organic baby products - Stuff Parents Need

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.

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!

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Ultimate Green Store Review and $20 Gift Certificate GIVEAWAY!!!

February 15, 2012 · by Tiffany Merritt · 126 Comments

If you are looking for a really great one-stop-shop online for all things green that relate to mom, kid and baby, you really need to check out The Ultimate Green Store! They even offer a green baby registry. If this were my first time expecting, I’d definitely be signing up for that one!

After looking around at The Ultimate Green Store, I am really blown away by the number of products they have, and just how many great gift options there are for different people who may be on your gift list throughout the year. They have everything from luxurious organic cotton jersey sheets to a solar powered ipad charger and everything you can imagine in between!

I, of course, couldn’t help but check out their babysection. When I saw that The Ultimate Green Store carried cloth diapers, I was absolutely delighted! They only carry a few lines, and I think they have chosen to carry one of the brands that is the absolute very best: BumGenius. BumGenius AIO is what I started out with when cloth diapering, and I called it the “gateway drug” of diapers, because it was an all-in-one with velcro closures…it was as close to a disposable as you could get, and every bit as absorbent.

I had the opportunity to review the BumGenius 4.0 in Blossom from The Ultimate Green Store. I decided to try out this diaper because I wanted to see what all the fuss was about, and also because I wanted to make absolutely sure that you, my fabulous readers, know that The Ultimate Green Store has all their BumGenius on sale right now! You can get the 3.0 pocket diapers for just $10.99! EEEEEE!!!!!! The BG 4.0 with velcro are on sale for $15.95 and the organic cotton 4.0 with snap closures is on sale for $20.95. You most definitely need to check out this sale if you are a BumGenius fan. If you’ve never tried this line, then I want to strongly encourage you to buy one at these great prices right now…you won’t regret it!

What makes the 4.0 different from the 3.0? Well, the 4.0 comes with both a small insert for a newborn or younger infant, as well as a larger insert to use as your baby grows. It has also been designed to be an even trimmer fit than the 3.0 version. It is designed to fit babies from 7-35 pounds, which is quite a range! I put the diaper on the smallest setting to get ready for our little one, and it certainly does look like a small, trim diaper! Prepping it was easy; just one wash needed. I’m extremely excited to have this diaper in my collection and I know it will be one of the diapers I frequently reach for, based on my previous experience with BumGenius.

It seems to me that The Ultimate Green Store has put a lot of thought into the brands and items that it carries. I love when a store has that extra layer of quality control, so that you can shop with confidence knowing that you are going to get something terrific. The bargain shopper in me is also so pleased to see that they have a warehouse clearance sale section up right now, with deals at up to 50% off. This is a great opportunity to re-stock your gift closet with things that people would be thrilled to receive! I’m loving this circuit board picture frame, which my self-professed geek husband would love to have on his desk at work!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a $20 gift certificate to The Ultimate Green Store! LUCKY!!!!

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Organic, Fair, Natural: Wild Dill for Babies and Toddlers

February 1, 2012 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

Wild Dill is an absolutely fabulous resource for parents. This online shopping destination is chock full of organic, fair trade and natural toys, clothes and bedding for your little loves.

We recently received a fair trade stuffed animal and I have to say, I was really blown away by the quality. You may be wondering what fair trade means. It means that the artisans who produced this work were paid a living wage for their skills and time. The people making these products are earning a living that ensures they can care for themselves, and their families. Just as you and I seek to make a wage that can not only support us but also help us thrive, so, too, do these individuals, and Wild Dill sees to it that they are fairly compensated. Yes, that does mean that the prices for the products are going to be a bit higher. But I promise you, the quality is unparalleled.

I love this panda from Yellow Label Kids for a few reasons other reasons, as well. It’s organic, which means that when (not if!) the baby chews on it, I don’t have to worry about all the pesticides and chemicals that might be lurking in the material and stuffing. Second, the coloring is excellent for newborn and young infant eyes, which are drawn to black and white images. This ensures that this panda is going to be played with a great deal, especially in the early weeks of life! I will use it with the baby to help her practice tracking objects. And I can already tell you that big sister thinks it is a fun toy, so I’m sure we’ll be seeing her play with it a lot, too!

The product selection at Wild Dill is fantastic, with over 50 great natural brands featured. Some I have already known and loved, and some are new discoveries to me, which is so much fun! What a joy it is to see the growth of organic and fair-trade products!

If Wild Dill sounds like the type of place where you’d like to do a lot of your baby shopping, then you are in luck! They offer wish lists and baby registries! Also, all orders over $65 qualify for free shipping, which is great!

Buy it!: You can purchase the organic stuffed panda I reviewed for $34.00.

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

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!

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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

Creating Rituals With Your Children (Earth Mama Angel Baby GIVEAWAY!!!)

February 21, 2011 · by Tiffany Merritt · 67 Comments

Darah and I have created some rituals that we do on a daily or weekly basis, and these rituals are very important to us both. They help us bond, they help us gauge the time of day and they provide us with something special that is just for us two.

One example is that every Friday we paint our toes. First I paint Darah’s with her Piggy Paint, and then I paint my own. She selects the colors for us both to wear. She takes this event VERY seriously. Another ritual that we have is her nap ritual. There’s an order to putting this kid down, and I won’t go into all the details, but one crucial step is that she must be kissed in between when she is picked up and when she is laid down in her crib. She is quite aware of this, and puckers her lips, even if she is in melt down mode. And it is such an important moment for me, because even if I am at my wits end with her (which is sometimes the case by nap time) we have a moment where I am very quickly reminded that she is my little love and my world.

Over the last few weeks we have developed a new ritual: lotion time. We’ve been using the Angel Baby Lotion from Earth Mama Angel Baby and Darah is a HUGE fan of it. When I squirt out the lotion, I have to make a certain noise that I just can’t seem to write down (it’s more of a noise than a sound, I think), and Darah does it, too. Then we smell the lotion on my hands. She loves the smell, which is the same smell as the Angel Baby Shampoo & Body Wash that we reviewed last month (orange and vanilla…yum!). Then I apply it to her legs and then her arms. Darah likes to talk about how it is, “cool, cool” (meaning that is is cold). And then she takes the pump and pretends to put lotion on her Elmo, Grover and Bunny. That’s pretty much how the ritual goes. Oh yeah, and we do this during morning potty time, and sometimes during potty time right before bed. But ALWAYS during potty time. Sheesh! Little ones really value structure and predictability. The first time I put lotion on her, she was on the potty. And I suppose I did what I listed out above. And the rest is history. Darah remembered it all for the next time!

The Angel Baby Lotion is doing a great job of keeping Darah’s skin moisturized during the dry winter months. Before we go this, I was really at a loss about what to do. I could tell she needed lotion, but I didn’t feel comfortable about putting any of my products on her…there were just too many chemicals that I couldn’t even pronounce! This is not a worry I have with Earth Mama Angel Baby products. I know they use the very best and safest ingredients!

Buy it!: Earth Mama Angel Baby skincare products are all currently 25% off, which makes this lotion just $8.21. Woo hoo!

Lifefactory Silicon Teether Review

March 20, 2010 · by Tiffany Merritt · 179 Comments

It is my understanding that all babies go through a stage where they love to chew on anything and everything. It is also my understanding that this stage can last anywhere from 6 months to 6 years (I’m only half kidding)! Darah is definitely in this stage right now. We assume that she is teething, although we haven’t seen any teeth pop up at this point, or even any raised sections on her gums indicating that a tooth is about to make an appearance. Nevertheless, we have purchased several different teething rings for her. She has liked them all, but they only seem to interest her for 60 seconds or so, and then she puts them down and reaches for whatever else she can to gnaw on.

Several weeks ago, we received a teething ring in the mail from SproutBaby.com. Before I tell you more abut this teething ring, let me tell you a little bit about this company. SproutBaby.com is designed to help parents make healthy choices for their children without getting overwhelmed. There’s so much great information out there, but it is so difficult to sort through it all! SproutBaby aims to do some of that work for you. From their site, “We want to support parents and children, and we do that by making available authentically good products that meet our rigorous standards, are tested and approved by parents and foster the growth and development of your children while also treading lightly on the planet. It’s a tall order, and we are up for the challenge.”

So what does that really look like? One example would be that each product page has a “why we like this” section that gives you more details about why this particular product made the cut to be offered on sprout baby. This is so helpful if you are trying to be really purposeful about what you buy for your baby. It’s a great way to help you buy the very best, and to narrow down options to the ones that best suit your needs. They also have information on the site from experts on health, nutrition, fitness and mindful living.

baby chewing on lifefactory silicone teether

Now that I’ve told you how great the company, let me tell you about how unbelievably awesome the teething ring they sent to Darah is. The Lifefactory Silicone Teether has been, “designed by a pediatric feeding specialist. They are made in the USA of 100% food grade silicone and contain no phthalates, PVC, BPA or latex. The teethers are shaped like rings with four sections each with their own grooves and patterns to help baby develop oral motor skills. And of course, these can be frozen or refrigerated to soothe aching gums.” Ok, so maybe this just sounds like a teething ring with a bunch of silly bells and whistles. NO NO NO, MY FRIEND! I am here to tell you that Darah absolutely loves this thing. She is constantly chewing on it. She loves to chew on one section, then rotate, and chew on another section. She is very aware of the different grooves on the ring and really enjoys trying them all out. Given the fact that she loves to chew on it so much, it is great to know that it isn’t made of plastic. This is an absolute gem of a teething ring, and I give it my very highest recommendation.

Buy It! If you have a teething baby at home, or if you are just a few months from experiencing this joy (said with much sarcasm), then you really need this teething ring. You can pick one up today from SproutBaby.com for $6.95. Also, the store is having a 15% off sale through March 23rd. Woo hoo!

EDIT: This giveaway is closed

Win It! SproutBaby.com wants to give one lucky Stuff Parents Need reader the chance to win a $25 gift certificate to their site! The contest will run until Wednesday, March 31st at 7:59pm CST. A winner will be randomly selected and emailed, and will have 48 hours to claim the prize. Open to residents of the United States.

How to Enter:

Mandatory Entry: Tell me your very favorite product that Sprout Baby carries.

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