Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Offline

Hi All!  As many of you know, we just bought our first home.  We don't have internet hooked up and life has been a little crazy to say the least.  I will try to get on and post reviews when I can.  Thanks for being patient and watch for an update!

Monday, December 29, 2008

Tendercare Diapers

Tendercare diapers are another eco friendly diaper. We decided to give them a go.

Pros: These diapers have great coverage and seem to run a bit big. I bought them in a size 4 which is supposed to be for babies that are 22-35 lbs. After comparing it to a few different diapers, I realized it looked more like a 5 and decided to use them on Chandler and Rowan. Although they are a plain white diaper, they don't use a chlorine bleach but a non-chlorine bleached woodpulp. They really seem to breathe well and we had no issues with any sort of diaper rash. Both boys wore these diapers overnight and didn't leak out of them. The outside of the diaper seems quite soft too. The tabs hold tight and we didn't have any problems with them coming off.
A few more pros of this eco diaper:
*Non Toxic
*Latex Free
*Perfume Free
These are all great for babies with sensitive skin.

Cons: This is yet another diaper that doesn't have the stretchy tabs, but the diapers were large enough and covered well enough that it wasn't too much of an issue. We did have one blowout with Chandler, but I figure that wasn't bad either as he was wearing a size 4. Actually, he wasn't EXACTLY wearing a size 4. It was actually a size "large" diaper. I find that weird where most diapers are categorized by size, that these aren't. Although the outside of the diaper felt soft, it was also a bit stiff, which I didn't like. These diapers are also quite expensive. We ordered a jumbo pack in a size 4 for $8.99 and only got 22 diapers. That doesn't last very long.

The Bottom Line: Great, reliable eco friendly diaper. Recommended for sensitive skin, although a bit expensive.

Price: (As noted on Diapers.com) $8.99 per jumbo pack
Price Per Diaper
Small (6-14 lbs) - $.26
Medium (12-24 lbs) - $.37
Large (22-35 lbs) - $.41
Extra Large (27+ lbs) - $.50

Where to Buy: Diapers.com

Rating: Great

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Merry Christmas

Just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas filled with great memories for you and your families.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Pampers Swaddlers


Pampers Swaddlers are the perfect name for what Pampers was trying to achieve with this newborn diaper.


Pros:  This is an extremely soft diaper and is perfect for delicate skin.  I worked on a Mom/Baby unit in a hospital for over a year and these are the diapers they carried.  The swaddlers we had in the hospital had a line on the outside of the diaper that changed when the baby had wet the diaper.  Pretty great for taking the guess work out when you have a fussy baby.  I used these with Rowan and Chandler and was not disappointed.  One thing that I had wished they had was a cutout for the umbilical cord so I didn't have to fold the diaper down.  After reading a comment from our reader and doing some research, I found out that the new Pampers swaddlers sensitive has the notch for the umbilical cord which makes this diaper that much more perfect.  They have the soft stretchy tabs which are very sticky and stay put!  They have a mesh liner on the inside like the Cruisers that pulls wetness away from your baby, thus helping with diaper rash.   They liner also has a gentle care lotion in it thus keeping your baby's skin nice and soft.  They have a cute sesame street design and offer great coverage.  They come in a variety of sizes as well:  Premie, Newborn, Size 1, Size 1-2, & Size 2-3.  

Cons:  These diapers are one of the most expensive newborn diapers, but the quality far outweighs the price.  The only other con about buying a newborn diaper that is more expensive is how often you are changing it.  I know we averaged 9-11 diapers per day until the boys were a month or two old.  I also wish that they carried this swaddler in a size 3.  Chandler was a 9 lb baby and Rowan was close to 9 lbs so they outgrew the swaddlers quickly.  I wished that they could stay in them longer, but they were both out of them by 3 months.  

The Bottom Line:  The BEST diaper for newborns

Price:
preemie -  $.32
newborn - $.24
Size 1-2 - $.18
Size 2 - $.23
Size 2-3 - $.28

Where to Buy: Diapers.com, Amazon

Rating:  Excellent

What other readers had to say about Pampers Swaddlers


For newborns: pampers swaddlers-they are have the little groove cut out for umb. cords like other newborn diapers, but they are SOFTEST on their precious new skin. The material feels softer and they elastic isn't uncomfortable around their legs. Downside-they aren't really thick. - Becca, mom to Christian

We like Pampers Swaddlers for NB size. - Christine, mom to Belle

We used Pampers swaddlers until Mady outgrew size threes, then we started trying out generic brands. - Cassandra, mom to Mady

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Pampers Cruisers

Pampers Cruisers are one of the more expensive diapers on the market. Worth it? Keep reading and you'll find out.

Pros: Pampers Cruisers are an extension of the swaddlers. They start in a size 3 (16-28 lbs) and go up to a size 7. It's nice that they offer them in a size 7 for larger children, or those who are in diapers longer, as many brands don't offer this big of a size.  Pampers doesn't disappoint when it comes to coverage. I think the cruisers run a tad bit bigger than most brands meaning that your little one can stay in a smaller size longer, saving you money. My 3 year old is fairly tall for his age and these diapers have GREAT coverage in the front and back. They are incredibly soft on the inside and out and move really well with your child. They have an absorb away liner which pulls pee and poop away from your child, thus helping with diaper rash. Pampers has a cute sesame street design which my son gets excited about wearing too. The sides are extremely soft and stretchy creating a snug fit. The tabs are sticky and I have NEVER had them come undone in the 18 months that we have been using them.  You can fasten and unfasten them, and they are still just as sticky.  I can count on my hands the number of times my boys have blown out of the Cruisers which is ALWAYS fixed by going up a size.  I can't rave enough about these diapers. 

Cons: These diapers are pricier than most but I feel that can be quickly outweighed by the fact that you will be doing less laundry.   I've heard some don't like the pampers because they are thinner and they seem soggier.  I like the fact that they are thinner as it means there is less bulk on your child, allowing them to move more freely.  They do seem a little soggy in the morning, but hey they DON'T leak.  Worth the extra money?  Absolutely.

The Bottom Line: My favorite diaper and the one I would choose if I were a baby/toddler.  :)

Price: $11 for a jumbo pack,  $21 for a box  (Price per diaper is based on a box, which is what I usually buy them in.  I almost always have a coupon too.  Watch for them in your Sunday paper.  They also have pampers coupons on the back of cheerios boxes right now, and if you shop at Walgreens or Albertsons, coupons print out at the register when you buy them for a future purchase.) Price per diaper is before coupons.

Size 3 - $.27
Size 4 - $.31
Size 5 - $.35
Size 6 - $.43
Size 7 - $.47


Where to Buy: Target, Diapers.com, Walmart, Most Grocery Stores


Rating: Excellent

What other readers had to say:

We've tried Huggies, Pampers, and a couple others and we had problems with the pee leaking through all the layers, with the cottony stuff sticking all over her bum, with the pee leaking out the front (if she sleeps on her tummy), etc. -Christine, mom to Belle

Pampers - I feel like Pampers are much better for baby girls than they are for boys. I love their texture, and they seem more comfortable, but they just do not hold up to a lot of liquid in the front. Tristan was constantly leaking out of his Pampers diapers - on him, on me, on the furniture - from birth. We tried them again at every size change, but it was the same situation over and over. - Jayme, mom to Tristan

"I have three children. For my first child and last child the very best diapers are Pampers. " - Fran, mom to 3

 "We normally use Papers baby dry. they are nice and trim and what I like best is i can fasten and unfasten then a lot and they stick stick.. no other brand I have tried does that ( ok not many people need this feature but it is nice for us:) )
Also if you use an alberston card you always get a ton of pampers coupons!" Holly, mom to Arora

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Luvs

Catchy name for a diaper, isn't it?  When I bought these diapers , I was sure hoping I'd "luv" them more than the last time I used them for my 3 year old.  These diapers tend to be cheaper than Pampers and Huggies, but a dollar or two more than generic store brands or white cloud.


Pros:  These diapers are actually quite soft and remind me of the pampers baby dry.  Although they feel thin, I've come to realize that thin doesn't necessarily mean bad as the pampers brand tend to be thinner. They have the stretchy tabs which are very soft.   The tabs are very sticky and hold in place well. Their bearhug stretch is a step up from how they were made before....with no stretch.  They also have a cute Blue's Clues design on them.

Cons:  I wanted to believe in this diaper, I really did.  When I first pulled them out of the package, I couldn't believe how strong they smelled like baby powder.  Holly, a reader featured in a comment below also complained of the smell when she used them on her daughter.   I thought I could get over the smell if they worked well.  I put one on my  3 year old (Chandler) and let him run around in  just a diaper for a while.  Not even an hour later, I saw him squat down on the kitchen floor to play on a toy and poop oozed out the side, down his leg, and onto his sock.  I know you all appreciate the plethora of information I've just bombarded you with, but at least you'll start to get the drift of how I feel about these diapers.   Chandler has worn pampers cruisers for over a year and has had MANY horrible poopy diapers.  He has never once pooped out of a diaper like he did that day.  It was horrible, and made a big mess.  I also noticed after an hour the diaper was starting to leak a little bit.  Fast forward to the next morning.  Chandler has had a luvs diaper on overnight and comes to climb in bed with me after his dad has gone to work.  We lay there for a few minutes and I decide to get up and go get some breakfast going.  I go back to make my bed and notice Chan has leaked all over the sheets I had just washed the day before.   I went to change his diaper and right in the tub he went.  His whole tummy was wet and he smelled terrible.  I wondered if it was just a small fitted diaper and held it up to a pamper's cruiser diaper.  It is actually about the same size, maybe a tiny bit smaller.   Now I just have to resign myself to use the rest of the package and hope he doesn't poop out and leak again. Will I ever buy luvs again?  Absolutely not.  If a diaper isn't going to do it's job, why buy it?

The Bottom Line:  Sometimes you GET what you pay for ;) I probably wouldn't recommend this product to anyone!  To get a second opinion, read the comments at the end of this post.  It seems like they really do work for some moms.

Price:  $8 for a jumbo pack (#'s of diapers vary by size)

Where to Buy:  Any major retailer or grocery store.

Rating:  Terrible


"We also tried luvs but the smell was so bad I hated putting that much perfume on my kids bottom." - Holly, mom to Arora

"I used the Luvs brand for a while too, and they were fine." -Lila, mom to Calvin

"Luvs - Another diaper that I feel is better for some babies than others. They didn't really form to Tristan's waist, and a lot of times he leaked through the top of his diaper. They are a value money-wise, but didn't really work for us." - Jayme, mom to Tristan

"With two kids in diapers I will buy anything that is on sale. Luvs have been the best for my 2 year old boy." -Jamie, mom to Isaac & Isabella

"Our little angel wears Luvs size 4. I've tried them all and have found I like these the best for the money." -The Ball Family

Monday, December 15, 2008

Pampers Gifts to Grow

If any of you participate in the Pampers Gifts to Grow program, they are offering free shipping on all rewards through December.  It's a great time to cash in!  For those of you who don't know about the program, you sign up for an account at pampers.com.  Then you collect points by entering in codes found inside the diaper packaging, and redeem them for rewards.  It's a nice perk if you already buy Pampers.  You can also enter the code:  WEAPPRECIATEU08 for an extra 10 points.  Not sure how long that code is good for.  

Friday, December 12, 2008

White Cloud Diapers

White Cloud Diapers are a generic type diaper that are specifically made for Walmart.   So how do they measure up? (Image from whiteclouddiapers.com)


Pros:  I was pleasantly surprised at how much these diapers hold.  After 3 night time feedings and 12 hours, they didn't leak.  We went through a whole package without one leak, so I was quite impressed!  They have a cute cloud design all over the diaper and accordian type tabs on the sides.  The price is pretty good on these diapers too.  Around $8 for a jumbo and $15 for a big box.  These were by far the best store brand of the ones that we tried.  They also have a wide variety of sizes which start at newborn and go up to a size 6.  They are also hypo-allergenic and Latex free.

Cons:  These diapers are pretty bulky.  After watching Rowan crawl around and pull up and cruise along the couch, I decided they don't move quite as well as other diapers we've tried.  Of course Rowan isn't complaining, but they just don't look as comfortable.  I'm not a huge fan of how the diapers stretch.  Most diapers that have the stretchy tabs have stretch to the whole tab.  These diapers only have stretch on the front 1/3 and it is an accordian type stretch which seems a little weird.  I didn't think these were very soft either, and don't look like they have quite as much coverage up front which could pose a problem for tummy sleepers.  

The Bottom Line:  Not my favorite diapers, but they seem to do the job and are cheaper than a lot of brands

Price - $8 for jumbo pack $15 for a box 
Price Per Diaper (If bought in a jumbo pack)
Newborn - $.12
Size 1 - $.14
Size 2 - $.17
Size 3 - $.20
Size 4 - $.24
Size 5 - $.27
Size 6 - $.30

Where to Buy:  Walmart

Rating: OK

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Diaper Giveaway!

Don't we all spend way too much on diapers? It probably doesn't help that it is Christmas time, and we'd love to spend our money elsewhere. Since I am doing diaper reviews I thought it would be appropriate to do a diaper giveaway! Up for grabs is a $15 Walmart gift card you can use for a few weeks worth of diapers. You know the drill - leave a comment to enter and let me know what kind of diapers you last bought.  Winners will be announced the day after my last diaper review....sometime in January.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Pampers at Albertsons

If you spend $20 on Pampers at Albertsons right now you get $5 off for a future purchase and 5 redbox rentals!  So if you have an Albertsons close by, it might be worth going!  (Thanks Holly for the deal.)

Monday, December 8, 2008

I've started to notice a trend with store brand diapers so I didn't want to try anymore.  However, one Saturday night I realized I only had a few diapers left for each of the boys so we made a quick stop at Albertsons to pick some up.  I decided to try the Baby Basics brand - the supreme kind.


Pros:  I try to keep an open mind with each diaper that we try.  I thought they had a cute print on them when I pulled them out of the package.  They didn't seem extremely soft, but weren't too bad either.  And....that's about all the pros ;)

Cons:  Where do I begin?  First of all, these diapers don't have the size printed on the front.  Chandler wears a 5 and Rowan is in a 4 right now.  Their diapers may look close in size but I can tell a huge difference if I accidentally put a 4 on Chandler and a 5 on Rowan.  There is no differentiation in the patterns either which doesn't help.  We keep the diapers on a shelf in the laundry room and I try to keep Chandler's on right and Rowan's on the left.  However, if I've just gotten both boys out of the tub and grab diapers to put on them, I have to hold them up to one another to remember which on to put on Chan and which one to put on Rowan.  The sticky tabs on these diapers are horrid.  They came off multiple times on the boys, or slipped, making their diapers sag down. And NO stretchy tabs, which I think should be standard in a diaper.  We've had blowouts, and a ridiculous amount of leaks from both of the boys.  Rowan even developed a pretty bad rash for a few days.  I wasn't sure it was the diapers, so I decided to use a different brand for a few days.  It cleared up.  I then tried the Albertson's brand again and the rash started coming back.  I really think it's due to the fact that they don't breathe very well.  Let's just say I was VERY happy when these diapers were gone.  

Price:  $8 for a jumbo pack

Where to buy:  Albertsons
Average price per diaper (based on the jumbo pack)
Size 3 - $.22
Size 4 - $.26
Size 5 -  $.30
Size 6 -  $.36

Rating:  Terrible

Friday, December 5, 2008

Vicks VapoRub


I know I am supposed to be focusing on diaper reviews, but I had to pass info about this product along as we are nearing cold and flu season.  

Marshall (my DH) came home with an e-mail the other day about Vicks VapoRub.  
The e-mail stated this:

"How to stop cough in 5 minutes!!! This is a must try... We have all been kept awake by our own or someone else's cough. Try this and pass it on. The tip and not the cough. ANYTHING is better than antibiotics. Even babies could benefit from this and the parents wouldn't worry about the safety of their child. And of course, it is harmless and free from any type of side-effects. WOW! I was raised, and raised my kids with Vicks. How come I never knew this? I can't wait for my next cough. Amazing!"

Treatment:
To stop night time coughing in a child (or an adult, as we found out personally), put Vicks Vapor Rub generously on the bottom of the feet at bedtime and then cover with socks.

" Even persistent, heavy, deep coughing will stop in about five minutes and stay stopped for many, many hours of relief. This works 100 percent of the time, and is more effective in children than even very strong prescription cough medicines. In addition it is extremely soothing and comforting and they will sleep soundly."

As many of you may already know, my 10 month old has asthma.  He's been on steroids, singulair granuals, and a few different albuterols for breathing treatments.  Some nights when he has a cold he doesn't get a lot of sleep due to coughing and wheezing.  (I don't get much sleep either.)  When Marsh brought this e-mail home, I read through it and decided to give it a try.  I am so pleasantly surprised with how well it works!  Rowan did stop coughing in about 5 minutes.  About 4 hours later, he was up coughing again.  I reapplied the rub to his feet and again he stopped coughing and slept restful the rest of the night.  We've now done this a few nights in a row and it has worked like a charm.  Pretty incredible, huh?  We are using the baby rub too which just has soothing ingredients and is safe for babies 3 months and older.  I might get some of the regular vaporub just to keep on hand though.  It gives me peace of mind to use something like this to calm Rowan's wheezing and coughing rather than an albuterol with a steroid in it.  I'm sure if we used the original vaporub it would stop his coughing for the entire night.
Supposedly this works on adults too, and I am definitely going to try it the next time I get a cold with a cough.

Ingredients in Original VapoRub
Active Ingredients (Purpose)
Camphor 4.8% (Cough suppressant and topical analgesic)
Eucalyptus oil 1.2% (Cough suppressant)
Menthol 2.6% (Cough suppressant and topical analgesic)

Ingredients in BabyRub
Petrolatum, fragrance, aloe extract, eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, rosemary oil

You can buy this in most grocery/retail stores. I will usually buy the generic brand from Target.

Hope this helps!

Gymboree Sale

Gymboree online is having a 25% off sale and free shipping on any order. The free shipping is great in and of itself!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Target Brand Diapers


I must admit, I love Target.  Love their store, love their stuff!  I remember buying Target brand diapers when Chan was little and using them for a while.  I stopped using them and couldn't remember why, so I bought another pack and decided to give them a go.


Pros:  These diapers are extremely affordable.  I got a jumbo pack in a size 5 for Chan.  It had 30 diapers and was less than $6.  Right now there is a cute frog/bug design.  The top part of the diaper is stretchy in the middle, both front and back giving a snug fit to your baby.  The inside also feels quite soft.  They aren't as bulky as some of the generic diapers  and actually hold quite a bit.  

Cons:  These don't have the stretchy tabs like a lot of diapers do now.  I really don't like that because that means the diaper doesn't give as much and move with your child, and therefore you might have more leaks.  They also seem a bit smaller than the leading brand diapers in a size 5.  In using 1 pack of diapers, we had three bad experiences with this diaper.  #1 - No matter how tight I fastened this diaper, it seemed to sag down,  even with a diaper that isn't very full. I caught Chandler flashing his little bum a few times :) #2 - One day I saw Chandler grabbing at his pants and walking funny.  He kept saying, "Oh no!"  When I went to change his diaper, the tab on the left side had completely torn off, meaning his diaper was hanging by one tab and not doing it's job.  Need I say more? #3 - On another occasion I noticed Chan had brown on his hands.  Then I realized he had blown out of the back of his diaper halfway up his back.  It was obviously bothering him, so he put his hand on his back to figure out what was going on.  1 crappy diaper (pun intended) resulted in poopy clothes, poopy hands, and a much needed bath.  Personally, I'd rather pay 10-15 cents more for a diaper that works than do that extra laundry and give an extra bath.  I don't remember the target brand diapers performing this poorly.  I should probably go up to a size 6 and give them another try, but I'd rather use a better diaper in a size 5 that performs like it should.

The Bottom Line:  Terrible generic diaper, won't buy again, wouldn't recommend.

Price: $6 for a jumbo pack, $15 for a box
Approximate price per diaper:
Size 1 - $.12
Size 2 - $.14
Size 3 - $.16
Size 4 - $.18
Size 5 - $.20
Size 6 - $.22

Where to Buy:  Target

Rating:  Terrible

Comments from readers:

"My eldest and youngest seem to have explosive BM's (sorry for being so explicit) but my middle child did not and I could use just about anything with him. I used Target brand and Luvs mostly for him. I will add that my eldest is a girl and youngest is a boy, so I do not think the gender issue has anything to do with it."  - Fran, mom to Becca, Kevin & Sean

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Pampers Diaper Deal

Amazon is having a sale on Pampers diapers, up to 30% off, which is a great deal as their diapers hardly go on sale. Free shipping and you don't even have to go to the store! Click here for more info on the deal. (From slickdeals)

Monday, December 1, 2008

Huggies Natural Fit Diapers are a step up from the normal Huggies Diapers.  They are designed to have a more contoured fit for baby.


Pros:  My favorite thing about these diapers are the fact that they have an hourglass shape rather than a straight fit like most diapers.  I also like that the back of the diaper is very stretchy, helping it hug around baby's waist more snugly.  The tabs are very stretchy and durable. They are very soft on the inside and out and have a cute Winnie the Pooh design.  In comparison to other diapers they run pretty true to size.   These diapers really hold a lot too!  They seem to breathe well and they've never caused diaper rash with either of the boys.  

Cons:  I don't feel that the tabs are all that sticky.  I've had them come undone on my boys and you don't want that as it creates a mess to clean up.  (That could be a little bit my fault as well - maybe I didn't close them well enough?)  I also feel like they don't have as much front coverage which you need for boys.  If my 3 year old sleeps on his belly at night sometimes he will leak out of these.  I'm sure if we went up a size it might fix this problem but he doesn't consistantly leak out of the top, just occasionally.  I also think that Huggies are somewhat "smellier" meaning my kids smell a lot stronger of urine in the morning when they wake up then other diapers.   They tend to be more expensive than generic brands but are slightly cheaper than Pampers Cruisers, which they are comparable to. 

The Bottom Line:  Huggies are a great diaper and do a good job for the most part.  

Price: $10 for  a jumbo pack, $20 for a box 
Average price per diaper:   (According to diapers.com and amazon.com)
Size 1 - $.23
Size 2 - $.27
Size 3 - $.30
Size 4 - $.35
Size 5 - $.40
Size 6 - $.49
 (If you go to the Huggies site and sign up for their newsletter, they will send you Huggies coupons in the mail.)

Where to Buy: Walmart, Target, any grocery store, diapers.com

Rating: Great

What other readers had to say about Huggies:

 "I really like Huggies. They have stretch wings so that the diaper can fit more snugly at the waist and the wings also make the diaper more "adjustable". They are really great for night, as they hold more than other diapers their size, so you don't have to wake up a sleeping baby just to change his diaper. They are one of the more expensive brands, but work well. We use these as Tristan's "night-time" diapers." - Jayme, mom to Tristan


"We've tried Huggies, Pampers, and a couple others and we had problems with the pee leaking through all the layers, with the cottony stuff sticking all over her bum, with the pee leaking out the front (if she sleeps on her tummy), etc." - Christine, mom to Belle


"After newborn stage---cheap diapers during the day (becuz you change them a billion times anyways) and huggies at night--they are softer and padded well for big potty messes." - Becca, mom to Christian


"We tried huggies a few times but they are very bulky on my daughter. " - Holly, mom to Arora

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Thanks all for entering. After looking through the comments and checking to find links on blogs, I put the numbers in the number generator via random.org. The first and second numbers both requested the boy's shoes, so I had to look at who wanted the girl's shoes and redo it. Seems like we have a lot of moms of boys reading :) After the 5th try of generating numbers, I finally got a winner for the girl's shoes too.

Winners
Boy Shoes: Lila
Girl Shoes: Christine
Lila & Christine, will you please e-mail your addresses to snedfam@gmail.com? Thanks!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

The Diaper Dilemma

Diapers, diapers, diapers! Many of us find our favorites through trial and error. Every child is different and everyone may have a different opinion about the diapers that they do and don't like. I was one of those moms who went through every diaper with my first son, trying to decide what we liked the best. Since that was a few years ago, I decided to try another experiment. I have my favorite diapers which I use faithfully but decided to give the other brands another shot since it's been a few years. We have 2 boys in diapers, ages 10 months and 3. Over the next month, I will review different diapers that we've tried again and why we did or didn't like them. I will also include reader's comments in the posts if I received feedback about that diaper.  As far as cloth diapers go, I have no experience, and I don't intend to.  Kudos to moms who cloth diaper though!  I have a few readers that will be featured in guest posts that have used cloth diapers.

One big thing I've learned about diapers is that if you find a brand is constantly leaking, go up a size. The weight guidelines for diapers are just a suggestion and while the weight for a size 4 diaper is typically 22-37 lbs, my 10 month old has been wearing them since 8 months and 18 lbs. So if you decide to try different diapers for yourself and hate a diaper because it is leaking, go up a size and give it another shot. Also, make sure the guard on the inside of the diaper that goes around their legs is flared out. If it is tucked in against their legs, that's asking for a blowout!  I've learned that too many times the hard way.


I also found this awesome article on answers.com about how a disposable diaper is made.  Really interesting and a good read.

Since I have your attention, I'm sure you are all SO excited to get reading about diapers. What mom doesn't LOVE changing diapers? *wink* Hopefully the reviews to come will help you make an informed decision and guard against those infamous blowouts and leaking diapers.

Diaper reviews will start on Monday - Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Monday, November 24, 2008

Aveeno has great line of bath and body products.  They also carry baby products - their diaper rash cream being one of them.


Pros:  I was so excited when I decided to try this product and realized it didn't have that potent smell that most diaper rash creams have.   It has zinc oxide which helps protect and create a barrier for baby's skin.  This is really important in treating and preventing diaper rash.  It  is a very creamy formula that goes on smoothly and wipes off nicely too, without leaving a residue.  It is fragrance free and hypoallergenic making it optimal for sensitive skin.  It also includes natural oat and willowherb essence which helps soothe on contact.  I have been pleasantly surprised everytime I have used this product on how effective it is in getting rid of diaper rash.  

Cons:  Sometimes this will not get rid of diaper rash completely, but I have only noticed this when Rowan has a yeast type diaper rash.  Yeast diaper rashes need to be treated a bit different anyway.  Any other time, it works wonderful.  It also tends to be a little more expensive than some brands, but a tube lasts a LONG time.

The Bottom Line:  Great diaper rash cream, definitely recommended, the one we use.

Price:  Around $5 for 3.7 ounces  

Where to Buy:  Target, Walmart

Rating:  Excellent

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Turkey Winners

Brook and Krysta!  


E-mail me your info ladies and I will get them off ASAP.  (I'd like your kids to be able to wear them before or on Thanksgiving.)  

Check back next week for winners of the Children's Place Shoes!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Two Day Turkey Giveaway!

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching us and what better way to celebrate than with some festive shirts for your little turkey? :)  I have 2 Thanksgiving shirts from Old Navy available - a bodysuit in 6-12 months and a 3T shirt. 

This giveaway is sponsored by Sara - an Independent Scentsy consultant.   What is Scentsy?

Scentsy is a line of wickless candles. You purchase a warmer, a few scents, and you are on your way.

"Scentsy is safe for young children. That is one of its major selling points! There is no open flame, so no potential problem for burns and fire. Also, it is not emitting lead and soot into the air like traditional candles do. The wax is heated to just above body temperature so if children do get into the wax, they won't get burned. If you are afraid your child will pull the warmer over, you can always try a plug-in warmer that is made to go in upper plug-ins that are found in kitchens and bathrooms. " (Taken from Sara's blog.)

I love Scentsy. Covers up that poopy diaper smell and is safe for my kids. Two thumbs up from this mama!
Let's show Sara some love - head over to her Scentsy website and browse around, place an order if you'd like (shipping is 10% of your order.)

Then come back here, and leave a comment letting me know what scent you think would smell yummy and which Thanksgiving shirt you would like to win.

Since Thanksgiving is so close, this giveaway will end on Saturday - 5:00 pm MST and winners announced that evening!


Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Carter's has been around since 1865.  That's a long time!  How does their onesie compare?  (Carter's refers to them as bodysuits.)


Pros:  These onesies are made of an extremely soft cotton.  They are very thick which keeps baby warmer and helps the onesie keep it's shape.  They have nice stretch and give to them as well.  These are wonderful for babies with long torsos.  The way they are shaped, (narrow and long)  helps give baby a cute snug fit.  They have the wide neck for easy dressing, and the traditional 3 snap closure on the bottom as well as a tagless back.  I got a set of these onesies from my mom when Chandler was born.  They washed up wonderfully with hardly any piling, stains came out easily, they held up so well, and they didn't shrink!  (Wahoo!)  I put them away and when I pulled them out to use again with Rowan, they were still as wonderful as I remembered.  They also come in tons of great colors and patterns.  There are short and long sleeved onesies available, and they start in a preemie size and go up to 24 months.

Cons:  The only thing I don't like about Carter's  - their sizing is a little weird.  Instead of the traditional 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-12 months, you get newborn, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months.  After using Carter's products for a while, it's not a big deal, but if you haven't bought from them before, here's how I think the sizing runs.  "Newborn" is equivalent to a 0-3, "3 months" = 3-6, and so on.  Not too much of a con once you have their sizing figured out.

The Bottom Line:  By far the BEST onesies I've ever used.  Quality made, great fit, cute styles

Price:  These retail at $22 for a 5 pack, but watch for them on sale and you can usually get them $15 or less for a 5 pack.  (I usually get them at Kohls instore or online.)

Where to Buy:  JcPenney, Kohls, Macy's

Rating:  Excellent

Monday, November 17, 2008

Gerber Onesies

Onesies are a staple in every baby's wardrobe.  They are great for keeping baby warm, provide easy diaper changes and act great as an undershirt or a shirt by itself.


Pros:  Gerber Onesies come a wide array of sizes.  Starting at a preemie size and going up to a 4T, they have a wide variety of sizes.  (The bigger toddler sizes are harder to find and you usually have to buy them online)  They also come in a lot of cute colors and patterns and it seems like new ones come out at least once a year.  The way the neck is designed makes it easy to get the onesie over baby's head and makes for easy dressing.  A few years ago, they also started making these tagless which is nice.   When we bought our first pack of onesies when Chan was a baby, the tags would make him itch.  That problem is gone now with the tagless solution.  They are made of 100% cotton  and are fairly inexpensive, usually $8-10 for a 5 pack.

Cons:  After you wash these a few times, they start to pile.  I've also noticed that because they aren't a very thick stretchy cotton, they shrink and seem to get wider.  Because they shrink, you can't use them as long.  My boys both have long torsos and it seems with the Gerber onesies I am always stretching them to get them to snap at the bottom.  I know you can buy onesie extenders to prolong the life, but you shouldn't have to do this with a good onesie, right?  I didn't save any of Chandler's Gerber onesies for Rowan as the quality wasn't great.

The Bottom Line:  Ok product that does it's job, but thin material and shrinks easily.

Price: $8-10 for a 5 pack

Where to Buy:  Walmart, Target, Amazon

Rating:  OK

Friday, November 14, 2008

The Children's Place has soft soled shoes for babies, in 4 sizes starting in a newborn and going up to 18 months.  


Pros:  These are  great quality, and very soft.  They really move with baby's foot and come in a variety of sizes and colors.   The bottoms of course are soft soled, but many of the styles also have resin rubber flexes that provide traction for baby if they are pulling up or learning to walk.  As many of the competitor's soft soled shoes are slip ons, The Children's Place has slip ons, and some with velcro straps.  I like the idea of the velcro straps as they are easier to get on since you have more room when the velcro is undone.  They also seem a bit wider than other soft soled shoes which is great news for little babes with wide feet.  And last but certainly not least, they usually have some super cute styles that will compliment any wardrobe.  Watch for these on sale and you can get some great deals.

Cons:  Because they are a bit wider, if you don't fasten the velcro on these shoes, your baby will be able to easily get them off.  The first time I put a pair on Rowan, I didn't fasten the velcro straps very tightly.  He rubbed his feet together and had them off in about 30 seconds.  I put them on again and fastened them much tighter and didn't have this problem again.  They also seem a bit wide on his foot as well.

The Bottom Line:  Super cute shoes, well made, good traction

Price:  $9.50-$14.50 (regular prices depending on style of shoe)

Where to Buy:  The Children's Place - In Store or Online

Rating:  Great

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Avent Bottles

Avent bottles were recommended to me by a friend when I first had Chandler.  Although I did breast feed him for  5 months, I wanted to make sure he would take a bottle while I was away.  After trying a few bottles, we decided to stick with the avent.


Pros:  These bottles have been clinically proven to reduce colic.  There is an airflex valve which allows your baby to control the flow of the bottle, thus making the transition from breast to bottle a breeze.  The skirt on the nipple of the bottle allows air into the bottle without letting your baby swallow air.  This was one of my favorite features.  The nipple stays full and air stays on top of the milk.  I love how the nipple does not collapse.  It is a nice wide, sturdy nipple that is also extremely easy to clean.  The outside of the bottle also has very easy to read ounce measurements which makes measuring breastmilk or formula so easy.  Another thing I love about these bottles - they hold up.  They don't fade, and don't deteriorate.  Chandler used these bottles numerous times throughout the day for over a year and they still looked great and new.  They come in 3 convenient sizes, (4 oz, 9 oz & 11 oz), and have five different flow rate nipples that will grow with your baby.  You can also buy sippy cup tops and training handles for these bottles when your baby gets older.

Cons:  The biggest con about this bottle is if you don't screw the top on straight, or screw it on too tight, it will leak.  Once I mastered putting it on securely but not too tightly, it wasn't a problem.  However, I know some moms that this is frustrating for and don't like the bottle for this reason.  There also used to be a concern with these bottles and BPA.  "BPA is a chemical some companies were using in their plastic.  There is controversy that high levels of BPA in the body can influence hormone levels and increase the risk of health problems." (Taken from about.com) Yes, it is controversy and not proven.  However, Avent is now making their bottles without BPA in them.  Look on the outside of the bottle before you buy to see that it is BPA free.  At one point a few months back, Babies R Us was taking Avent bottles back (even used ones) and giving a credit for them since they contained BPA.  Not sure if they are still doing this.

The Bottom Line:  I think Avent bottles are great and would recommend them.

Price:  Around $4.00

Where to Buy:  Target, Amazon, Kmart

Rating: Great

Monday, November 10, 2008

Playtex Ventaire Bottles

Playtex VentAire bottles have a special design to reduce gas and colic in babies.  Playtex has been around for 75 years so did they get the bottle right?


Pros:  There are two different types of VentAire bottles - the standard and wide.  I have only had experience with the standard bottle so I will mostly be focusing on it.  I really like the unique shape of this bottle.  It helps keep the nipple full which is a great step in helping reduce the air that a baby swallows while eating.   Your baby can also eat sitting in more of an upright position with these bottles.   These are also very easy to clean as they unscrew at the top and bottom.  They are priced well and are not too expensive to try.

Cons:  I didn't like how these nipples were smaller and seemed to collapse quite easy.  After reading up about the wide vent aire bottles though, I think the wider nipple may have solved this problem.  Even though these bottles are easy to clean, because the bottom screws off, it is one more part you have to clean and put back together.   The first time using these bottles, the nipple flow seems VERY slow.  It does get better over time, but you want a bottle to perform from the start right? 

The Bottom Line:  Good Design and bottle.  I have talked to moms who love these bottles but I didn't care for them.

Price:  $2-3

Where to Buy:  Walmart, Target, Amazon

Rating:  OK

Friday, November 7, 2008

Fill in the Blankie

It seems like anything personalized is in right now. You see personalized pacifier clips, labels like the orbit labels I reviewed, onesies, bibs and more. Personalized items for baby really add that special touch. Fill in the Blankie is an ultra personalized blankie, taking it one step further.
How do they take it one step further?

According the their website, this is how they do it:
"We personalize ‘em out the wha-zoo”
You provide the copy, we’ll embroider your warmest wishes along all 4 satin edges. Much more than a monogram, or a name & a date, you’ll have up to 200 characters to work with. Each blanket truly tells a story.

Pros: I love that they have so much personalization. You can add your baby or child's name, birthdate, a special saying, or anything else you can possibly think of. They also have a special inspirations page to help you if you don't know what to put on it. How cool is it that you can personalize all 4 edges? Great idea. They are available in 3 great sizes with tons of different types of blankies to choose from. They also have lots of fonts and colors for the embroidery.
When I first got my blankie in the mail, I thought the packaging was adorable. Rowan seems to love it too. It's the Martha's Majesty style blankie and is incredibly soft with beautiful detailing. These blankies are great for special occasions but are also great to use as a lovie blanket. They wash up well and are really great quality. I think they'd also be a great baby shower gift and they offer gift wrapping as well as cute plush animals they can add to the blankie.

Cons: I don't have any complaints about these blankies, just wish I had known about them sooner!


The Bottom Line: Great quality cute blanket with a fun personalized touch. Visit Fill In the Blankie to learn more

Price: $39+ depending on the style you order.

Where to Buy:
FillIntheBlankie.com

Rating: Excellent

Thursday, November 6, 2008

GAP Sale

Anyone that knows me knows that I am all about sales and getting good deals.  I decided that if I saw a really good deal on baby or children products I would pass it on to those who are reading.    Gap  is having a sale - an extra 25% off sale  items.  Enter the code EXTRA  at the checkout.  (Will only work for sale items.) For those of you who have a store near you, this is in store too.  I LOVE  baby Gap clothes, they hold up extremely well, are great quality and super cute.  A lot of the baby clothes that I kept from Chandler to use for Rowan were Gap and they still look new.  I refuse to pay their high original prices though and will watch for sales like this one.  Enjoy!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags are a way for moms to store breast milk for their babies.

Pros: These bags are thick and have a double zip closure, this helping prevent against freezer burn and possible leaks. They are easy to close and stay closed.  They are BPA free which adds that sense of security while using them.  The ounces are measured on the outside of the bag  and there is also a place for you to write the date and ounces at the  top of the bag.  You can lay these flat to freeze and they don't take up a lot of space.  It is very easy to pour milk into these and they have a great pouring feature when you unthaw milk to pour it into a bottle.  When you buy these in a 25 count pack, they come in another nice ziplock bag.  This bag lets you know how long to store breast milk in a freezer which I thought was helpful as I could never remember on my own.  


Cons:  These might a bit pricey for moms having to use them all of the time.  However, I think the pros of how good this bag is makes the price worth it.  I have also on occasion had these bag leak which usually happens when you thaw it out.  Most times the milk is lost which is frustrating.  I did only have this happen a few times though.

The Bottom Line:  Wonderful breast milk storage bag!

Price:  $6 for 25 bags or $10 for 50 bags

Where to Buy:  Target, Drugstore.com

Rating:  Great

Monday, November 3, 2008

Gerber Biter Biscuits

Chances are if you've walked down the baby feeding isle at the store, you've seen a box of Gerber Biter Biscuits.  Designed for an older baby learning to self feed.  Here are some guidelines as given on the box if your baby is ready for biter biscuits:


*Crawls on hands and knees (with tummy up and off the floor)
*Eats thicker, lumpier foods with larger pieces
*Uses jaws to mash food with gums
*holds small food between thumb and first finger

Pros:  These come individually packaged which means they stay fresh.  They are easy to take on the go and nice to keep in your purse or diaper bag.  You get 12 to a pack which is a pretty good value for what you spend on them.  They are a hard, sweet cracker/cookie. I think they taste a little bit like a nilla wafer, so the flavor is actually pretty good. They are also thick which makes it easy for baby to hold onto.  The biscuit is great at keeping your little one occupied for a while and provides great teething relief.  They also have a cute design on the front with the Gerber imprinted on them.  Rowan, my 9 month old really seems to enjoy these.

Cons:  Although this isn't really that big of a con, I want to know who named them "biter biscuits."  It sounds like some sort of dog treat to me....don't you think? .....ok, getting back on track now. :)
Once your baby has gummed on one of these for a while, they start to get really mushy and extremely messy.  Little pieces come off which may pose a choking hazard, but are nothing to worry about if you are properly supervising your child.  They don't have much nutritional value, but I've learned that not a lot of these "baby snacks" have much to them.  45 calories per biscuit with just a few carbs, a little bit of sugar and salt and no real vitamins.  

The Bottom Line:  Good teething snack but messy, poor nutritional value

Price:  $2-3

Where to Buy:  Most major retail chains, grocery stores

Rating:  OK 

Saturday, November 1, 2008

This month I am giving away a pair of girl's or boy's soft soled shoes from the children's place. Super cute, huh? I will be reviewing this product this upcoming week. You have until the 29th of November to enter, and winners will be announced on the 30th! Just leave a comment to let me know you are reading! Link this giveaway on your blog and get another entry. Both sets of shoes are size 12-18 months.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

3 pieces that go to a sippy cup, 3 more pieces that go to the bottle. Straws, valves, bottle nipples, and more. Doesn't it get old washing them by hand? At the same time, you've probably had pieces melt in the dishwasher or had the problem of them not getting washed well enough. You are nodding your head as you read this, right? The Munchkin Dishwasher Basket attempts to solve this problem for us.

Pros: This is basically a basket that you put in the top rack of your dishwasher. The basket opens up and is a great place for your sippy cup valves, nipples, straws, and any other little piece you may have. If you are washing bottle nipples, you actually pull them up through the top and they actually get washed well. Too many times I have washed bottle nipples on the top rack only to find them still dirty, turned on their side with dirty dishwasher water and other junk still in them.  This solves that problem which is so nice! The top has room for 14 bottle nipples and then also has room for other things such as sippy cup lids and valves. There is also a handy straw holder on the side if you have straws you need washed. (The straw holder can be removed)The plastic on this is very tough so it holds up well.

Cons: This does take up some space in the dishwasher, so if you live in an apartment like I do and have a small dishwasher, it's hard to really make room for it. It also makes it awkward when your dishwasher is small and you are trying to unload other cups and bowls from around it.  I've had a few problems getting it open up when it is wet. I like what the product is for but ended up getting rid of ours as it just took up too much space. One day when I have a big new dishwasher, I'd invest in another one of these.

The Bottom Line: Cool product, does it's job.

Price: $4-6

Where to Buy: Amazon, Target

Rating: Great

Monday, October 27, 2008

Johnson's Baby Cream

Johnson's Baby Cream is that classic baby smell in a thicker cream instead of just a lotion.

Pros: It's nice to have this lotion in a cream for dry skin. It does a great job moisturizing and has that great baby scent. It is a very mild formula and is allergy tested. I feel like it does a much better job than the original baby lotion. It comes in an 8 oz size and a soft squeeze tube.

Cons: This isn't the best cream for babies with exzema. I think there are better alternatives to help deal with this type of dry skin. I also think you have to apply often for it's moisturizing benefits.

The Bottom Line: A good lotion with that smells wonderful.

Price: $3.99

Where to Buy: Most major retailers (Walmart, Target)

Rating: OK

Saturday, October 25, 2008

The First Years Take and Toss not only has sippy cups that I have reviewed before, the have a whole line of products that inexpensive enough to "take and toss"


Pros:  I love the bowls and cutlery that you can get.  The bowls are the perfect size for cereal and come with lids so that you can throw snacks in the diaper bag.  They come in bright fun colors and wash up really well in the dishwasher.  They have baby as well as toddler cutlery.  We have had the toddler cutlery for 2 years and it has held up so incredibly well.  It is also the perfect transition size from baby spoons to full size cutlery.

Cons:  No Cons from this mama!

The Bottom Line:  This Take and Toss line is reasonably priced, holds up well, and is definitely recommended!

Price:  $12-15

Where to Buy:  Right now at Amazon, you can get the 28 piece set for $11.95 and free super saver shipping.

Rating:  Excellent

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Good Bites

Good Bites are another mom inspired invention.  How many little kids don't like a crust on their bread?  I could raise my hand on this one as I didn't like them when I was little.  I do now, but it took me time to warm up to the idea.  I remember tearing the edges off my bread many times when I was a child.  With Good Bites, you don't have to do that.  Available in 4 different designs, Good Bites will cut the crust for you.


Pros:  We have the mini version, which cuts the sandwich into 4 pieces, and into triangles.  The edges of this are sharp enough to cut bread, but not so sharp that they would cut a  child using it.  My 3 year old Chandler loves that his sandwich is in bite size pieces.  They are easy to pick up and easy for him to dip, which he loves to do.  What I also like about this is that it almost seals the edges when you cut the crust off, which helps keep the contents of the sandwich inside.  We've had this for well over a year.  It washes up nicely and is dishwasher safe on the top rack.  It also doesn't get dull and the plastic is still as strong as the day we bought it.  I love that it is available in different shapes too.  The heart shaped one is super cute.

Cons:  If you don't push down hard enough on the bread, you have to re cut it or pull it apart.  I really haven't had this problem though.  Other than that, no complaints here!

The Bottom Line:  Great Simple Product, worth buying.  Here is a Good Bites video that shows them in action.

Price:  $5-6 or $15 for a 4 pack that cut different shapes

Where to Buy:  One Step Ahead, Amazon

Rating:  Excellent

Monday, October 20, 2008

RazBerry Teether

The RazBerry Teether resembles a raspberry and although it doesn't taste like one, it really helps babies with teething.

Pros:
The RazBerry Teether is made of a food grade silicon which I think is a great idea. It has a bumpy texture that that resembles a raspberry which really helps massage your baby's gums. The first time I gave this teether to Rowan, it was an instant hit. He is working on two more bottom teeth and he immediately started chewing on it. He pulled it out of his mouth, looked at the bright colors and went right back chewing on it. I really think it gives him some relief. I like that this is designed somewhat like a pacifier. He can chew on it while he is crawling across the room. It fits in his mouth nicely and he also loves to look at the bright colors. And did I mention it looks super cute in his mouth? On the packaging, it says that it can be frozen for extra soothing comfort. This is a great idea and gives your baby the bumpy texture while also cooling their gums. A great idea is to get a pacifier clip and clip this to your baby for teething, even if they don't take a pacifier. That way you always have teething comfort right at hand!

Cons:
This looked a little big at first like it might be a bit bulky, but it works great for my 9 month old. I can see how it might be a bit big to put in a 4 or 5 month old baby's mouth who is teething.

The Bottom Line:
A great teething alternative to other toys and pacifiers. For more information visit the RazBerry Teether site.

Price:
$3-$4.50

Where to Buy:
Amazon

Rating: Great

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Introducing...

Baby Shower Savvy! This is the site I have been working on that I referred to in a post last week. I'm still working on building content but feel I have a really good start! My focus is to provide a free resource for baby showers. I want others to be able to save time and money and still throw a great baby shower. Anyways, if you could pass the site onto anyone who is having or throwing a baby shower, that would be great! And if you have any ideas, input, stories, or pictures from your baby shower or a baby shower you have attended that I could add, that would be great as well. Thanks for checking it out!

Just wanted to give some of you a heads up on a great sale at Kohls. A bunch of the Fisher Price gear is 50% or more off. They have the rainforest & papasan swings for $50-60 which is a steal. So for any of you needing baby gear like this, click this link for more info.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

YoBaby Yogurt

YoBaby Yogurt is an organic yogurt, specially made just for babies.  


Pros:  It is made with whole milk which is recommended for children up to 2 years.  Whole milk is important for babies and toddlers because it contains a higher amount of fat which is essential for brain development.  It also contains DHA which helps develop the visual and central nervous system.   I like that everything in YoBaby yogurt is organic.  I love that they come in a 4 oz size which is optimal for baby.  It's also nice to be able to feed your baby yogurt as it has cultures that aid in digestion.  YoBaby comes in an original, simply plain, fruit & cereal, and drinkable. The texture is very smooth. Rowan has really enjoyed this yogurt and eats one everyday.  He started eating this yogurt at around 7 1/2 months as a recommendation from his pediatrician.

Cons:  It has a bit of a runny, sticky consistency which I think can be attributed to the amount of fat. It also has a bit of a bland flavor from my perspective but probably tastes a lot different to a baby. It also tends to get watery a the top and the fat comes to the top as well.  This can be fixed with some good stirring.  I think it is a bit pricey - around $3.50 for a 6 pack, but then again when do you put a price on something that is good for your baby and aids with development?

The Bottom Line:  Great Product, Pros definitely outweigh the cons.  To learn more about YoBaby yogurt, visit the YoBaby yogurt site.

Price:  $3.50 for a 6 pack

Where to Buy:  Most grocery stores carry this

Rating:  Great