Stuff Parents Need

Easing the chaos in the nest, one find at a time.

All Layah Wants for Christmas is Earth’s Best Toddler Biscuits (GIVEAWAY!!!)

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Just as everyone told me it would be, my two little girls are so very different in so many ways. But they seem to be mirror images of each other when it comes to teething. Namely, they get their teeth two at a time. It makes for double the pain of teething, but at least we get two teeth in instead of just one each time we go through all that teething drama!

Layah has had her two bottom teeth for over a month now. They are the cutest thing on earth! I suspect that more teeth will be along shortly, judging by the GALLONS of drool she produces every day. Even with bibs on her (which, by the way, she’s learning how to pull off! ARGH!), I’m still changing her onesie two to three times because they are getting soaked.

I have had some Earth’s Best Toddler Biscuits in my freezer for a little while, waiting for her to be ready for them. Oh my word, you guys, they are a HUGE hit! I think sticking them in the freezer makes them even more enjoyable to her sore gums. Since they are intended for slightly older babies, I want to emphasize that I do not leave her unattended with these. For her safety, I’m right with her when she gets to gnaw on them. If you choose to give these to a baby under 1 year of age, I recommend you do the same.

(What I would give to have lashes like hers!)

Teething biscuits are popular with babies because they are hard. The point isn’t so much for them to eat it (although they are obviously edible!) but to have something very safe and soothing to gnaw on as those little teeth work their way up through the gums. I like the Earth’s Best teething biscuits because they are the perfect size for Layah to grasp. They also are made with organic wheat and barley, which makes them a good choice from a nutrition standpoint, too.

If you have a little one going through teething, you may have some questions about the process. Check out the FAQ section on Earth’s Best about teething. It’s got some really helpful tips!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win toddler biscuits from Earth’s Best!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.

I am a blog ambassador for Earth’s Best, and as such I have received complimentary products as a thank you for my time. All thoughts and opinions express here are strictly my own.



Woolino 4 Season Baby Sleep Bag GIVEAWAY (Two Winners, $119.99 Value!)


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Baby blankets don’t belong in our babies’ beds, so how do we keep them warm? There is no better way than a cozy baby sleep sack. Unfortunately so many of those on the market are made of synthetic materials that can cause the baby to overheat and actually increase the risk factor for SIDS. Woolino comes to the rescue by creating all natural 100% Australian merino wool baby sleep bags that keep baby warm at night in any season.




Woolino merino baby sleep bags have a host of amazing features, from being super easy to clean to having a convenient harness slot to use during travel. It is compact and warm, perfect at home or on the go. Snaps on both shoulders and an inverted zipper make dressing and diaper changes easier. Underarm snaps make it adjustable to fit small babies. Your baby will be comfortable in a Woolino 4 Season baby sleep bag in temperatures ranging from 63 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. It comes with a travel bag, room thermometer, and it is in a plastic-free, ready-to-gift package which makes it perfect for a baby shower or Christmas!




 




 




Our Favorite Features: 




    

  • Fits babies 3 to 24 months
    • 

  • Seat belt slot for easy transfer from car to crib
    • 

  • Naturally anti-microbial, anti-fungal
    • 

  • Naturally fire resistant without the use of harsh chemicals
    • 

  • Regulates temperature
    • 

  • Made with sustainable and 100% natural Australian merino wool
    • 

  • GOTS certified organic cotton outer
    • 

  • Machine washable
    • 

  • Super soft on baby’s skin
    • 





Purchase: The 2013 Collection Woolino 4 Season Baby Sleep Bags retail for $119.99 each, you can purchase it on the Woolino website. They also make toddler sleep sacks for kids 2 to 4 years old! The Woolino sleep bags are also available on Amazon.








Win One! Woolino is blessing two of you with a 2013 Collection Woolino 4 Season Baby Sleep Bag in size 3 to 24 months, one reader will win Sage and another Spring (both gender neutral).


 








Special thanks to AnaB Social for hosting this giveaway. Huge thanks to all participating bloggers as well! Giveaway ends December 27th at 12:01 am, open to US and Canadian residents, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Thank you! 







Disclaimer: AnaB Social and Stuff Parents Need are not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. No compensation was received for participation in this awesome giveaway. 















The First App I Downloaded with My New Phone: Chug the Bug Review and GIVEAWAY!!!


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We recently upgraded our phones from the ancient iPhone 3 to the iPhone 4s. We’re still one phone behind the cutting edge, but we’re ok with that. This latest upgrade was HUGE, though (hello, Siri!). And after a lengthy absence from the latest and greatest apps, I now feel back in the game.


There’s one app, in particular, that was first on my list to download. It’s from Kids Play Books and it is a 3D story app designed for kids ages pre-k to elementary. It’s called Chug the Bug: Chug Makes New Friends. 
		
		
			
			
		
	


Any parent with a smartphone knows that there is no shortage of apps for kids out there. That’s both really fun and also really overwhelming. How do you know which ones are worth the money? I personally tend to rely on recommendations from bloggers I trust. With that said, I am careful with the apps I recommend since I know people are counting on me to tell it like it is.


And to tell it like it is, I’d say that this app is a winner.


The illustrations are lovely, the 3D component is REALLY fun (for kids and adults, alike!). The story is appropriately interactive for younger kids (meaning that there are fun things to tap on, but not a ridiculous amount of things as I have seen on some apps…that draws you away from the story, in my opinion).



		
		
			
			
		
	


In the story, Chug heads off to school to learn a lot of great things, including what kind of bug he is! He befriends lots of other bugs (making this PERFECT for any kid who is into bugs!). They set off on an adventure together and have a few scary (but not too scary) moments along the way. The story demonstrates cooperation and problem solving at a level that will resonate with young kids.


In addition to the app which I reviewed and which retails for $4.99, Chug the Bug is also available as an e-book which can be read on an iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Mac or Kindle Fire and retails for just $2.99.



		
		
			
			
		
	


If you have an early reader in your home who loves new apps, I definitely think you should give this one a try. It’s unique, well-written, beautifully illustrated, and will provide lots of fun!


Win it!: FOUR Stuff Parents Need readers are going to win your choice of the app code or the ebook code for Chug the Bug!

a Rafflecopter giveaway




Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.


Thanks to Kids Play Books for sponsoring this post and providing codes for the review and giveaway. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own. 


 


Swaddlebees Simplex One Size Diaper Video Review


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If you are new to cloth diapering, I want to STRONGLY encourage you to get a few all-in-one (AIO) diapers. They work just like a disposable diaper, except of course for the part where you wash them. There’s nothing to stuff. It couldn’t be easier. With this type of diaper, I firmly believe that you will fall madly, deeply in love with cloth diapering.


But all-in-ones do have a major drawback, which is that they take FOREVER to dry. Throwing them in the dryer for more than a few minutes is a no-no because it could damage the outer part of the dryer. So you have to wait and wait and wait and wait. When I have to line dry inside, I find that it takes my AIO diapers a day and a half to get dry, whereas my other stuff is dry within 8-12 hours.



		
		
			
			
		
	


Swaddlebees One Size Simplex All In One Diapers has all the convenience of an AIO, but provides a few fantastic innovations so that the diaper becomes so much more than an AIO. This diaper is, in a word, RAD! Check out my video review to see what this diaper does that no other diaper on the market can offer. I think you’ll be impressed. Actually, I know you will.




Told you it was awesome! Basically, this diaper has combined elements of my 3 favorite diapers in my entire stash. So I guess you could say it has become the ultimate supreme diaper. Any cloth diapering parent knows that the order in which you use diapers in your stash when they are all clean tells you a lot about your preferences, and the Swaddlebees Simplex One Size gets used pretty much the second that it is dry. Poor thing never gets a break! That’s the price it just has to pay for rocking so hard. I super highly recommend this diaper. It is pricey at $25.95, but totally worth it. And that’s coming from a frugal gal!



		
		Swaddlebees Simplex One Size
			
			
		
	


Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a Swaddlebees One Size Simplex diaper! Yay! Yay! Yay!!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway




Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of the page.


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


We Used ModernGreetings.Com for Our Holiday Cards (and We’re Thrilled!) (GIVEAWAY!!!)


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Last year at this time I was still battling severe nausea with my pregnancy, and so I just let go of the idea of having holiday cards altogether.


This year I knew I wanted to get a nice picture taken of the family. I booked a local photographer so that we could get a nice family picture. The photographer rescheduled on me. And then 1 1/2 hours before our photo shoot, she completely cancelled. Without an offer to reschedule. And she referred me to another photographer was mostly booked and who charged about 3 times what she charged.


Gee, thanks.


So despite my advanced planning, in mid-October I was left in a complete scramble trying to figure out what to do. I felt sad because I really wanted to send Christmas cards out, and even more than that I wanted a decent looking picture of my family. My mom made an excellent suggestion to see if a friend of mine might be willing to snap a few photos. Jessie from Vanderbilt Wife was SO sweet to take a few minutes directly after her daughter’s fantastic princess-themed birthday party to take some pictures of my crew, and they turned out just lovely.


The next day (Sunday), I uploaded my favorite photo to the ModernGreetings.com website, and I picked out several different cards that I liked and then inserted the picture to see what looked the very best. It was very easy to do, and in the end, I went with something very different but that I loved. I chose a square card that had a beautiful text greeting on one side and on the back side had the photo. I thought it looked really neat.


I placed my order that afternoon. The cards were in my hands by Wednesday. WOW!!! I couldn’t get over the rapid service! They were printed and prepared for delivery the same day I ordered them (on a Sunday!).


Want to see what they look like??? The photo I took of them below was in natural light, and the result is a more muted look than what they look like in person. In person, the colors are rich and vibrant!



		
		
			
			
		
	


 



		
		
			
			
		
	


My mother has already received her card and she called and bragged about how beautiful the colors were on the card. I have to agree with her. The cards looks great and I’m quite proud to be sending them out. I have been very pleased with ModernGreetings.com, and I want to recommend them to you if you are still looking for a holiday card provider. They have TONS of options for color scheme and design. And of course, they offer so much more than holiday cards!


Speaking of which…


Win it!: Every single Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win a hard cover photo book ($30 value!). Yes, you are already a winner!


All you have to do is submit your email address to this link and you will receive a code for the book. Seriously! I signed up, too. What a perfect holiday gift this will make for someone!!! Why is ModernGreetings.com doing this? They are so certain that you will be pleased with the product you receive that they believe you will give them your business down the road. And I think they are right!


I received a complimentary set of holiday cards for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own. 


A Must-Have Stocking Stuffer for Kids: SAFESKIN Antibacterial Gel (Coupon and GIVEAWAY!!!)


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As much as parents would love to shield their children from pain, that’s just not the way life is set up. Kids are going to get their feelings hurt, experience loss and grieving, and get LOTS of experience feeling frustrated when they don’t get their way. Good thing moms and dads have endless supplies of hugs and kisses on hand!


Kids are also going to scraped up on a regular basis. I’m often surprised at how resilient Darah can be, and I try not to react strongly when she falls, but wait and see how she is feeling. More often than not, she dusts herself off and keeps playing. But sometimes the skin gets broken and she sees blood. That’s when she turns to me with wide eyes that well up with tears. And that’s when I know it’s time for Dr. Mom to report for duty.


Lately we’ve had exceptionally good luck and haven’t had any scrapes or cuts, but I know it won’t be long! When it happens, I’m reaching for SAFESKIN, which is a new kids antibacterial gel. This product safely creates a barrier on cuts and scrapes for up to 48 hours to give them a chance to heal without nasty germs finding their way inside. It is non-greasy so that a bandage can easily be applied on top.



		
		
			
			
		
	


This is an excellent stocking stuffer for your little one, as you can be sure that a scraped knee or elbow will be part of life in 2013! I also happen to have a coupon for you, because we could all use some help making stuffing those stockings a bit easier on our wallets!



		
		
			
			
		
	


You can find SAFESKIN at select Walmart locations.


You can also win a tube right now!


a Rafflecopter giveaway




Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.


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


Strolling Through the Holidays Stroller GIVEAWAY!!


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Would you like to go strolling with your loved one this Holiday Season?


The Blogging Mamas Network and KiddyUSA have come together to bring you a great giveaway for the brand new KiddyUSA City ‘n Move Stroller!


This stroller is the perfect companion – it’s Lightweight {at only 21 lbs}, Comfortable for Mom/Dad and Child, and Maneuvers Easily.






The Kiddy brand, based in Germany, is synonymous with innovation and style when it comes to children’s car seats and strollers and now the brand has launched in the US.


The KiddyUSA City ‘n Move comes in 7 fantastic colors {Winner will choose their Favorite!} and accommodates children 6 months to 55 pounds!




To see even more of the City ‘n Move Stroller, including detailed pictures and favorite features, read the KiddyUSA City ‘n Move Stroller Review by Lindsey from So Easy Being Green.


The KiddyUSA City ‘n Move Stroller is available at a variety of retailers.  The City ‘n Move retails for $219.99 and will be available on Amazon very soon!


:GIVEAWAY:


This giveaway is open to US residents, 18+ only.  Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on November 30th.


To enter, please use the Rafflecopter Form below.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclosure:  Special thanks to Hosts According to Jenny, So Easy Being Green, Leetle Baby, and other Strollin’ Bloggers!  Event bloggers are not responsible for Sponsor Prize Shipment.


 


A Truly Portable Activity Seat: Go-Pod Review and GIVEAWAY!!!


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At 6 months old, Layah is one heck of a busy body. Darah, at this age, was perfectly content to sit in a spot on the floor and play with toys for quite a long time. She didn’t crawl until she was almost 10 months old. Honestly, it was awesome.


Layah, on the other hand, has no interest in sitting still. She is already crawling all over the the place. She’s got to be on the move, which means mama’s got to be paying super close attention at all times.


And if I don’t stay on top of her, accidents do happen. Why yes, as a matter of fact, she has already fallen off the bed! I was gone but a moment and I left her far from the edge. But she’s a quick one. When that happened, I knew I needed to start taking extra precautions with her. She needs some restrictive space that doesn’t make her FEEL tied down.


She has a jumperoo, which she loves to play in, but which Tim and I don’t love, simply because it takes up SO MUCH SPACE!! We have a small house, and our downstairs living room/dining room/kitchen area really isn’t very big. So to have a jumperoo in the middle of the floor every day creates a space problem.


But now we are using a very clever invention called the Go-Pod, and I think it rocks! It is an ultra lightweight portable activity seat. First let me show you what it looks like when it is not in use.



		
		
			
			
		
	


That is a thing of beauty, my friends! It folds up like a camping chair! Which means it can get tucked away in the corner, or in a closet, or even under the bed. Cue the angels singing!!!


And here’s what it looks like with little Layah inside of it.



		
		
			
			
		
	


While it lacks the ability for babies to bounce or to turn in it, it is still a very comfortable seat and Layah is quite happy every time I put her in it. I absolutely LOVE the mat that is on the bottom. It protects the floor from my kid! And it provides a nice surface for her feet if I ever set this up on the hardwood floor.



		
		
			
			
		
	


In this picture you will see that there are some attachment devices on the Go-Pod. These are great because you can connect toys to them for play time.


The Go-Pod by KidCo is very well designed. It only weighs 7 pounds and comes with a storage bag, which makes travel with it a breeze. Additionally, it has 4 heights so that it can grow with your baby. It is ideal for babies from 4 months until they start walking. Setting the Go-Pod up takes all of 3 seconds. There is a lock button you can easily hear when it clicks in place so that you know it is safe to put your baby in it. There are also drink and snack holders for your little one in case you want them to eat or drink a little something while you buzz around the house taking care of whatever needs to be done (in my case, the kitchen is in CONSTANT need of attention).


There is no way in this world that I would have been able to take Layah’s jumperoo down to Alabama for Christmas this year. But the Go-Pod is on the packing list! We can even take this with us for visits with friends. It gives us a place to easily put the baby that she will enjoy and where we know she will be safe. After all, not every house has been child-proofed!


Buy it!: Need one of these for your home? You can find a list of local as well as online retailers here. The Go-Pod retails for $49.99.


Win it!: Just in time for holiday travel, one lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a Go-Pod!


a Rafflecopter giveaway




Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.


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


Cozy Earth Bamboo Twin Comforter GIVEAWAY ($320 Value!)!!!


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Your child spends about 3,650 hours sleeping in their bed each year. Conventional fabrics used to make comforters and blankets contain all kinds of chemicals, pesticides, and even highly toxic fire retardants. It is so important to invest in natural, non-toxic bedding for their well being when possible. Wouldn’t you agree it is more important than the latest toys, gadgets, or entertainment? That’s why the generous folks at Cozy Earth are giving one of you a chance to win this twin size bamboo comforter!




The Cozy Earth Bamboo comforter is hand-crafted with the utmost care and attention to detail. It naturally regulates temperature and is perfect for hot and cold sleepers. The shell and the filling naturally wick away moisture from the body, reducing humidity that causes you to be hot or cold. Made from Eco-friendly bamboo, it is a healthy alternative to down, polyester, or conventionally grown cotton. You can read the full review of the Cozy Earth Bamboo Comforter over at Eco-Babyz and see some photos!




 




Our Favorite Features: 




    

  • Naturally anti-microbial, anti-fungal
    • 

  • Inhospitable to bed bugs and dust mites
    • 

  • Fabric stays white and doesn’t ‘yellow’ or ‘grey’ over time
    • 

  • Regulates temperature
    • 

  • Made of Eco-friendly bamboo
    • 

  • Luxurious, sleek, and silky feel
    • 



Purchase: The Cozy Earth Bamboo Twin Comforter retails for $319.99, you can purchase it on the Cozy Earth website. Every purchase supports a charity!






Win One! Cozy Earth is blessing one of you with a Twin Bamboo Comforter for you or your child.


 






Special thanks to Eco-Babyz and So Easy Being Green for hosting this giveaway. Huge thanks to all participating bloggers as well! Giveaway ends December 13th at 12:01 am, open to US residents, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Thank you!











Disclaimer: I received no compensation for this publication. Eco-Babyz, So Easy Being Green, and Cozy Earth Bamboo Twin Comforter Giveaway Event bloggers are not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.