natural baby products

Safeguard Your Family’s Skin with Baby Mantra!

November 17, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

Review by Alanna Peters

Like Tiffany, I do my best to avoid chemical cleaning products in my home, especially in products used for my family’s skin and hair. I want to make sure that I’m not covering our skin with harmful carcinogens! I was thrilled when Baby Mantra asked if I’d be interested in reviewing their 100% natural skincare line. Baby Mantra is chemical-free, cruelty free, dye free, toxin free and made with organic ingredients. What’s not to like, right?!

Baby Mantra products are all Natural Products Association (NPA) Certified, and come in recyclable packaging. The products they offer are Newborn Shampoo & Body Wash, 3-in-1 Baby Bubble Bath, Shampoo & Body Wash, Calming Massage Oil, and Calming Lotion. Since it won’t be long before I’ll be cleaning my baby’s delicate newborn skin, I was sent a bottle of Baby Mantra Newborn Shampoo & Body Wash.

I tried the shampoo & body wash first on myself. To be honest, I wasn’t really impressed with the way it worked for me. First of all, I had a really hard time getting the pump to actually dispense the product. Once I finally got it started I put it on my loofah and could not get a lather at all. I had to keep adding more and more to be sure I was actually getting enough product on my body. The instructions say to use a quarter-size amount in your palm, so that may be the way to go rather than using the loofah.

I also tried the shampoo & body wash on my 3 year old daughter, and again, I was not impressed. I put it on her hair and felt like it wasn’t doing anything at all. I’ve heard that getting a lather is not necessary in order to get hair clean, but I sure feel like it helps. I have a hard time knowing what areas of the head have been washed if I don’t see a good lather! After my initial disappointment, I read the description of the Newborn Shampoo & Body Wash and discovered that it is advertised as a “low foaming” wash. While I wouldn’t recommend it for adults or older children, I do think it will be great to use on my newborn when she arrives. Since her body will be so tiny and she’ll have a lot less hair than my 3 year old, I can totally understand why a low foaming wash would be perfect for a newborn.

The wash itself has a nice, light scent. When I first smelled it I thought of Christmas trees but after using it in the bath I feel like it has more of a sage/lavender smell to it – love! I’m a huge fan of coconut oil so I also love that this body wash is moisturized by coconut oil and aloe. I will be putting the rest of my Baby Mantra bottle on the shelf until my baby arrives, but I’m definitely looking forward to using it on her! I’d also love to try the 3-in-1 Baby Bubble Bath, Shampoo & Body Wash to use on both girls once the little one gets a bit older.

If you’d like to give Baby Mantra a try, right now they are offering a 20% off coupon for all Baby Mantra products at Amazon.com. Use the code “RAD6BKJY” to get your discount! The code is valid from now until December 31st. To find out more about Baby Mantra, you can visit them online at www.babymantra.com. You can also find their products at Walgreens, Drugstore.com and Diapers.com.

I Just Ordered a TON of Free Stuff (Free for You, Too!)

November 9, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 29 Comments

Well friends, after mulling it over for months and months, I finally caved and placed an order for a free trial from Honest.com.

You have likely heard of the Honest Company, which is the eco-friendly products company started by Jessica Alba that has all sorts of fantastic products for baby and for the home. They have been offering free trials of products for a long while, and all you have to pay is $5.95 shipping. I’ve almost placed an order from them countless times, but just never pulled the trigger.

Want to know why I finally did it? Because I learned something EXTRA fun about those free trials. They offer 3 different types of trials (diapers and wipes trial, home essentials trial, and health & wellness trial), and here’s the thing: YOU CAN ORDER ALL THREE TRIALS FOR FREE FOR JUST $5.95 TOTAL!!! That’s what I’m talking about! 🙂 All you have to do is click on all 3 options. It is seriously just that easy! But I never thought to try it until today for some reason.

I’m ~~cheap~~ thrifty, but for $5.95, even I know that is a smokin’ hot deal. And really, the company and their products fall in line with my values, and people rave about how great they are, so I’m likely going to find some stuff that I’ll want to order again.

The Catch

There’s always a catch, right? This one isn’t too bad, as long as you stay on top of it. You have 7 days from the time your trial products arrive to decide if you want to enroll in their monthly subscription service. If you take no action, you will be automatically enrolled once those 7 days pass. Now in my case, since I ordered all 3 bundles, if I don’t cancel within those 7 days I will be billed $155. I’ll also get a 1 month supply of all 3 bundles sent my way. But if I do cancel, then I’m not out any money other than the $5.95 I already paid. And of course, the free trials are mine to keep either way. Nothing to ship back!

My Strategy

I have my calendar marked for 5 days from today to log into my account and cancel one or more of my subscriptions. It’s entirely possible that I will be nuts about some of the products and want to order more, but I can tell you now that I can’t afford to get all 3! Honest.com also reports that they will remind you several times about your subscription options so that you don’t feel like you were “tricked” into subscribing.

So what are you waiting for? The deal has been around for a while, but I’m not sure if the ability to order all 3 free trials is new. It was new to me, that’s for sure!

Would you like to hear my thoughts on the products after I’ve tried them out for a while? Then check out my honest assessment post where I have linked to honest.com review posts I have written about specific products I have purchased there. I also give you tips on how to make sure you don’t overpay for them!

Zodiac Baby Lotion and Body Wash Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

April 24, 2012 · by Tiffany Merritt · 89 Comments

One area where we have completely made the switch to organic products is with our kids’ bath supplies. We are very committed to only having natural products for washing Darah and will be doing the same for her baby sister. There are several great options on the market if you are interested in doing the same thing, but today I’m featuring a line that not only offers you organic ingredients, it also has aromatherapy designed just for your child based on astrological sign! Check out Zodiac Baby!

Since baby girl isn’t here, yet, Darah has been trying out the Taurus line of products, including a shampoo & wash and a lotion. This stuff smells WONDERFUL, yet it is not overpowering. I probably wouldn’t put it on baby for the first 2 or 3 months of her life, but after that point, I will start using it regularly for her, because it works great and smells great. The cleaning agents are derived from coconut, and the products also contain organic aloe and Vitamin B, which is evidently an ultra-hydrating ingredient. The products are also free of all that yucky stuff that you want to avoid, like parabens, sulfates and phthalates.

I do have a few suggestions for improvement, not to the products, but to the site. I would love to hear more information on the particular scents contained in each product (all I can tell you is that Taurus smells wonderful, but I can’t pinpoint the fragrance), and I’d also like to hear why those scents were especially selected for each astrological sign. That would help me better understand the rationale behind each formula! If I had a better idea of what things were going to smell like, I also might be tempted to buy additional products for myself (Virgo) and for Darah (Leo).

Zodiac Baby products are beautifully packaged and work great, too. I would definitely recommend them as a wonderful gift for anyone who likes to read the daily horoscopes!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a set of products from Zodiac Baby in your choice of astrological sign!

[Read more…]

(Maternity Monday) Noodle & Boo Skin Perfecting Creme Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

February 20, 2012 · by Tiffany Merritt · 82 Comments

I’m 28 1/2 weeks into my pregnancy. I look like I’m about 36 weeks along. Seriously. Some would probably say I look 40 weeks pregnant! I’m super short and the baby has nowhere to go but out. This is also my second pregnancy, so my body seems to be quick to remember how to expand to make room. All this is to say that I’m one round lady these days, with no hope of shrinking any time soon!

So as my belly grows, my skin is stretching. And itching. LIKE CRAZY!!! I need relief, and if there’s a chance that a product might help with stretch marks, well that’s a bonus. I actually had been using a stretch cream product that I used the last time, and it did seem to work, but it had a critical flaw: it is SO greasy! Seriously, I have to not put any clothes on after applying this stuff for a minimum of 10 minutes…way too long!

For the past month, though, I’ve been using a product from Noodle & Boo (remember the review I did earlier for their fantastic super soft lotion?). It’s called Perfecting Creme. I’m just going to be up front about the negative of this product: it ain’t cheap! A 3.5 oz tube will set you back $42.00.

Now let me tell you why I think it’s worth it.

First and foremost, it isn’t greasy! Yay! But that doesn’t mean that it isn’t an AWESOME moisturizer. My belly feels so soft! It also helps tremendously with itching. And when you itch like crazy, you will do anything to get relief. This perfecting creme most definitely provides that relief.

Second, this pregnancy stretch marks cream contains a peptide compound that helps prevent and reduce stretch marks while naturally promoting the synthesis of collagen (that’s elasticity for your skin!). So far, I don’t have any stretch marks. I can’t promise that this product will keep them from appearing, but I do feel confident that it will at least help reduce their severity if I do get them.

Third, this stuff smells SO SO SO good. It made with cocoa butter and avocado oil, but if you ask me, it smells like sweetened almonds. It honestly brightens my mood when I apply it, which is a happy little perk.

I’m so glad I got to try this product. It isn’t something I would have picked up for myself, but now that I have used it, I would highly recommend it to other expecting moms. It’s worth it, and so are you! Be sure to check out the rest of their line, which includes lots of great baby skin careproducts.

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win a tube of Noodle & Boo Perfecting Creme! Woo hoo!

[Read more…]

Maternity Monday: Noodle and Boo Lotion Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

December 19, 2011 · by Tiffany Merritt · 84 Comments

One thing I wish I had taken the time to do more often with Darah when she was a baby was infant massage. There’s so much research out there indicating that this is such a great bonding activity for baby and parent. I was always so worried about whether or not she was cold that I didn’t massage her as often as I would have liked. I’m going to be more intentional about giving my little one lots of touch and ski-to-skin contact this time around.

I know this is a great thing for babies, and it is also a great thing for toddlers! Darah likes to “do lotion” after her bath or really most any time that I mention it as an option. She’s actually not an overly touchy child, but she loves a massage!

I try to make sure that I have high quality, hypo-allergenic and all natural products to put on her skin, and I’ll be even more diligent about that with the baby in its first year. Right now we are testing a product that we are really enjoying. It’s called Super Soft Lotion by Noodle & Boo. It smells fantastic; like a baby! It’s made with sweet almond oil and contains natural antioxidants. I find that it moisturizes Darah’s skin without leaving a greasy residue. I appreciate that because in the winter months, I do want to get her dressed quickly after her lotion time, and I don’t worry that this lotion will get all over her clothes.

Noodle & Boo products are made to be used on newborns and babies with sensitive skin, so there is no need to worry about potential reactions. Their baby skin care products are also formulated to comply with some of the most stringent consumer production standards in the entire world (those set by the European Union and Japan). I appreciate that a U.S.-based company goes above and beyond what our own country’s regulations require. That shows a true dedication to providing the very best and safest products possible.

One other great thing about Noodle & Boo is that they aspire to help children in need by donating a significant portion of their profits to different children’s charities. I love an organization that really gives back.

Noodle & Boo has a fantastic line of products that you and your baby are sure to enjoy. I highly recommend the baby lotion as a gift for your little one, or as an extra special baby shower gift.

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need winner will win a Noodle & Boo Super Soft Lotion!
[Read more…]

Dolphin Organics Shampoo and Conditioner GIVEAWAY!!!

December 9, 2011 · by Tiffany Merritt · 97 Comments

Dolphin Organics is the end result of lots of love, hard work and dedication from the husband and wife team, Nigel and Ayo. They made a commitment early on to eating as much organic food as possible, but later on realized that they weren’t being as careful about what they put ON their bodies as they were about what they put IN their bodies.

Being dissatisfied with the number of organic and natural skincare options for children on the market, they decided to solve that problem by making their own. Dolphin Organics was born, and now has a line of excellent products that you can let your entire family use with confidence.

We were sent two products to try: the Baby Shampoo & Body Wash (just one product!) and the Hair Conditioner. I really love the shampoo & body wash product. Three cheers for a product that does double-duty and reduces clutter in the bathroom! I have found the product to effectively clean Darah’s body and hair without leaving it feeling too dry (a tough thing to do now that winter is approaching!).

The conditioner is a new product for us to be using on Darah, and I don’t think she needs it every time she gets her hair washed. It gets used about once a week, and I do notice that it adds some extra softness to her hair. I’ve actually used the product as well and found it to do a nice job. It also smells lovely!

One other thing I love about these products is that they very clearly list all the ingredients, and even show you which ingredients are organic, and which are natural. They have a column for designating artificial ingredients, but none of their products contain any, so that column is always empty!

Dolphin Organics is offering a special deal each day for the holidays, so be sure to check in and see what you can snag for a bargain!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a Dolphin Organics shampoo AND conditioner set! Yay!

[Read more…]

The Latest and Greatest from Earth Mama Angel Baby (GIVEAWAY!!!)

May 20, 2011 · by Tiffany Merritt · 1 Comment

We are big Earth Mama Angel Baby fans in our house. What’s not to love? This company offers organic personal care products that are safe for every member in the house, young and old! The performance of their products is excellent, and I think the smells are simply DIVINE!

Speaking of smells, Earth Mama Angel Baby has some products that are designed with the expecting mama in mind. Many pregnant women experience a sensitivity to smells, often lasting throughout the entire pregnancy. The Happy Mama Hand to Toe Wash is ideal for a woman in this position. You don’t have to eliminate every product with a scent from your bathroom, after all. This product contains ginger, organic lime and organic pink grapefruit essential oils, all of which will smell wonderful to a sensitive nose, helping to ease that queasy feeling and lift your spirits! Hooray!

Even if you aren’t expecting, you will love the smell. I know I do! And I love the way it dispenses, as a rich foam. This is especially handy at bath time for Darah, as she is a wiggle worm and we’ve got to move fast to get soap on her!

There are some really great ingredients in this product, but what is even more important to know is what is NOT in EMAB products:
• No petrochemicals, petroleum or petroleum byproducts
• No 1,4-Dioxane, formaldehyde, or phthalates
• No sodium lauryl sulfate, cocomidopropyl betaine or other synthetic foaming agents or surfactants
• No artificial preservatives, parabens, phenoxyethanol, Quaternium-15 etc.
• No artificial emulsifiers

You can always feel confident about any purchase you make with this company. The only offer what is best for you, for baby and for the planet. Yay Earth Mama Angel Baby!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win Happy Mama Hand to Toe Wash! The contest will run until May 30th at 11:59pm EST when a winner will be selected via Random.org. The winner will have 48 hours to respond before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is selected. Open to residents of the United States. Limit one entrant per household, please.

REMEMBER, YOU MUST FOLLOW THIS BLOG VIA GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT TO BE ELIGIBLE TO WIN. YOU CAN SIGN UP ON MY SIDEBAR IF YOU DON’T ALREADY FOLLOW.

Mandatory entry: Tell me one other product in the EMAB line that piques your interest.

Additional entries:

1.Sponsor love: Like Earth Mama Angel Baby on Facebook

2.Blogger love: Follow Stuff Parents Need on Twitter

Be sure to enter my other currentgiveaways, found on the sidebar of my homepage.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary product for review purposes. The opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

Slow Fashion Movement: Ecoland Organic Toddler and Baby Socks (GIVEAWAY!!!)

May 7, 2011 · by Tiffany Merritt · 47 Comments

Some Seriously Awesome Organic Pouch Baby Food

August 28, 2010 · by Tiffany Merritt · 104 Comments

So I try really hard to make all of Darah’s food. It keeps our costs under control and I know that she is getting mostly organic and preservative-free stuff. Win-win.

But people, life happens, and sometimes you just need to be able to reach for something that is already made and that the baby will eat at room temperature. So I do use pre-made foods whenever we travel. I also have a few containers on hand in the pantry for the times when she totally rejects whatever delicious meal I have lovingly prepared for her. 😉

I recently learned about a company called Ella’s Kitchen. They have a limited line of products that come in these really cool pouches so you can squirt the food directly onto the spoon. That really helps with the mess factor. Great design, people!

We recently had the opportunity to try out a few different products and let me tell you, Darah went nuts over every single one. Seriously, she loved them so much I actually had a moment where I thought, “Is my food really terrible? She acts like this is the first time she’s ever had something delicious!” I tasted every product for myself, and you know what, Darah’s on to something. Everything was yummy!

One night I actually had some homemade veggie medley on hand for Darah, but she refused to eat it (even after I added cheese!). Fortunately, I had Ella’s Kitchen pouch food as a backup, so I broke out the Carrots, Apples and Parsnips. She ate every spoonful and smiled the whole time. I checked the ingredients. It had just what the title said, “carrots, apples and parsnips.” All the fruits and veggies are organic. So basically Ella’s Kitchen successfully accomplishes what I’ve tried to do on my own, only what they produce is consistently excellent and what I produce is hit or miss. Sort of like my cooking for everyone else, too!

Other things we tried and loved from Ella’s Kitchen included Strawberries and Apples, Peaches and Bananas, and The Yellow One Smoothie.

Let me just put it to you this way: even though I make 90% of Darah’s food, I have already found out where in Chattanooga I can buy these products. And buy them, I will. If you haven’t tried these products out yet, I definitely recommend that you pick a few up. I bet your little one will LOVE them, just like mine did!

Buy it!: You can check out the store locator here to find your nearest retailer, or you can shop online at places like Diapers.com or Amazon.com!

Win it!: Ella’s Kitchen wants to give your little one a gift pack of their yummy pouch food. Hooray! The contest will be open until September 7th at 7:59pm CST when a winner will be selected using Random.org. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to the winning notification before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is selected. Open to residents of the United States. Limit one entrant per household, please.

Mandatory entry: Tell me anything about your child’s eating habits: favorite/least favorite food, your attempts at preparing your own, whether or not you feed your kid organic. Anything relevant to the topic at hand will suffice!

Additional entries:
1. Follow Ella’s Kitchen on Twitter
2. Sign up for Ella’s Kitchen newsletter
3. “Like” Ella’s Kitchen on Facebook
4. Follow Stuff Parents Need on Twitter
5. “Like” Stuff Parents Need on Facebook
6. Subscribe to Stuff Parents Need by RSS, email or Google Friend Connect (only one extra entry, even if you subscribe multiple ways)
7. If you are a blogger (posted something within the past 3 months) put my button on your blog and leave a url so that I can find it.

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways (listed on the sidebar of my home page).

Disclosure: I received a complimentary product for review purposes. The opinions expressed here are strictly my own.