Baby Halloween Costumes: Do or Don't?

As you all know, Halloween is tomorrow! So what I really want to know is: do you have a super cute costume for your baby or are you going to wait until he or she is older?
There are some obvious benefits to dressing up your baby for Halloween: the cuteness factor (of course), the photo opportunities, and yes, let's just admit it--the chance to show off how absolutely adorable your baby is! But not everyone thinks that this is a great idea. Erin at Mom Logic wrote a hilarious diatribe against baby costumes.

And a couple days ago Peter from one of my favorite blogs, The Poop, talked about what to do when kids won't wear their costumes. That's a tricky one because you've spent the time and money on the costume (hunched over the sewing machine or braving costume shop crowds--neither are what I consider a fun time). But really, at some point you just have to give up right? Is a cute photo op worth a potential temper tantrum?

Well, if you're on the fence over this issue then I suggest a compromise. Some baby rompers strike just the right balance between comfy baby clothes and costume. Sleeping Partners has an adorable layette set that's just right for Halloween and the entire fall season. It's the Four Piece Pumpkin Layette Set from their Itty Bitees Collection. (FYI: They've got some really cute Christmas rompers, too!)And the nice thing about a Halloween themed romper is that it can be worn all season long, so you're sure to get your money's worth.

The Perfect Stroller for Trick or Treating

Halloween is only 1 week away!!Once the frenzy of putting the costumes together is over, it'll be time to march around the neighborhood for some treats. If you've got a baby and a toddler making the rounds this year then you'll love Joovy's Caboose Ultralight Stroller. At 21 lbs, its surprisingly lightweight and sealed ball bearings make it easy to maneuver, too. And this is the cool part: it features a Patented Stand-On Tandem design so your toddler can hop on for a ride. But this stroller also has a padded rear seat, giving your toddler the option to sit, stand, or walk beside you.

The stroller comes with a universal car seat adapter, which works with a wide variety of brands including Graco, Maxi-Cosi and Peg Perego. With a car seat, the stroller can be used from birth and then up to 45 lbs. The toddler platform can also be used up to 45 lbs. Just don't let the total weight of your children go over 90 lbs when using this stroller.

It also comes with a convenient parent organizer (it attaches to the handlebars) with space for keys, water bottle, ipod, etc. Maybe Joovy knew that any parent running around town with a baby and a toddler could use a little extra help staying organized!

So cruise the neighborhood with your smart Sit and Stand Stroller. Just make sure there's some candy in it for you at the end of the night. All that work deserves a sugary payoff.

Have a great weekend!

Kuster Already Popular with Celebrity Moms

Listen up, trendy parents: Kuster, a British-based company, has made it's way across the pond and onto CSN Baby! We're carrying both of their stylish, high tech high chairs and their high chair cushions, as well as their popular Jelly Baby Changing Mat.

Although the K1 and K2 High Chairs have their differences (in look and price) they can both be used from when baby is 6 months to 6 years old! You can also choose from a wide variety of stylish high chair cushions for either seat.

At just $175, the K2 High Chair is perfect for parents who want a modern look but have to get it on a budget. Okay, let's be honest: you can buy a high chair for under $175 but only a handful of them offer comparable style for that price(Bloom's Nano comes to mind, although it has a totally different, albeit modern, design aesthetic compared to the K2). Other than the style and the price tag, I like that the K2 High Chair is ergonomically designed and also features a handy basket for meal-time toys, bibs or wipes.

According to Kuster's Web site, Halle Berry owns a Kuster high chair, although they don't say which one. I'm assuming she got the K1 High Chair, which is a bit pricier at $250. It has its own unique, modern look. My favorite aspect of this high chair is the fact that the seat is all made in one piece so there are no crevices where food can get stuck. Hey, style is nice to look at but style that guarantees a fast clean up is so much better.

Another celebrity fan of Kuster is Laila Ali, according to Celebrity Baby Blog. Back in August they reported that she loves her Jelly Baby Changing Mat, which is constructed from ergonomic memory foam and is Latex and PVC free.

That's the scoop, trendy moms and dads, and you heard it here first from Mother Goose! You can get a closer look at Kuster on CSN Baby.

Pitter Patter: Crib Bedding That's Ethnic-Chic

Pitter Patter Collections is a really cool line that's new to CSN Baby. They design crib bedding with what they describe as an "ethnic-chic" look. In particular, they've been inspired by Asian and Hawaiian styles. You'll find paisleys, elephants, hula girls, and Hawaiian flowers. The looks are exotic and playful, and definitely a refreshing change from some of the more traditional crib bedding designs on the market.

My favorite collection from Pitter Patter is called Zen. I think the Zen Collection will appeal to a wide variety of modern parents whether they like the organic bedding, the Asian contemporary style, or the muted, modern color palate. There are three bedding collections in Zen: Bamboo, Lotus, and Mandalas. All of them are made with organic bamboo jersey Cotton. Bamboo is a sustainable crop, grown organically by Pitter Patter. The Cotton is then colored with naturally-based, low-impact dyes. So eco-conscious parents can feel good about putting baby to sleep on this soft, organic bedding. (Keep in mind that only the bedding in the Zen Collection is organic!)

My favorite bedding collection is Mandalas. The soft blue and cream colors will look soothing in either a boy or girl's room. The medallion pattern is understated and chic yet still has an exotic feel to it. Find the Pitter Patter crib bedding that's just right for you and your baby at CSN Baby!