is properly distributed and that the carrier itself is made from 100% cotton so it will not hurt even the most sensitive skin. The seats are also wide enough to properly support the baby and keep them in an ergonomic and comfortable position.

As this type of twin baby products is not yet very common, using it might take some getting used to especially since there are a lot of straps and buckles to deal with. You might even have to ask for someone else’s help to get your babies inside the carrier. Even more, you might need some assistance to get items out of the diaper bag as it will be very difficult to get it by yourself. Because of this, we will have to place this one at the third spot in the list.

Check out our Top 5 Best Twin Carrier Reviews here​.

Details of the Stuff 4 Multiples Twin Carrier Twingaroo

Weight

2.4 pounds

Dimensions

11.9 x 9.8 x 5 inches

Recommended Weight

10 to 35 pounds each

Skip Hop Duo Double Signature Diaper Bag

Skip Hop Duo Double Signature Diaper Bag

When it comes to newborn must haves, your list is never complete without adding the diaper bag. And, when you have twins you most definitely need something that can take twice the regular load. Surely, you would not want something that will fall apart in the middle of your errands, right?

Enter the Skip Hop Double Diaper Bag which is by far the best diaper bag for twins that we have found in the market. If you are a mom of twins, multiples or just one who simply over packs the diaper bag because you want everything with you, then this is the best diaper bag to keep you company during errands and trips with your little ones.

What we love about this bag is that it is truly designed for parents with at least two kids. It is wide and huge inside and is best used on a side by side stroller. You can stuff it in with all the essentials for two kiddos and perhaps a little bit more without worrying about it looking overstuffed or bursting at the seams. We all know that Skip Hop products are made with durable material and it certainly looks and feels more superior compared to the cheaper brands. It will definitely last a long time so it is a worthy investment to make.

We would have also been discouraged as it was indicated that it can only be used on tandem side by side strollers but it does fit regular and inline strollers that have at least 18 inches width. Perhaps our main gripe to this wonderful product is that even though it comes with such a huge storage size and even has 16 pockets to fill in, not one of them are insulated for bottles. The bag is also not waterproof which can be a major hassle. For this reason, we will have to bring this one down to the fourth place.

Check out our Top 5 Best Baby Changing Bags Reviews here​.

Details of the Skip Hop Duo Double Signature Diaper Bag

Material

Polyester

Dimensions

19 x 4.25 x 13 inches

Number of Pockets

16

Baby Relax Double Rocker

Baby Relax Double Rocker

Ahhh…relaxing with twins. Is that even possible? It actually is possible if you are equipped with the right tools and products such as this twin baby furniture.

Wider than a regular rocker, this double rocker allows you to sit comfortably and even relax while you are with two of your little ones. This means that you can easily go breastfeed your babies, rock them to sleep or, when they get older, just cuddle and spend time with them. It is definitely the perfect place to curl up with your children as you read stories and prepare to get them into bed.

What made us fall in love with this product is that it is made of such sturdy and durable construction that we were pretty confident it could manage the weight of its passengers, even as the children grow bigger. It has solid wood rocker feet so we know it will last quite a long time. As for the chair itself, it is made from 100% polyester fabric and comes in a two-toned welting to give it a modern and upscale look. If you have a house with a contemporary design (and even if you do not, actually) this furniture is the perfect piece to add into it. The rocker chair is also plush and is very comfortable to sit on, with its padded seats and back.

While we love nearly everything about this double rocker, we were not quite thrilled that it did not give a lot of “rock” especially when placed on carpeted surfaces (tiled surfaces are much better, though). It also tends to keep on slipping backward so you might have to move it every so often. It should also be noted that this chair provides just enough space to sit for when breastfeeding twin babies or when nursing an infant and having a toddler beside you. It will not be a good idea to have two adults sit on it together as it will be a very difficult situation.

This double rocker is certainly wonderful considering the price point but after weighing all the pros and cons, we will have to place this one at the bottom of the list.

Details of the Baby Relax Double Rocker

Weight

83 pounds

Assembled Dimensions

55.75 x 35 x 17.25 inches

Colors

Beige and Dark Taupe

Conclusion

Who knew shopping for twins can be this exhausting? Well, it certainly is twice the effort than when you go looking for newborn must haves for just a single baby. Then again, parents will do anything for their babies, right?

If you are on a budget (and, really, even if you are not), try to pick what you think are the most essential items that you and your twins will need and will use for many years. It can be very tempting to purchase everything but doing so will often just end up throwing the items in the trash. That would be such a waste!​

The post Top 5 Most Useful Items for Twins | 2018 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Top 5 Best Toy Storages | 2018 Reviews

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Top 5 Best Toy Storages | 2018 Reviews

Kids are pretty much always all over the place, and so are their toys. Toys which could range from various sized Lego pieces, to huge Teddy bears and all of them take up a lot of space in their rooms. As parents, it is our duty to make sure that our kids’ toys are properly tucked away to avoid injuries and other mishaps. The problem lies in where to properly store them, you probably have a separate cabinet for toys, or some prefer to put it inside bins under their children’s beds.

But we still find that there is always room for chaos to happen. It could be because the cabinet’s area may be difficult to reach for your kids, or the doors they needed to open are kind of heavy or your little ones’ head frequently bumps on the bed while reaching for their toy bin. Whatever the reason is, the fact remains that making kids stash their toys away could be pretty difficult, which is why we came up with the best storage ideas for toys.

How to choose toy storages?

The key to remember in choosing the appropriate storage bins for toys is the ease of use. Your children should be able to independently place their toys inside the storage bins to make sure that the goal of keeping things where they should be is met. Ease of use, could include the size of the bin, and if your child can easily access it. It also includes how easy it is to manipulate for youngsters, are there knobs they need to pull or use, or just a pretty straightforward flap. And lastly, how much toys could it store?

You may also check out our Best Toy Storage Buying Guide.​

After figuring out how easy it is to use, we now review the design, since the users are your kids, the bins should catch their attention, and make them interested in using it. With these in mind, here are our top 5 choice of great toy storage bins.

Quick Comparison Table

Tot Tutors Kids' Toy Organizer With Storage Bins

Honey-Can-Do SRT-01603 Kids Toy Organizer

Delta Multi-Color Deluxe Toy Organizer

ECR4Kids 3-Tier Toy Storage Organizer 

ArtBin Store-In-Drawer Cabinet

Tot Tutors Kids Toy Organizer With Storage Bins
Honey-Can-Do SRT-01603 Kids Toy Organizer and Storage Bins
Delta Multi-Color Deluxe Toy Organizer with Storage Bins
ECR4Kids 3-Tier Toy Storage Organizer with 12 Bins
ArtBin Store-In-Drawer Cabinet White Art Craft Storage

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

24 Pounds

22 Pounds

18 Pounds

19 Pounds

19 Pounds

Wood

Wood, Plastic

Non-woven Fabric

Plastic

Plastic

Tot Tutors Kids' Toy Organizer With Storage Bins

Tot Tutors Kids Toy Organizer With Storage Bins

The Tot Tutor Kids’ toy organizer with bins is a great furniture to have inside your child’s room. With its 4-tier design and perfectly sized bins, available in small which is 8"w X 11.5"l X 5.5"d and large sizes at 11.5"w X 16.5"l X 5.5"d that would make it very easy for your little ones to take charge of keeping their toys.

There are a couple of things we like about this toy storage; first, it’s made out of wood. We are talking about the organizer as the bins are made of rugged plastic, both are durable, stable and are definitely built to handle a fair amount of toys, plus the frequent toy tossing of your kids. Second is that it’s just the right height for a 3 year old to reach even the top drawers, they would easily see the toys they have and be able to play with them and eventually keep them accordingly as well.

Also, unlike a cabinet, there are no knobs or any other parts that could be difficult to manipulate. In addition, the bins could be easily taken out of the organizer which is very useful if you have a ton of small toys that your kids love to play with but is a potential hazard if left on the floor unattended. The removable bins are also great for easy cleaning. When it comes to the color combination, we liked the multi-color better as it could promote a sorting activity, red are for toy cars, blue are for balls, etc. Best of all, the Tot Tutor Kids’ toy organizers are fairly easy to assemble, what’s not to love?

Details of the Tot Tutors Kids' Toy Organizer With Storage Bins

Dimension (in inches)

11"D x 34"W x 31"H

Weight

24 Pounds

Color

Brown, White, Multicolor

Suitable for

3 years old and up

Assembly Required

Yes

Material

Wood

Features

4-tier organizer with removable bins in rugged plastic, available in 2 sizes and 4 classic colors

Honey-Can-Do SRT-01603 Kids Toy Organizer and Storage Bins

Honey-Can-Do SRT-01603 Kids Toy Organizer and Storage Bins

The Honey-Can-Do SRT-01603 Kids Toy Organizer and Storage Bins comes in close second, also great because of its 4 tier design and heavy-duty plastic bins which is great for quick and easy cleaning, good for us parents and definitely a good to have furniture for kids playroom. Moreover, it has stain-resistant surfaces, so you won’t need to do heavy cleaning, just wipe with a piece of cloth and you’re good to go.

The Honey-Can-Do SRT-01603 Kids toy organizer has a natural wood finish but is actually made out of MDF board making it a little lighter than our previous choice, and the corners are rounded off to provide additional safety for kids who could be a little clumsy. Similar to the Tot Tutors’ Kids organizer the Honey Can do also has varying sizes of bins for easy sorting, you have 4 large bins measuring 16.25" x 11.75" x 5" and 8 smaller toy storage bins at 11.75" x 7.75" x 5". It also comes with a lifetime limited warranty, as a testament to its durability. Best of all, it’s also easy to assemble and the kids could even help out by making it into a little do-it-yourself project.

However, despite all of the lovable features of the Honey Can Do storage bins for toys, most people might not exactly be a fan of the colors that it comes in. The bins could also pose a bit of a problem as they do not sit perfectly on the organizer, they could probably get more support if they were made a little deeper.

Details of the Honey-Can-Do SRT-01603 Kids Toy Organizer and Storage Bins

Dimension (in inches)

12.5 x 33.3 x 36

Weight

22 Pounds

Color

Pastel

Suitable for

3 years old and up

Assembly Required

Yes

Material

Wood and Plastic

Features

Bright colored bins with varying sizes

Delta Multi-Color Deluxe Toy Organizer with Storage Bins

Delta Multi-Color Deluxe Toy Organizer with Storage Bins

The Delta Multi-Color Deluxe Toy Organizer offers 4 regular sized bins, three larger sized ones and 2 extra-large bins at the bottom. If you are having problems on how to store large toys, this toy storage can definitely help you out.

The top shelves are made out of fabric and is stretched between two wooden poles, ideal to keep toys that are light but may not fit the middle shelf. The extra-large canvas toy bins on the lower section sit perfectly on the floor for proper support should you need to store heavier toys, like remote controlled cars or wooden building blocks.

The sturdy wood construction is great to hold the right amount of toy that you need to keep, and the rugged canvas bins are also removable. However, note that the bins are made from non-woven fabric, and you wouldn’t want to get it dirty as it could be difficult to wash off, but they are replaceable. Being that said, we're pushing this product to third spot on the list.

Note that if you are planning to house an excessive amount of toys in this one, make sure it is leaning on a wall for proper support. This is truly lightweight and your kid might be able to manipulate the parts or they could even move around the entire organizer with much ease. It could get a little wobbly over time but it is very child friendly and safe to use, with not much element that could cause serious injury. This makes it great for younger children even those who are still learning how to walk to have in their playroom. It is also relatively small in size definitely one of the toy storage solutions for small spaces that you may encounter.

Details of the Delta Multi-Color Deluxe Toy Organizer with Storage Bins

Dimension (in inches)

36 x 12 x 24

Weight

18 Pounds

Color

Various Colors

Suitable for

1.5 years old and up

Assembly Required

Yes

Material

Non-woven Fabric, MDF Composite

Features

Fixed Shelves, Backless, Storage Bins for sorting

ECR4Kids 3-Tier Toy Storage Organizer with 12 Bins

ECR4Kids 3-Tier Toy Storage Organizer with 12 Bins

We believe that one of the best toy organizers with bins in the market is the ECR4Kids 3-Tier Toy Storage Organizer. This easy to assemble 3-tier toy organizer is great to have around the house, whether it’s inside the playroom, nursery or children’s room. What makes it great is that the durable plastic rack has rounded edges for safety, definitely an awesome organizer for the little ones to handle. The metal bars support the organizer therefore adding to its sturdiness difficult to topple over.

The ECR4Kids is mostly bought for playschools, because first, it can handle the fiddling and occasional pushing of rowdy kids and it does not require meticulous maintenance. You could pull out the bins easily to either dust or wipe clean that even kids could do it, make sure to add it as part of their to-do list. It has a total of 12 bins uniformly sized at 12L x 8.25W x 5.25H inches, very functional for those who have similarly sized toys or equipment to use. What’s neat about this organizer is that when your kid grows up, they will still be able to use it for their stuff. There are also parents who keep these in their tool sheds, handy for sorting small equipment including but not limited to nuts, bolts and screws.

Despite the obviously good things about this toy and book organizer, you will not exactly be able to store larger toys in this one; you might need to buy a different organizer to fit that need. And even though the bins are easy to pull out, it may take a little practice to put it back in, so your toddler might need a little help in that area as well so we're putting this at the fourth.

Details of the ECR4Kids 3-Tier Toy Storage Organizer with 12 Bins

Dimension (in inches)

37.5L x 14W x 27.5H

Weight

19 Pounds

Color

Various Colors

Suitable for

3 years old and up

Assembly Required

Yes

Material

Plastic

Features

Cross bars reinforced with metal bars for added strength

ArtBin Store-In-Drawer Cabinet; White Art Craft Storage

ArtBin Store-In-Drawer Cabinet White Art Craft Storage

If you are one of those who are interested in stackable toy storage, then this toy organizer is definitely something you would love. A lightweight, plastic made, 3-tier organizer that has room enough for smaller items in your children’s playroom or nursery. The plastic construction is meant to last a lifetime with proper use.

Maybe you have a copious amount of building blocks, art supplies and toy cars and you want it stored when your children are not playing with it, this toy storage is the best option. Might look like a typical cabinet, and may not be very appealing to your child but it is definitely worth your money. You have the option to mount in on a wall, for added stability and there are drawer dividers for proper segregation. You could easily stack two of these on a side of your kid’s room although the height may not exactly be as accessible, so if you have toys you want to circulate or keep for now; you could rearrange the drawers until it’s time for them to be put into use again.

Ideal for preschoolers who probably have a number of school supplies that needs to be neatly stored along with smaller toy items. The best thing about this toy organizer is that the drawers are transparent which are sized at approximately 2.5 x 4.25 x 5.5-inches; it displays what each bin is containing for easy identifying and quick access.​

Despite having great features, this product may only be suitable for 5 years old and above since it can only store small items like small toys, school supplies and art crafts. Hence, the last on our top 5 best toy storage ​list.

Details of the ArtBin Store-In-Drawer Cabinet; White Art Craft Storage

Dimension (in inches)

14.25 x 6.00 x 8.25

Weight

19 Pounds

Color

White

Suitable for

5 years old and up

Assembly Required

Yes

Material

Plastic

Features

Sturdy white plastic with 9 transparent drawers

Conclusion

Generally, it would be ideal to have at least a toy box with shelves in your kids’ rooms to keep you sane, which is what most people would go for, but to be really able to keep everything in place easily, toy storage organizers are the way to go. There’s a little more advantage in training your kid to set a place for everything they have not only with toys, instead of just dumping them into a box in a random order. This way you could avoid getting the toys broken and misshapen because another heavy toy is probably sitting on top of it.

The post Top 5 Best Toy Storages | 2018 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Top 5 Best Flat Iron Hair Straighteners | 2018 Reviews

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Top 5 Best Flat Iron Hair Straighteners | 2018 Reviews

The necessity that is the flat iron hair straightener have littered the market today. Some are authentic and some are sub-standard and it is very tempting to think that any brand (or lack of it) will get the job depending on the techniques that we know. Word of advice is, “we don’t have to be that careless”. Our hair may be having the worst condition without any obvious signs that our eyes could see.

What’s happening to our locks on the molecular level are things that may be the cause of major hair problems in the future, problems that might be beyond repair. Options for a good flat iron are too many that deciding what to buy and use could be hard.

There is no one product that could satisfy every type of hair. Different lifestyles and hair types definitely needs to only access what is the best flat irons that could function and help you look stylish and put together. Ceramic hair straighteners are the go-to types nowadays simply because they give the promise of efficiency and care that we basically need from this tool. With a little research and some help from fellow women who loves to use flat iron straighteners, we could have that priced possession that will accompany us on our daily grooming.

Like any purchase that we do, we ask ourselves what do we look for exactly when deciding which hair straighteners are best for our hair? We have 5 great finds on this list that may help you decide what suits your needs best.

Quick Comparison Table

Remington S8510 Anti Frizz Therapy Straightener

ghd Professional Gold Styler Iron

CHI Original Pro 1" Ceramic Ionic Flat Iron Hair Straightener

Sedu Revolution Tourmaline Ionic 1" Styling Iron

BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium-Plated Ultra-Thin Straightening Iron

Remington S8510 Anti Frizz Therapy Straightener
ghd Professional Gold Styler Iron
CHI Original Pro 1" Ceramic Ionic Tourmaline Flat Iron Hair Straightener
Sedu Revolution Tourmaline Ionic 1" Styling Iron
BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium-Plated Ultra-Thin Straightening Iron

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

1.3 pounds

4 pounds

2 pounds

1 pound

2 pounds

Anti-frizz micro-conditioners

Contoured plates

Titanium infused plates

Infused with black tourmaline

Nano Titanium-plated

Remington S8510 Anti Frizz Therapy Straightener

Remington S8510 Anti Frizz Therapy Straightener

This flat iron is made of 1 inch floating ceramic plates that emits micro-conditioners to the hair as we use it. The plates are infused with micro-conditioners giving the hair very good care while ironing it. The conditioner is then left on the hair leaving a glamorous and healthy shine. Some of the ceramic plated flat iron straighteners may give the shine and softness while the heat is still there but makes the hair frizzier as the heat runs out and the locks cool down. The Remington S85510 Anti Frizz Therapy Straightener shows a different result where shine and smoothness is actually improved after the hair loses the heat from the iron.

The temperature setting could be put to a maximum of 450°F and is shown on a digital display. The On and Off switch and the buttons for the temperature adjustment are neatly located on the sides without protruding from the whole iron’s body. This iron has a very sleek design which makes the iron a really great tool for everyday use. The iron has a curved tip so, sliding it in a narrow cylindrical casing and stashing it in a bag is hassle-free. Neat and nice! This iron is so attractive that using it every day is so fun!

We like the 30-second heat up time that makes the wait a bearable process. Right after turning it on, the iron is ready before you even know it. The heat from the plates is not the vibrating scorch that some irons emit denoting evenly-heated ceramic plates. The even distribution of the heat will tell us that our hair is safe during styling. The same heat-up time and even distribution may also be present on some products but the Remington’s clean and simple appearance gives it an extra “safe” feel.

We love the function, we love the style and we love that it takes care of the hair while we are doing the inevitable styling. Ironing could take a toll on our locks but thanks to the Remington S8510, we could worry less of the unspeakable damage heat could bring to our precious crown.

Details of the Remington S8510 Anti Frizz Therapy Straightener

Product Dimension

2 x 4.8 x 14.1 inches

Weight

1.3 pounds

Features

with anti-frizz micro-conditioners

Maximum Temperature

450°F

ghd Professional Gold Styler Iron

ghd Professional Gold Styler Iron

The GHD Professional Gold Styler iron claims to be one of those professional flat irons, and for a good reason. This iron could straighten and curl and with good results. However, we could leave the curls out for this article and would want to check further what its straightening capability is.

This iron is obviously heavier than other straightening irons but still has the 1 inch width plate like what most has. The weight contributes to the styling capability of this tool because of the added pressure it could put to the locks once the clamp is closed and hair is clipped in. For those who frequents the salon, we could attest to the kind of tools our stylists use and prove that their equipment seems heavier than what we usually buy for home use.

The packaging is also amazing. Even if we cannot judge the iron by its packaging, it is still nice to have your product in a sophisticated black and gold box fit for the queens in us and our royalty worthy crowns. The luxurious gold is also the color of the ceramic plates which are contoured in place on the iron. This gives styling a smoother experience preventing tangles and unwanted hair breakage.

Packing this iron for a weekend getaway or just stashing it in the office or in your car will not be a problem. You won’t worry about the iron lying open anywhere with its protective cap that will safely clip close the clamps when we are not using it.

The iron will easily heat up in 30 seconds, after which, it is ready for styling. We love that the On and Off switch is safely tucked away from where we hold the iron while doing those perms. This design makes it impossible for any accidental switching off to happen as it is secured in between the clamps just below the gold plates.​

The GHD Professional Gold Styler Iron gives the look that you want and a great weapon to add in your beauty arsenal. It is number 2 on our list because it is a bit on the heavy side in comparison to most irons for personal use but will definitely give the deliver the results we want from a hair straightener.

Details of the ghd Professional Gold Styler Iron

Product Dimension

4 x 6 x 5 inches

Weight

4 pounds

Features

Contoured plates

Maximum Temperature

450°F

CHI Original Pro 1" Ceramic Ionic Tourmaline Flat Iron Hair Straightener

CHI Original Pro 1" Ceramic Ionic Tourmaline Flat Iron Hair Straightener

We love ceramic plates on our hair straightening iron but we would definitely love more the one infused with tourmaline. The CHI Original PRO have ceramic plates infused by tourmaline for a fast-heating and even heat distribution. The presence of tourmaline makes the material more durable and easier to transfer heat on the whole plate while the ceramic part ensures an even distribution of heat. This combination makes a perfect setting for hair care and also, smoother glide while perming the hair. For those with fine hair, this iron does not burn vulnerable hair but instead seems to adjust to the type of locks we have. The heat emitted from the plates straightens the hair out without producing that burning hair smell which is, of course, a sign of your hair actually being scorched to brittleness.

Aside from the great work the plates provide for heat distribution, we could easily change the temperature of the iron by its switches safely located in between the clamps. Along with all of the buttons of the tool, the temperature adjustment is placed where it will not be in the way of our grip while styling. It also has digital display where we could make sure that the iron is set to our preferred temperature. More to the temperature setting display is the “Mode” button where the mini screen may change from Green, Blue and Red denoting the 3 temperatures for different hair types. The maximum temperature could be set to 420°F.

We have to admit that we often seek the wisdom of other hair straightener reviews from the internet. The good news for CHI is that reviews are mostly, if not all, favorable regarding how this tool functions and its hair care abilities. The titanium flat iron makes impressive results.

The CHI gives is a classy looking tool thanks for its sleek black design and simple functions that makes our styling easier. It has the swivel cord and a cloth wrap where we could neatly tuck the iron and stash it without looking messy. It is a pleasing tool both on the eyes and on the experience. It is third on our list because it usually takes up to 2 minutes to properly heat up.

Details of the CHI Original Pro 1" Ceramic Ionic Tourmaline Flat Iron Hair Straightener

Product Dimension

10 x 1.5 x 1.5 inches

Weight

2 pounds

Features

Titanium infused plates

Maximum Temperature

420°F

Sedu Revolution Tourmaline Ionic 1" Styling Iron

Sedu Revolution Tourmaline Ionic 1" Styling Iron

SEDU has a line top rated flat irons and the Revolution Tourmaline Ionic model has 1 inch plates and looks sleek and smooth. True to its appearance, the SEDU Revolution Tourmaline Ionic styling iron has that extraordinary smoothness that you feel as you glide it through your locks. The plates have curved edges as well as the outside of the barrel making straightening and curling a pleasant process.

The smoothness may be due to the material of the plate which is ceramic infused by tourmaline. Tourmaline is a semi-precious stone known for its metallic contents that are great heat conductors. The ceramic plates are coated with black tourmaline and is a good hair straightener for any types of hair. The temperature ranges from 140-450°F which is the usual range of flat irons and ideal temperature settings for different types of hair. It is also one of the fastest heat up which is 25 minutes unlike the usual 30 minute wait time for most hair straighteners.

The iron may look bulky and it will be easy to assume that it will not be comfortable holding it and twirling it around the head. However, the iron is actually easy to hold with its matte finish that will help us avoid slipping while styling and with its weight which is 1 pound, it makes it the lightest iron on this list. It is a evenly rounded from bottom to tip giving us more freedom to position our hand the best way in any angle. Getting the hair done around the head is hassle free with the swivel cord that doesn’t tangle.

We give it a thumbs up for portability due to its light weight and sleek design. The downside is that it comes with a 120 V power supply and, needless to say, can only be used in countries approving or using this voltage only, which is why it is our number 4.​

Despite the lack of flexibility for the power supply, we give SEDU Revolution Tourmaline Ionic 2 thumbs up in design and function. We love the hair care technology that is the tourmaline coating which gives the experience of doing your hair very gratifying.

Details of the Sedu Revolution Tourmaline Ionic 1" Styling Iron

Product Dimension

4 x 6 x 5 inches

Weight

1 pound

Features

Infused with black tourmaline and gemstones

Maximum Temperature

450°F

BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium-Plated Ultra-Thin Straightening Iron

BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium-Plated Ultra-Thin Straightening Iron

Babyliss is a popular hair-tool brand and would usually appear on the list of hair straightener brands. This hair straightener is not but, definitely, not the least in terms of quality. It boasts an ultra-thin body that gives us immediate attraction to it because we love all things seek and sophisticated.

The barrel does not have a rounded back which the previous irons have. This one is rather focused on straightening the hair rather than having that dual-purpose straightening and curling abilities. The plates are 1 inch nano-titanium plates which emits negative ions that reduces frizz. The result is a smooth finish without the static that causes hair to stand after being exposed to heat. The plate is longer in length than the usual irons. It measures 5 inches for more coverage in one glide which is a good news for us who always seem to find a way to hurry. The ceramic heater makes heating fast while the titanium plates makes straightening smooth and leaves hair soft.

Temperature setting could be adjusted through the knob located on the side of the iron, and just below that is the On/Off switch. The temperature have 50 heat settings for more customized adjustments depending on different hair types. Friends with different hair types could share just this one tool, adjust the temperature depending on each hair type and rest assured that everybody could get the sleek hair they would want.

The BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium-plated Ultra-thin Straightening Iron is not as different as the straightening irons on this list but what we love about it is the simple look and good results. With an extra length for the plates for faster ironing, this could be a good hair straightener both for newbies or the pros looking for the perfect tool. It’s slim and light making it a sophisticated choice for most women while the straightening ability could do the job for both thick hair and thin hair. Just like almost all good and famous products, the BaByliss PRO wasn’t spared from copy cats so, please beware and be watchful of knock-offs. It is a little longer and may take up more space compared to the others, and the handle could be a little hot to hold, which is why it’s our 5th pick.

Details of the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium-Plated Ultra-Thin Straightening Iron

Product Dimension

13.2 x 2.2 x 7 inches

Weight

2 pounds

Features

Nano Titanium-plated Ultra-thin design

Maximum Temperature

450°F

Conclusion

The list of irons featured here are some of the most-wanted and the best flat irons currently available in the market. With the wide range of available options, we will not run out of ideas what to purchase to include in our daily beauty kit. For those who are just starting to try ironing their hair straight, the Remington is a good choice, while there is Sedu, ghd, CHI and BabyBlissPRO for the more experienced hair goddesses.

The main goal may be the same and that is to straighten the hair for a sleek look but, the process may not be the same for all tools. Hair care must always be present in a straightening iron’s features because once the iron-straightened hair is washed then dried, all that will be left is our sheer natural crown and what it’s got.​

You may also check our reviews of the Top 5 Best Curling Irons​!

The post Top 5 Best Flat Iron Hair Straighteners | 2018 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Top 5 Best Baby Gates With Pet Door | 2018 Reviews

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Top 5 Best Baby Gate with Pet Door | 2018 Reviews

It's not like as if we just intend to have a baby gate protecting our children around the house. There are more instances where we also want to keep our pets away from certain areas too-- like most probably the kitchen. Keeping our babies safe is one of our priorities and keeping them secured in a safe area in your house away from potential dangers that lurk in every corner for the house. It's not like you can babyproof every single item lying around the house. You can simply put your child behind a secure gate that will keep your child stay safe where he/ she is. However, there is also a downside to owning a safety gate: pet access. Your pets won't be able to move around the house with much freedom if a 'major road blockage' is in effect.

Baby gates can be tipped over by our pets, like big dogs standing and leaning on them or heavy cats that jump over to cross to the other side. Sometimes, these baby gates won't be able to stand against these constant disruptions from your pets. And for that reason, a baby gate with pet door is created. Your tiny pets have a quick access to the rest of your house without having to put your baby in harm's way-- especially those stairs. It's getting the most out of the best.

We have chosen the best baby gate with pet door available on Amazon for you. And these are our top 5 best picks for a baby gate with pet door.

Quick Comparison Table

Carlson 44-Inch Extra Wide Walk-Through Gate with Pet Door

Carlson Pet Weatherproof Outdoor Super Pet Gate

Best Gate Mini Metal Expandable Baby Gate with Pet Door

Bettacare Pet Gate with Cat Flap Effective Barrier

Arf Pets Deluxe 42 Inch Tall Safety Gate Pressure Mounted

Carlson 44-Inch Extra Wide Walk-Through Gate with Pet Door
Carlson Pet Weatherproof Outdoor Super Pet Gate
Best Gate Mini Metal Expandable Baby Gate with Pet Door
Bettacare Pet Gate with Cat Flap Effective Barrier
Arf Pets Deluxe 42 Inch Tall Safety Gate

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

Steel

Steel

Steel

Steel

Steel

10 x 7 inches

10 x 7 inches

9 x 9 inches

7 x 6 inches

7 x 10 inches

Pressure Mount

Pressure Mount

Pressure Mount

Pressure Mount

Pressure Mount

Carlson 44-Inch Extra Wide Walk-Through Gate with Pet Door

Carlson 44-Inch Extra Wide Walk-Through Gate with Pet Door

Carlson is known to be the best baby gate maker with pet gates for smaller pets. Actually, they are practically one baby gate brand that considers your pet just as much as your little one. This is a gate that fits the standard openings in houses. It can expand from 29 inches to 34 inches. If you add in the included 4 inch and 6-inch extension to your gate, you can further extend it to 44 inches so that it can cover wider openings like stairways, as well as hallway openings. It stands at 30 inches leaving your child safely secured wherever they are.

You'd love the small opening for your pet. The tiny opening fits your little pet at home but not necessarily good for bigger ones. Anyway, they can just jump over the height of the gate any time. You won't have to worry about that either since the pressure mounting of this Carlson baby gate with cat door has strong four-point grips that stick to your walls. The grips are steadfast and won't easily go down. In fact, it is easy to remove and replace the gate if you want to reposition or to move it elsewhere. You can do that without damaging your walls, your wallpaper, and your décor.

This baby gate with cat door allows your smaller pets to move around undisturbed with the presence of the baby gate. It keeps your little ones safe but not at the expense of your pets' freedom either. Your tiny pets can fit through this 10 inches by 7 inches cat flap or pet door. Another plus factor for this best baby gate is the material. This full all-steel metal gate is made with non-toxic materials. It is also lead-free and chew-proof. Babies have the tendency to chew on almost anything, maybe even your gate but animals are just the same!

Other than that, we know you will love that it is an easy walk-through gate. It allows you to enter at your will with the one-touch release handle. You don't have to bother yourself by going over the gate or dropping all of your stuff just to open the gate up. It saves you plenty of time and energy. And for those awesome reasons, we are placing this on the top spot of our list.

Details of the Carlson Extra Wide Walk-Through Gate

Dimensions

144 x 28 x 1 inches

Material

Steel

Pet Gate Size

10 x 7 inches

Pressure Mounted

Yes

Carlson Pet Weatherproof Outdoor Super Pet Gate

Carlson Pet Weatherproof Outdoor Super Pet Gate

Yet another Carlson baby gate with pet door on our list. This is one great item because it fits almost any wide opening you have at home. It can cover your garage door, your porch, your open living room and wide double openings inside your house. Name it and it can fit every space that needs securing. That way, your little one won't have the need to wander around the house but stay put and secured and definitely free from any potential danger.

You also won't have the need to keep bringing your little dog or cat out every time they find themselves inside the secured area. They can just pass through the cat flap and move on with their business without bothering you or even themselves for that matter. What's great about this Carlson extra wide pet gate is that it can be configured. It comes with 6 panels that can fold or detach in order to fit your space. It can even closely keep your space secured no matter what the shape your space is.

Let's face it. Every house is different and sometimes it is difficult to find anything that fits your home décor or design. This flexible gate will definitely fit your need to secure your little without having to bother your other tiny pets. It goes great on outdoors too because it is weatherproof. I can stand against the coldest of winter, the dampest rain, and humid air and also the hottest heat of summer. You won't have to worry about easy wear and tear if you do decide to use it outside.

It is also a free standing baby gate with pet door, it has strong grip molds at the bottom of each panel as well as four large grips that stick to any surface assuring you of a durable steel gate. It also comes with an easy open walk-through door that won't disturb you and your business in any matter. In fact, it also creates a safer space for your child to play in. Since it is freestanding, you can use it as a surround playpen. It is wide enough for your little tot to play in. It comes in different heights too. You may opt for the standard height of 28 inches or a Carlson extra tall pet gate.

Details of the Carlson Pet Weatherproof Outdoor Pet Gate

Dimensions

144 x 28 x 1 inches

Material

Steel

Pet Gate Size

10 x 7 inches

Pressure Mounted

Yes

Best Gate Mini Metal Expandable Baby Gate with Pet Door

Best Gate Mini Metal Expandable Baby Gate with Pet Door

If you have a strong locking system, you won't have to worry about your bigger dog tipping your baby gate over. In fact, with this best baby gate with pet door, you are sure that the rubber grips can stand up against a dog as big as a german shepherd.

We recommend this best baby gate because of its simplicity and functionality. It serves as a great protective barrier for your little one, especially in wide open spaces.

If you are in grave need of a gate to secure an open area that may be dangerous for your little one to go to, then go for this best gate - baby gate with cat door. It has a cat door for your smaller pets to easily move around without a hassle. That way, you won't have to find your cat jumping over the gate or your dogs whimpering because he's stuck inside the room.

The simple design goes well with any interior decoration, and the gate also serves a great purpose in keeping your little one stay inside at all times because there is no way for your tot to climb over the fence. The steel frame is slippery enough to prevent that from happening. It also prevents your pets from being poisoned when they chew on the railings. It is also lead-free and the paint is definitely non-toxic.

The gate is also very easy to install so moving it from one place to another is a simple hitch. You also don't have to think much about your little one just staying in one room. As long as you have this great baby gate or pet gate, your tot is safe anywhere. It stands at only 18 inches tall but can extend from 26 inches to an amazing 42 inches. The gate also comes with a cute 9 by 9-inch pet door for your smaller pets to pass through but not wide enough for your very active baby to crawl through.

Details of the Best Gate Mini Metal Expandable Baby Gate 

Dimensions

18 x 42 x 1 inches

Material

Steel

Pet Gate Size

9 x 9 inches

Pressure Mounted

Yes

Bettacare Pet Gate with Cat Flap Barrier

Bettacare Pet Gate with Cat Flap Effective Barrier

Convenience is the main criteria in looking for the best baby gate for your little one. Looking for an easy install baby gate isn't so difficult but looking for one that can also allow your pet free access to the rest of the house, now that is difficult to find. When choosing a gate that considers the presence of your pets at home, don't go for a wooden gate. Wooden gates are easily chewed off.

We also know how cats can be tempted to start scratching on the posts using your baby gate as a scratch post instead of actually serving the purpose of protecting your baby from harm. This Bettacare Pet gate is made of non-toxic materials and non-chip paint that can stand strong against your cat's overwhelming desire to claw through your things.

Aside from being chew proof, the metal frame is also lead-free and uses non-toxic paint. This way your pet-- that loves to chew stuff off-- won't suffer from dangerous chemical reactions in the future. This sturdy metal frame can definitely keep your little one without any worries and allows your pet to go in and play with your child but also run away when your little one gets over excited.

This standard gate size not only provides you with enough cover to protect your child both from outside dangers but also keep your bigger-- possibly more playful-- dogs at bay. The Bettacare Baby gate with pet flap is a heavy duty baby gate with a tiny 7 by 6-inch cat flap where your pet can easily pass through. This gate is also very tall since it stands at 40 inches by 33 inches so you don't need to resort to getting a bigger one in case your baby gets too tall for your baby gate with pet door. You can extend the gate with a 2.5 inch to a 12-inch extension to fit your doorway properly. You will love the child lock on the door because it's easy to use. You can just flip it open with one hand and go on with the rest of the things you need to do.

Details of the Bettacare Pet Gate with Cat Flap Barrier

Dimensions

40.9 x 29.5 x 1.4 inches

Material

Steel

Pet Gate Size

7 x 6 inches

Pressure Mounted

Yes

Arf Pets Deluxe 42 Inch Tall Safety Gate

Arf Pets Deluxe 42 Inch Tall Safety Gate

You will really like this decorative full metal baby gate with pet door. This decorative baby gate doesn't just keep your little one from wrecking havoc in your kitchen but looks exactly like a part of your beautiful home. Come to think of it, whenever you start shopping for a baby gate with pet door for your house pets, you'd end up with simple vertical bars with different colors. This scroll design gives your home a chic gated look. It looks rustic and modern and balances well with any interior decoration. But that's not all, of course, it functions just as well. With a height of 42 inches and an expandable width from 36.5 to 39.5 inches, you are sure that your pathways are tightly secured for your baby's safety. Your doors, hallways and standard openings will definitely be covered by this baby gate.

This baby gate with cat door has a wide sized pet door compared to most gates with pet doors. The pet door can accommodate medium sized dogs from pugs to Shih Tzus and much more. The pet door measures about a 7 by 10-inch pet door. If you don't want your dog to pass through the baby gate, you can simply lock the pet door to secure it and you can just unlock the gate anytime for your little pet to freely move around without having your little one roam around.

One great thing to love about this best baby gate is that it can be used outdoors as well. It has anti-rust properties that can withstand extreme weather conditions. Besides, if you do want to preserve your baby gate longer, you can easily unmount the gate and keep it inside. This baby gate with door is pressure mounted making it really easy to move around and transfer from one location to another. This way, you won't have to buy a baby gate for every door, every stairway, and every pathway just for the sake of your little one.

Details of the Arf Pets Deluxe 42 Inch Tall Safety Gate

Dimensions

42 x 39.5 x 1 inches

Material

Steel

Pet Gate Size

7 x 10 inches

Pressure Mounted

Yes

Whether you are choosing for your doorway, a sliding door, and open space, a wide door or even outdoor, you're guaranteed that the right baby gate with pet door that works absolutely fine for you is easier to find than you think. You get to have your own baby gate and pet gate at the same time and still enjoy the full function of both in one single item. So whichever you pick at Amazon, we are sure that you will not regret it.

The post Top 5 Best Baby Gates With Pet Door | 2018 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Top 5 Best Meat Grinders | 2018 Reviews

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Top 5 Best Meat Grinders | 2018 Reviews

No matter how you see it, cooking at home is always the best meal your family will ever have. The best of the east dishes we could ever have tasted is that of home and you can do it too. All you need is a great way of handling your food and you are set to go. One of the best grills we have ever had were burger patties and sausages made straight from the home kitchen. That's because the meat was more than fresh, it was divine.

We're sure you'd love to enjoy a great grill out in the backyard that you and your family will be proud of. And to start off, you need to the main ingredient in making burgers and sausages-- ground meat. Ground pork, ground chicken, ground beef, ground turkey, you name it. You can make it right on your own kitchen table.

Unless of course, you are willing to buy ground meat from the butchery anytime then you don't really find the need to have a meat grinder. But the problem there is that, most butchers use scraps like sawdust and other unwanted fatty meat ground altogether to make ground meat. If you know what you're cooking, you know just how much meat and fat to put to make a delicious balance for your burger or sausages. We can't just grab a slab of ground meat from the counter and expect it to taste the way we want it to.

So, with the full inspiration to get your home the perfect meat grinder, we have chosen the best meat grinder in the market for you. We narrowed the list down for you to make your pick a much easier task.

Quick Comparison Table

STX International STX-3000-TF Electric Meat Grinder

LEM Products .75 HP Stainless Steel Electric Meat Grinder

Norpro Meat Grinder, Mincer, and Pasta Maker

Gideon Hand Crank Manual Meat Grinder

KitchenBasics Food/Meat Grinder

STX INTERNATIONAL STX-3000-TF Turboforce 3-Speed Electric Meat Grinder
LEM Products .75 HP Stainless Steel Electric Meat Grinder
Norpro Meat Grinder, Mincer, and Pasta Maker
Gideon Hand Crank Manual Meat Grinder
KitchenBasics Food Meat Grinder

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

12 pounds

47 pounds

1.9 pounds

2.5 pounds

2.1 pounds

Electric Meat grinder

Heavy duty meat grinder

Manual Hand crank meat grinder

Manual Meat Grinder

Manual Hand crank meat grinder

STX International STX-3000-TF Electric Meat Grinder

STX INTERNATIONAL STX-3000-TF Turboforce 3-Speed Electric Meat Grinder

You can easily get ground beef, ground pork, ground turkey and other ground farm animal meat, but you will never find ground game meat in the market. A person who loves to hunt for game to cook and eat at home. Well, that's nothing to worry about if you get your own home use meat grinder. There are different types of meat grinders and this top rated electric meat grinder is one of them.

The reason why we love it is that it has three powerful stainless steel cutting blades. It is strong enough to grind a massive amount of meat of about 275 pounds in an hour if you use high speed and 110 pounds for low-speed processing. What's great about it is that the meat holder to grind is wide enough to hold at least a pound of meat making the grinding process much faster and more efficient. It also has three speed settings: high, low and reverse. It also comes with its own circuit breaker in order to protect its electrical wiring from any sort of electric damage and for your own safety as well.

Another reason why this is our best wild game meat grinder is because its grinding plates and interior parts are made of polished cast aluminum grinding head with three different tempered steel grinding plates. These three grinding plates make a coarse, medium and fine ground meat. You can also make your own sausages with this meat grinder since it has a three piece sausage tubes set. In addition, you can even make your own kibbeh with it. Kibbeh is an awesome Mediterranean dish where you stuff seasoned ground meat inside a parcel or shell made of flour or other meat and the Kibbe attachment that comes with the STX International STX-3000-TF Turboforce 3-Speed Electric Meat Grinder helps you make the shell ready to be stuffed with ground meat-- preferably lamb.

Going through the meat grinder manual, you will discover that you have plenty more kitchen tricks you can do with this top electric meat grinder except for the bone grinding part. That is definitely not something that this meat grinder can do. And for those reasons and much more we sure you would come to love made the STX Turboforce meat grinder at the top of our list. This is our number one pick for the best meat grinders.

Details of the STX International STX-3000-TF Electric Meat Grinder

Dimensions

16.5 x 6.5 x 14.5 inches

Weight

12 pounds

Grinder Type

Electric Meat grinder

Additional Features

Circuit breaker, 3-speed grinding

Attachments

3 piece sausage tube, Kibbe attachment, 3 size meat grind plates

LEM Products .75 HP Stainless Steel Electric Meat Grinder

LEM Products .75 HP Stainless Steel Electric Meat Grinder

If you are looking for a professional meat grinder then the LEM commercial meat grinder is just the thing for you. This is the best commercial meat grinder we have on our list. It is a very powerful meat grinder that can really meet demanding heavy duty meat grinding needs. It functions well in really dealing with meat and it really does the job in bulk. The meat pan is big enough to handle a couple of pounds of meat that is ready to be minced. It can chug up to 360 pounds of meat per hour and can ever grind bones and sinew.

The entire body is practically made of stainless steel from the auger to the grinding blades they are completely made up of stainless steel throughout. It is made to hard work and can go for hours after hours of meat grinding without overheating. But is has to rest at some point that is why it even has its own circuit breaker for safety measures. When grinding meat, we found that it can grind more than 360 pounds of meat especially if you are mincing frozen to semi frozen meat. It cools the motors extending the amount of meat it can grind. With a strong power and speed in grinding, the mincing of the meat is faster than you ever feeding the meat down the feeder.

With a meat grinder for professionals, you expect it to be huge. It is actually a behemoth compared to other meat grinders in our list but it is pretty massive with an accompanying weight of 47 pounds. That's huge. With the size of this thing, it takes a lot up of space if you intend to use it for home. You might put it in its own place around the house if that would be the case.

If you are looking for the best meat grinder that can supply your sausage and stuffers for sale then the LEM sausage stuffer is one for you. It is also a great commercial electric food grinder that can stuff your sausages just as fast too. This is the best heavy duty electric meat grinder but it falls under our second spot for the best meat grinders in the market.

Details of the LEM Products .75 HP Stainless Steel Electric Meat Grinder

Dimensions

17.5 x 18.75 x 15.5 inches

Weight

47 pounds

Grinder Type

electric meat grinder

Additional Features

Heavy duty meat grinder

Attachments

Big bite auger, Meat Stomper, stainless steel knife, three size steel plates (fine, medium, coarse), three stuffing tubes

Norpro Meat Grinder, Mincer, and Pasta Maker

Norpro Meat Grinder, Mincer, and Pasta Maker

Are you a sausage aficionado or a burger lover or just really love an awesome homemade meatloaf? You will love the Norpro meat grinder. This is a three-in-one meat grinder that can grind meat, mince meat and even make pasta for your convenience and recipe benefits. One of the real reasons why we love this is the fact that it doesn't have many parts to clean up. It is so easy to set-up and takes apart thus making cleaning such a breeze. The pieces are also machine-washable so, if you are feeling a bit lazy to clean-up you can simply put the parts in the dishwasher and let it do the trick.

This is actually a manual hand crank meat grinder. You need to manually turn the known in order for the meat grinder to work. It's great because it doesn't consume much electricity and it does the trick in really your meat just the right size you'd like it to. It is generally made of plastic but it durable for its material too but not the grinding blades the blades are made of stainless steel. It really does a great job not just grinding the meat but also mincing the meat and also slicing some pasta.

One of the downside to this meat grinder that we found is the hand cranking itself, you need to put a bit of an effort in doing it. But with a strong grip and upper body strength, it's not a problem at all. It also has a long handle, so putting this meat grinder at the edge of the counter or the table is really really important to remember. And because of these factors, it takes quite a while to grind our meat.

Those are the only problems we found with the Norpro meat grinder, but one thing to love about this item is that it is very compact. No motors to worry about in washing and not motors that take up a huge counter space and storage space. There are no other blades to worry about that may pose cutting dangers. This is very handy, light and easy to work around with especially if you're only doing some light grinding. Light grinding or mincing would include grinding stale bread for bread crumbs, mashing veggies for baby food, crushing beans and veggies and fruits for spreads and more. And for those reasons, this is our third pick for the best meat grinders.

Details of the Norpro Meat Grinder, Mincer, and Pasta Maker

Dimensions

8 x 5 x 5 inches

Weight

1.9 pounds

Grinder Type

Manual Hand crank meat grinder

Additional Features

meat and vegetable mincer, pasta maker

Attachments

fine mincing plate, coarse mincing plate, sausage funnel, 3 (linguini, spaghetti, rigatoni) pasta attachments

Gideon Hand Crank Manual Meat Grinder

Gideon Hand Crank Manual Meat Grinder

Unlike other manual meat grinders out there, this one really stands out as one of our favorites. It is by far the easiest to crank amongst all the hand crank meat grinders out there. It's a no brainer to use this manual meat grinder, just put and slab of meat into the feeder and crank. You are immediately faced with a wonderful meaty paste ready to give life to your recipe. Who says that gourmet dishes can't pour out of your home kitchen?

The blades are made of stainless steel. This food grinder is an awesome kitchen appliance since it is pretty sturdy for a small thing. You will come to love and realize that it is quick to grind. It has two mince plates, the coarse plate, and the fine plate but overall it does such a great job on producing a great quality minced meat. Once you're done grinding the meat, you can make a puree of sorts and other mincing duties and make your own sauce using the same item.

The Gideon Handcrank Meat Grinder is really lightweight and very compact. You can easily take it apart and store it away or even bring it with you if you think you'll need it elsewhere. You will love that it is easy to clean as well. Most o the parts come in high-quality plastic that's why you can pop it in the dishwasher and let the machine do its cleaning. However, when dealing with the stainless steel blades, you'll need to give a bit of extra care rather than having it bathe and soak in the soap in the dishwasher. And that is practically the only bad thing we can say about this meat grinder.

One of the things you will love is the fact that it doesn't come with a screw adjustment to attach at the side of the counter or the table. That's one of the things we find annoying actually. You know how difficult it is already to hand cranks a meat grinder but it is another issue when the cranking loosens up the grip of the screw and you'd have to reattach and readjust it all over again. The Gideon manual meat grinder for home is definitely something you love since it has a really strong suction power the sticks to any equally flat surface. It is firm enough to hold onto any surface making your manual meat grinding quite an easy and less annoying job to do. And that is why this is our third pick or the best meat grinders.

Details of the Gideon Hand Crank Manual Meat Grinder

Dimensions

10.9 x 6.7 x 6.1 inches

Weight

2.5 pounds

Grinder Type

Manual Meat Grinder

Additional Features

Food grinder, Suction attachment

Attachments

2 mince plates

KitchenBasics Food/Meat Grinder

KitchenBasics Food Meat Grinder

If you have a kitchen item that can practically process almost all of your kitchen needs then the Kitchen Basics manual meat grinder is the best pick for your kitchen. You can practically do anything with the kitchen basics; you can grind your meat with better ease and make that perfect hamburger patty for your family. Other than that, you can also make your homemade sausages. It has three sausage funnels for thinner or thicker sausages. It just depends on how you like your sausages to be. It is a light duty multipurpose kitchen appliance.

If you need to have a quick and easy way of mashing your veggies to make baby food, you can use this food grinder anytime. You can also use it to make breadcrumbs especially if you use the fine plate. You can also make salsa and other sauces or spreads using this appliance. Other than that you will that it also serves as a pasta maker. This pasta maker has two pasta types. It can make rigatoni and spaghetti. All you need to do is insert the dough in the feeder and crank the handle.

Since it is a manual meat grinder, you need to actually exert effort in cranking the handle to make your ground meat. The actual meat grinder is made of stainless steel blades compared to the full plastic body. The ground meat can pass through either a fine mincing plate or a coarse mincing plate of your choice.

Some of the issues we found in the Kitchen Basics are the fact that it is made of plastic. It is only made for light duty use and occasional meat grinding. It is also effort and time consuming since it is manual. And the feeder is a bit on the smaller side that's why you'll have to constantly need to refill the feeder frequently especially if you are quickly grinding or mincing through vegetables. Although this is an occasional home use meat grinder, you still get the most of your money with the Kitchen Basics manual meat grinder making it the fifth in our list of the best meat grinders.

Details of the KitchenBasics Food/Meat Grinder

Dimensions

7.7 x 5.4 x 5.2 inches

Weight

2.1 pounds

Grinder Type

Manual Hand crank meat grinder

Additional Features

food mincer and pasta maker

Attachments

3 sausage funnels, rigatoni, and spaghetti plates

Grinding meat at home assures you the perfect mix of fat and meat and absolutely the freshest meat you can gather. From farm meat to wild game meat grinders, you can use any of the ones we have on our list. Meat grinders aren't just made to mince meat they can also be used for other purposes like as a sausage stuffer or as a food mincer. They are handy and very easy to use and also clean up so what are you waiting for we already shortlisted the best for you. All you need to do is choose.

The post Top 5 Best Meat Grinders | 2018 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Top 5 Best Kitchen Playsets | 2018 Reviews

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Top 5 Best Kitchen Playsets |2018 Reviews

Whenever we go to a family diner or restaurant, we often see kids with their heads buried in their tablets and smartphones. Who could blame their parents? Having phone apps and games at your fingertips has become practical for many reasons. For one, it’s space-saving. You don’t need to clean up after them, no toys to put away, and no need to worry about missing toy parts. It’s a great setup that benefits both you and your child. Furthermore, with the rate at which new apps and games are being developed these days, your kids are guaranteed to have loads of fun trying out new ones each week.

We’re not going to tell you that good ol’ games and sports are better than these electronic games. We believe that they are also an essential tool in the holistic growth of your child and a great way to introduce them to technology. However, we all know there are still dangers to it. For instance, staring at a screen for a prolonged period of time can be harmful to your child’s eyes. Not to mention, kids benefit from physical activities like, say, playing basketball outside. It keeps them energized all day. Also, playing games with other children face-to-face will help build their social skills early on.

A classic toy like play kitchen sets are great for doing just that. Your kids can move around while playing it with their friends. Hosting playdates is easier if you already have a toy that’s great for sharing. You can also help teach them discipline and independence by allowing them to put their toys away after use. It’s a win-win. This is why we came up with our very own list of the top 5 best kitchen playsets that your tiny tots are sure to enjoy.

Quick Comparison Table

KidKraft Vintage Kitchen

Melissa & Doug Chef's Kitchen Play Set

Naomi Home Kids Gourmet Kitchen Set

KidKraft Ultimate Corner Play Kitchen Set

Little Tikes Cook ‘n Learn Smart Kitchen

KidKraft Vintage Kitchen
Melissa & Doug Chefs Kitchen Play Set
Naomi Home Kids Gourmet Kitchen Set
KidKraft Ultimate Corner Play Kitchen Set
Little Tikes Cook n Learn Smart Kitchen

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

3 years and up

3 - 8 years old

3 - 10 years old

3 - 8 years old

2 - 5 years old

40 pounds

65 pounds

73 pounds

59 pounds

10 pounds

33 x 11.7 x 35.7 inches

42.5 x 19.5 x 8.5 inches

40.5 x 16.8 x 41 inches

32.7 x 42.4 x 36.5 inches

17 x 22 x 30 inches

KidKraft Vintage Kitchen

KidKraft Vintage Kitchen

The top spot goes to none other than KidKraft. This vintage-style toy is the best play kitchen your kid will ever have. There’s a lot that we love about it but we’ll try to just cover the basics – what you need to know. Let’s start with the color. Our personal pick is the vintage blue color. It looks like something out of a 50s kitchen catalogue and it’s absolutely gorgeous. If you’re not feeling it though, you can choose from black, red, pink, and white. Options, options…

This is a strikingly beautiful KidKraft play kitchen that’ll make you want to have a life-sized version of. Honestly, it’s just too cute. The pieces are made out of wood, so they’re sturdy and durable. Playful kids won’t easily topple this over and ruin their playtime. A fair warning, though: this package only includes the play kitchen set, not the accessories. You’ll have to buy those separately. Fret not, KidKraft also sells accessories that go perfectly well with this play set. Alternatively, you can use pretty much any other brands of kitchen accessories to go along with this toy. Otherwise, your kids might already have kitchen toys lying around inside their toy storage boxes which will do just fine.

For the assembly, of course, the adults are the ones responsible for it. There are bolts and screws, after all. Brace yourself because if this is your first time assembling a play kitchen set, then you’re in for a 2 or 3-hour session. It doesn’t help that the instruction manual that’s included doesn’t have any words on it so you’ll have to make do with pictures.

We love how the doors on this thing snaps close, perfect for a young child’s strength. If you don’t want to set it up on the floor, there’s the option of anchoring it to your wall. We think it’s also the perfect height. It’s a little bit too high for 2 and 3-year-olds but that just means they can use it for a couple of years more and they will not outgrow it that quickly.

It’s an amazing thing to watch our kids have lots of fun with this KidKraft play kitchen set. To top it off, it’s not even really that expensive, as compared to other brands.

Details of KidKraft Vintage Kitchen

Dimensions

33 x 11.7 x 35.7 inches

Weight

40 pounds

Recommended Age

3 years and up

Melissa & Doug Chef's Kitchen Play Set

Melissa & Doug Chefs Kitchen Play Set

At second place is the Chef’s Kitchen from Melissa & Doug, probably one of the best wooden play kitchen sets that you’ll find. It comes in black and pink. The charcoal color gives a more sophisticated feel to it, which actually makes it look like a miniature version of an actual kitchen.

It looks simple yet much more realistic. The thing you have to worry about here is the lack of color. It could get boring to look at sometimes, especially when your kids’ other toys are a combination of bright color schemes.

Aside from the color, though, there’s pretty much nothing to complain about when it comes to the Chef’s Kitchen. It has all the best features of play kitchen sets. It has an oven, a microwave, a stove, and a sink that are all built in. The refrigerator also comes with a working ‘ice dispenser’. You can choose to buy just the Melissa & Doug play kitchen set or you can buy the bundle package with all the accessories.

The microwave plate spins, the doors open, and the knobs turn and click in place just like real ones, so your kids should be able to have loads of fun playing with their kitchen play set. This will surely bring out the tiny chef in them and you can join in on the fun.

Another thing that we love about the Chef’s Kitchen play set is that it’s quite easy to assemble and it’s big enough for playdates or for homes with 2-4 kids. You can also just as easily buy kitchen toys to add to this play set to mix things up a bit. Overall, it’s a beautiful, classic wooden toy from Melissa & Doug that’s guaranteed to be sturdy and will bring joy to your kids for years.

Details of Melissa & Doug Chef's Kitchen Play Set

Dimensions

42.5 x 19.5 x 8.5 inches

Weight

65 pounds

Recommended Age

3 - 8 years old

Naomi Home Kids Gourmet Kitchen Set

Naomi Home Kids Gourmet Kitchen Set

Naomi Home is at third place. One look at this play kitchen set and you’ll understand why. It’s gorgeous and this is something that we definitely want for our own real-life kitchens. It only comes in one color but you can choose to have the countertop in either cream or black granite.

Same as the other play kitchen sets on this list, the parts are movable so it feels authentic. The dishwasher has a sliding rack and the sink is removable, too. The knobs turn and click as well for the four stove burners. The oven below the stove can be opened and it also has a sliding rack. The faucet handle can be turned as well. The refrigerator has a mini notes chalkboard but it doesn’t have an ice dispenser nor a spinning microwave plate like the Melissa & Doug entry on this list but that’s the only downside to this play kitchen set.

We love the details on this toy, particularly the spice shelf under the microwave oven. It looks compact and well put together. It really will make your kids feel like they are working with an actual kitchen. It provides a lot of opportunities for the children to interact and have fun with it. If you’re planning on a playdate soon, you can also count on this to keep the kids busy for hours.

Note that it is also quite heavy at a little over 70 pounds. It’s sturdy enough that your kids won’t easily knock it over by accident. It’s perfect for smaller children who still tend to hold on to things for support when standing. Our verdict for the Naomi Home play kitchen set is that it’s beautiful and sturdy enough that we are seriously considering getting a life-size version of it for our own kitchen.

Details of Naomi Home Kids Gourmet Kitchen Set

Dimensions

40.5 x 16.8 x 41 inches

Weight

73 pounds

Recommended Age

3 - 10 years old

KidKraft Ultimate Corner Play Kitchen Set

KidKraft Ultimate Corner Play Kitchen Set

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that KidKraft has taken two spots on this list. Look at their selection and you’ll find the best play kitchen sets available. This one, while more expensive than the rest on this list, is definitely called the ‘ultimate’ play kitchen set for very good reasons. You might want to skip this, though, if you’re working with a smaller budget.

First off, it comes in white and brown, both variants look absolutely lovely. The white one gives off a more chic feel while the brown one has a cooler theme with its turquoise accents. Both look vintage and the whole set is big enough for up to four kids to play with. It has four sections: the fridge, stove, sink, and clothes washer.

The burners and the ice dispenser on the fridge make sounds when in use. There are pegs above the stove that are perfect for hanging pots and pans. The knobs, of course, can be turned and will click in place. We love the shelves under the sink, the kids can put the bowls, cups, and plates.

We also love the design of this play kitchen set although we find it a bit odd that there’s a clothes washer. The two small windows are a great addition, too! The cupboards provide ample space for storage, too. It may appear to be bulky but it’s surprisingly compact and doesn’t really take up too much space.

Assembly is also a breeze. In fact, you can safely let your kids handle it on their own, except for when attaching the doors. It can be time-consuming but a fun bit that you and your child can bond over. If parents here at ParentsNeed HQ are happy about this lovely, albeit expensive, play kitchen set, then we don’t see any reason why you can’t be, too!

Details of KidKraft Ultimate Corner Play Kitchen Set

Dimensions

32.7 x 42.4 x 36.5 inches

Weight

59 pounds

Recommended Age

3 - 8 years old

Little Tikes Cook ‘n Learn Smart Kitchen

Little Tikes Cook n Learn Smart Kitchen

Alright, so far we’ve listed amazing kitchen play sets for you but now it’s time to wrap it up with our fifth-placer. The rest of the entries on this list all look like something straight out of an interior design catalog. At number five, we have something a little more “child friendly,” appearance-wise.

Little Tikes’ Cook ‘n Learn Smart Kitchen is the best play kitchen set if you’re looking for something that really does look like a child’s toy. With its vibrant colors and accessories, there's no mistaking that this play kitchen set will not fail to grab your child’s attention.

Equipped with its mobile and tablet app that can be accessible via Bluetooth, this play kitchen set makes your child’s playtime more interactive. The app recognizes the accessories that your children are holding and will provide with instructions or sound effects that will make your children feel like they’re in a cooking show. They’ll hear chopping sound effects as they are chopping their vegetables in their pretend kitchen. They’ll also be able to play additional games using the mobile application and it really is an engaging experience for them, overall.

Assembly is such a breeze because the instructional manual is straightforward and easy to understand and can only take around half an hour to forty-five minutes. It’s not as big as the other entries on this list and it’s not as heavy, so it won’t take up too much space in your kid’s room.

The good thing about this app is that it’s compatible with a lot of the popular mobile devices. It has Toddler and Preschool modes that will make the children’s playtime become educational as well. The app also incorporates teaching basic stuff like numbers, the alphabet, colors, and some interesting trivia about food. It could even be a great way to teach your kids to do small household chores or keep them interested in helping out around the house. There’s a reason they call in the Smart Kitchen, after all.

Details of Little Tikes Cook ‘n Learn Smart Kitchen

Dimensions

17 x 22 x 30 inches

Weight

10 pounds

Recommended Age

2 - 5 years old

There you have it, fellow parents! We understand it can be difficult choosing among these great play kitchen sets for your kids because they’re all great. It’s important that you also let your kids be part of the choosing process when you’re buying toys – whether you’re picking out board games, outdoor games, or whatnot – because they are the ones who will be using it. Try to figure out what features your kids will enjoy and benefit from the most and you shouldn’t go wrong with that.

The post Top 5 Best Kitchen Playsets | 2018 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Top 5 Best Moisturizing Lotion for Moms | 2018 Reviews

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Top 5 Best Moisturizing Lotion for Moms | 2018 Reviews

Just because we became moms it doesn't mean that we should just forget about our own beauty care. No, we have to take care of ourselves too. Besides, it's not like we would stay to take care of our kids only, as moms, we also have to take care of our hubby or partner too. And in order to do that, we have to take care of ourselves as well. Keeping a wonderfully rejuvenated skin adds to a better comfort and definitely a better feeling we have towards ourselves. And one of the best ways of taking care of our beautiful selves is by just getting the perfect lotion & moisturizer.

We owe it to ourselves to treat our body right and getting the best body moisturizer is one of the greatest treats we can get. One of the greatest tricks in skin care is knowing when to use lotion and knowing when to use cream instead. We think that they are both serve the same function: moisturize. Right, but they fit a certain kind of weather in order for them to work best.

In warmer season, lotion works best. The lotion has higher water content compared to creams. And since it has higher water content, it is easier to spread evenly over your skin. This also allows your skin to have a better breather in the midst of a really hot weather. And since cream has higher oil content and does well in locking in moisture within your skin, it works best to be used in colder weather especially in winter.

And since we are looking for the best moisturizing lotion for moms like us, we, at ParentsNeed, took the liberty of making a lift of the 5 best body moisturizer.

Quick Comparison Table

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion 

CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion

Adamia Therapeutic Repair Lotion 

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula with Vitamin E

Olay In-Shower Body Lotion

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion For Dry Skin
CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion
Adamia Therapeutic Repair Lotion with Macadamia Nut Oil and Promega-7
Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula with Vitamin E
Olay In-Shower Body Lotion

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

1.3 pounds

14.4 ounces

1.4 pounds

15.8 ounces

1.2 pounds

18 fl oz, 20 fl oz

12 fluid ounces, 36 fluid ounces

4 fluid ounces, 16 fluid ounces

13.5 fluid ounces

15.2 fluid ounces

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion For Dry Skin

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion For Dry Skin

On the top of our list is one of the most popular moisturizing lotion brands in the market. Aveeno is a leader in producing the best lotions and creams for sensitive and dry skin and that works perfectly for us moms too. With so many tasks and errands to fulfill, we end up with stressed looking skin and in order to fix that, we get to relax with a simple smoothening of a gentle moisturizing lotion.

If you have a particularly dry or sensitive skin, it is very difficult for you to want to try new body lotions on your skin, then don't worry about Aveeno. It uses colloidal oats in making its formula. Colloidal oatmeal serves as a skin protectant and effective moisturizer. It works well in locking in the moisture in your skin. It is also easily absorbed into the skin. It feels like a second skin because it isn't too thick when felt.

One of the reasons why we really love this a lot is because of the fact that it doesn't have any dyes, any fragrances just pure moisturizer. Even if it doesn't have any perfumes or scents, it doesn't smell bad either. It doesn't have that plasticky smell or a smell that makes you feel yucky and icky. Anyway, Aveeno is a great product that works wonders in moisturizing your dry skin. In fact, it is so effective that it helps in softening those tough stretch mark lines that we have in our skin.

We hate having stretch marks, especially those dark ones that make it so obvious against our own skin. Well, over time and over constant application of Aveeno top rated body lotion, you will see a significant lightening in your stretch marks. You will also happen to notice that it feels smoother on your skin than wearing other moisturizing lotions out there.

We love that it isn't greasy, non-comedogenic and definitely gentle on our skin and even your kids too. And for that reason, this is tops our list for the best moisturizing lotion for mommies.

Details of the Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion For Dry Skin

Dimensions

9.2 x 3.8 x 2 inches

Weight

1.3 pounds

Sizes

18 fl oz, 20 fl oz

Active Ingredients

Colloidal oatmeal

Fragrance

N/A

Type

N/A

CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion

CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion

Yet another one of the best lotions for dry skin. It one of the most regarded moisturizing lotions because it is well known to renew and revitalize skin. It is made for the skin on the dryer side. It helps moisturize, restore and maintain a protective barrier on your skin. Most new moms who are lactating suffer from dry skin. This is because our bodies require a constant supply of fluid to sustain our babies and if you're not hydrated well enough, your body will look for other sources of water to supply your milk production and it can compromise your skin's healthy glowing skin. So in order to avoid that, drink plenty of water and help your skin lock-in the moisture on your skin.

It also doesn't contain any fragrances and it doesn't have those chemicals that happen to trigger allergic reactions and other skin irritations. It is developed by dermatologists with your greater skin health and care in mind. What we love about it actually is that it is very gentle on the skin. It is non-comedogenic and non-irritating, making it one of the best dry skin lotions not just for you but for the rest of your family too. It may be thick but once you spread it over the skin your skin immediately absorbs the lotion. It immediately leaves your skin looking wonderfully soft and gentle.

From extremely dry skin to really cracking depressed skin, you can easily find treatment in Cerave. You can even use it on your kids who suffer from eczema or just really dry skin. This is also the best lotion for dry itchy skin because it really penetrates your skin and seems to bring out the youthfulness in it. It helps keep your skin hydrated and really soft. It also helps support the skin's natural protective function enabling your skin to learn how to take care of itself, seriously! And we absolutely love it for that. And that is why this is our second favorite dry skin lotion.

Details of the CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion

Dimensions

8 x 4 x 2 inches

Weight

14.4 ounces

Sizes

12 fluid ounces, 36 fluid ounces

Active Ingredients

Glycerine, Ceramides, Hyaluronic acid

Fragrance

N/A

Type

Moisturizing Lotion, moisturizing cream

Adamia Therapeutic Repair Lotion with Macadamia Nut Oil and Promega-7

Adamia Therapeutic Repair Lotion with Macadamia Nut Oil and Promega-7

There is nothing better than knowing that getting back that youthful glow you used to have before is as simple as a pump from the best body moisturizer in the market. This is an award-winning body moisturizer as the best body lotion 2016 earning an award from the Women's Choice Award for Therapeutic Lotions. And it's really no wonder why it features a unique formula that targets the inner layers of your skin and straight to the source of your skin's natural oils. It penetrates deep inside in order to help restore your depleted oils under the skin.

It helps restore the skin's ability to regenerate and restore its natural elasticity and strength. It is therapeutic in a sense that it really helps your skin's healing process from minor wounds like abrasions and tears. It also helps in sunburns and skin dryness. It helps your skin's natural ability to revitalize your skin. It is proven to improve distressed skin and even has the ability to soothe the skin for a long period of time. It is also petrolatum-free, paraben-free, fragrance-free, gluten-free and totally hypoallergenic. That way, you won't have to keep suffering from your skin being overly sensitive to certain chemicals that trigger allergies. It also helps keep your skin beautifully managed as well despite it being quite delicate.

we know how bad it is when your skin takes a while to heal from a small cut, it gets dry and it has a higher possibility of scarring and that is one thing we want to avoid the most. And for that reason, we want to help you understand that applying the Adamia body moisturizing lotion for mommy is a great treat for easy scarring skin and slow healing skin as well. That is because of the help of its own blend of promega-7 including macadamia oil rich in omega-7 that really digs deep into your skin. And that is why this is all our award winning number three!

Details of the Adamia Therapeutic Repair Lotion with Macadamia Nut Oil and Promega-7

Dimensions

9 x 2.8 x 2.8 inches

Weight

1.4 pounds

Sizes

4 fluid ounces, 16 fluid ounces

Active Ingredients

Promega-7 blend, macadamia oil, aloe vera

Fragrance

N/A

Type

N/A

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula with Vitamin E

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula with Vitamin E

You will love spreading natural cocoa butter lotion on your skin. It really makes you feel so wonderfully refreshed somehow when you do. And that is why this is really the best cocoa butter lotion in our list. Cocoa butter is known to really smooth out your skin. And we really felt it. Although stretch marks cannot completely be removed unless you go for a surgery, you can lighten it and make it feel a bit smoother. With Palmer's Cocoa Butter lotion formula, you can do just that. It helps makes those bumpy stretched skin feel less lumpy. It also helps hydrate the stretched skin making it feel softer and even. Although it can't reduce stretch marks it can help reduce the discoloration on those heavily darkened stretch marks to a point.

Cocoa butter helps dig out the newer younger skin and revive the dried out ones. The reason why we love it so much is because it does so well in significantly reducing dark spots and scars as well. It doesn't work well in reducing keloids but it does well in evening out skin tones. So if you once had a heavy sunburn or overly tanned skin, you might want this body moisturizer to help you out. Over time, your skin will feel soft, smooth and even. So, you can use it to lighten dark knees and elbows, dark bikini areas and also dark spots on your face and around your skin.

You will also love that it is complete with coconut oil; you will never go wrong in it making our skin softer and more revitalized. It really tones the itchiness down and keeps the dryness of your skin away for the remainder of the day. It is a wonderful night treatment for your skin as well. Since this is a lotion or body cream, it makes the best of both worlds. It really kicks your skin's ability to retain its moisture and also keeps your skin well-nourished and for that, we chose this as our fourth best moisturizing lotion for moms.

Details of the Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula with Vitamin E

Dimensions

7.2 x 3.9 x 2 inches

Weight

15.8 ounces

Sizes

13.5 fluid ounces

Active Ingredients

Cocoa extract, coconut oil, glycerine, Vitamin E

Fragrance

Natural cocoa smell

Type

N/A

Olay In-Shower Body Lotion

Olay In-Shower Body Lotion

Olay is one of the most loved lotions and moisturizing body lotions. We love that it gives your skin a shining sultry look. It is the perfect lotion for all seasons because it works well under the heat and under the chill. There are times when lotions are too thick that it clogs your sweat glands and prevents you from sweating under the hot summer heat. This is light enough that it is easily absorbed by the skin and not prevent your pores from releasing a much-needed sweat. On the other hand, it works well under the chill because it keeps your skin hydrated. It prevents your skin from cracking up due to heavy cold weather and it keeps your skin firm and smooth throughout.

This is one of the best moisturizers for new moms too because, after months of your body adjusting nutrients for your baby inside, it often compromises the health of your skin. With so any hormones pumping through your body, losing nourishment and moisture on the skin is quite common. So don't worry about that, now that your baby is happily napping in your arms, you can simply settle with relaxing at home and help rebuild the hormonal changes your body experienced. So, let Olay help you in reviving those flaky dry skin and help keep lock the moisture inside your skin. You will notice an overall improvement within 5 days. You will feel hydrated and absolutely revitalized. Your skin feels smoother and there is also a significant reduction in the dry scaly skin.

This serves as a second skin that helps keep your skin hydrated through the day. Since this is an in-shower body lotion, you have to spread it after your usual cleansing routine in the shower. Just spread it on your damp skin and rinse and you are off with a great smile on your skin because you will be walking out of the shower with a softer skin. Just make sure that you pat your skin dry and not wipe it with your towel. And that is why this is our fifth best body lotion for dry skin. It also comes with a refreshingly wonderful smell to add to all that making your smell wonderful and for that, it is also one of the best body lotions for new moms.

Details of the Olay In-Shower Body Lotion

Dimensions

2.2 x 2.2 x 8.9 inches

Weight

1.2 pounds

Sizes

15.2 fluid ounces

Active Ingredients

shea butter, Glycerine, Petrolatum

Fragrance

Shea butter

Type

Shea Butter

Finding the right moisturizing lotion for moms is just as difficult as stuffing a camel through the eye of a needle. And finding the right one for you is just as tricky. But whether you are a new mom or a mom of five kids, we know exactly what you go through and dry skin is a definite common problem. That is why we have suggested the above items in order to help you in your endeavor in keeping your skin hydrated, moisturized and revitalized because that is what we deserve. And with that, happy shopping!

The post Top 5 Best Moisturizing Lotion for Moms | 2018 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.


Top 5 Best Baby Changing Bags | 2018 Reviews

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Top 5 Best Baby Changing Bags | 2018 Reviews

“A baby changing bag? I can pick one up for twenty bucks anywhere - what could be so special about a baby changing bag?”

Ah, you must have just taken your baby home from the hospital, or you may still be expecting. It won’t take you long to realize how indispensible a well-constructed changing bag will be to your new life, though. The first time you have to dump the entire contents of your bag out onto a counter because you can’t find what you need, or discover that you can’t fit a soiled diaper into a protected section of the bag – while juggling a crying baby – you’ll be wishing for one of the top 5 best baby changing bags that made this list.

You’ll also be getting back to normal, even though it will be with a baby in tow. As you drop the baby weight and get back into swing of real life, you’ll probably be paying more attention to style than you were during your final month of pregnancy. And an ugly twenty-dollar bag may not be the look you’re after when you can get back into your regular outfits and want to impress friends and family with how great you look so soon after giving birth.

Our choices for the best changing bags combine function and style. Most important, of course, is the amount of “stuff” you can store and how well the storage is organized. There are other considerations when choosing a changing bag, though, including how easy the bag is to carry and how durable it is. Seemingly minor issues like the type of changing pad in the bag and the padding on the shoulder straps can quickly become major problems, and we take a look at those features as well.

But before anything else, you may want to check first our comprehensive baby changing bags buying guide here.​

Let’s get started.

Quick Comparison Table

Petunia Pickle Bottom Sashay Satchel

Ju-Ju-Be Be Right Back Backpack Diaper Bag

Coach Signature Multifunction Tote Diaper Bag

Skip Hop Forma Pack & Go Diaper Tote Bag

BEABA Stockholm Diaper Bag

Omron 10 Series Wireless Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor with Cuff
Ju-Ju-Be Be Right Back Backpack Diaper Bag
Coach Signature Multifunction Tote And Baby Diaper Bag
LotFancy Automatic Digital Arm Blood Pressure Monitor
Slight Touch Wrist Digital Blood Pressure Monitor

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

Shoulder bag / backpack

Backpack

Tote / shoulder bag

Tote bag

Tote / shoulder bag

Organic cotton

Treated nylon

Treated canvas

Polyester

Canvas and polyester

Petunia Pickle Bottom Sashay Satchel

Petunia Pickle Bottom Sashay Satchel

Every great baby changing bag that we’ve looked at has a different quality or function to argue in its favor. The Sashay combines most of them into a tempting package. It’s not the largest, it’s not the most fashionable, it doesn’t have the most pockets and it’s not the cheapest. But it’s a good-sized, roomy, attractive, well-organized and reasonably-priced changing bag that’s extremely well-built. We liked it the most.

This Pickle Bottom bag (if you’re confused by the names, we were at first, too – Petunia is the brand, Pickle Bottom is the product line, Sashay is the model) is 15 inches wide at the bottom and 13 inches tall, so it can hold a lot of stuff unless you’re the type of mom (you know who you are!) who packs most of the house into her diaper bag before going out; you’ll have no problem fitting diapers, wipes, cream, bottles, blanket, change of clothes, toys and your own personal essentials inside. Unlike some competitors which seem to be zillions of pockets with a piece of fabric holding them together, the Sashay has just five interior pockets (two for bottles) and a few exterior ones (two for bottles, others for magazines and a cellphone) plus a very handy clip for your keys. You may be rummaging around inside the bag to find items at times, but we found that the internal organization keeps rummaging to a minimum.

One of the things that really attracted us to this changing bag was its construction. It’s made from organic cotton and extremely well-built, with high-quality stitching, hardware, zippers and straps. It’s also very durable and stain-resistant (a great quality for a cotton bag). There are a number of adorable patterns, making this a changing bag which could easily be used as a stylish purse on date nights. If you prefer something more elegant, more washable and more expensive, the bag is also available in gorgeous glazed print and embossed fabrics.

One feature we loved was that you can carry the Pickle Bottom bag two ways, either on the shoulder using the padded handles, or as a backpack with removable straps that tuck right into one of the exterior pockets when not in use. Another was the changing pad, always a key consideration in baby bags – the Sashay’s is large but folds up small, it’s easily wiped clean and it’s attached by strong Velcro so you can remove it for cleaning.

This baby changing bag is rather heavy for a model of its size, but we found the advantages – including its moderate price of about $130 – made this one our favorite, even reanking above other great Pickle Bottom models like the City Carryall and Boxy Backpack.

Details of the Petunia Pickle Bottom Sashay Satchel

Style

Shoulder bag/backpack

Size

13 x 15 x 5

Weight

2.1 pounds

Material

Organic cotton

Pockets

Six interior, six exterior plus key clip

Washable

Spot clean, changing pad removable for cleaning

Warranty

100% for manufacturing defects

Ju-Ju-Be Be Right Back Backpack Diaper Bag

Ju-Ju-Be Be Right Back Backpack Diaper Bag

Yes, you apparently have to have a catchy brand name to make it into our top two. The Pickle Bottom is a terrific hybrid choice, but the Be Right Back is our selection as the best baby changing bag designed to be worn on the back. The primary difference is that this model was created as a backpack, so it’s ergonomically curved and padded to minimize back strain and increase shoulder comfort. The straps feature mesh-lined foam to avoid excess sweat while still being easy on the body.

The Ju-Ju-Be is a bit larger than the Sashay and it has a lot more compartments (12), but fewer of those storage sections (4) are inside the bag. Most are zippered areas on the outside of the backpack and many of those are small ones for items like cellphones and wallets. That makes the inside prone to being messy and cluttered, and will probably lead you to store most of the stuff you use regularly in the three large external compartments. There’s also a bungee-style key clip.

One thing the two changing bags do have in common is quality. The Be Right Back is made from strong yet soft nylon, with obvious care taken in the stitching and selection of hardware. Many nylon backpacks are clearly not built to hold up over the long term, but this isn’t one of them. It’s durable as well as comfortable, and the Teflon coating on the nylon makes it extremely easy to clean; in fact, it’s machine-washable, unusual for a changing bag. The interior lining has an antimicrobial treatment to prevent mold and mildew growth, another nice touch although perhaps not necessary since the entire unit can be tossed in the washing machine. The changing pad on the Ju-Ju-Be is made from memory foam so it’s very soft, and it folds out and folds back in easily from one of the outside pockets.

We can’t say that this bag is overly attractive – after all, it’s designed to function and look like a backpack. There are five designs available, and all of them would appear more at home on the back of a college student than a stylish mom. Those who choose function over style, though, will love the Be Right Back at a reasonable price of about $140.

Details of the Ju-Ju-Be Be Right Back Backpack Diaper Bag

Style

Backpack

Size

12 x 16 x 5

Weight

2.1 pounds

Material

Treated nylon

Pockets

Four interior, eight exterior plus key clip

Washable

Machine-washable

Warranty

90 days, limited

Coach Signature Multifunction Tote And Baby Diaper Bag

Coach Signature Multifunction Tote And Baby Diaper Bag

You can already guess that a Coach bag isn’t going to carry a moderate price tag. On the other hand, it’s certainly going to be as stylish a baby changing bag as you’ll ever find.

We wouldn’t consider this as functional as some of its less-expensive competitors, but we were surprised to find that it was much more useful than we expected. There are a total of six inside pockets on this model; two are large zippered pockets, along with two medium-sized open sections and two smaller elastic pockets. There are also several on the outside.

There’s really no need to go into detail praising the workmanship of Coach bags, so we won’t rhapsodize about the quality of the Signature. You already know it’s going to be top-notch.The bag can either be carried as a traditional 10-inch drop purse (with dual leather handles) or worn with removable, adjustable shoulder and cross-body straps. The Coach C-style, khaki-colored coated canvas material is easy to clean, and the cute pink changing pad (which matches the pink handles) is removable, washable and more than adequate. (Other color schemes are also available.) For some people, though, the most important “accessories” will be the Coach logo on the front and authenticity patch inside. It may have been designed as a baby changing bag, but buying one is a great way to get an “authentic” Coach purse that you can use for years, for just $300.

Details of the Coach Signature Multifunction Tote And Baby Diaper Bag

Style

Tote/shoulder bag

Size

12 x 17 x 7

Weight

3.2 pounds

Material

Treated canvas

Pockets

Six interior, two exterior

Washable

Spot clean, changing pad removable for cleaning

Warranty

Lifetime, limited

Skip Hop Forma Pack & Go Diaper Tote Bag

skip hop forma pack & go diaper tote bag

You don’t have to spend $300 to get a good baby changing bag, of course. The Forma is an inexpensive ($70) choice which doesn’t get tons of style points, but scores big on convenience and organization.

It’s convenient because it’s large and light, the lightest of all entries on our list of top 5 best baby changing bags. As for organization, there are seven (mostly small) inside pockets on this Skip Hop model (some located inside others) and four more on the outside; there are also two small “packing cubes” with this model so you can quickly locate specific items like diapers or wipes. One of the cubes is insulated so it’s perfect for bottles or food. The entire structure of the Forma, particularly the cubes, was well-thought out.

You can tell from the name of this model that it’s a tote, and the fabric handles are comfortable over long trips. The bag itself is made from quilted polyester, available in three solid colors (berry, black and peacock) – not particularly stunning, but far from ugly and definitely soft. You can’t machine wash the bag but spot cleaning it is easy; the changing pad is small, but cushioned and comfortable for baby.

The construction of the Forma isn’t as perfect as the first three changing bags on our list and there are some things missing that we would have liked to see, such as feet on the bottom of the bag, a key clip, and a few larger pockets on the inside. However, this should last you through one or more babies without an issue, and is a bargain at well under $100.​

Details of the Skip Hop Forma Pack & Go Diaper Tote Bag

Style

Tote bag

Size

15 x 17 x 5

Weight

1.45 pounds

Material

Polyester

Pockets

Seven interior, four exterior

Washable

Spot clean

Warranty

One year

BEABA Stockholm Diaper Bag

BEABA Stockholm Diaper Bag

This changing bag initially caught our eye because it has a feature we hadn’t seen in any other top-level competitor: the two sides open a full 180-degrees, so you can truly see everything that’s inside without the rummaging we’ve mentioned earlier. There’s a downside to that flexibility, however; the bag won’t stand up on its own when it’s closed unless it’s pretty full.

There are five inside and four outside pockets, not all perfectly placed but far from the worst we’ve seen; there’s also an insulated cooler bag, dirty laundry bag, pacifier case and a decent changing mat. Organizationally speaking, it’s just OK but the 180-degree opening capability covers up for the areas where the BEABA falls short.

The canvas and polyester used to construct this well-made bag make it waterproof and easy to wipe down, but also make it rather heavy. The included cross-shoulder strap which converts the tote into an easily wearable model makes the bag comfortable to wear, though (if you don’t mind the weight). It’s a stylish model, with coral pastel handles providing a nice contrast to the grey canvas, and people would forgiven for not realizing it’s really “just” a baby changing bag. The BEABA sells for about $100.

Details of the BEABA Stockholm Diaper Bag

Style

Tote/shoulder bag

Size

20 x 13 x 8

Weight

2.8 pounds

Material

Canvas and polyester

Pockets

Five interior, four exterior

Washable

Machine washable

Warranty

One year, limited

The post Top 5 Best Baby Changing Bags | 2018 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Top 5 Best Baby Teething Toys | 2018 Reviews

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Top 5 Best Baby Teething Toys | 2018 Reviews

One moment, you are holding a perfect little angel who’s all sweetness and smiles. Then you blinked and the angel turned into a slobbering and irritable little monster of a baby. Welcome to the era of your infant’s teething period, the one you heard other parents talk about in hushed, terrified whispers.

Sure, not all baby turn into imps once teething starts. But nothing can stop any baby from becoming literal “munch-kins” once the need to gnaw comes over them. They will chew on anything, and we mean, ANYTHING. Parents quickly learn to hide away stuff they do not want their child to chew on, and the hunt for a good teething toy begins. Each child has their own preference, and often enough, what works for one won’t work for the other. The price of baby teething toys ranges from a buck to a Benjamin, and if money did grow on trees, we won’t have any problem buying them all just to find the perfect one.

BPA-Free, Lead-Free and Phthalates-free are the words you should be checking the toy’s packaging for. They may come in many forms: hard or soft plastic, silicone, rubber, gel-filled, water-filled, big or small. But what matters is that they have been approved by the US FDA, and certified to have none of the crappy chemicals that can be found in low-quality paints and plastics.

We also took into consideration teethers that most babies will be able to grasp and play with regardless if they are 3 months old or 10 months and beyond. The best teethers can last years and there have been instances that one teething product was passed down several times down the family line. Finding a good one worth the money can be quite a challenge. We did you the favor of rounding up the 5 best teethers for babies out in the market today based on others’ parents’ feedback.

Quick Comparison Table

Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle and Sensory Teether Activity Toy

Vulli Sophie la Giraffe

Mombella Food Grade Soft Silicone Teething Toy

Nuby Icybite Hard/Soft Teething Keys

Bright Starts Teether, Chill

Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle and Sensory Teether Activity Toy
Vulli Sophie la Giraffe
Mombella Food Grade Soft Silicone Teething Toy
Nuby Icybite Hard/Soft Teething Keys
Bright Starts Teether, Chill

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

3.8 ounces

0.3 ounces

0.3 ounces

4 ounces

3.5 ounces

Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle and Sensory Teether Activity Toy

Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle and Sensory Teether Activity Toy

Hot on top is the Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle and Teether Toy. Called “The WInkel” for short, it is a fascinating loop upon loop upon loop of a teething ring (or rings) that can entertain a baby for long minutes. Composed of continuous plastic tubes of eye-catching colors, it cannot stay inconspicuous for long. Lightweight and easy to grip, tiny hands can easily grasp one of the rings and hold on forever. You would have to pry your kid’s hands open to get this toy away from them, that’s how captivated they’d be. It’s a great toy for clutching which can help develop baby’s motor skills through two-handed play. It also has a rattle in the middle which allows baby to develop skills while playing with it. It’s just so great that it is a good teething toy too. They teeth and they learn at the same time? Are you signing up for one yet?

Just like what a #1 teething toy should be, the Winkel is lead, phthalates and BPA-Free. This one though has the added benefit of being safe to refrigerate which provides a soothing effect to teething gums. You’d have to dedicate some time in cleaning it though. The individual tubes needs to be wiped separately, and any crevices where baby’s saliva can get into. One would have to remember not to place it in hot water or the dishwasher as it can and will dissolve into mush if you do. Submerging it in warm soapy water will do the trick of cleaning it thoroughly for baby’s next teething session.

The Winkel is manufactured by the Manhattan Toy Company, an award-winning organization who aims to create visually appealing, high quality learning toys for infants and young children. We appreciate knowing that they have been dedicating their services for the last 30 years to helping our babies have wonderful playtime and inspiring them to have fantastic imagination. The Winkel itself has won an award for being so nifty.

Buying this teething toy will not turn your child into Einstein, but it may be a teeny weeny step towards that. So in case you are still asking “what toys should I buy for my newborn”, make sure that the Winkel is on your list.

Details of the Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle and Sensory Teether Activity Toy

Item weight

3.8 ounces

Product Dimensions

5 x 4 x 3.5 inches

Vulli Sophie la Giraffe

Vulli Sophie la Giraffe

Sophie the Giraffe is our top 2 choice for best teether for baby simply because parents around the world agree it has one of the highest quality standards when it comes to teething toys. Also, because it is the first giraffe we ever saw sporting luminous pink lipstick and blush, ha!

Out of all things made of rubber, this teether for infants takes the cake. It is certified phthalates and BPA-free, using 100% natural rubber and food grade paint. Babies find Sophie easy to grip because of the toy’s design --- a long neck and four legs that a little hand can grasp without difficulty. It is light enough for a newborn to wave around, certainly beating other clunky, heavier teethers. Sophie’s body is soft and squeaks when squeezed, but the outer limbs including her head are made of harder plastic which babies just love to chew to soothe sore gums. The spots on the giraffe’s body offers a contrasting color which makes it easily visible and recognizable for the little ones.

One more thing to love about this toy is that it can take a lot of beating and will not show how it’s worse for wear. A young child could gnaw it, twist it, pull it, throw it, stomp at it and do anything besides nuke it ---- the toy can withstand anything short of boiling water and steam. Just make sure that you do avoid boiling it or sterilizing it because it can melt just like any other rubber out there. It will suffice to just wash it with mild soap and running water once in a while. You can use also use anti-bacterial wipes when on the go.

Recommended for infants 2 months and up. As long as there is teeth coming in, Sophie will be useful to calm and soothe your little one. The downside about it is that it does not come cheap. Retailed at around $20, this is one of the more expensive teething toys out there (beware of fake ones being sold in some online stores. Always buy from a reliable source.) However, based on what we described above, we are confident that it is money well spent as it really is touted as the best baby teether of the moment. Seriously, there’s a cult of parents out there who utter words of thanksgiving every day because of Sophie la Giraffe’s miraculous effect on their teething kids. Try it for yourself and be converted.

Details of the Vulli Sophie la Giraffe

Item weight

0.3 ounces

Product Dimensions

9.8 x 5.5 x 1.8 inches

Mombella Food Grade Soft Silicone Teething Toy

Mombella Food Grade Soft Silicone Teething Toy

Mombella offers a lot of different designs for their silicone teething toys. But the one we like best and deemed worthy at Top 3 is the cute Dancing Elephant teething toy because of its sleek design. It has a hollow body which makes it perfect for grabby tiny hands. It’s best for 4 month-old babies and above.

The unique thing about Mombella’s product is that it’s manufactured as a single mold which makes sure there are no cracks or crevices that can encourage bacterial growth. And because it is made of silicone, it can stand high temperature, can be steamed, sterilized in hot water or placed in a dishwasher. The Mombella can also be stored in the fridge and cooled providing additional soothing power to baby’s sore gums. For those wondering if silicone toxic, the manufacturer assures us that this product is made of food grade, BPA-free silicone. It also lessens choking risks because of the teething ring at the bottom which is safe for baby even if she or he falls down with it still in their mouth.

The ring is also a good place to attach a pacifier clip which would help ensure that the teether won’t fall and accidentally accumulate dirt, and boy, one has to be careful because silicone attracts a lot stuff particularly fur and hair. Good thing it is so easy to clean and sterilize! The textured elephant nose is a good practice toothbrush that massages and gently cleans the gums. When baby is older, you could even put some teething gel at the tip to help soothe or numb the worst areas in your little chomper’s mouth.

Whether it’s baby’s first front tooth or his 3-year old back molar, Mombella’s Dancing Elephant Silicon Teething Toy will be able to reach and soothe the area where it is needed the most making it one of the best baby teethers to have in your arsenal. You could also check out their other designs boasting of the same quality material. Or better yet, maybe you could try them all. At $10 dollars apiece, it isn’t so heavy on the pocket and sure gives more bang for your buck.

Details of the Mombella Food Grade Soft Silicone Teething Toy

Item weight

0.3 ounces

Product Dimensions

4.2 x 2.3 x 1.8 inches

Nuby Icybite Hard/Soft Teething Keys

Nuby Icybite Hard/Soft Teething Keys

This teething heavyweight is actually thin and light. We at ParentsNeed HQ find this toy to be spot on for the Top 4 best teething toys for babies because it covers all the necessary basics. It’s colorful, it makes jangly noises and the surface of the keys are wonderfully multi-textured.

The tops of the keys are made of soft plastic which is perfect for chewing. But for some heavy-duty biting due to the eruption of those tiny pearly whites, babies could chew at the end of the keys filled with PurIce technology. PurIce is a food-safe gel which gets really cold really fast, but not to the point of freezing your baby’s gums. It’s true that the colder the teether, the more soothing it feels and no other teether out there could equal this product’s cooling capacity.

Gel-filled teethers stay colder longer than water-filled ones. And they wouldn’t be freezing off your baby’s fingers either since they can hold the teether at the base of the keys or at the ring which is also made of durable, BPA-free, phthalate-free and PVC-free plastic.

Another reason we love the Nuby Icybite is that for the price of around $4, you get a teether and a toy in one. Babies would love to work with those keys and feeling around those ridges. You could teach your kids the basic colors using it too. Did we mention that there are 3 keys in the ring? That’s like buying 2 extra teether for the price of 1. It’s dishwasher-safe and can be sterilized with hot water or a bottle sterilizer. It won’t melt on you, promise! Like any other toy though, please do not leave your baby playing with the teether unsupervised. 

The Nuby Icybite was built to last a long time, but regular wear and tear is hard to predict. The moment you see a crack in the plastic or an issue with the ring itself, don’t let your baby use it anymore. It’s better to be safe than sorry. For the price of $4, it’s quite a deal already

Details of the Nuby Icybite Hard/Soft Teething Keys

Item weight

4 ounces

Product Dimensions

1 x 5.8 x 7.8 inches

Bright Starts Teether, Chill

Bright Starts Teether, Chill

There’s a lot of baby teethers competing for the 5th spot on the best of the best list. But we decided to give it to Bright Starts because we love how handy it is! It has a small diameter and that means that even 3-month-old babies can hold it without issue and it will fit into their mouths if they choose to suck on these colorful rings. It’s probably best used by babies whose front tooth has just popped out because each teether is water-filled and can be placed in the refrigerator to be chilled. Just pop it in a clear bag and refrigerate for as short as 20 minutes. The surface of this product is so smooth that you won’t have any worries about a baby injuring itself while biting on it.

The ridges provide texture to the teether and helps soothe sore gums better. The plastic is made of BPA-free materials which won’t break even after being played with by the most enthusiastic teething baby in the world. Just remember not to put it in the freezer for long periods of time because it might damage the otherwise durable material.

Because it is water-filled, it is best not to put it in the microwave. Just wash with warm water and soap and pat dry. It also provides the best value at just $2.50 for a set of 3. It comes in a variety of colors and it is not unusual that some parents choose to collect all to make sure one is always at hand when a bad case of sore gums strikes. Plus, here’s a crafty tip on how to use this product: aside from just chilling it and popping it in baby’s mouth, one mom shared how she upgraded this teether.

Instead of buying an expensive specially-made teether necklace which costs about $20each, try to find a strip of leather or durable string and loop one or all of the teethers to wear. That way, baby will have something to busy himself or herself with while being carried around by Momma. Fashionable and functional, can’t get better than that!

Details of the Bright Starts Teether, Chill

Item weight

3.5 ounces

Product Dimensions

3.9 x 3.9 x 7.9 inches

Conclusion

Hopefully, this guide can help you find the best teething toy for your baby. A lot of parents know that finding the right baby products is a hit or miss process and can be quite a headache. Just remember, it doesn’t have to be expensive to be good. Safe, durable and fun, that’s what the best teethers are made of!

The post Top 5 Best Baby Teething Toys | 2018 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Top 5 Best Booster Seats | 2018 Reviews

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Top 5 Best Booster Seats | 2018 Reviews

There are plenty of emotional challenges a parent has to clear when their adorable little baby starts growing up, but there are lots of real-world issues as well: toilet training, pre-school, “big girl beds” – and replacing the child-restraint system in the car with a booster seat.

Most state laws are very specific about the type of car seats that children must sit in. In general, a child has to be in a booster seat (in the car’s back seat, of course) until they reach age 8, are taller than 4’9”, or weigh more than 80 pounds. So when you choose a booster seat, it makes sense to buy a good one; it is going to have to last for a long time.

Booster seats fall into one of two categories: small, less-expensive backless seats which are easy to move from car to car, and more permanent (and more costly) highback seats which provide maximum support and comfort. You may not have much of a choice if you have a small back seat and several children have to fit into it; you may also have a stubborn child who doesn’t want to sit in a “baby seat” anymore and insists on a backless model. Fortunately, even today’s high-quality backless seats are perfectly safe for kids once they’ve reached the age of 5 or so.

The obvious criteria for selecting a booster seat involve the child’s safety. Any good highback model will have easy-to-use yet secure buckling systems and will attach firmly to the car, and any seat at all will pass federal crash standards. Comfort is also important (especially if you have a “complainer” in your family) – as is price. Some of the options on our list of top 5 best booster seats may seem to be awfully expensive at first glance, but when you remember that you’ll be using the seat for at least four or five years (and quite possibly many more, depending on how many kids are in the family), a top-quality booster seat is really a smart investment.

Before going on our top 5 list, you may also want to check our comprehensive Best Booster Seat Buying Guide here.

Here are the reviews.

Quick Comparison Table

Britax Frontier Clicktight Harness to Booster

Recaro Performance Sport Harness to Booster

Graco Backless TurboBooster Car Seat

Chicco KidFit Booster Car Seat

Evenflo Amp Performance No Back Booster Car Seat

Britax Frontier Clicktight Combination Harness-2 Booster Car Seat
Recaro Performance Sport Combination Harness to Booster
Graco Backless TurboBooster Car Seat
LotFancy Automatic Digital Arm Blood Pressure Monitor
Evenflo Amp Performance No Back Booster Car Seat

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

25 pounds

25 pounds

5 pounds

10 pounds

5 pounds

5-point front harness, belt-positioning booster

5-point front harness, belt-positioning booster

Booster seat

Highback without harness, backless booster

Booster seat

Britax Frontier Clicktight Combination Harness-2 Booster Car Seat

Britax Frontier Clicktight Combination Harness-2 Booster Car Seat

In our view, Britax makes the best car seats, period. They have a selection of booster options and you really wouldn’t go wrong with any of them. But we’ve decided on the Frontier as the best of the bunch (even though it’s also the priciest) because it’s more versatile than other Britax seats like the Parkway. It has a harness for younger children so it’s the safest seat for them. Yet it’s taller and can be used in booster/seat belt mode as well, so it will fit older kids just fine as they approach age and weight limits and outgrow a harness. It also provides more comfort if your car doesn’t have adjustable rear headrests.

OK, let’s talk about the Frontier. Like all Britax seats it makes use of the company’s “Safe Cell” technology, which holds the seat and child in place and protects them in the event of an impact. The base, steel shell, energy-absorbing foam and headrest are built to absorb the force generated in an accident while the center of gravity of the seat is lowered; it’s the most complete safety system used by any booster seat. This model also features Britax click-tight installation which makes putting the seat into your car a breeze, since you only have to open the front of the unit, connect the seat belt through it, and snap the cover shut. There are also LATCH connectors.

Younger children can be secured with a five-point harness, strong enough to handle weights up to 90 pounds and with nine adjustable positions (the headrest is also adjustable, as is the crotch belt). When the kids are old enough to ride in a booster seat without their shoulders being strapped in, this seat will hold them until they reach 120 pounds. The seat reclines for comfort, and is FAA-approved for harness mode.

The Frontier has just about all of the extras you’d look for in a booster seat, including a hand-washable, removable seat cover, cup holders and storage cubbies. But even if it didn’t, this would still be our booster seat of choice despite its price tag of about $250. It’s that good.

Details of the Britax Frontier Clicktight Combination Harness-2 Booster Car Seat

Weight Limits

25-90 pounds for harness mode, 40-120 for booster mode

Modes

5-point front harness, belt-positioning booster

Front Recline

Yes, in harness mode

Adjustments

Harness (9 positions), seat recline, headrest and crotch belt (2 positions each)

Weight

25 pounds

Size

21 x 19 x 28 inches

Warranty

One year, limited

Recaro Performance Sport Combination Harness to Booster

Recaro Performance Sport Combination Harness to Booster

This Recaro model is quite similar to the Frontier in terms of its functionality, its design and its price. In full disclosure mode, we basically chose the Britax ahead of the Recaro because of the former’s long history of producing exceptional car seats and our experience and level of comfort with their products. You won’t be dissatisfied with the Recaro, though, unless its slightly-larger size is too big for your car.

The Performance Sport uses a different approach to protect the child who’s riding in the booster seat, but it’s still outstanding. There are metal-reinforced side wings to protect all of a child’s most-vulnerable areas including the head and heck, and memory foam to absorb the impact of a crash (as well as make the rider more comfortable during everyday use). Installation is easy with a LATCH system, and just as easy using a seat belt and tether – it doesn’t feel quite as safe because the belt goes behind the seat, but it works just as well as the Britax’s under-the-seat approach.

As a combination safety harness/booster seat, there’s plenty of flexibility built into the Recaro. The five-point harness can handle up to 65 pounds and has the added plus of what the company calls its HERO system, which effectively prevents the harness from twisting while staying firmly in place to protect the area from the shoulders to the head. There’s also a white stripe on the outside of the harness which “disappears” from view if the straps need to be readjusted. The harness adjustments are handy, but not effortless, and there are three adjustable crotch positions and a somewhat-difficult to use recline function. Once the child is older, the booster seat mode can accommodate up to 120 pounds without use of the harness and belts are easy for children to fasten and unfasten. This is a very comfortable seat, thanks to the foam padding and nylon mesh ventilation areas throughout the unit. There’s a cup holder and several storage pockets in the seat.

If you put a pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream next to a pint of Breyer’s we’d choose the Ben and Jerry’s, but would still be happy if you told us we had to have the Breyer’s instead. We’d choose the Britax over the Recaro too, but would be 100% satisfied if you gave us the Recaro – and we would understand why someone else would prefer the other alternative.

Details of the Recaro Performance Sport Combination Harness to Booster

Weight Limits

20-65 pounds for harness mode, 30-120 for booster mode

Modes

5-point front harness, belt-positioning booster

Front Recline

Yes, in harness mode

Adjustments

Harness (multiple positions), seat recline, crotch belt (3 positions)

Weight

25 pounds

Size

28 x 21 x 25 inches

Warranty

One year, limited

Graco Backless TurboBooster Car Seat

Graco Backless TurboBooster Car Seat

Yes, we do have a dish of vanilla instead of a banana split, to stay with the ice cream metaphor. The Graco TurboBooster is a simple and inexpensive booster seat without dual modes or bells and whistles, but it’s still safe and comfortable.

We wouldn’t suggest the Graco for a child who is “maybe just old enough” for a booster seat because as with all traditional booster seats, there’s nothing to hold the seat firm to the car except the child’s weight. The company rates the seat for ages 4-10, but you might be more comfortable waiting until age 5 (or even 6) before transitioning your child from a harness-style front-facing car seat. Naturally, you don’t have to be concerned with ease of installation with a seat like this, since you just plop it down and away you go. Believe it or not, there are crash tests done for these simple backless seats, and the Graco meets or exceeds all U.S standards and has been given the “best bet” award by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The TurboBooster is one of the best-padded backless seats we’ve seen, well-padded and with adjustable arm rests so you can raise the level of the arms as your child grows taller. The cushion can be easily removed and machine-washed, and the plastic seat cleans up easily with soap and water. Last but not least, there’s a Disney-themed princess model available to satisfy the princess in your family. The $25 price tag will definitely satisfy the king and queen.

Details of the Graco Backless TurboBooster Car Seat

Weight Limits

40-100 pounds

Modes

Booster seat

Front Recline

No

Adjustments

Armrests

Weight

5 pounds

Size

15 x 16 x 9 inches

Warranty

One year, limited

Chicco KidFit Booster Car Seat

Chicco KidFit Booster Car Seat

If you like the idea of a car seat which can double as a highback booster for a younger child and a standard backless booster when the child gets older – and don’t want to pay a fortune for it – let us introduce you to the Chicco KidFit Booster. For less than $100, this model will take your kid (or kids) from late toddler stage all the way up until they no longer need a special seat.

The Chicco isn’t like the other dual-mode seats we’ve reviewed, because it doesn’t have a five-point restraint system for very young children. It’s very much like them, though, in that it provides excellent safety features with strong side-impact protection, along with ten different head-and-shoulder position adjustments so that a child fits securely into the seat no matter how big he is. There’s plenty of comfort with double foam padding and a contoured seat, and the KidFit is easy to attach with LATCH connections (there’s no seat belt attachment option). When your child has outgrown the highback seat, the backrest can come right off to leave a regular backless booster seat.

The seat pad and arm rests come off to go into the washing machine, there are two cupholders, and there’s a very cool shoulder belt guide on the seat which makes it easy even for kids with two left thumbs to buckle up. For an extremely reasonable price, this is a good car seat.

Details of the Chicco KidFit Booster Car Seat

Weight Limits

30-100 pounds for highback mode, 40-110 for backless mode

Modes

Highback without harness, backless booster

Front Recline

Yes, in highback mode

Adjustments

Harness (10 positions), seat recline

Weight

10 pounds

Size

16 x 18 x 26 inches

Warranty

One year, limited

Evenflo Amp Performance No Back Booster Car Seat

Evenflo Amp Performance No Back Booster Car Seat

We finish this list of top 5 best booster seats with another option for those who simply want a backless booster seat that’s safe and comfortable. This Evenflo model tests at twice the U.S. safety standards and has contoured padding so your child won’t get sore or fidgety (well, more fidgety than usual) on long trips. The pad comes off to be tossed into the washing machine, there are two cupholders, there’s a selection of eight colors and patterns, it’s lightweight – what more can you say about a portable booster seat other than it’s a very good buy at around $25?

Oh, there is one more thing to say: the curvature on the bottom of the Evenflo Amp means that it won’t fit securely into all contoured back seats. You may want to opt for the Graco instead, if that might be a problem in your car.

Details of the Evenflo Amp Performance No Back Booster Car Seat

Weight Limits

40-110 pounds

Modes

Booster seat

Front Recline

No

Adjustments

No

Weight

5 pounds

Size

15 x 16 x 11 inches

Warranty

90 days, limited

FAQ (By Our Ardent Readers)

  • What is a booster seat? Booster seat is for your child to be seated safely in the car during travel. It is a natural progression from a child car seat when they are 5 and above.
  • Why are booster seats important? Booster seat not only keeps the child in a comfortable position but also increase its safety. Hence for all children aged 5-10, it is very important to use booster seats for your journeys.
  • What are the different types of booster seats? There are traditionally two types of booster seats. One that has a back and neck support and the other is a backless one. Both have been tested for all the safety criteria and is perfect for the child over 5 years.
  • What is age and weight limit for using the booster seat? The booster seat  is best suited for children aged 5 and above, though some of the models claims that it can  safely used after 4 years. The booster seat with back support may still be used but the backless ones where the child's weight is the only thing that holds it to the car must be left at least until the child is 5 or even 6. The weight limit is approximately 40 pounds for most models. Kindly read through the instructions before buying the product.
  • How tall must a child be to grow out of booster seat? The child must atleast be 4'9'' tall to be able to come out of booster seat.
  • Does the backless booster seat need to be anchored? No it cant be. The weight of the child is what keeps it on the seat. The child is harnessed by the car seat belt. So make sure your child weighs atleast 45-50 pounds before using it.
  • What are baby booster seats? These are booster seats used to put the child on a dining chair instead of a highchair when the child is old enough to sit on its own. This should not be confused with the Car booster seat and should never be used in a car.
  • Are booster seats as comfortable as a child car seat? Yes certainly they are. Most of them have padding to make it a bit cozy and also comes with a cup and a bottle holder to tuck in their drink.
  • Are backless booster seat safe? Yes they are. They have passed all the safety criteria before being brought to the market. Our recommendation would be to use the backless booster seat after the child is 5 year old or weighs at least 45-50 pounds. 
  • What is a convertible car booster seat? It is a normal baby car seat which can then be converted into a booster seat when the child is ready for it. The back support comes off and the lower seating takes the shape of a booster seat. Remember that the child must be at least 5year old or weigh at least 45 pounds before converting it into a booster seat.
  • Are the booster seat with back support expensive? Yes they are in comparison with the backless ones. But considering that you would use it for a very long time depending on how many children you have, we would still consider it a wise investment inspite of its heavy price tag.
  • Can the booster seats be easily moved from one car to the other? Only the backless seats can be moved easily whereas the high back booster seat still needs proper installation. 
  • Where can i buy cheap booster seats? If you are looking for cheaper option but also are keeping in mind child's safety, then go for backless booster seat. All models in high back ones are definitely on the higher price range. 
  • How long can i use the booster seat for? As long as it lasts. They don't have a expiry date at all. They are very durable and last for years. If you have more children than the booster seat is put to use even more. 
  • Is it safe to buy a used car seat? Not really as it may not meet the health and safety norms. Since there are several models in all price ranges you could definitely choose that suits your budget without compromising on the child's safety.
  • Do booster seats recline? Not at all. your child must be at least 4 or 5 year old to use the booster seat.
  • Can i use the booster seat in the front car seat? Don't think so. The laws of every state emphasise on putting the child on the back seat only. Please understand your state laws before taking your child out for a drive.
  • Can booster seats go in the middle? Don't think so, especially if you have a small/mid segment car. You could possibly put 2 booster seats at the back or may be squeeze another in the middle if you have a big car.
  • When can i stop using the booster seat? When your child is 10 year old or weighs 80 pounds.
  • Where can i buy the booster seats? You could buy it in store or from trusted online retailers like Amazon. Don't forget to read through our in-depth reviews before nailing down your choice.

The post Top 5 Best Booster Seats | 2018 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Top 5 Best Lightweight Strollers for Travel | 2018 Reviews

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Top 5 Best Lightweight Strollers for Travel | 2018 Reviews

Pushing around a full-sized, traditional stroller can be fun – at first. It takes a few wrong turns – literal wrong turns of the stroller wheels – to let you know that maybe you need another one: something lighter, more portable, and compact. Traveling with a baby is tough, we know. Hence, we have lightweight strollers.

Lightweight strollers are not an absolute necessity, mind you. This is entirely up to you. If you are the type of parent who likes traveling, then you must know by now that traditional strollers can be quite tasking to be carrying around all day. You need something that can keep up with you and your child, something that provides more breathing room for them when you’re out at the park or having a barbecue in your backyard.

We’ve picked out 5 of the best lightweight strollers based on their popularity in the parentsneed.com community, features, and ease of use. These are perfect for the family that enjoys bonding over outdoor activities. So, before you get any old thing on that baby registry, take a look at what we, and our fellow parents here at parentsneed.com have chosen for you.

We at ParentsNeed have done our research into the best hair growth serums on the market and have come up with a list of the top 5 best hair growth serums that work and should produce results you’re satisfied with for thickening your hair.

Quick Comparison Table

Summer Infant 3D Lite Convenience Stroller

Pockit Lightweight Stroller

Chicco Capri Lightweight Stroller

Kolcraft Cloud Plus Lightweight Stroller

Graco Verb Click Connect Stroller

Summer Infant 3D Lite Convenience Stroller - Black
Pockit Lightweight Stroller
Chicco Capri Lightweight Stroller, Tangerine
Kolcraft Cloud Plus
Graco Verb Click Connect Stroller, Chili Red

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

Pros

Pros

Pros

Pros

Pros

1. Reclines smoothly

2. Has a large storage basket

3. Folds and unfolds easily

1. Folds to travel-friendly size

2. Extremely lightweight

1. 5-point safety harness

2. Removable canopy

1. Can carry up to 50 lbs (22.7kg)

2. One-hand fold feature

1. Self-standing fold for easy storage

2. Carry strap for better portability

Cons

Cons

Cons

Cons

Cons

​1. Not small enough for overhead compartments

​1. Not enough storage space

2. Canopy can be too small​

​1. Cannot be fully reclined

2. Canopy gets muddied by wheels​

1. Handles are too short

2. Cupholders are a bit shallow​

​1. Heavy for a lightweight stroller

2. Not ideal for smaller kids​

Summer Infant 3D Lite Convenience Stroller

Summer Infant 3D Lite Convenience Stroller - Black

If you are looking for the best lightweight stroller that is not only durable but also convenient to use, then you can go wrong with the Summer Infant 3D Stroller. At first glance, this stroller looks pretty much like any old stroller you could find, but you’d be surprised to know that it’s definitely more than meets the eye. Starting with its simplistic yet smart design, the Summer Infant stroller looks well thought-out already. You can choose to change the color of the canopy and its details but it remains mostly black, which is great because strollers can get pretty messy at times. However, those aren’t the only reasons why we’ve chosen this stroller for the top spot on our list of best baby strollers for travel.

One of the best things about the Summer Infant 3D stroller is that it can fold and unfold quite easily. There’s no need for complicated maneuvers or the removal of screws and bolts. Once it is folded, it can fit your car trunk with ease. It’s the ideal choice if you’re planning on going on a family road trip. This makes it one of the best travel strollers as well. The seat also reclines smoothly, making it ideal for people who love traveling as a family. This will certainly save your trip once your toddler starts becoming cranky because it’s nap time. The last thing you need is a crying baby at a public place. Kids need their naps, and this stroller will help you in that area.

It was difficult to find negative points for the Ultrax Labs Hair Thickening Treatment. If we had to nitpick though, we found that if you use this serum for a couple days in a row without washing your hair, you may notice your hair looking a little greasy. One other negative point worth mentioning is price, however remember that you get what you pay for and this product really delivers.

Most importantly, it is incredibly lightweight. At just 12 pounds (5.5kg), you can easily move around with this stroller. Be careful, though, if you’ve got things hanging on the handles. It’s so lightweight that it could tip backwards if your baby is not using it. Finally, this stroller also has a large storage basket at its base that lets you keep baby formula, a blanket, extra nappies, and your kid’s favorite books or toys. That’s why if durability and convenience are on your checklist, this is the best travel stroller for you.

Summer Infant 3D Lite Convenience Stroller

Size

41 x 8.75 x 10 in (104 x 22 x 25 cm)

Weight

15.87 lb (7.2 kg)

Load Capacity

50 lb (22.7 kg)

Pockit Lightweight Stroller

Pockit Lightweight Stroller

If you think the number one stroller of our choice is a bit too bulky for you, then you might as well go for the Guinness Book of World Record holder for The World’s Smallest Folded Stroller. Folks at GoodBaby have made the absolute best travel stroller for flying with the Pockit Lightweight Stroller.

If you like traveling with your kids, then most likely you’ve encountered these words before: gate checking. While it’s not really that big of a deal, wouldn’t it be nice if traveling with a toddler could be more convenient? That’s what the Pockit carry-on stroller got right. You can easily fold this stroller in mere seconds, put it in your tote, and then store it in the overhead compartment. After landing, you can just as easily unfold it. This is what we’re obviously so crazy about. Traveling will be a much better experience with your kids.

It is much lighter than the Summer Infant 3D stroller, weighing only a little less than 10 pounds. However, there’s very little storage space and the canopy is too small and might not be ideal if you’re concerned about the harms of overexposure to the sun. Better pack up some extra sunscreen for the young ones, then. It’s also more difficult for a child to take a nap in this stroller as it doesn’t recline as well as the Summer Infant one.

One of the strengths of the Pockit stroller is also one of its drawbacks. It’s light. The thing that most parents might not be a fan of is that it is TOO light. This will only be ideal if you’re always walking on a flat surface, but that is commonly not the case. At times, it can be too difficult to maneuver that it would be better to just let your kids walk – this is a hassle when they’re taking a nap!

With that said, we still think it’s the best compact travel stroller for anyone who’s looking to take their kids on a trip overseas, or maybe just to visit their grandparents halfway across the country!

Pockit Lightweight Stroller

Size

23 x 16.5 x 40 in (58 x 42 x 101 cm)

Weight

9.5lbs (4.3 kg)

Load Capacity

55 lbs (25 kg)

Chicco Capri Lightweight Stroller

Chicco Capri Lightweight Stroller, Tangerine

At third place, we have one of the leading kids’ brands, Chicco. We give you one of the best umbrella strollers you’ll find. This brightly colored stroller is definitely sturdy and compact enough that it’s easy for you to push around on a day at the theme park or the playground.

We love the swivel wheels up front for easy maneuvering. We just hate it when we can’t get the stroller to turn towards the direction we want, don’t you? The basket at the base is pretty big, but not as big as that of the Summer Infant stroller. Another thing that we liked about this is that it has a 5-point safety harness that keeps your baby safe in place. It also has a footrest so that your child can sit comfortably. It is pretty stable, too. We liked how it’s not too bouncy when strolling along uneven terrain.

The seat can be reclined two ways, although it won’t fully recline. It’s just good enough for kids who want to take a nap. It is very easy to fold and store, unlike other strollers that would break your back. The Capri can be folded easily, but one of the downsides of that is that the canopy ends up touching the wheels, so you might want to watch out for that. We’ve heard some users complain about the handles being too short but we’ve never had that kind of problem. It’s probably more difficult for taller parents to handle, so you might want to skip it if you’re, say, 5’10” and up.

Overall, we love the Capri stroller. It’s one of those things that you need to get if you’re looking for a basic stroller that will help you travel with your kids. It may not be the absolute best lightweight stroller, but it’s still definitely a great one. With its simplistic design and child-friendly layout, there’s no wonder why this stroller made it to our list.

Chicco Capri Lightweight Stroller

Size

33.5 x 19 x 39 in (85 x 48 x 99 cm)

Weight

11 lbs (5 kg)

Load Capacity

37 lb (16.8 kg)

Kolcraft Cloud Plus Lightweight Stroller

Kolcraft Cloud Plus

Coming it at fourth place is this stroller from Kolcraft. Aside from its color schemes, this might closely resemble the Summer Infant stroller. While there are plenty of similarities, they are more different than you think. Despite those differences, Kolcraft has still definitely made it to the list of best lightweight strollers and we’re here to discuss why.

First, let’s talk about some of the things we love about the Cloud Plus stroller. It’s incredibly sturdy and can carry up to 50 pounds of weight. You can have your kid ride in it and still have a bunch of other stuff in the compartment as well, without having to worry about breaking it. It is also user-friendly. With its one-hand fold feature, you can have it up and ready within seconds. We also love the fact that the canopy is big enough that it provides ample protection from the rays of the sun.

On the other hand, we find that we needed to stoop down a bit in order to push this stroller around. Taller parents might find it inconvenient that the handles are not adjustable or not long enough. Additionally, we didn’t like how the seat recline is very limited. Some kids might find it hard to take a nap in this stroller. This is great for daytime, short trips or if you’re just grocery shopping with them. Otherwise, it may not be the best travel stroller for long walks at the park.

However, despite some of its shortcomings, it is still quite obviously a favorite among parents. It has gained quite the popularity as being the best lightweight stroller of choice for those who enjoy day trips and walking around amusement parks, or even at the beach!

Kolcraft Cloud Plus Lightweight Stroller

Size

31.2 x 18 x 39 in (79 x 46 x 99 cm)

Weight

11.8 lb (5.4 kg)

Load Capacity

50 lb (22.7 kg)

Graco Verb Click Connect Stroller

Graco Verb Click Connect Stroller, Chili Red

Fifth on our list is the Graco Verb Click Connect stroller. This incredibly stylish stroller may look nice on the outside, but it’s got a lot more things for parents to like than just looks. This ultra-sturdy stroller can last your family for a couple of generations, when treated with care. Out of all the best lightweight strollers on this list, the Verb Connect Stroller is the heaviest, at more than 18 pounds. Parents who wish lighter options might want to move higher up the list. This is also the main reason why it landed our fifth spot, and not higher.

One of the best things about the Verb is that it provides seating comfort to your child. A kid can fit snuggly in its seat and enjoy an afternoon nap with its reclining seat. Speaking of fitting snuggly, if you already have a Graco infant car seat, then you’d be pleased to know that it can fit right into this stroller as well. The front wheels can also swivel smoothly that it is easy to maneuver the stroller towards any direction. It also locks safely into place to make sure your kids are secured and it won’t just accidentally roll away.

We like how the canopy is just the right size. It’s not too small that the baby could get way too much sun exposure, and not too big that we can’t see what they’re doing. The storage basket at the bottom can hold all your extra baby gear, which is great for when you enjoy taking long walks or staying outdoors for longer periods of time.

Storing this stroller is easy because of the one-hand and self-supporting fold. For better portability, it has a carry strap that will let you sling it on your shoulder as you carry it back and forth. However, it’s still much bulkier and it’s not the best travel stroller for flying as it takes up too much space.

Graco Verb Click Connect Stroller

Size

25 x 18 x 40.5 in (63.5 x 46 x 103 cm)

Weight

18.85 lb (8.6 kg)

Load Capacity

50 lb (22.7 kg)

Choosing the right lightweight travel stroller

So, there you have it. With this list, you can choose whichever lightweight stroller you need and enjoy your days outdoors with your children. It’s important that you consider what you and your baby’s needs are and figure out a way to meet them both without making big compromises. Traveling with your kids is a great, beneficial bonding experience and you should always make sure that you and your kids are making the most out of the experience. After all, the goal of having a lightweight stroller is so that your baby stays safe and comfortable while you push them around without straining yourself that much. Find one that’s good for both you and your child. Happy strolling!

The post Top 5 Best Lightweight Strollers for Travel | 2018 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Top 5 Best Bath Toys For Your Toddler | 2018 Reviews

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Top 5 Best Bath Toys for Your Toddler | 2018 Reviews

The moment you put your once-tiny baby into the bathtub, you know that you’re playing a brand-new ballgame. You’ve lost the ability to hold her with one arm while scrubbing her hair with the other; you can’t even use “mom-style brute force” to hold her in place long enough to clean her feet once she’s in the tub. A toddler has a mind of her own, and you’ll be fighting a losing battle trying to assert your dominance. You’ll need her cooperation in order to get her clean, and the way most people do that is by making bathtime fun – with bath toys.

Old favorites like squeaking rubber duckies and floating Mickey Mouses (Mickey Mice?) may hold your young one’s attention for a little while, but there are many cooler bath toys which will fascinate her long enough to make it through an entire bath peacefully. Some will even help her learn some important skills while you’re getting her clean.

It probably doesn’t need to be said, but we’ll say it anyway: we’re only including completely safe and non-toxic playthings on our list of the top 5 best bath toys for your toddler. Many have won awards from various parents’ or mommy’s organizations and all are intriguing options for your child’s bathtime. There’s one other important thing they all have in common: they’re all inexpensive yet well-made, so you can pick up several of them while not having to examine each one with a magnifying glass to ensure that they’ll be safe to throw into the tub with your most-precious possession.

Before going on our list, check out our comprehensive best bath toys buying guide here.

Here are our choices.

Quick Comparison Table

ALEX Toys Rub a Dub Water Flutes

Tolo Toys Funtime Fishing

Edushape Cup-O-Fun Water Toy

ALEX Toys Rub a Dub Star Crayon

Boon Creatures Bath Toy Cup Set

ALEX Toys Rub a Dub Water Flutes
Tolo Toys Funtime Fishing
Edushape Cup-O-Fun Water Toy
ALEX Toys Rub a Dub Star Crayon
Boon Creatures Interchangeable Bath Toy Cup Set

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

8.8 ounces

12.8 ounces

1 pound

1.8 ounces

10 ounces

Foam, plastic

Plastic, hidden magnets

Plastic, foam

Plastic, crayon

Plastic

ALEX Toys Rub a Dub Water Flutes

ALEX Toys Rub a Dub Water Flutes

Lots of bath toys (or toys in general) have a life span that can be measured in hours, or even in minutes; toddlers are notorious for being fascinated by, and then discarding, the toys their parents have spent days picking out for them. The Rub a Dub Water Flutes, however, will “grow” along with your child and keep her interested for many months or years.

The five flutes come arranged in a foam holder, but can also be removed to be played separately. You (or your child) dunk them into the tub to fill them with water, and depending on how much water is in each one, they play different notes when they’re blown. Each flute is designed to hit certain notes if the right amount of liquid is inside, but that’s certainly not a big deal for small toddlers who just love the fact that they’re “making music.” They’re also learning a bit of science, since they’ll discover that the notes produced by the flutes change with the volume of water inside each one.

Once the children are older, however, they’ll be more interested in getting the notes just right so they can play songs. That’s why we say the Rub a Dub flutes are a bath toy which will be around for a while; the set comes with a number of waterproof song sheets which can be stuck to the wall for older children to follow as they play. They won’t just be getting clean and making noise, but if they’re so inclined, they’ll also be starting to learning music – everything from “Mary Had a Little Lamb” to “Ode to Joy” from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.

We do have one important note about these flutes. If young toddlers fill the flutes up from the tub and then tip a flute back (in other words, raise one end up into the air), the dirty bath water can run down the flute and into their mouths. Keeping a separate basin of clean water right by the tub can take care of that issue, though, until the children are old enough to hold the instruments the proper way on their own. There’s also a more practical issue; once the flutes get wet and slippery, they can easily slip right out the foam holder and have to be played individually. That doesn’t make them any less fun for toddlers, but it would be nicer if they were held more firmly in place. Incidentally, the manufacturer says this bath toy is for ages 3+, but we’d guess that’s on the advice of their lawyers since toddlers love these flutes.

ALEX is a well-known manufacturer of popular children’s toys, and they obviously know what kids like – these flutes will be a hit in your bathtub. They’ve won awards from iParenting, Parents’ Magazine and NAPPA, too, so we aren’t the only ones who’ve been impressed by them. Just one tip: you may want to allocate a little more than the $10 you’d normally pay for the water flutes, to buy a set of earplugs for yourself.

Details of the ALEX Toys Rub a Dub Water Flutes

Materials

Foam, plastic

Extras

Flute holder, waterproof music sheets

Size

7.5 x 3 x 12 inches

Weight

8.8 ounces

Tolo Toys Funtime Fishing

Tolo Toys Funtime Fishing

Toddlers are always developing all-important hand-eye coordination to some extent. You can help with the process by tossing these three colorful Tolo Toys fish into the bathtub and handing your child the 9-inch long fishing rod she’ll need to catch them.

The rod and fish are made from colorful plastic, with a magnetic (and adorable) worm hanging from the rod as the “bait” used to catch the fish by attaching to the small magnets in their mouths. The large-handled reel on the rod can then be turned by your toddler in order to reel the fish in. The fun starts even before the fishing, however, because as soon as the fish are submerged in the tub they’ll start “blowing” small bubbles. Younger children are delighted by the bubbles, and older ones can’t wait to grab their rod and go fishin’.

There are several developmental benefits connected with a toddler’s use of the toy. As we’ve mentioned, the fishing activity helps them develop and hone their coordination and dexterity. But the bubbling fish are also educational as they help children understand concepts like floating and sinking, and lets them figure out the reason that the fish produce bubbles after being submerged in water. When the novelty finally starts to wear off (and if you have the time to spare), regular fishing contests with your toddler can continue to make bathtime something she really looks forward to, rather than an ordeal. She may even find this toy fun to use outside of the tub, because the magnet on the rod will “catch” other magnetic objects as well.

The Funtime Fishing set is carefully constructed so there are no loose parts and the magnets won’t wear out, and the plastic is BPA-free. You may want to be sure to fully empty the fish after each use, though, because water can get caught inside and could eventually lead to mold growth. The set will cost you about $17.

Details of the Tolo Toys Funtime Fishing

Materials

Plastic, concealed magnets

Size

Rod is 9 inches long, fish vary in size

Weight

12.8 ounces

Edushape Cup-O-Fun Water Toy

Edushape Cup-O-Fun Water Toy

When we first saw this bath toy, we thought it might be too advanced for a young toddler. We were wrong. There are actually several levels of difficulty built into the Cup-O-Fun, and as your child grows older she can “graduate” to newer challenges.

This kit comes with a floating tray which serves as the base of a puzzle, four large floating puzzle pieces which fit together into the base, five floating foam pieces which can fit into the puzzle pieces, and four plastic nesting cups which not only fit into each other, but also into the puzzle in various spots. There are many different permutations of the ways these pieces can be put together, which your toddler will discover as she grows older.

Younger children can simply have fun stacking, filling and emptying the cups or positioning them to float on top of the puzzle base, or sticking the foam pieces to the wall, until they’re ready to start tackling the puzzle. Or they may prefer to have you do the stacking, so they can do the destroying.

All of the pieces are colorful, with cute pictures on them to help make sorting and puzzle-solving easier, and they’re safe while being large enough to not be a choking hazard. It does cost around $25, but the Cup-o-Fun is a versatile and fun toy which won’t be a “one-and-done” addition to your toddler’s bathtub.

Details of the Edushape Cup-O-Fun Water Toy

Materials

Plastic, foam

Size

Tray is 12.5 inches in diameter, other pieces vary in size

Weight

1 pound

ALEX Toys Rub a Dub Star Crayon

ALEX Toys Rub a Dub Star Crayon

If you couldn’t tell by now, we really love the products made by ALEX Toys. However, this one comes with an important caveat which is why we decided to rank it lower on our list of the top 5 best bath toys for your toddler. Before you proudly hand this beautiful and inexpensive bath crayon to your child, check it on your bathtub by yourself. The markings come off most tubs with just a swipe of a washcloth, but on some older tubs or tile you may find yourself scrubbing like crazy to get rid of the crayon (although a Magic Eraser product often works well for that). Once you’ve determined that you won’t have to spend half-an-hour cleaning up a crayon mess after a bath, give it to your toddler – because she’ll love it.

Many people try tub crayons and then discard them quickly, finding that they break or sink to the bottom of the tub easily. The design of the Star Crayon is the perfect answer. It has six bright colors all smartly sitting around the sixes of a solid plastic star so it’s easy for toddlers to hold and color with, yet it won’t break apart. Kids can color to their hearts’ content on the tub, the bathroom tile or any other non-porous surface, even underwater, and you won’t be constantly taking broken crayons out of the tub or reaching down to find the one your child “lost.”

The ALEX Toys crayon costs less than $6, but you may want to buy a few at one time; they’re fairly small and don’t last for more than a few weeks of regular use. They can be messy, but toddlers find bath crayons a ton of fun and the Star Crayon is the easiest way for them to experience it.

Details of the ALEX Toys Rub a Dub Star Crayon

Materials

Plastic, crayon

Size

5 x 1 x 7 inches

Weight

1.8 ounces

Boon Creatures Interchangeable Bath Toy Cup Set

Boon Creatures Interchangeable Bath Toy Cup Set

This one is for your very young toddler, and she’ll have a ball with it. There are four small cups that serve as the bottoms of the sea creatures (octopus, whale, crab and fish), and four heads that fit on top of them. Each is a different attractive color, and they’re all interchangeable so your child can create different “exotic creatures” with them. Be aware that the tops and bottoms don’t latch together, they only sit atop one another; they’re designed for the fun of making the different combinations and then changing them, and the hand-eye coordination benefits of doing that.

Grown-ups may want the two parts to snap together, but most kids don’t care about that. In fact, you’ll find that young toddlers often have the most fun with the cups themselves, because each one has different sized holes which let the water trickle out at different speeds. The cups and tops are soft and flexible plastic (BPA-free), and can easily be run through the dishwasher to make sure they’re nice and dry to prevent mold growth.

Once your toddler is 1½ or so, chances are good that the Boon Creatures will have worn out their welcome. But for only ten bucks or so, they’re an octopus, crab, fish and whale of a good time before she reaches that age.

Details of the Boon Creatures Interchangeable Bath Toy Cup Set

Materials

Plastic

Size

Each assembled toy is 4 x 2.5 x 2.5 inches

Weight

10 ounces

The post Top 5 Best Bath Toys For Your Toddler | 2018 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Top 5 Best Humidity Monitor | 2018 Reviews

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Top 5 Best Humidity Monitor | 2018 Reviews

When most people are choosing where they should be living next, one of the things that is considered is the humidity of the place. However, high humidity and low humidity have their pros and cons. It is a highly debated issue among people. Anyway, there are definitely benefits in a humid and a dry place too, to a certain point. Getting yourself a humidifier or a dehumidifier depends on how high or low the humidity is in your area. The best way of knowing is by getting a humidity monitor for home use. Humidity varies in different parts of the country. But what exactly do we know about humidity? Not much right?

Some people find 30%-50% humidity comfortable. You’ll find that high humidity is extremely nauseating and less humidity is too dry. You see, a more humid area is a breeding ground for fungus, spores, and mites. Smaller insects like mosquitoes also thrive in humid areas—that's the reason why a lot of tropical countries have insects flying around. On the other hand, a dry area is not also good for your heath either. It can make you sneeze and people who suffer from lung conditions will have difficulty breathing in low humidity. Knowing your area's humidity will let you determine if you need to use a humidifier or a dehumidifier. We have tried the best top rated humidity sensor in the market and we come up with our top 5 picks.

Quick Comparison Table

AcuRite 00613 Indoor Humidity Monitor

ThermoPro TP50 Hygrometer Humidity Monitor

NewK Digital Indoor Humidity Monitor

Hippih Digital Magnet Humidity Monitor

Honeywell Humidity Monitor

AcuRite 00613 Indoor Humidity Monitor
ThermoPro TP50 Hygrometer Humidity Monitor
NewK Digital Indoor Humidity Monitor
Hippih Digital Magnet Humidity Monitor
Honeywell Humidity Monitor

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

3 x 2.5 x 1.3 in

3.1 x 0.8 x 2.6 in

4 x 3.9 x 1.8 in

3.8 x 3.8 x 1.5 in

3.5 x 3.5 x 1.2 in

White

White

Black, White

Black, Blue

Black

1 AA battery

1 AAA battery

2 AAA battery

2 AAA battery

2 AAA battery

Best for Humidity and Temperature Accuracy

Best for In-house Humidity Sensor

Best Humidity Monitor for Kitchen

Best Bedside Humidity Monitor

Best for Mutipurpose Use

AcuRite 00613 Indoor Humidity Monitor

AcuRite 00613 Indoor Humidity Monitor

There comes a time that you get concerned about your kids and gadgets and that you want to involve them in a more active lifestyle. Why not involve your kids in doing household chores like cleaning or if not, bring them outside and do some gardening with you. If you have a garden, you need to know the humidity to keep your plants at precise levels. And for that reason, we do like this humidity sensor. You can use it inside and outside despite it being labelled as an indoor use only. Out of all the humidity monitors in our list, this temperature and humidity monitor is the most accurate. With only a +/- 2% accuracy for humidity and a +/-1% accuracy for the temperature, you are guaranteed a precise reading throughout the entire day. What's great about it is that this compact monitor also does a constant check every 20 minutes.

Aside from the accurate reading, you will also like the fact that it displays the reading for the temperature and the humidity range for the next 24 or 36 hours. That's neat considering that you can't always have the weathercast on. Knowing the humidity and temperature can already give you an idea of the weather for the day and can already plan ahead whether you should do the shopping now or tomorrow because of the probability of rain.

It also has a comfort meter telling you whether the humidity is too HIGH, too LOW, or just OK. Knowing this can help you adjust the humidifier or dehumidifier, or whichever method you have to adjust the moisture in the air inside your home.

We love that it can be mounted anywhere – the bedside table, the home office desk or even on the fridge door. It has a magnet mount allowing you to just stick it on the refrigerator if you find the kitchen to be the most appropriate place for your accurate humidity sensor. Another reason why we (and thousands more) like this is because it is in affordable range without compromising the quality! And that is why this is the best humidity monitor in our list!

Details of AcuRite 00613 Indoor Humidity Monitor

Dimensions

3 x 2.5 x 1.3 inches

Color

White

Type

Digital Indoor Monitor

Battery

1 AA battery

Temperature

Yes

Time:

No

Accuracy Rating

+/- 2 %, +/-1% temperature

Verdict

Best for Humidity and Temperature Accuracy

ThermoPro TP50 Hygrometer Humidity Monitor

ThermoPro TP50 Hygrometer Humidity Monitor

One of the best ways of preventing molds and mildew from erupting all over your house is by knowing the humidity of your home. A very damp place is a breeding ground for molds to spring up and that's potentially dangerous to your health. A comfortable humidity prevents molds from breeding and the mildew from destroying some of your furniture.

Ensuring the proper humidity in your home is something that will benefit your health a lot, especially in terms of skin health and allergen conditions. The ThermoPro is surely a great way of helping deal with this comfort. With an accuracy level of +/-2% on humidity, you are a sure winner. It also displays whether the humidity in your home is dry (<30% humidity), comfortable (30%<humidity<60%), and Wet (>60%). The comfort label flashes on as well if the temperature is between 68-79 degrees Fahrenheit (20-26 degrees Celsius).

You also have a clear picture of the humidity and temperature range for the next 24 hours. What's great is that you can choose whether or not you should go for Fahrenheit or for Celsius. We like that it is simple and very affordable. This is actually the most affordable accurate humidity monitor.

You can put it anywhere you want – by the window, the home office, or kitchen. You don't have to worry about it tipping over accidentally because you can just mount it on the refrigerator's door or side, whichever you find more convenient.

We love that it can record current readings and compare to the previous ones. This helps you in prepping much of the things you need to do within the day. You can also clear the memory by pressing and holding the Clear button for about 2 seconds. This way, it can start recording humidity readings again. We like that it is very compact and helpful but there are some moms here at ParentsNeed HQ who have complained about its readings becoming too low. You can send it back for recalibration but they practically won't have your unit replaced—bummer. Nonetheless, this is a great item to have! That is why this is our second pick for the best humidity reader.

Details of ThermoPro TP50 Hygrometer Humidity Monitor

Dimensions

3.1 x 0.8 x 2.6 inches

Color

White

Type

Indoor/Outdoor Digital Monitor

Battery

1 AAA battery

Temperature

Yes

Time:

Yes

Accuracy Rating

+/- 2-3% humidity, +/-1% temperature

Verdict

Best for In-house Humidity Sensor

NewK Digital Indoor Humidity Monitor

NewK Digital Indoor Humidity Monitor

We've often heard why we need a hygrometer in the kitchen. This is actually something that not a lot of home cooks know: humidity is a big factor in your cooking. This is especially important in dehydrating food, indoor grilling, smoking meat, or roasting your meat. Humidity plays a big role in slow cooking. If it is too humid, the warm air easily cools down with all the cold water vapor hanging in the air which can cause your food to get cold and stall. That is a nightmare! You might end up cooking your meat for about 3 extra hours because it gets stuck at a certain temperature. If the air is too dry, prepare to spritz your meat from time to time.

The reason why this is an awesome kitchen hygrometer is that it does more than just tell the humidity and the temperature. It also tells the time and you can also set an alarm to make sure your roast is cooked to perfection. Actually, it also works well as a bedside humidity sensor too. We love that this has an accuracy reading of about +/-5%. It also records the highest and the lowest readings. It has a large colored LCD screen so you can clearly see the time and the readings across the room.

Moreover, it tells the weather for the day which is really great! It has night lighting; so if you use it as a bedside hygrometer, you can check the readings or the time. This is actually your little all-in-one multipurpose reader that keeps you up to date with the weather condition that might affect your day overall. We can even bring it around if we plan on going on a family road trip or a camping. Those reasons made this our third pick for the best humidity reader.

Details of NewK Digital Indoor Humidity Monitor

Dimensions

4 x 3.9 x 1.8 inches

Color

Black, White

Type

Indoor Digital Monitor

Battery

2 AAA battery

Temperature

Yes

Time:

Yes

Accuracy Rating

+/- 5% humidity, +/-1% temperature

Verdict

Best Humidity Monitor for Kitchen

Hippih Digital Magnet Humidity Monitor

Hippih Digital Magnet Humidity Monitor

You see, dry air has a lot of major concerns especially when it happens during winter. That's because cold air can't hold much water vapor making air really thin and extremely dry. This can lead to chapped lips, itchy dry skin, and dry throat. In the lack of a decent humidifier, you rely on lip balm and moisturizers to keep your body from losing its moisture. To avoid this, you need a humidity reader to help you determine if the air is too dry or just fine.

The Hippy Digital Humidity Monitor is the perfect bedside hygrometer. We love just how cute, compact and correct its readings are. Unlike most hygrometers out there, this one has a clock in it. Actually, it's more like a clock that tells the temperature and humidity. However, the readings are still pretty accurate. At least, we will have an idea whether or not we should pack a lip balm to hydrate our lips for today.

Anyway, as a bedside hygrometer, we love that it has a backlight which turns on for about 8 seconds; and that's enough time for you to see the time or the readings in the middle of the night. The design is great and the screen is just as good since it uses an LCD touch screen. Just tap and you can see the time at night and if you want to adjust the time, you can simply tap on the screen instead of the typical wind-ups at the back.

For a clock, and a humidity and thermometer monitor, it is cheap and very reliable. Although the readings have a wide accuracy margin of +/-5%, we have tested and compared it with other readers finding it to be as accurate as +/-2% to a certain point. We really love it as a bedside hygrometer especially if you wake up at night for a glass of water, you can also check in at the time. We can bring it to the kitchen as well so we can check on the humidity there. For all those good reasons, we chose this as our fourth best bet for the Top 5 best hygrometers in the market.

Details of Hippih Digital Magnet Humidity Monitor

Dimensions

3.8 x 3.8 x 1.5 inches

Color

Black, Blue

Type

Indoor Digital Monitor

Battery

2 AAA batteries

Temperature

Yes

Time:

Yes

Accuracy Rating

+/- 5% humidity, +/-1% temperature

Verdict

Best Bedside Humidity Monitor

Honeywell Humidity Monitor

Honeywell Humidity Monitor

There's a myth that says high humidity is good for the skin. Why do you think we have facial steamers? It may be true that humidity has its benefits but high humidity poses just as many problems. Knowing whether your environment is comfy or not, your humidity sensor can tell you if your humidity is relatively comfy for you and the rest of your family.

If you have eyesight similar to that of a worm, then you better get yourself a big screen humidity monitor. Simple to use and with a display that can be seen from across the room; you will definitely like this Habor humidity sensor. It shows humidity readings with +/-5% accuracy. The screen also displays the minimum and maximum daily rating of both temperature and humidity readings.

It comes with an intelligent comfort indicator that tells you the time, the day of the week and the week number. These are very helpful for office work, that's why this works great as a home office humidity monitor. The LCD screen shows clear measurements. You can change the settings at the bottom. There are three buttons that let you change the temperature reading from Fahrenheit to Celcius and back. The time is also adjustable whether you choose the 12-hour format or the 24-hour format.

We love that this works great as a home humidity sensor. The screen is wide enough to see the time and date from afar. You can also mount it on the wall because it comes with a 3M taped at the back. Unfortunately, we would like it to have a backlight for it to be a great bedside humidity sensor. With a backlight, we can have access to it even at night. Still, it’s a great hygrometer and this item completes our lift of five best indoor humidity monitors.

Details of Honeywell Humidity Monitor

Dimensions

3.5 x 3.5 x 1.2 inches

Color

Black

Type

Indoor Digital Monitor

Battery

2 AAA battery

Temperature

Yes

Time:

Yes

Accuracy Rating

+/- 2% humidity

Verdict

Best for Mutipurpose Use

A humidity sensor can actually offer you more than just knowing how much moisture is in the air. It also gives you an idea if the humidity in your area is safe for you and your family. We have chosen only the top humidity monitors that will give you the most accurate reading of humidity in your home or in your surroundings. These humidity sensors are very reliable and definitely worth the value of your money.

The post Top 5 Best Humidity Monitor | 2018 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Top 5 Best Winter Gloves for Babies | 2017 Reviews

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Top 5 Best Winter Gloves for Babies | 2017 Reviews

It's winter and the cold can just creep in on you anytime. But your biggest concern is that, is your baby warm enough? It's really difficult to gauge if babies feel cold or feel too hot because they can't really say what they're feeling. And all you can do is to try your best in making things work out for your baby. The problem is, eyeballing it in the winter cold and simply trying to guess if your little one's toes and fingers will stay warm and keep warm is not something we can risk.

As parents, there are even times when the cold can hit really bad without an inch of snow and we are just not aware how quickly our little tot's fingers would hold up against the cold. No matter the snow or the chills, we need a complete warm-up for our babies and we need items that won't limit our babies' movements too much but just enough to keep nice and warm.

One of the most important things to always have is getting the right gear and getting the right pair of mittens complete you child's winter armor is just as important a task as getting the right winter coat. We have listed down a list of five great winter gloves for babies. We have chosen them according to warm, quality and moveability-- of course, we would like our children to stay warm but we also want them to move freely and not be smothered by a blanket of thick fabric. Here is our list of five best winter mittens for babies.

Quick Comparison Table

SnowStoppers Kids Waterproof Stay On Winter Nylon Mittens

N'Ice Caps Waterproof Thinsulate Winter Snow Mitten

Back From Bali Boys Baby Toddler Mittens Micro Fleece 

Veyo Mittyz - Flipper Waterproof Winter Mittens

DZT1968® 1 Pair Winter Baby Cute Thick Gloves Mittens 

SnowStoppers Kids Waterproof Stay On Winter Nylon Mittens
N'Ice Caps Kids Easy On Velcro Wrap Waterproof Thinsulate Winter Snow Mitten
Back From Bali Boys Baby Toddler Mittens with String Micro Fleece Warm Winter
Veyo Mittyz - Flipper Waterproof and Warm Easy On Winter Kids Mittens
DZT1968® 1 Pair Winter Baby Cute Thick Gloves Mittens With

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

0.8 ounces

2.6 ounces

0.8 ounces

12.1 ounces

1.6 ounces

100% Polyester

Taslan Polyester

Fleece

Fleece

Fleece

SnowStoppers Kids Waterproof Stay On Winter Nylon Mittens

SnowStoppers Kids Waterproof Stay On Winter Nylon Mittens

Just as the name suggests you really are in for a treat for winter with Snowstoppers baby hand mitts. These SnowStoppers Mittens are topping our list of favorite because of the fact that they really keep your babies fingers warm; and to add to that, not just their fingers but the rest of their arms too. It comes with a patented SnowStopper Extra long cuff to keep your little one's arms warm and protected from the frost.

One of the greatest reasons why we love this so much is because they are really warm on your baby's fingers. The cuffs are great love-it’s because they run almost all the way to the elbows. They tuck in real well under your babies winter coat without being too bulky and don't serve much of a hindrance on snug baby outfits. One other thing we love so much about it is that it does not fall off! And it doesn't pose a choking hazard either compared to other baby mittens with a string that attaches the two to each other. That's the problem with mittens! They keep slipping off of our baby's hands either one of them gets lost in the process. This is absolutely not a problem with the SnowStopper mittens.

These pair of winter mittens are lined with fine polyester with an all-nylon outer shell that locks in the warmth around your baby's fingers. Your baby will definitely feel nice and cozy under the blanket of Thinsulate insulation and a fully waterproof Drypel liner. These infant winter mittens are actually fairly thin. They are not too heavy either making movement quite easy for your baby. These are also waterproof mittens for babies. So even if snow gets to settle and melt on them, it won't pass through the outer shell keeping your baby’s fingers comfy warm and dry.

In order to keep these mittens clean, they need to be hand washed without bleach as Nylon might be worn off in strong machine washes. Other than that tiny cleaning hassle, your winter baby mitts are definitely perfect. The SnowStopper mittens come in different sizes but if you are looking for winter mittens for babies, you can choose small since it is best for babies aged 1-3. But, if you are looking for snow mittens for toddlers then opt for the medium that fits toddlers from 2-5 years old. These winter mittens are also available in larger sizes. And for these numerous reasons, this really makes our top pick for the best infant snow gloves.

Details of the SnowStoppers Kids Waterproof Stay On Winter Nylon Mittens

Dimensions

8.5 x 3 x 2.5 inches

Weight

0.8 ounces

Outer Material

100% Nylon, Cuff: 100% Acrylic

Inner Material

100% Polyester

Age

Small: 1-3 Years old, Sizes from 0 to 10 Years old available

Colors

Sky Blue, Deep Lilac, Fuschia, Lime Green, Navy Blue, Pink, Pink & Fuschia, Red, Black, Black & Red, Purple & Lime, Navy Blue/ Lime Green

N'Ice Caps Kids Easy On Velcro Wrap Waterproof Thinsulate Winter Snow Mitten

N'Ice Caps Kids Easy On Velcro Wrap Waterproof Thinsulate Winter Snow Mitten

If you're looking for a pair of mittens that is nice and snug for your baby then this might just be the best pick for you. The N'Ice Caps waterproof baby mittens are sports mittens that also serve a great purpose for your baby. This breathable yet waterproof baby mittens or toddler snow mittens are Taslan. Taslan is a hi-tech woven fabric often used to make sportswear. It is a favorite material for athletes because Taslan is very durable. What we love about a Taslanized fabric is that it is semi-porous, which means the outer shell of this awesome winter gloves for toddlers and babies are waterproof. So no worries about snow melting on them, they won't seep through anyway but making them too soaked on your babies hands are not ideal either.

These toddler waterproof mittens fit perfectly because it can stay on your child's hands with a stretchable armband that keeps the mitten nice and snug and free from slipping off. You will also like the fact that it has a velcro strap lock that provides an extra security to stay on your baby's hands at all times. You will also like that it doesn't come with a thumb for the smallest size. It poses a difficulty on your baby's hands when a thumb slot is included, however, bigger sizes do come with a thumb slot.

It is very warm inside keeping your baby's hands warm and sealed. Since this is taslanized, it means that your baby's hands will stay warm and cozy but not hot enough for it to sweat. The taslanized fabric is semi-porous, making way for air to come in but preventing water from leaking through. It gives a nice circulation of air around your baby's hands making them less sweaty and comfier. And for those reasons, this is one of the best heavy duty mittens for winter making it second in our list for the best baby winter mitts.

Details of the N'Ice Caps Kids Easy On Velcro Wrap Waterproof Thinsulate Winter Snow Mitten

Dimensions

4 x 3.25 x 2 inches

Weight

2.6 ounces

Outer Material

Taslan Nylon, Cuffs: Fleece

Inner Material

Taslan Polyester

Age

XS: 12-24 months, Sizes from 2 to 12 years old available

Colors

(Colors options vary by size) Black Solid, Fuchsia Solid, Royal, Pink, black Glow in the Dark, Fuschia Glow in the Dark, Navy Glow in the Dark, Lavender, Red, Neon Green, Neon Pink, Flames Print, Light Blue, Navy, Digital Camo Print

Back From Bali Boys Baby Toddler Mittens with String Micro Fleece Warm Winter

Back From Bali Boys Baby Toddler Mittens with String Micro Fleece Warm Winter

Having an infant in winter may pose a difficult challenge for you and your family. But good thing, it is not an impossible task. You will only need the right gear so your child can have a warm winter. You will love that this material uses cotton. Cotton is soft, breathable and light. Infants have reflexes that should not be hindered and we don't want our baby to be hampered down by a heavy pair of baby snow mittens. That is why we love the fact that this item is very light. The inner layer is made of fleece, and fleece is a really nice and soft and cozy fabric that you yourself love melting in it. The fleece provides great comfort for your baby's hands. That is why these gloves for baby fairs well against the cold.

Besides, it also has those cute patterns that make it an all the more adorable set of snow mitts for babies. The inner fleece lining keeps your baby's hands dry and stays warm. Since fleece is a semi-porous fabric is works well against the water works. However, t cannot stand against quite an amount of snow since it will eventually get wet inside. You will love that it comes with an anti-loss string. The string is 32-inches long; it goes through your baby’s jacket all the way around the back and down the other hand. This helps you from losing this cute pair of fleece baby mittens. It also has a velcro strap that secures the baby snow mittens on your child without it being too tight and restrictive.

Washing is also not a problem, it is absolutely machine washable. You will also love it has already been pre-shrunk so washing it in won't make it any smaller. You might also like that it is colorfast. The colors stay in throughout its lifespan without a bit of worry. It doesn't stain on any of your baby's clothes either. That's a definite plus factor. It is also incredibly durable because it is made by hand in Bali, hence the name. And with every purchase of this item, you get to support local women's artistry. And for that reason, this is one of our top picks for the best baby mittens for winter making it on spot number three!

Details of the Back From Bali Boys Baby Toddler Mittens with String Micro Fleece Warm Winter

Dimensions

5 x 4 x 02. inches

Weight

0.8 ounces

Outer Material

Cotton

Inner Material

Fleece

Age

Small: 6-12 months, Sizes from 6 months to 3 years old available

Colors

Blue with light blue dinosaurs, Grey with Red Geckos, Red with Blue Penguins, Patchwork Blues

Veyo Mittyz - Flipper Waterproof and Warm Easy On Winter Kids Mittens

Veyo Mittyz - Flipper Waterproof and Warm Easy On Winter Kids Mittens

Who said mittens can't be fun? It absolutely is with the Veyo Mittyz baby winter gloves. It's is an absolutely cute and fun product to keep around. We love the fact that it is adorable in the first place. It is a fun and also can be an educational item as well. We love the fact that our blabbering babies started to learn their first words because of this product. Flipper or the penguin can point to any object and start naming them. It can be a fun item or toy to have especially on an averagely dull day. You can simply color your day with your baby with this adorable winter gloves for baby. One of the things we absolutely love about this mitten is that it is so waterproof!

It has a nylon outer shell making it really waterproof. So no matter where your child is, this best toddler mitten can hold against a pool of melted snow. This gauntlet can cover any clothing no matter how thick it is and still manage to stay on. It has a hem string that can be locked in place to secure this baby mitten over any clothes. This is actually an oversized gauntlet that stays on to keep your children's arms until near the elbows.

This is also really warm! The inner lining is made of fleece so that guarantees you a very warm pair of gloves. It is also very easy to wash. You can simply toss it in the washing machine without the worry of it shrinking or discoloring. It does have an easy thumb slot, it is a broad opening that is not separate from the rest of your fingers but provides enough agility for your little one to have the full use of their hand. We love that it comes in so many other adorable designs; you should really check it out. And for that reason, it is our fourth favorite winter gloves for babies!

Details of the Veyo Mittyz - Flipper Waterproof and Warm Easy On Winter Kids Mittens

Dimensions

8 x 4 x 0.6 inches

Weight

12.1 ounces

Outer Material

Nylon

Inner Material

Fleece

Age

Small: 6 months- 2 years old; Sizes available ranging from 6 months old to 6 years old.

Colors

Various Designs

DZT1968® 1 Pair Winter Baby Cute Thick Gloves Mittens With String (0-12 Months)

DZT1968® 1 Pair Winter Baby Cute Thick Gloves Mittens With

Just one look and you will absolutely love and adore this cute pair of infant winter mittens. This is our best pair of snow mitts for infants. It is absolutely a chic pair of gloves that fits any winter outfit. What we love about it is that it is an adorable trend in infant clothing that you'd love to keep for your little one. It's simple, elegant and even expensive-looking. But that's not really the main reason why we chose this as one of our favorite picks for the best winter mittens for babies. We chose it because of the material. It is made of coral velvet.

Coral velvet is an extremely soft material that keeps your warm through the cold season. It is definitely a fine material to use for infant clothing especially infant snow mittens. It can hold up against a decent amount of moisture but not completely hold off against really damp weather. Nonetheless, it keeps your baby's hand snug and warm.

One of the key features in this adorable baby winter gloves is the fact that it has a narrow opening. It has a limited stretch that opens wide enough for your baby's hands to wiggle through but difficult to slip-off quickly. The narrow opening prevents it from being easily lost. It also comes with a long string that can go all the way through your baby's arms and back that you will be grateful that none of the baby winter gloves will get lost.

As cute as it may be, the problem is that it is a one size fits all from 0 to 12 months of age. Although it is actually quite bigger and can fit the hands of a 2-year-old, it was meant as an anti-scratch mitten for baby through winter. As much as you'd like to have another one as your little tot gets older, it just ends up being a toy when it is outgrown. It still doesn't discount the fact that they really keep your baby's hands warm and cozy and dry and for that, we chose this as our fifth-best baby snow mittens.

Details of the DZT1968® 1 Pair Winter Baby Cute Thick Gloves Mittens With String (0-12 Months)

Dimensions

4 x 3.25 x 0.5 inches

Weight

1.6 ounces

Outer Material

Coral Velvet

Inner Material

Fleece

Age

0-12 months old

Colors

Blue, Hot Pink, Light Blue, Navy, Pink, Sky Blue, Watermelon Red, Yellow

We love shopping for baby clothes and we absolutely love trying things out so that we can choose the best one for our babies. We care for your baby just as much as ours so we only recommend you the best. These winter mittens for kids are wonderful winter gloves that can provide warmth and sufficient dryness to let you continue. So with the list of five, we have chosen, you can simply take a pick and bring it home for your little tot to go through winter warm and dry.

The post Top 5 Best Winter Gloves for Babies | 2017 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.


Top 5 Best Sunscreens for Babies | 2018 Reviews

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Top 5 Best Sunscreens for Babies | 2018 Reviews

A moment of fun under the sun, a few days worth of pain and discomfort.

Don’t we just hate sunburn? Yes, we do and we most definitely should. Beyond the redness of the skin it brings, it is actually a form of skin damage that is more serious than we think. The skin is our first line of defense against all external factors. It serves as a barrier for disease and bacteria. The skin prevents water loss, and provides us insulation and sensation. It is our protection. We wouldn’t want our defense compromised, would we? No, especially for our precious little ones, we don’t. They need all the protection they can get.

The best prevention may be to avoid sun exposure altogether by staying indoors or under the shade. It also helps to wear protective clothing such as wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts and pants. Ah but, alas! What if it’s summertime? How are we going to enjoy the precious time with the kids if we are to be stuck inside the house? What about beach time? Umbrellas can only go so far; I’m pretty sure we wouldn’t want to carry one well right into the sea as we dip into the water. What about all the fun, fun, fun activities under the sun? Don’t you fret dear parents. Luckily, we live in a society of geniuses and they have made sure the fun doesn’t stop once the sun is up. We have long been blessed with the wonder of sunscreen and it’s about time we reap the full benefits this gift of protection has been offering us for quite some time.

We made a list of our top 5 best sunscreen for babies to help you out in choosing your weapon of choice in protecting your child, and possibly ourselves, against the harsh rays of the sun. Before we give you the list, let us just discuss the topic of SPF or Sun Protection Factor. A sunscreen’s SPF is the measure of the product’s effectivity. The SPF is actually a factor that we multiply to the length of time that would take one’s skin to burn when no sunscreen is applied. The resulting value would be equivalent to the amount of time your skin could be exposed to the sun without burning once the sunscreen has been applied. As an example, if you burn within 10 minutes without applying sunscreen, using a sunscreen with SPF 15 would protect you for about 150 minutes. Studies, however, have shown that increasing the SPF will only increase the protection by a margin and the FDA has since tagged products claiming effectivity beyond SPF 50 as misleading.

You may want to check our comprehensive buying guide for the best sunscreen​ for babies.

Alright. Here we go with our top 5 picks! 

Quick Comparison Table

Thinkbaby Sunscreen

Badger Baby Sunscreen Cream

Biosolis Kids Organic Sunscreen

Babo Botanicals Daily Sheer Sunscreen

TruKid Sunny Days Daily Sunscreen

Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen
Badger Baby Sunscreen Cream
Biosolis Kids Sun Milk Face & Body Organic Sunscreen, SPF 50
Babo Botanicals Daily Sheer Sunscreen, SPF 40
TruKid Sunny Days Daily Sunscreen, SPF 30+

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

SPF 50

SPF 30

SPF 50

SPF 40

SPF 30

Thinkbaby Sunscreen, SPF 50+

Thinkbaby Sunscreen, SPF 50+

One of the top-rated sunscreens in the market, it isn’t hard to see why Thinkbaby Sunscreen is highly recommended. It is the first sunscreen to meet the Whole Foods Premium Care Requirements and has received top ratings from the EWG. It is very kid-friendly with its mineral-based formula and like with most sunscreens for children, Thinkbaby works by blocking the UV rays instead of absorbing it. This product offers the best value for money with its high SPF rating as well as its high level of water resistance. As per FDA 2012 rules, its water resistance claim should be good for at least 80 minutes. For a very water resistant sunscreen, it is relatively easy to apply and has a non-greasy feel.

Parents will also be comforted in the fact that ThinkBaby products make use of very safe ingredients unlike other sunscreen products that have high levels of carcinogens. If you are looking for a super effective product at SPF 50+ and among those with the highest category in terms of water resistance, Thinkbaby Sunscreen is your best choice!

So, then. Broad-spectrum protection? Yes. Safe for children use? Yes. Easy to use and wear? Yes. Do we think Thinkbaby Sunscreen is definitely the best sunscreen to use when we are out with our kids for some serious fun in the sun? Yes!

Details of the Thinkbaby Sunscreen, SPF 50+

Active Ingredient

Zinc Oxide 20%

Protection

Broad-spectrum protection from UVA/UVB rays

Badger Baby Sunscreen Cream, SPF 30

Badger Baby Sunscreen Cream, SPF 30

Another top choice, this product is also certified all-natural. This sunscreen comes in the form of a cream and is considerably thicker than the other products listed on this list. In contrast to the sheer types recommended for daily use, Badger Baby Sunscreen cream is a bit greasier. That’s okay. It is formulated that way to make it water and sweat resistant for at least 40 minutes. Badgers sunscreens have received high ratings from the likes of EWG and Consumer Reports. Although it’s a bit greasy, it is quite surprisingly easy to rub in. It immediately works upon application. The water resistant properties of Badger Baby Sunscreen cream has been well tested and proven to be effective for when our younglings are out in the sun. It doesn’t rub off easily and compliance to reapplication won’t be much of a problem. Also, it doesn’t hurt that it has a nice chamomile scent to it. This is probably one of the safest sunscreens out in the market today, making it our number 2 pick for all the babies out there.

Fun fact: not only is Badger Baby Sunscreen Cream safe for your kids but it is also safe for animals, too! This sunscreen cream has not been tested on animals so if that is among your biggest concern, worry not, no animals have been harmed. Regardless, it’s a well tested product that works really well and is highly water resistant, too.​

Details of the Badger Baby Sunscreen Cream, SPF 30

Active Ingredient

Zinc Oxide 18.75 %

Protection

Broad-spectrum protection from UVA/UVB rays

Biosolis Kids Sun Milk Face & Body Organic Sunscreen, SPF 50

Biosolis Kids Sun Milk Face & Body Organic Sunscreen, SPF 50

Like the previously mentioned sunscreens, Biosolis Kids Sun Milk Face & Body Organic Sunscreen has a non-nano formula made with organic ingredients. What is nice to be highlight about this physical blocker is that it is certified as a Natural and Organic Cosmetic by ECOCERT Greenlife, a certification body for sustainable development. Owing to its natural origins, it is tagged as coral reef safe. We at ParentsNeed HQ find that extremely exciting and we are happy to offer you one of the best choices that would be enable you to protect your child without compromising the environment. It is never too early to start teaching our kids how to be advocates for sustainable living. Biosolis gives the same broad-spectrum sun protection as with the other recommended sunscreens that are kid-friendly. For being extra kind to our dear coral reefs, we definitely think it is one of the best sunscreens, claiming the third spot.

Not only will you prevent sunburn and decrease the risk of cancer and early skin aging due to constant exposure under the sun, you also help the environment. This sunscreen, with 99 percent all-natural ingredients will keep your babies safe but will also not hurt coral reefs and the entire ocean life in the process.​

Details of the Biosolis Kids Sun Milk Face & Body Organic Sunscreen, SPF 50

Active Ingredient

Titanium Dioxide 16.80%, Zinc Oxide 9.70%

Protection

Broad-spectrum protection from UVA/UVB rays

Babo Botanicals Daily Sheer Sunscreen, SPF 40

Babo Botanicals Daily Sheer Sunscreen, SPF 40

Another favorite and another physical sunscreen, Babo Botanicals is made with 100% non-nano organic ingredients of mineral actives, pure flower and plant extracts with no preservatives. It is free from gluten, dairy and soy. With its white tea extract, avocado and jojoba oil content, Babo Botanicals provides a soothing and moisturizing action aside from sun protection. Easily one of the best choices for people with extra sensitive skin, more so for children and infants. It is very easy to wear because of its lightweight formula. It has a non-greasy feel and it actually feels clean on the skin so we don’t need to worry about our kids complaining of the sticky feeling, or our babies squirming in discomfort. We love the fact that it has no scent and that it can be worn on the face as a daily moisturizer as well as under our make up. This ultra sheer sunscreen is the best daily sun protection for our babies, kids and us grown-ups, too! However, it looked greasy especially on dark tones, making it slide to the fourth on our list.

Despite being slightly greasy, there is just too much to love about this sunscreen: broad spectrum, lightweight formula, fragrance free, made for those with sensitive skin and doubles as a moisturizing cream. Gluten-, dairy- and soy-free products are not just limited in your food and drinks – you can have them in your sunscreen cream, too.​

Details of the Babo Botanicals Daily Sheer Sunscreen, SPF 40

Active Ingredient

Titanium Dioxide 5.5 %, Zinc Oxide 3.3 %

Protection

Broad-spectrum protection from UVA/UVB rays

TruKid Sunny Days Daily Sunscreen, SPF 30+

TruKid Sunny Days Daily Sunscreen, SPF 30+

This physical sunscreen is a mineral-based product. It is free from gluten, phthalate and paraben. Without all these preservatives, it is all-natural and is extra mild for sensitive baby skin. Skin irritation is one less from our worries.The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit organization that conducts environmental researches to educate consumers on how to make healthy and informed choices, has since recognized this product’s safety and has named it one of the best-scoring sunscreen lotions for kids this 2016. What we like about this sunscreen is that unlike most physical blockers, it is quite easy to rub in. It is easy to wear and ideal for daily use, plus the non-nano formula contains moisturizing ingredients such as organic aloe, coconut, sunflower and jojoba oils. It keeps our kids’ skin protected while moisturizing it. Oh, and it smells good, too! Though we would usually recommend unscented products, the citrus scent is actually quite a nice touch. It leaves our babies’ skin smelling cleaner and fresher. The only downside is that it needs frequent reapplication. Not a bad add-on at all so we placed it on the fifth spot.

Did we add that this sunscreen has been guaranteed by pediatricians and dermatologists alike? Yes, it’s free from all those harmful chemicals but it is also eczema-safe. Additionally, its mineral-based formulation is not just safe for babies and kids but also for the reefs. Your children can swim all they want without worrying about the corals and fish!​

Details of the TruKid Sunny Days Daily Sunscreen, SPF 30+

Active Ingredient

Zinc Oxide 20%

Protection

Broad-spectrum protection from UVA/UVB rays

Conclusion

Looking at the list, you would notice that it is comprised of physical sunscreens. As we have pointed out for each product, physical sunscreens do away with biologically harmful ingredients and are thus safer for our kids. Non-toxic physical sunscreens are more expensive than their chemical counterparts but agree with us when we say it’s a small price to pay for the protection that our children are getting. It is also important to note that the effectivity of these sunscreens depend mainly on our correct application and reapplication. These products which are recommended as best sunscreens by ParentsNeed HQ remain safe for babies and children to use so long as they are applied on the surface of unbroken and undamaged skin, and due caution is taken to keep the product out of our children’s eyes.

In the end, our children’s skin compatibility with the product will decide the best sunscreen to use. Now, then.

What can you say mommies and daddies? Are we ready for some fun under the sun?​

The post Top 5 Best Sunscreens for Babies | 2018 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Top 5 Best Board Games For Kids | 2018 Reviews

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Top 5 Best Board Games for Kids | 2018 Reviews

When you consider the ubiquity of video game systems, tablets and phones in today’s homes – and kids’ fascination with them all – it’s somewhat surprising that traditional board games are still being sold.

Smart parents, though, realize that there are key skills that children can learn from playing “real” board games. Some games provide important reading and arithmetic practice for younger kids, some promote the use of logic and rational thinking which aren’t always called for in fast-paced video games, and most help children learn crucial socialization skills which usually don’t come into play when they’re staring at a tablet or TV screen.

The creation of a calm and relaxed environment for quality family time without deadly-serious competition is often sadly lacking in today’s world, but playing board games is one of the best ways to add that vital ingredient to a child’s development. Many games have come and gone over the years, usually because they were just fads or were unable to maintain kids’ interest over the long term. However, there are those which have not only survived but remain extremely popular among today’s parents, because they provide the same mix of education and fun that they did when first introduced.

In our rundown of the top 5 best board games for kids, we’ll be including some time-tested classics, as well as some newer games that may be unfamiliar to you but are well worth checking out. None are mindless time-fillers; we’ll leave that to the Candy Crushes of the world (and yes, we understand there can be pattern-recognition and hand-eye coordination benefits to many games you play on your phone). The board games on our list, though, are all intended to provide more substantial benefits for your kids while also being a ton of fun.

Before going through our list, you may want to check our Best Board Games Buying Guide here.​

So, who goes first?

Quick Comparison Table

Scrabble and Scrabble Junior

Candy Land / Chutes & Ladders

Blokus and Blokus Junior

Ticket To Ride

The Game of Life

Scrabble and Scrabble Junior
Withings Wireless Blood Pressure Monitor for Apple and Android
Blokus and Blokus Junior
LotFancy Automatic Digital Arm Blood Pressure Monitor
The Game of Life

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

2-4 players

2-4 players

2-4 players

2-5 players

2-6 players

Scrabble and Scrabble Junior

Scrabble and Scrabble Junior

Believe it or not, one of the most popular games of all time was rejected by Milton Bradley and Parker Brothers when they were given first crack at releasing it in the late 1940s. However, Scrabble quickly became one of the best selling board games in history, and due to toy company mergers and sales, both of those companies have produced the game over the years. It is currently sold by Parker Brothers (which is owned by Hasbro) in the U.S. and Canada and by Mattel in more than 100 other countries, with about a third of all households in America (and about half in Great Britain) owning at least one Scrabble set.

It’s obvious that this venerable game is an outstanding way for kids to become proficient at spelling and building their vocabulary. But there are a number of other developmental benefits to playing Scrabble as well. It’s an introduction to strategic thinking, because players learn to balance the immediate benefit of using letters immediately against the possibly greater reward of saving them for later use in a longer, triple-score word. Scrabble teaches the skill of relaxed, cognitive thinking as players take their time to run through different possibilities before making a move. And like most good board games, it lets children gradually learn to absorb rules and play by them, how to handle both winning and losing gracefully, and the importance of completing a task without giving in to frustration or anger.

Most readers probably don’t need a long explanation of how Scrabble is played – the familiar wooden or plastic tiles and the 15 x 15 grid, along with the double and triple word and letter spaces, have been familiar to most people since childhood. Most readers likely remember the arguments as well: whether abbreviations, proper nouns, acronyms or other questionable words are “legal.” If you have older kids you’ll probably want to buy a Scrabble dictionary along with the board game in order to cut some of those inevitable arguments short.

As befits any legendary board game, there are many different variations on the market. The traditional game costs around $15 and comes with all 100 wooden tiles (including the two blanks), four tile holders, the board and a carrying bag. There’s also a deluxe edition with a board on wheels that can spin around to face each player in turn and a non-slip grid to hold the tiles in place without slipping (that one costs an extra $20) as well as electronic-scoring models, travel editions, and Scrabble-branded electronic and card games.

The variation we’d like to call your attention to, though, is Scrabble Junior. The “real” game is meant for players aged 8 and older (although many first or second graders may be able to handle it), but Scrabble Junior can be played by preschoolers as well as elementary school children in the process of mastering the alphabet and easy vocabulary words.

One side of the Scrabble Junior board already has words spelled out for players (easy words like “dog” and “sun,” and harder ones like “television” and “bicycle”) along with picture clues. Children who are learning their A-B-C’s match their cardboard letters to the ones they see on the board to form words and score points (with cute tokens to let them keep score); it’s fun and educational, without seeming like work. When kids progress a bit further, the board can be flipped to the opposite side for an easier but more traditional Scrabble game, where kids can create their own words. Scrabble Junior also sells for about $15.​

There are plenty of older games that have added flash or high-tech gimmicks in an attempt to stay “relevant.” Scrabble hasn’t had to do that – it’s just as educational, and just as much fun for kids and families, as it’s been for the last 65 years.

Details of the Scrabble and Scrabble Junior

Recommended Ages

Scrabble 8+, Scrabble Junior 5+

Number of Players

2-4

Included

Board, 100 tiles, 4 tile holders (pieces vary by edition)

Candy Land/Chutes and Ladders

Candy Land Chutes and Ladders

We had such a difficult time choosing between these two classic games for pre-schoolers that we decided to include them both. They each provide a fun way for non-readers to practice their counting, and Candy Land can help younger kids who are still working at recognizing colors. They also give children a terrific introduction to the skills of patience and good sportsmanship during game play.

You may have to think back a little, but you’ll likely recall the basics of each game. In Candy Land, players draw cards which show them how many colored squares they should advance their character (with a few short-cut cards). Their goal is to reach the finish line at Candy Castle while passing through colorful regions like Lollipop Woods and Gumdrop Mountains (if you remember the Molasses Swamp, it was renamed the Chocolate Swamp in 2002). Sadly, some recent versions of the game are now being sold with spinners instead of the traditional deck of cards. A million copies of Candy Land are still sold every year, produced by Hasbro. There are travel and handheld versions as well.

Chutes and Ladders (which is actually based on an old Indian game known as Snakes and Ladders and still sold by that name in many parts of the world) has always had a spinner to determine how many spaces players should advance. When they land on certain spaces they get to climb a playground ladder and bypass game spaces; when they land on others they must slide down a playground slide and lose ground. The aim, of course, is to reach the top. The Snakes and Ladders version of the game includes morality lessons, with “good deeds” allowing players to climb and bad ones forcing them to slide back down. Milton Bradley produces Chutes and Ladders.

Each of these games sells for $10-$15, and having both of them in your home will provide the perfect introduction to board games for your preschoolers and hours of fun for the family.

Details of the Candy Land

Recommended Ages

3+

Number of Players

2-4

Included

64 cards (or spinner), four gingerbread players

Details of the Chutes and Ladders

Recommended Ages

3+

Number of Players

2-4

Included

Board, 4 game pieces, spinner

Blokus and Blokus Junior

Blokus and Blokus Junior

Ah, haven’t heard of this one, have you? This is a recent entry into the board game world, introduced by a French company in 2000 and now owned by Mattel. It is an introduction to strategy game for younger kids (kindergarten and up) and has won awards for excellence from both Mensa and the Teachers’ Choice panel.

The game may seem a bit strange at first, but it only takes kids a few minutes to grasp the concept and the strategy element makes Blokus as much fun for adults as it is for children. The classic game is for four players. Think of a 20 x 20 empty Scrabble board, with every player getting a different colored set of 21 pieces in shapes ranging from single squares to varied configurations of five squares. Each player starts by placing one of their pieces in a corner of the board; they then go in turn, with the only “rule” being that when they place a new piece, one corner of that new piece must touch a corner (not a side) of one of their blocks already on the board. Eventually, players will be left without possible moves, and the player with the fewest unplaced blocks is the winner (with a few bonus point rules).

Young kids love the bright red, yellow, blue and green colors and quickly get into the strategy element of the game – and since no spelling is involved, even kindergarteners can figure it out quickly, while learning to think strategically and learn the basics of considerate game play. It can be played by 1-3 players (there are additional versions specifically designed for two players, for more advanced players, and for travel), and there’s a cool Blokus Junior edition with a smaller board, fewer pieces, and single-player puzzles to let kids practice before competing. Each version costs $15-20.

Details of the Blokus

Recommended Ages

5+

Number of Players

2-4

Included

Board, 84 tiles

Details of the Blokus Junior

Recommended Ages

5+

Number of Players

2-4

Included

Board, 48 tiles, paper templates

Ticket To Ride

Ticket To Ride

This may be the most popular board game you’ve never come across before. It’s a cross-country train adventure for older kids, ages 8+, and it combines a fun competition with lessons on navigation and geography. Ticket to Ride was originally published in Germany in 2004, and it won a host of European “best game” awards before editions were released featuring various destinations in European nations, the U.S., Asia and the world.

In a nutshell, players receive a number of train pieces representing their movements on the board, and cards representing their secret origin and destination points. In turn, they claim various routes across the board by drawing play cards, which will eventually enable them to connect their origin to their destination. Points are scored for routes completed, lengths of trains, and so on.

This is a game which requires planning and strategy – and is a whale of a good time while giving kids experience in thoughtful game play as well as a terrific grounding in the geography of the nation in which their “game is played.” Game times that can last as long as an hour and the relative complexity of gameplay make this one perfect for families with kids in grades 3 and above. Millions of copies of Ticket to Ride have been sold at around $40 apiece, and there are computer versions available as well.

Details of the Ticket To Ride

Recommended Ages

8+

Number of Players

2-5

Included

Board, 240 train cars, 110 Train Car cards, 30 Destination Tickets, 5 Wooden Scoring Markers

The Game of Life

The Game of Life

We close with one more classic, and if you listen really closely you can probably still hear the “click, click, click” of the spinner in your head. The Game of Life combines traditional board game play with an introduction to the life lessons kids will eventually have to figure out in the real world. College or career, buying a house and getting married, paydays and loans, retiring a millionaire or in the country, you remember how it goes; it’s a fun journey through the realities of life, in kid-sized bites without calamitous consequences.

There’s been one neat change to the Game of Life since you played it as a child; the possible careers have been updated according to choices made by panels of kids, making it even more fun for younger players. It’ll cost $15 or so – but it provides some of the cheapest life lessons your kids will ever receive.

Details of the The Game of Life

Recommended Ages

8+

Number of Players

2-6

Included

Board with spinner, game cards, tokens, cars, pegs, money pack

The post Top 5 Best Board Games For Kids | 2018 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Top 5 Best Forward Facing Car Seat | 2018 Reviews

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Top 5 Best Forward Facing Car Seat | 2018 Reviews

Time flies so fast that our little ones had already outgrown their infant car seats. But don’t rush it too much! In order to protect our little ones if something happens on the road while we are driving, we keep them in rear facing car seats for as long as possible. But as you can see, time is like racing with us and soon enough our kids will no longer fit their rear facing car seats because their legs are now longer that you need to consider using the forward facing car seats for their safety.

Investing on our kid’s car seat can be a little hard because there are so many brands to choose from especially if you have a little girl. It is really hard to find girly colors for your baby girl’s car seat. Luckily, some car seats for kids have unisex design. Cute right?

If you are wondering why we need to use car seats, instead of just letting them stay in the back seat of the car, the answer is because they do not have the capacity yet to support themselves during bumpy rides. Hence, it is much safer to buckle them up to their car seats that is ideal for their size. This is so we can drive peacefully knowing that our kids are safely buckled and we can keep our focus on the road. You can also have an opportunity to give them some snacks or books to keep them busy while you play their favorite soundtrack or nursery rhyme on the radio.

We know that some parents are having a really tough time in choosing what the best front facing car seat is perfect for their child, so here are our top 5 front facing car seat recommendation to help you.

Quick Comparison Table

Recaro Performance Sport Car Seat

Britax Roundabout G4.1 Car Seat

Graco Nautilus 65 3-in-1 Harness Booster Car Seat

Evenflo Tribute LX Convertible Car Seat

Safety 1st Guide 65 Convertible Car Seat

Recaro Performance Sport combination harness to booster car seat
Britax Roundabout G4.1 Convertible car seat
Graco Nautilus 65 3-in-1 Harness Booster Convertible Car Seat
Evenflo Tribute LX Convertible Car Seat
Safety 1st Guide 65 Convertible Car Seat

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

25 pounds

17.6 pounds

20.52 pounds

9.11 pounds

14 pounds

5-point harness

5-point harness

5-point harness

5-point harness

5-point harness

Recaro Performance Sport Combination Harness to Booster Car Seat

Recaro Performance Sport combination harness to booster car seat

First on our list is the Recaro Performance Sport combination harness to booster car seat. This car seat is awesome because it is a racing-inspired car seat so it is really one of the most top rated car seats there are. It can carry a child weighing from 20-65 pounds in harness mode and 30-120 pounds in booster mode. This car seat weighs 25 lbs. so it is really a high rated car seat that can be used and certified for air travel when used in harness mode with the use of the plane’s seat belt. This can come in handy for parents who really love traveling and need to endure long hours of flight.

This car seat meets the all new FMV SS 213 standards and has a full body impact protection with metal reinforced side wings that is built to protect the 5 most vulnerable and important areas for our kid such as the head, face, neck, pelvis, and torso. And has an easy to adjust no rethread 5 point harness.

For our kids to be comfortable, this has an energy absorbing EPS foam for our kids to be relaxed and comfortable, a luxurious temperature balancing fabric, perfect for long travels and weather complicated areas or country and it has four zones of cool mesh for the air ventilation. It also has a twist resistant buckle and HERO harness technology to ensure our kids the highest possible level of comfort and protection.

This car seat also has an easy to adjust no rethread harness, a built in LATCH and universal top tether for easy installation. The designs are unisex so that is one less decision making problem to consider. Its covers are machine washable safe and very easy to remove and to return and of course a cute little cup holder to support the beverage of our kid.

Details of the Recaro Performance Sport Combination Harness to Booster Car Seat

Item Weight

25 pounds

Minimum weight recommendation

20 lbs (harness), 30 lbs (booster)

Maximum weight recommendation

65 lbs (harness), 120 lbs (booster)

Harness Type

5 point

Additional features

Can be used in plane when in harness mode, twist resistant buckle

Britax Roundabout G4.1 Convertible Car Seat

Britax Roundabout G4.1 Convertible car seat

Second on our list is Britax Roundabout g4.1 convertible car seat. The Britax is not well known, but it really has great safety measure and features that all of us are fond of. This car seat for toddler can hold a kid that weighs 5-40 pounds when rear facing and 20-55 pounds when front facing.

And for its safety measure, it has a complete side impact protection and has a deep energy absorbing base that surrounds our child in safety components that works together to protect our kids. This is very useful and convenient especially if an accident happens. Britax roundabout g4.1 passed the federal safety standards and also is proudly engineered, tested and made in the USA. It also has an easy on and off lower LATCH connectors that quickly locks into most of the vehicle anchors and can be easily disconnected or removed with just a push of a button. So it is easy to install it or to remove it from our vehicles.

For comfy and more safety measures, this one comes with 2 position buckles that is quick and easy to adjust, 5 point harness to add safety to our kids, has a very soft and comfortable plush foam padding and fabric, removable pillow that adjusts to the needs of our kids and has a 3 position recline so it can keep our kids comfortable on whatever position they choose.

The car seat itself is weighing 17.6 lbs. so it is much lighter than the first one. This one has a V shaped tether to minimize seat rotation and has a steel frame for added safety measures. It is also good to note that this is a little cheaper than the first one and has very decent safety and comfortable features. We put this car seat as the 2nd best rated car seats because it does not have some of the features that the Recaro has but if you want to go for this one, there shouldn’t be any problem since this car seat offers the convenience and safety your child would need.

Details of the Britax Roundabout G4.1 Convertible Car Seat

Item Weight

17.6 pounds

Minimum weight recommendation

5 lbs. if rear faced, 20 lbs. if front faced

Maximum weight recommendation

40 lbs. if rear faced, 55 lbs. if front faced

Harness Type

5 point

Additional features

Removable pillow, steel frame, and V shaped tether

Graco Nautilus 65 3-in-1 Harness Booster Convertible Car Seat

Graco Nautilus 65 3-in-1 Harness Booster Convertible Car Seat

The Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 car seat is perfect for toddlers who meet the required weight limit and secures our kids in a 5 point harness if a toddler weighs 22-65 pounds. It is convertible to belt positioning, high back booster seat from 30-100 pounds and it can become a backless booster seat from 40-100 pounds, highly convertible as necessary. This is a great car seat for toddlers and can be used as a car seat for 6 year old kids too. Instructions are very simple because it has a LATCH system that easily connects to the top tether. It has easy adjustment of clips and buckles and could be transitioned from harness to booster mode.

We absolutely love the modern design of this 3 in 1 booster seat and it has several features that can make our lives so much easier starting with a cup holder for your kid’s beverage, headrest for your kid’s comfort, storage compartment for your kid’s belongings or snacks, contoured armrest for your kid to have a comfortable and relaxing position while sitting, an easy to open-loop belt guide, adjustable harness to secure our kid’s safety and finally, a 3 position recline to keep our growing kid comfortable during our travel.

This awesome car seat has an easy removable pad which is washable too! This is very convenient if your kid is very clumsy inside the car while eating their snack or sipping their drinks.

Since safety is our top most concern, Graco has extended their safety tests for us, parents to be happy and relieved. It is rigorously crash tested, EPS impact absorbing foam, side impact tested and has extreme car interior temperature. This could offer us a sigh of relief because we don’t have to worry that much if this car seat for our kid is safe and strong.​

The only thing that made it our third choice are the straps that could be a little difficult to adjust as it needs to be rethreaded carefully.

Details of the Graco Nautilus 65 3-in-1 Harness Booster Convertible Car Seat

Item Weight

20.52 pounds

Minimum weight recommendation

22 pounds if in harness booster, 30 pounds if in high back booster, 40 pounds if in backless booster

Maximum weight recommendation

65 pounds if in harness booster, 100 pounds if in high back booster, 100 pounds if in backless booster

Harness Type

5 point

Additional features

Can be used from toddler to youth, machine washable pad, cup holder, storage compartment

Evenflo Tribute LX Convertible Car Seat

Evenflo Tribute LX Convertible Car Seat

The Evenflo Tribute LX convertible car seat can be used by infants once they reach the minimum weight recommendation of the car seat which is 5 pounds. But since we are talking about forward facing car seats, once your kid is 22 pounds, you can let him sit forward faced in the car seat until he reaches 40 pounds. This car seat has passed a test made by Evenflo which includes the side impact test which is why it is included in our list, that’s utmost safety realized.

It is designed to be light weight and compact in size, but it does have one bit of disadvantage as it wiggles slightly from side to side when the seat is installed but this is just a slight movement and has no effect on the seat’s federal safety rating so it is actually safe. If you are aiming for an easy access to adjust the harness, this one has it. It can accommodate your needs while your child is growing because of its 4 shoulder strap positions, not to mention the 5 point harness that provides a very secure and safe fit.

Wondering if it’s washable? Well it is! No worries because its pads are machine washable safe. You can wash it separately using cold water and tumble dry it in low heat for about 10-15 minutes and as for the harness and buckles, you can just wipe it with a soft and clean cloth with water. It also offers great comfort knowing that it could be easily cleaned, because kids could be really messy most of the time.

Of course we want our kids to be as comfy as possible, this toddler car seat has a very soft fabric with extra cushions and it has cover for the harness and the buckles, which is very useful especially during long drives. It is also Latch equipped so it is easy to install and remove. It also has many designs to choose from and some of it is perfect as a little girl’s car seat.

Details of the Evenflo Tribute LX Convertible Car Seat

Item Weight

9.11 pounds

Minimum weight recommendation

5 pounds (rear faced), 22 pounds (front)

Maximum weight recommendation

30 pounds (rear faced), 40 pounds (front)

Harness Type

5 point

Additional features

Energy absorbing foam, side impact tested, machine washable pad

Safety 1st Guide 65 Convertible Car Seat

Safety 1st Guide 65 Convertible Car Seat

And last but definitely not the least, Safety 1st Guide 65 convertible car seat offers us, parents a perfect fit for smaller cars and a whole lot bigger room for the bigger types. You could easily fit 3 Safety 1st car seats across the back seat of most vehicles. It has 2 modes of usage, rear facing for those within the weight of 5-40 lbs. and front facing for those weighing around 22-65 lbs.

This lightweight and convertible booster seat is side impact tested and has EPP energy absorbing foam for our kid’s comfort and safety measure. The installing guidelines is easier to follow and very straight forward so it’s not that hard to remove it from to your vehicle and install it on another car. You can decide on choosing the seat belt especially because front facing offers more safety measures. When using the lower anchors or the seat belts, always make sure to use the tether whether your kid is front faced or rear faced. This also has a foot that is stored when using it in rear facing position and it needs to be pulled out to add support when using it in front facing position.

Safety 1st Guide 65 has 3 buckle locations to properly fit our little ones and has a 5 point harness with up-front adjustment for added safety features. It has removable body pillows and adjustable head rest that we can adjust according to the needs of our growing toddler and of course a cup holder for our kid’s beverages. It also has an easy to remove and install, machine washable safe car seat pad.

This is by far the cheapest among the group, but it doesn’t look cheap right? It is our 5th choice because it does not have the features that the other car seats listed above has. But if you are saving money and searching for a much cheaper car seat for your kid that is safety tested and comfortable, we definitely recommend you to get this one.

Details of the Safety 1st Guide 65 Convertible Car Seat

Item Weight

14 pounds

Minimum weight recommendation

5 pounds (rear faced), 22 pounds (front)

Maximum weight recommendation

40 pounds (rear faced), 65 pounds (front)

Harness Type

5 point

Additional features

Fits in to a small car, lightweight, machine washable pads

Conclusion

For us, parents, we have to pick the best of the best for our child especially when it comes to their safety whether if it’s expensive or not, our kids deserve to be safe. We hope that our top 5 list of forward facing car seats really helped you a lot in picking the next car seat that you would let your child use. Each of the 4 listed has proven to be safe and of great quality, you just need to choose whether the additional features are something you would like or you want to keep it simple to save money, the choice ultimately is up to you.

The post Top 5 Best Forward Facing Car Seat | 2018 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Top 5 Best Electric Smokers | 2018 Reviews

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Top 5 Best Electric Smokers | 2018 Reviews

The best way to enjoy meat is by grilling it. And by means of grilling using real fire to crisp them to tender juicy goodness and awesome smokiness that we just can't live without. Why are barbecue and grilling the best cooking method on earth? Well, because it is the first way humans ever cooked meat and it is absolutely the best. It is the only way we can really enjoy real meat, it's real raw taste and just the pure goodness of it all.

Barbecues and grills can be a tiring and dirty duty to do and for that reason, we often shift to a simpler, easier and definitely greater way of grilling-- getting the best electric smoker. Electric smokers are just as great as grillers; they cook our food and give it the best smoky taste ever. The only difference is that you don't have to worry about ashes floating in the air and getting on you, no smoky smelling clothes, no more scrambling to feed the grill with firewood, no more messy cleanup, and no more frustrating tricks and multiple attempts to get the fire starting. There are many ways on how to smoke meat properly using a typical grill but using an electric smoker is much easier on anyone.

Choosing an awesome electric smoker is not as easy as you may think it may be. It's not like as if you just go online and pick the cheapest one or simply go with the most number of likes and purchases. You need to be more meticulous in choosing and you need to take your time in scrutinizing what features you'd prefer your electric smoker to have. You should also consider the temperature control, the pressure and the like. We have narrowed the list down to five to make it easier for you to make a choice on what is the best electric smoker in the market.

Quick Comparison Table

Masterbuilt 20070910 Electric Digital Smoker

Bradley Smokers Original Smoker

Smokin-It Model #1 Electric Smoker

Char-Broil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared Smoker Roaster & Grill

Smokehouse Little Chief Smoker

Masterbuilt 20070910 Electric Digital Smoker
Bradley Smokers Original Smoker
Smokin-It Model #1 Electric Smoker
Char-Broil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared Smoker Roaster & Grill
Smokehouse Little Chief Smoker

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

20.4 x 20 x 33.3 inches

33.5 x 17.5 x 20.25 inches

17.2 x 12.5 x 13.5 inches

36 x 24 x 18 inches

24.5 x 11.5 x 11.5 inches

45 pounds

50 pounds

58.8 pounds

52 pounds

16.9 pounds

Masterbuilt 20070910 Electric Digital Smoker

Masterbuilt 20070910 Electric Digital Smoker

One of the reasons why we love having an electric smoker around is because we can enjoy more quality time with our loved ones. We can just prep the barbecue, leave the meat inside the smoker and let its magic work on your beloved meat. You can simply go to your family and have a good chat, take a nap or join the barbecue party and attend to your guests. You'll definitely love being a more engaging host than before since you always needed to put your time and attention on actually grilling the meat than being with your guests. We know we have.

One factor why we love the Masterbuilt 20070910 Electric Smoker so much is the fact that it leaves our meat moist, crisp on the outside and absolutely outstanding to the taste buds. Slow cooking has never been better when cooking perfect barbecue with the Masterbuilt Electric Smoker. It has a temperature range that starts from 100 to 275 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature is digitally controlled so it is constant. It also has an automatic shut-off so that you are left with the perfectly cooked meat. So say no more to dry and overcooked meals with the Masterbuilt 20070910. We love that it is well-insulated. You won't ever feel any heat leaking out.

We love that you can cook about a good amount of food despite the size. It's as big as a mini refrigerator but because it has four chrome-coated racks. You can cook about 30 pounds of meat inside, that's enough to feed a large crowd of guests in special occasions. Another thing we love about it is that it has a separate opening for the woodchips. You can add more wood chips in without having to open the smoker disturbing the cooking process.

It also has a removable water pan; you can add spices, vinegar, and cider or other things to spice up your meal. The heat can infuse the spices into your smoky meat adding flavor and depth to your food. Other than the water pan, you will also like the drip tray. You can use the drippings for sauces, plus it makes cleaning such an easy task as well.

We love that it has a digital controller on top. Unfortunately, it can only go as high as 275 degrees Fahrenheit which may not be such a great temperature in cooking a huge amount of meat. The only thing we dislike about this is the 90-day warranty but if you want a longer warranty, you need to pitch in a significant amount of cash for that. It is one kicking electric smoker since a newbie can cook a gourmet barbecue without difficulty. Nonetheless, with all the reasons stated above, we place this on top of our list for the best electric smoker grill.

Details of the Masterbuilt 20070910 Electric Digital Smoker

Dimensions

20.4 x 20 x 33.3 inches

Weight

45 pounds

Meat Capacity

30 pounds

Additional Features

Digital controller, water pan, removable wood chip pan, and full insulation

Bradley Smokers Original Smoker

Bradley Smokers Original Smoker

With a temperature range that goes up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit, that's a fair enough temperature to cook thicker slabs of meat at a time. This is one BBQ electric smoker makes barbecue and sausages to die for. We love just how well a sausage smoker this is since it really does add great flavor to our sausages.

We found that one of the benefits of a stay-at-home parent is the fact that making the best and satisfying meals comes with it including gourmet barbecue. The Bradley Smokers Grill doubles as your smoking oven as well. You can actually cook other things than meat in it. The stainless steel interior can cook up your food like an oven since it also has great heat insulation inside. We love using it as a slow roasting oven, smoking and cooking it just makes the smokiness stick all the way to the innermost slices of meat.

It comes with four detachable racks that can hold up to 20 pounds of meat. That's a decent amount of food cooking and roasting to perfection, right? Well, we really love it. It has great temperature control and retention and the temperature doesn't change all throughout the cooking process. The minimum temperature is ambient making it the perfect smoker—if you want to cook it another time, you can do that but we don't recommend it since it removes the fresh goodness of smoked meat.

It has a nice looking woodchips feeder over the controller, what's great about it is that it is economical on woodchips but does a great job in providing smoke good enough to add flavor to a full outdoor smoker. It has a separate smoke generator; this saves you the trouble of constantly opening your smoker.

It looks great by the way. It looks like a mini fridge with an extension for the woodchips generator but it really adds an appeal to the backyard. It can even be used as a tabletop electric smoker. This automatic smoker is pretty tough too especially if your take effort in caring for it. And for those great reasons, this makes it our second best electric meat smoker.

Details of the Bradley Smokers Original Smoker

Dimensions

33.5 x 17.5 x 20.25 inches

Weight

50 pounds

Meat Capacity

20 pounds

Additional Features

Separate smoke generator, easy temperature controller knob

Smokin-It Model #1 Electric Smoker

Smokin-It Model #1 Electric Smoker

If you are working it while barbecuing then this electric smoker is absolutely smoking it. We love that even if it is a pretty small automatic smoker it can carry a tub amount of meat inside. It can smoke and cook up to 22 pounds of meat per load distributed in four shelves. You can adjust the spaces between the shelves but when narrowed down, it can fit four shelves or racks inside.

What we love about it is that it saves p a lot of space. It is compact and really one of the best auto smokers on our list. The smoking process produces less smoke that won't disturb your neighbors. It never bothered ours at all. We love that among all of our smokers in our list, this creates the best cold smoker with its cold smoking plate. It adds great smokiness to cheese and fish and even tofu! You should try it.

This makes a great table top electric smoker because of its size. It is, in fact, a straightforward insulated electric smoker. It has plenty of other options in cooking different types of food. It has a cold plate for cold smoking but it also comes with a finer mesh for seafood smoking and grilling—but this is sold separately.

It is really economical since it only uses a small amount of wood. Although insulation does not produce equal cooking, it still cooks your food through and through, we suggest you add juices and spices at the bottom tray in order to add more flavor into your food.

For a small electric smoker, this item is really sturdy. It is strong and can last your years with regular cooking and constant smoking. We love the smoky cheeses it makes and seafood is done perfectly. So if you love grilling and smoking your seafood and cheese, this is the best way to do it. So from meat to veggies to seafood and dairies, you will absolutely adore this smoker through years of constant use. Thus making this our third pick for the best electric smokers in the market.

Details of the Smokin-It Model #1 Electric Smoker

Dimensions

17.2 x 12.5 x 13.5 inches

Weight

58.8 pounds

Meat Capacity

22 pounds

Additional Features

Cold Smoking, adjustable trays for additional accessories

Char-Broil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared Smoker Roaster & Grill

Char-Broil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared Smoker Roaster & Grill

Staying at in the backyard and cooking a great tasting barbecue with your children is actually one fun outing and activity your kid won't know is educational. It is a great way to teach kids how to make barbecue with lesser burning hazards. You and your children can enjoy cook-up a great meal with just a simple marinating, prepping and waiting. This is one great item to have; it has two even racks to put even an entire turkey inside. Since this is cylindrical cooker, you can even deep fry an entire chicken or turkey in it. We don't really recommend it since it's just a real waste of oil and cleaning oil up is a real mess too.

It is a great roaster, grill and smoker though. You can add in some woodchips and just imagine a delectable moist smoky meat in every cooking. Since it uses infrared it retains the heat well and it really does the job in keeping a constant heat in cooking your meat all throughout. With the propane powered infrared cooker, you get to cook your food in a shorter period of time. It really does stand by its name, Big Easy. It is easy to manipulate because it has knob controllers to keep the temperature and pressure in-check.

It has a separate wood feeder as well so that you won't have to keep opening the lid and check if there are still any wood left. However, since it only has two racks it can only hold two turkeys at a time it can cook up at most 25 pounds of meat. This is good enough to feed a big hungry family who are craving for more.

The downside to it though is that it doesn't come with an easy open door to check in on your meat, you'll have to lift the entire rack to check how the meat on the bottom rack is doing. You need to buy a Char-broil recipe on how to smoke ribs in an electric smoker which can be a bummer. Nonetheless, this is a stunningly great addition to your patio and is on the fourth of our list for the best electric smoker but the best electric grill smoker roaster in our list.

Details of the Char-Broil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared Smoker Roaster & Grill

Dimensions

36 x 24 x 18 inches

Weight

52 pounds

Meat Capacity

up to 25 pounds

Additional Features

Infrared cooking, deep frying option, separate woodchip slot

Smokehouse Little Chief Smoker

Smokehouse Little Chief Smoker

One reason why we love electric smoker grills are because they make us feel like expert barbecuers in just a matter of prepping and simple waiting. We love the fact that it doesn't eat up much of our time and that it poses a great deal of mess to clean up later. One other thing you realize you are doing is that you are actually doing well on your family's home organization. That's because you get to have more time in doing other things than just staying beside the barbecue. All your barbecue sets are free from clutter and possible dangers away from your children.

This outside electric smoke griller is great because it does everything and even more than the typical griller. It has great insulation that locks in the heat and allows an even cooking throughout your barbecue if you are willing to use it as a slow cooker. It has only one temperature set to 165 degrees Fahrenheit. It doesn't have any other adjustments to set the temperature higher or lower to adjust the cooking time that is why you need to calculate just how much time it would cook a certain slab of meat depending on its thickness.

It is the cheapest smoker electric we have found in the market. Its main function is actually to smoke your food to add flavor to it and if you are smoking thick slices of meat or whole chicken and turkey, you may find it more convenient to continue cooking your meal in the oven.

Though it is actually a smoker, it can still cook thinner and smaller pieces of meat evenly. It also provides good and easy clean-up with the removable drip tray and the sleek stainless steel interior. Other than clean-up this smaller outdoor smoker is made to add depth and flavor to your food for more than a decade if your take good care of it. However, with a smaller size—as defined by its name—it cannot cook enough meat for a big crowd. Still, this is a great electric smoker especially for beginners. This then completes our list of five best electric smokers.

Details of the Smokehouse Little Chief Smoker

Dimensions

24.5 x 11.5 x 11.5 inches

Weight

16.9 pounds

Meat Capacity

10 pounds

Additional Features

included 1.75 pounds of Hickory wood chips

With only five of the best on our list, we are sure you'd love to have any of the in your house. In fact, you can even add them to your list of father's day gifts this year. As long as there is a meathead in the family, they are bound to be extremely happy with your pick.

We have loved our choices so far and we have considered a lot of factors in picking them out. We are sure that your pick is just as great as ours. You might love to have your pre-barbecued delight when you are going camping with your family. So, take your pick and enjoy every bit of meal your new electric smoker will serve on your table.

The post Top 5 Best Electric Smokers | 2018 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Top 5 Best Breastmilk Storage Bags | 2018 Reviews

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Top 5 Best Breastmilk Storage Bags | 2018 Reviews

We've already heard the uses of vacuum sealers. What we don't know about them is that they come with special bags that secure our food better than ordinary plastic bags. Vacuum sealer bags are free of harmful chemicals that can affect our food and our health. And one reason why we really love using vacuum sealer bags is that they are secure and very clean.

When vacuum sealing a certain item, we actually remove all the air inside the bag so that no particles can freely flow in. When air can't get in, other particles that may spoil our food can't get through either. No bacteria, ageing agents and  dangerous chemicals can enter. And for that very reason, we use vacuum sealers for storing breastmilk.

Breastmilk is one of the most delicate food that we can ever think of. Why? Well, that's because it is for our baby. Our babies get better health and better feeding whenever they feed on us. But, there is a time when we really need to pump milk for our babies, for example,  when we need to go to work or because few moms have an oversupply of milk.

The big question is, where should we store that milk other than the milk bottles that our babies need to use frequently? We've tried several best breastmilk storage bags in the market and we listed our top picks. These bags are made specifically for storing freshly pumped breastmilk.

Quick Comparison Table

Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags

Tommee Tippee Pump and Go Milk Storage Bags

Kiinde Breast Milk Storage Twist Pouches

NUK Seal N Go Breast Milk Bags

Philips AVENT Breast Milk Storage Bags

Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags
Tommee Tippee Pump and Go Milk Storage Bags
Kiinde Breast Milk Storage Twist Pouches
NUK Seal N Go Breast Milk Bags
Summer Infant Swaddleme Blanket

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

5.1 x 3 x 9.6 inches

6 x 6.5 x 7.5 inches

12.5 x 12 x 6.5 inches

5.4 x 4.1 x 2.2 inches

7.6 x 6 x 4.5 inches

6 ounces

6 ounces

5 ounces

8.8 ounces

5 ounces

Zipper Seal

Twist Cap

Twist Cap

Zipper seal

Zipper Seal

Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags

Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags

This is one of our top picks for best breastmilk storage bags because it is simply virtually leak-free. The storage bag is sealed in tightly making it the perfect way to store milk inside. We love the sealing most of all because of the fact that the seal is really tight on. It may be using a zipper lock type of seal but its 'click and seal' make it impossible for leaks to happen. We also love that it is pretty sturdy making it perfect for storing, freezing and thawing breastmilk.

There's no doubt that Lansinoh is on top of our list because it is the safest way of storing your breast milk at a low cost. Lansinoh had always been a top baby brand that produces great quality breast pumps and now it extends to this breastmilk storage bag. We love this breast milk storage bag modification that they have made. It is bigger, wider and it can be used to pump milk directly into the bag.

Lansinoh made this modification to lessen the burden of transferring milk here and there. It will now make it a lot more easier for you to use and store. You just have to check that the container has white flowers and a clear white seal line just above the brand name. The lack thereof means that it is not compatible with the Lansinoh breast pumps—whether it is manual or electric.

Another reason why we love the Lansinoh breastmilk storage bag is that it is simply an awesome way to store milk in the freezer. Storing bottle in the freezer can affect the bottles and putting this strong temperature resistant plastic is much better at keeping your milk as pure as the moment you pumped it. The plastic in itself is BPA-free. It is also one of the strongest and best milk storage bags for freezer temperature. And for those said reasons, this has become our top list for the best breast milk storage bag in the market.

Details of the Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags

Dimensions

5.1 x 3 x 9.6 inches

Capacity

6 ounces

Number of bags

50 Count, 100 Count, 150 Count, 200 Count, 250 Count

Material

BPA and BPS Free Plastic

Seal Type

Zipper Seal

Best for

Frozen Storage and Budget

Tommee Tippee Pump and Go Milk Storage Bags

Tommee Tippee Pump and Go Milk Storage Bags

There is nothing more important than keeping your breastmilk stored properly to avoid contamination. And that is one reason why it is pretty difficult to store breastmilk that you've pumped at work. While trying this one, we found out that this is the best breastmilk storage bag for convenience.

You'd love to just pump your milk into one container, store it in the same container, thaw and warm the milk in the same container and use the same container for your little one to feed on. Like the Tommee Tippee Pump and Go Milk Storage bag that we just love to pair with great electric pumps.

The Tommee Tippee milk storage bag is a definite top contender in our list. It is a great item because of the convenience it offers you and your baby. The bag has a twist cap that allows you to pour milk in and out of the Tommee Tippee milk storage bag more effectively. You will also love that the cap comes with an adaptor that can connect to most major branded manual or electric breast pumps. The set already comes with this adaptor so that you won't have to keep transferring milk to different containers. Transferring your liquid gold from one container to another just makes the milk prone to contamination.

It's also great that the twist cap adaptor can accommodate a bottle nipple. We do recommend that you slip the bag inside a breast milk pouch bottle and just top on the adaptor, the bottle lid and nipple, then let your baby feed from it directly. It is guaranteed to be safe because each Tommee Tippee milk storage pouch is pre-sterilized. It is also made with plastic that is BPA-free, phthalate-free and lead-free.

The only problem we have is that these pouches are not reusable. They are made to be disposable; however, the bottle and the adaptors are definitely reusable and can be washed in the dishwasher. We love that Tommee Tippee is a revolutionary Best brand breast milk storage bag manufacturer. With every baby item they make, they make sure that it goes beyond the expectation of every mom and dad and baby. And that is why this is our second pick for the best breast milk storage bags Amazon has in store.

Details of the Tommee Tippee Pump and Go Milk Storage Bags

Dimensions

6 x 6.5 x 7.5 inches

Capacity

6 ounces

Number of bags

35 Count, 70 Count

Material

Lead-free, BPA-free, phthalate-free clear Plastic

Seal Type

Twist Cap

Best for

Convenience and Direct Pumping

Kiinde Breast Milk Storage Twist Pouches

Kiinde Breast Milk Storage Twist Pouches

This brand of breastmilk storage bag is perfect for us because it can directly be attached to your manual breast pump. Pumping and storing milk has never been easier than how it is using the breastmilk storage bag. One of those reasons why we love making use of these bags is because they are affordable, durable and pretty convenient as well.

The Kiinde Breast milk storage Twist Pouch is the love child of a plastic water bottle and a sturdy vacuum seal bag. With that said, the items are made with strong BPA-free milk storage bags. They are as tough as bottles with the seal provided by bottle caps. It has the added advantage of a disposable bags price and convenience too.

This twist cap has its own adaptor that you need to buy separately if your want it to be used as a direct pumping milk storage pouch. This breast milk storage bag for the freezer is great in keeping your breast milk completely sterilized and clean. These bags are not reusable breast milk storage bags at all. They are disposable after one use because they are pre-sterilized long before they even got connected to your breast pump.

We love that the Kiinde Breast milk storage twist bag is very convenient for direct pumping which allows you to store it just as soon as you are done pumping milk. This saves you the time of washing more dishes. You can also slip this in a milk bottle for easy feeding. What makes this an already great milk storage bag on its own is that it has more amazing storage milk bag with a complete feeding set to use for your baby.

That's not all. It also comes with another adaptor that grows with your child. So from breast milk storage to freshly juiced fruit juices, this storage bag can be used as a disposable juice pouch for your little one. You only need to get the Foodii adaptors and sippy caps separately. You can pour in baby food pureed in a baby food maker. And those are reasons why this is our third pick for the best breast milk storage bags and the best storage milk bag for direct pumping.

Details of the Kiinde Breast Milk Storage Twist Pouches

Dimensions

12.5 x 12 x 6.5 inches

Capacity

5 ounces

Number of bags

6 ounces: 20 Counts, 40 Counts, 80 Counts, 160 Counts; 8 ounces: 40 Counts

Material

BPA-free Plastic

Seal Type

Twist Cap

Best for

Direct Pumping and Versatility

NUK Seal N Go Breast Milk Bags

NUK Seal N Go Breast Milk Bags

It is highly recommended by all doctors and leading consultants that moms should breastfeed their babies. Breastfeeding has a lot of advantages like providing perfect health for our little one while also helping us moms to get back to our pre-pregnancy size. But there are times that circumstances demand us to pump milk for our baby. And keeping those pumped milk clean and stored properly are just as important as cleaning your pumps and feeding bottles. That's why we recommend to use breastmilk storage bags.

Nuk breast milk storage bag is a real help in keeping milk stored and kept out of sight. It works so well in keeping milk sealed in tight in the bag. It is trusted by most moms because it is leak-free. The side seams are reinforced especially by the zipper lock to prevent it from ripping. It is clean in keeping milk stored properly because it has a double zipper lock that will definitely prevent it from leaking. The double seal also gives a greater oxygen barrier to keep the freshness of the milk by preventing air and oxygen from entering the storage milk bag.

The Nuk storage milk bag is made of BPA-free thick plastic that is virtually puncture-resistant. It is pretty thick that it can resist typical stabbing by bones stored in the freezer or other parts of the house, but it can still be punctured if you are not too careful. It is made of plastic after all.

One other thing we love about this is that it can stand alone. The bottom has a wide set that prevents the milk from tipping on its side. This pre-sterilized milk bag can hold up to 6 ounces of milk. You cannot, however, heat milk using this bag and this is definitely not reusable. Once used, you need to dispose of it quickly. With all that said, we have chosen this as our fourth pick for the best breast milk storage bag.

Details of the NUK Seal N Go Breast Milk Bags

Dimensions

5.4 x 4.1 x 2.2 inches

Capacity

8.8 ounces

Number of bags

25 Count, 50 Count, 100 Count

Material

BPA Free Plastic

Seal Type

Zipper seal

Best for

Leak-free Seal

Philips AVENT Breast Milk Storage Bags

Aden + Anais Classic Muslin Swaddle Blanket

Working moms need to store breastmilk properly so that our little one can have a full day's supply of breastmilk. That won't be a problem if you are going to pump milk using an electric breast pump and then, directly store it in a pre-sterilized breastmilk storage bag to prevent the milk from being contaminated and spoiled.

And there is no denying that the Philips Avent breast milk storage bag is one of the best in the market. It seals our milk in with a tight zipper lock seal. One of the main reasons why we love the Avent milk storage bags is because they are 100% bisphenol A-free or also known as BPA - a chemical that is especially dangerous to your baby's brain development. We are glad it won't seep into your breastmilk.

The Avent storage bag is made of a double layer of zipper locks. The seams are also highly reinforced and the dual layer bag makes it really sturdy against extreme temperatures.

Labeling milk collection is very important for the safety of your baby and for the maximum freshness of your breastmilk. It's great that Avent milk storage bag has a big space for its labels, compared to other breast milk storage bags that allow very smaller labeling spaces. That way, you can see when your milk was collected.

Anyway, the Avent breast milk storage bag is pretty helpful if you are only looking for extra breast milk storage or that you find putting a baby bottle in the freezer space-consuming. These bags save space in the refrigerator and are essential if you rely on pumping milk to feed your baby. And that is why this is our fifth pick for the best breastmilk storage pouches Amazon can offer.

Details of the Philips AVENT Breast Milk Storage Bags

Dimensions

7.6 x 6 x 4.5 inches

Capacity

5 ounces

Number of bags

50 Count

Material

BPA-free plastic

Seal Type

Zipper Seal

Best for

Large Storage and Labels

Getting yourself a reliable milk storage bag is a definite must. It helps keep the milk clean, sterilized and safe for your baby to take even after being kept for some time. Breast milk storage is not a light matter that's why we chose to get the best milk storage bags for your little one's health and safety. We have considered a lot of things like getting the right seal, the right type of plastic and much more. Here at ParentsNeed HQ, we are positive that you will love these storage bags for breastmilk.

The post Top 5 Best Breastmilk Storage Bags | 2018 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.

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