Wingo

Wingo Diapers is a good quality Plastic Backsheet Diaper, imported from Malaysia. It is similar to Huggies Care. Currently, avaialable in Mumbai, Hyderabad. In Hyderabad, it is giving LIDO, a good competition.
Reasonably priced at Rs. 135/- per packet. That is 21 pieces in Small, 19 pieces in Medium, 16 pieces in Large and 14 pieces in XLarge. Definetly worth a try.

Matey Bubble Bath liquid

I have yet to meet a child who does not like a bubble bath. However, for kids we cannot use a normal shampoo or an adult bubble bath liquid as it will burn their eyes and make that fun pass time, not so much fun.

Surprisingly, I have not seen a good economically priced bubble bath liquid for kids in the Indian market. Well, atleast not in Hyderabad.

I use Matey, an imported one for my daughter. It's price in the local market varies between Rs. 345/- to Rs. 375 /- for 500 ml and I'm desperately looking for a cheaper alternative. Many have suggested using Johnson & Johnson Top to Toe but I feel we definetly have to use more of the liquid than Matey to get the same volume of bubbles. Matey is nice but I'm sure the Indian companies can come up with economically priced bubble bath liquid.

Johnson Top to Toe

Mild ... Mild ... Mild. J&J Top to toe or head-to-toe is so far the mildest soap for babies. It can be used for both head as well as body and therefore makes most sense. One of my favourite products from Johnson. Just dont understand why they have still not introducted it in the Indian Market. Well, its available at most super markets in India. I have not read a single negative review on this product. Infact, many parents use the same as a bubble bath alternative to strong smelling bubble bath liquids.

Finger Toothbrushes

One of the best items invented for kids. I went looking for finger toothbrushes many months ago and found that many brands had them. All are moreorless the same in quality but the prices varied based on whether it had a case or just the brush in blister packing. I bought one with the case cause you really cant keep the finger brush in a toothbrush holder.

My daughter loves chewing on the brush, so much so she just takes control of it. The minus point is that i've lost a few finger toothbrushes.

Anyway, the point i'm making is that, since all the finger toothbrushes are the same, and if you already have a case, then might as well buy an economical one. The best priced one I've found so far in the Indian market is MeeMee Finger Toothbrush which costs Rs. 55/-

Himalaya Baby Care products

As parents we usually go for the tried and tested cosmetics for our children. Johnson&Johnson, its almost synonymous for 'baby'. However, i have tried other brands and with good advice from my mom, i first tried them on myself and then on my baby. I found the Himalaya products to be a lot better than Johnson and Johnson. Some findings:
1. Take the J&J Soap for instance, it burns the eyes. Try it, yourself. My daughter has a habit of playing with the soap in the tub and by mistake she rubbed her eyes with it and she was howling. I tried Himalaya soap, it doesnt burn the eyes.
2. The Himalaya Oil has a lot more volume than the J&J Oil. You will feel the difference. If you use the Himalaya oil and then try the J&J Oil, it feels like water.
3. I swear by the diaper rash cream. Its simply amazing. I do put a generous helping, but in 6 hrs or lesser, the redness of the rash disappears and my daughter is a lot less hasseled.
But at the same time, i cannot discount the fantastic, soothing fragrance of J&J. So, I kind of feel that since we like the fragrance so much, we 'think' its good for our babies. My daughter too likes the fragrance :-) .... but i just cant ignore the goodness of Himalaya. So, I use the Himalaya Oil for her massage before bath and use J&J Lotion for after bath.

In India, J&J is still using talc in their powder preparations, but any good book will tell you that talc irritates a new born baby. In the US and Canada, J&J is using corn starch in the preparation of baby powder.
In India, I've seen in hospitals that nurses douse talc all over babies. It's not recommended, cause it confuses the baby. When a baby is born, he/she gets comfort from the familiar smell of his or her mom. Try it out yourself and you will see your baby will be calmer and less irritable. After 3 months, they have adjusted, the lungs are stronger and can bear the talc. The same with your perfume, avoid putting it on yourself for the first 6 to 9 months and let your baby enjoy your familiar scent. Later on, you can put your t-shirt on a pillow and your baby will sleep as comfortably next to the pillow, as he/she sleeps next to you.

Bella Happy Baby

Another recent entrant into Hyderabad, India. This is a European Brand, has its presence in Chennai and Bangalore. The diapers are manufactured in Poland and imported into India. Reasonably priced, fully breathable. Available in 2 pack sizes, 5+1 and 10+2. Good quality diapers. The weight mentioned on the packets could be misleading as European babies have broader builds than Indian babies, so xs 2-4 kgs will be for 3kgs to 5kgs.

The prices are:

Desc Weight Qty Price
XSmall (2-4 kgs) 5+1 54
XSmall (2-4 kgs) 10+2 104

Small (3-8 kgs) 5+1 59
Small (3-8 kgs) 10+2 109

Med (6-11 kgs) 5+1 64
Med (6-11 kgs) 10+2 119

Large (9-14 kgs) 5+1 74
Large (9-14 kgs) 10+2 129

More information available at:

http://www.bellaindia.com/content/Folder.2007-05-08.3110/Folder.2007-05-08.1535/Folder.2007-05-08.1616

Dry-Pro

There is a new brand in the market - DryPro. Reviews so far is that they are okay. Cloth feel, breathable diapers with sticking tags.
Pricewise, only the Mega Packs translate into savings. Here goes the price list.
Desc Qty MRP
Small 16 140
Small 32 280
Small 64 560
Medium 14 140
Medium 28 280
Medium 84 660
Large 12 140
Large 24 280
Large 72 660
Xlarge 10 140
Xlarge 20 280
Xlarge 60 660