Consumers : Feeder Holds Everything but the Baby
Two Southern California companies are now marketing a couple of practical products for infant care.
Just out from Stix and Stones of Tarzana is the Hands Free Baby Bottle Bib with an adjustable sleeve that holds the bottle so you’ll have a hand free to answer the phone or turn off the teakettle.
It’s a one-size-fits-all bib that attaches with velcro-like tabs around the adult’s neck. The baby bottle is placed in the removable sleeve which attaches via a wide velcro-type band across the front of the bib. You can position the bottle so you can feed the baby comfortably while cradling him or her with either arm.
“First they laughed; then they liked it,” bib inventor Mitchell said of the prototype he showed to friends and relatives. At his wife’s suggestion, Stone added a little more fabric around the collar of the prototype to eliminate the need for a diaper over the shoulder when burping baby.
At a suggested retail price of $16, the Hands Free bib comes in assorted prints, is machine washable and includes an Evenflo bottle.
Southern California stores carrying it include Baby Toytown shops in Rosemead, Reseda and Upland; the Juvenile Shop in Sherman Oaks; So Gently Worn in La Habra; Buy Baby Bunting and Cottontail in Beverly Hills. Or you can order it from Stix and Stones, 5142 Garden Grove Ave., Tarzana, Calif. 91356; telephone (818) 881-6494 for $15.95, plus $1.85 shipping and handling charges. California residents add 6% for state sales tax.
Cooling Tote
And from Elmar Manufacturing Co. of Chatsworth comes the Baby Fridge-A-Tote, a vinyl bag that doubles as a diaper bag and a refrigerated food carrier.
Lightweight (3 pounds) and measuring 12 1/2x12x7 1/2 inches, the Fridge-A-Tote comes with a freezing insert that creates a refrigerated section for formula and baby foods. The gel insert is kept in the freezer until you’re ready to travel, then slipped inside the tote to surround the food. There is still space inside the bag for diapers and a change of clothing. Elmar vice president Philip Parodi said the gel insert will keep food cold for 3-4 hours.
The bag also has an outside pocket for additional items. It has shoulder straps and comes in yellow, pink or blue. Among the California outlets carrying Baby Fridge-A-Tote--which has a manufacturer’s suggested retail of $32.95--are Personal Touch in Burbank, Adele’s South in Torrance, Lou’s Designs in Irvine, Trinkets ‘N Trims is Goleta, and A Country Touch in Alpine.
Micro Medical Card
Medi-Stat is a little card that might save your life in a medical emergency. It certainly could cut down the time a paramedic or physician would need to determine a medical condition or allergy you might have.
The information on the card is microfilmed directly from your application and then laminated on a plastic card the size of your driver’s license. That way, you can choose what you wish to have included in your data and “there is no chance for error in transcription,” a company spokesman explained. It might include medicines you’re taking, allergies to medications, the name of your regular doctor, next of kin to be notified in case of an emergency, the person to whom you have given power of attorney.
Although the print on the card is tiny, it is readable by holding the card up to a bright light.
Medi-Stat costs $12; $10 for senior citizens. Anytime a cardholder’s medical condition or medicines are changed, or he or she has a new address, Medi-Stat will replace the card at half-price. To apply, call (800) 424-9378.
