Reviewed By:
Resident Mom Nicky

Product:
Medela Freestyle Hands-Free Breast Pump
Price: $339.95
Buy It Here

Mom Says:

This is my second baby…so it’s the second time I’ve had to start the breastfeeding/pumping cycle. With my first baby several years ago, I used a breast pump that shall remain unnamed. That breast pump was so large, it felt like I was wearing a backpack to the moon!

Upon receiving the Medela Freestyle, I was instantly shocked at how small it was. It can literally fit into my purse. That automatically gave it a point. Once I was ready to use it, I settled into my bedroom and broke out the instructions.

Okay…that part was a little confusing. I’m terrible at directions, but I DID manage to get through it. I have to say assembling/understanding how to use the hands-free parts was difficult at first, but after two tries I had it down and was walking around the house and even unloaded/loaded the dishwasher. (A real feat!).

The one thing I didn’t like was that I had to wear a nursing bra with it (you’re supposed to). I don’t always wear one, but my friend has one of these pumps and said it works great if she just tucks the cups under her regular bra. If you’re using this for the first time, be sure to charge it a full 24 hours, too. I didn’t and it wasn’t as powerful as it could have been. At first I thought it was just the pump, but after charging the batteries (they’re rechargeable) it took less time and actually pumped way more than my old one, which was pretty powerful. Bonus point: It displays a timer to tell you how long you’ve been pumping.

Hands-down (and hands-free! hee) this pump is light-years better than anything I’ve used before.

Pros: Super small. Light.
Cons: The hands-free parts can get confusing. Pricey (but worth it).

Mom Rating: A+

INTERESTED IN BEING A RESIDENT MOM AND REVIEWING PRODUCTS (AND KEEPING THEM?!) CLICK HERE.

Reviewed By:
Resident Mom Michelle H.

Product:
Kushies Waterproof Bib with Sleeves
Ages: Infant through 6-years-old
Price: $9.49-$12.99
Buy It Here

Mom Says:

I LOVE this product! I was having trouble with my two-year-old daughter at meal times. She is quite the messy eater and would always pull her bib off. It seemed like a regular bib was uncomfortable to her. When I found out about the Kushies Bib with sleeves I thought I would give it a try. It looks like a backless shirt really. I tried it out at lunch time and I LOVE it. My daughter didn’t mind it at all. This is the first time in a long time we have made it through a meal without having to change her clothes afterward!

The waterproof bib is eco-friendly (lead, phthalate, PVC and BPA free) and has a pocket at the bottom to catch falling food. I just wipe it off after she is done and it is ready to go. I have washed it in the washing machine on delicate and it comes out looking brand new again. I wouldn’t risk putting it in the dryer though.

Pros: It is very comfortable for the child to wear. It cleans up nicely.
Cons: none

Mom Rating: A!!!!

INTERESTED IN BEING A RESIDENT MOM AND REVIEWING PRODUCTS (AND KEEPING THEM?!) CLICK HERE.

Reviewed By:
Resident Mom Kendall

Product:
Küster Bath Toy Store
Ages: All ages
Price: $24.99
Buy It

Mom Says: I’ve always had a hard time with the bathtub toys. Where do I put them? For the longest time I had them in a bucket under the sink, but I’d have to let them dry before putting them in the bucket or they would get moldy. This bathtub toy holder solved that problem! Now the toys sit in the bucket beside the bathtub, within easy reach, and they don’t sit in water! I can scoop the toys out of the bathtub before draining, let the water drip for a second, and then put it in the holder that will catch any excess water, but will not allow the toys to sit in that water. I wish I’d had one of these years ago!

Pros: Keeps the toys clean and out of the water. Cute design with coordinating dual colors.
Cons: Not sure what it is until you notice the toys.

Mom Rating: A

INTERESTED IN BEING A RESIDENT MOM AND REVIEWING PRODUCTS (AND KEEPING THEM?!) CLICK HERE.

The Abigail, from the Spring/Summer '09 collection

Reviewed By:
Resident Mom Danielle

Product:
Pediped Flex Footwear

Ages: Pediped Flex shoes are for 1-5 years. Size/styles vary.
Buy It

Mom Says: I received a pair of pink “Abigail” shoes from Pediped’s new Spring ’09 collection. I think they are wonderful! It’s hard to find shoes to fit my daughter’s fat, wide feet. She won’t keep anything on cause they hurt her toes. I finally found something she likes and will keep on her feet!! They are all leather, super flexible, and have wonderful arch support. I like the natural box toe, and the fact you have a extra insole for extended use. The shoe is, like they say, “the next best thing to bare feet”.

Pros: My daughter likes them and they fit well
Cons: none

Mom Rating: A

INTERESTED IN BEING A RESIDENT MOM AND REVIEWING PRODUCTS (AND KEEPING THEM?!) CLICK HERE.

Reviewed By:
Resident Mom Jennifer

Product:
MD Moms Baby Silk Daily Skin Protection ($20)
MD Moms Baby Silk Babysafe Sunscreen Towelettes ($26)

Ages: Safe for any age

Buy It

Mom Says: I live in California, so constantly putting sunscreen on my 7-month-old gets to be a messy pain. The towelettes are great because you literally just wipe them on and go. They’re SPF 30, and one wipe is designed to cover a baby from head-to-toe. I will definitely buy these again.

The moisturizer is so great I’ve actually started using it! Since I’ve done this review I’ve bought another one, and because of the higher price it’s works out perfect that my baby and I can both use it. There’s no animal-testing, and the products are naturally-based, which I really like. My son has sensitive skin, so I always have to be careful about what lotions or soaps I’ve used (generally, I just used Cetaphil and Aquaphor), but he had no reaction to this lotion. It also smells great…not powdery just fresh.

Pros: Developed by pediatrician moms; smells yummy
Cons: Pricey

Mom Rating: A

INTERESTED IN BEING A RESIDENT MOM AND REVIEWING PRODUCTS (AND KEEPING THEM?!) CLICK HERE.

Reviewed By:
Resident Mom Beth

Product: Britax Boulevard CS car seat
Ages: The Britax Boulevard CS® fits children rear-facing from five to 35 pounds and children forward- facing from at least one-year-old and 20 pounds, up to 65 pounds.

Buy It

Mom Says: I actually registered for another car seat, but my sister (who has 2 kids) told me she loved her old Britax, and that I should try this new one. And…she was right! (she always is). I love it!

As a new mom, I’ve never tried any other car seats, so I can’t relate to my sister’s complaints about her old car seat and how it was hard to know if the harness was tight enough. The Boulevard has a “Click and Safe™” technology, where a “click click” sounds lets you know that your child is safe and snug in the seat…and will stay that way.

This seat also offers more head protection than other seats I had previously looked at. The “True Side Impact Protection™ ” offers extra protection from side impact crashes…which are the most dangerous kind of collisions, according to the the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

As far as installation, my husband installed it in 2 minutes. We took it to a car seat inspection site the next day and everything checked out A-OK…so clearly it’s EXTREMELY easy to install.

Aside from feeling secure that my son is protected in his car seat (and I’m not left wondering if he’s in there correctly!), I can use this through his toddler years, which saves me $$ (I’ll buy a new purse when he’s 1. Ha.)

Pros: Safe, Easy to install, Fool-proof
Cons: Pricey, Heavy

Mom Rating: A+

INTERESTED IN BEING A RESIDENT MOM AND REVIEWING PRODUCTS (AND KEEPING THEM?!) CLICK HERE.