Comments on: Safe and Sound Toys. http://mihow.com/articles/2008/01/22/f-b-b-b/ In Alpha Since 2001 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:58:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 By: mihow http://mihow.com/articles/2008/01/22/f-b-b-b/comment-page-1/#comment-112298 mihow Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 <p>I’m kind of hoping to find some American company to support that makes awesome organic toys. Is that a dream come true or what?</p> I’m kind of hoping to find some American company to support that makes awesome organic toys. Is that a dream come true or what?

]]> By: CanadianMommy http://mihow.com/articles/2008/01/22/f-b-b-b/comment-page-1/#comment-112299 CanadianMommy Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 <p>I don’t know if you guys have mennonites anywhere near you but in Ontario we have a mennonite community who make all sorts of toys out of wood,and fabric, and so on ..I dunno if thats what your looking for? The best and funkiest option for carrying babies over the Bjorn weight are slings. There is an really cool lady where I live who makes them and ships them all over. The website is www.sewfunky.ca.</p> I don’t know if you guys have mennonites anywhere near you but in Ontario we have a mennonite community who make all sorts of toys out of wood,and fabric, and so on ..I dunno if thats what your looking for? The best and funkiest option for carrying babies over the Bjorn weight are slings. There is an really cool lady where I live who makes them and ships them all over. The website is http://www.sewfunky.ca.

]]> By: Kathryn http://mihow.com/articles/2008/01/22/f-b-b-b/comment-page-1/#comment-112300 Kathryn Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 <p>Have you looked on etsy.com under toys? I like supporting artists, and it’s nice knowing you are buying handcrafted items. I think there are some really cute stuffed toys on there!</p> Have you looked on etsy.com under toys? I like supporting artists, and it’s nice knowing you are buying handcrafted items. I think there are some really cute stuffed toys on there!

]]> By: mihow http://mihow.com/articles/2008/01/22/f-b-b-b/comment-page-1/#comment-112301 mihow Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 <p>We dig the wood. I said to TJ that I tend to be drawn to toys that look they were made in Santa’s workshop. heh</p> <p>Not sure if Mennonites are here, but they are most definitely in State College and surrounding towns. Maybe we’ll make a field trip. Come to think of it, I wonder if the Amish are good toy makers. They make some mean ass shoes.</p> We dig the wood. I said to TJ that I tend to be drawn to toys that look they were made in Santa’s workshop. heh

Not sure if Mennonites are here, but they are most definitely in State College and surrounding towns. Maybe we’ll make a field trip. Come to think of it, I wonder if the Amish are good toy makers. They make some mean ass shoes.

]]> By: mihow http://mihow.com/articles/2008/01/22/f-b-b-b/comment-page-1/#comment-112302 mihow Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 <p>kathryn: No! What a great idea. I like the idea of supporting artists as well. Thanks for the tip! I’ll look around there today.</p> kathryn: No! What a great idea. I like the idea of supporting artists as well. Thanks for the tip! I’ll look around there today.

]]> By: Kathryn http://mihow.com/articles/2008/01/22/f-b-b-b/comment-page-1/#comment-112303 Kathryn Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 <p>Okay, just had to post this link for some fabric blocks on etsy (no, I’m not the seller!). I would have loved these when my boys were younger! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9077144</p> Okay, just had to post this link for some fabric blocks on etsy (no, I’m not the seller!). I would have loved these when my boys were younger!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9077144

]]> By: mama!mia! http://mihow.com/articles/2008/01/22/f-b-b-b/comment-page-1/#comment-112304 mama!mia! Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 <p>I used the Ergo Baby Carrier, it can be used Bjorn style and as a backpack. My daughter loved it and we barely used our stroller while we were visiting SF for a week.</p> I used the Ergo Baby Carrier, it can be used Bjorn style and as a backpack. My daughter loved it and we barely used our stroller while we were visiting SF for a week.

]]> By: mihow http://mihow.com/articles/2008/01/22/f-b-b-b/comment-page-1/#comment-112305 mihow Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 <p>I don’t care if you are a seller!! Really! we just want cool, environmentally friendly, nicely made stuff.</p> I don’t care if you are a seller!! Really! we just want cool, environmentally friendly, nicely made stuff.

]]> By: mihow http://mihow.com/articles/2008/01/22/f-b-b-b/comment-page-1/#comment-112306 mihow Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 <p>We have the Ergo. I have to figure it out/learn how. I can wear it front forward and carry him forward as well? I will watch the video that came with it, I suppose.</p> We have the Ergo. I have to figure it out/learn how. I can wear it front forward and carry him forward as well? I will watch the video that came with it, I suppose.

]]> By: greta http://mihow.com/articles/2008/01/22/f-b-b-b/comment-page-1/#comment-112307 greta Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 <p>it’s not local, but under the nile makes some organic cotton stuffed toys. we have a stuffed carrot that our 9-month old loves, i know they make other vegetables and possibly other shapes as well. my favorite part about them is that they’re entirely organic and machine washable!</p> it’s not local, but under the nile makes some organic cotton stuffed toys. we have a stuffed carrot that our 9-month old loves, i know they make other vegetables and possibly other shapes as well. my favorite part about them is that they’re entirely organic and machine washable!

]]> By: iluvhumboldt http://mihow.com/articles/2008/01/22/f-b-b-b/comment-page-1/#comment-112308 iluvhumboldt Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 <p>Under the Nile sells organic toys and clothing, I don’t think they’re made in the US though. Melissa and Doug carries lots of creative play and educational toys that are non-toxic. It can be really difficult to find things you feel good about buying and letting your kids salivate all over without having to freak out if they lose it because it cost almost as much as a small used car! I have a sling as well, but my favorite is my Ergo. You can use it on your front, back or hip and it comes with an instructional <span class="caps">DVD</span>. Downfall here for Emory is that they have to face inward. They are super easy to put on and my five month old has more of a range of motion in the Ergo than the Bjorn. It holds them up higher so they can see more and their weight is supported with your hips instead of your shoulders. Plus, you can use it ‘til they’re two or three. Not that you necessarily want to be lugging them around that long.</p> Under the Nile sells organic toys and clothing, I don’t think they’re made in the US though. Melissa and Doug carries lots of creative play and educational toys that are non-toxic. It can be really difficult to find things you feel good about buying and letting your kids salivate all over without having to freak out if they lose it because it cost almost as much as a small used car!
I have a sling as well, but my favorite is my Ergo. You can use it on your front, back or hip and it comes with an instructional DVD. Downfall here for Emory is that they have to face inward. They are super easy to put on and my five month old has more of a range of motion in the Ergo than the Bjorn. It holds them up higher so they can see more and their weight is supported with your hips instead of your shoulders. Plus, you can use it ‘til they’re two or three. Not that you necessarily want to be lugging them around that long.

]]> By: mihow http://mihow.com/articles/2008/01/22/f-b-b-b/comment-page-1/#comment-112309 mihow Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 <p>It doesn’t have to be local. I will check that out! Under the Nile, you say? We really need some stuffed toys that aren’t drenched in chemicals. thank you, Greta!</p> It doesn’t have to be local. I will check that out! Under the Nile, you say? We really need some stuffed toys that aren’t drenched in chemicals. thank you, Greta!

]]> By: mihow http://mihow.com/articles/2008/01/22/f-b-b-b/comment-page-1/#comment-112310 mihow Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 <p>Oh, yeah, see, Emory will not face forward without a whole lot of fussing and screaming. Ugh, so the Ergo might not work for us after all. Bummer.</p> <p>Never heard of Melissa and Doug! Wow! You guys are awesome. Thank you so much for all the great pointers!</p> <p>My aunt gave us some Jack and Lilly shoes. (Made in Canada.) Anyone seen these? They are pretty cute. <a href="http://www.jackandlily.com/">Check it out</a>. I haven’t read up on their practices, yet. I should do that.</p> Oh, yeah, see, Emory will not face forward without a whole lot of fussing and screaming. Ugh, so the Ergo might not work for us after all. Bummer.

Never heard of Melissa and Doug! Wow! You guys are awesome. Thank you so much for all the great pointers!

My aunt gave us some Jack and Lilly shoes. (Made in Canada.) Anyone seen these? They are pretty cute. Check it out. I haven’t read up on their practices, yet. I should do that.

]]> By: Eleanor http://mihow.com/articles/2008/01/22/f-b-b-b/comment-page-1/#comment-112311 Eleanor Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 <p>My son is now two. You must check out www.moolka.com That is where we get most of our toys. We love Haba too. And you can not go wrong with Plan Toys.</p> My son is now two. You must check out
http://www.moolka.com
That is where we get most of our toys. We love Haba too. And you can not go wrong with Plan Toys.

]]> By: Gillian http://mihow.com/articles/2008/01/22/f-b-b-b/comment-page-1/#comment-112312 Gillian Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 <p>Just putting my word in for etsy. <span class="caps">I LOVE</span> etsy – for grown up toys for me! I bought sock zombies on it for each of my closest girlfriends for CHristmas – “like a sock monkey, only undeader.” Never had a problem and you can find all kinds of neat and homemade stuff on it.</p> Just putting my word in for etsy. I LOVE etsy – for grown up toys for me! I bought sock zombies on it for each of my closest girlfriends for CHristmas – “like a sock monkey, only undeader.” Never had a problem and you can find all kinds of neat and homemade stuff on it.

]]> By: slummy mummy http://mihow.com/articles/2008/01/22/f-b-b-b/comment-page-1/#comment-112313 slummy mummy Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 <p>check out Giggle – they have a store on the Upper East Side. I’ve bought a few Under the Nile shirts there. They have some great organic clothes and terrific wood toys. www.egiggle.com if too cold to go outside.</p> check out Giggle – they have a store on the Upper East Side. I’ve bought a few Under the Nile shirts there. They have some great organic clothes and terrific wood toys. http://www.egiggle.com if too cold to go outside.

]]> By: ivymae http://mihow.com/articles/2008/01/22/f-b-b-b/comment-page-1/#comment-112314 ivymae Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 <p>For the money, the toys in our house that have gotten the most play have been wooden blocks, plastic stacking cups, and simple music toys (drum, clackers, etc). They seem boring or repetitive to us, but not only are they fun on their own, they are also versatile once baby gets to be a toddler and starts with pretend play, learning colors and shapes, sounds, etc.</p> <p>Some of our favorite sites:</p> <p>http://www.oompa.com/ (they have a “made in the usa” tag, or you can search by age) http://www.mahardrygoods.com/ http://www.ebeanstalk.com/ageSelection.php (a good site for finding out what is appropriate and fun for what ages) http://www.kangarooboo.com/ (search by ‘made in’ or by age, also gives part of profits to charity)</p> For the money, the toys in our house that have gotten the most play have been wooden blocks, plastic stacking cups, and simple music toys (drum, clackers, etc). They seem boring or repetitive to us, but not only are they fun on their own, they are also versatile once baby gets to be a toddler and starts with pretend play, learning colors and shapes, sounds, etc.

Some of our favorite sites:

http://www.oompa.com/ (they have a “made in the usa” tag, or you can search by age)
http://www.mahardrygoods.com/
http://www.ebeanstalk.com/ageSelection.php (a good site for finding out what is appropriate and fun for what ages)
http://www.kangarooboo.com/ (search by ‘made in’ or by age, also gives part of profits to charity)

]]> By: mihow http://mihow.com/articles/2008/01/22/f-b-b-b/comment-page-1/#comment-112315 mihow Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 <p>Ladies, you all rule.</p> <p>I just opened a new bookmark folder. It’s filled with great stuff now! Thank you. I owe you all.</p> Ladies, you all rule.

I just opened a new bookmark folder. It’s filled with great stuff now! Thank you. I owe you all.

]]> By: mihow http://mihow.com/articles/2008/01/22/f-b-b-b/comment-page-1/#comment-112316 mihow Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 <p>Just perusing a few of the sites – this happened last night as well. It’s funny, you know you’re on a more independently run/less mass produced toy Web site when they have listed “Temporarily out of stock”. My first reaction is to get mad and then I think, “Oh, that’s a good thing!”</p> <p>Kind of like when you’re at a grocery store or a restaurant and they run out of the daily special or the daily catch… that’s a good thing, too.</p> <p>It used to happen at the McCarren park Farmer’s market all the time. The meat guy would always run out of the chicken breasts we wanted. I’d always feel let down and then feel immediately pleased knowing that they aren’t slaughtering unnecessary quantities of animals.</p> <p>Wow, tangent! Sorry.</p> Just perusing a few of the sites – this happened last night as well. It’s funny, you know you’re on a more independently run/less mass produced toy Web site when they have listed “Temporarily out of stock”. My first reaction is to get mad and then I think, “Oh, that’s a good thing!”

Kind of like when you’re at a grocery store or a restaurant and they run out of the daily special or the daily catch… that’s a good thing, too.

It used to happen at the McCarren park Farmer’s market all the time. The meat guy would always run out of the chicken breasts we wanted. I’d always feel let down and then feel immediately pleased knowing that they aren’t slaughtering unnecessary quantities of animals.

Wow, tangent! Sorry.

]]> By: Sid http://mihow.com/articles/2008/01/22/f-b-b-b/comment-page-1/#comment-112317 Sid Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 <p>My kids are grown, but I carried them both in slings until they were about 2. My older daughter loved to sit facing forward in it – I found them very versatile – especially when they were old enough to just tie on my hip.</p> My kids are grown, but I carried them both in slings until they were about 2. My older daughter loved to sit facing forward in it – I found them very versatile – especially when they were old enough to just tie on my hip.

]]> By: nico http://mihow.com/articles/2008/01/22/f-b-b-b/comment-page-1/#comment-112318 nico Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 <p>Haba toys make me actually want to have kids. I am going to buy Emory this tin of wooden hot dogs the very day he turns three:</p> <p>http://www.oompa.com/baby-toys/item/HA1405/Haba-Hot-Dogs.html?oompaItem=Haba_Hot%20Dogs</p> <p>and maybe some wooden parsnips. and wooden tea bags.</p> Haba toys make me actually want to have kids. I am going to buy Emory this tin of wooden hot dogs the very day he turns three:

http://www.oompa.com/baby-toys/item/HA1405/Haba-Hot-Dogs.html?oompaItem=Haba_Hot%20Dogs

and maybe some wooden parsnips. and wooden tea bags.

]]> By: Lana http://mihow.com/articles/2008/01/22/f-b-b-b/comment-page-1/#comment-112319 Lana Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 <p><span class="caps">OMG</span>. A parsnip? That is awesome.</p> OMG. A parsnip? That is awesome.

]]> By: slummy mummy http://mihow.com/articles/2008/01/22/f-b-b-b/comment-page-1/#comment-112320 slummy mummy Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 <p>Have you heard about Mei Tai for baby carrying? http://www.meitaibaby.com/index.html</p> <p>You could carry <span class="caps">MURRAY</span> in one.</p> Have you heard about Mei Tai for baby carrying?
http://www.meitaibaby.com/index.html

You could carry MURRAY in one.

]]> By: Michelle http://mihow.com/articles/2008/01/22/f-b-b-b/comment-page-1/#comment-112321 Michelle Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 <p>Hi. I’m the commenter with the 23 lb. 7-month old girl. I have the Ergo carrier, which she’ll tolerate in the hip carry position, but not for too long. She wants to face out, and won’t face in without some major crying (not pleasant for either of us). This goes the same for the Ergo on the back. Basically, she wants to see the world and not be too restrained (which is why I have shied away from most slings). I realize we may not find a workable solution, it would just be nice to not have to either carry her around everywhere or always bring the stroller along. Carrying around a big baby does have its advantages…I am getting pretty impressive biceps. ;-)</p> Hi. I’m the commenter with the 23 lb. 7-month old girl. I have the Ergo carrier, which she’ll tolerate in the hip carry position, but not for too long. She wants to face out, and won’t face in without some major crying (not pleasant for either of us). This goes the same for the Ergo on the back. Basically, she wants to see the world and not be too restrained (which is why I have shied away from most slings). I realize we may not find a workable solution, it would just be nice to not have to either carry her around everywhere or always bring the stroller along. Carrying around a big baby does have its advantages…I am getting pretty impressive biceps. ;-)

]]> By: tracey http://mihow.com/articles/2008/01/22/f-b-b-b/comment-page-1/#comment-112322 tracey Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 <p>my daughters loved anything from Discovery toys. They are 8 now though</p> my daughters loved anything from Discovery toys. They are 8 now though

]]> By: Shelby http://mihow.com/articles/2008/01/22/f-b-b-b/comment-page-1/#comment-112323 Shelby Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 <p>My parents bought my daughter a gorgeous clown puppet made in France. The toy company is Doudou & Compagnie and I found more of their plush toys online:</p> <p>http://www.moolka.com/jzv/search?c1=406</p> My parents bought my daughter a gorgeous clown puppet made in France. The toy company is Doudou & Compagnie and I found more of their plush toys online:

http://www.moolka.com/jzv/search?c1=406

]]> By: mihow http://mihow.com/articles/2008/01/22/f-b-b-b/comment-page-1/#comment-112324 mihow Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 <p>Oh, holy crap, I never even thought of putting Murray in one of these carriers. What a brilliant idea. Of all three cats, he’s the only one who might be OK with it.</p> <p>Nico, those wieners are awesome. i am holding you to it.</p> Oh, holy crap, I never even thought of putting Murray in one of these carriers. What a brilliant idea. Of all three cats, he’s the only one who might be OK with it.

Nico, those wieners are awesome. i am holding you to it.

]]> By: mihow http://mihow.com/articles/2008/01/22/f-b-b-b/comment-page-1/#comment-112325 mihow Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 <p>Shelby: Can she sleep with these? Or are they still to SIDs scary? I am unsure of their size and I was told that there are some flat beanie type things that are safe for babies to snuggle with.</p> Shelby: Can she sleep with these? Or are they still to SIDs scary? I am unsure of their size and I was told that there are some flat beanie type things that are safe for babies to snuggle with.

]]> By: Shelby http://mihow.com/articles/2008/01/22/f-b-b-b/comment-page-1/#comment-112326 Shelby Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 <p>Our daughter is only 3 months old and just started sleeping in her own room so right now the crib is kept free of anything except her and a pacifier. The puppet we have is about 11 inches long if that is any help.</p> Our daughter is only 3 months old and just started sleeping in her own room so right now the crib is kept free of anything except her and a pacifier. The puppet we have is about 11 inches long if that is any help.

]]> By: misha http://mihow.com/articles/2008/01/22/f-b-b-b/comment-page-1/#comment-112327 misha Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 <p>when i read about the mennonites I thought about hasidic jews, googled it, and found that The Jewish Museum had all wooden toys on its front page and some stuff that maybe didnt look super religious among the stuffed stuff and i doubt it was all made in china. Though i guess perhaps they might be made in Israel not <span class="caps">USA</span>. But sounds like a nice outing to me either way….</p> when i read about the mennonites I thought about hasidic jews, googled it, and found that The Jewish Museum had all wooden toys on its front page and some stuff that maybe didnt look super religious among the stuffed stuff and i doubt it was all made in china. Though i guess perhaps they might be made in Israel not USA. But sounds like a nice outing to me either way….

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