Polliwogged || Category || Excursions

DIY restaurant high chair cover

Most of us go out to eat at restaurants every now and then. That means using the high chairs at the restaurant for your little ones, where kids love to chew on the chairs and spread germs. One great option for protecting your little one from who knows what is a high chair cover - but have you ever thought of making your own? Jan Andrea has a great tutorial for making a restaurant high chair cover.

I made one of these for my daughter and it was so easy to roll up and keep in the diaper bag. I didn't have to worry about all those germs from countless other kids, which was a huge plus to me. The one I made was very similar to this Jan Andrea pattern, only I used a layer of batting in between two other fabrics. This made it nice and soft for my daughter. Keep in mind, however that this will make it bulkier and take up more room in the diaper bag.

On other thing I want to stress is to make sure you make the strap holes big enough. I did not, and it is never fun at a restaurant to try to force the straps through the little holes. It is better to have them too big than too small! - Trisha

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Pedal into summer with the WeeRide Kangaroo Bike Seat

The WeeRide Kangaroo Child Bike Seat is a front-mounted bicycle seat designed for children over a year old and up to 40 lbs. The position of the seat makes it easier for parents to see their baby and the more normalized center of gravity from the seat position makes for a safer, stabler ride. The seat itself features a padded cushion and three-point safety harness, as well as adjustable foot rests and a hand rest.

The WeeRide Kangaroo seat has received over 75 five-star ratings from happy parents on Amazon and, now that the weather is warming up, it's a great time to get out of the house and get active!

The WeeRide Kangaroo Seat is currently on sale at Amazon for $60, 33% off the regular price. It also qualifies for Free Super Saver Shipping. - Jenn

Gear up for spring with the InStep Quick N EZ Bike Trailer

With the weather warming up, parents and babies are sure to be spending an increasing amount of time outside. The InStep Quick N EZ Bike Trailer, recommended for ages one year and up, retails for $130 but is currently on sale at Amazon for $96, 26% off the regular price, and also qualifies for free shipping. This bike trailer features a foldable steel frame, making it sturdy enough for children up to 100lbs and easily stored as well. The canopy keeps babies and toddlers shaded and dry on rides and the interior features a storage area behind the seat. Best of all, this trailer can be used independently as a stroller and can accommodate two passengers! Bike trailers are a great way to carry kids around - earth-friendly, great exercise, and fun in the sun to boot.

The bike trailer also qualifies for free shipping from Amazon, making the $96 price tag an even better deal! - Jenn

An easy diaper emergency kit

One of the very first times I left the house with my then newborn son I left the diaper bag sitting by the front door. When I arrived at my friend’s house and discovered my error, he said, “Just be glad you didn’t take the diaper bag and leave the baby sitting by the front door.”

Good point.

Since then, I've kept what I call a "dirty diaper emergency kit" in the trunks of both of our cars. It is a gallon-sized ziplock bag with just a few crucial items in it.

This kit allows you to finish up your errands once you’ve realized that you forgot the diaper bag by the front door. It isn’t big, and it is free to make, and one day it will save your sanity.

two disposable diapers

small baggie of wipes

a few paper napkins or paper towels

two plastic grocery bags (for wet clothes or used cloth diapers)

spare onesie (in the next size up from what your kid normally wears)

There are two reasons the onesie in the emergency bag should be one size up. The first is that you are not likely to remember to swap out the onesie as your kid grows, so this way it is less likely your emergency backup will be too small. The other is that you are effectively never going to have this onesie available in your house, so you might as well make it one that you wouldn’t want anyway (because it is currently too big).

Lastly, there are two diapers in there so that, when your partner nabs one out because he or she forgot to restock the diaper bag, there is still one left for you. - Leigh G.

Photo by TheTruthAbout..., shared via Flickr.

Minimalist diaper bag contents

When it comes to diaper bags, I am both a minimalist and an optimist. That means I travel really, really light. Here is all I’ve got in the bag for when I leave for less than half a day (like for errands, or a walk in the park):

- wallet, keys, cell phone
- one disposable diaper
- one cloth diaper and cover
- small baggie of wipes
- two plastic grocery bags (for wet clothes or used cloth diapers)
- spare long sleeved baby tee shirt
- spare pair of lightweight baby pants
- two cotton rags
- changing pad

Once my kid started to eat solids, we added a non-perishable 4oz container of applesauce and a baby spoon. For a bib on the run, we tuck one of the cotton rags into his shirt like a napkin.

For the first few months, I was a really severe “leaker” when breastfeeding. Back then I also included several spare breast pads, two more rags, and a spare tee shirt for myself.

Honestly- that is it! Obviously, if I didn’t exclusively breastfeed, I’d include a bottle and maybe an icepack. Regardless, in my opinion, these are the only “must-haves” in a diaper bag. What do YOU think you “must have?”

- Leigh G.

Photo by [177], shared via Flickr.