Maxi-Cosi Tobi



Wow...wow..wow! It has to be said the Maxi-Cosi Tobi is our all time favourite. Tobi should stand for  Truly Outstanding Beautiful Idea. The Tobi is a group 1 forward facing car seat suitable from 9-15kg, 9months- 3.5 years approx.


Tobi in marble pink smallest setting



 We have recently purchased the Tobi in marble pink for Freya who's just turned 1yr. I have to say i am actually a huge isofix fan and originally has purchased the Pearl to be used with our family fix base, but we have just exchanged our car, well due for exchange tomorrow and i knew that the new car that i would be getting wouldn't have isofix fittings in the car so decided to get the Tobi instead and to be honest I'm really pleased i did. The seat itself is quite high up so makes sight seeing whilst travelling a great bonus, I loved the deep side protection system that this seat has and it also has a inner head support cushion that is fixed in and is adjustable along with the stay open harness.

I think this offers so much more protection around their delicate head and the thing i like about it is it doesn't come to far around the head that it obscures child's view & irritate them. The stay open harness i mentioned is so handy especially when you have a wriggly toddler wanting to escape, I'm not having to fiddle around trying to pull the harness from underneath them. It reminds me of a roller coaster- pop the child in the seat, the harness is open ready to be fastened in.

Tallest setting with stay open harness



On the crotch part there is a colour indicator which when you have pulled the crotch strap tight enough it reassures you that the harness is tightened accordingly but this is just an indicator so i would always do the two finger check and make sure the harness is properly situated directly over child's shoulders. The Tobi has 5 recline positions, perfect for when little one is sleeping and you can easily recline the seat with child in so you wont disturb them.

Colour indicator

When loosening the harness you will notice there is no button or anything to press that frees the straps all you do is push the crotch part down  flat towards the seat and hey presto you can lengthen the harness easily and as your little one grows theres no fiddly straps to un-hook and thread through, the head support and harness adjust together simply by loosening the harness pull the top of the headrest forward and lifting it upwards its as easy as that. Fitting this seat is a doddle, it may look complicated but once you have done it a few times it becomes easy


I would recommend you take your vehicle to your nearest stockist and a member of trained staff can check to see if the seat is compatible and usually if the seat is ok it can be fitted into the car for you using a 3-point seat belt. I love the way this seat is actually fitted into the vehicles, it looks very much like its being hugged into the seat in the car by the seat belt itself, as the lap part of the belt goes around the front of the seat and has extra security of the belt tensioner and the diagonal part of the belt comes up the side of the car seat and around the top secured by two clips.



Belt tensioner

 The car seat is very well padded as a lot of seats we have had and seen tend to have very little padding but the Tobi seems so comfy i could easily climb in there myself.






Upright position

                                       
The maxi-cosi Tobi comes in a range of colours, added extras are available such as the summer cover, pocket and play tray.

Fully reclined

Rating: 10/10                 

Wonderoo V2 citrus spots

The wonderoo was one of our first cloth nappies that we purchased for Freya when she was a few months old. I was pretty new to the world of cloth and the first thing that attracted me to the wonderoo was the beautiful bright pattern of the citrus spots, its very eye catching! 

The one-size wonderoo, the super stretchy elastic provides maximum comfort with leakage. It features spaced poppers which allow you to adjust the size of the nappy as the baby grows from birth to potty.
 Ive never used the older version of the wonderoos but i know one benefit of the V2 was that its supposed to have a new trim, contoured cut, but for us i have found it to be the most bulkiest nappy ever! Freya couldn't even put her legs together it was so bulky and even now shes 1yr old its still the same (that is with using both inserts) but even when using the larger stage 2 insert it was still rather bulky. We ended up using this nappy for nights as one thing i can say that is fab about this nappy we never had any leaks its super absorbent when using both of the inserts, the larger insert is bamboo which unfolds out for easy washing and drying and that takes no time at all, infact i thought because of how quick the drying time was that that it wouldnt hold up to my monster wetter but hey it certainly did. The fabric is lovely and soft inside and out and i did get a nice fit on Freya apart from how wide and chunky it was.

Features of the new Wonderoo V2:

• new trim, contoured cut
• simple size adjustment
• great fit from 8lb right through the weight range
• improved fleece gusset for maximum comfort and air exchange and minimum leaking!
• brand new anti-wicking outer shell
• soft and s-t-r-e-t-c-h-y in all directions
• unique three stage insert system (see below)
• bamboo inserts unfold for efficient washing and fast drying
• carbon footprint conscious (manufactured in Turkey and transported by road)
• workers' pay and conditions are to government approved standards

The Wonderoo V2 is supplied complete with it's own unique 3 stage insert systemTM:
Stage 1: the small, contoured insert is made from three layers of microterry, and is soft and quick to absorb, ideal for small babies.

Stage 2: the large rectangular insert is made from six layers of soft, stretchy and fast-absorbing bamboo terry. Bamboo is an eco-friendly crop to grow and this fabric has been specially chosen to be highly absorbent and trim. Although bamboo is generally felt to be slow to dry, this insert unfolds for swift drying. It fastens together with snaps to make it easy to insert into the nappy and keep it neatly folded when in use.

Stage 3: the two inserts can be snapped together to provide super-absorbency for older babies, heavy wetters or for night time. There are two (coloured) snap positions, enabling you to put the booster/small insert where it is most required for your child, often to the front for boys (blue snap), and to the centre for girls (pink snap).

Rating: 7/10

Maxi Cosi Rodi XR

First glance at the Maxi-Cosi Rodi xr, a very comfy and well supported high back booster seat offering optimal side impact protection also cushioning the hip area, comes in a range of beautiful attractive colourways to suit either gender.



First height level

 This high back booster seat is a group 2/3 & suitable for weights between 15-36kg, 3.5- 12yrs approx. The covers are all removable and can be easily washed and they also dry really quickly which is always a bonus, as if your like us we are always popping out in the car for some reason. You can purchase a summer cover which i think is worth while as it keeps little one much cooler and stops them sweating whilst in the car seat.

The 'xr' stands for eXtra Recline, a big plus for us as we sometimes do long journeys up north and having that slight recline makes all the difference, it allows little ones head to go back rather then hanging forward looking uncomfortable, and the nice chunky side impact system supports their head will whilst sleeping. The seat does need to be popped into the recline position before little one sits into the seat which is very easy to do so just by holding the front of the seat and tilting it upwards. Another great feature is the adjustable side wings that can be adjusted out as little one grows giving that bit extra shoulder and elbow room giving them a comfier ride. As the seat is expected to take a child up to approx 12yrs the headrest is adjustable in height so grows with the child and to make this seat stable whilst in the vehicle it comes with an anchorage point in the headrest that is popped through the head restraint in the car.



Maximum height level

 The rodi xr is very lightweight, we often move it between cars and its so easy to do so and very easy to install, the child is held in place using a normal 3-point seat belt and is correctly situated on child's shoulder level using the belt hooks situated on the top headrest.
We love using this seat for our 5yr old and for me you can't put a price on a life and i think it is well worth investing in a top quality car seat like the Rodi XR  for frequent use to ensure the very best safety for your little cargo.

Rating 10/10

Totsbots Easyfit V2

Well it has to be said the Totsbots Easyfit nappy has to be the best cloth nappy we have ever used. This all- in- one reusable nappy is slim fitting and very stretchy with elasticated waist and legs, we had tried a few before discovering the easyfits and found many to be really bulky that my poor baby couldn't put her little legs together. I wanted a nappy that could withstand vast amounts of wee as my baby is a monster wetter and my first thought was "it's quite slim and light weight i don't think this will work" but oh i was very wrong.

 The nappy has a fold out core which makes drying time even quicker, another thing that crossed my mind was "it dried pretty quick, it can't be that good at absorbing" but like the easyfit always does, it proved me wrong again. I have even used this nappy at night times, i just popped a bamboo insert inside and it done the trick, no wet baby in the morning, the nappy has a wick proof edging to prevent any leaks. The nappy has an applix fastening which i actually find easier on my wriggily 1yr old, and my mum and others find easier too.

The thing i find that makes this nappy value for money is that it is a birth to potty one size fits most as there are three rows of poppers to enable you to adjust the size to suit your baby, Freya is still only on the second row so you can see how this could last. Shes quite a slim built baby but the fit of the nappy is nice and snug no gaps, it just fits like a glove. The fabric is soft inside and out, and even the applix isn't rough like a lot of other brands are. I use the totsbots flushable liners to easy discard any soilage, i have approx 26 nappies so wash every 2 days and store in a nappy pail and dry pail only. I usually wash at 40 degrees with an occasional 60 degrees wash and the nappies are still looking good, none have mishaped or faded. The easyfits come in a range of  6 beautiful prints or you can opt for just plain white. I would definitely recommend this nappy to family and friends, it does everything it says it should, and that's exactly what we want. Well done totsbots for creating such a fantastic reusable nappy.
Rating 10/10
To see a video on using totsbots easyfits V2 visit- http://www.totsbots.com/choosing-using/movie-clips/using-easyfits/

Maxi Cosi Pebble & FamilyFix base

First impressions of the Maxi-Cosi Pebble, well i have to say i was very impressed. I loved the style of the seat it reminds me of an egg shape ideal for protecting my little bundle of joy. The seat is a group 0+ infant carseat suitable from birth to 13kg. I choose the Jet black colourway, i played it safe although i new i was having a girl and loved the Marble pink. The seat is not one of the lightest of all seats weighing in at 4.1kg but for me i thought more weight, more protection.
Key features: Isofix compatible with the Maxi- Cosi Familyfix base or EasyBase 2 or can be used with a 3-point seat belt. The carseat can be used in an adjustable upright position for older babies (3 position recline) when used with the familyfix base and has a stay open harness. The harness and headrest adjusts together and easily as child grows. The carseat comes with a head hugger, newborn support pillow, chest and buckle pads and a sun canopy.
I found the stay open harness a great help as usually the harness gets lost under baby on most carseats and i used to end up struggling when i had my first daughter 5yrs ago, we had a different seat back then.
I like the length of the carseat as my girls are quite tall and i wanted a seat she will remain in for the time the seat is needed. She has just turned 1 year old and still fits in the pebble with plenty of head room, her legs have started to come over the edge, this is totally fine and we just recline the seat on the base to allow her to stretch her legs, i think this is a great benefit as i find alot of little ones tend to outgrow the seat length wise before the maximum weight limit is reached and although this is completely safe and child will still be quite comfy its nice to allow them to stretch their little legs or in our case not so little, and allow them to see a little bit more. For newborns the support pillow allows baby to lie in a more flat sleeping position, supporting their back and spine alot more and the head hugger was great as it can easily be adjusted to suit your little ones head size and shape and can be opend out as they grow. Since my daughter is now getting quite big we are obviously not using the support pillow or head hugger now but the seat still offers her so much protection. The covers and chest pads are removable for washing and i found these easy enough to come off and on and drying time was quite quick too. You can purchase the Pebble footmuff for the winter times, it's like a mini sleeping bag and keeps little one snug and warm.


We also have the Familyfix Base which makes a very hectic life style so much easier, especially when i'm rushing off to take my eldest to school. Before purchasing i checked to make sure my vehicle was on the maxi-cosi compatibility list which it was, the list can be found at http://www.maxi-cosi.co.uk/gb-en/Service/Car-fitting.aspx. The  Familyfix base is a semi -universal isofix base that will last from birth to 18kg (this base can be used with the Maxi-cosi Pearl, group 1 seat) it is connected into the vehicle using the fixed anchorage points. When i fitted it into my car it was solid and felt extremely secure, the base has light and sound indicators to confirm correct installation which gives great peace of mind especially for my partner who's not the best at fitting carseats. The base can be easily removed if needs be, although it is very heavy but then again all isofix seats or bases are heavy. Overall i think the Pebble is smart, stylish & practical and comes in some great colours, so easy to use with the base and something i would definately recommend to others.

Rating: 10/10

Quinny Buzz 3 Review (2009 model)

Well i have to say on first look at the Buzz..WoW! it's so very stylish. I purchased this for the arrival of my daughter in May 10. After purchasing a big heavy travel system for my eldest 5yrs ago i swore that i wouldn't make the same mistake again. The Buzz appeared quite light weight for a travel system, easy to manoeuvre, easy to switch between pushchair and car seat mode and easy to put up and down and all these boxes were ticked. It done everything i needed it to do.



Freya aged 1yr in parent facing mode

I decided when purchasing that i would buy the pushchair (strawberry colourway) and the maxi-cosi pebble car seat (jet black colourway) that can be attached to the chassis using the included adaptors. I didn't bother getting the carrycot as to be honest i can be quite lazy when it comes to walking and most of the time i opt to use the car, which is why i invested in a more top of the range car seat. Had i of been a one for walking and using public transport then i would recommend the dreami carrycot so your newborn can lie completely flat and all enclosed especially for winter times. I however opted for the pushchair with the cosytoes to make it that bit more padded for my little one.

with cosytoes

The Buzz is so smooth to push, really easy to manoeuvre with one hand, which i need as generally i have one hand on my 5yr old and another on the pushchair. The back two wheels are pneumatic tyres and the front wheel is a solid swivel wheel.

Whats included i hear you ask... well with this model you get two seat pads a soft padded one suitable from birth to about 18mnths, and a thinner wipe clean wider seat pad suitable from approx 18mnths to roughly 3yrs. The sun canopy (hood) chest pads and raincover are also included, and with this model you also get the buzz box (little black bag on the back).

The handle bar is adjustable in height with a quick press of a button, the bumper is fully removable making getting a wriggly toddler in and out far easier. The foot rest can also be adjusted up or down. The seat unit can face either the parent or in can be turned around to go forward facing, in parent facing mode the seat has two recline positions and forward facing it has 3 recline positions. The feature i love is the unique gas-spring automatic unfolding mechanism, a great benefit.

Rating 10/10

Review: C-J's original BUTTer

C-J's original BUTTer nappy/diaper balm has recently arrived into the uk and are available to purchase with babybots.co.uk or you can also purchase direct from the states at www.cjsewingroom.com. C-J is a work at home mum of 3 from Colorado springs and all her products are made from natural ingredients.
I got to try some samples before they were launched into the uk and received them from usa in about 1 week.  As eager as i was i ripped open the packaging with a big smile on my face as this nappy balm is very highly rated in usa, its safe to use with reusable nappies which is a big thumbs up for me as we are cloth users or you could call me a clothbotoholic. My baby girl Freya has lately suffered with quite bad nappy rash where her skin has blistered sometimes causing it to bleed, so you can see why i was so excited to get testing.
The tubs are plain white with a handmade sticker with CJ's butter, product scent and list of ingredients . On opening the tub (small tester pot) I opened 'Monkey farts' yup this is the scent name for this balm and oh boy the smell was amazing, almost like a tropical fruity smell it smelt divine. I also received 'unscented' and 'mango,sugar & mint' and this one is gorgeous too i was very impressed. The BUTTer is made with all natural ingredients Shea butter, olive oil, coconut oil, lanolin, beeswax, cocoa butter and vitamin E. It's really easy to apply to the skin it melts slightly with the warmth of your finger and doesn't have any greasy feeling that some balms can leave and a little goes a long way. Although Freya's rash didn't completely disappear (she needed antibiotics & steroid cream) it did help soothe it and prevented the blisters from cracking and bleeding. Her rash has since been treated with the prescribed cream and has cleared up so im now using CJs as a preventative at each nappy change and hey its working, no rash and no blistering. This product gets the thumbs up from us.

Price: £6.99 for 4oz tub in the uk.
Rating: 9/10