Archives for 2020

Children are fickle beasts. Take meal time, for example. One day, they love pizza. They adore pizza. They sing and smile about pizza while eating it by the fist full. Pizza is definitely a winner. Then, towards the end of the week, the exact same pizza is put in front of them and you’d think world war three had been announced. The tears. The anger. The inconsolable anguish. So, what changed? The answer is nothing. Bringing up a child is like bringing up a small drunk psychopath. Good luck second guessing them. However, second guess them we must when it comes to eye glasses. Vision is important. Kids who can’t see clearly can’t learn clearly. And that can affect mood, outlook, self-confidence, and … yeah, it’s not a great list of outcomes. That’s why getting the choice of frames right is key. And we think we’ve cracked it. You need lighter frames.

Children and lighter frames

Even in adults, lighter frames are nowhere near as noticeable as bulkier chunky frames. Ultimately, lighter frames present less of a fashion statement. They become more of a tool for seeing and reading rather than being seen as a daily demand or rule (which is how some children towards the more precocious end of the personality scale – which is to say, all of them – will view the repeated instruction to wear their glasses). Lighter frames are also more likely to be forgotten when in use. As opposed to much larger frames that will present an opportunity for children to fiddle, lighter frames are sort of set-and-forget technology, delicately perched on the nose and largely forgotten about throughout the day.

Light frames are harder to break when you think about it

This takes a leap of imagination, but picture the scene if you will. Two children drop their glasses onto the hard surface of a school hall or playground. Another child running by absentmindedly kicks the glasses as they hit the floor, propelling them across the ground and into a brick wall. Now. Which of a thick pair of glasses and lighter frames do you imagine will stand more chance of breaking? Bingo. The heavier frames will break, the lighter frames will bounce and survive. Children are walking disaster zones. Glasses will be dropped. Glasses will be kicked. Glasses will be lucky to survive the whole school year. Choose light frames and save money on replacements.

Thinking of sunglasses? Find out more here!

Looking for cute but comfy shoes for your little one this Spring? pediped has you covered with their Originals Harvey shoes. They are available in sizes Newborn-24 months and are approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association for promoting healthy foot development.

About pediped^®
Exceptional quality, unsurpassed comfort, and distinctive styling have made the award-winning company the one of the fastest growing children’s footwear brand in the United States. pediped^® footwear has been awarded the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance for the promotion of healthy foot development, and preeminent orthopedic medical professionals, Dr. Mininder S. Kocher and Dr. Thomas W. Vorderer, deem pediped^® shoes an excellent choice for parents/caregivers who want their children’s feet to develop naturally and healthily. pediped^® has received numerous industry and consumer awards and accolades including recognition from Earnshaw’s, the premier media resource serving the children’s market, with a 2016 Earnie Award as the Footwear Brand of the Year. In 2015 pediped^® was recognized by the Footwear Industry Awards as the Children’s Footwear Brand of the Year and in 2019 pediped® received a Cribsie award for Favorite Footwear.

pediped^® is sold in over 750 stores in the United States and 40 countries worldwide with an offering of more than 120 designs for boys and girls between its three lines, Originals^®, Grip ‘n’ Go™ and Flex^®. The award-winning footwear is available in EU sizes 17 to 38 (US newborn to 6 Youth). For more information, visit www.pediped.com or call 1-702-567-0311. LIKE on Facebook at /pedipedfootwear and follow on Instagram and Twitter @pedipedfootwear.

The ergoPouch Cocoon Swaddle Bag is designed to contain startle reflex while keeping baby snug and securely swaddled throughout the year without the need for complicated wrapping. There are press stud poppers in the armholes that convert this swaddle into baby’s first sleeping bag.

The Cocoon Swaddle Bag is recommended for swaddled newborns & arms out (rollers) to age 12 months.

ABOUT ERGOPOUCH:

Melbourne, Australia-based ergoPouch was founded in 2009 by Alina Sack.  As a mother, Sack drew on her own personal experiences of sleep deprivation to come up with innovative products designed to help babies and kids get a better night’s sleep.  The award-winning ergoPouch collection includes premium quality baby swaddles, sleeping bags, sleep suits and pajamas available from birth to 6 years of age sizing.  All ergoPouch products are made with natural fibers including Organic Cotton and Bamboo.  ergoPouch products offer great functionality and versatility with swaddles that can easily transition to a sleeping bag and sleep suits that convert from bags to suits with legs for easy use from bassinet to stroller. 

For more information visit www.ergopouch.com.

FOLLOW ERGOPOUCH:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ergopouchusa

Instagram:  @ergopouch_usa

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ergopouch

YouTube:  ergoPouch

No more frustration trying to find your lost pacifiers at night! This pacifier glows in the dark, making it easy for baby and parent to find in the evening hours. Specially designed with your little one’s teeth and jaw in mind, the MAM Perfect Pacifier is clinically proven* to reduce the risk of open bite and increased overbite later in life. With a 60% thinner neck and 4 times more flexible nipple** than a regular pacifier, you can be assured that your little one’s favorite binky is safe for their development as it puts less pressure on their jaw and teeth. MAM’s medically engineered nipples feature life-like, SkinSoft textured silicone that feels more natural, just like mom. With multiple nipple and shield sizes to pick from, MAM nipples are easily accepted by babies of all ages, with 94% nipple acceptance among babies tested***.Babies simply love the ease and comfort of latching onto MAM nipples. Sterilize baby’s MAM pacifier in the microwave using the convenient MAM self-sterilizing storage case. Pacifiers kept in the closed box will remain disinfected for up to 48 hours: Fill pacifier case with water. Place pacifier in the pacifier case with the nipple facing down. Follow Pacifier package instructions for microwave setting. Cool completely before use.*Y. Wagner, R. Heinrich-Weltzien, “Effect of a thinneck pacifier on primary dentition: a randomized controlled trial”, Orthodontics & Craniofacial Research, Volume 19, Issue 3, pages 127–136, August 2016. **Scientific reports from Wild Hi-Precision institute verify: the MAM Perfect’s teat neck is on average 60% thinner; test series by the University Clinic of Dentistry Vienna confirm: it is also on average 4 times more flexible than comparable soothers. (Between: 32% – 83% thinner / 1.1 – 19.5 times more flexible than regular silicone soothers). *** Market Research 2009-2017, tested with 1,508 babies.

Can be found on Amazon.com.

About MAM – standard setting baby products

MAM combines technological innovation, medical function and contemporary design to develop superior baby care products that support a baby’s development from day one. Since MAM developed its first pacifier in Vienna in 1976, it has evolved to become a global authority on baby care product design and quality. Today MAM products are used by families in over 60 countries and on six continents. To find out more and view MAM’s baby care range of award-winning pacifiers, bottles, cups, teethers, oral care items, coordinating accessories and gift sets visitwww.mambaby.com.

Follow MAM

Facebook: facebook.com/MAMbabyUSA

Pinterest: Pinterest.com/MAMUSA

Instagram: @mambaby_usa

Looking for natural products that will help baby sleep better?

FROM ZOEY NATURALS Lavender has long been touted for its anxiety-relieving properties while it increases relaxation and a sense of calm bringing about sleep.  Consider incorporating  lavender into your baby’s end of day routine with products Zoey Naturals such as 

• Soothing Lavender Head to Toe Wash
• Soothing Lavender Moisturizing Lotion
• Soothing Lavender Body Oil

Dr. Eddie’s Happy Cappy Shampoo & Body Wash:  A pediatrician’s solution for soothing normal skin and/or dry, itchy, irritated or sensitive skin for children of all ages. This moisturizing cleanser is dermatologist and clinically tested and is free of skin irritants like fragrance, dye, alcohol, sulfates, phthalates, and preservatives known as parabens. Over  95% of our ingredients are of natural plant-based origin. Ingredients were carefully selected for their soothing properties—Oatmeal Extract, Licorice Root Extract, Aloe Vera, Provitamin B5, and Hyaluronic Acid. Happy Cappy is cruelty free and vegan.Happy Cappy complies with pediatric dermatologist recommendations for eczema by being a non-soap cleanser that is hypoallergenic, fragrance free and has a low pH. Non-soap means that we do not use harsh surfactants that strip skin of its natural moisture. Happy Cappy has a low pH (unlike most other soaps) to match the pH of normal skin, which preserves the skin’s barrier function.  Generally, normal skin has a low pH (a pH from 4 to 6). Patients with eczema (atopic dermatitis) can have skin that becomes neutral to basic (high pH). The majority of soaps available on the market are basic (they have a pH of 9 to 10), and can alter negatively the pH of skin. Studies have shown, “maintaining a normal pH through appropriate therapy is well known to benefit disease states such as atopic dermatitis. 

For more Info: https://happycappyshampoo.com/

You can buy on Amazon.com.

Busy Baby Mat: This food grade silicone place mat securely sticks on just about any surface including tables, floors, shopping cart handles and also keeps toys off the floor with its tethers providing a fun surface for babies to eat and draw on too. No more dropping, and no more tossing!

For More Info:  https://busybabymat.com

Bek and Jet:  Wiping down reversible vegan-leather changing mats and bibs with antibacterial wipes has never been so easy or looked so good!  These soft, stylish, fashionable and functional bibs and changing mats remain soft and look great day after day no matter how many times they have been washed or wiped. 

For More Info: https://bekandjet.com

Babies’ car seat buckles are tough. By law, they require at least 9 lbs of pressure to release. That’s great for keeping kids safely buckled up, but what about grandparents with arthritis who don’t have enough strength to unbuckle? Or parents whose thumbs are sore from unbuckling 3 kids x 3 times a day? With UnbuckleMe, ALL caregivers can safely and easily unbuckle their kids. UnbuckleMe is the original, patented, award-winning tool that makes it more than 50% easier to unbuckle a child’s car seat. UnbuckleMe is type II lever that reduces the force needed to unbuckle a child’s car seat by more than 50%. Invented by an Occupational Therapist and a Child Passenger Safety Technician, it’s an essential safety tool that works on ALL push-button car seat buckles.  For more information please visit: https://unbuckleme.com/

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to facilitate this post. Information and images were also provided. No additional compensation was received and I only feature products that I highly recommend.

Can’t Get to your favorite coffee place? STEEPED COFFEE delivers gourmet eco-friendly coffee bags directly to your door-The compostable bags require no machines, just hot water for gourmet brew. I love the taste and was really impressed with the samples I received.

For more information, visit http://www.steepedcoffee.com. 

I love this next one! It would make a wonderful Mother’s Day gift and also a graduation gift!

Love Bank is a beautiful rustic wooden heart with a clear glass front, filled with love felt notes for your Grad. It’s a great gift for them to take to college with them to read their notes when they’re homeseick.  Loved ones write their messages on adorable cardstock heart-shaped paper. It’s not only a gorgeous gift, but it’s incredibly meaningful as well.  https://bankyourlove.com

Plus, with every purchase of Love Bank, love and kindness is also spread to those in need and meals are being donated through their partnership with Feeding America®.

With the current pandemic and safe at home order in California, Mom won’t be able to make it to the Spa this Mother’s Day! But, Mom can pamper herself at home! This next product is a wonderful one for Mom! 7th Heaven Charcoal & Black Sugar Peel Off Mask features cleansing Activated Charcoal to draw out deep down dirt and impurities mixed with a spoonful of Black Sugar to revitalize, hydrate and smooth – You’ll feel squeaky clean and sensationally soft. Use weekly for healthy glowing skin! Other key ingredients include Witch Hazel and Kaolin Clay. Comes in a generous single-serve pouch – perfect for travel. MSFP $1.99 at Walmart stores nationwide. Also cruelty-free, and a member of BUAV/Leaping Bunny and PETA

I loved trying this one out and it really left my face softer and clean!

This next gift idea is just simply perfect for self-care during these trying times. The Happy Planner provides a collection of journals, notebooks and planners that are a wonderful outlet for elevating our self-care regime through noting our thoughts, focusing on ourselves and organizing our lives. 

My favorite is the Be Happy Today Journal! I mean any Journal that starts out on the first page saying “Rainbow is my fave color” is the Journal for me! It is bright, colorful and inspirational! I love all the space for notes and it’s just so much fun to write in! Besides Journals and Notebooks, there are also student Planners, Teacher Planners, and even Fitness and Wellness Planners! I also really like the Budget Planners!

With the economic environment in an increasingly uncertain position, keeping track of financial matters will continue to be an important aim for everyone. Happy Planner’s budget focused planners provides resources such as expense trackers and payment calendars to streamline this process. This one is an absolute must-buy!

Find them all here.

Self Disclosure: I received free samples of all of the above products to facilitate this post. The images were also provided. No other compensation was received.