OrbitBaby Stroller - NBC's The Office Sitcom

Ok. Are any of you fans of The Office? My family loves the show and when we watched it this week, I said, Oh.. That's an Orbit Baby Stroller. I know the brand and it is very expensive. So, imagine my shock when they destroyed the $1200 dollar stroller on the episode. I had my hands over my mouth in shock the entire time Dwight had his hands on it. "The Bumper Test", etc. It's funny that a distributor would agree to have this done to their product. I know this gets their name out there to the general population that may not have heard of the brand before, but no stroller can go through that torcher and still be usable. How does it give them a good name to destroy it on TV? You can watch the episode on the OrbitBaby website if you missed it. http:/orbitbaby.com

Well, aside from the craziness on the episode, it is a pretty interesting stroller system. It is pretty far out of the affordable price range for most people, but you may have seen it around the more upscale malls or in the celebrity magazines and wondered what it is and how much it costs. It is more than the price of the Bugaboo Cameleon that you have seen strolling around town, but with the Orbit System, you get the Car Seat too.

I have had the chance to see this system up close and see how it works. My favorite features are the bassinet rocker base, that you can see on the episode and the "zoo mode" that the stroller offers. This is the ability to turn your child to the side so they can see things you are passing as in a trip to the zoo where everything you walk by is to your right, not straight ahead. It is a really neat feature that you do not see on other strollers. Is it worth $1200 dollars? Well, if you have the money to spend, that would be for you to determine. I myself would go for something more affordable like the Perego Pliko P3 stroller with the Perego Primo Viaggio SIP 30/30 Infant Car Seat at about a 3rd of the cost of the OrbitBaby Stroller System. What are your thoughts?

Ready for Delivery? What to pack for the Hospital.

Please post suggestions or advice you have to offer. This list is from my favorite source, What to Expect When You're Expecting.

Labor Gear:

• Pen and pad, for taking notes, or the What to Expect Pregnancy Organizer
  
  
• Your birth plan (several copies, so all staff, on all shifts, can get one)
  
  
• Stopwatch to time contractions
  
  
• Massage oils or lotions
  
  
• Your favorite pillow
  
  
• If you have long hair, a clip or scrunchie to keep it out of your face
  
  
• Sugarless candies or lollipops to keep your mouth moist
  
  
• A tennis ball or plastic rolling pin — both make excellent backrub tools — or an actual massager
  
  
• Snacks for during labor (your own snacks will be limited, and must be approved by your practitioner; your partner should pack sandwiches and nutritious nibbles so he doesn't have to leave your side to find something to eat)
  
  
• Diversions for a long labor: music, puzzles, magazines, books, a deck of cards, laptop, handheld electronic games
  
  
• Any mementos you'll want with you, such as family photos
  
  
• Your Who to Call list, and a prepaid phone card or calling card (be forewarned: Most hospitals don't allow cell phones)
  
  
• Camera and/or video camera — even if you don't want to capture your labor and delivery experience, you'll definitely want to capture your baby on film, and someone in the room will be happy to take your first family portrait
  
  
• A small basket of goodies for the staff to give along with the birth plan

Personal Items:

• A baby care book, like What to Expect the First Year (if you want to lug it and think you'll have a chance to look at it)
  
  
• A baby book for recording everything (ditto)
  
  
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouthwash
  
  
• Hairbrush and comb
  
  
• All your essential toiletry items (don't forget moisturizer)
  
  
• Extra absorbent maxi-pads (the hospital will provide some, but you might want to use the brand you're most comfortable with)
  
  
• Snacks for after delivery — don't count on the hospital or birthing center to provide them in the middle of the night
  
  
• Champagne or sparkling cider to celebrate with
  
  
• Shower gel, face wash, shampoo, conditioner, makeup, and whatever else it takes to make you feel human again after delivery

Clothes:

• Extra pairs of underwear suitable for wearing with maxi-pads (no thongs, in other words) and a nursing bra
  
  
• Nightgown or pj's, socks, and slippers
  
  
• Comfortable outfit to head home in (remember you'll still look six months pregnant, so plan accordingly)
  
  
• Going-home outfit for baby (don't forget socks or booties and a receiving blanket, plus extra layers if it's cold). Bring along a few diapers, although the hospital will probably provide them.

Other Essentials:

• Rear-facing infant car seat. This won't go in the suitcase with you, of course, but when it comes time to take your newborn home, your partner should know how to find it quickly and install it correctly. Better still, install it in advance so you're ready to roll (after you're both checked out by the hospital staff).

List of BPA & Phthalate Free items available

Please post any other items you have discovered. This list was compiled from multiple sites that I have researched. We will continue to add to the list as we locate more products and information.

Here’s a quick reference list of items that are BPA Free and Phthalate Free:

Nosefrida Nasal Aspirator

Bottle Products:

• Adiri Natural Nursers
  
• Avent “Via” disposable bottles, Avent BPA-free bottles, Avent Tempo Liners,
  
• BornFree - All bottles and cups BPA free (9oz bottle, 5 oz bottle) *see note
  
• EvenFlo Glass bottles, Classic Tinted Polypropylene bottles
  
• Playtex: Original Nurser, Opaque Soft Bottle (discontinued), Playtex Drop in liners
  
• Gerber: Gerber Clearview, Fashion Tints (also called “Plastic Pastels”), Gerber GentleFlow
  
• Medela: All bottles (newer version, standard bottles)
  
• Munchkin Dora BPA Free bottle
  
• Sassy: MAM bottles (UltiVent), Baby Food Nurser Kit
  
• Green to Grow Bottles
  
• ThinkBaby Bottles (Whole Foods carries these as well)
  
• Tommee Tippee Easyflow Bottle to Cup
  
• Momo Glass Bottles
  
• Nuby: Standard Neck Non-Drip Bottle, Wide-Neck Non-Drip Bottle, Wide-Neck Bottle with Handles and Non-Drip Nipple, Standard Neck Bottle with Handles and Non-Drip Nipple, 3-Stage Wide Neck Easy Grip Feeding System with Non-Drip Nipple.
  
• Nuture Pure Glass bottles
  
• Babisil Silbottles
  
• Weego Glass Bottles
  
• Siliskin Glass Bottles
  
• Thermobaby glass bottles
  
• Dr Brown’s: Glass Bottles (all vent system pieces BPA Free), Dr. Browns Polypropylene bottles
  
• Parent’s Choice Bottles (available at Walmart) - box is marked BPA Free
  
• Lansinoh® Bottles (all)
  
• Mam
  
• Green to Grow
  
• Think Baby

Sippy Cups:

• Avent Magic Cups
  
• Playtex: Coolster Tumbler, Insulator, Einstein Sip & Discover Training Cup, Sipster, Create My Own, Quick Straw, Insulator Sport, Sip and Discover, First Sipster, Einstein Sip & Discover Insulated Straw Cup
  
• Gerber: Sip & Smile Spill-proof Cup, Easy Grip Insulated Soft Straw Cup, Insulated Cool Cup, Gerber® Fun Grips® Cup, Gerber® Fun Grips® Color Change Cup, Grins & Giggles Spill-proof Cup, Gerber® Sip & Smile™ Cup (source)
  
• BornFree sippy/drinking cups
  
• Evenflo: Fun Sip Insulated Spill-proof Cup, Fun Sip Insulated Straw Cup
  Kleen Kanteen
  
• Thermos Foogo Sippy Cups, and FUNtainer Straw Bottles
  
• SIGG Toddler Water Bottles
  
• Kid Basix The Safe Sippy
  
• Boon Fluid Sippy
  
• GrowPure Multi-Stage Feeder and Sippy Cup
  
• iPlay Aqua Bottle
  
• ThinkBaby Training Cup
  
• Tommee Tippee First Cup, Easiflow Cup, Easiflow Insulated Cup, Easiflow Open Cup, Tip It Up Cup
  
• Munchkin: Cupsicle, Cupsicle Straw Cup, Big Kid Sippy Cup, Mighty Grip Flip Straw Cup, Mighty Grip Trainer Cup, licensed character Sports Bottles, Re-usable Straw Cups, Re-usable Spill-proof Cups
  
• Nuby: No-Spill Sports Sipper, Insulated Soft Silicone Spout Cup, Soft Spout Easy Grip Cup, Gripper Cup with Soft Silicone Spout, Tinted Mega Sipper, 7oz Tumblers
  
• The First Years: Take & Toss, Spill-proof Cup, Insulated Cup, Licensed character sippy cups, Insulated Spill-proof Cup, 2 Handled Cups
  
• Safe Sippy

Milk / Liquid / Powder Storage:

• Avent Via 8-oz. Nurser Kit
  
• Avent Snack Cup / Formula Dispenser
  
• Mother’s Milkmate Storage bottles, and storage rack with 10 bottles
  
• Medela Milk Storage bottles (also have a 2.7 oz bottle) and breastpump accessories
  
• Playtex Breastmilk storage kit
  
• Lansinoh® Breastmilk Storage Bags
  
• Lansinoh® Breastmilk Storage Bottles
  
• Gerber Breastmilk Storage Bags
  
• Dr. Brown’s Breastmilk Storage Bags
  
• Sassy Formula Dispenser
  
• The First Years Easy Pour Breastmilk Storage bags
  
• Bailey Milk Storage Bags (Nurture lll pump tubing BPA Free as well)
  
• Bailey Storage Bottles (as well as all parts of their “double collection kit”)
  
• Sensible Lines Milk Trays

Baby Food / Food Storage:

• So Easy Fresh Baby Food Kit, and additional trays
  
• Baby Cubes (read review on safe mama)
  
• Laptop Lunch System
  
• Munchkin: Snack Catcher, Baby Food Grinder, Fresh Food Feeder, Powdered Formula Dispensers
  
• First Years Take and Toss snackers
  
• The Snack Trap
  
• Gerber bunch of bowls

Pacifiers:

• BornFree: BPA-Free Pacifier for Day and Night Use
  
• Playtex: Playtex “Binky” (one piece silicone pacifier), Binky Most Like Mother Latex Pacifier, Binky Most Like Mother Silicone Pacifier, Binky Angled Pacifier, Ortho-Pro Pacifier
  
• Gerber: NUK Original, NUK Classic, NUK Nautical
  
• The First Years: Soothies Silicone Paci’s, Safe Comfort, Ultra Kip
  Vice Versa Binky w/ Case
  
• Natursutten Natural Rubber Paci
  
• Evenflo: Pacifiers - Mimi Soft Touch, Mimi Premium, Mimi Neo One-Piece, Vizion, Fuzion and Illuzion, & Bottles
  
• Gumdrop Silicon Pacifiers

Teethers:

• Happy Baby Soothers
  
• NurturePure™ Pure™ Orthodontic Silicone Pacifier & Teether
  
• Vulli Teethers: Sophie the Giraffe, Soft Toy Chan Pie Gnon Teethers, Cool It Soother Chan Pie Gnon, Vanilla Flavored Chan Pie Gnon, Musical Fruit Keys, Rattle Key Chain Chan Pie Gnon
  
• Luv n’ Care Icy Bite Teether
  
• Sassy Teethers: Jelly Fish Teethers, Coolin’ Teethers, Chilly Dilly Daisy, Gentle Vibes Leapfrog Lilypad, Buzz n’ Bites, Sassy Teething Feeder, Teach Me Toothbrush Set, Teething Tunes, Gummy Guppy, Earth Brites Natural Wooden Toys
  
• Nuby Teethers: Icy Bite Teether Rings, Jiggle Giggle Cool Bite Vibrating Teethers (cow and butterfly), Jiggle Giggle Vibrating Teethers (assorted animal shapes), Nibbler, Kool Soothers, Pur Icy Bite Teethers (triangle shape), Nuby Ice Gel Teether Keys on a Ring, Fun Teethers (assorted animal shapes) Nuby Bug-A-Loop Teether, Fun
  
• Links and Fun Links on a Ring
  
• Leapfrog Gentle Vibes teether
  
• Je Je Vibrating Teethers
  
• Comfort + Joy Teether (by BabyLife, not yet available)
  
• Fisher Price: Laugh & Learn Learning Keys, Rainforest Monkey Teether, Rainforest Giraffe Rainstick Rattle, Miracles & Milestones Musical Zebra, Miracles & Milestones Sunshine Activity Ring, Miracles & Milestones Penguin Water Teether, Lil’ Laugh & Learn 1-2-3 Puppy Rattle
  
• Bright Starts: Chill and Teeth tubes, Licensed to Drool, Rattle and Spin teethers
  
• Combi: All teethers (4 month, 6 month and 8 month)
  
• Gerber: Cooling Gum Soother, Cool Fish Soother, Cool Ring Soother, OrbiTeether
  
• RaZbaby: RaZ-Berry Teether, Raz-A-Dazzle Silicone Toothbrush
  
• Camden Rose: Maple Teether and Waldorf Cheery Rattle/Teether
  
• Kushies Teethers
  
• SmartMom: Teething Bling

These companies are Phthalate-Free:

• Burt’s Bees – Lip balms, glosses, sticks and shimmers; face cleansers, toners, complexion bars, moisturizers, eye crèmes and exfoliating scrubs; shampoos and conditioners; toothpaste and peppermint breath drops; eye make-up and face powder; various “Baby Bee” products and a growing list of “Men’s Grooming” choices. Increasingly available in mainstream grocery stores, drugstores, and pharmacies.
  
• Eco Bella Organics – Includes perfumes, bath and body products, cosmetics, and skin and hair care products. Often available in organic and natural foods stores and food co-ops.
  
• Aubrey Organics – Products are made primarily with herbals, essential oils and vitamins. Includes baby care, bath products, hair care and color, hand and body lotions, makeup, skin care, soaps, toiletries, sun protection, and hair and skin essentials for men. Often available in organic and natural foods stores and food co-ops.
  
• Tom’s of Maine – Offers 90 oral and body care products, sold at 40,000 retail outlets in the U.S. and around the world. Products include toothpaste, deodorant, mouthwash, soap, shaving cream, and dental floss.
  
• Honeybee Gardens – In addition to a variety of lipsticks, powders, eyeliner, eye shadow, hair spray, shampoo, and conditioner, Honey Bee manufactures water-based nail polish, including one brand that can peel off without need of nail polish remover.

What is Bisphenol A?

Bisphenol A is a harmful chemical found in polycarbonate plastic which is used to make many popular baby bottles and sippy cups, among other things. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical that mimics the action of the human hormone estrogen, which alters our body’s natural pattern. BPA can leach from polycarbonate plastic, usually a hard, clear plastic that is common of many products we use everyday. Effects at even low BPA exposure include prostate cancer, breast cancer, early puberty onset, alterations in gender-specific behavior, decreased sperm count, affects on fertility, behavioral effects including hyperactivity, increased aggressiveness, impaired learning and other changes in behavior, and other problems.

Thank you to amomsblog, safemama, biggreenpurse for information provided in this list.

What do I need to have at home to be ready for my New Baby?

One of the most stressful times can be the last weeks of your pregnancy. Do I have everything I need for my new baby? The last thing you want to worry about is not having the basics and sending Dad out in the middle of the night to pick something up that you didn't realize you needed beforehand.

The question I receive the most from expectant mothers nearing their due date is: What do I need to have at home to be ready for my New Baby?

At the request of a few of my pregnant friends, I have compiled a list of suggested items you should have ready for your new baby's arrival.

Please post any additional items or suggestions you recommend and we will consider adding them to our list.

nasal aspirator

blunt baby nail scissors

baby brush and comb set

diaper rash ointment

2 packages of disposable diapers

2 dozen cloth diapers (for burp cloths)

gentle baby soap

no tears shampoo

2-4 pacifiers (you will lose them)

alcohol wipes (for the cord)

4-6 bottles (4 and 8 ounce size)

bottle brush

2 nursing bras (if nursing)

disposable or washable breast pads (if nursing)

breast pump (if nursing)

6 bibs

2-4 hooded bath towels

4-6 wash clothes

4 bassinet sheets

2 waterproof mattress pads

2 quilted crib pads

3-4 crib sheets

crib bumper

2 crib blankets

6-8 snap t-shirts, bodysuits, or onesies

4-6 lightweight sleepers

6-8 receiving blankets

2-4 newborn gowns with pull-ties

4-8 pairs of booties or socks

1 sweater (depending on season)

1 snowsuit (depending on season)