Halo Safe Sleep Crib Set

My son is 6 years old now. He's not a baby anymore. I keep asking him if he'd like the be my little baby again, but he says not and won't stop growing. Hmph!

It's amazing to see how many things have changed in 6 years for babies. Plenty of baby gear has come onto the scene that wasn't big or around at all when my son was little. Other things have become more and more common.

And there have been some new updates and changes that the American Academy of Pediatrics have recommended. If/when I would have another baby, I'll have to read up on these things really well. One of the recent changes that I've heard about from the American Academy of Pediatrics is no crib bumpers. While that has been commonplace for years, now we must start to adjust.

The product: Now there is a great alternative for putting baby to sleep safely. The HALO Safe Sleep Crib Set is just what you need to take care of your baby.

With the American Academy of Pediatrics now saying “no” to crib bumpers, HALO Innovations has introduced its own Safe Sleep Crib Set^TM designed to create an attractive and safe sleep environment for babies.

The five-piece HALO Safe Sleep Crib Set consists of a HALO SleepSack wearable blanket, SleepSack Swaddle, both in 100% cotton; two coordinating crib sheets in soft cotton jersey; and a matching crib skirt.

“Too often parents ‘overdress’ the crib with quilt and bumpers, both of which can pose a breathing threat for baby,” comments Bill Schmid, founder of Halo Innovations. “The Halo SleepSack and SleepSack Swaddle are the only things a baby needs in the crib to stay warm and sleeping safely, and the soft jersey sheet provides a snug fit on the mattress.

The new HALO Safe Sleep Crib Sets are available on amazon.com and babiesrus.com. The set comes in six patterns including pink, blue and neutral tones.

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FunBites {Giveaway - Ends 3/22} (CLOSED)

This giveaway is closed. Congrats to the winner listed below!

Do you have young kids? Mealtime with young kids can be quite a chore. Everything babies and young children eat needs to be cut into small bite-sized pieces for them to manage. Sometimes you're spending the time cutting their food, and in the meantime your own food gets cold. It can be frustrating, but it's just part of being a parent.

Well, do I have a great solution for this problem. FunBites is a plastic piece that has the ability to easily cut food for kids. You just put it on top of the item that needs cut up, sandwiches, fruit, even meat will work with it, then when you push it down the food is cut into bite-sized pieces. Here's a little more about FunBites:

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Bumbo Seat Proper Use

I never had a Bumbo Seat for my son. I hadn't really seen much of them until after he was already too old for them. I know now that they are a big baby product on mother's must have lists. While Bumbo Seats are a great item for babies, there are certain safety precautions that you should use when using the Bumbo. So please use this information to properly use your Bumbo Seat.

BUMBO BABY SEAT PROPER USE INFORMATION

Website: www.BumboUSA.com
Contains a video about proper use as well as proper use instructions that can be downloaded, customer service contacts for those that may still have questions, as well as the links we’ve provided below.

• YouTube link to safety video that would allow you to embed on your site:  http://youtube.com/bumbousa

• Link to Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) news release about Bumbo Baby Seat Safety:

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12047.html

• Link to Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) news release about key children’s product safety tips:

http://www.jpma.org/sites/default/files/resource_docs/JPMA%20Elevated%20Surface%20Warning%20Nov%202011%20FINAL.pdf

Key Points about Bumbo Baby Seat:

• The maker and distributor of the Bumbo Baby Seat have as their highest priority the safety of children.
• The Bumbo Baby Seat helps babies sit upright and must be used only when babies can adequately support their own heads.
• The Bumbo Baby Seat must only be used on the floor.
• The Bumbo Baby Seat is safe for its labeled and intended use (on the floor).
• A warning against placing the Bumbo seat on an elevated surface has been included on the back of the seat since it was first produced, and in 2007 it was voluntarily recalled so that a more explicit warning could be added to the front of the seat as a strong reminder to caregivers not to use the seat on elevated surfaces.
• The Bumbo Baby Seat is fully compliant with applicable safety standards, however there are continuing efforts by the makers and distributor of Bumbo and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to educate consumers and reinforce proper seat usage.
• Babies are active and curious and may wiggle out of the seat, which is why a baby should never be left unattended in the seat and caregivers should always follow these basic safety guidelines:

• Use the Bumbo Seat ONLY on a floor-level surface
• Do NOT use the Bumbo Seat on any elevated surface
• Do NOT use the Bumbo Seat as a car or bath seat or in water
• NEVER leave a baby unattended

# # #

*Thanks to Bumbo for sharing this information. I did not receive any compensation for sharing this. I just want my readers and their children to be as safe as possible.*

Halo SleepSack Swaddle {Giveaway - Ends 1/27} (CLOSED)

*This giveaway is closed. Congrats to the winner listed below.*

I know that many parents are using sleepsack swaddles for their babies. It's the wise choice for many reasons. Halo SleepSack Swaddles are some of the most popular ones on the market. Here is a little more about what they help prevent:

There are two aspects to swaddling safely: 1) Avoiding suffocation and 2) Preventing Hip Dysplasia.

Hip Dysplasia is one of the most common conditions among newborn babies, affecting about 1% of North American newborns (about 75,000 per year). According to a recent survey conducted by HALO Innovations, 82% of parents choose to swaddle, and swaddling improperly can lead to Hip Dysplasia or dislocation. Treatment ranges from wearing a harness or brace to undergoing surgery. These conditions can get worse with age and are linked to early adult arthritis and hip-replacement surgery.

The American Academy of Pediatrics is urging Pediatricians to watch for signs of hip dysplasia and dislocation and to warn parents not to extend their baby’s frog-like legs straight when swaddling. There’s a temptation to stretch the legs out and that needs to be resisted. They need to be able to straighten themselves out naturally and gradually. Parents should allow for room in the swaddle – or sleepsack – for baby to bend at the hips.

Dr. Charles Price, Director of the International Hip Dysplasia Institute, has recorded the following video about Hip Dysplasia and how to swaddle safely. Feel free to use this video in your post.
http://www.youtube.com/halosleepsack#p/u/5/j5M6FK3f0PI  

Dr. Tanya Altmann, Pediatrician and Mother, provides tips for swaddling safely in this video, specifically about avoiding suffocation.http://www.youtube.com/halosleepsack#p/u/4/gOTGuUJmMk8  

HALO’s SleepSacks and Swaddles are the only products on the market approved “hip healthy” by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute.

You can learn more about Halo and their products on their website- https://www.halosleep.com/. And the are giving away one of their Halo SleepSack Swaddles in size newborn or small for one of my readers. Just enter in the rafflecopter form below.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclaimer: No product was received. Halo is providing the giveaway. All opinions are my own.*

Hot Tot: Hair Styling Products for Babies and Kids

Is your babies hair out of control? Does it make you batty trying to find a good hair care product for your kids that doesn't contain harmful chemicals? Or maybe it's just hard finding children's hair care products in general. I have a company that you'll want to check out for your kids' hair care needs.

Hot Tot is a new company started by a mom with a mission. Megan Gage, the founder of Hot Tot, was looking for salon-quality hair care products for kids without the harmful chemicals. Through a lot of research and work with others, Megan was able to make this happen. She started this company to improve the lives of children and promote a good self-image from an early age.

Another important thing that Hot Tot is passionate about it having a good eco-friendly business. They employ eco-friendly business practices. And a portion of the sales go to charities that benefit children. They can help others and their customers at the same time.

Hot Tot carries a variety of products. You will find Sweet Pea Serum that will give your little tot an adorable curl. Their Conditioning Detangler and Styling Gel help make hair more manageable. Or for a little more style you might like their Structure Whip and Finishing Mist. And the Spotless Tot is a gentle hair and body cleanser for babies and kids. They also have apparel with their logo for babies and children. To learn more about the products, what they do and what they are made with please visit their website- http://www.hottot.com.

We got to try some samples of the Styling Gel and Structure Whip. The styling gel was great for when Zachariah need a little extra control. It helps his hair stay put and helps the frizzy stuff. The structure whip is perfect for fancier styles that need some hold. For my little guy that means spikes and faux-hawks from time to time. These are great for styling his hair without the worries of unwanted chemicals.

For us the gel and structure whip we only use them once in a while. However, it is handy and helpful to have on hand. I am definitely interested in trying the Spotless Tot very soon. This is something that would be easy to use for my son.

You can get these Hot Tot products at a variety of retailers and online stores. Just look here for places near you- http://www.hottot.com/where-to-buy.html.


*Disclaimer: I received this product for review. All opinions are my own.*

Tiny Tillia Review

Have you seen Avon's baby product line- Tiny Tillia? They have products from bathtime care, like shampoo and baby body wash, to clothes, toys and accessories all for the little ones in your life. Their products have functionality and a definite cute factor that you'll enjoy.

We tried out several of the Tiny Tillia products. First one of their adorable blankets went to my little niece. She is 6 months old, and it was perfect for her. At 30"x40" I think it's a perfect size for cuddling baby. The colorful animal design on front was great, and I was pleasantly surprised by the soft fleece layer on the back. The material on both sides is very soft and warm. Grace snuggled with it right away.

We also passed the Tiny Tillia Diaper Rash Cream to Grace. (She hasn't told us what she thinks yet.) They use a 3-in-1 formula for the diaper cream with vitamin E in it as well. It's made to keep baby's skin soft and clean, and it's even great for sensitive skin. It comes in a generous 3.4 oz tube that's sure to last quite a while.

My 5 year old son, Zachariah, has been using the Duncan Dog Citrus Sorbet Shampoo & Body Wash. This is easy to use for him. He doesn't need much shampoo for his hair, so it's easy to use a little in his hair and then use his scrubbie for body wash as well. I really like the fresh scent of this too. And my son likes the cute little doggie on the front as well.

You can get these products and so much more from the Tiny Tillia line from Avon. You will see them on their website, or you can contact your local Avon representative for more information. I think you'll be pleased with all of the great Tiny Tillia line.


*Disclaimer: I received these products for review. All opinions are my own.*

Doodle Darlings Review + {Rafflecopter Giveaway - Ends 12/21} (CLOSED)

This giveaway is closed. Congrats to the winner listed below!

If you're searching for a unique, and really cute, baby gift idea, look now further. I was immediately impressed when I was first introduced to Doodle Darlings. Stay at home mom, Megan Kochanski, turned these fun little doodles she made for her daughter into onesies and matching stuffed animals.

The Doodle Darlings onesies come in sizes from newborn to 18 month. You can get your choice of Snap Dragon the Dinosaur, Laurie the Lion, Bramble the Bunny, and Honey Suckle the Horse. And the onesies are made of organic cotton. They are very soft and perfect for cuddling your little one. The drawings on the tops are great. I love that each animal is unique too.

The stuffed animals match the onesies. You can get the Snap Dragon the Dinosaur, Laurie the Lion, Bramble the Bunny, and Honey Suckle the Horse. I think the animals are even cuter in person than the photos. They are all about 6 inches or so tall. Just right for little kids to play with. My son loves having the stuffed animals in his bed.

We loved all the stuffed Doodle Darlings and the onesie was perfect for my little niece. She rocks that cute bunny. ;) You can purchase all of these from their online store- http://www.thedoodledarlings.com/. And when you order from Doodle Darlings 10% of your purchase amount will be donated to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

And one of you can win a prize pack like I did. It includes a onesie of your choice + all 4 Doodle Darling animals! Just enter in the Rafflecopter form below.



*Disclaimer: I received this product to review. All opinions are my own.*

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Essential Guide to Baby's First Year Book Review + {Rafflecopter Giveaway - Ends 11/30} (CLOSED)

This giveaway is closed. Congrats to the winner listed below!

Your baby's first year is such an important time. There are a lot of adjustments and learning for both parents and the baby. They develop, grow, and change so quickly. As parents we do what we can to learn how to care for our baby in the best way possible. The Essential Guide to Baby's First Year is a book that can help you along the way.

The Essential Guide to Baby's First Year has hints and tips about caring for your new baby. Everything from development to helping baby to sleep. And they have food preparation ideas and recipes for baby's first foods:

Providing a healthy, delicious meal during baby’s first year can be an expensive and overwhelming challenge for new parents. The Essential Guide to Baby’s First Year offers simple DIY baby food recipes that could be the perfect solution to your wallet woes. All you need to get started is a small pot, a small steamer and a blender—plus fresh fruits and vegetables.

The Essential Guide to Baby’s First Year gives detailed instructions for making applesauce, fresh fruit purees using pears, peaches, and bananas, vegetable purees using carrots, sweet potatoes, and peas, and poultry meals for babies. The book also offers vegetarian and special diet recipes, packaged neatly into weekly sample menus.

For parents who are making baby food for the first time, try starting with a simple fruit puree recipe, like this one from page 177:

Vegetarian-Vegan Fruit Compote

Ingredients:-1 apple, cored and sliced-1 plum, sliced-1 peach, peeled and sliced-1 slice of lemon-Pinch of cinnamon-2 tsp. brown sugar-2 cups water

Boil water with the sugar and cinnamon. Add the fruits and cook until they are soft. Squeeze the slice of lemon over the mixture. Cool. Serve as is or on top of a waffle or pancake (A great breakfast option).

The Essential Guide to Baby’s First Year discusses tips for food storage, age-appropriate recipe alternatives, and nutrition information to keep your baby (and your wallet) happy and healthy.

I think this is a great book for anyone with a newborn or young baby. The recipe above is just a sampling of their feeding ideas. They are dispersed in the book with each appropriate age for feeding baby. I like the way the book is laid out with an age by age guide. It starts with things you'll want to know about newborns and goes all the way through to the end of the first year.

The Essential Guide to Baby's First Year would be a great baby shower gift for any new mom (or new again mom). I think everyone will find something helpful in this book. You can purchase it in stores and online. And I have a copy of the book to give away to one lucky reader. You can enter to win in the Rafflecopter form below.


*Disclaimer: I received this product for my review. All opinions are my own.*

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Kidorable Hooded Towel Review

Many you’ve heard of Kidorable before. Or perhaps you read my last review of their products. I can’t say a negative thing about this company. Every Kidorable product I’ve ever seen has exceeded my expectations! I love their products! Everyone who sees these items always mentions how adorable they are too. And when I tried this last product, it lived up to that too.

We picked out a Pirate Hooded Towel from Kidorable. We already have a few things from the pirate collection and really like them. The Pirate Towel we received was in a size small. It fits ages newborn to 2 years. They also carry medium in towels, which will fit 3-6 year olds. We gave this towel to my nephew for his first birthday.

 
The Pirate Towel fits Easton nicely. It covers his head so it will stay on and dry his hair (what little he has) at the same time. The back of the towel looks like a mini treasure map. The cutest thing was the eye patch on the front hooded part. The thing I like best about Kidorable is the little details like that they think of to just put a great product over the top. This towel is sturdy and will last through many washes. You kid will wear it until they outgrow it.

To get a hooded towel for yourself just shop at www.kidorable.com. Make sure to check out all their other great products, like the Ballerina Rain Coat (perfect for a girly girl). You can also keep in touch with them on Twitter. And be sure to follow them on Facebook, where they are often posting their specials and running contests.


*Disclaimer: I received this product for review. All opinions are my own.*

Organically Grown Review

I love having cute clothes for babies. They are already so adorable and cuddly. Why not wrap them up in organic cotton clothing that looks great and is so soft on their fresh new skin.

Organically Grown  is a company that cares not only about style and comfort, but they care about the environment. Their clothing is made from 100% organic cotton, which is grown using safe, pesticide-free methods from plants that are not genetically modified. They support various organizations to help our earth too. They do all this without comprising the great quality of their clothing.

We received a sweet little onesie from the Garden Fun 3-Piece Organic Cotton bodysuit set for my new niece. It is white with pink butterflies, bugs, and flowers on it. The material is so soft. It’s exactly what I’d want for a tiny baby. I like that the clothing is sturdy and will hold up too. This is a garment that you won’t have any problems washing over and over again.

You can see the onesie like I got plus so much more at www.shoporganicallygrown.com. In addition to baby and children’s clothing, they all so have men and women shirts and more. Their products are available for purchase through their website as well. And you can find the on Twitter & Facebook.


*Disclaimer: I received a product for my review. All opinions are my own.*

Must Have Baby Items + {HALO SleepSack giveaway – Ends 6/13} (CLOSED)

One of the first questions that new moms ask is what baby items do I really need? It can be a difficult question to answer, because each mother/family is different about what they use and find most useful.

I am the mother of one son. He is 5 years old, so I’m already seeing changes in baby trends. There are new things that started becoming popular after he was born that I think are great and some I don’t even know much about. But for my personal experience, I did have some “must have” items that we very useful to me with my son.

Of course there are the most useful things you need with a baby, like diapers, bottles (if you’re bottle feeding or planning to supplement or use expressed breast milk at any point), breast pump (if you need it), blankets, bedding, car seat, and more. But what about the other things? What are must-haves?

My must haves included:
- Boppy pillow (or other breastfeeding pillow)
-Bouncy seat (handy to have somewhere to lay the baby for us)
- Onesies- all sizes (I put these on under everything, extra warmth when needed, or by themselves when it was hot)
- Burp cloths - Wipes (of course for diaper changing, but also for faces and hands, or when they get too many germy kisses from family)
- Extra sheets (for quick, middle of the night changes)
- Pack ‘n play (we used ours for a bassinet early, then for containment and play later, and handy for naps & travel crib)
- Stroller (I used a travel system, which was great to just slip the infant carrier into)
- Carrier or sling/wrap (I had a front/backpack carrier, but after my son was too big I learned about slings and wraps. I used them when babysitting my nephew & wish I’d know when my son was a baby)
- SleepSack wearable blanket (This allows baby to be warm enough while reducing the risk of SIDS)

There are so many great baby products, but every family finds the ones that work for them…and the ones that don’t. I asked on Twitter and Facebook to see what some of your favorite baby items were. @DevanW says “A sling and a swing or somewhere else to safely put baby down.” And she’s a momma who knows, with 4 little ones she’s used plenty of baby items over the last 6 years. And @luvmy_babygio agrees with my and says “boppy!” is her favorite too.

Here are some other good reads about baby must haves: “Baby Gear You Can’t Live Without”, “Questions for New Moms”, and “Baby Must Haves”.

What are some of your must have baby items? I know my list could be much longer, and it’s been a while since I’ve had a baby of my own. There are always great new things that make life easier, but sometimes it’s the trusty, old things that are best too. HALO wants to be a must have on every mothers list. Their sleepsacks are a great way to keep your baby safe and warm. See below to win a HALO Sleepsack for yourself (or someone else you know who could use one).


Prize – 1 person will receive a HALO Sleepsack (winner’s choice)

To Enter – Tell me one baby item you think is a must have or which HALO Sleepsack you would choose. 

Extra Entries:
-Subscribe by RSS feed or feed reader
-Subscribe by email
-Follow by Google Friend Connect
-Post my button on your blog/website
-“Like” my Facebook fan page
-“Like” HALO SleepSack on Facebook 
-Be my friend on Facebook
-Follow me on Networked Blogs
-Enter another giveaway here
-Comment on a non-giveaway post
-Follow me on Twitter
-Follow HALO on Twitter
-Post about the giveaway on Twitter – Enter to #win a @HaloSleepSack of your choice from & @psmomreviews – http://tinyurl.com/3sbxdh6 #giveaway

This giveaway is open now through Monday, June 13th. I will post the winner on Tuesday, June 14th.

Open to USA only!

*Disclosure: I was not paid to post this, HALO provided a giveaway product. All opinions are my own.*

Juppy Baby Walker Review + {Giveaway - Ends 2/28} (CLOSED)

Have you heard of the Juppy? I first heard the name a year or so ago. I was intrigued by it. It’s a baby walker that you hold the baby in. It’s basically an easy way to help your baby learn to walk without the strain on your back from hunching over them to hold their tiny little hands while they practice for hours. 

Here are some great features of the Juppy Baby Walker:

*Help your baby walk sooner while minimizing dangerous falls
*Easy to use anywhere- at the beach, the yard, or the park
*Available for boys and girls- one size fits all
*Adjustable straps for the best fit and height of parent
*Fits in diaper bag or purse- easily transportable
*Safe and comfortable design with zip-up back and padded vest
*Made from high quality, durable fabric
*Easy to clean- machine or hand washable

  

We put my 7 month old nephew, Easton, into our Juppy. Easton is not really interested too much in standing/walking yet (he’s too busy trying to figure out this crawling business he’s heard so much about). But when we put him in the Juppy, his little feet started to walk in the right motion. The Juppy easily goes on the baby and zips up in front. The fabric is strong and it holds the baby well. The straps are sturdy and easy for a parent to hold. My sister was easily able to stand up straight and let Easton strut his stuff. He had fun taking tiny little steps across the room. And I have a feeling that with more use of the Juppy, he’ll figure out this walking thing and be off running before we know it. You can see how it worked for Easton below (and my son, Zachariah, was cheering him on with a blanket).



The Juppy Baby Walker is great because it’s so compact. It’s completely made of cloth fabric, so it’s easy to fold up small and fit inside the pouch that comes with it. The pouch is small and can slip right into the side of a diaper bag or purse for quick access wherever you want to take it. You won’t have to worry about hauling large equipment with this one.

We were impressed with the Juppy Baby Walker, and I think it will become a bit “must have” baby item. They come in pink or blue, so it will suit boys and girls. It’s something the every baby can use. The size fits all babies old enough to try walking. And since babies eventually want to walk (as much as us mothers would love to keep them tiny), I think this would be a fun, unique gift for a baby shower.

You can find out more about the Juppy Baby Walker on their website. It has many pictures of families teaching their kids to walk with the Juppy. You can also connect with Juppy on Twitter and Facebook. (They often list blogs where they are giving away Juppies, so you’ll want to check that out.) And they are offering one of my readers their very own Juppy, you can find out how to enter below.

Buy It:  You can buy a Juppy Baby Walker from their website or Amazon.com.

Win It:  One lucky reader will win a Juppy in your choice of color.

To Enter: Go to their website and tell me something that you saw or learned from them.  Be sure to include your e-mail address, so I can contact you when you win. (If I can’t find an e-mail address in your profile or in your comment, I will draw a new number for the winner.)

Extra Entries: If you’d like to, you may earn extra entries for doing each of the following. Be sure to leave a separate comment for each. You must do the above (main) entry first, and then you can do these others.

*Post about the giveaway on your blog and leave the link here. (2 entries)
*Subscribe to this blog by RSS feed or feed reader.
*Subscribe to this blog by e-mail.
*Become a Google Friend Connect Follower (or you already are). (2 entries)
*Grab my button and post if on your blog. (2 entries)
*“Like” my fan page on Facebook. (2 entries)
*“Like” them on Facebook. (2 entries)
*Be my friend on Facebook. (2 entries)
*Follow me with Networked Blogs (2 entries)
*Enter my other giveaways, then come back here and let me know which ones you entered. (Each good for an extra entry, so you could get as many extra entries as giveaways you entered.)
*Follow me on Twitter.
*Follow them on Twitter.
*Post about this giveaway on Twitter and leave the link here. You may do this once a day until the giveaway ends. I’ve made it easy, just Cut & Paste:

Enter to win a Juppy Baby Walker from@TheJuppyWalker & @psmomreviews – http://tinyurl.com/48wn45c #giveaway

This giveaway is open now through Sunday, February 27th. I will post a winner on Monday, February 28th.

>Open to USA only!<

*Disclosure: I was not paid to post this, but a product was provided to me for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.*

Boon Grass Review

If you have not heard of or seen products from Boon yet, I don't know where you've been hiding. Boon is a company that definitely sees things that parents need in their house to make life easier. And to top it, their products are contemporary and fun. And to think it all started with a mom who wanted a way to clean up toys in the bathtub.

We had the opportunity to check out the Boon Grass Countertop Drying Rack. It is a plastic drying rack that looks like grass. It's big enough to hold quite a bit of items, such as baby bottles and spoons. But it's small enough that it fits nicely on my countertop without taking up too much room. The "grass" part holds the items up above a tray, so the water drains into that. And the "grass" is flexible to fit bottle over top. It's not extremely flexible, so your things won't topple over, but just flexible enough to be able to hold a variety of things.

I love this for so many reasons. I hand wash everything at my house. We do not have a dishwasher (nor do we have space for one sadly), so all my dishes air-dry. Since I'm babysitting my 7 month old nephew 4 days a week, I'm dealing with baby bottles, feed spoons, and other little items. This rack is perfect for the pieces of his bottles after they've been washed. And I know that I can easily keep all the pieces together where I'll find them later. I definitely recommend this product to anyone with a baby. I think it's best for small baby items, but it does work for other things too.

I have had great experience with all the Boon products I've tried. We have a Boon Animal Bag and a Squirt- a feeding spoon that holds the food in it. They are both awesome and such creative products. I enjoy the things that Boon makes for parents. In addition to being modern and great looking, they are very functional. You can see tons of other products from Boon on their website.





Buy It: You can get Boon products from a variety of stores and online. Go check out their product locator to see where you can get them near you.


 
*Disclosure: I was not paid to post this, but a product was provided to me for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.*

HALO SleepSack Review + {Giveaway} (CLOSED)

I think ever parent I know is concerned about SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) with their newborns and babies. It's the scariest thing ever to think about your child dying. And we, as parents, try to do everything we can to protect our children and keep them as safe as possible.

Sadly there are still babies dying from SIDS every year. A good friend of mine from church just lost her only grandchild to SIDS only a few weeks ago. It was sudden and tragic. I know their family will never get over the hurt and loss of their precious 9 month old son and grandson. Even though I never met my friend's grandson, I still feel the loss for her. In fact I've had a hard time bringing myself to write this review and put it off because of this tragedy. I was already going to do this review before his passing. It just made the SIDS issue way more real and alive in my life.

So, how can you help to prevent SIDS? There are several important things that you can do. First, always put the baby "Back to Sleep". I think this is ingrained in most new parents. Babies should sleep on their backs. But do your caregivers know how important it is to lay your baby on his/her back too? My parents let us sleep on our tummies. As parents, we need to make sure that everyone who cares for our child takes care of our child like we would. If that means teaching them about "Back to Sleep", then please do that.


HALO was founded by a father who lost his daughter. They have made a great product that helps to prevent SIDS. The HALO SleepSack keeps your baby warm and snug in bed without the use of loose blankets. Your baby can't kick this blanket off, so you won't have to worry about them getting cold during the night either.

HALO SleepSacks are now available in Target stores. They carry several varieties and sizes. They have the SleepSack Swaddle in cotton for newborns available in dot and dog patterns. The SleepSack Swaddle in micro fleece is in cream-colored newborn size. In size small they have the SleepSack in cotton and microfleece in the same colors/patterns as the other. And in medium they have the SleepSack in cotton with the chose of pink dot or blue dot and in micro fleece with the pink burnout or blue burnout pattern. These and many more can all be found at your local Target store or at Target.com.


We got to try the SleepSack in blue burnout micro fleece size medium for my 5 month old nephew. I babysit for him 4 days a week and I always lay him "back to sleep". With the warm fuzzy SleepSack for these cooler days, I know he will stay warm for his naps without extra blankets around him. And he is notorious for kicking off his blankets, but the SleepSack is snug around his legs for extra warmth. I think the SleepSack is great, and it is definitely a must have with any baby. I will be sure to get the SleepSack
Swaddle when we have another baby.

Here are some statistics and tips for you and your children's caregivers:

HALO’s survey of more than 1,000 parents and grandparents revealed the following:

•    58% of grandparents agreed that “babies are babies; what worked years ago when my children were babies is still fine today.” Conversely, 60% of parents disagreed with this opinion.

•    Parents are more likely to say that it’s best to place a baby on his or her back to sleep than grandparents (77% vs. 59%). Grandparents are more likely than parents to think a baby is safest sleeping on his or her side (21% vs. 12%) or stomach (16% vs. 8%).

•    Grandparents are also more likely to believe it is safe to have loose blankets (49% vs. 31% of parents) and a baby monitor (23% vs. 12%) in the crib with the baby.

•    82% of parents say they swaddle their baby for sleep compared to less than half of grandparents who swaddle their grandchildren (46%).

Safe Sleep Practices

•    Place baby to sleep on his or her back at naptime and at night time.

•    Use a crib that meets current safety standards with a firm mattress that fits snuggly and is covered with only a tight-fitting crib sheet.

•    Remove all soft bedding and toys from your baby’s sleep area (this includes loose blankets, bumpers and positioners). The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests using a wearable blanket instead of loose blankets to keep your baby warm.

•    Offer a pacifier when putting baby to sleep. If breastfeeding, introduce pacifier after one month or after breastfeeding has been established.

•    Breastfeed, if possible, but when finished, put your baby back to sleep in his or her separate safe sleep area alongside your bed.

•    Never put your baby to sleep on any soft surface (adult beds, sofas, chairs, water beds, quilts, sheep skins etc.)

•    Never dress your baby too warmly for sleep; keep room temperature 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit.

•    Never allow anyone to smoke around your baby or take your baby into a room or car where someone has recently smoked.

There's not much time left, but I wanted to make sure to post this. HALO is donating $1 to SIDS Awareness for each new fan to "like" HALO on Facebook in September and October. And even if you miss out on that, you can connect to HALO on Twitter and Facebook.


 
Buy It: HALO SleepSacks are now available at your local Target stores, Target.com, as well as other retailers and online too.

Win It: You can win a HALO SleepSack of your choice (a limited availability).

To Enter: Tell me what your favorite HALO product is from their website. Be sure to include your e-mail address, so I can contact you when you win. (If I can't find an e-mail address in your profile or in your comment, I will draw a new number for the winner.)

Extra Entries: If you'd like to, you may earn extra entries for doing each of the following. Be sure to leave a separate comment for each. You must do the above (main) entry first, and then you can do these others.

*Post about the giveaway on your blog and leave the link here. (2 entries)
*Subscribe to this blog by RSS feed or feed reader.
*Subscribe to this blog by e-mail.
*Become a Google Friend Connect Follower (or you already are). (2 entries)
*Grab my button and post if on your blog. (2 entries)
*"Like" my fan page on Facebook. (2 entries)
*"Like" HALO on Facebook. (2 entries)
*Be my friend on Facebook. I love new friends! (2 entries)
*Follow me with Networked Blogs (2 entries)
*Enter my other giveaways, then come back here and let me know which ones you entered. (Each good for an extra entry, so you could get as many extra entries as giveaways you entered.)
*Follow me on Twitter.
*Follow HALO on Twitter.
*Post about this giveaway on Twitter and leave the link here. You may do this once a day until the giveaway ends. I've made it easy, just Cut & Paste:

Enter to win a HALO SleepSack from @HaloSleepSack & @psmomreviews – http://tinyurl.com/262f6gm #giveaway

 
This giveaway is open now through Sunday, November 14th. I will post a winner on Monday, November 15th.

>Open to USA & Canada only!<


 
*Disclosure: I was not paid to post this, but a product was provided to me for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.*

Earth Baby Review & {Giveaway} (CLOSED)

We all want to keep our kids happy and healthy. Using organic products is one great way that we can do this. Earth Baby is a company that makes organic baby products. They are committed to using natural products to keep your children's skin soft and free from chemicals.

Earth Baby gave me the chance to try their Tiny Bubbles Baby Shampoo and the Sun 'N Fun Baby Sunscreen.

The Baby Shampoo (pictured above) smells so lovely with lavender, vanilla, and chamomile smells. It is a smooth texture that I like in shampoo, but thin enough that you don't need to use much for a little child's hair. It washes my son's hair really clean and leaves it silky soft. I really like that it is tear free just like other baby shampoos that we use. And this one is hypoallergenic too. It is great for kids with sensitive skin.

The Baby Sunscreen (pictured below) comes in a small 2 oz. bottle that is great to throw in a purse or diaper bag for on the go fun. I have gotten particular about sunscreen, because my son reacted to a "children's" sunscreen once that I later discovered wasn't hypoallergenic. I took for granted that most "children's" and "baby" sunscreens are hypoallergenic, but I've learned to look carefully for those special words now. Earth Baby's Sun 'N Fun Baby Sunscreen is indeed free of paba that makes my son's skin react sometimes. Also, the sunscreen is 30 SPF. I usually look for something higher, but for short outdoor times this would be plenty sufficient.

If you'd like to see a list of the ingredients in the two products I tried, look here.

Earth Baby also carries other types of organic products. They have a variety of baby products like Playful Sudzz Bath Gel, Soothe n' Comfort Diaper Rash Cream, Cuddle Soft Baby Lotion, and other stuff too. They also offer a cute little Diaper Tote & Changing Mat, plus right now they're offering a free Cosmetic Pouch with the purchase of a Diaper Tote.

I'm impressed with all the products I've seen from Earth Baby. I know that many mothers are looking for organic products to use for their babies. It's great to find a company that makes them with such good quality.

Buy It: You can get Earth Baby Organics products through their website.

Win It: The generous people at Earth Baby are offering one lucky reader their very own Tiny Bubbles Baby Shampoo AND Fun 'N Sun Baby Sunscreen (a $35 value)! Hurray! I can't believe how generous they are. Thanks Earth Baby!

To Enter: You must do both of these things to be able to sign up.

1. Follow BabyOrganics on Twitter. (Leave your Twitter ID here.)

2. Become a fan of Earth Baby Organics on Facebook. (Leave your Facebook name here.)

You must leave your e-mail address also, so I can contact you when you win. And make sure that you tell me your Twitter ID and Facebook ID, so I can verify that you qualified when you win.

Extra Entries: If you'd like to, you may earn extra entries for doing each of the following. Be sure to leave a separate comment for each. You must do both of the above (main) entries first, then you can do these other ones.

*Post about the giveaway on your blog and leave the link here.

*Post about the giveaway on Twitter and leave the link here. Cut & Paste: Enter to win Earth Baby Organics baby shampoo & sunscreen from @babyorganics & @psmomreviews - http://tinyurl.com/ybumpe9.

*Follow me on Twitter.

*Subscribe to this blog with a feed reader.

*Subscribe to this blog through e-mail.

*Become a follower (or you already are).

*Enter one of my other open giveaways, then come back here and let me know which one you entered. You may only do this for one extra entry.

This giveaway is open now through Tuesday, October 20th. I will draw a winner on Wednesday, October 21st. Good luck!

**Don't forget to sign up for these other giveaways:

The Strawberry Shortcake Movie: Sky's the Limit (5 winners!) - Closes Oct. 21st

Barney: Jungle Friends DVD - Closes Oct. 13th

*A product was received for the purpose of this review.*