Messy Eaters Beware

Wupzey Floor Protector

I'm convinced my toddler lives to create messes for me to clean. In our epic "keep the house clean" battle I've found a great weapon for my arsenal. The Wupzey foor protector does exactly when it says, protecting your floor from everything to stray food to even sippy cups! Unlike floor mats, clean up is easy and best of all, Wupzey is machine washable. When you stop by Wupzey's website also check out their line of bibs and coveralls which also easily wipe clean and are machine washable too! Created by a mom, Wupzey makes sense and solves one of parents' mess problems...if only it could pick up toys too.

Cool Tip: Use the code "CBK" for 20% off your order at Wupzey. Expires July 14, 2008.

Cool Giveaway: One lucky Cool Baby Kid reader will be able to keep their kitchen floor clean with a Wupzey floor protector of your choice just by leaving a comment on this post. An email address is needed in order to contact the winner. Click here to find out how to increase your chances of winning. Contest ended. Congratulations Tangie!

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Resource for Family Travelers

Child to Go Website

Preparing for an overseas trip with a baby and toddler is a bigger undertaking than I first imagined. After putting together a list, I set out to find some of the travel gear. I found Child To Go which is a packing mother's best friend. With an extensive inventory of travel necessities, the site is well-organized and even offers a search by age. Child To Go carries items from car and air travel to accessories and gear. Whether your planning a trip or arejust a family on the move, you will love this site!

Cool Tip: Cool Baby Kid readers should enter the code "5412105001" for 10% off your order!

Cool Shopping Cart Covers

The Original Clean Shopper Cart Cover

A baby "must-have" product, what differentiates the Original Clean Shopper from other cart covers are their style (cool patterns), Velcro closures that keep the cover secure, and a variety of other amenities. It was obviously designed by a mom with features like loops to attach toys, two pockets and a safety strap so you don't have to rely on the yucky one that comes with the cart. I personally use it for every grocery store or restaurant trip since it fits on a high chair, though the Clean Diner was designed just for eating out. Baby Ease makes other neat stuff like the Clean Burper; they're worth a look!
Cool Pick: Super Soft Clean Shopper for a little extra padding. Buy at

Stylish Bib Solution for Messy Toddler

Kipiis Bib Clips

These exact Kipiis bib clips pictured here currently reside in my diaper bag where they've found a permanent home. Problem: messy toddler demolishes regular wipeable bib while eating out. After semi-wiping it down, you stuff it in your bag with good intentions to clean it up at home. As if that ever happens. Solution: rather than carting a yucky bib from place to place, use these bib clips! They are great. Attach a napkin or whatever is handy and remove and toss when you're done. Another "Why didn't I think of that?" perfect product.

Cool Tip: Buy Kipiis Bib Clips at Mom4Life for free shipping.

Toddler Bibs & Cool Monogrammed Gifts

Bella Wearing Alphabet Moon Toddler Bib

Looking for a toddler bib that would withstand the mother of all meals--a PB&J sandwich--and still come out intact, I found this online boutique which is truly unique. The bib is exactly what I was looking for--it ties (someone figured out how to pull off bibs that Velcro) and is also lightweight, easy to clean and stylish. Alphabet Moon doesn't just do bibs and lots of their stuff can be personalized (which I love for gifts). This store definitely worth checking out.

Cool Pick: "Spell-Their-Name" pillows were even featured on "Friends"...now that's cool.

Cool Customized Creations

Hoohobbers: Toddler Towels, Moses Baskets & More...

I mention toddler towels because that is what I was looking for when I discovered Hohobbers. Clinging to the idea of a hooded towel, maybe because I don't want my little girl to grow up, I realized the infant ones just didn't cut it any longer. Hoohobbers immediately impressed me with their large selection, much of it personalizable, which is great for gifts. Reading about the company I found they actually got started with their Junior Director's Chair, another neat-looking product. This is one cool company!

Cool Pick: It wasn't easy, but I'm picking the Moses Basket...it's machine washable!!

Chic Nursing Covers for Breastfeeding Moms

Bebe Au Lait/Hooter Hiders Nursing Covers

When Bella was 6 weeks old we took her to Disneyworld; my cousin Nancy, who breastfed four girls, laughed when I ran off to hide and feed the baby, telling me I'd have to learn to nurse in public. Thanks for the lesson! And thanks to Bebe Au Lait who makes the nursing in public chic. Michael, baby #2, not only will be eating in public but will be doing it in style. The covers are designed so you can look down and see baby without having to smother him (or her) or expose yourself while the cover stays in place. It makes a perfect gift for a breastfeeding mom, especially since they also are sold under the more cheeky name "Hooter Hiders". This is one cool product!

Cool Pick: Get Chocolat, my favorite pattern; it's great for boy or girl.

Toddler Snack Solution

OnTray: The Container to Go

The very first time I used this product, while shopping at Sam's Club, I was stopped by a dad who was simultaneously handing his son a snack and talking to me. He wanted to know where I got the snack tray; I love sharing great finds like this one! OnTray by 42Kids snaps onto a shopping cart and lets toddler snack on his/her own. I keep it in my car with the shopping cart cover and use it every time we're on the go. OnTray is one terrific mom-invented product!

Cool Tip: Keep snacks stocked inside; the cover won't let them go stale. Buy OnTray at Mom4Life for free shipping.

Stylish Baby & Toddler Bibs

Bazzle Baby Bibs

Babies and toddlers spend a lot of their time in bibs. Bella started teething at 4 months old and wore a bib almost constantly for months. So many bibs on the market look the same and are anything but stylish; this is where Bazzle Baby bibs come in. The baby bibs are uniquly bandanna designed and the patterns adorably stylish. The big bibs for toddler are just as cute...easily washable with a soft, super-absorbent backing; the big bibs are perfect for going out on the town!

Cool Pick: Cute "Cherries" big bib pictured above. Buy bibs in sets here.

Toddler Bottle Throwing? Problem Solved.

Bottle Tamer by Lil Bah Bee

This ingenious product has rescued my abused tile floor, prevented countless cleanups, and saved Bella's sippy cup from rolling down the restaurant isle. It's one of those, "Why didn't I think of that?" baby/toddler products you can't live without. The adjustable Bottle Tamer straps to a high chair, booster seat, stroller, etc. and saves said bottle or sippy when it is inevitably thrown to the ground. You'll wonder how you managed to exist without it!

Cool Pick: Bottle Tamer Three-Pack so you don't have to transfer...

Advice from Baby to Child, Sleeping to Feeding...

American Academy of Pediatrics: Birth to Age 5

My sister-in-law, who has three children, gave me this book. This is the same person who, when I told her I couldn't take the constant night wakenings at five months old, laughed as I said, "Yes, I've let her cry for a good 2-3 minutes!" She put me on the right path then and was spot-on recommending this book, my go-to guide for everything as it is published by the American Academy of Pediatrics and offers very sound advice. Love it!

Cool Pick: I know the web is a great resource, but you won't regret buying this book.

Clean Baby's Face Gently; Perfect for Toddler Too

Pampers Sensitive Wipes

This one may seem obvious, but when Bella was a baby I searched everywhere for a product gentle enough to clean her face. After discovering Pampers sensitive wipes there's been no turning back. We buy them in bulk and stock up the changing stations, feeding station (drawer next to high chair), and diaper bag. Frankly, I'm not sure what I would do without them!

Cool Pick: Buy Pampers Sensitive Wipes and cut in half or thirds to use on nose for colds etc.