Sweet Pea Baby Rentals

Toddlers and Planes

2011-06-28T21:25:00.000-07:00

I've been asked countless times by friends and family this one particular question: What's the easiest way to travel on an airplane with my toddler's gear? I thought I'd share my recommendations based on my own experiences and those of my customers. I'll give you a few options for getting to your destination depending on your situation.

Travel with CARES and rent when you get there.

My first recommendation would be to use the CARES harness and rent a car seat, stroller, or any other gear at your destination if the budget allows and there's a rental company that meets your needs. Your child must be flying in their own seat (which they must if they are 2+) to use the CARES harness. We rent CARES harnesses and ship them nationwide for a very reasonable rate too. If your child isn't old enough to walk through the airport, use a cheap umbrella stroller. Your stroller WILL get dirty at the least or broken at the worst, even if you gate check it.

Travel with CARES and check other items

If there are no rental options at your destination, I'd recommend checking the car seat and stroller as luggage, but make sure it's well protected to minimize damage. You may prefer to gate check these items, which you may also do with most airlines, however that's two more bulky items you have to take with you through security, along with your carry on, diaper bag, purse, and child. If it's in the budget, check into purchasing a Cosco Scenera car seat (~$50 but still highly rated) and a cheap umbrella stroller if you can make do with that. That way, you won't be seeking reimbursement for $500+ for a broken car seat and stroller that are now useless at your destination. Car seats and strollers are still free to check (verify with your airline, especially American Airlines and their new stroller policy), but other gear will be charged per normal baggage policies with your airline.

Take your car seat on board and use a Go Go Kidz Travelmate

If you feel your toddler would be happier/more secure/sleep better in their car seat, then take your seat on board and use a Go Go Kidz Travelmate to turn your car seat into a stroller for the ride through the terminal. This is a little more work as you will have to detach the Travelmate and send the car seat through the x-ray machine or have it hand checked if it doesn't fit. Installing the seat on the plane isn't always the easiest task either. Check the plane seat width and your car seat's width beforehand to be sure it will fit. If you are a Phoenix local, we rent the Go Go Kidz Travelmate too. Once you get to your destination, rent a stroller and other gear as necessary.

Carry your infant in a soft carrier and rent at your destination

If you are traveling with a lap child, carry them in a soft carrier or cheap umbrella stroller and rent when you get to your destination. Again, if this isn't an option for you, check your car seat and stroller as luggage but make sure it's well protected. You will have to take your baby out of the carrier for security so be prepared for that. Another useful onboard item for infants is the FlyeBaby portable seat. Unlike CARES, it is NOT approve for taxi, take off, and landing, however it can give you two free hands to play with baby while you are in flight. We also rent the FlyeBaby seat and ship them nationwide.

Visit us online to check out all of our air travel rentals or all of our premium baby equipment and gear rentals available for delivery in the Phoenix and Scottsdale-metro areas!

Updated Compliance Date to 2011 Crib Standards

2011-06-21T14:12:00.000-07:00

Our trade association of baby gear rental companies, Baby Travel Pros, recently had a meeting with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, where our representative asked for a change in the compliance date to the 2011 crib standards, as they affect our businesses. The change was granted and extended to December 28, 2012 to be consistent with the date given to hotels, child care centers, and other places of public accommodation. The ruling can be read here.

What does this mean for you as a renter of baby gear? Rest assured that our crib inventory will be just as safe as it is today, right up until new cribs are obtained. As the Associations current president and co-founder, I along with my colleagues requested this extension to allow us time to obtain the commercial inventory that is so scarce in the marketplace right now. As of this post, most of our 68 members have been unable to find any cribs that meet our needs.

What does this mean for you as a consumer? You can still use your non-compliant crib in your own home as long as you want to, however it will be illegal to sell, resell, or donate (unless out of the country) a non-compliant crib after June 28, 2011. This includes manufacturers, retailers, consignment stores, and individuals. Again, hotels, child care facilities, and rental companies have until December 28, 2012 to update their inventory. The main changes made to the previous 40 year old standard were to the integrity of the crib slats, types of hardware, banning of drop-sides, integrity of mattress supports, and requiring more rigorous testing that a crib must pass. Here is a Q&A put together by the CPSC explaining the 2011 crib safety standards.

I'd like to explain why I choose to use "commercial" crib inventory instead of purchasing from the many manufacturers that sell cribs at Babies R Us and the like. The crib is the single most popular item in most rental companies inventories. In one year, a single crib can go in and out of our delivery van about 80 times (two trips for each rental), and set up and used about 40 times. Of course they are safety checked between each rental and to date I have NEVER had a safety issue while a crib has been out on a rental. I currently use Foundations folding full sized cribs because they are extremely sturdy, never been recalled, do not require assembly which limits wear on the hardware, and they look nice to boot. Many commercial cribs were already made to the voluntary ASTM standard that the new CPSC crib standard was modeled after, however most manufacturers are choosing not to retest or retrofit current models, but rather come out with a whole new line. Our current cribs may actually pass these new standards, but we will never know because they will never be tested.

We are currently working with several commercial manufacturers to obtain new inventory and as soon as it's available, we will begin replacing our fleet of cribs. Unfortunately this is no small investment, and one that I will make for the third time in 4 years due to the ever-changing environment of crib safety and recalls that's been going on for the last 2 years. However, as a parent of two small daughters myself, there's no price you can put on a child's safety.

2011 Crib Standards

2011-03-17T07:48:00.000-07:00

At the end of 2010, the CPSC issued new 2011 Crib Standards mandating that cribs go through more rigorous testing and have stronger hardware, in addition to eliminating drop side rails. Any company selling or leasing full sized or compact sized cribs must comply by June 28, 2011, including baby gear rental companies. Hotels and child care centers have until December 2012 to comply.

What does this mean? Well, we will be replacing our entire inventory of cribs by the end of June, even though our current models are barely over a year old. We take your child's safety very seriously and pride ourselves in providing high quality cribs manufactured by Foundations specifically for commercial use. Since the issuance of the new standard was just given at the end of December, suppliers are working quickly to release new compliant cribs as soon as possible. The best case scenario we've been told is that they will be in the marketplace by the beginning of May. Rest assured that our current inventory of cribs are safety checked between every rental and the issuance of a new standard does not suddenly make any existing crib inherently unsafe.

Staying for Spring Training?

2011-01-21T15:34:00.000-07:00

Are you coming to Phoenix or Scottsdale to visit one of our 10 Spring Training facilities? Here's a few good deals at our most popular family friendly resorts with one- and two-bedroom set ups.

Xona Resort - North Scottsdale - 2 bedroom suites with optional adjoining 3rd room for a discount, plus $50 dining credit

Wigwam Resort - Litchfield Park - AAA Four Diamond resort stay for two, golf for two, and $50 resort credit. The bigger casitas are great for families too!

Westin Kierland Resort - North Scottsdale - connecting 1- and 2-bedrooms suites, $100 credit per day for dining, spa, or FUN activities, kids under 12 eat FREE. Use promo code LYF

If you're here for an extended stay, ask us about discounted long term rates for your baby gear rentals too!

Baby Gizmo Reviews

2010-12-12T11:34:00.000-07:00

If you're in the market for a new stroller but it's one that you can't find locally, I like to rely on Baby Gizmo.com's video reviews. They're also running a great 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway contest also. (Today's the last day!)

Smart Family

2010-12-01T06:32:00.001-07:00

In case you missed it, we were recently featured on our local ABC Smart Family show!

And yes, we are expecting baby girl #2 right around New Years!

Demo Strollers at the AZ Kids Expo

2010-08-08T09:38:00.006-07:00

Come by and check out our demo strollers and travel gear at the AZ Kids Expo on Sept 18-19th at University of Phoenix Stadium! On display we'll have the hottest and newest strollers from phil & ted's, BOB, Valco, and Britax. Look for some special show-only deals with rarely offered savings of 10%-15% off on brand new models. We'll also have demos of the Go Go Kidz Travelmate, C.A.R.E.S. child aviation restraint system, and FlyeBaby portable infant seats, all used for air travel with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. We will also be providing a infant and toddler feed, changing, and play area too.

New phil & ted's Explorer on order!

2010-07-30T09:21:00.005-07:00

The newly released phil & ted's Explorer offers some much anticipated upgrades to the popular Sport model. Keeping the same frame, great 12"air tires, and versatile doubles kit, the overall look is sleek and stylish. Here are some of the nice new features coming your way.

1. Seat design - There's now a removable padded insert in red, navy, green, or black. The stroller and frame are all black, with the exception of the all apple green model. The inserts are interchangeable should you wish to change up the color of your buggy. Both the main and doubles kit seats are made with a new design allowing for better air flow and both use a newer quick release harness system like the Smart Buggy. The quick release harness system has two release points on the harness, one for each side, instead of four like the Sport model.

2. Plastic covering in foot well - Similar to the Dash buggy, the Explorer's footwell now has a plastic kick mat instead of all fabric, making it easier to clean.

3. Pedal brake - A new pedal "flip-flop friendly" foot brake is replacing the old wire brake system. From an avid flip-flop wearer, this is a very necessary upgrade. No more bending down to release the brake with your hand.

4.One hand fold - The two release clips on each side have been replaced with one release under the base of the seat, making a one hand fold possible.

5. Sun canopy - Another great upgrade from the Sport is the new follow the sun canopy. The canopy is not attached at the back of the stroller so it can be rotated all the way forward and back to keep the sun out of baby's eyes.

6. Sun canopy for second seat - The doubles kit for the new Explorer now gets a sun canopy as well! The doubles kit attaches the same way that it did in the previous Sport model, to both the front and back of the stroller.

7. Car seat adapter - The car seat adapter can now be used with the main seat in the fully upright position, allowing for a second child to ride in the doubles kit on the rear of the Explorer. Previous models did not allow this function.

The phil & ted's Explorer upgrades do come with a slightly higher price tag of $479.99, about $30 more than the previous Sport model. The doubles kit remains the same at $89.99 even with the new sun canopy. The Explorer is due in stock at the end of August, so preorder now, or reserve one of our new rentals for your test drive on our website at http://sweetpeababyrentals.com.

New Travel Gear Addition - FlyeBaby

2010-06-18T10:00:00.004-07:00

Our newest addition to Sweet Pea Baby Rentals' air travel rental inventory will arrive in just a few days! We're adding the FlyeBaby portable chair to our rental inventory. FlyeBaby provides a hammock style chair for your infant (up to 25 lbs) to rest in while in flight. It attaches to the tray table and has restraint straps to hold your infant safely in place so you have two free hands to play, change diapers, or read a book while she naps. It's a great alternative to holding your baby for an entire flight! It also doubles as a portable restraint that can be attached to a variety of chairs for feeding or playing. Best of all it's lightweight and portable. We are taking orders now and are able to ship rentals nationwide!

CARES Harness Review

2010-06-16T12:47:00.006-07:00

We recently had the good fortune of being able to take a 7 night Alaskan cruise with our extended family including our 3 1/2 year old daughter. I knew I'd be bringing along one of our Child Aviation Restraint Systems (CARES) for the 10 hours of plane rides there and back, but I immediately thought, do I need to bring her car seat just to try to find a place to store it in the tiny cabin? The only time we'd be in vehicles other than a boat was our transfer to the hotel for the first night, our transfer to the port the second day, and one tour we'd booked. Since we were on a one-way cruise, renting in Anchorage was not an option (although visit Northern Lights Traveling Tykes if it is for you), so I started researching. I came across the Ride Safer Vest, which seemed to fit the bill perfectly for us. Since this was my first time personally using both of the CARES and the Ride Safer Vest, I thought I'd share my experiences. First I'll review the CARES harness.

CARES Harness Review
We grabbed the 6" stuff sack, threw it in our backpack, and headed out at 4am for our flight. I was VERY happy I didn't have a car seat to haul when we got held up at security alone (yes, at 4am) for a full backpack, stroller, and carry-on search. My daughter and I then ran to the gate to be the last ones on the plane. I had the CARES out of the bag, slipped over the back of the seat and had her strapped down in less than a minute, never having used it before. Of course, I suppose I had a little advantage having been renting and inspecting them for over a year.

The process is easy:

Lower the tray of the seat behind you
Slip the harness over the back of the seat and tighten
Raise the tray back up
Strap in your child and adjust the shoulder straps as necessary

The Pros:

Extremely light weight and small
Good for kids 22-44 lbs (has also been approved for special needs children and adults)
Easy to install and secure
Child can't kick the back of the seat in front
Can be used in any seating position (car seats typically can only be installed at the window seat for evacuation purposes)
Approved for taxi, take-off, in flight, and landing
Used on 4 different flights and 4 different aircraft including a small commuter plane with no problems or questions from the flight attendants.

The Cons:

No crotch strap meant my daughter could wiggle down
Since the airline seats were curved, the back of the strap holding it on tended to hit her at the back of the head. This didn't seem to bother her though, even when I asked.
No head support when she fell asleep. I just unbuckled her and gave her a blanket to lay her head on.
This isn't related to the harness but she could unbuckle the airplane seat belt herself, but not the chest clip on the harness.

All in all, I highly recommend this as an alternative to a car seat, especially for older toddlers and preschoolers. If you're flying with a 1-2 year old on a long flight, you may consider the car seat for comfort if you want them to sleep for a long stretch. In those cases, check out the Go Go Kidz Travelmate to turn your car seat into a stroller for the airport.

Summer Vacations - Plan Ahead!

2010-05-06T09:46:00.005-07:00

If you're busy planning your summer vacation, whether it be to Phoenix or anywhere else, visit our partners at Baby Travel Pros to find a rental company that serves your destination. Many companies sell out during peak travel periods so you may want to book the essentials, like a crib or car seat now to ensure they are reserved for you. Making reservations weeks or months in advance is not uncommon, and the company will appreciate your planning ahead so they can better serve you. Generally additions and changes can be made to your order up to a few days before your scheduled delivery if necessary. Unsure of just what you'll need? Check out the guide to recommended gear by age.

Baby Travel Pros is an association of independently owned and operated baby gear rental companies across the world. The only association of it's kind, members are committed to providing safe and clean baby gear for you and your little traveler.

New Full Sized Cribs!

2010-03-24T00:37:00.005-07:00

We are very excited to report that our brand new full sized, commercially rated and tested wood cribs are here! Why are we so excited? This crib has been manufactured and tested to meet the ASTM Standards for commercial crib rentals. (Our new mini-cribs by LA Baby Company meet this standard as well.) While the adherence to the commercial standard is not a law in Arizona, we are committed to providing a safe environment for your child.

The vast majority of the cribs on the market are only designed and tested for residential use (one child, assembling once, maybe twice), including the popular Delta models that most rental companies use. While they meet residential ASTM and JPMA standards, they are not rated for commercial rentals. Our new Foundations cribs are full sized, folding models featuring hardwood construction and heavy-duty hardware that lessens the amount of wear and tear typically inflicted on a residential use crib when used as a rental. Not only does this make our free set up and removal easier and faster for us, but in the event that you need to move the crib (with our permission of course), it's much easier for you too.

Visit us online today at http://sweetpeababyrentals.com to view all of our other rental items and let us help you make your family vacation a little easier!

Out of Africa Wildlife Park

2010-01-13T21:47:00.010-07:00

My family and I had the pleasure of taking a day trip to Out of Africa Wildlife Park in Camp Verde, AZ this past weekend. I say pleasure because it was one of the best "zoos" I have ever been to. For me, the zoo typically means pushing around a stroller and holding up a heavy 3 year old to see all the way to the back of the enclosure for about 6 hours. Here, we parked our stroller and our 3 year old actually thought the animals were too close to her!

The photos you see on their website are actually photos that I could have taken myself, and these photos here, I really did take myself with my basic little digital camera, no fancy zoom lens or anything. You are within feet of the animals and they are all very visible thanks to the way the enclosures are set up. The park houses all types of animals from lions, tigers, and other cats, bears, giraffes, zebras, and ostrich, to a rhinoceros named Boom Boom whom we happened across on our way out of the park. There was something strange and funny about rounding a corner to see a rhino sleeping under a desert tree fenced in by nothing more than concrete traffic barricades.

Upon our entrance to the park, we caught the outgoing safari ride and were handed carrot sticks as we got on - then were told not to eat them. Our very first stop down the dirt road was at the giraffe's enclosure where he eagerly awaited the bus and our carrot sticks. The driver gave everyone sufficient time to take photos and feed the giraffe. Some unsuspecting passengers got a friendly lick on the face from the giraffe when we ran out of carrots too! We ventured on into a gated area where zebra, ostrich, more giraffe and lots of other animals roamed free. The tour guide was wonderful at explaining all about the animals and bringing them right up to the bus (with some treats) for some great photos.

At the end of our safari, our driver dropped us off at the top of the hill just in time for the Tiger Splash show. In the show a few brave staff members and two very large tigers jump and play in the water with inflatable pool toys, which the tigers joyously pop. One of the owners of the park narrated the show and stressed that they animals are not trained but that they work on a relationship basis with them. For example, to get a toy from one of the tigers, they offer something else in return. The tiger would give up the toy for, in this case, a piece of meat. There were no signs or spoken commands to any of the animals.

After the show, we grabbed a bite to eat from the burger stand then checked out and pet the boa constrictor during the Giant Snake Show. The handler did not carry around the snake to everyone, for one because it was about 15 feet long, but rather she opened the gate to the show arena and let anyone come in that wanted to check out the snake.

We wandered around and in most cases had the animals all to ourselves since the park was not crowded at all. It was so strange to stand 4 feet from two bears who sat looking straight at you, or a tiger who walked over to see what you were doing. We stayed for the Wonders of Wildlife show which on that day was the grizzly bears. At the end of the show, we happened to see the two founders, Dean and Prayeri, sitting watching the show as well. We stopped to tell them what a fantastic park they had created and ended up talking to them for over an hour. They are wonderful caring people who care about the animals as well as their staff and community.

Where: Out of Africa Park, Camp Verde, AZ (~60 mi north of Scottsdale)
When you get there, turn right before the court building and follow the road until it becomes dirt. We found out they are having a problem with the transportation department allowing them to post permanent signage.

When: Daily 9:30am-5pm

Price: $36 adults, $28 seniors, $20 kids 3-12 (under 3 free) (Yes, it is a little pricey but worth it. There are reduced AZ resident rates as of right now, and coupons are available on their website, and check entertainment books and brochures for coupons too)

Book soon for Chirstmas!

2009-11-30T19:57:00.000-07:00

As we do most holidays, Sweet Pea Baby Rentals was SOLD OUT of many items over Thanksgiving. The most popular last minute request? Crib tents for a pack n play (which we unfortunately do not have). Moms and dads, you might want to pull out that pack n play at home before you leave and give it a whirl for nap time just to make sure that junior can't and won't climb out. Discovering this on day 1 of Christmas vacation at Grandmas might leave you in a pinch when most rental companies are sold out of full sized cribs and crib tents.

As an added bonus for December, we're also offering a FREE booster high chair rental with every order booked by December 20th. Check out our packages and specials for more information.

My Airport Busy Kit

2009-11-15T21:22:00.000-07:00

I ran across a great product a few weeks ago called My Airport Busy Kit. It's a lunch-box sized kit aimed at keeping preschoolers busy in the airport, on the plane, or during any outing where entertainment is necessary. The Airport Busy Kit is geared toward ages 3+, and luckily my own product tester is just that age (barely 3 years old). No sooner did I have the shipping box open did she scoop it up and start sifting through the contents.

Our kit contained everything pictured here: an activity book, a blank notepad, stickers, washable markers, crayons, plastic kids scissors (that cut paper but not fingers), Wikki Stix, wooden wands to color, a lacing board, a tic tac toe game, a tape measure, and linking figurines. For some of the games in the activity book, she did need my direction which is understandable as they are also geared toward a slightly older age group, but for the most part, she was able to handle the majority of the items herself. She happily sat at the kitchen table and played for an hour before dinner, showing off her linked acrobats, measuring things, putting sticker fish into the fishbowl, coloring one of the wands, and cutting paper. We repacked everything easily into the carrying pouch and first thing the next morning, she went right back to it and played some more. Our conclusion: the kit is a great tool to add to the arsenal of things to keep the 3+ age group busy on a plane or in the airport!

If you're renting cribs, car seats, or other gear from Sweet Pea Baby Rentals while on vacation in the Phoenix-metro area, we offer FREE SHIPPING with your purchase. If you rent a CARES harness from us, we can add the kit to your shipment too.

Cost to Rent vs. Cost to Bring

2009-11-02T11:30:00.000-07:00

The baggage fees that airlines are charging this holiday season might have you thinking twice about what to bring with you. Take a look at our comparison chart by Sweet Pea Baby Rentals that shows you the cost to rent versus the cost to bring your gear along.

Picture yourself standing at the ticket counter, checking in for your flight. First you get hit with at least $15 for each bag you check, so for mom and dad's two bags, that's $30 on top of the price of your tickets. If your airline gives your lap child a baggage allowance, that'll be another $15 for his bag. If they don't, then it will count as a second bag for you and cost at least another $30.

So now you're probably up to $60 and haven't gotten to baby's essentials, like the Pack N Play, car seat or stroller. You're most likely in luck with the car seat and stroller fee-wise. Typically you are able to check these at no charge but you run the risk of them being smashed, broken, lost, or at least dirtied in the baggage hold with all the other suitcases. You cannot carry either of them on board unless you have purchased a seat for your child, in which case you can bring an FAA-approved car seat (most car seats are). Another alternative to the car seat is a CARES harness and you can even get a free rental for your flights when you rent a car seat from us while you here.

If you decide to bring along the Pack N Play, now you're up to a 3rd checked item which carry fees up to $130! At this point, you're already standing there with it in hand, so what else can you do besides take it along. That's most likely more than a new Pack N Play would cost if you bought one at your destination.

Our best advice is to put smaller babies in a soft front pack carrier or bring a cheap $10 umbrella stroller with you to get through the airport, preferably one that you don't care if it gets smashed along the way. Save yourself the headache and expense of checking the car seat, pack n play, portable high chair, toys, and other essentials and rent them from us. We'll have everything waiting at your rental car counter when you arrive, or can deliver to a local residence, resort, condo, or wherever you need the gear.

New Mini-Crib

2009-10-25T00:16:00.003-07:00

We've added a few new items to our inventory recently here at Sweet Pea Baby Rentals. Our newest addition to our rental inventory is the Mini-Crib, just in time for the holidays. The Mini-Crib is smaller than a full sized crib and comes with an upgraded 3" mattress (more plush than the standard 1"). The mini-crib (also known as a compact crib or portable crib) is good for kids up to approximately 2 years old, depending on their height. The length of the mini-crib is 38", so if you're child is close to this height, it might be better to go with a standard full-sized crib or try the phil & ted's Traveller, both 51" in length. The compact mini-crib is perfect for tight spaces where a full sized might not fit, like next to a bed, or in a den / office.

How To: Part 2 - Bob Strollers

2009-10-19T14:20:00.003-07:00

As a follow up to last weeks post about how much we love BOB, I wanted to share some tips on how the stroller actually works. If you've just reserved your first BOB Gear jogging stroller for your Arizona vacation from Sweet Pea Baby Rentals, read on! Maybe you'll be showing your children the beautiful back country of Sedona, taking a walk in the warm desert evening, or just giving a ride to the resort pool. Here's some tips on our BOB jogger rentals that might help get you on the road that much faster. The Bob Revolution Duallie (double) model is show in the photos below but the process is exactly the same for the Revolution single and other models.

1. The fold is very easy.

To fold the stroller, pull up on the red tabs under the handle bar and flip the handlebar forward toward the foot rest.

Pull up on the red cord at the base of the seat to collapse the wheels.

For extra storage space, remove the rear and/or front wheels with the flip of a lever.

To unfold the BOB jogger, swing the back wheels out until they lock, then unfold the handlebar to the upright position.

2. The canopy is great.
Extend the canopy all the way out (shown on the right side). The two stage canopy can be pulled back half way and locked into place by using the draw string on the top of the canopy (shown on the left side). The draw string is only accessible by the parent from the top of the canopy. (A request from us - parents please don't put your drinks or coffee in the folds of the canopy. Thanks!)

3. Lock the front wheel straight for pushing through sand or on rough terrain. Flip the red button on the front of the wheel, then rotate the wheel around until it locks straight. This helps to keep it from catching when pushing it through the sand or over rocks and rough terrain.

4. Adjust the suspension for older children. Since the BOB strollers can be used up to 70lbs total(single) or 100lbs total (double/duallie), they have two suspension settings. Our rental strollers are set on the softer setting for younger children, but if you have older toddlers and pre-schoolers riding, adjust the suspension to the stiffer setting to give them a better ride.

5. Recline one or both seats independently.

Shown in the Bob Revolution Duallie here, one seat is upright and the other is fully reclined. The recline is infinitely adjustable to this position.

Try out one of our BOB Revolution strollers for your family today. Our Try & Buy program makes it easy and affordable to test drive one of our rentals risk-free too. If you decide to buy one from us, we'll credit the rental cost toward your purchase.

Bob Jogging Stroller Review

2009-10-15T10:31:00.005-07:00

Here at Sweet Pea Baby Rentals, we carry top of the line Bob jogging strollers in our rental inventory. After reviewing tons of models on the market, we chose to carry them for several reasons: they are durable and the fabric cleans easily, they have a high 70 lb weight limit (100lb for double), built in adjustable suspension, and a great canopy to keep our Arizona sunshine off your little one. And the best feature of all? The swivel front wheel of the popular Revolution line.

The swivel front wheel makes the stroller a dream to push, even in the Duallie (double) model. I've loaded the Duallie with 100lbs of kids (or other rental gear) and have never had a problem pushing and turning it with one hand. This includes wheeling it through airport elevators and doorways, and up and down curbs, with no problem. The air-filled tires make for a great ride combined with the suspension system. I have had a few flats on our fleet, including one from a very large cactus thorn, but it's nothing the local bike shop can't repair in a matter of 5 minutes. (A recommendation, buy a tube of Slime and fill the tires to prevent punctures.)

We've personally used the Revolution for jogging, walking on the beach in the sand, on desert hiking trails, and in the mall. The swivel wheel is able to be locked into a straight position for added stability when jogging too. It's a great all-purpose stroller and the rear wheels slide off with just a flip of a lever for easier loading into the car. If you'd prefer a smaller set of wheels for storage purposes, try the 12AW model (12" aluminum rear wheels versus standard 16" plastic).

Many accessories are available and I'd recommend the handlebar console, which give the parent two cup holders and a zippered pouch for extra storage. An infant car seat adapter is also available and it comes with a tray attachment to add on when baby gets older. We prefer not to have the tray attachment so our toddler can climb in and out on her own though.

If you've been thinking about buying one but aren't sure, check out our Try & Buy program. You can test drive one of our rental models and if it works for you, we'll credit your entire rental fee toward your purchase.

Random interesting things found on Twitter today

2009-09-08T14:25:00.002-07:00

I try to be up on the latest tech crazes...try is the key word. I wanted to share some interesting links I found while reading through my Twitter posts this morning.

1. Museum Day - 9/26 FREE Museum admission to hundreds of venues sponsored by the Smithsonian. Check your state or vacation destination for some place fun and interesting.

2. Flye Baby - An air travel baby hammock that attaches to the seatback tray infront of you, allowing your baby to lay and stay in your seat without you having to hold them the entire flight.

3. A one-week packing list for traveling with kids. Assuming you can do some laundry while you're gone, this will cut down on the amount of stuff you need to take. Also visit one of our Baby Travel Pros partners to rent kids gear at your destination.

4. How to spot fake reviews of travel destinations, hotels, restaurants, etc. If you think it's fake, it probably is. Trust your gut!

How To: Part 1 - Set Up a Pack N Play

2009-08-21T15:09:00.005-07:00

It looks easy enough, right? After a long day of traveling with an overtired crying baby, popping up that Pack n Play doesn't always go so smoothly. Maybe the last time you did it was months ago when you set yours up in your living room for baby to play in. If we aren't there to set it up for you, here's a video we found on exactly how to get it up in about 30 seconds.

The basic steps:

1. Remove carrying bag

2. Un-velcro the straps holding the mattress pad around the pack n play and set it aside

Now, the important part and in this order:

3. Pull up all four side rails until they audibly lock

4. Push down center floor support until it audibly locks

(if you push down the center BEFORE locking the rails, they WILL NOT LOCK)

5. Position mattress pad in bottom of Pack N Play, securing it underneath by passing the velcro straps through the slits in the floor fabric to the underneath side of the pack n play.

Our rental Graco Pack N Play's are all of the same basic design. The accessories and the way they attach to the Pack N Play do vary from model to model, but instructions are provided with all of our rentals.

Payson, AZ - Photo Friday

2009-08-14T15:19:00.004-07:00

Last weekend we escaped to Payson, just a short 90 minute drive northeast of Phoenix, to visit some family. I say "some family" because I honestly couldn't tell you how we were related. We took my parents ATV's up to the Mogollon Rim in cool country to enjoy the view and give our 3 year old her first potty-in-the-woods expierence. It was a beautiful view and we were almost cold in the 70-degree weather. It was wonderful!

We also took a nice long drive down a very winding dirt road on the edge of a cliff to find Fossil Creek, out of Strawberry, AZ. It had some great swimming areas and a small campground too. Here's Cameron and grandpa enjoying the scenery and tossing sticks into the creek.

Want to see more family travel photos? Find out more about Photo Friday at Delicous Baby!

Heat Wave

2009-08-01T16:56:00.007-07:00

To escape the recent record setting heat in Phoenix (and across the northwest too!) we took a nice 5 1/2 hour drive over to Orange County for another little weekend break. We hit the highest average temperature and the highest average lows ever recorded for July. Many, many days of temps over 110 degress also gave us our highest a/c bill ever recorded too!

We stopped by the San Juan Capistrano Mission, pictured below, had lunch at the old train depot then headed down to San Clemente to the beach and watched the passenger trains go by as we played in the waves.

We used the Phil and Ted's Traveller for our almost 3 year old daughter that we just added to our rental inventory at Sweet Pea Baby Rentals. It worked out great and was a good follow up test to our review a few weeks ago. I popped it up in a few minutes and packed it neatly into it's tiny carrying bag when we were all done. I do wish they'd designed some way to put a sheet in the bottom though. Sleeping on the nylon bottom doesn't seem to bother our daughter but it does seem to make her a little hotter than normal. Another good option is the Kidco Pea Pod that we just reviewed too. It is smaller but also does not have a sheet like the Traveller.

Check out more travel pics at Photo Friday over at deliciousbaby.com

Kidco Pea Pod Review

2009-07-27T13:16:00.005-07:00

Another one of our unique travel gear rentals is the Kidco Pea Pod. It's about the length of a Pack N Play but no where near the 30 lb weight or odd bulky shape. At just 5 lbs and folded in it's slim round carrying case, it's about the size of a spring-type sunshade for your car (those of us in Phoenix are VERY familiar with them!) It springs open right out of it's case and is ready to use, no assembly required. Blow up the air mattress insert with a provided hand pump, and you're ready to go.

The Pea Pod is a great option for motorhomes and RV's, trailers, or outdoor camping. It zips shut with a mesh flap or can be left open and folded back. The fabric of the Pea Pod is UV protective too. We used one on a camping trip with our then 2 year old and it worked very well. We were able to pop it open when she was ready for bed and still able to maneuver around it inside the RV. It was a fun play tent for her during the day too. We had previously tried using a Pack N Play and it was too big to fit in any of the open floor spaces in the trailer. The narrowness and flexiblity of the Pea Pod made it a much better option for us. She's almost too big for it now so we've moved up to the Phil and Ted's Traveller but Kidco does make a PeaPod Plus that's bigger too.

Phil and Ted's Traveller Review

2009-07-15T15:48:00.007-07:00

I just picked up a couple Phil and Ted's Traveller beds today and tested them out with my official product tester, my (almost) 3 year old daughter. I was interested in these for her height, although they do officially say to discontinue use at 35 inches tall. She's been able to climb out of a Pack N Play since she was less than 2 and has been too long to fit in one for some time. The situation was tough because she wasn't ready to move into a toddler bed (ie. not be confined), but when we travelled, she was too big for anything else.

Here's a few snapshots I took of her in it for a size comparison. She is almost 3 years old and is 38.5" tall. It doesn't appear that she can crawl over the top of the railings and the side does zipper open if we wanted her to have free reign to get in and out. She can lay comfortably, completely stretched out with a few inches to spare (and I actually think she is napping in it while I type this!) The side and top panels zipper open/off for easy access for babies or smaller children and there is a self-inflating mattress that goes in a zippered pocket in the bottom.

The specs:
Lightweight travel crib - 5.6 lbs (without mattress)
Open: 51" x 24.8" x 31"
Folded: 24.8" x 8.6" x 8.6"
Lightweight aluminium frame/fabric is washable & waterproof
Self inflating mattress (cushion & insulation)
Not too difficult to put together after you've done it wrong the first time

CARES for Special Needs Children

2009-07-10T14:13:00.004-07:00

I've talked a lot about how easy and safe the Child Aviation Restraint System (CARES) is and I've come across another wonderful use for it. I was recently contacted by a mom of a special needs 15 year old to rent a CARES after she read about another family who used a CARES harness on their flight for an older child. I was unsure of the process to actually be allowed to use it outside of it's pre-approved 44lb weight, so I contacted Louise Stoll, creator of the CARES and owner of Kids Fly Safe. She graciously explained the entire process of obtaining an FAA Exemption to use the system for a special needs child or adult who does not fit within the pre-approved weight. If your child is already in the 22-44lb weight range, no exemption is needed.

Below is what you can do to ensure your special needs child remains safe and secure on your flight and can use the CARES harness:

1 .Discuss with your caregiver (doctor, physical therapist etc) whether the CARES will provide sufficient upper body support for your child

2. Contact the FAA and request what is called an Exemption (meaning an exemption from the regulations governing the weight and height of CARES users) for your child. The person to contact in the FAA is Ms. Nancy Claussen Nancy.L.Claussen@faa.gov.

3. Explain in the email to Ms. Claussen why your child needs the extra support beyond a seat belt, and state that you and their caregiver believe CARES is appropriate for your child to use. Include your child's height and weight, and ask permission to use the CARES. Be sure your contact information is clear, as the FAA will no doubt call to be certain that they understand the situation.

4. The letter should indicate that you are aware that exemptions have been made in the past, and that they understand your will need to seat your child in a seat where no one is behind them who might push against her seat back. (This means the last row of any section of the plane.)

5. Allow at least 4 weeks prior to your trip, but the earilier the better, to receive the exemption.

Beach Vacation

2009-07-09T15:49:00.002-07:00

Here's a photo of us on our last San Diego beach trip. We make these frequently to get out of the AZ summer heat! We took one of Sweet Pea Baby Rental's BOB's along for the journey and pushed it loaded with our 2.75 year old and beach gear through the sands of Pacific Beach with no problem. I can't say enough how much I love these strollers! Rent one from us today for your next summer escape.

Want to see more travel pics? Check out Photo Friday at Delicous Baby!

Money Saving Tips on Car Rentals

2009-05-28T16:12:00.013-07:00

Watch out for those taxes and fees when booking your rental car. The Phoenix airport car rental locations have one of the highest tax rates in the nation -upwards of nearly 30% plus surcharges, facility fees, and anything else that they can sneak in!

Here's some tips on how to save on your rental car and avoid these hidden fees:

1. Rent your car from an off-airport location

If you have a rental of more than a few days, it will probably be worth it for you to take the SuperShuttle or a cab to a nearby off-airport rental location. You can return the car at the airport location at no additional cost. Send one adult to get the car while the kids play at one of the airport's play centers or have a snack at one of the restaurants.

Here's a map of the closest off-airport locations for Enterprise, Budget, Avis, and Hertz.

I checked rates for comparable cars at on- and off-airport locations of a few companies. The car itself is approximately the same cost, but a week-long rental racked up 15% more in taxes ($50-$75 depending on what you rent) PLUS various facility fees and surcharges to the tune of another $20. You'd probably rather spend your vacation money on actual fun instead of taxes and fees. (One person could take the SuperShuttle for $13-$17 to one of these off-airport locations.)

2. Rent car seats from Sweet Pea Baby Rentals instead of the car rental agencies

Most car rental agencies charge $9-$12/day for child seats. On a week long rental, that could cost you upwards of $90 per seat including the airport tax, and who knows what the condition will be. I can almost guarantee you that seat isn't even worth $90 brand new.

With us it's $55/wk plus 6.3% tax on a premium Britax car seat, and only $30-$38/wk on booster and infant seats. It's guaranteed to be clean, sanitized, safe, and include all instructions for installation. We also give a 10% discount on the second or more of the same item. We can deliver all your rental items wherever you rent your car, or can deliver to multiple locations like your car rental location for your car seats, and your accomodations with everything else.

3. Take the hotel shuttle from the airport and rent your car there

Most of our hotels and resorts offer a free airport shuttle and an on-site car rental service at their location. If they don't have an on site rental counter, most of the off-airport rental car locations will pick you up free at your hotel and take you to their facility. Again, you can return the car to the airport facility at no additional charge. So, if you don't need the car right away, this is a great option and can even cut days off your rental.

4. Use coupon codes or bid on Priceline.com

Here's a pretty good compilation of coupon codes for rental cars. You can also make a confirmed reservation in advance, then a few days before you trip, bid for something less than the rate you booked on priceline.com. Then, just cancel your other reservation if you get a better deal. If you're not picky about what company you get, this can be a good option. You can only bid for cars at the airport locations though.

Thanks Mom!

2009-04-24T22:06:00.006-07:00

Just a little "thank you" to all the moms and Mr. Moms out there -

Visit us over Mother's Day and enjoy the great Phoenix weather with a FREE rental of any of our "Outdoor" items with orders of $100 or more. Choose from a hiking backpack, wagon, tricycle, picnic table, pool float, or a swim vest for a free rental up to 1 week long. As long as any portion of your rental covers Mother's Day, May 10th, you can save up to $30! Subject to availiblity.

Visit us online to book your reservation today! http://sweetpeababyrentals.com/.

More on Rental Car Company Seats

2009-04-08T01:39:00.003-07:00

I was hunting down my own rental car seats at the Phoenix Rental Car center a few days ago and was led to the room where all the company's seats were stored. Let me reiterate once again what poor condition these seats are in! (Read here if you want more details.) Some were in plastic bags, although I don't think that meant they were necessarily clean, most had covers that were coming off, infant seats had no bases and looked to be of the absolute cheapest quality they could find. I didn't see any brand names on them so I'm not sure what they actually were, but I know it's nothing I've seen in stores in the last 5 years, which is when most car seats expire.

Most car rental companies charge $10/day for a car seat. Compare this with our rental rate of $11/day or $55/week for a top of the line Britax Marathon or Graco Nautilus, and you're not only guaranteed clean and sanitized seat, but a much better and safer one at that. Plus you're saving money if you're renting for more than 5 days! Our Graco Snugride infant seats are an even better deal at $8/day or $38/week.

AAP Recommends Rear Facing Seats for 2 years

2009-04-08T00:58:00.003-07:00

A recent release by the American Acadamy of Pediatrics recommends children ride rear-facing in their car seats until the age of 2, not 1 yr and 20 lbs as previously recommended. Read the AAP press release.

Rest assured that your little ones will be safe in our Britax Marathon car seats that we carry in our rental inventory. They can accomodate a rear-facing position up to 35 lbs, typically around the age of 2, and a forward facing positon up to 65 lbs and 49" in height.

Phoenix Children's Museum

2009-04-05T16:50:00.007-07:00

My 2 1/2 year old daughter and I visited the Phoenix Children's Museum today. I was really impressed by it and it definitely exceeded my expectations (and wasn't crowded at all, even for a Sunday). At $9 each, I didn't think it was too expensive and we even ended up buying a year membership at the end of our visit ($75 for 1 child and 1 adult). Infants under 1 are free but that's not to say there's nothing for them there.

The three-story museum is divided up into large themed play areas and smaller rooms each with a divided area especially for infants under 1. She especially liked the Market, complete with pint-sized carts, aisles of real looking groceries, two check out counters, and a stock room. This was right next door to the Kitchen, where stoves, pizza ovens, microwaves, and a stock of "food", aprons, and cooking utensils were plentiful. Moms, dads, and grandparents all sat in the surrounding restaurant while the kids prepared delicious meals. The Ball Room, art room, play area, and library all were great too. There's a lot to do for toddlers, preschoolers, and grade school aged children. Kids from 1-10 were all playing together and not toppling eachother over.

Parents are encouraged to leave the strollers in the car and there's really not a need for them inside. Sitting areas for parents are provided in most rooms and you are allowed to bring your own food in for a picnic outside or in the multi-use room. A small cafe is available to purchase drinks, snacks, and pre-packaged sandwiches.

If you happen to be in town on First Friday, admission to the museum is free! Read more about First Friday, the largest monthly art walk in the US! Our downtown streets are shut down, art galleries open up, and street vendors and performers are out from 6-10pm.

The museum is located on 215 N. 7th St (approx 7th St. and Van Buren, in the historic Monroe School building).

Double and Triple your Buggy Free!!

2009-03-27T15:24:00.006-07:00

Phil and Ted's has some great new sales going on right now. Take advantage of these offers to get even more out your Phil and Ted's stroller.

Purchase a Classic, Dash, or ultra-sleek Vibe buggy and get the doubles kit absolutely free!

Purchase a Graffiti Sport Buggy and get a doubles kit and a Lazy Ted adapter to turn your doubles kit into a bouncer all for only $480!

Both specials are only valid while supplies last so order today to get in on these great deals!

Graco Blossom high chair - New!

2009-03-19T07:10:00.004-07:00

Check out Graco's new Blossom high chair. It looks pretty cool and will be usable well beyond the typical high chair years with it's 4-in-1 options. Usable as a standard high chair, an infant booster high chair, a toddler booster, and a youth chair, it's longevity will be appreciated by many. Apparently you can use the high chair and toddler booster at the same time too. I'll be trying one out when they hit stores any day now. Now the real questions for me - how does it fold up for storage and transportation?...how many nooks and crannies are there to clean?...

Update: I checked this out in person and it doesn't fold up at all. It looks like a pretty cool chair and it's longevity seems great, as long as you have the space to keep it out all the time.

Spring Training in AZ Deals

2009-03-16T18:49:00.003-07:00

Check out the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale for a spring training deal. Get one free day of Camp Kachina kids camp for each child in your family!

Peoria Sports Complex (home of the Padres and Mariners) offers a deal on Monday night games for families. For $30 you'll get 4 tickets to the game, hotdogs, and drinks. Check the Cactus League website for game times and locations.

Rental Car Company Car Seats

2009-02-25T11:27:00.005-07:00

Courtesy of Las Vegas Baby Equipment Rentals, here's another reason why you should consider renting a car seat from a dedicated baby equipment rental company or bring your own. This was taken at a Fox rental car location yesterday in Vegas. Hanging from the fence by their tether straps are their rental car seats that have just been pressure washed with the car washing equipment. Well, at least they've been hosed down which is more than most other places do. If you missed the story about Advantage, take a look at this older post. It's scary at what is rented out and is clearly unsafe.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

2009-02-22T20:00:00.004-07:00

If you're visiting Phoenix or Scottsdale this spring, check out a spring training game. The valley is home to 12 of the 14 teams in the Cactus League for spring training. Games have already started and we have quite a few brand new stadiums to check out too! Use their handy trip planner to find out when your favorite teams are playing. Is your home team on the list?

Cubs

White Sox

Indians

Royals

Angels

Dodgers

Brewers

Athletics

Padres

Giants

Mariners

Rangers

And just a day trip away in Tucson

Diamondbacks

Rockies

Visit the Cactus League for more information.

Baby Travel Pros

2009-02-07T09:08:00.005-07:00

I wanted to tell you all about a brand new association my colleagues and I started for our industry! Baby Travel Pros is a not-for-profit association if independent baby equipment rental companies across the US and Canada. Myself, along with Raquel Quaid of Las Vegas Baby Equipment Rentals, and Sarah Wyles of Toddler's Travels in San Diego, began the framework of the association late last year, and launched the association in January. The association is working for our industry to establish best cleaning and maintenance practices, and is helping spread the word that family travel doesn't have to be stressful and cumbersome. Rest assured knowing member companies pride themselves in providing safe, clean and ideal equipment for your baby or toddler.

With the airline's new baggage fees and tighter limits on acceptable carry-on items, bringing gear with you has not only become less attractive, but almost impractical. Not to mention- what would happen if the airlines lost the suitcase that contained all of your precious gear or damaged your car seat or stroller? No longer do you have to lug all of the gear with you, now you can rent it from a reputable company and have it waiting for you at the airport, car rental agency, hotel or relative’s house when you arrive. With a focus on customer service and satisfaction, most members of Baby Travel Pros rent cribs, pack-n-plays, high chairs, booster chairs, car seats, strollers, toys, wagons, beach gear and more. Rentals are available for daily, weekly or long-term rates.

The services of affiliated members of Baby Travel Pros are helpful not only to the families that are traveling, but also to friends and relatives who are expecting visits from baby and toddler children. Grandparents are an ideal fit for our services by reducing the stress and expense of providing an infant nursery one year, and a toddler's essentials the following year. Baby Travel Pro's members will deliver and set up the crib or toddler bed for you or provide an infant swing to lull your grandchild to sleep. Most members services include delivery, assembly, and removal of all gear.

Now where ever baby goes, call in the pros!

Car Seat Safety and Rental Car Companies

2009-01-06T01:38:00.005-07:00

I ran across this story by Delicious Baby from a few months ago regarding rental car companies providing unsafe car seat rentals. If you plan on getting your car seat from a rental car company, be sure to call ahead to ensure that they have one available and verify models they provide if possible. In most cases, they can't or won't tell you and you never know what may or may not be waiting when you get there. These are some photos they complied of the selection they were given.

In summary, the story is regarding Advantage Rent A Car's LA location and is appalling. They were (and still may be) providing dilapidated car seats estimated to be up to 22 years old, horribly dirty, missing parts, and far out of current safety standards. Why I say they still may be is here in a follow up story after Advantage had supposedly "fixed" the problem. Both accounts involve parents unable to find a seat with enough parts to even install it correctly, let alone be safe for their child to ride in. Although I haven't relied on a car rental agency for a car seat, I would have expected something dirty but at least within current safety standards. But I certainly never would have expected expired car seats, ones smelling of vomit, infant carriers missing the bases, or ones so outdated that they didn't have 5-point harnesses.

In general, manufacturers recommend car seats are replaced every 5 to 8 years depending on the model, except some intended for longer term use like the new Graco Nautilus (available in our car seat rental inventory). Think about bringing your child's seat with you or save the hassle and rent one from a dedicated baby equipment rental agency at your destination. Many companies, including Sweet Pea Baby Rentals, will deliver your car seat to your rental car counter and can ensure and safe, sanitzed, like new car seat. Even if you are at the center in a last minute bind for a safe car seat, call a baby equipment rental company. Most were born out of mom's and dad's having these same experiences and try to accomodate emergency situations.

Vacationing to Phoenix or Scottsdale? Rent baby gear here!

2009-01-02T12:19:00.005-07:00

Renting baby gear at your destination can save you time, space, and stress. Let Sweet Pea Baby Rentals provide all the necessities delivered and set up at your location of choice anywhere in the Phoenix or Scottsdale metro areas.

We carry top of the line baby equipment for rent, all in new condition including:

Britax Marathon and Graco Nautilus car seats
Strollers by Bob, Phil & Ted's, Joovy, and Maclaren
Chicco high chairs
Kelty Kids hiking backpacks
Toddler Aero beds
Delta full sized cribs
Toys, infant items, supplies, and much more

Check out our ongoing package deals and current specials. Right now you can get a FREE CARES harness rental for your flight when you rent from us! The CARES (child aviation restraint system) is a revolutionary new product for air travel designed for children 22-44lbs who are able to sit forward facing in their own car seats. No longer do you have to lug your car seat onboard to ensure your child's safety. Read Travels with Baby's review of the system too. Shelly and her two young daughters borrowed two of our harnesses for a recent flight. She wrote up a great review, both pros and cons, of the system from the standpoint of a first time user and frequent flyer with her children.

CARES Harness Review

2008-12-11T12:04:00.005-07:00

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Shelly Rivoli of Travels with Baby. Shelly is an authority on traveling with kids and has written an excellent book that you can purchase through her website. You wouldn't believe all the places they've been with the kids in tow!

She recently borrowed our CARES harnesses for a trip with her two girls, 4.5 and 2.5 years old, and wrote an excellent review of the system, including it's positives and negatives that I want to share. If you're not familiar with CARES, it's an excellent alternative to carrying your child's car seat on board an aircraft that keeps them safe and secure. Read Shelly's CARES harness review on her Travels with Baby Blog and check out her other first-hand travel tips!

If you're ready to try one out, rent it from us today! We ship our CARES harness rentals to your location nationwide. Find out how to get a FREE rental through our current special.

Hotel Crib Safety

2008-11-22T07:22:00.001-07:00

As the holidays approach, many of us will be staying in hotels and resorts while away from home. Before letting your child sleep in a hotel's provided crib, check out a few safety items first. In a random test performed by Safe Kids USA, 4 out of 5 cribs were deemed unsafe due to various hazards. The biggest issue is that over half the time, cribs are made up with adult sheets and bedding which can come untucked and twist around a child. Most cribs were found to be defective, damaged, or even recalled. Read more about hotel crib safety here, or better yet, rent a crib or pack n play from Sweet Pea Baby Rentals or a local baby equipment rental company in the area you're traveling to. Rental companies have your best interests at heart by regularly maintaining, sanitizing, and providing appropriate bedding for their cribs.

If you do use a hotel provided crib, here's a few items to check before putting your child to bed:

Is there appropriate crib-sized bedding? Consider bringing your own fitted sheet with you.
Is the mattress support secure? Lift up the mattress and check it out.
Are there any loose screws or latches?
Are the bars more than 2 3/8" apart? A soda can should not be able to pass through the bars.

World-Wide Rentals

2008-11-18T14:08:00.003-07:00

The baby equipment rental business is a great niche with companies operating world-wide. Most were born out of moms and dads trying to fulfill a need that they encountered while traveling with their own family. Where ever you are traveling this holiday season or beyond, look up a rental company from one of these directories:

http://babytravelpros.com
http://www.baby-equipment-rental.com
http://www.thenewparentsguide.com/baby-equipment-rentals.htm

Strollers, strollers, strollers!

2008-11-05T14:48:00.006-07:00

Having run Sweet Pea Baby Rentals for over a year now, I've had the opportunity to try out several different strollers. I think at last count, I actually have owned 15 different strollers! I thought I'd post a quick run down and review some of them, including the ones we currently rent.

Full Sized:

Bumbleride Flyer - A bit heavy for me but the manuverability is great. I loved the reversible handle so baby could face me or the world, and the lockable swivel front and rear wheels were nice too. Height adjustment on the handle was good and manuvering department store racks was easy with both sets of wheels in swivel mode. It came with a lot of accessories for the price too.

Chicco Cortina - A little lighter than the Flyer and a lot of similar features. No reversible handle though and no unlocking swivel real wheels. It was very comfortable for my daughter and the snack tray on the front was great. It's pretty large when folded though.

Peg Perego Aria - I know a lot of people love these strollers, but it wasn't my favorite. It was difficult to manuver with one hand and felt a little flimsy. Maybe it was the light wieght of 9 lbs, which makes it great for carrying and lifting in and out of the car. It does fold quite small too. The snack tray is nice on the front as well but the canopy is pretty small and doesn't do much for the sun.

Phil and Ted's Classic (in rental inventory now) - Have had this one for about a month now and I like it a lot. No snack tray provided and it's a little on the hefty side weight wise. It does fold pretty easily and is of reasonable size for a three-wheeled stroller. I absolutely love that it's convertible to a double stroller with the doubles kit attachment. The harness has a wide range of adjustment but the canopy could be larger. Height adjustable handle is nice to have on this entry level model as well. It pushes very easily with one hand and is smooth. The air tires keep it quiet on city sidewalks as opposed to the clunking of standard plastic stroller wheels. The lockable front swivel wheel could be suitable for light jogging as well.

Umbrella Strollers:

Chicco Capri/C6 - This was my first umbrella when my daughter was old enough to sit up alone. It served it's purpose and made many a trip to the mall. For me, the handles were a bit too short and I kicked the wheels a lot. It was unsteerable with one hand too but it was much better than the basic Cosco/Kolcraft/etc umbrellas. The recline was minimal but it was better than nothing.

Maclaren Quest (in rental inventory now) - If I had only known how much better this one was, I would have sprung for the extra $100 over the C6 a long time ago. I held off for a long time because of the cost but after the last fateful trip to the mall where my back was killing me when we got home, we picked one up on sale at our local Babies R Us, and have been loving it ever since. It's easy to manuver with one hand and the handles are tall enough that I don't kick the wheels. I selected one with a black canopy because as with most umbrellas, the wheels hit the canopy when closed and it make unremovable stains. A lot of the Maclaren's have white or light colored canopies that look pretty dirty after only a couple uses. The recline on the Quest is nice, but I find we don't use it very often. I probably would have gotten the Volo instead, had I known since that's pretty much the only difference. One last think I love is that I don't have to bend down and unhook the latch to fold it. It can all actually be done with your foot!

Joggers:

Baby Trend Single Jogger with swivel wheel - I purchased this one at Target and it was ok, as long as you weren't actually trying to jog. When running, the entire stroller seemed to shimmy as if a wheel was out of balance or something. I got a replacement wheel from Baby Trend and it still did the same thing. The stroller was decent for the price of $99, but not great. It folds rather large and is awkward to put in a standard sized trunk. If you're main goal is to stroll the neighborhood, not jog, and not put it in your car, then it's a good deal. Otherwise, I'd opt for something better like the Phil and Ted's or a BOB. The folding mechanism got pretty sticky after a few months and had to be regularly maintained too.

Baby Trend Double Jogger with swivel wheel - This model is only sold at Babies R Us as far as I know. It was a decent double jogger but the children tended to slide together toward the middle because of the design. It did have independent recline on each seat and was actually not that bad for weight in terms of a double stroller. I didn't have any real complaints about it but it wasn't extra fancy or anything. It was pretty easy to push one handed and the fold was not bad in terms of size.

BOB Sport Utility Stroller (in rental inventory now) - Wow! What a difference between the cheap joggers and this one. It's fixed front wheel is suitable for walking or jogging but has to be lifted off the ground to turn the stroller. It has built in suspension for the child and some adjustment to how it tracks when moving. A hand brake is a nice feature for running and the foot break is the easiest I have ever used. The flip of one single bar locks both wheels and it's acutally unlockable while wearing flip flops, so you don't have to bend down and use your hand on the dirty brake. Being in Arizona, this is an important feature where flip flops are worn year round by nearly everyone! I've nearly broken a toe on many a stroller trying to unlock the brakes. One of the best features is the huge two-stage canopy that will shield your child from the harshest of summer days here in the Valley of the Sun. It is a bit bulky when folded due to the 16" rear wheels and fixed front wheel, but if you have the space and the funds for the $299 entry price, it's a great stroller.

BOB Revolution Duallie (in rental inventory now) - Again, another WOW! This is an extremely nice double jogger with a swivel front wheel. Many of the same pluses as the review for the single are noted, along with a swivel front wheel. Once again, the canopies are amazing and it also features lay flat recline for newborns and naps, along with attachments for some popular infant car seats, snack trays, etc. A good alternative if you don't need the big 16" offroad tires, is the 12AW model which features 12" aluminum wheels, saving space and weight.

Double Strollers:

Graco Duo Glider LXI - A great tandem double stroller, compatible with many infant car seats that can be used two at a time for twins. Folding is easy and steering is as well. The drop down basket in the back is ingenious when the rear seat is reclined all the way down. Comes with adult and kids snack trays and folds to a reasonable size for transporting. A great mall cruiser or neighborhood walker.

Joovy Caboose (in rental inventory now) - A sit/stand type stroller that's very manuverable. It's a little heavy but there is a ultralight version that's been made since I purchased mine. The fabric has held up well and it's compatible with most infant car seats.

Delta Crib Recall

2008-10-26T17:45:00.004-07:00

Last week, Delta Enterprises announced a major recall of over 1.6 million cribs with the drop side trigger lock design. Cribs manufactured up to January 2007 were affected including the popular Jenny Lind style that many equipment rental companies use for their no-tool asssembly. Sweet Pea Baby Rentals uses this style of crib however we have checked all of our models and NONE of our cribs are affected. We assure you that our cribs are safety checked before and after every rental and preventative maintenance is always done as well. To read the entire recall notice with model numbers see this article published by WebMD or visit Delta's own site at www.cribrecallcenter.com.

CARES Kids Fly Safe Aviation Restraint

2008-07-07T20:37:00.005-07:00

If you haven't heard of the CARES restraint yet, definitely check it out if you'll be flying with your toddler or pre-schooler in their own seat. The CARES system is a great FAA-approved product that allows your child to be securely buckled in to their own airplane seat without you having to lug a car seat on-board. Weighing just 1 lb and having it's own 6" carrying sack, it's easy enough to put in your diaper bag and carry on. It's designed for children 22 to 44 lbs who sit forward facing in their regular car seat. The system gives your child a secure and adjustable 5-point harness by slipping around the back of the airplane seat and utilizing the seat's lap belt to complete the system.

Maybe you'll only take one or two airplane trips with your child before they're able to safely use only the airplane's lap belt (which the FAA recommends is 40 lbs) and you don't want to invest in an item that will only get a few uses. Or, maybe you do make frequent trips with a toddler but you'd really like to try it out before purchasing one for yourself. In either case, our rental program is a perfect solution. The CARES system is available for rental daily or weekly through Sweet Pea Baby Rentals. We can ship your rental anywhere in the US or Canada so you don't need even need to be traveling from the Phoenix area to take advantage this great product.

We also offer a combination package of a CARES harness and a Safeguard Go folding car seat if you happen to be traveling to a destination that doesn't offer baby equipment rentals, or if you want to avoid extra baggage fees and possible damage by checking your full sized car seat. The Safeguard Go folds into it's own compact carrying case, small enough to be stowed in an overhead bin. The Go is not FAA-approved for air travel as it must utilize the top tether to function properly, which an airline seat does not have.

View all of our rentals for air travel, including the CARES, Safeguard Go folding car seat, Go Go Kidz Travelmate, and the Sit N Stroll at http://sweetpeababyrentals.com.

Kid's Events Guides

2008-05-16T19:19:00.003-07:00

Here are a few links to some current Phoenix-area kids activities. The sites are updated often so they always contain current events.

Mom's Zone
Southwest Valley Parent
Phoenix Kids
Bear Essential News

Outdoor Shopping with Free Kids Entertainment

2008-04-12T13:47:00.005-07:00

Here's something fun to do with the kids even when it starts to get hot outside. My 18 month old daughter and I stopped by the Westgate City Center outdoor shopping area located off of Loop 101 and Glendale Rd in the west valley today. We watched the fountain water show, checked out some shops and restaurants, and visited the kids water play area. Although she was a little too small, she had a blast watching the other kids run through the small fountains (not those shown in the photo!) and got close enough to get splashed a few times. There is a good amount of shaded area surrounded by grass and many plush patio chairs for parents to sit and watch. Make sure you bring a towel or a change of clothes as your kids won't be able to resist getting wet. There's also an AMC movie theater plus it's located right next to the Jobing.com Arena and our new University of Phoenix Stadium where the Arizona Cardinals play. Stadium tours are also available many days.

Play Places

2008-03-28T22:58:00.001-07:00

Makutu's Island
6919 W. Ray Road ~ Chandler, Arizona 85226 ~ 1-877-MAKUTUS

Makutu's Island is a 20,000 square foot, multi-level indoor playground made for children and adults (yes, you can play too). While Makutu's Island can get loud, there are places for parents to sit back and watch. You know your kids are safe climbing the multi level play structures with attendants on hand and coded wristbands. So let them climb, slide and race while you relax. Or you can join in on the fun. Admission $8.50 children (1-18), $3.50 adults (18 and over).

Tours and Towns

2008-03-28T22:27:00.004-07:00

Shamrock Farms Tour
40034 W. Clayton ~ Stanfield, AZ 85272 ~ 602-477-2462

Shamrock Farms is the largest family-owned and- operated dairy in the Southwest. When you tour the working dairy farm, you’ll see firsthand the pride that is put into everything Shamrock makes. Reservations are required. Children 2 and under are free. Admission $9 adults, $6 children, $7.50 seniors.

Rawhide Western Town
5700 West North Loop Road ~ Chandler, AZ 85226 ~ 480-502-5600

Anyone who grew up in Arizona has fond memories of this 1880's-inspired western town. Rawhide's new location at Wild Horse Pass might throw some of us old-timers off, but the fun is sure to be the same. Take the kids on a stagecoach or train ride or watch a live showdown on Main Street. Burro rides and panning for fool's gold will give the buckaroos something to talk about for months. Admission is free but attractions require tickets at $4 each. One day unlimited passes are $15 per person.

Science and Museum Fun

2008-03-28T21:23:00.004-07:00

The Arizona Science Center
600 E Washington Street ~ Phoenix, AZ 85004 ~ 602-716-2000

Located in downtown Phoenix, the Center features an IMAX theater, over 300 hands-on exhibits, and a 200 seat digital planetarium. Explore more than 300 hands-on exhibits in five themed galleries. Check out Preschool Science, specifically for children ages 3-5! Children ages 2 and under are free with a paying adult. Admission is $9 adults, $7 children, $7 seniors.

Challenger Space Center
21170 N 83rd Ave ~ Peoria, AZ 85382 ~ 623-322-2001

The Mission of the Challenger Space Center is to inspire, excite and educate people of all ages about the mysteries and wonders of space, science and the universe in which we live. Check out the preschoolers program, Public Space Place. General admission prices - children 5 and under are free, $6 adults, $4 students and seniors.

Phoenix Area Zoos

2008-03-28T20:55:00.010-07:00

The Phoenix Zoo
Voted one of the nations top 5 zoos for kids!
455 North Galvin Parkway ~ Phoenix, AZ 85008 ~ 602-273-1341

Visit this 125 acre zoo, home to over 1,300 animals, and also see over 1,200 varieties of plants! Enjoy 2.5 miles of walking trails, playgrounds, and shops. An interesting note about the Phoenix Zoo - it was started by the famed appliance family member Robert Maytag in 1962. Children under 2 are free with a paying adult. Admission is $14 adults, $6 children, $9 seniors. Summer rates may be reduced. Check the Phoenix Zoo website for details. Coupon

The Wildlife World Zoo
16501 W. Northern Ave ~ Litchfield Park, AZ 85340 ~ 623-935-WILD

As one of only a few nationally accredited, privately owned zoos in the United States, the Wildlife World Zoo features Arizona's largest collection of exotic animals with over 2,400 individual animals representing more than 400 exotic and endangered species. Visit the zoo babies including the baby white tigers and see an all-white albino alligator! A personal note, most of the zoo's trails are dirt or gravel so expect to be a little dusty when you get home! Children under 2 are free with a paying adult. Admission prices are $16.99 + tax adults, $8.99 + tax children. Coupon

Out of Africa Wildlife Park
3505 West Highway 260 ~Camp Verde AZ 86322 ~ 928-567-2840

Although Out of Africa Wildlife Park is NOT located in Phoenix, it is about a 90 minute drive north to the small town of Camp Verde. Out of Africa Wildlife Park is an opportunity to see animals from all over the world, especially Africa. Visitors enjoy an authentic replica of a real African Safari in the Serengeti. Out of Africa is home to over 400 wild-by-nature, animals. The park is only open Wed-Sun 9:30am-5pm. Children under 3 are free with a paying adult. Admission is $32 adults, $20 children, $28 seniors. Coupon

Parks for Family Fun

2008-03-28T20:24:00.006-07:00

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
7301 E. Indian Bend Road ~ Scottsdale, Arizona 85250 ~ (480) 312-2312

Take a ride on the miniature train, the carousel, or just enjoy the park, playgrounds, and shops. We love visiting this park because it's so much fun for the kids (and adults too!) Admission is free, children under 3 ride free with a paying adult and ride tickets are just $1. The train ride is 2 tickets and carousel is 1 ticket. You can't go wrong with a train ride for just $2! Our daughter really enjoyed the long ride around the park's playgrounds and the sound of the train's whistle as we crossed the sidewalks.

The Desert Botanical Gardens and Spring Butterfly Exhibit
1201 N. Galvin Parkway ~ Phoenix, AZ 85008 ~ 480-941-1225

The Spring Butterfly Exhibit runs through May 11th and highlights the beauty and diversity of North America’s butterflies. Expect to see Giant Swallowtails, Great Southern Whites, Zebra Swallowtails, Queens, Julias, Painted Ladies and Malachites among others. Friendly Garden volunteers, or “flight crews” will be on hand to answer questions and share information about the butterflies and plants. There are special display areas featuring butterfly host plants and a Discovery Station where you have the chance to see our scaly-winged friends up close.