The New Parents Guide Blog

Just because you have two babies doesn’t mean you need two separate portable playyards.  Those things take up space–and if you’re traveling or visiting or even just using it at home, you might not have space for two of them, along with all of the other stuff you truly need two of if you have twins.

Graco’s got it all worked out for you with the Pack ‘N Play with Twins Bassinet.  Yup, there’s room for two in the same floor space as a traditional playyard.  The twin bassinets provide ample space for each baby as well as a handy canopy cover for each to keep the babies out of direct sunlight.  Wheeled casters allow you to move the playyard from room to room, and it’s easy to travel with as it folds quickly with a squeeze latch system.

Once your babies are too big for the bassinet, that section is easy to remove so you can use the spacious playyard section–it’s big enough for two to nap and play.

BASKET OF BARGAINS

Free shipping on orders of $50 or more at DisneyStore.com
Enter promotion code SHIPFIFTY 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.
Valid through: August 31, 2010
See other Disney Store coupons!

TODAY ONLY!
Free shipping on orders of $75 or more at Kohls.com
Applies to standard shipping only.
Excludes surcharges.
Valid through: August 18, 2010
See other Kohl’s coupon codes!

My neighbor and I were talking about the difficulty she was having in creating private areas for both her daughters, who share a bedroom.  She wanted to find a way to make a separate space for each girl.

One idea that we came up with was a loft bed system.  It’s more than just a bunk bed–lofts like this Canyon Lake Student Loft Bed also provide storage and study space that is definitely at a premium in shared bedrooms.

The bottom bunk of this bed is on wheels so you can easily move it around.  And the sturdy base for the loft is anchored by a student desk on one side and a five-drawer storage unit on the other.  A matching ladder and safety rails for the top bunk are included.  This loft bed system is crafted of solid wood in a pecan finish and fits twin-size mattresses (not included).

Need to make space in a shared room?   Consider a loft bed like this.

BASKET OF BARGAINS

20% off select Toys at BabyUniverse.com
Discounts will appear on item pages.
Valid through: July 31, 2010
See other baby universe coupons!

Free Johnson & Johnson First Aid Bag when you buy 3 select First Aid products at Target
Add bag to your order manually.
Valid through: August 28, 2010
See other Target coupon codes!

If you’re looking for an organic alternative to the usual coil-based crib mattress, check out the Natural Mat latex mattress. It’s made of completely organic latex, tapped straight from the rubber tree.   The natural foam provides excellent support for the baby, since it’s durable and resilient.   Organic coconut husks are wrapped around the latex for extra support and hypo-allergenic properties.  Around all that is lambswool that is bathed in a mix of lavender, lemon and eucalyptus extracts, which repel dust mites.

The whole mattress is wrapped in two organic cotton covers so that the outer one can be removed and washed.

Speaking of bedding, when you’re outfitting the nursery, consider our article on crib bumpers:  Baby Crib Bumpers:  Needless or Necessary?

BASKET OF BARGAINS

Free shipping on orders containing Women’s Sandals at FootSmart
Use this link to activate the promotion code. Discount will appear in your shopping cart.
Standard shipping only. Cannot be combined with other promotion codes. Not valid on previously placed orders. Valid online only.
Valid through: July 31, 2010
See other FootSmart coupons!

TODAY ONLY!
Free shipping on orders of $99 or more at JCPenney.com
Check out with the “checkout + promo code” option and make sure the code 4PICNICS is typed into the promotion code box.
Valid through: July 12, 2010
See other JCPenney coupon codes!

Do you prefer a more “antique” look for your home’s furniture, choosing vintage or vintage-look pieces rather than modern décor?  Chances are, then, that you’ll want to do the same when you’re planning your baby’s nursery.

And what could be a more classic nursery piece than a cradle?

The Continental Rocking Cradle from ababy, with its simple design and natural wood finish, is about as classic as it gets.  It’s simply beautiful, and can be used from the newborn stage until your baby can roll over.  And if you don’t want the baby rocking every second, just use the included stabilizer pin to keep the cradle still while your little one snoozes.

We used a cradle for our third child, since he was going to be sharing a room with his big sister.  We were able to keep the cradle in the master bedroom until he got too big for it, which allowed his sister to have the room to herself for an extra couple of months.  Then, after she had completely fallen in love with her baby brother, she was eager to help us bring the big crib out of storage so it could go in the room they’d share for the next year.

But when the baby outgrows the cradle, there’s no big need to put it away.  It can sit in a corner of the nursery and hold all those stuffed animals your little one is sure to collect!

For some great ideas on arranging your nursery, read our article:  Feng Shui the Baby Nursery!

BASKET OF BARGAINS

10% off orders of $50 or more at Bealls
Use promo code EXTRA10 at checkout.
Excludes Bealls Best Value, gift cards, taxes, shipping, and gift wrap fees. Cannot be applied to existing credit balances, prior purchases or used with any other discount coupons or with Senior Day discount.
Valid through: July 10, 2010
See other Bealls coupons!

10% off Food and Grocery at Kmart.com
Discount will appear in your shopping cart.
Didn’t know Kmart.com sold groceries? Fill your pantry with family staples!
Valid through: July 10, 2010
See other Kmart coupon codes!

With the recent news that drop-side rail cribs may soon become a thing of the past, New Parents are looking for other alternatives for their babies’ beds.  And manufacturers are coming through with some beautiful, functional, safe, and green cribs.

This lovely crib from Babi Italia satisfies parents who are looking for eco-friendly furniture as well as top-of-the-line safety.   It’s not a crib that your child will outgrow too quickly, as it converts to a toddler bed and later to a day bed.  Made of durable pine, it features a non-toxic finish in fashionable espresso bean.

The sides on this innovative crib are stationary, but that doesn’t mean that height-challenged parents (like me) will have a hard time reaching their babies.  The crib actually sits very low to the ground, so it’s simple for adults to bend over the sides to get the baby in or out of the crib.  The mattress has three height adjustments for added safety as your baby grows and learns to stand.

This Baby Italia Eco-Friendly baby crib will be a beautiful and safe addition to your baby’s nursery, while keeping his carbon footprint as tiny as his real one.

BASKET OF BARGAINS

$10 off $60 or more in Health Products at FootSmart
Valid online only. Use this link to activate the discount.
Cannot be combined with other promotion codes. Not valid on previously placed orders.
Valid through: June 30, 2010
See other FootSmart coupons!

$10 off orders of $65 or more at FrenchToast.com
Use promo code during checkout.
Promotional code cannot be combined with any other offers. Discount applies to merchandise only, and does not include embroidery services. Online only.
Enter coupon code QEJEBB.
Valid through: June 22, 2010
See other French Toast coupon codes!

No doubt, New Parents, that you’ve heard by now that cribs with drop sides may soon become a thing of the past due to safety concerns.  Hardware on drop-side cribs has been known to fail, prompting several recalls over the past few months and leading the government to consider a ban on all drop-side cribs.

So where is your baby going to sleep?

The Pod Classic Crib from ababy doesn’t require you to swap out style for safety.  It’s a real beauty, with a rich espresso finish and sleigh-bed styling.  Best of all, it has fixed side rails and a choice of three mattress heights.  And there’s no need to purchase a separate toddler bed when your little one is ready to move on up–there’s an available toddler “gate” side that’s actually a built-in bed rail extending half the length of the mattress.  This crib, made of lightweight, eco-friendly bamboo, bamboo veneer, and engineered wood, meets all US safety standards for baby cribs.

BASKET OF BARGAINS

TODAY ONLY!
Free Crib Mattress with select Cribs at JCPenney.com
Valid through: June 1, 2010
See other JCPenney coupons!

Up to 55% off Outdoor items at BabyAge.com
Discounts will appear on item pages.
Valid through: July 3, 2010
See other BabyAge coupon codes!