100% Natural Baby Products Alternatives + 5 Things to Leave OUT of Your Diaper Bag!

February 19, 2017 by Jenni 1,167 Comments

Are you looking for some natural baby products and alternatives to some of the products you’re using now?

I’m sharing some excellent ALL natural baby products and ideas with you! You need to put these things inside your diaper bag, vs. what’s typically packed inside!

100% Natural Baby Products Alternatives + 5 Things to Leave Out of Your Diaper Bag!

As a mom, you want to protect your babies from anything and everything harmful. Right?

{INSERT MOMMA BEAR ROAR!}

Did you know that some of the most toxic, poisonous, and harmful things that can affect our babies, are things that we splash on them often, every. single. day! It’s true!

Moms. Please know that I am 100% guilty of doing the VERY same thing! I know how you feel! I’m slowly learning that some of the products we use, seem safe and healthy – but they are truly toxic and even cancer causing. And I have them inside my home. Slathering these things on myself and my kid!

NO MOM GUILT ALLOWED!

No MOM guilt allowed, moms! EVER! You do what you do, because you love your children. Parenting and life in general, is a learning process. I just want to let you know that there are SAFE products that you can use. Empower you with information that is or can be, life-changing!

Never. Ever, ever, ever, ever — feel guilty about doing what you think is best for your kids! EVER! Deal?!

5 REAL – 100% Natural Baby Products Alternatives!

Below, are 5 products that are probably inside your diaper bag. These are toxic. You can actually google each product and/or the MSDS sheet for each and find out why! I’m sharing excellent alternatives that you can re-stock your home and diaper bag with right NOW!

1. Ditch Talcum Powder and/or Baby Powder (linked to ovarian cancer and lung diseases)

Switch to this talc-free, fragrance free 100% all natural baby powder HERE!

Why ditch and switch?! With t alcum powder being so recent in the news after a couple large lawsuits surrounding its use, it’s time to switch to something SAFE! This info. below comes from ConsumerSafety.org. You can also read more by clicking on the links above.

Talcum powder, a common ingredient in personal hygiene products, has been linked to life-threatening diseases and conditions, such as ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, and respiratory complications. The connection to the these health risks has been suspected for decades, but no action was taken to protect consumers. The lack of any type of product warning sparked a surge of lawsuits resulting in 3 major verdicts in 2016, and thousands more in the legal system.

2. Ditch Traditional Baby Oil (they limit skin breathability and toxin release!)

Switch to one of these all natural alternatives below! Viva Naturals is a great alternative, as well.

You can find these oils below, on Amazon…just by clicking on them.

Coconut Oil
Olive Oil
Almond Oil

Switching to an all natural oil like the ones listed above, guarantees that you’re moisturizing your babies with only goodness. Did you know that traditional baby oils are made from mineral oils that act like a “liquid plastic”. Imagine slathering liquid plastic all over you?! Right? Eww. Your skin cannot breathe and it doesn’t allow toxins to leave your body.

Also, most baby oils contain fragrances. Did you know that brands do not have to list in their ingredients lists, what the fragrances are made from?! Chemicals. That’s what those fragrances are made from. Nasty chemicals.

3. Ditch the Anti-bacterial Soaps and Gels (they contain triclosan, which is carcinogenic. Don’t believe me? Google it!)

Switch to an all natural product like Young Living Thieves Spray or Thieves Waterless Hand Purifier to clean and purify virtually everything!

I mean, let’s face it. I’m NOT going to clean my hands or a baby’s toy with something that could potentially cause cancer. Period. Thieves products are excellent for our immune systems. They contain clove, cinnamon bark, rosemary, lemon, and eucalyptus radiata essential oils.

4. Belladonna (found in teething remedies) – linked to seizures!

Switch to natural remedies like a chilled damp wash cloth, or pressure from your finger on their gums. Essential oils like Thieves and Copaiba have been used for thousands of years.

We all know the torment that comes with teething babies. I’m sticking to doing what my ancestors did. They had it all figured out, after all.

5. Fragrances (can cause respiratory, neurological, and skin damage. May lead to asthma!)

Switch to fragrance-free, organic, or sensitive products. Naturally fragrant products like pure, therapeutic grade essential oils – is the perfect alternative!

Look for the word “fragrance” in the ingredients list in your baby products. Did you know that manufacturers do not have to tell you what ingredients are used in their “fragrances”? You can bet that those fragrances are completely chemical ridden.

There are so many DIY recipes out there on the net that are 100% natural, using pure therapeutic grade essential oils as the fragrance component. If you’re looking to make something homemade with essential oils for you, your home, and your baby – just look online and find one that works for you.

I hope that you decide to Ditch & Switch some or all of these items in your diaper bag, and home! You’ll be SO glad that you did. It will give you peace of mind too, knowing that you’re doing something healthy and important in the long run. Years from now, your children will thank you!

Tell us, what products have you ditched and switched? We’d love to know!!

Disclosure: The infographic and some information was provided to me by consumersafety.org. This post was not compensated by them, in any way. I am however, a distributor for Young Living Essential Oils. All opinions are 100% my own.

Over 50 Fun Baby Shower Games and Activities #BestBabyShower #MomsCheckIn

May 1, 2015 by Jenni 1,012 Comments

Disclosure: This conversation has been sponsored in partnership with Dreft, Munchkin, Downy Wrinkle Releaser and Boogie Wipes. All opinions, including my love of all things baby, are 100% my own.

Over 50 Baby Shower Games

How many baby showers have you been to? I’ve been to plenty in my lifetime, including my own, and they’re always so much fun! Family, girlfriends, gifts, games, food and fun! Awesome memories to be made, for sure. Sometimes as the hostess of a baby shower, we can get a little overwhelmed. I know…I’ve hosted a few. Between trying to come up with the perfect food options, gifts, decorating, games and sending out invitations – it can be super crazy!

Our Moms Check In moms are talking all about Baby Shower games this week and we’re sharing some of our favorites. We’d love to hear your favorite games, it might give others some more ideas too! Drop us a comment below or chat with us on social media using the hashtag #BestBabyShower and #MomsCheckIn!

Baby Shower Games

1. Free Nursery Rhyme Printable Baby Shower Game

2. Baby Animal Name Game

3. 43 of the Best Boy Baby Shower Games and Activities

4. Baby Shower Games You Can Play Using Only Toilet Paper

Here are OUR favorite Baby Shower Games…

“My favorite baby shower game is the Don’t Say Baby game. It’s fun to try and not say the word baby the entire time and steal other’s pins who do say the word. You will come up with unique ways to talk about the baby, that’s for sure!”

– Courtney is a wife and mom to a beautiful daughter. She blogs at Optimistic Mommy where she shares crafts, recipes, entertainment news, reviews, and more. Follow her on Twitter here!

“Baby shower games are so fun. The last shower I went to had a game that was such a hit. We were all laughing so hard we were crying! We divided into 2 teams and had a relay race. You had to put a balloon under their shirt (like a baby belly) and a ping pong ball between your knees. Then, you had to waddle across the room to drop the ping pong ball into a mason jar. It was called Tinkle in the Pot. And oh gosh….do I remember having to hurry and try to waddle to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night when I was pregnant with my son! It was seriously so fun and absolutely hilarious!“

– Amanda is the mom to Joshua and owns It’s a Fabulous Life. If you are looking for a one stop place for all things mom, It’s a Fabulous Life is it! Full of recipes, fashion, DIY projects, recipes and parenting articles it’s the place for all of Mom’s favorites to come together! Follow her on Twitter here!

“ I love a beautiful baby shower — it’s so special to celebrate a new life into the world. I’ve been to lots of baby showers and I’ve witnessed lots of baby shower games! There are many great ideas out there. Games are a terrific way to entertain guests and break the ice if all the guests don’t know each other. One of my favorites is the nursery rhyme printable game!“

– Stephanie is the mom to Sam and the author of Spaceships and Laser Beams. If you ever need party ideas her site is the place to visit! Specializing in all things boy, it’s full of inspiration! Follow her on Twitter here!

“Oh goodness, I’ve been to plenty of baby showers! I have lots of favorite games, can’t pick just one! I love the memory game. Where they pass around a basket full of baby stuff and then you have to remember what they are and write down as many items as you can. Another oldie but a goodie is the “Measure Mommy’s Belly” game where you use toilet paper to guesstimate how big around you think mommy’s belly is. One that they played at MY baby shower that I thought was so funny was picking a few out of the crowd to see who could drink the milk from the baby bottle the fastest! So many awesome memories!!“

– Jenni is the mom of one and the author of Sweet Pennies From Heaven. A hearth and home website, Sweet Pennies From Heaven focuses on recipes, crafts and creating a comfortable home. Follow her on Twitter here!

#BestBabyShower Twitter Party

We’re partnering with some amazing companies that are sponsoring this week’s baby shower chat! Thanks to Dreft, Munchkin, Downy Wrinkle Releaser, and Boogie Wipes! Make sure to join us for the #BestBabyShower Twitter party on 5/4/15 at 1pm EST. We’ll be giving away over $500 in gift cards and prizes!! Make sure that you RSVP here to be eligible to win!!

Dreft

Did you know that Dreft has been helping moms wash baby clothes for over 80 years?! Now Dreft has a product for every stage of babyhood. Their family of detergents and laundry care products are all formulated to be gentle on baby’s skin but tough on stains! From detergents, in-wash scent boosters, refreshers, multi-surface sprays and wipes to a portable pre-treater pen….mom and baby are covered!!

Munchkin

Munchkin offers much more than just baby and toddler sippy cups and feeding products! I bet you didn’t realize that they also supply moms with awesome safety products too, like baby gates! Not only do they have great baby gate products, but they also help in making bathtime and pottytime a breeze with some incredible products! With lots of summer vacations on the way, you should check out their travel essentials!! When baby’s happy…momma’s happy!

Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus

I don’t know about you, but my job as a mom gives me limited time to do things around the house. Like laundry. Save yourself tons of time with Downy Wrinkle Releaser! No more pulling out the iron (who has time for that anyway?!) and no more leaving the house looking like you just walked out of a wrinkle factory!

Boogie Wipes

Folks….allergy season is upon us. My kiddo hates when I wipe his nose with dry tissue, especially if I have to wipe it often. His nose gets all sore and chapped. You know how it is…it happens to us too! No more sore noses with Boogie Wipes! Not only do they have scented wipes, they also have a mist which helps keep those noses bust up mucus! Yuck…I know! We <heart> Boogie Wipes!

What is Moms Check In?

Who are the moms of Moms Check In? We’re 4 moms who are also professional bloggers. We chat about a new topic each week. We talk about things from dirty diapers to date night, and everything in between. Moms love to talk to other moms and let’s face it…MOMS know everything!!

Before you leave, let us know…

What are your favorite Baby Shower Games?

Luvs® Loyalty Program – You Could Win FREE Diapers for a YEAR #LuvsClub

August 25, 2014 by Jenni 1,495 Comments

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Luvs®. All opinions are 100% mine.

Do you have a kiddo in diapers? Maybe MORE than one kiddo in diapers?! If so, I know that you’ll appreciate some savings!! I’m all about reward and loyalty programs, so I wanted to tell you about the #LuvsClub!

You won’t want to miss this!

Not only do they carry awesome products like the Luvs® Super Absorbent diapers, but they have this crazy good Luvs® loyalty program too, to help mommas out! You can get awesome savings, get tips and find baby-related videos. I don’t know about you, but I could watch these kinds of videos for HOURS!

The best part is that Luvs® is giving the first 2,000 registered members a $5 Walmart e-gift card and a chance to win a grand prize of FREE diapers for a year!!! Woot!!

That’s a $1000 value!! The drawing will be held in April of 2015, so make sure to rush over and sign up now!

It’s so easy to do…let me show you how!

– Just click over to the Luvs® Loyalty program page.

– Then scroll down and click the blue “Sign Up Now” button that looks like the image below.

– Fill out the form that pops up, and click submit.

– Then you’ll receive a pop up that tells you that you’re registered, it looks like this…

See…..now how easy was that?! Easy peasy, right?!

Make sure to share the Luvs® Loyalty program with your friends and family so that they can enjoy the savings as well, and be entered to win that $5 Walmart e-Gift Card and the grand prize of FREE diapers for a YEAR! They make it easy to share. After you get your pop up box saying you’re registered…you have the option to share via Facebook and Twitter! 🙂

I can’t imagine how awesome it would be to win FREE diapers for a year! What would you do with that extra money you’d save? I’d totally take a vacation!!! 🙂

Check out the VTech Safe&Sound Video Baby Monitor!

Being able to keep all eyes on 3 kids 24/7 is tough. Especially when they all have a mind of their own and I’m trying to cook, clean, or even just go to the bathroom by myself for 2 minutes. Forget trying to take a shower alone! Since I don’t literally have eyes in the back of my head, I’ve always depended on a baby monitor. I had the old school ones, until very recently!

I am in LOVE with the VTech Safe&Sound Pan and Tilt video baby monitor! This baby ROCKS my SOCKS! I’m so grateful that I have the chance to have one because it’s saving my sanity and it allows me to unwrap these children from around my legs ALL day long!

1. Monitor kids that share a bedroom
2. Talk-back intercom (allows baby to hear your voice in the middle of the night)
One awesome feature is that the camera zooms up to 2x and tilts 124 degrees up and down so I can see both of the younger kids who share a bedroom. I can see the baby in his crib and then, pan the room up to 270 degrees side-to-side so I can see kiddo #2 in his toddler bed!

The talk option is probably my favorite feature because the 2 year old loves to sing himself to sleep. If he wakes up in the middle of the night, momma can sing him back to sleep. Ohh, and I can keep an eye on the room temperature too!! How awesome is that?!

3. Monitor playtime without constantly checking in
4. Keep an eye on baby while you’re outside
Momma can enjoy some quiet TV time alone now! The kids can play in their room and I don’t have to get up 15 times to check in on them. I can see them from my new handy dandy monitor. Oh, and my oldest 2 and I can go outside to play while the baby is napping and I can still see and hear him. It makes a momma feel better to know she can see her baby 24 hours a day!

5. Vibrating Sound Alert (doesn’t wake up the whole house)
At bedtime, when it’s peaceful and quiet – I can mute the video baby monitor and and still be alerted to noise levels in the kids’ room with the vibrating sound alert. I love that because I can tell there’s noise going on yet it won’t wake daddy up! 5am comes awful early for him!

We’ve always been huge fans of Vtech. Now we can add the VTech Safe&Sound video monitor to the list of things we love! If you’re looking for a new baby monitor or buying one as a gift, I highly recommend this one!! One other thing I hadn’t mentioned. You can add up to 4 cameras and monitor all 4 from the same video monitor! That’s perfect for large families!

Connect with VTech on:

Facebook
Twitter @VTechPhones
Google+
Pinterest

What is your favorite feature of the Vtech video monitor?

Get a Good Night’s Sleep with Huggies® Snug & Dry Diapers

May 19, 2014 by Jenni 1,403 Comments

This post brought to you by Walmart. All opinions are 100% mine.

Sleep. It’s a glorious thing, right?! Especially for moms. Sometimes getting a good night’s sleep involved the kiddo sleeping WITH you. Can I get an Amen?? Now, I don’t condone babies and kids sleeping with the parents all the time but on those rare occasions – I think it’s just fine.

However, I never appreciated waking up to realize that little man had peed all over me – through his diaper!

As a new mom, I tried several brands of diapers but I knew very early on that Huggies® was the only brand that I could trust. It was the only diaper that would keep my little man dry and comfy through the night. We used all of the varieties, but soon found that the Huggies® Snug and Dry Diapers were the best for us.

Ding, ding, ding — we have a Winner!

They outlasted other diapers that we’d tried so they became my new best friend. Their “surefit” design keeps the diaper in place on those sweet little baby tushies when they’re wiggling, crawling, scooting and running around. Since they stay in place so well, it’s only natural that they make the perfect sleep through the night diaper! No worries about stinky leaks or accidents! The kiddos stay nice and dry and mommy {and baby} gets some sleep!

Since Walmart is our go-to place for most everything – I’m happy that they carry such a big selection of baby and kiddo things. You can find all of the Huggies® diapers including the Snug & Dry plus tons of different Huggies® wipes. We’ve tried all of those too. The smell good wipes all the way to the natural ones…and of course our personal fave – the One and Done! Since Walmart generally has the best prices, that’s where we shop!

If you appreciate a good night’s sleep – make sure to try the Huggies® Snug & Dry diapers. If your kiddos are out of diapers, then I highly suggest that you opt for these diapers when buying baby shower gifts. Honestly…mommy and baby will thank you!

Tell us about your “Yay, we both slept through the night!” experiences!

Switching to SIMPLY RIGHT™ Infant Formula Can Save You Hundreds

May 5, 2014 by Jenni 668 Comments

This post brought to you by Sam’s Club. All opinions are 100% mine.

The first moment that I realized I was really a MOM, was the day that the husband went back to work. I was alone….just me and wee wittle man.

The time came for a diapee change. Off comes the diaper, and before I could get the other one on — the phone rings and then….

……….he poooooops. One of the “explosive” ones too. Ugh. The only thing I had handy to shield myself with, WAS my hand. As I answer the phone, with baby poo on my hand — I sobbed. It was my mom. She asked, “Why are you crying?” and I replied with….“he just pooped on my hand!” — I then hear honking laughter on the other end of the line.

{Thanks MOM! Yeah…I know. You’ve been there before!}

Because I was a new mom, I was very picky about the formula. I breastfed for the first few weeks, but then to save my sanity — I began using formula. We used an expensive brand of formula that costed us a pretty penny each month. Gaahhh! If I had all that money now, I could go on 3 vacations! If I had known then about the SIMPLY RIGHT™ Infant Formula from Sam’s Club, I would have totally switched!

They have 3 different varieties to suit each itty bitty baby. Whether you use the Baby Care Gentle®, Baby Care Complete®, or Baby Care Sensitivity® SIMPLY RIGHT™ Infant Formula – each provide the best nutrients and nummies for your baby. Clinically proven to support growth and development, now with Lutein for brain and eye health.

Check out the scoop and leveler!

(This will totally make those 3am feedings seem a little less dazed and confused!)

I got a little nosey and decided to see just how much money I could have saved by using the savings calculator online at Sam’s Club. I compared the cost of the formula we used vs. the cost of the SIMPLY RIGHT™ brand and I then got a little cranky! Geeze O’ Pete!!!! I would have saved over $600 in a YEAR! Break that down and it’s a whopping $50 bill each and every month! How much would YOU be saving?

Do you have any FUN baby stories? We’d love to hear all about them! Leave us a comment below and tell us your BEST baby story!

Why Moms and Babies Love mombo™ Nursing Pillow

May 20, 2013 by Jenni 539 Comments

This post brought to you by Comfort and Harmony. All opinions are 100% mine.

Back when I had Eli, I used a nursing pillow but it was nothing in comparison to the mombo nursing pillow that is on the market today! This nursing pillow has a unique shape that is more comfortable and the 2 sides are different. The design is called Firm2Soft. One side is firm which gives support for mommy and baby when nursing and the other side is soft and perfect for tummy time!

The other really cool feature that I love with this pillow that I didn’t have with my old one is that it has vibration! All mommies know how much babies love that. It’s just really soothing to them, or at least it was for my little guy when he was an infant. Mombo by Comfort & Harmony has a nice assortment of pillow styles and slipcover fashions. They have Standard, Deluxe or Nude and all sorts of pretty slipcovers!

We were sent the Mombo nursing pillow by Comfort & Harmony to use to provide a review. Since my son is older, I gave it to my great-nephew Conner. He loves tummy time and I know his mommy will get a lot of use out of it. She also has another baby on the way so I’m glad she’ll be able to use it with him/her. The image of Conner above is with the slipcover off.

Conner loves the soft side of the slipcover on his new pillow…he loves the feel of it on his face! He’s also intrigued by the vibration – as I figured he would be. His mommy loves the pillow because the cover is easy to remove and wash. She’s already been looking online at all the different slipcovers…cause you know baby’s gotta be stylin’! The product packaging was impressive too. It included a swatch tag so you could feel both sides of the pillow, the firm side and the soft side.

If you’re needing a nursing pillow or would love to give one as a gift, we HIGHLY recommend that you check out Mombo products! You can find them at Babies R Us. Make sure to “Like” Comfort & Harmony on Facebook (makers of Mombo) to stay up to date with news, information and promotions! You can also follow Comfort & Harmony on Twitter @ComfortHarmony!