There are certain microscopic bacteria that can pose special health risks to pregnant women and to their babies. Although most people can safely eat food containing a type of bacteria called Listeria, pregnant women are ten times more likely to get sick if they eat those same foods. And if they do get sick, the infection can be devastating for the baby. The tricky thing about Listeria is that, unlike many bacteria, they can thrive at refrigerator temperatures. To be sure, ensure your partner avoids the following: Read the rest »

Interested in what to and not to do in terms of exercise when you’re pregnant? The 10 Commandments of Pregnancy Exercise. Plus, Baby Celebration in LA, The Perfect Playhouse Design competition and lots of product reviews on the Clever Parents Weekly Blog Roundup.

News, Events and Competitions:

Moms Buzz: 10 Commandments of Pregnancy Exercise
For those busy moms who are expecting their first baby, second or other #, and love to and can exercise, here are 10 handful tenets worth warding.

Healthy Bump: Baby Celebration LA
Call your best friends or moms and plan to spend the entire day at Baby Celebration LA April 12 & 13, 2008! If you went to Baby Celebration LA last year you know that it is a truly magical experience! Guess what? It is even more exciting this year!

Coochicoos: The Perfect Playhouse Design Competition
10 Grain and coochicoos.com sponsor a kid’s design competition - “What’s your perfect playhouse?”

Product Reviews and Giveaways:

Boston Mamas: Food Fight
To serve the need for repeated mealtime tee changes with a dose of humor and sass, there’s food fight’s impressive menu of trendy onesies and tees for babies and kids.

MomFinds: The Best Time-Savers for New Moms
Your day is hectic enough, so we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite time-saving products to use with baby, at home and on-the-go to make life easier.

One Chic Mama: A Tutu for Your Tee
We review Tu for Tee’s adorable new spring collection - make sure you register to win one for your daughter!

The Nest Baby: DwellStudio Crib Set Giveaway
One lucky user will win a crib set of her choice from DwellStudio! Submit your best nursery decorating tip to be eligible.

Ever heard of lypossage? Learn what it is and tell us what you think.

Plus - lots of product picks for pregnant and new mamas, a book club sign-up and a stroller giveaway.

Attention Pregnant and New Mamas:

Moms Buzz: Lypossage - Body Contouring Massage You May Want to Try! Lypo what? Yes, we know. We are here to tell you what this is about.

One Chic Mama: Flirty Undies for C-Section Moms Czela Bellies are fabulous and fun boy shorts made just for post- Cesaerean moms.

MomFinds: Post-Baby Shapewear Guide Lift those breasts, tuck in that tummy and fight flabby thighs with the best shapewear for new moms.

Healthy Bump: Yummy for Your Tummy!! Belly Bars: A Tasty Bar for Your Belly. The all natural belly bars are designed to meet the needs of all women before, during, and after pregnancy.

Boston Mamas: Fuss Free Framing Frame your family photos artfully (and nearly instantly!) with the online framing service, Imagekind.

Sign-Ups and Giveaways

Classy Mommy Giveaway: Win a Mutsy Spider Baby Stroller One lucky reader will win the hip Mutsy Spider valued at $250!

Join the Club…the Modern Mom Book Club This month, Modern Mom introduces its online book club. Grab a book and join the fun!

Clever Parents Recommends

Moms Buzz: How to Get Your Kids to Pick Up - Quick Tips
It’s a never ending challenge for parents to have the kids pick up after them. Here are some success stories you may want to read about and then implement their approach.

Boston Mamas: Just Tell Me What to Say For those parenting moments when stress, fatigue, or just being human result in a short fuse and loss for words, there’s “Just Tell Me What to Say.”

Join the Club…the Modern Mom Book Club This month, Modern Mom introduces its online book club. Grab a book and join the fun!

MomFinds: Bye-Bye Frump, Hello Fabulous - Oprah Makes Over Shlumpadinkas Shop in your PJs or wear your husband’s sweatpants? Do your kids run and hide when you pick them up at school? Then you might be a Shlumpadinka.

Reviews & Giveaways
Car & Caboodle: Maxi Cosi Priori Car Seat Review Get a first look at this new convertible car seat

Classy Mommy: BPA Free Baby Bottles We give BornFree BPA Bottles a go and are thrilled with the results!

Coochicoos: UFO Light For little boys who love spaceships…

Healthy Bump: Belly Bars A Tasty Bar for Your Belly. The all natural belly bars are designed to meet the needs of all women before, during, and after pregnancy.

Robeez For Indoors…and Beyond Robeez Tredz get kids out of the house in style! Win a pair for your kids.

Swanky Moms: LA’s Nanny of the Year Contest If you live in the LA area and have a nanny you love…or a manny to be fair…ok, or even a granny that’s a nanny…this is fun…you must check out www.BabyCelebrationLA.com/nanny.php .

As the holidays approach, families everywhere are scrambling to finish their shopping, decorate their homes and prepare their holiday meals. While every family wants to make the holidays an enjoyable time for their children, it’s almost a given that there will be some minor speed bumps along the way. It can be especially tricky for families with younger children. Read tips from The Moms Buzz on how to make this season more enjoyable.

Win a Lillébaby EuroTote. Trust us, you’ll never want to leave home without this multifunctional baby carrier (from MomFinds).

We’re giving away two of these great portable boosters called Kaboost that let your child sit in a regular chair at the dinner table (from One Chic Mama).

No clue what to gift this year? Get inspiration from our Holiday Gift Guides for kids 0 - 12, dads and more (from Modern Mom).

Take the pesky logins and emails out of sharing family photos with SmugMug (from Boston Mamas).

The Cuddoozle Nursing Pillow is a must have for all new and expectant moms (from Healthy Bump).

Classy Mommy Video Review of Her Majestee Candy Cane Holiday Tee
A glam holiday tee that comes free in a gorgeous Santa Tin (from Classy Mommy).

Dear Dr.MOZ,

My sister and brother-in-law are expecting their first child and I’d like to get them a baby carrier because both mom and dad can use it. People tell me to get one of the Baby Bjorn carriers. I like the way they look, but I’m wondering if they are really worth the money. What can you and the GoodFather tell me about the brand and product features?

Thanks!
Nate Read the rest »

Since the birth of Charles, five weeks ago, I’ve had the opportunity to test a lot of newborn gear. In no particular order, here are a few of my favorite things.

1. Lillebaby EuroTote. The EuroTote by lillebaby is a truly clever invention. It’s an over the shoulder baby carrier, a comfortable way to ride in a convertible car seat or a stroller, a sleep mat and a play mat in one. Plus, you can easily transition from one mode to another so a sleeping baby can stay asleep through transitions. I use it mainly as a carrier, which acts as a cocoon for the baby and is much easier than carting around a bulky car seat, and as a stroller insert.

Read the rest »