GIVEAWAY: Baby Sign Language Kit

Need a gift idea for a mom of a little one, or soon-to-be mom? How about a Baby Sign Language Kit? If you are a parent, you know how frustrating it is to try to communicate with your child before they have the language skills to tell you what they want. In our house this communication gap caused many melt downs and tears.  This is why I think that baby sign language is so important. When our son was too young to speak we taught him the sign for "more" and "all done", so that he could tell us when he was still hungry or when he was full. It worked really well. He ended up signing "more" everytime he wanted to do more of something fun, lol. But still, he got it. And now that he's almost 2, he has some language, but can still get frustrated when asking for things, so we're teaching him more sign language with the Baby Sign Language system.

In the week that we've had this kit, he's started using "more" "all done" again and learned "fan" "eat", "cat" and he is learning more every day. We have "school" time and do our sign flashcards, but I only introduce a few new cards each week so he isn't overwhelmed. He enjoys it, and I'm enjoying learning them too! I learned the sign language alphabet when I was a kid, and I still remember it. I even joined a sign language club in middle school and remember some of that too. It's nice to be able to communicate with people across the room when voices just don't cut it, or to communicate with the hearing impaired.

I've also cut up the poster provided and pasted it onto a thick posterboard so it can stand next to us when we're working on "school." He points to the one he wants me to do, and I show him how to sign that particular word. The picture instructions are really easy to follow. It not only teaches him the signs for things, but he's also learning to read the English words for things. When I sign Mommy I point to the word "mommy" so he will recognize it on paper and in sign. It's a really great system!

This would make a great gift for a mom of a 6-18 month old, or a mom who wants to teach their child to sign!

You can purchase it here: http://www.babysignlanguage.com/product/standard-kit/ or try to win it:

WIN IT: One reader will win a Baby Sign Language Kit

HOW TO ENTER:
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Hip Baby Wraps

Hip Baby Wraps are beautifully woven, light weight wraps that provide breathable and soft comfort for both baby (8-35lbs) and parent. Individually handmade of 100% cotton and non-toxic dyes, these wonderfully vibrant and stylish wraps provide quality strength and durability, but with more air flow, more stunning color and less bulk than other wraps on the market.  Plus, with a variety of color options to choose from, and a reasonable price point, stylish moms can look and feel beautiful with a wrap to coordinate with every outfit.

Need to feed baby on the go?  Get comfort, style and privacy with Hip Baby Wrap’s Nursing Poncho.  Featuring six fun and modern color options, 100% woven cotton, and light-weight breathability, this stylish poncho not only brings a stunning pop of color, but keeps mom and baby cool and comfy.  And because it slips over the head and rests on the shoulders like a poncho, there’s no fumbling around or shifting to ensure adequate privacy.

I had mixed feelings about this wrap. On the positive, it has multiple purposes. It works as a nursing cover during feedings, and can be wrapped to wear baby in front or in back. I also love the vibrant colors and patterns available with this wrap, as opposed to boring solids with most other wraps. So while I liked these features, I found it very hard to wear. I followed the instructions provided and tied in the back, but if you are frequently sitting while with baby, that's very uncomfortable so I tried to tie it in the front or on the side and didn't have enough wrap left to tie it and make it secure. I also found the fabric stiff without much give. Other wraps I've used have some stretch so the baby can "settle" into a comfortable spot while mom is on the move.  I also like that the wrapping instructions are very clear and easy, but still on the fence. I think you should try it and see what you think for yourself, or buy it for an expactant mom in your life for a holiday gift!

For more information visit www.hipbabywrap.com

Here's a video showing just one way to wear this wrap:

Huggies Snug & Dry Plus

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Huggies® Brand. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for participating.
I am happy to announce my participation in Huggies Costco Ambassador Program.  We are trying to spread the word about Huggies® Snug & Dry Plus Diapers and Huggies Natural Care® Plus Wipes, only at Costco.  These exclusive Huggies® products at Costco help you Plus Up your baby care! You can’t get them anywhere else!

Huggies® Snug & Dry Plus Diapers have a SnugFit* waistband and unique Grip Tabs for a secure fit. Huggies® Snug & Dry Plus Diapers are extra absorbent for day and night protection....that's a plus exclusive to Costco! They also come with the trusted Leak Lock® system. 

Huggies Natural Care® Plus Wipes come in a new pack with 2 kinds of refillable dispensers, plus 1160 refill wipes to keep you stocked at home or on the go.  One of those refillable dispensers is the NEW Huggies® Clutch ‘n’ Clean* pouch, which comes in every pack of Huggies Natural Care® Plus Wipes. They tackle messes stylishly while out and about and it comes with a fun strap making it accessible anywhere.

We currently have THREE kids under age 3 in diapers in our house, so I consider myself a diaper machine at this point, but not all diapers are created equal. Over the past 2 years we've tried almost every brand out there: Earth's Best, Target, BJ's, Luvs, Pampers & Huggies and they each had their good and bad qualities. Some had more success for our girls, others worked better for our son. I had a chance to try the Huggies® Snug & Dry Plus Diapers and Huggies Natural Care® Plus Wipes, and am happy to report that not only did the diapers last all night for our son (which means 7pm to 8am) without leakage, but the wipes were softer and gentler than any other brands I've used in the past. When your child has up to 6 diaper changes a day, all that wiping can make their skin raw, but these wipes were so gentle. I'm a fan (and apparently so is my son - see photo)!

Purchase Huggies® Snug & Dry Plus Diapers and Huggies Natural Care® Plus Wipes at their nearest Costco Warehouse, but if you aren't convinced, request a free sample of Huggies® Snug & Dry Plus Diapers and Huggies Natural Care® Plus Wipes (while supplies last). Costco Members - Click HERE to register for a FREE sample of the Huggies® Snug & Dry Plus and Huggies Natural Care® Plus Wipes. Hurry and register now, there will be a limited number of samples each day starting today July 17, 2014 through July 26, 2014 so try back tomorrow if you aren’t able get a sample today! You must be a Costco member to get a sample and limit 1 sample.  

To learn more and a chance to win some great prizes come out and join the #SnugandDryPlus Twitter Party this Friday, July 18, 2014 from 1-2pm Eastern time!!! Be sure to Follow Huggies and Costco on Twitter.

GIVEAWAY: Luvs coupons to celebrate "Bet on your baby" season TWO!

All parents think they know their baby well, but are they willing to bet on it? Find out when actress/comedienne and working mom Melissa Peterman, star of ABC Family's Baby Daddy hosts this adorable, hilarious and surprisingly suspenseful game show. Parents try to predict their toddler's next move in an effort to win money for their child's future education.

Airs Saturdays at 8pm ET/7pm CT on ABC starting May 31st.

Would you take YOUR baby into the baby dome? How do you think you and your baby would do on the show?

My son is usually a little ham, but in front of strangers he clams up, so I don't think he'd do very well on this show. In our home he knows his animal sounds, shapes and foods, but when under pressure I'm afraid he would go silent.

I've seen this show a few times, and it's really entertaining. The kids are adorable!

“Like” BOYB on Social Media! 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/betonyourbaby 

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

Instagram: http://instagram.com/abcbetonyourbaby

Aren't they adorable? :)

WIN IT: a three pack of coupons for Luvs Jumbo Pack of diapers.

HOW TO ENTER:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

content and prize provided by partnershub, but opinions expressed here are my own.

GIVEAWAY: Who wants to win a baby monitor???

Who wants to win a baby monitor? I'm guessing most of my mommy

readers. Let me tell you a little bit about this monitor. The Philips AVEVT SCD570 Audio Monitor delivers advanced monitoring. Providing the most reliable connection with crystal clear sound, temperature and humidity control, a soothing night light and lullabies for you and your baby.  It has sensors that track and display room temerature, LED light to signal noise levels, talk back mode to communicate with baby and 1,000 ft range for freedom of movement.

I think Philips AVENT makes some great products, and this is no exception.

WIN IT: Philips AVENT SCD570 Audio Monitor (retails for $149.99)

HOW TO ENTER:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wi-Fi Baby Camera by D-Link - AMAZING!

D-Link introduced the new Wi-Fi Baby Camera (DCS-825L) – the most versatile and full-featured baby monitoring solution available on the market today. Providing easy at-home and remote monitoring, new parents can easily check on their babies using a smartphone or tablet via the free mydlink Baby Mobile app and service.

The Wi-Fi Baby Camera offers several easy features to help parents keep an eye on their little ones, including 720p HD resolution for crisp and clear video, integrated motion and sound detection to alert parents of movement and loud noises like crying, temperature sensing to indicate whether a room becomes too hot or too cold, and five integrated lullabies to help soothe. The camera is also equipped with night vision technology for 24/7 monitoring and a microSD card slot for on-board recording to ensure no details or special moments are overlooked.

For added personalization, the Baby Camera comes with pink and blue rings to match the color of the baby’s room.

This baby camera allows you to  Record Video Clips or take still photos of your baby. I had fun with this particular feature when my son was standing up and talking to the camera one afternoon. Another fun featuer is the 5 pre-recorded lullabies I can play from another room when my baby wakes himself up at night. I just open the app, select music and play. Easy! I also LOVE the talk back feature, so I can tell my son to "go back to sleep" or "grab your blankie" and he usually listens and goes back down. After going about 14 months of not having or using a baby monitor, this was AMAZING!

Many thanks to D-Link for this review opportunity!

Huggies Little Movers Slip Ons - Way to go Huggies!!!

I participated in an Ambassador Program on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Huggies. I received product samples to facilitate my review and to thank me for my participation.

My son took his first step on his first birthday, and now at 16 months is confidently walking and cruising everywhere, but with more movement came more diaper leakage so I was thrilled when asked to try out Huggies Little Movers Slip-On Diapers. This product is designed for standing/newly walking babies, and not for potty training. I know I originally was a bit confused on if these were for potty training or just for moving babies, so I wanted to share with other moms and my readers. These slip on diapers are made with stretchy sides that don't need adjusting, so I could stop "changing" my son and start "dressing" him, or allowing him to dress himself. He loves when he  learns new things; he feels like such a big boy.

We have been trying to teach him to pull his socks off, pull his pants up etc, and now we tell him to pull his diaper up and he does. It isn't always 100% successful, but he tries so hard! He gets so proud of himself that usually results in some very silly faces like this one!

At first I was worried about how to take the diapers off, especially those filled with the unspeakable messes only a toddler can make, but thankfully these come with tabs that allow you to remove the diaper and roll it up for disposal, so there's no need to slide them off when they are messy. The last thing any mom wants to do is slide a messy diaper down the kicking legs of a toddler, only to make an even bigger mess. 

I was also concerned about how long these diapers would last when compared to our previous brands, but I was pleasantly surprised. My son usually goes about 5-8 hours in a diaper, and he's worn his Huggies Little Movers Slip-Ons overnight (for him, this is 10pm until 9am), and he hasn't leaked through yet. I can't say the same for the diapers we were previously using, so I've been converted!

I would definitely recommend this product to other moms of mobile kids. I don't think that children need these as much when they aren't crawling or walking, but once they start moving they need a diaper that can bend and move with them, providing give & take while still providing the ultimate in leak protection.

If you would like to try them for yourself, here is a link to a $1 off coupon on any package of Huggies Slip On Diapers: http://huggies.com/firstfit 
Note: you will be required to register with huggies.com prior to obtaining the coupon!

Thank you Mom Central Consulting and Huggies for the Huggies samples and this opportunity!

Philips Avent Products

Philips AVENT Natural Bottle:

·         Wide, breast-shaped nipple makes it easy for baby to latch-on

·         Unique comfort 'petals' inside the nipple increase softness and flexibility without collapse

·         Advanced anti-colic system with innovative twin valve allows air into the bottle – not baby’s tummy

·         Now available in Elephant, Monkey and Flower designs

Philips AVENT Free Flow Pacifier

·         Pacifier shield’s six air holes minimize skin irritation

·         Flat, symmetrical nipple promotes natural oral development

Philips Avent makes some great baby products, and while our son is now too old to test these out himself, we are hoping to add some little ones to our family in the next few years, so I'm sure they'll come in handy!

Thanks to Philips Avent for these samples!

GoGo Squeez Pouches

GoGo squeeZ, a no-spoon, no-mess way to enjoy fruit on-the-go and a lunchbox favorite for Halloween.

GoGo squeeZ is a great lunchbox staple for children of all ages and it can now be served with a side of Halloween fun. In the link below you can find some fun pouch-covers for your readers to print and share with their children.

GoGo squeeZ is gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, and made with no artificial anything –And, at only 60 calories, it’s a healthy snack parents can feel good about sharing with their kids. It comes in Eleven Yummy Flavors including, AppleApple, AppleStrawberry, AppleCinnamon, AppleBanana, ApplePeach, AppleBerry AppleMango, AppleCherry, AppleGrape, ApplePear and our newest addition – Apple Mandarin. We have an all-organic line as well!

My son absolutely loves these GoGo Squeeze applesauce pouches. He's 10 months old and has been eating baby food for about 3 months now, and is just starting to eat finger foods.  These pouches are so convenient. I can toss a bag or two in my purse or diaper bag and not worry about bowls, spoons, bibs etc. I am a mom who likes convenience, so these are my new favorite products for baby on the go!

They're not only for babies either. I love them too! :) Who says a mom can't enjoy a pouch of pureed fruit as much as a baby toddler can?

They are also a great idea for a Halloween hand-outs. If you only get a handful of kids, why not invest in a healthy and tasty treat for your visitors?

Boon Inc - Baby Products

WHO IS BOON?

It's funny how such a simple thing can lead to so much. It all began with a messy toddler bathtub. Designer Rebecca Finell's wheels started turning and the Frog Pod was born.

But the problem solving didn't stop there. She had lots of ideas for other parenting innovations so she sought out a partner, Ryan Fernandez—who could create a successful business—and together they founded Boon Inc. Today Boon offers a wide range of products that help parents all over the world.

One of my favorite products that boon offers is the Boon Squirt. It's a spoon with a built in compartment for baby food or cereal. You simple squeeze the desired amount of food onto the spoon and feed to your child. I've used this with my son several times. He enjoys watching the food squirt out and I like the convenience of not needing a spoon and jar. It's 2 in 1.

We also had a chance to try out the Modster Sippy Cup. My son enjoyed using it for a few minutes and then decided it was a toy to bang around. This is typical for our 10 month old, but getting him to sip from it at all was an accomplishment.

Find out more here: http://www.booninc.com/index.php

GIVEAWAY: Baby Bullet (babyfood maker)

Using the Baby Bullet is as easy as 1, 2, 3:

1. Twist the revolutionary Baby Blend Blade onto the bottom of the Batchbowl.
2. Add your ingredients into the Batchbowl.
3. Push and twist.

And in just a few seconds, you'll have a perfectly blended purée that baby is going to devour! Plus, as baby grows into more textured foods, simply push and pulse to achieve the perfect consistency every time!

WHICH WOULD YOU RATHER FEED YOUR BABY? 

MY THOUGHTS: While the baby bullet is extremely easy to assemble and use, I didn't like the fact that I had to precook my son's vegetables/meats before blending. There are many other baby food makers our there that will cook AND puree your food, but this one does not. I think that for the price (under $60) you get a lot here. you get the bullet, the containers and the containers had dates on them so you'll know how old/fresh the food is. This is a feature unique to the baby bullet that I haven't seen in it's competitors. I love making my son's baby food because it's fresh and I know what's going in it. All vegetables, fruits, meat and water. No salt or preservatives. If you want a chance to try one, here it is....

WIN IT: Baby Bullet Prize Package

HOW TO ENTER:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Little Green Pouch

A REUSABLE FOOD POUCH FOR BABIES, BIG KIDS AND GROWNUPS

These pouches are fillable, re-usable and squeezable so perfect for families that try to conserve or be eco-friendly, who like convenience and want to empower their children by helping them learn to feed themselves.

THOUGHTS:
When I first heard of this product I thought it was a fantastic idea. I love the idea of being able to pour in applesauce or baby food and take it with me. It's much more convenient thant jar foods that require a safe place to be stored and a spoon for feeding. These pouches are a no mess way to feed baby on the go. However, I found them extremely hard to clean by hand. They are dishwasher safe, but if you don't have a dishwasher this could be a challenge. The food on the bottom of the pouch never came out no matter what I tried. With such a small opening, it's hard to clean the inside thoroughly. So while it's convenient and easy to use, I found the cleaning on the challenging side.

For more information, check out their site: http://www.littlegreenpouch.com/

BPA Free  |  Phthalate Free  |  Dishwasher Safe  |  Freezer Safe 

DIY Project: Crib Teething Guards

We priced these on amazon, babies r us and etsy, and they ranged from $40 to $75 for crib teething guards, but we weren't willing to pay these prices, so we decided to make them ourselves.

It was surprisingly easy!

We bought 2 yards of fleece material (brown to match our crib). Joann Fabrics is having a half price sale right now on all fleeces, so we got each yard for $4.99, so $9.98 total for the 2 yards. But you can get it anywhere!

Next step was to cut strips to match the width and lengths of your crib sides. There needs to be enough to hang over both sides of the crib, so about 1.5/2 feet long. Our crib was 27 inches long and 56 inches wide so I cut 2 pieces that were 27 inches long and 24 inches wide, and one strip that was 56 inches long and 24 inches wide. You will need to make it longer if you have a large crib railing the ties will need to go around.

Next Step, for every opening inbetween the rains you need a tie and also one to secure in the front and bottom, so cut the strips for the number of holes plus 2. My crib had 7 openings so I made enough cuts to have 9 ties at the bottom.

Final step, place over crib railings and tie in/under each opening and one at the start and end to secure to the crib railing.

EASY! 

BabyGanics Diapers

When it comes to shopping for diapers, it seems nearly impossible to have it all. Eco-friendly diapers that also provide comfort? Those cost a small fortune. How about diapers that are both affordable and safe for the environment? You might as well call them stiff and scratchy. And what about diapers that are as comfortable for your baby as they are easy on your wallet? Not exactly good for Mother Earth. Now, thanks to BabyGanics, you really can have it all. The launch of Rear Gear Ultra Absorbent Diapers offers consumers the first diapers to truly be baby-friendly, parent-friendly and eco-friendly!

BabyGanics’ Rear Gear Ultra Absorbent Diapers encompass all of the qualities that shoppers look for in a disposable diaper. Made with an exclusive blend of superior seed oils known as the NeoNourish Complex^TM, babies’ skin will be nourished and moisturized by a diaper that provides a premium comfort and fit as well as effective leak control. Pair this with the fact that the diapers are made from bio-based materials, and contain no harsh chemicals, chlorine, latex, petroleum-based lotions or fragrance; and you are left with a product that offers more than any other diaper on the market today. Rear Gear Ultra Absorbent Diapers are available exclusively at all Babies R Us locations, with prices starting at $11.99.

THOUGHTS: Our son is 9 months old already and we've tried out a good amount of disposable diapers (sorry we're wimps and can't handle the re-usable kind). We started out loving pampers, and tried Earth's Best and they were both good. Then we had a chance to try Huggies, Target Brand, and Huggies became our favorite brand. When I was sent BabyGanics to try out I was ready to compare to the others we'd used. What I found was that BabyGanics held up well, but in the end it didn't have the leak protection that Huggies did when it came to overnights. I love that they are made from bio-based materials without any extra fragrences, and for the most part did a good job, but overnights were still rough.

GIVEAWAY: Boogie Wipes

In this house, I feel like someone is always coming down with a cold or bug or something, which is why I was so excited to try Boogie Wipes! Boogie Wipes are gentle, moist wipes that contain saline which aids in the removal of dried snot from around your child’s nose.

Boogie Wipes are hypoallergenic, super soft, and gentle enough for all ages.  They are also pediatrician recommended and contain no additives like phthalate and paraben. They're are available in Great Grape, Fresh Scent, Magic Menthol, Simply Unscented and Boogieberry. 




I think this is a great product. A few months ago Braeden came down with the cold of all colds that would NOT go away. He was a leaky faucet for at least 2 weeks solid and we were going through tissues like water. Although these don't help to shorten the cold they were definitely gentler on his little sore nose. When they're small they don't know that wiping the boogies away is a good thing, and he developed the "tissue phobia" but didn't mind the boogie wipes as much. I think they are much nicer to use on small kids than standard tissues.

WIN IT:  One reader will win (2) packs of 30-count wipes (fresh, grape, menthol, or unscented– combination varies)

HOW TO ENTER:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Baby Banz

The Original award winning Australian-designed wrap-around Baby & KidZ BanZ sunglasses

Adventure BanZ improve on our Original Baby Banz by adding an embedded silicone nose and brow piece for added comfort! Baby Banz were originally designed in Australia for one of the world's toughest UV environments. Clinically tested by one of the world's leading authorities on sunglasses, Baby Banz have passed the most stringent standards on sunglasses in the world.

My Thoughts: I think these are the best invention ever for little ones. I had worried about eye protection for my son while he was playing in the park or on the beach, but now I don't have to worry with Baby Banz. They are velcro on sunglasses, and so cute! I think everyone should have a pair for their child!

They also have the beach banz tent, but I just found it to be way too large to tote around or pop up on a beach in a crowd of people. It would be perfect if you go to a secluded large beach, but it didn't work for our campground in Ocean City, MD.

Learn More here: http://usa.babybanz.com/default.asp

GIVEAWAY: Barefoot Books

About Barefoot Books:
When Nancy Traversy and Tessa Strickland started Barefoot Books in 1992, they were young mothers with four children between them. They wanted to create meaningful, creative careers where they could make a difference in the world, while also keeping their children at the center of their lives. And that’s how Barefoot Books was born. For over twenty years, we have created bright, colorful books for children that combine beautiful artwork with captivating storytelling. Our books capture the imagination, spark curiosity, inspire creativity and instill a respect for cultural, social and ecological diversity

Want to become a Barefoot Books Amabassador?
The Barefoot Books Ambassador program is an independent, home-based sales opportunity. You can find a great video here with an overview of what it’s like to be a Barefoot Books Ambassador and earn income for your family or favorite charity doing what you love in your community and running your own business: http://www.barefootbooks.com/sell-barefoot/become-ambassador/.

If you are interested, you can sign up to receive a free intro pack with some information about the Ambassador program and a free book for their family to enjoy. You can sign up to receive the Ambassador intro pack here: http://www.barefootbooks.com/sell-barefoot/become-ambassador/contact/. There is no obligation to join.  You can find Ambassadors in your own community at http://www.barefootbooks.com/live-barefoot/meet-the-community/?member_type=Ambassador.

My Thoughts: They have some really cool books and products and my son loves his "Bear At Work" book with it's bright colors and fun illustrations. Yes, he's only 8 months old, but it enjoys turning the pages and looking at all the images on the page. He's going to be a little bookworm like his mom someday, I hope :)

WIN IT 

: One reader will win a book of their choice, shipped to anywhere in the U.S. or Canada

HOW TO ENTER:

a Rafflecopter giveaway