Giveaways — Page 27

Nuby Booster Seat Review & Giveaway

July 1, 2014 by Anne Marie 35 Comments

Last year I reviewed Nuby’s step stool and was so happy with its performance that I was very curious about the booster seat. Nuby’s booster is made of durable plastic in a limited variety of color combos: pink with purple handles, green with orange handles and blue with green handles. It has a wide base and contoured design for comfort. I received the orange and green seat from Nuby in exchange for a review.

Here are the specs:

Holds up to 65 pounds
Includes white safety straps for securing to a chair, and also 3-point straps for fastening around your child.
Base measures 14×14 inches at its widest
Seat boosts your child up about 5 inches.

There are holes in the bottom of the seat to feed straps through around your child’s waist.

Like the step stool, this is a very durable yet lightweight accessory. Both of my toddlers can pick it up with no problem; the textured handles on either side make this even easier.

It has worked fine to boost Susanna up at the table, and is just the right height to allow her legs to fit under the table.

Note: the seat is secured to the chair, but the child restraint straps weren’t yet fastened when I snapped the above picture.

Both of my toddlers have actually enjoyed the seat much more for play. They sit it in, climb on it and put their dolls and stuffed animals in it. When used away from the table, the straps are not needed and can be easily removed.

If you’d like to pick up Nuby’s Booster Seat for your child, try retailers like Target and Walmart, Amazon and Bed, Bath & Beyond. They retail for about $14.95.

Here’s how to connect with our friends at Nuby:

www.facebook.com/nubyusa
www.twitter.com/nubyusa
www.pinterest.com/nubyusa
www.instagram.com/nubyusa

Did you know that all Nuby sippy cups are on sale at Target right now? This promotion ends Saturday, July 12th!

You can enter to win a Nuby Booster Seat for your child. Just use the Rafflecopter entry form below. Giveaway is open to US residents only and ends July 10th.

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

Tiny Tush Elite 2.0 Diaper Review & Giveaway

June 20, 2014 by Anne Marie 159 Comments

Welcome to the 3rd annual Summer Cloth Diaper Giveaway Hop hosted by Heather from Mommy’s Favorite Things and Mama’s Baby Cupcakes. Giveaways are focused on everything that is cloth diaper-related! After reading my Tiny Tush review, and entering the giveaway, make sure to visit all the blogs below for a chance at more great cloth diaper prizes. Each has a minimum prize value of $25.

There’s also a Grand Prize giveaway where one lucky US winner will receive a package worth $375! With great sponsors like EweBGreen, Tidy Tots, Tiny Tush, and Smarti Pants, this package offers a little something for everyone or a great package for someone wanting to start cloth.

Tiny Tush is helping me to celebrate this year’s Summer Cloth Diaper Giveaway Hop! They sent an Elite 2.0 pocket diaper for review, plus two cotton pocket diaper stuffers in sizes small and medium.

I received the cute red and black “Derby” print. Here are the specs:

Waterproof PUL outer
White microfleece inner lining
Large back pocket for stuffing
Large range of sizing (4 rows of rise snaps)
Single row of wing snaps, including crossover snaps for skinny/small babies
Waterproof PUL fabric strip on inside front of diaper
Back elastic
2 microfiber inserts (small 5.5×12 and large 5.5×16)
13 colors sand 17 prints to choose from
Made in the USA
Retail price: $19.99

This is a very well-made pocket diaper with sturdy, high-quality fabrics, and evenly placed stitches and snaps. The inner fleece lining is super soft and a little thicker than many imported pockets I’ve tried in the past. All fabrics used by Tiny Tush are milled in the United States. The price tag is therefore higher than an import, but the quality really shows when you compare. Plus, you get 2 inserts instead of 1 and you can choose “fold to fit” inserts instead of standard microfiber, if you prefer.

And then you also have Tiny Tush’s fast shipping and 1-year warranty on materials, sewing and workmanship.

Having two inserts is definitely a plus. You can use one or both. When the diaper is fully opened on the largest setting, the large insert fits perfectly in the pocket. For 18-month-old Erik, who wears the diaper snapped up just once, I either use the small insert or fold down the front of the large insert a little before stuffing; it’s longer than most “standard” microfiber soakers. It’s very easy to slide inserts in and out; not only is the opening generous but the PUL is very slick (ever stuffed one of those diapers with a “sticky” PUL lining inside the pocket)?

Overall, I’ve been really pleased with the fit and performance of this diaper. It has a nice trim profile, especially through the crotch. The only thing I would change is to have double snaps on the wings, which is just a personal preference of mine. With both inserts in place, this is a really absorbent pocket diaper; I even tested it overnight on my 2.5 year old toddler, Susanna – it held her just fine until morning. Here are a few pictures so you can see the fit on my 18-month-old and 2.5-year-old:

I really appreciate that Charlene also send some of Tiny Tush’s cotton pocket diaper stuffers, since they offer the option of using a natural fiber. They are 2-ply organic cotton fleece; one side is smooth and the other is fluffy. Small measures 9×11.5 and medium is 9.5×13.5 after washing, and they retail for just $4.49 each. You can fold in half or fold in thirds (or even fourths for a tiny baby). I’ve used them to stuff in the pocket or just laid in a cover. The picture below shows the small and medium sizes, as well as the medium folded in half inside a waterproof diaper cover. I really like that Tiny Tush offers so many choices when it comes to inserts; you can have a more versatile stash with components made of different fabrics and that can serve different functions. These foldable cotton inserts can be used later on as burp cloths, clean up rags or even a small portable changing pad for your diaper bag. The cotton washes easily and dries in a normal amount of time.

Enter to win a Tiny Tush Elite 2.0, plus a Bumkins wet bag (12×14 inches). This giveaway is open to US residents and ends June 30th. Good luck!

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Sweet Pea Bamboo AIO and Pail Liner Review & Giveaway

June 19, 2014 by Anne Marie 144 Comments

There’s something NEW at Sweet Pea Diapers! In fact, there are three new releases: the long-awaited Bamboo AIO one-size diaper, a large waterproof pail liner and two new prints for summer (Owls 2.0 and Chevron Purple 2.0). I confess to already having ordered two covers in the two new prints (just couldn’t resist and they are only $11 each)!

My friends at Sweet Pea sent an AIO tester and a pail liner some time ago, so we’ve had lots of time to try them out. Let’s take a look at the new bamboo AIO first. Here are the specs:

Waterproof PUL outer
Double row of snaps on waistband, plus crossover snaps for skinny/small babies
Three size settings via the snap-down rise (fits 8 to 35 pounds)
Bamboo lining
Sewn-in soaker with a bamboo velour top
Snap-in soaker with 3 layers of fabric (two bamboo and one microfiber layer on the inside)
PUL fabric strip on inside of the front waistband
Retail price of $21.95

You might be thinking that’s a lot of snaps to fasten at the waistband. It can be, but I only fasten two or three when in a hurry, and the diaper still stays put.

The photo on the left shows the AIO diaper with its partially sewn-in soaker; on the right you can see what the diaper looks like with the extra soaker snapped on top for more absorbency. You can also see the strip of PUL fabric on the inside of the diaper to help guard against potential leaks out of the front of the diaper.

Just like our Sweet Pea one-size covers, the AIO fits Erik really well. With plenty of snaps on the waistband it doesn’t shift or sag. The bamboo fleece gussets are snug and soft and the elasticized back helps keep messes in (plus it looks really cute from the back). It’s definitely a trim and super cute diaper (and it will be available in all the wonderful Sweet Pea colors and prints)!

The only thing I noticed that is a little different in the way this diaper is designed compared to my Sweet Pea covers is that the wings are lower than the front waistband, so they don’t line up evenly. You can see this in the picture below. Visually, I think it would look better if everything lined up, but this is just an aesthetic issue.

Drying time is normal, thanks to the fact that the internal soaker is only partially attached. This is a true AIO because you can literally just put it on your baby and go. The extra soaker is nice for extra absorbency and snaps in very quickly – much faster than stuffing!

And now for the pail liner.

It measures about 27.5 inches on the long side and about 22 inches along the bottom. The top is elasticized and it will fit a 14 gallon pail (as well as other similar sizes; the one I’m using is a bit smaller).This bag easily holds a couple of days worth of dirty diapers. What’s really amazing is the retail price – just $14.95! This definitely beats out several well-known competitors, and in my testing over the past few months it works just as well. Soaking wet diapers do not leak through; it is sewn and sealed very tightly.

The new Sweet Pea pail liner will be available in several colors and prints, including the two new summer releases pictured above (owls and chevron)!

You can buy Sweet Pea diapers in the United States and Canada.

And now…..Nancy told me that one of my readers is going to win TWO of these new products: a Bamboo AIO and pail liner in their choice of color (subject to availability). How exciting!! Enter to win below. This giveaway is open to US and Canada and will end on July 3.

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8 Ways to Use a Wet Bag (Besides Diapers)

June 16, 2014 by Anne Marie 114 Comments

Wet bags aren’t just handy for dirty diapers. Sealed seams and zipper closure make them much more secure than your typical tote bags. Plus, they are machine-washable and so easy to sanitize.

If it’s wet, smelly, delicate or needs to be organized…..a wet bag can help. To find a great selection of top brands, starting at just $7.95, click here!

Here are a few creative ways you can put wet bags to work:

PURSE FLOATERS: Use little wet bags and even reusable snack bags to corral the small items that tend to float around in your purse, or drift to the bottom: cosmetics, sunglasses, keys, store rewards cards, lip balm, hand sanitizer, medication, etc. Planet Wise bags are just right, especially the window bags that have a see-through front. No trying to remember what’s inside!

WET SURPRISES: Did rain spoil your play date or picnic? Did someone spill a drink on their clothes or unexpectedly wet their pants? Or perhaps the baby spit up all over you. Family life is full of unexpected, and often messy, surprises. You will be SO thankful to have an extra wet bag (or two) in your diaper bag or car to gather up the dirty stuff and lock in odor.

BABY GEAR: Small wet bags and snack bags also work great for holding your baby’s pacifiers, extra bottle nipples, diaper cream samples and teethers. The Bummis Mini Bag (available at Kelly’s Closet) is the perfect size for this and comes in 4 fun prints that match their diaper covers: A large wet bag can also protect and store a soft structured baby carrier, wrap or sling.

CONDENSATION CONTAINMENT: Keep a large wet bag in the back of your vehicle and stow all those things from the grocery store that “sweat” on the way home: jugs of milk, frozen foods, etc. Periodically wash the bag, just like you would a reusable tote, to get rid of potential germs or bacteria. Drawstring closure wet bags, like those from Rumparooz/Kanga Care, work especially well for this purpose.

SEWING PROJECTS: You can keep all your supplies handy for whatever sewing, knitting or crochet project you might be currently working on in a wet bag. Take it with you wherever you go and everything will be handy. Blueberry makes it easy to find a cute bag to hold your sewing supplies because of their fun selection of fabrics and competitive pricing.

FIRST AID: Create a first aid kit to keep in your vehicle at all times and use a (brightly colored: easy to identify) wet bag to hold everything in. It’s easier to store than a box and is also easier to clean if a tube or bottle happens to leak.

NURSING SUPPLIES: Use a wet bag to carry your breastfeeding gear. A good-size bag can hold a pump and supplies (tubing, bottles, milk storage bags, Lanolin, etc.). A wet/dry combo bag is perfect with one pocket for clean pads and one for soiled pads and burp cloths.

TECH PROTECTION: Protect your small electronics from moisture damage by storing in small sealed wet bags. I can’t count the number of times my digital camera has been protected by an accidental splash, spray or dunk by the wet bag it was in! I like that wet bags are less bulky than padded cases.

If you have creative ideas for using wet or dry bags, I’d love to hear them!

Baby Coon Hybrid Fitted Review & Giveaway

May 19, 2014 by Anne Marie 160 Comments

When Erik was a newborn, some of my favorite and most-used diapers were his plush Baby Coon fitteds.

Now that Erik is a toddler, my friend Maria, the talented diaper-maker behind Baby Coon, asked if we would like to test out a one-size hybrid fitted.

What is a hybrid fitted? This is a highly absorbent diaper in a precut shape that is designed to “fit” to your baby’s body, as opposed to flats and prefolds that are squares or rectangles which require folding. A hybrid fitted features a hidden inner layer of fleece for extra wetness protection, plus extra doublers for more absorbency.

I was able to choose a fabric for him and (with input from our three older boys) quickly settled on Pac Man! This diaper features a 95% cotton/5% lycra print outer layer, the hidden polyester fleece layer and a cotton velour inner lining. It closes with polyresin snaps and includes two snap-in soakers/doublers. This is a fantastic-looking diaper with the bright color-coordinated snaps and vivid blue velour lining!

Maria included 2 snap-in soakers (one large and one small) with this fitted. They can be snapped to one another or used separately. Additionally, each soaker opens up into two “petals” made of heavy organic bamboo fleece and cotton velour. When both inserts are snapped inside the diaper you get nine layers of absorbency!

There is a single row of three snaps on the wings, plus crossover snaps for smaller babies. The back and legs contain StetchRite hidden elastic. You can see from the photos just how plush and cozy the inner fabric and soakers and leg/waist bands are.

SIZING: You might wonder why a hybrid fitted is classified as one size. It doesn’t have the rise snaps you typically see on one-size covers and diapers; instead, to adjust for a smaller baby you simply fold the rise down and outward to expose another row of snaps. This shortens the rise and makes the whole diaper smaller (you can see this in the photo below of Erik wearing it). If using all the inserts when the diaper is folded down to the smaller setting, then you may need to fold or tuck the larger insert as well (to make it fit completely inside the diaper without sticking out of the front).

ABSORBENCY: Our Baby Coon fitted is highly absorbent, but not waterproof, so a cover is needed if your baby will wear it a long time (I recommend roomy covers like Sweet Pea, Thirsties, Motherease and Flip). However, the hidden layer of thick poly fleece does give you a little bit of extra protection against leaking, and will allow your baby to wear the diaper for a couple of hours without a cover, if you wish. Wearing a hybrid fitted without a cover is a great way to give your baby a soft and more breathable option to wear around the house or out in the yard, especially during the warm days of spring and summer. Besides, it gives you a chance to show off, and enjoy looking at, a really adorable diaper!

Every part of a fitted diaper is absorbent (except for the snaps, of course) so they are a top choice among mothers who have heavy wetters. If your baby is very sensitive to wetness, I recommend using a stay-dry fleece liner along with fitteds, and changing with greater frequency.

FIT: With the stretchy wings and a generous amount of snaps, it’s easy to adjust this diaper and get a snug fit on Erik. The leg bands are super soft, but snug. If you use all the inserts together, the diaper is quite bulky. However, this combo is perfect overnight (when I don’t worry so much about a big bum). I just make sure to put a bigger pair of bottoms on Erik to accommodate the diaper.

CARE: A hybrid fitted is very easy to care for (just like any other cloth diaper), and it dries in a reasonable amount of time since the soakers consist of petals that open up. I washed the diaper 3 times before first use because of the natural fibers.

You can shop at Baby Coon via Etsy or Hyena cart. Maria also makes toddler dresses and cloth diaper pants. She has invited you all to join her Baby Coon Designs buy/sell/trade group on Facebook for stocking announcements, cloth diaper support and deals on her wonderful diapers!

Maria has offered to sew a custom hybrid fitted diaper for one lucky reader! This giveaway is open to both US and Canadian residents. Good luck!

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