Although I am out of the baby game, I was thrilled to cover the Chicago Baby Show the other weekend. I always love seeing new products and how companies find a problem and create a solution.
I rounded up my top 3 baby products from the show, although it was tough to pick from the array of innovative and aesthetically pleasing offerings. My criteria? That they solve an annoying issue parents deal with by providing a cost-effective and quality solution.
The Problem: Maternity coats are expensive for a one time use, and are usually pretty hideous/cheap.
The Solution: Modern Eternity 3-in-1 Maternity Coat
Who purchased an unattractive, pricey yet poorly made maternity coat when they were pregnant? *raises hand* This girl. Most of us either borrow one from a friend because we don’t want to pay upwards of $100 for a coat we will never use again, or bit the bullet and buy something we don’t love knowing it will only be good for a couple of months. I have a shot of me in my regular winter coat on Instagram busting at the seams because I refused to splurge for something I would use for maybe a month until Little Miss Charlotte was born in early December.
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| Photo: Modern Eternity |
When I saw the Modern Eternity 3-in-1 Maternity Coat, I almost hugged the owner right in the booth. This is simply brilliant. The coat is designed to last throughout your entire pregnancy and beyond. The secret? A zip in, zip out panel that adds extra inches but not extra bulk during the bump months. When you have a newborn, the panel flips around and zips down to protect your little love while you have them in a carrier. Night out without the kiddo? Take the panel entirely out and it transforms into a chic winter coat. Here is my video review so you can see it in action:
This embodies my brand’s motto- trying to find your sense of self and style while becoming a mom is definitely an art form. With Modern Eternity, you can feel like your stylish self during and after pregnancy.
The coats come in multiple styles and price points- from a mid-thigh puffer coat at $140 to a down-filled parka at $350. The company also carries maternity denim, leggings and tops.
The Problem: Waterproof sheets are either too crinkly, don’t work, contain harmful chemicals, melt in the dryer or aren’t breathable.
The Solution: B-Sensible Waterproof Bedding
Ok. My kids still wear pull ups at night. All little bodies develop at different rates, and my kids still have accidents. I haven’t wanted to um… test the waters without a pull up because I can’t stand the “waterproof” sheets out on the market for the issues listed above. The last time I tried to use a waterproof sheet I put it in the dryer and it melted to the drum. FAIL.
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| Photo: B-Sensible |
I saw the B-Sensible sheets in action at the show- they actually had a bunch of fabric samples with water in them, like water balloons. On their website, they show a cell phone being submerged in a bucket of water surrounded by their sheet. These are the real deal.
I could go on and on about the properties and benefits of these sheets- they prevent the development of unpleasant odors (anyone else kids’ room smell like PEE on the regular??!), made from 100% natural TENCEL® (more absorbent than cotton, softer than silk and cooler than linen), the waterproof membrane functions like skin (waterproof yet breathable), and you can wash AND dry these sheets! PS- I bought them, which should tell you how much I believe in the product.
The Problem: Breaking your back to carry a car seat and struggling to get it onto a stroller frame.
The Solution: Doona Next-Generation Car Seat
Mind blown. That is all I have to say.
Just kidding. I will embellish because this product is just too good not to share.
How many strollers do you own? I think I was up to oh…six by the time I got out of the game. And they took up so much damn space in my car- the main reason why I own an SUV is because of my stroller storage needs. Also, who else has ever pulled a muscle or two trying to lug around car seat with a sleeping infant in it? This is possibly the most awkward object to carry of all time, both because of the shape and the precious snoozing cargo inside.
Doona is an absolute game changer for parents. It is the “first infant car seat with a complete and fully integrated mobility solution.” What does that mean? The car seat has freaking wheels on it. And it transforms from a car seat to a stroller in seconds. Tough to imagine? Here is the video:
I mean…why wasn’t this invented years ago so I didn’t walk around hunched over the carrier? Absolutely brilliant.
Cheers to making family lives easier (and more chic, amiright?)!
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post related to the Chicago Baby Show, but all opinions are honest and my own…as always.
