Peekaboo Design Group

Aside from the onesies, burp cloths and bibs, we leave the following in the changing table of every nursery we complete.  The chances of you needing all of these items are slim, but we'd rather you have them and not need them rather than reach for something and it not be there. 

1.) Diapers - Newborn and Size 1  Newborn diapers are nice because they have a cut-out for the umbilical cord, but we have had clients come home with larger babies who leaked right through the Newborn size.  You know you're going to need the #1's so why not stock a few?

2.) Diaper Wipes For cleaning baby's bum.

3.)  Baby Powder/Corn Starch - Talc Free Reduces moisture to prevent diaper rash.

4.)  Diaper Ointment To treat diaper rash.

5.)  Baby Lotion Use for dry patches. Some apply after baths to assure babies skin stays moisturized.

6.)  Baby Oil Use for dry patches.  Can be used after bath to keep baby's skin from getting dry.  Also great for infant massage.

7.)  Vaseline Can be used on dry patches.  Some use to prevent diaper rash.  Use on circumcized area to keep diaper from sticking to baby.  Can be used in baby's nose from being rubbed raw from wiping.  Lastly, you may need it to take baby's temperature 'from behind.'  Yikes!  I'm hoping we've past these days with the new thermometers!

8.)  Cotton Balls Used to treat umbilical cord and/or circumcision scar.

9.)  Gauze For applying ointment.  Caring for umbilical cord and/or circumcision scar.

10.)  Alcohol  Some use in caring for the umbilical cord, though recent research finds it's best to just leave that area be.  Can also be used to clean your thermometer...especially if utilizing with vaseline (see #7)! 

11.)  Q-Tips Used for applying ointment to circumcision.  Can be used for baby's ears as long as you use inside the outer portion of the ear.  Inserting a q-tip into the ear only pushes the wax further in.

12.)  Toy/Rattle/Pacifier Keeps baby occupied while you change their diaper. 

13.)  Zip Lock Baggies For disposing of really, really bad diapers that you want out of the house quick!  Be sure to remove the baggies or keep them out of reach of baby when he/she is more mobile.

14.)  Hand Sanitizer  To keep your hands sanitized, especially when caring for umbilical cord and/or circumcision.

15.)  Tissues  Always nice to have handy.

16.)  Safety/Medical Kit We like the pre-packaged ones.  The Safety First kit includes the following:

Additions from our Readers:

Submitted by Jennifer, my cousin and mother of Drew, Ava & Landry.              17.) Saline - to use with the bulb syringe for stuffy noses.  Read a 'how-to' here. 

Have a suggestion to be added to the list?  Let us know:  CaringForBaby@PeekabooDesign.com

At Peekaboo DG, the only products we promote are those that we've heard praised time and again through surveying every parent we meet and by spending time in the homes of our families who already have kids. 

In talking to numerous parents, when we hear a product mentioned once, we say, "That's nice."  When we hear it mentioned twice we say, "Hmm...let's keep an eye on this product."  But, if we hear a product mentioned more than two times, you've got our attention.  Below are the top 5 that we hear mentioned most often. 

Though, we'd like to think that women are keeping their hooters hidden in public, all of the following products are just nice-to-haves, not have-to-haves.  

My Brest Friend is a nursing pillow that fastens behind you so that baby is secure as you nurse.  The flat foam top places baby in the perfect position for nursing.  It also provides better support for baby's head which helps alleviate the strain on your arm and shoulder.  Moms have even told us that as baby is able to hold his/her head up, they can walk around with the pillow while they nurse.  No need to be tied to the chair anymore!  Enjoy the scenery. 

Bumbo Seat This seat is perfect for placing baby securely near you as you go about your daily chores or to use with the Bumbo Tray for feeding baby.  One client recently told us that she places the seat in the kitchen so that she can keep an eye on her 5 month old son as she cooks.  He sits laughing in his seat as she prepares dinner for the family.

Please note warnings on seat indicating how to best use the seat.  Injuries from improper use have occurred. 

Miracle Blanket It never fails, whether it's one of us attending a baby shower or it's the Peekaboo Team organizing items for a client, this is one of the most popular gifts given by other Moms.  The blanket is always accompanied with the endorsement, "This blanket is the reason I was able to get any sleep after having baby." 

 Hooter Hiders Thanks to this simple solution, nursing Moms no longer have to take cover in a bathroom stall to nurse.  This magical fabric piece straps around Mom's head allowing for plenty of privacy for baby and Mom.  Hooter Hiders are only modest in their function, the designs available for these handy little hiders are super stylish.

Pack n Play An oldie, but a goodie, the Pack n Play is here to stay.  Peekaboo DG's favorite feature of the Pack n Play system is its versatility.  It can serve as a bassinet when baby first comes home from the hospital.  This allows you to keep baby close during the night.  It also includes a changing station. 

Once baby outgrows the bassinet, you can use it as their play/sleep area.  Throw it in the back of the car when you head to the Grandparent's or over to a friends for game night and you've got an instant room fit for baby.  Take it on road trips so that baby has a secure place to sleep in the hotel.  Or, keep it set up in your family room so that baby is a part of the action without being under foot.  The Pack n Play is really a nursery away from the nursery!

Please note the Pack n Play featured is Graco.

These are just a few of the fun items that we hear parents raving about.  In a future post, we'll cover the top 5 smaller baby items that parents love like pacifier clips and butt paste!

Tell us your favorite products in caring for baby.  Join the discussion on FB.

Yesterday at lunch we sat next to a Mom who had her baby strapped into one of the Chicco Table Chairs.

I had a hard time concentrating on the conversation at my table worried that this baby was going to go flying, table chair and all, through the restaurant.  It looked as though one careless person passing through the aisle could send baby on a ride.

After lunch, I had a conversation with the Mom who said she had the same concern the first time she used it, but now she doesn't even think about it because it keeps baby close to the table and to her.  I inspected the chair and the arm extends well under the table, much more secure than it appears at first glance.  

The reviews online on these chairs are pretty good, too.  Check out a few we found by clicking on the pics above.

A funny little fact not many know about me is that I'm obsessed with the dollar store.  Or, Dolla Store as my Great Aunt Frances used to say...it's a Southern thing.  Not any dollar store, there is only one chain that I frequent which will remain un-named but, it's the cleanest and best organized.  It also has the coolest finds AND everything really is one dollar.  I have no respect for a store calling itself the "dollar store" then charging $2, $4 and $5 for most of the items.  That's a "dollars store."  Plural.  No different from any other store on any other corner. Disgraceful.

Anyhow, I digress.  The "crack sample" that got me hooked on this particular dollar store was my discovery of the glassware and serving pieces.  If you need inexpensive water or wine glasses or champagne flutes, head to the dollar store.  50 for 50 bucks.  Can't beat it and no one will know the difference.   

They also have great faux silver serving trays in all sizes...perfect to take to parties because they look nice and you can leave it behind!  I keep a stack of them in my china cabinet.  Once, at a baby shower, we used the smaller silver trays to serve individual salad sample plates to all of our guests.  The presentation was gorgeous.  I'll post pics of that shower here someday, but today...I have to get back on track.  I told you the dollar store gets these Scottish veins a pumpin'!   

The entire reason I'm posting today is to share with you my latest find.  Check out these great 3-in-1 Cotton Sets.  It's always a difficult task to find a handy place on/in the changing table to conveniently store cotton balls, q-tips and cotton pads.  Solution: these handy snap containers!!  Even if you can't find them in a store near you, you can probably find a segregated plastic organizer with a lid...then, you can fill it with whatever you need.  I just like the fact that you can grab one container for several needs in a pinch.

Let me know your solutions for the changing table!  I'd love to hear them!

STAY TUNED!!  Project Peekaboo is coming soon!

Please note that this is not a paid advertisement and that there were no products or services exchanged in return for this article. 

I have a list of questions that I ask every Mom I know or meet.  One is, "What's your opinion on the diaper disposal system?  Necessary?  Or, not?"

The answers run the gamut.  Most say that it's not a necessity because it doesn't help with the really bad smelling diapers, anyhow.  Then, they'll tell me that they take those diapers directly to an outside trash so not to stink up the entire house. 

Some say that they don't think the disposal system covers any smelly diaper...big or small.  These parents end up putting all poo-poo diapers in an outside receptacle and all the pee-pee diapers in an inside receptacle.

Others say that they prefer keeping diapers separate from regular trash.  This parent may still take the smelly ones out, but they'll use the disposal system for all other diapers.

My conclusion on the subject is that only you know your personality.  If you are a neat freak and like things in their proper place, then go with the diaper disposal system, but also be sure to have a regular trash can for other trash.  We like the small flip can kind because they keep things looking clean and tidy.

If you have a feeling that the system would be a waste of money for you, skip it!  There is plenty that you can spend that money on...like food to ensure there are dirty diapers!

PRODUCT SUMMARY AND A FEW TIPS:

1.)   The Diaper Champ (costs around $35) upside:  can use regular kitchen bags instead of the specialty bags and it's easy to manuever.  Diaper Champ downside:  all diapers are dropped from directly into the same bag so may not seal the smell as well.

2.)  Diaper Geenie (Costs between  $25-$40 depending on level) upside:  each diaper drops into its own bag in order to contain the smell better.  Diaper Geenie downside:  you have to touch the diaper by shoving it into the container which can sometimes be a struggle when holding baby.

3.)  Diaper Dekor (costs around $40) also takes special refill bags, but is said to be easier to operate.  Also, the bags are reported to last a long time.

4.)  Safety First Odorless Diaper Pail (runs about $17) includes a deodorizer and can also use regular kitchen bags, may not be as durable.  

TIP:  Put stinky diapers into zip lock bags before disposing.  Great thing to keep in your changing table!

TIP:  Change the bag every couple of days to avoid smell.

TIP:  Use a scented trash bag in trash can, Diaper Champ or Safety First model.

Most of all, don't stress.  Parents were dealing with diaper disposal way before the invention of any of these products!

Don't forget!!  Our Peekaboo Reality Web Series will launch in May 2010 at www.ProjectPeekaboo.com!!

Please note that this is not a paid advertisement and that there were no products or services exchanged in return for this article. 

A few weeks ago I was at a baby shower.  Everyone was oohhing and aahhhing as the mom-to-be opened her gifts.  This prompted me to ask Cara, the friend next to me, what one product she would recommend to a new mother.  Without missing a beat or cracking a smile she says, "My Brest Friend," then turns back to watch the gift opening.  I let it go for a second figuring I just misheard her then said, "What?"  

She told me I'd heard her correctly and then began to gush over this great breast feeding pillow called, that's right, My Brest Friend. I guess they thought My Breast Friend was too much. Cara said that she wore it everywhere she went.  By the time I got home from the shower, Cara had sent me a picture of she with her "Brest Friend" via Facebook.  The baby was somewhere in the picture, but the proud item being displayed in this pic was defintely her nursing pillow buckled securely around her waist! 

Check them out for yourself!                                                                                                                                                                                                  http://www.mybrestfriend.com/

Please note that this is not a paid advertisement and that there were no products or services exchanged in return for this article.

A few weeks ago I was at a baby shower.  Everyone was oohhing and aahhhing as the mom-to-be opened her gifts.  This prompted me to ask Cara, the friend next to me, what one product she would recommend to a new mother.  Without missing a beat or cracking a smile she says, "My Brest Friend," then turns back to watch the gift opening.  I let it go for a second figuring I just misheard her then said, "What?"  

She told me I'd heard her correctly and then began to gush over this great breast feeding pillow called, that's right, My Brest Friend. I guess they thought My Breast Friend was too much. Cara said that she wore it everywhere she went.  By the time I got home from the shower, Cara had sent me a picture of her and her "Brest Friend" via Facebook.  The baby was somewhere in the picture, but the proud item being displayed in this pic was defintely her nursing pillow buckled securely around her waist! 

Check them out for yourself!                                                                                                                                                                                                  http://www.mybrestfriend.com/

Please note that this is not a paid advertisement and that there were no products or services exchanged in return for this article.