New & Noteworthy January 2007

JANUARY 2007

NATURAL DRINK
We’ve all heard that breast is best for baby, but some women won’t, or can’t breastfeed.  Now there’s an organic formula option, Similac Organic.  The infant formula has DHA and ARA, naturally-occurring breast milk proteins that lead to brain development.  The formula is sold in powder form, at grocery stores, or at rosstore.com; $27.99 for the 25.7 oz. can (makes about 31 six-oz. bottles).  And if you’re caught out and about without a baby bottle, 7-11 is selling the Baby Sport adaptor for water bottles (pictured); you can convert almost any water bottle into a baby bottle with the plastic adaptor; $1.95 for a set of two. (1/07)

SMOOSHED SNACK
Fruit is a great snack, but sometimes kids want something that looks unhealthy.  FruitaBu has Organic Smoooshed Fruit, pure fruit snacks that offer a 1/2 serving of fruit in a kid-appealing form.  In addition to apricot, apple, grape, strawberry and raspberry “flats”, FruitaBu has new fruit twirls, in strawberry, at Whole Foods ($3.19 for a box of six); these are a whole serving of fruit.  www.stretchislandfruit.com.  And for spreadable fruit with your peanut butter sandwich, Smucker’s has new organic strawberry and raspberry preserves, and grape jelly, for around $3, at grocery stores.  You can find recipes at www.smuckers.com. (1/07)

BEYOND DIAPER BAGS
Skip Hop
, which started with stylish diaper bags about five years ago, has literally branched out.  It’s new Chow baby food organizer  (pictured) has shelf arms that hold up to 12 jars of baby food.  And Splash, their bottle drying rack, is
circular, so it takes up less valuable counter space while drying nine bottles as well as cups, nipples, pacifiers and caps.  Best of all, Chow ($24) and Splash ($26), which come in marine (blue), white, or poppy (red), do it stylishly.  You can find Skip Hop products locally at giggle and Destination Maternity. For more information, go to www.skiphop.com. (1/07)

DIAPER BAGS, LUXURY STYLE

There are gorgeous bags that masquerade as diaper bags, and diaper bags that profess to be stylish, but still leave fashion-conscious moms wanting.  alexandra bee bags, from Italy, natch, are fully lined with a water-resistant interior, and include multiple pockets, so baby’s gear can be easily reached.  The Gaia (pictured), which comes in two sizes, is $550 or $595 in leather, and is truly a bag that will transition to work or weekend bag when diapers no longer need to be toted.  The Allegra stroller bag, with leather handles for securing to a stroller, is $476.  You can buy these at www.alexandrabee.com. (1/07)

HEALTHY TROLLS
Getting kids to take vitamins is no easy task, but Nordic Berries natural multivitamins have curb appeal.  There is Nordic folklore that at twilight, trolls gather cloudberries.  These berries flavor the gummy vegetarian vitamins.  For ages 2 and up, $21.95 at www.nordicnaturals.com. (1/07)

OOPS, I DID IT AGAIN
One of the weird side effects of pregnancy is the day your belly button pops out.  If you want to wear a clingy maternity top, you can cover this bump with the Popper Stopper by Miss Oops.  This disposable, latex-free ‘outie’ cover sticks comfortably to your tummy.  At Mimi Maternity and Destination Maternity, $12.50 for a package of five. There is also a Critical Care Kit for Moms to Be ($28.50), with one popper stopper; Pedicure in a Bottle ($18) to relieve tired, swollen feet; and a Rescue Sponge ($10) to clean up the food you dribble on your big belly.  Go to www.missoops.com  for more information. (1/07)