The New Parents Guide Blog

I’m not talking about the torch song that was performed at a benefit concert I attended Sunday night, though may I just say, that singer has a bright future ahead of her.

No, I’m talking about the panic-inducing, my baby feels hot and she’s crying and just not “herself” kind of fever. And then you have to add insult to injury by taking the poor child’s temperature!  (You want to put that thermometer WHERE?)

The Summer Infant Three-in-One Thermometer is a solution for the whole family’s temperature-taking needs.   It’s a lot like the ones you’ve seen in your doctor’s office–a handy and speedy digital thermometer that can be used three ways.  Just switch out the interchangeable tips and you have an oral, axillary (under-the-arm–great for toddlers and kids) and (eek) rectal thermometer.

Did I mention that this is fast?  You only need to wait five seconds to get a reading–great when you’ve got a cranky, squirmy baby on your hands.   The thermometer automatically calibrates according to which tip you’re using, since rectal temperatures are normally a degree higher and axillary temps are a degree lower.  A “fever alert” color indicator will show if the child’s temperature is above 99.9°F.

All the tips store inside the thermometer case.  This thermometer is a great value for the price and can be used be all members of the family!

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TODAY AND TOMORROW ONLY!
50% off Skin So Soft Bug Guard products at Avon.com
Discounts will appear on item pages.
Valid through: July 29, 2010
See other Avon coupons!

TODAY ONLY!
Free shipping on orders containing $125 in Home items at macys.com
Enter promo code BACKHOME in your shopping bag.
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, furniture, mattresses, gift cards, or purchases on macysweddingchannel.com. 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.
Valid through: July 28, 2010
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Our national-park tour continues with one of the most beautiful natural wonders in the USA:  Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico.  Sure, New Mexico is hot this time of year, but it’s cool in those caves!

The caves are absolutely amazing.  Carlsbad Caverns offers guided tours as well as certain areas that you can explore on your own.   You can camp and hike at Carlsbad as well.

In addition, Carlsbad Caverns National Park takes advantage of its location away from city lights to host Star Parties on certain evenings.   Telescopes will be available and rangers will discuss astronomy, folklore and nocturnal animals.

Wear comfortable shoes, and don’t forget to bring a jacket and your baby backpack–strollers are not permitted in the caves.

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Free shipping on orders of $10 or more at Avon.com
One use per customer. This offer applies only to standard shipping charges and does not affect 2nd Day or Overnight delivery rates. A valid United States street address is required for all deliveries. Cannot be combined with other coupons.
Enter coupon code SUMMER10.
Valid through: July 29th, 2010
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15% off Britax items at BabyAge.com
Enter coupon code BRITAX15 in your shopping cart. Some exclusions apply.
Valid through: July 31st, 2010
See other BabyAge coupon codes!

Are you wondering whether a changing table is a necessary item for your baby’s nursery?  Our article, “Baby Changing Tables–a Baby Essential?” might answer your questions.

I know that I couldn’t have gotten along without one.  The changing table we had served us well through all three of our children, and when they were all too old to use it, I kept it in the basement as a storage unit for office supplies and wrapping paper.

When my first two children were babies, I kept the changing table in the nursery.  But by the time #3 came along, we had moved from our ranch-style home to a split-level that was nothing but stairs.  I chose to make our family room the baby headquarters; that’s where the changing table was.  I kept a small stack of diapers and a box of wipes on the baby’s chest of drawers for easy nighttime changes, but most of the diapers, wipes, and daytime clothing was kept on the changing table, easy to access in a place where I needed it.

Were there style concerns about putting a changing table in the family room?  Only for about five minutes.  The convenience factor outweighed just about anything else.  And with the variety of different styles of changing tables now available, you can easily find one that blends in with your decorating style–and some that don’t even look like changing tables!  This Corner Changing Table is a great example.  It’s a real space-saver, fitting in a 30×30 area in any corner, as well as a unique design.  Available in a choice of three finishes, this table features abundant storage and will fit in any room.

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20% off select brands at DERMAdoctor.com
Valid on Kinerase, Silk’n, Crystalift, Bliss, Vanicream, Priori, MD Forte, Rodial, Ole Henriksen, and DS Laboratories!
Use coupon code JULY4 during checkout.
Valid through: July 6, 2010
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TODAY ONLY!
$10 off orders of $75 or more at Meijer.com
Enter promotion code SURPRISE10 in your shopping cart. You must be logged in to use this code.
Excludes electronics and groceries.
Valid through: July 1, 2010
See other Meijer coupon codes!

Planning a “staycation” this year?  That’s what we’re doing–and if my kids were younger, I’d definitely want to get them the Banzai Pipeline Twist Aqua Park.  Designed for children age 5 and up, this backyard aqua park has two different water slides and a covered climbing area.

The Pipeline Twist Aqua Park easily attaches to a standard garden hose.  It inflates in under three minutes, and the motor features continuous airflow for maximum safety.

This is a big water slide–the whole neighborhood will want to play on it.  So stock up on the Kool-Aid and sunblock, put on your sunglasses and enjoy your very own backyard water park.

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TODAY AND TOMORROW ONLY!
Free shipping on orders containing any Toy Story item at DisneyStore.com
Enter promotion code TOYSTORY in your shopping bag and click “Submit”.
Valid for Standard Delivery to a single address within the continental US. Qualifying purchase based on pre-tax, post-discount amount and excludes Shipping & Handling charges, gift cards, gift wrap and gift boxes. Additional handling applies for oversized items. If any single order is sent to more than one address, Shipping & Handling charges will be applied to each shipment address. Offer valid only on orders placed online at DisneyShopping.com, DisneyStore.com, and DisneyOutlet.com. Not valid on phone orders or purchases from Disney Store outlet or retail locations. Excludes Disney Parks Costumes and Costume Accessories.
Valid through: June 22, 2010
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TODAY AND TOMORROW ONLY!
30% off Accessories
20% off Polos
10% off Shorts at FrenchToast.com
Use promo code QEJFP3 during checkout.
Promotional code cannot be combined with any other offers. Discount applies to merchandise only, and does not include embroidery services. Online only.
Valid through: June 22, 2010
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When you’re trying to conceive, you want to make sure that you know when your fertile days are.  But many of the ovulation-predictor kits are messy and invasive, and you really don’t want to have to deal with that.

Fortunately, there’s an easier way.  The OV-Watch Fertility Predictor uses a special biosensor to take readings from your skin every 30 minutes while you sleep.  That’s right–you wear it only while you sleep, and that’s all you have to do.  The OV-Watch does all the work of predicting your fertile time.

This ovulation predictor uses a method that is clinically proven and cleared by the FDA.   The OV-Watch alerts you 4 days before your expected ovulation–a much earlier warning than traditional ovulation-predictor kits offer.

Check out our full selection of Trying to Conceive products!

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15% off your order at Shop.Mattel.com
Plus free shipping on orders over $75!
Use this link to activate the discount.
Valid through: April 5, 2010
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TODAY AND TOMORROW ONLY!
40-60% off select Kids’ and Teens’ Furniture at JCPenney.com
Discounts will appear on item pages.
Valid through: March 30, 2010
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Fill your Easter Baskets using our fabulous Easter sales on everything you need to make it a special day.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission reported today that Infantino has recalled the SlingRider and Wendy Bellissimo lines of baby slings after reports of three deaths of babies who were being carried in those slings.

This comes on the heels of the March 12, 2010 advisory to use care when carrying babies in slings of all kinds.

Only the Infantino brand slings have been linked to deaths of babies carried in them.

Consumers are advised to stop using these slings with babies under four months of age and to contact Infantino to receive a replacement product.  This replacement will not be another sling; consumers may choose between a Wrap and Tie infant carrier, 2-in-1 shopping cart cover, or 3-in-1 Grow & Play Activity Gym.  You can call Infantino at 866-860-1361 from 8 AM to 4 PM Pacific time, Monday through Friday, or arrange for your replacement product at the Infantino website.

The CPSC adds:  Do not attempt to fix these carriers.  For more information, read the CPSC’s full report on this recall.