Mom Central Baby

Yogibo your baby with a Yogibo giveaway!

As soon as my baby girl, Kaia, turned four months, she went up a speed. (Think like a cake mixer.) No longer did she sit in my lap quietly taking in her surroundings, content to be near her mom. Instead, she got the idea that she should be off exploring on her own. Now she’s standing on me, rocking back and forth, trying to get enough momentum to go!

She wants to be walked around to see every picture on the wall, what’s on TV and see where her big sister is hiding. I find the best way to give her the freedom she wants, is to let her do many floor activities. She loves to play on her floor gym, loves to grab her feet and rock and roll and now, loves her new Yogibo Caterpillar. 

What’s a Yogibo?

Known for its very comfortable lounge bags, Yogibo just may be replacing the dorm room futon. Described as the “ultimate designer furniture accessory at an affordable price” Yogibo items are a fun way to add extra comfortable seating around your home.

The Yogibo Caterpillar (Baby Yogibo!) I got to test out with Kaia gave her a ton of fun tummy time, which she was in need of since she isn’t a fan of laying on her belly. (Perhaps she thinks she can go straight to walking?)

Her first attempt on the caterpillar led to a realization that she can eat something other than her fist and blanket. As she spent more time on her new toy, she learned she could rock back and forth on her belly by kicking her feet. My 13-year-old decided to mix things up by coiling the caterpillar and plopping Kaia in the middle.

But wait, this wasn’t the only item we got to try! Our friends at Yogibo gave Kaia a little person-shaped pillow (which by the way, people in my office kept trying to steal before I took it home). She was hilarious as she lounged on it all cool-like, leg hanging over the edge. It’s pretty funny to see a four-month-old, lounging about watching TV like a natural.

We also received a Yogi Support Pillow that is ideal for nursing mothers. It also gives Kaia the opportunity sit up on the couch like the rest her family. Just what this family needs - another TV-watching couch potato.

Yogibo Baby Giveaway!

As excited as I was to try out the Yogibo Caterpillar, I am just as excited to offer you a chance to try out one yourself!

Yogibo would like to offer you a chance to win a Yogibo Caterpillar of your very own!

Here’s how:

• Please leave a comment below about your go-to floor activities for baby
• One winner will be chosen at random.
• Contest will end September 15, 2010, at midnight EDT

Erica Gatlin is an account supervisor with Mom Central. She is also a wife and a mother of a tween and an infant daughter. Connect with Erica at Erica@momcentral.com and follow her on Twitter @erica7227.

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Disclosure: Mom Central received a Yogibo Caterpillar and a Yogi Support Pillow to facilitate this review.

Weleda Calendula Baby Care Starter Kit review and giveaway

A baby's skin is one of the most sensitive types around. If you already have skin allergies in your family you may need to think about taking extra precautions when it comes to your new baby. I remember that the doctor in the hospital even suggested using wet wash cloths instead of wipes for the first few weeks after Graham was born. It was true, his skin turned out to be extra sensitive and continues to be.

Some of the products I relied on when Graham was an infant were the Weleda Calendula line of baby care products. I first found the brand in our local organic grocery store and decided to give them a try. I went on a mission when his skin started to break out from less gentle cleansers and thought that a more natural approach is what we needed. I was quickly impressed with the brand when his skin had no more reactions and even felt more moisturized.

The Calendula Shampoo and Body Wash is what I relied upon the most. It was great to have just one product instead of relying upon separate shampoos and body washes. A little bit will go a long way as well. I remember my husband would always comment on how he loved the smell! The Calendula Lotion was also a nice touch after his baths to help soothe, comfort, and keep his skin moisturized. After I had such success with the body wash and lotion, I decided to try out the Calendula Diaper Care. Again, it agreed well with his skin and helped clear up any potential problems. The calendula flower extract seemed to help fight the redness associated with flare ups as well.

Weleda will be launching a microsite August 1st that will be focused on moms sharing and helping other moms. They will be featuring expert tips and also giving away a year's supply of Calendula Baby Care to 50 moms!  In honor of this new microsite, Weleda would like for one lucky Mom Central Baby reader to win a Weleda Calendula Baby Care Starter Kit!

Weleda Calendula Baby Care Starter Kit Giveaway

Here’s how to enter to win a Weleda Calendula Baby Care Starter Kit:

• Please leave a comment below with what concerned you the most about motherhood!
• One winner will be chosen at random
• Contest will end August 12th at 11:59 EST

Contest closed. Congrats to our winner Jodi!

Felicia Carter is the author of Go Graham Go, a parenting blog with advice, products and money saving tips. She has a three year old son and is expecting number two in September. Connect with Felicia on Twitter.

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Weleda provided Mom Central with the giveaway item. Felicia’s opinions about the product are her own.

A Tiny Love Gymini Giveaway! A seat for my bouncing baby

It’s funny how different babies have the same problems but often have different needs. When my first daughter was a baby, and seemed to have inconsolable crying, I would plop her in her car seat and put her in the bathroom with the shower running. The sound of the running water, always calmed her down. That trick doesn’t work with my newest little one. No, this one likes to be bounced … a lot.

When I was pregnant, I used a workout ball to help with back pain. Bouncing on it gently really helped with my aches. I guess little Kaia got so very used to that motion, now it seems to be the only thing that can calm her crying jags.

Tiny Love’s Gymini Bouncer helps calm a fussy baby

Enter Tiny Love’s Gymini Bouncer. No longer do I have to sit for hours bouncing on a ball that once used to relieve my back pain and now seems to increase it. This bouncer works with my baby’s weight and movements to keep it going. It also emits calming (battery-operated) vibrations for double the movement!   

When Kaia isn’t fussy, the Gymini can occupy her time for at least 20 minutes as she is learning to grab and focus on the attached rattles, teether and musical crab. When she starts to get fussy, we turn the crab on, and the flashing lights and music calm her down. It’s hysterical to watch as she becomes distracted by the toy, then starts crying again only to realize she might like the crab, cry little again and then stop and stare again. (Is it mean to laugh at this?)

It is also a cinch to move as it is light and can easily be taken apart. Before I received the Gymini, I had another vibrating seat, which we used when eating dinner, taking showers and sitting on the deck … and that thing was sort of a monstrosity. Sure, it did the trick, but I also nicked up every doorjamb in the house when we moved from room to room.

Needless to say, the Gymini is our new favorite baby item, thank you Tiny Love! 

Tiny Love Gymini giveaway!

Tiny Love would like to offer readers of the Mom Central baby blog a chance to win a Gymini of their very own!

Here’s how to enter:

• Please leave a comment below about your favorite way to calm a fussy baby.
• One winner will be chosen at random.
• Contest will end July 23, 2010, at midnight EDT

Erica Gatlin is an account supervisor with Mom Central. She is also a wife and a mother of a tween and an infant daughter. Connect with Erica at Erica@momcentral.com and follow her on Twitter.

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Mom Central received one Gymini bouncer to facilitate this review. Erica’s opinions are her own.

Consider organic for your baby - SPROUT Organic Baby Food giveaway

Every time I have a baby, I resort back to basics and begin incorporating more all-natural and organic foods into my and my baby’s diet.

OK, I only have two children, but find it interesting that this urge to eat better comes with having a baby. With my first daughter, I went through an all organic phase (even with cookies and crackers!) and figured I was giving my child the very best. Now with baby number two – a mere 12 years later –I’ve not only begun eating organic while breastfeeding, but I am looking at organic baby food options.

Sprout Organic Baby Food

Celebrity chef, Tyler Florence, has moved into the baby food area with SPROUT Organic Baby Food. Made from only one ingredient, these wonderfully portable foil packages are an excellent way to feed your baby healthy food at home or on the go.

Why choose organic? For one, it tastes better! But you are also eliminating potentially harmful chemicals from your baby’s diet and supporting family owned farms.

SPROUT currently makes food for ages six months and older (Stage 1) and seven months and older (Stage 2). In true gourmet chef fashion, Mr. Florence has created baby “dishes” that even I would want to try. Summer Squash with Yukon Gold Potatoes and Parmesan, Baked Sweet Potatoes and White Beans, and Pasta with Lentil Bolognese. What? I should only eat so well!

I especially love the recipe growth chart on the website as it outlines the right food product for your growing baby in stages. The folks at SPROUT sent me some Roasted Pears, Baked Sweet Potato and Roasted Apples. I can’t wait for little Kaia to be able to try them in a couple of months. And, coming this Fall, SPROUT is introducing a healthy Stage 3 snack line. You can guarantee I will try this. If it’s one thing my family likes, it’s snacks.

Sprout Organic Baby Food giveaway

SPROUT is offering three Mom Central Baby readers a chance to win a package of three Stage 1 items. To enter, just leave a comment below about why you’d choose organic baby food for your child.

• Three winners will be chosen at random.
• Giveaway ends July 19, 2010 at midnight ET.

Erica Gatlin is an account supervisor with Mom Central. She is also a wife and a mother of a tween and an infant daughter. Connect with Erica at Erica@momcentral.com and follow her on Twitter.

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Disclosure: Mom Central received three samples of SPROUT baby food to facilitate this review.

Pretty Pushers. Modern, disposable delivery gowns!

My son decided that life outside of the womb was not such a good idea, so I had to be induced. The preparation behind this induction was pretty extravagant. There were questions, monitors, waivers to sign, and of course – a gown. I remember my nurse saying to me, “I made sure to pick out one without any blood stains.” 

Now, I'm sure she was just kidding, but the thought horrified me! So, when Mom Central was contacted about the possibility of featuring a new line of disposable, stylish delivery gowns, I thought it would be a great choice to share with readers.

Pretty Pushers offers four different options in gowns to choose from. I was sent the 100% organic cotton disposable delivery gown to try out. Of course, I have not yet had my baby, so I have not actually used the gown in the hospital. However, I did try on the gown to see what my thoughts were on it.

First of all, it is extremely soft and light weight. I remember at one point in the hospital that I was so hot that I just wanted to strip down. Labor is hard work and will make you hot! Not only is the gown soft, but it is pretty. I never thought I would say that I felt pretty in a hospital gown. The 100% Organic Cotton Pretty Pusher features a beautiful frill design around the neck as well as along the bottom.

Practicality was also taken into consideration when creating the Pretty Pushers line. There is a low open back that is suitable for an epidural while keeping your bottom covered.  This means no more flashing everyone from behind! There is also an opening in the front that has a double tie closure. This opening is meant for any monitoring that the hospital may need to use around your belly. With my first pregnancy, they had to continually come in and lift my gown to adjust the monitors.  The top is also roomy enough for nursing your baby after birth.  Once  you are done, you simply throw the gown away!

Pretty Pushers also has a commitment to the environment. Instead of using synthetic fibers, pure cotton and water-based inks are used. 60% of the paper used in the packaging is recycled and millions of gallons of water and chemicals are not being used on the washing of all the hospital gowns.

The Pretty Pushers gowns retail for about $22 and can be purchased at several stores and online boutiques across the United States.  Find a retailer near you by visiting the Pretty Pushers website.

FYI: You may want to check with the hospital you plan on delivering in to make sure there is no policy on hospital gowns before you purchase a Pretty Pusher gown.

Felicia Carter is the author of Go Graham Go, a parenting blog with advice, products and money saving tips. She has a three year old son and is expecting number two in September. Connect with Felicia on Twitter.

Square One Frozen Organic Superfoods

I remember wanting to be able to make my own baby food in order to ensure that I knew what was going into my baby's body. It took a while to find the perfect consistency on certain fruits and vegetables with a lot of experimentation. I found it to be a daunting task, but very rewarding. Square One Organics was created by a mom on a mission. Denise Henderson had a child with food allergies. She wanted to create baby food that was healthy, organic, convenient, and safe for the planet. Lucky for all of us parents, she was successful!

Square One Organics sent over samples of their baby food for us to try out. Because I do not currently have a child eating baby food, I had a close friend of mine try them out with her son. My friend also has been trying to make her own organic baby food whenever possible. She was extremely impressed with the food, so much that she wanted to know where she could purchase them.  Her exact statements were,"The food had a great consistency and kept the full natural flavor. Square One Organics has been great for mixing in other foods! What you get would take a lot of work to make at home and the containers are a wonderful size. I could tell when I opened them that they were very pure."

My friend was right when she spoke about the pureness of Square One Organics. The fact is, they only  add a little water in order to create the perfect consistency. Nothing else is added to these super foods for babies. Knowing that you can easily offer your child pure, organic baby food is extremely comforting. Each package has two containers and they are sold frozen. You can either leave them on the container to thaw or place them in the microwave. You are also going to love the varieties offered: pumpkin, papaya, peas, butternut squash, mango, broccoli, quinoa, and spinach. You can purchase Square One Organics online at Amazon.com or find a retail location near you.

Felicia Carter is the author of Go Graham Go, a parenting blog with advice, products and money saving tips. She has a three year old son and is expecting number two in September. Connect with Felicia on Twitter.

Win a $50 Moody Mamas Gift Certificate!

 
 

Moody Mamas maternity line launches at Target.com!

As I enter the final month of my pregnancy (4 weeks to go!), dressing around my growing belly continues to be a challenge. Although I have a decent maternity wardrobe (thanks to this being my second pregnancy in 3 years), I have to admit I'm a little bored with its offerings at this point. Even though I'm in the home stretch - I still find myself yearning for new clothes to get me through these next few weeks. Moody Mamas to the rescue! 

I was lucky enough to receive a fun and flirty top from Moody Mamas new Spring line for a product review. I absolutely love it- just what I needed to spruce up my wardrobe. (See photo of me sportin' my fun new yellow top!) The color is perfect for Spring and I love the gathering detail on the sides - very flattering and different from other maternity shirts I've worn. I actually think I'll wear the shirt after the baby comes as the soft and flexible fabric should still fit nicely.   

Moody Mamas is on the forefront in setting maternity trends that are affordable and accessible, yet fun and sexy at the same time. Its celeb fan base including Heidi Klum and Jessica Alba helps to prove just how trendy and cool they are. (I personally love following along with celeb pregnancies so this detail is very appealing to me!)  And - now you can find the Moody Mamas line at Target.com!   For more information, go to www.mmtarget.com.  

Who thought just one new shirt would boost my wardrobe confidence - but it did! Proof that it's so important to splurge on yourself while pregnant. Even if you don't have a special occasion to dress up for - I highly recommend taking some time out for yourself and buying some new maternity clothes. Just think - once the baby comes you won't quite feel like clothes shopping for awhile - not to mention you won't have much time!

Special Offers for Mom Central readers!

• One lucky Mom will receive a $50 gift certificate good towards shopping at the Moody Mamas website.  Simply leave a comment to my blog post and I'll randomly select one winner by May 14th to win!

• All Mom Central Members will receive 30% OFF their order at the Moody Mamas website through June. Simply enter the following code:  MMDiscount at check out to receive your 30% OFF!  Note this offer is good through June 30, 2010.

Mom Central received a product sample from Moody Mamas to facilitate this candid review.

Amy Turner is an Account Supervisor and Contributing Blogger for Mom Central.  She has a two year old daughter and is expecting another bundle of joy in May. 

Bonnet Blankies

I am a huge fan of “mom-preneuers” and an even bigger fan of family ideas and preserving memories. When I heard about Bonnet Blankies and the story behind them, I was moved and excited to share these adorable blankets with the world!

When Mandy Hull's brother was killed in a tragic house fire, she decided to cut out a portion of the blankets that belonged to her daughters to place in her brother's hands at the funeral. Mandy then took the only surviving piece of cloth from the fire (her brother's t-shirt) and sewed it into the blankets for her daughters to keep. By doing this, she was keeping a piece of him with her little girls. Soon after her daughters received their new blankets they started wearing them on their heads like bonnets. They would eat, play, and even sleep in them. After Mandy started receiving many compliments on the blankets, she decided she had stumbled upon a brilliant idea for babies and toddlers and Bonnet Blankies was born.

The idea for Bonnet Blankies makes perfect sense! You see so many young children who are attached to their blankets and wearing them as capes or hoods. My own son likes to put his regular blanket on his head and run around every once in a while. I can see these coming in handy when riding in the stroller, car seat or even to use as a cover for baby's sensitive scalp when outside.

The Bonnet Blankies come in two different colors: Mint Chocolate Chip (Green and Brown) and Decadent Dip (Pink and Brown). They are 100% machine washable and reversible as well. Right now you can use coupon code: BABY1001 and receive the Bonnet Blankie for $29.99. What a unique baby gift idea!

Felicia Carter is the author of Go Graham Go. She has a three year old son and is expecting number two in September. Connect with Felicia on Twitter.

Noodle & Boo: sweet skincare for baby

When my son was born three years ago I had no idea how many different skin care items would be available to me. I also did not realize that so many of them were going to contain chemicals that would cause allergic reactions on my newborn's very sensitive skin. To this day we have to be careful about the types of products we use on him.

Noodle & Boo skincare products were developed by a mother with two sons who also suffer from sensitive skin. Christine Burger worked with professionals in order to develop a blend that would be perfect for even the most delicate skin. The ingredients come from natural resources and are certified organic whenever it is available and safe. Each Noodle & Boo product has been dermatologist and pediatrician tested to make sure you are putting the safest ingredients on your baby.

I was sent the Noodle & Boo Essential Care Kit to try out with my son. This kit is perfect if you are planning on traveling with your baby. The Essential Care Kit comes with: Super Soft Lotion, Extra Gentle Shampoo, and Soothing Body Wash in a two ounce bottle. As soon as I opened the cap to the body wash I was in love! Not only is the product  working wonderfully on my son's skin, but it also smells heavenly! If you are like me, when you have a baby you want them to smell like a baby. The fragrance is light and sweet with a hint of baby powder. We have been using all three items for over two weeks and my son's skin has been great (no rashes, no break outs, and very smooth).

The Noodle & Boo line has so many wonderful items to check out. The Play-Day Sunscreen with an SPF 30 would be wonderful for these beautiful spring days. The Special Delivery Gift Set would be wonderful for a baby shower or new baby gift! There is even a maternity line for all of you moms-to-be. You can purchase Noodle & Boo products online or at a fine retail store near you.

Felicia Carter is the author of Go Graham Go. She has a three year old son and is expecting number two in September. Connect with Felicia on Twitter.

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Disclosure: Noodle & Boo sent Felicia the Essential Care Kit in order to facilitate her honest review.