The New Parents Guide Blog

Babies “R” Us and Toys “R” Us are offering 25% off a new baby crib, toddler bed, car seat, stroller, bassinet, travel system, high chair or play yard (from participating brands) when you return a used item of ANY brand–no receipt required!

There’s no limit on how many items you can return–bring back four items, get discounts on four new ones.  You can bring items to either Babies “R” Us or Toys “R” Us stores.  But you must use your discount on the same day, in-store only.

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better than that, you don’t have to match the new item to the returned item.  You can return a bassinet and use the 25% discount on a toddler bed, for example.

This offer ends on Saturday, February 20, and was designed to emphasize that items like cribs, high chairs, car seats and more do suffer a lot of wear and tear.  Due to safety concerns, they might not be the best candidates to be handed down or resold–so here’s your opportunity to replace an older item with a newer, safer model.

Check out all the details of the trade-in program.

And you thought trade-ins were only offered by car salesmen!

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Free Character Call with orders of $49 or more at DisneyShopping.com
Enter promotion code DISNEYCALL in your shopping bag and click “Submit”.
Valid through: February 11, 2010 11:59pm PT
An email with your special code will be sent out within three (3) business days to schedule your Character Call. Limit one call per order. Must be 18 years of age or older to order a call. Character Calls available to U.S. residents (excluding ID, WA, GA, KY, MS, NE, TN, and LA) and Canada (excluding Quebec) and must be redeemed within 60 days of receipt of Promotional Code. Qualifying purchase based on pre-tax, post-discount amount. Offer excludes Shipping & Handling charges and gift cards. Character Call cannot be redeemed for cash. No adjustments to prior purchases. Certain products excluded, as noted on specific Product Pages. The Promotion will be applied, if eligible. If any returns or exchanges cause the qualifying purchase to fall below $49, we reserve the right to charge your credit card the regular price for the Character Call, which is $2.49. Offer valid on orders placed online at DisneyStore.com and DisneyOutlet.com within the continental U.S. and Canada (excluding Quebec). Not valid on phone orders or purchases from Disney Store retail or outlet locations. Disney Shopping, Inc. reserves the right to cancel or modify this offer at any time. Void where prohibited.
See other DisneyStore.com coupons!

40-60% off select Bedding, Furniture, Decor, Rugs, and more at JCPenney.com
Discounts will appear on item pages.
Valid through: February 25, 2010
See other JCPenney coupon codes!

Bathrooms can be dangerous places even for adults. It’s so easy to slip and fall on a wet tile floor, and when you do fall, there’s nothing soft and forgiving to land on.

But for a baby, bathrooms are even more dangerous. With water, water everywhere, bathrooms are a huge drowning hazard.

The number-one safety rule involving babies and toddlers is: never, ever, even for a moment, leave them alone in the bathroom.

But even if they’re not alone, speedy and slippery little ones can get into trouble pretty quickly. That’s where babyproofing is essential. The Dream Baby Bathroom Safety Kit has put together everything you need to make your bathroom a safer place for your child.  Just look at all that’s included:

• toilet lock
• door stopper
• nonstick bathtub appliques
• bathtub thermometer
• outlet covers
• drawer catches and cabinet locks
• soft spout cover for the bathtub faucet

There are 28 items in all–a great baby-shower gift idea!

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Buy 1 select Plush, get 1 free at DisneyShopping.com
Enter promotion code FREEPLUSH in your shopping bag and click “Submit”.
Valid through: February 16, 2010, 11:59pm PT
Not valid on all items. While supplies last.
See other Disney Store coupons!

$14 off orders of $99.99 or more at Little Tikes
Use discount code LOVE2010 in your shopping cart.
Valid through: February 14, 2010, 11:59pm PT
See other Little Tikes coupon codes!

The original recall of Dorel’s Maxi-Cosi Infant Car Seats took place in the summer of 2009. Yesterday that recall was expanded to include over 22,000 more units.

(Yes, the picture’s big–but you’ll want to see exactly where to look for the important numbers that will show if your baby’s car seat is part of this recall.)

Consumer Reports noted that the recall of car seats and bases was due to warping of the base itself, of inadequate latching of the base and the bottom of the car seat.

The manufacturer is offering a fix kit for the recalled seats.  Until it arrives, consumers may use the seats as long as they follow special instructions from the manufacturer.  For further information, e-mail the company or call their toll-free number, 1 (877) 657-9546, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT.

More information on baby product recalls can be found at our Baby Product Recall page.  Specific information on car seat recalls is available at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s recall page.

In my part of New Jersey, we’re expecting around a foot of snow today.  That’s OK with me; I’ve got a pantry full of food, lots of hot-cocoa mix, and two teenagers with strong backs who can shovel us out.  (My seven-year-old will be busy too–his job is to clear the snow off the cars.)

But I remember the Blizzard of ‘96–boy, do I remember.  My daughter was ten days old, and she had a pediatrician appointment on Friday, January 6.  The snow started that morning–and it was heavy right from the beginning.  It must have been the combination of sleep deprivation and postpartum hormones fluctuating, because I was not about to cancel that doctor’s appointment on account of a little snow.  No–I dragged that newborn baby and her almost-four-year-old brother out into the storm just so we could go to her well-baby visit.  Two days and thirty inches of snow later, when the snow finally stopped, I was out in front of the house digging my husband’s car out of its parking space while he rested inside after shoveling our driveway, sidewalk and neighbor’s sidewalk.   All because I had to get out of the house.  The cabin fever was intense.

Don’t let cabin fever drive you to do anything stupid.  It’s not smart to take a newborn out in a snowstorm, or shovel heavy snow less than two weeks postpartum.  There are lots of other things you can do to get a change of pace–even if you’re housebound due to weather:

• have an indoor picnic:  pretend it’s summer!  Sit on beach towels, wear sunglasses and dream about the fun you’ll have when the weather finally does warm up.
• invite neighbors for a movie marathon and a potluck
• try some new recipes
• work on a scrapbook
• get some sleep, if you can!

I’ll be back on Monday with a great big Basket of Bargains!  Have a great weekend!

Got Olympic-size dreams?  Does all the TV coverage of next week’s Olympic Games have you wishing you were in Canada right now, enjoying some winter sports with your family?

Why not plan a trip to the Fairmount Chateau Whister in British Columbia, Canada?   You’ll find luxury accommodations, winter sports ranging from skiing, skating and sleigh-riding to dog-sledding, and plenty of indoor sports and swimming to boot.  In addition, the Fairmount Chateau Whistler offers plenty of fun for the whole family all year ’round.

You’ll find a wide variety of dining options, from casual to afternoon tea to fine dining, and guest rooms with spectacular mountain or village views.   Join the free Fairmount President’s Club and enjoy free high-speed internet access, free use of the health clubs, and many more amenities.

BASKET OF BARGAINS

10% off your order at SmartBargains
Use this link to activate the coupon. Discount will appear in your shopping cart.
Valid through: March 2, 2010, 3:59am PT
This coupon may only be redeemed once during the promotion period. Not valid on prior purchases, pending orders or with any other discounts, certificates or promotions. Offer applies to merchandise purchases only. Does not apply towards the purchase of a SMARTShoppers Club membership.
See other SmartBargains coupons!

10% off Kids’ Bedding at Overstock.com
Use this link. Discount will appear in your shopping cart.
Valid through: February 28, 2010, 11:59pm MT
See other Overstock.com coupon codes!

One of the biggest movie clichés involving newborns shows a new dad buying a full-size football, baseball glove, or hockey stick–and putting it into his newborn’s crib.

But it’s never too early to get your child started on the road to becoming an avid sports fan.  While you don’t want to give your newborn a real baseball, bat or football helmet, you can find a cute way to encourage him to follow in your own tailgating footsteps.

These Pro and Collegiate Sports Security Blankets will show everyone that your baby shares your team affiliation.  The soft blankets are trimmed in satin and topped with a plush snuggleball.  Measuring 22″ x 14″, they’re a great size for a security blanket–big enough to cuddle but not so long that they’ll drag on the ground when your baby takes these blankies in the stroller.

Save the baseball gloves and shoulder pads until your little athlete-in-training can actually catch a ball.  For babies, these Sports Security Blankets are much more fun!

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Free shipping on orders of $50 or more at Kohls.com
Use promo code HOME50FREE during checkout.
Applies to standard shipping only.
Valid through: February 6, 2010
Excludes surcharges.
See other Kohl’s coupons!

Free shipping on Solid Colored Towels at Cost Plus
Applies to ground shipping.
Valid through: April 3, 2010
See other Cost Plus World Market coupon codes!

We received a clip-on high chair when our first child was an infant.  It worked out well at home, but we couldn’t take it anywhere, because that seat didn’t work with tables that had a “skirt” or “apron”–that board that goes across the underside of the table, running from leg to leg.  A lot of those clip-on chairs don’t work with such tables.

Chicco has solved that problem with the design of the Chicco TravelSeat Hook-On Chair.  This chair can be used on tables with aprons up to 6 inches deep, and it’s easy to take this chair with you when you’re traveling or even eating out at a restaurant.  (You never know what kinds of germs are all over those restaurant high chairs, so bringing your own could definitely be a wise move.)

The special “hippo grips” on this chair are rubberized, so they won’t mark the finish on your table OR pinch your baby’s tiny fingers.  The thickly-padded fabric seat comes with a 3-point harness for safety.  The TravelSeat weighs only 7 pounds and folds flat into a handy travel bag, so it’s easy to take with you.

The best thing about this hook-on seat is that your baby can sit right there at the table with you.  This make it easy to include the baby in family meals–and to keep him occupied as everyone eats.

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$10 off orders of $50 or more OR
15% off orders of $50 or more OR
10% off orders of $50 or more plus a free Gift Box at RedEnvelope.com
Use this link to activate the promotion. You will then be prompted to select your discount.
Valid through: February 14, 2010
Valid online only. Available on discounted items. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Cannot be applied to gift certificates, gifts by the month or corporate orders. Cannot be applied to previous or pending purchases.
See other RedEnvelope coupons!

40% off all Photo orders at Walgreens.com
Use coupon code SMILE40 at checkout in the Photo Center.
Valid through: February 6, 2010, 11:59pm CT
Excludes custom framing, gift cards, shipping, or taxes. Online only. You must be logged in to use this code. Valid for up to five uses per account.
See other Walgreens coupon codes!

There are tons of books out there that tell you how to take care of your baby and older child–books for just about any kind of parenting question a mom could have.

But moms need advice about other things besides just basic child care.  Moms need to be reminded to take care of themselves as well.  Lisa Hendey, creator of CatholicMom.com, has written a book designed to help moms nurture their hearts, minds, bodies and souls:  The Handbook for Catholic Moms.

Lisa Hendey is a mom of two teenagers and knows well that all moms need to take good care of themselves if they hope to take good care of their families.  She has enlisted the help of professional experts, clergy and many other moms in contributing to this encouraging book.  Through shared stories, good advice, web resources and a “Mom’s Homework” section at the end of each chapter, Hendey strives to support moms in those struggles all moms experience.

There’s plenty of concrete advice in this book–but not the kind that tells you how to deal with a six-week-old’s colic or your two-year-old’s tantrums.  Instead, Hendey reminds moms not to neglect those things like creating a support system, arranging for a weekly “mom break,” keeping accurate financial records, working in opportunities for physical fitness, and nurturing your spiritual life.  The contributions from other moms help the reader feel like she is not alone–that there are many other moms out there who’ve gone through the same thing.  The Handbook for Catholic Moms is a great gift for any mom–new or experienced–who could use some extra support and encouragement.

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Free shipping on orders of $30 or more at LeapFrog.com
Applies to ground shipping.
Use promotion code LOVE2SHARE in your shopping cart.
Valid through: February 15, 2010
Purchase amount necessary to qualify for free ground shipping does not include tax or shipping. No substitutions or cash equivalents. LeapFrog reserves the right to change this promotion at any time. Offer void where prohibited or restricted by law. This offer can not be used for purchases made through LeapFrog School or the Employee Store.
See other LeapFrog coupons!

20% off Summer Infant Spa Tubs at Babies R Us
Discounts will appear on item pages.
Valid through: February 4, 2010, 11:59pm ET
See other Babies R Us coupon codes!

Here’s an “exersaucer” that won’t be past its prime once your baby learns to walk.  The Baby Sit & Step 2-in-1 Activity Center offers way more than two ways to play.

You can set it up as a stationary play center.  Or adjust the saucer so it can bounce, spin and rock as your baby gets older and more active.  Finally, detach the base and you have a super-stable walk-behind toy that your toddler can enjoy.

The toy tray includes 20 different developmental activities, including a ball drop, bead pop and roller coaster.  Requiring 3 “AAA” batteries, the saucer assembles in just 30 minutes and promises plenty of play value.   The height-adjustable seat supports babies up to 30 pounds; as a walk-behind toy, it’s designed for use by toddlers 9 months and older.

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Free shipping on orders over $50 at Mattel Shop
Valid through: March 31, 2010
See other Mattel Shop coupons!

TODAY AND TOMORROW ONLY!
Free shipping on Home orders of $125 or more plus 15% off most Home items at macys.com
Enter promo code HOMEFREE in your shopping bag.
Valid through: February 2, 2010
Some exclusions may apply. Only one promo code may be used per transaction. Offer applies to Standard Shipping to one location and may be applied to Premium or Overnight Shipping for an upgrade fee. Free Shipping does not apply to Coach, rugs, furniture, mattresses, gift cards, or purchases on macysweddingchannel.com. 15% off does not apply to All-Clad, Henckels, Le Creuset, Lladro, Tumi, Waterford china, silver and crystal, Wusthof, Specials, electrics & electronics, furniture, mattresses, area rugs, sterling silver flatware and regular-price china, silver and crystal. Due to size and/or weight, certain items bear a shipping surcharge, which will still apply. When shipping to multiple addresses, only shipping to the first address will be free; Standard Shipping will apply to all other addresses. Free Shipping offer cannot be applied to purchases being shipped to Alaska, Hawaii, US Territories or APO/FPO addresses.
See other Macy’s coupon codes!

Believe it or not, the time to think about tooth-decay prevention for your baby is even before the baby cuts her first tooth.  That’s because sleep habits in babies often are tied in with their dental health.

Your pediatrician has probably discouraged you from putting your baby to sleep with a bottle.   The habit of falling asleep with a bottle of milk or juice may seem harmless when your baby doesn’t have any teeth yet, but habits in babies are hard to break.  If your baby gets used to having that bottle in her crib or as she falls asleep, she’s not going to want to give that up once she has those first teeth.

Babies who fall asleep with a bottle are more susceptible to a condition called “baby bottle mouth.”  The baby’s teeth decay from the prolonged exposure to the sugars in milk or juice.   Similarly, allowing your baby or toddler to lie around all day with a bottle of juice or milk will contribute to this condition as well.

Offering juices only from a cup, rather than from a bottle, can be helpful–as can making sure that the last thing your child drinks at night is some plain water.  And begin cleaning those little pearly whites as soon as they make their appearance:  a wet gauze pad wrapped around your finger and rubbed over the first teeth is a good way to begin.  Later, child-friendly toothpastes and toothbrushes can be introduced.

For more information on keeping your baby in good dental health, read our article on Your Baby’s Teeth.