Reviews by caradrake

caradrake says "You get what you pay for - and the Circo train set is cheap." about Target Circo Train set

caradrake — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 03:39:32 GMT

We bought this train set for our son, who is almost 3 years old. I assembled it yesterday... and I am not impressed. After just a couple of minutes of play, one of the metal magnet pieces that are used to connect the trains fell off - posing a choking hazard not just for him, but for our 7 month old daughter. The tracks do not piece together very well, and if you even look at them the wrong way, the track will fall apart! I had to use wood glue to secure the track so my son could play with it... a temporary solution, but will hinder any future remodelling of the track. We also had to use copious amounts of wood glue in the construction of the smaller pieces, such as the crane and the gas station.

We no longer have a receipt, so due to Target's strict item return policy, we will be out the money as this set is going straight to the TRASH!! I do not recommend this set for anyone looking to save a couple of bucks.

...

caradrake says "Mother-ease diapers are an excellent start at cloth diapering!" about Mother-ease One Size Diapers

caradrake — Mon, 04 May 2009 21:29:17 GMT

My sister in law sold us her entire stash of Mother-ease diapers shortly after my son was born. I was excited when I got them and found how easy they would be to use! The one size diapers truly are one size. They fold down in the front as a 'newborn' diaper and have multiple snaps to get the best fit. The prints of the diaper covers are cute but not dark enough to be overly visible under light colored clothing. The diapers are very easy to figure out, no need to stuff them like with other brands of cloth diapers. Cost wise, they are very affordable.

I would recommend that, if you have the chance, to install a 'diaper sprayer' on your toilet. That's as easy as just getting a normal sink sprayer and installing it, no need to buy an actual kit. That will make cleaning the diapers so much easier!

The only problem I had with the Mother-ease diapers, was that they were more bulkier than a standard disposable diaper, so I had trouble finding clothes that fit. One suggestion I have is to buy capris...

...

caradrake says "The Bumbo is a great idea, but could use more work." about Bumbo Baby Seat

caradrake — Mon, 04 May 2009 21:18:44 GMT

I really dislike the name of the "Bumbo Baby Seat Baby Sitter." Maybe it's meant to be a play on words, but a chair should not be baby sitting your child. Use it as a tool, but only under parental supervision! Kids can get out of them fairly easily, just by arching their back. I found the foam-like material that the Bumbo is made out of caused my son to get very hot and sweaty, regardless of how much or how little clothing he was in. On the rare occasions that my son had a diaper blowout, the mess went EVERYWHERE in the seat and all over his back and legs. The size of the bumbo made it harder to clean.

Not long after we got the Bumbo, our two cats decided it would make a great scratching post. It still worked fine, but was no longer as visibly appealing. Overall, I would not recommend buying the Bumbo. The price of the Bumbo, $40 when we bought ours, is too high for the quality of the product.

...

caradrake says "The Baby Bjorn is an excellent alternative to strollers!" about Babybjorn Original Baby Carrier

caradrake — Mon, 04 May 2009 21:01:32 GMT

My husband and I were given a Baby Bjorn as a hand-me-down when our son was born two and a half years ago. Hands down, this was the best gift we received at our baby shower! The bjorn keeps baby right up against your chest, which doctors are now recommending is the best thing for them. An extra flap of cushioned fabric supports the back of your baby's head, but can be folded down when s/he is turned to face forward. Your hands are free, so shopping, walking, and even cleaning is possibly while your baby is kept secure. It can take a little bit of time to get a child secured into the bjorn, and it's always a little nerve-racking to do so while standing up. The straps are easy to adjust; I'm tiny and found that the bjorn fit me perfectly!

I did find that wearing the bjorn for longer than 45 minutes or so would start to hurt my shoulders and back, but that is a small sacrifice when my baby and I are getting so many other benefits.

...

caradrake says "The Superyard XT is easy to assemble and has many uses!" about North State North State Superyard XT Portable Playyard & Gate

caradrake — Mon, 04 May 2009 20:53:36 GMT

Every parent I've ever met has been concerned, sometimes overly so, with the safety of their offspring. My husband and I are no exception. After reviewing many play yards, we decided to purchase a Superyard XT. It was a great compromise between size, durability, and price. it is very easy to fold and store in a trunk to take elsewhere. It also comes with a handle that can be adjusted for easy carrying. The panels are easy to open and close, but require enough strength that it is baby proof.

If the standard Superyard is too small, additional panels are available, but we found the standard size to be a perfect size at home and on the go. I fell in love with the ability to not only use it as a play yard, but also being able to disassemble the pieces and use each panel to block off our bookcases and other 'off limits' areas, using eyehooks and zip ties to attach the panels into the walls. It is also great for keeping smaller pets confined.

...

caradrake says "This booster seat is a MUST HAVE for all parents!" about Fisher Price Healthy Care Booster Seat

caradrake — Mon, 04 May 2009 20:43:14 GMT

We purchased a Fisher Price Healthy Care Booster Seat when our son was about 4 months old. Living in an apartment, I didn't want to buy a high chair that took up so much space. Even before he was ready to start solids, our son was content to sit and play in the booster seat. This was a GREAT investment! It attaches very securely to a normal dining table chair. The tray is very easy to attach and remove, unlike many other booster seats on the market. The tray is also a breeze to wash or toss in the dishwasher and has a cover to keep it clean between uses. I absolutely LOVE that the seat folds down and has a handle for easy carrying. We would take this seat with us to restaurants, rather than worry about broken and unsanitary high chairs that some restaurants provide. About two years later, we have a daughter and this seat STILL looks brand new! I really recommend that every parent purchase one of these seats, either in place of a traditional high chair or instead of it.

...