Celebrity Baby Blog Reviews

Tooth Tissues: Dental wipes for baby and toddler smiles

We are lucky that our 3-year-old is a big fan of brushing her teeth and even lets us brush them for her when she is done, but I will admit that there are many nights when she falls asleep before we’ve had a chance to brush her teeth before bedtime. This is particularly worrisome on days when we have been out, usually at someone’s home, where many sweets and treats were consumed and she falls asleep in the car before we get home. It bothers me to know she fell asleep with all that sugar in her mouth, but like most parents, I’d never dare wake her up just to have her brush the germs away (and then remain awake for the next six hours, no doubt).

I was happy to discover Tooth Tissues, disposable dental wipes designed specifically for infants and toddlers. Created by two dentists (who are also parents), Tooth Tissues are unflavored, leave no sticky residue on fingers or teeth and are 99% natural (paraben free). The textured wipes remove plaque from teeth, gums, tongue and cheeks safely and effectively -- even on sleeping children!

Thymes Sweetleaf Baby: Stay smooth and fragrant, babies!!

I've been a fan of Thymes Sweetleaf Baby products for a while and I was excited when I got to test two of their new gift sets: The Nursery Kit and the Travel Kit.

The Nursery Kit ($48) is a great gift idea for a new mom (or for you) and contains their Nursery Mist, Instant Hands Cleanser, Diaper Balm and a soft terry washcloth, all in a cute waterproof little tub. The Nursery Mist is especially effective when sprayed into our diaper pail, right after I take the stinky bag out to the garbage. The scent of rose and jasmine, with notes of sandalwood and amber, makes my baby's room a more pleasant place to be. Since our nursery is not close to our bathroom, until I get a chance to really scrub my hands, I use hand sanitizer whenever I change a diaper. Sweetleaf Baby's Instant Hands Cleanser contains aloe and vitamin E, and is much more gentle than the drugstore generic brand I had been using. Their Diaper Balm works wonderfully -- love that shea butter!

We also checked out their new Travel Kit ($16), which comes in a clear plastic pouch. It also makes a terrific gift (or grab one for your kids) and comes with Sweetleaf Baby's travel-size Baby Wash & Shampoo, Baby Lotion, Instant Hand Cleanser and a washcloth. I love throwing this in our bag when when we take our children somewhere overnight. The 2 oz. sizes of the products are more than enough to bathe two kids. The combination Baby Wash & Shampoo is tear-free and mild; I love multi-purpose products -- why not save space when you pack?

Celebrity fans of Sweetleaf Baby include Mariska Hargitay and Courteney Cox-Arquette.

Shop Thymes for their entire Sweetleaf Baby Line.

Mama Mio Helps New Mom Nicole Kidman Get Her Body Back

We're told that Nicole Kidman’s personal spa therapist Sarah Choi loves Mama Mio, especially their Smoothie Kit ($58), a great choice for expecting mamas -- it contains their Moisturizing Shower Cream, Body Buff (natural pumice micro-granules blended with sweet almond oil), and their omega packed O-Mega Oil to make your body silky smooth. Sarah LOVES all the products and professional spa treatments, available at The Ritz-Carlton Spas and exclusive spots like Spa Terre at Little Palm Island, and recommends them for all of her pregnant clients.

While Mama Mio is best known for their maternity products, they now have a line for body after baby. Celebrity postpartum stories highlight fitness and nutrition but no one seems to mention the slack skin that comes from the big strrrrretch of the pregnant belly, thighs, and boobs. Their products promise to return your skin to pre-pregnancy condition by healing scars, minimizing stretch marks, and softening and tightening up skin.

CBB Deal: Get free standard shipping (UPS Ground) and a free deluxe Mama Mio bodycare sample when you use code CELEBSKIN at mamamio.com (expires July 31, 2008). One per customer, while supplies last, can’t be used with any other coupon.

TruKid: Skincare with a healthy message

My almost-3-year-old doesn't like sunscreen and when you ask her why, she has a really simple answer for you: It smells.  Still, I refuse to relent and the rule of our household is that we don't leave without applying SPF 30 on every visible piece of our body (even if it does mean we're a little stinky).  By making sunscreen a rule that we follow very rigidly, I'm instilling an important habit in her that will last a lifetime.

Such healthy habits are the premise behind TruKid products. The skincare line, which offers organic products that are free of harmful ingredients (think parabens, phthalates, etc.), comes with a message: that healthy habits should start early and last a lifetime.  The accompanying website, www.TruKid.com, highlights each product with a healthy habits skincare lesson and song to reinforce the message.

Love Chic Baby: Making kids smell sweet

Nothing smells sweeter than the scent of a fresh new baby. But sometimes, even with a daily bath, your older kids could use a little freshening up. I'm not talking about pouring on the Poison and the Old Spice here, I'm talking about a little spritz of gentle dermatologist-tested, irritation and allergy-safe high quality perfume by Love Chic Baby ($48.95).

Truthfully, when it comes to fragrance for kids I was a doubter. We're a sneezy rashy allergic bunch here and not so into products with scent. But when I sniffed the very mild and clean scent of this product, I decided to give it a go and both my kids and I fell in love at first whiff. My two elementary school-aged daughters were gaga over the cute packaging (the bottle contains floating pearlescent hearts) and I was happy to hand them a bottle of perfume that smelled good, made them feel good and did not result in anyone getting a migraine or hives. Call me shallow too, but my kids seemed just a little more huggable smelling fresh and floral than smelling sweaty and playgroundy.

Made for kids aged 6-months to 12-years, Love Chic Baby is already freshening the lives of celeb moms and kids including Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Moss, Rachel Weisz, Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry, Kelly Preston and Gwen Stefani. Tori Spelling, Marcia Cross, Bridget Moynihan, Salma Hayek, Naomi Watts and many more celebrities have also been gifted with Love Chic Baby.

Love Chic Baby is available in boy or girl scents at the Love Chic Baby site and at exclusive stores, such as Kitson, Scoop, Fred Segal and Calypso, online at Amazon, and as of this spring at Nordstrom, Sephora and Holt Renfrew.

Spa Baby Tubs: Turn your bathroom (or counter!) into a spa

Baby: "I'd like to book a 7:30 Spa treatment in the Master Suite? With Mom, please?"

Me: "Let me check our availability..."

Baby: "Look lady, I'm willing to go with Dad if Mom's already booked, I just really need my treatment!"

Pushy kid! Ever since we got a Spa Baby European Style Bath Tub though, my baby seems to think he is entitled to bathe every single day. I've tried telling him that Europeans are notorious for bathing less frequently than Americans but he's not interested in this trivia. He's just loving his spatime too much.

Lil Rinser Shampoo Shield: Rinse away those tears

My toddler son is back to freaking out in the bath again. Even with his 'no tears' shampoo, he still hates to have water on his face. While he screamed the other night as my husband was washing his hair, I heard my husband call for me to "get the hat thing!" He meant the Lil Rinser ($14.98), which had just been sent to us for testing.

It worked! I didn't even have time to rip the packaging off: I just stuck it onto his forehead and held it in place, hoping it would work, while my husband poured water onto our son's head to rinse off the shampoo. It did the trick because absolutely no water got into our son's eyes.

5 Minutes Apart: A little pampering when you need it most

Get ready, get set, get packed!  It's the end of your pregnancy and if you are like me you likely have lists out the wazoo of all the stuff you want/need to pack for your upcoming delivery. The only problem is that you feel more like getting a pedicure and taking a long nap than rushing out to the pharmacy for some travel sized shampoo and conditioner and a pack of hairbands and lollipops. Putting together a hospital bag during your third trimester can be a real drag.  Fortunately there are options to make it easier like the pre-packed hospital bags from 5 Minutes Apart. 

5 Minutes Apart puts together a complete list of what you'll need to have ready on the big day and then gets you up and rolling with a stylish, rolling bag filled with all the toiletry essentials you will need -- plus a few little extras. Their supplies are luxurious and nurturing, bringing a little spa pampering to your hospital room. And if anyone deserves a little pampering, it's you, mama!

Kuster Jellybaby Change Mat & Bath Toy Storage: Change' em and clean 'em

A few weeks ago, my toddler came down with Shingles (luckily they were not painful, just a contagious rash). We realized our baby could be exposed through contact on our changing table, which she shares with our son. We had just received Küster's Jellybaby Change Mat ($69.99), which fit right onto the current changing pad on our changing table. Weeks later, my son is fine and we're actually still rotating the different changing pads for both kids (because it really helped to keep things sanitary). The Jellybelly Change Mat comes with a terrycloth cotton liner and fits all standard change stations. Available in blue, cream and pink, the mat is made of very comfortable memory foam and is never cold (important for those middle of the night diaper changes!). The mat is very easy to clean and comes in a plastic carry bag, which is good because this one will be coming on car trips with us. We love it!

If you are anything like us, you have too many bath toys in your bathroom and never have a good place to keep them. We were using a sand toy bucket, but when you toss wet plastic bath toys in it with no ventilation, they got moldy. We ended up throwing out a bunch and and had to buy more. This time, we tried laying them out on a towel to dry, but it took up too much room in our small bathroom. We found a solution in Küster's Bath Toy Storage Pail ($24.99). It's actually two pails together -- one with holes on the bottom that fits into a solid pail. It's designed to scoop up and hold the wet toys and then allow them to drain free of water -- you simply tip the water out afterward. It's also very compact and comes with handles. It takes up less room than the other bucket we were using. Now if my husband would just build a shelf to keep it on....

Buy Küster products at barebabies.com.

CBB Deal: Use code: cbb10offkuster for 10% off.

 

CBB's Top Registry Picks: Stephanie's 'must-have' baby items!

Looking for some advice on some great baby-buys?  Check out our new series -- CBB Registry -- where our staff fills you in on their 'must-have' baby products.  Fashion, babywearing, strollers, bottles...we cover it all!

Today we're featuring one of our reviewers, Stephanie, and her baby essentials.

Click below for Stephanie's registry!

CBB's Top Registry Picks: Ciaran's 'must-have' baby items!

Looking for some advice on some great baby-buys?  Check out our new series -- CBB Registry -- where our staff fills you in on their 'must-have' baby products.  Fashion, babywearing, strollers, bottles...we cover it all!

Today we're featuring our Senior Fashion/Gear Contributor, Ciaran, and her baby essentials.

Click below for Ciaran's registry!

CBB's Top Registry Picks: Reva's 'must-have' baby items!

Looking for some advice on some great baby-buys?  Check out our new series -- CBB Registry -- where our staff fills you in on their 'must-have' baby products.  Fashion, babywearing, strollers, bottles...we cover it all!

Today we're featuring one of our reviewers, Reva, and her baby essentials.

Click below for Reva's registry!

Elizabeth Grant Skincare: Not Just for Celebs!

Elizabeth Grant's amazing skincare line is one of the best kept beauty secrets of the fashion/celebrity/supermodel world but it's about time someone (me) spilled the beans. Her products are used by wealthy socialite moms such as Kathy Hilton and Ivana Trump, glowing starlets like Anne Hathaway, Jessica Alba, Minnie Driver and Shannon Elizabeth, and even powerhouse designers such as Karl Lagerfeld and Roberto Cavalli. But even with such a compelling cast of fans, that's not what convinced me to write about the line:  It was my own mother.

I was going to title this review 'Mommy and Me' skincare, but it's not about me and my daughter. It's about me and my own mother. Because it is my mom, the chemist, the skeptic and the naturalist who ultimately convinced me how wonderful Elizabeth Grant skincare products really are.

SweetSpice: All the good stuff for your skin

At the itchy scratchy end of my last pregnancy I had a rather grumpy bump. Well moisturized but not exactly soothed. I had one last balm in my arsenal -- the SweetSpice Bloomin' Belly balm ($7.50).

This organic and handcrafted formula was unlike the oils I had tried. It comes in a soft solid form, about the consistency of lip gloss in a pot. The balm is concentrated and contains healing butters (Avocado, Mowrah, Hemp Seed , Aloe) and organic beeswax and lavender oil. It's extremely luxurious feeling - not too greasy or  heavy. And it stopped the itch on contact.

Click continue reading for the entire SweetSpice Review.

Erbaviva: It's baby spa time

Yep, my baby has cradle cap. Little scaly flakes all over the top of her head. Gross, eh? She's got thick hair, so I'm probably the only one who can see it, but still ... ewww. Looking for a natural remedy, I tried olive oil, but there's something wrong about a tiny little girl smelling like Mario Batali.

I found a far better solution in Erbaviva, a husband and wife owned company out of California. Their cradle cap oil, like all their products, carries the USDA  certified organic seal, but besides that, it smells delicious. Now I do what I call "baby spa time" every evening. Just after dinner, I apply the treatment, which contains organic almond oil, organic safflower oil, organic rosemary extract and vitamin E, to her head. She looks like John Travolta a la Grease for 15 minutes, then we wash it out in the bath. In just a few days, I noticed a big improvement.

After toweling her off, I use another new favorite product: Erbaviva's luxurious baby cream, to give her a little massage before bed. Soft, clean, flake-free and smelling divine, she's ready for bed. By the way, the company makes great bath and beauty products for moms, too. If only I had time for mommy spa time!

Exclusive for CBB readers: 10% off any order at erbabviva.com (Expires 5/15/08).

 

Dimpleskins Naturals: A balm for every baby

I've been blessed with two boys who are not diaper rash-prone.  That said, when a course of antibiotics several weeks ago left our 16-month-old Sam with a red, irritated bottom it left me feeling a bit out of my depth.  The old standby tube of cream in my diaper bag was doing nothing to heal the rash, let alone prevent it from worsening, and the situation was deteriorating rapidly.  And then, as if on cue, our samples of Dimpleskins Naturals Bum Bum Balm ($12, shown at left) arrived in the mail.  With a motto of "never a chemical, never a worry," this company brought a great deal of relief...to all involved! 

Click 'continue reading' for the complete Dimpleskins review. 

Johnson's Bath Products: They MEAN no more tears!

Overheard during my toddler's bath time: "Johnson's doesn't make you cry", said my husband to our son. He's going through a shampoo-hating phase --  so we were delighted to test out Johnson's Baby Shampoo (the "no tears" classic). This tearless formula was a staple in my house growing up in the 70's and works! For once, my son didn't scream during shampooing and he's has actually stopped giving us such a hard time about washing his hair (because it doesn't sting his eyes). Johnson's recently sent us some of their classic and new products to test out, their timeless Baby Shampoo, the Bedtime Toddler Wash and the Baby Wash in Cucumber Melon.

Click continue reading for the entire Johnson's Bath Products review.

Cake Beauty: You can't eat it but you can have it!

I adore dessert-scented bath and body products. Man oh man, I used to clean up at the semi-annual Bath & Body Works sales but over the past few months, I've become more aware that what I put ON my body is as important as what I put in it. With that in mind, I've begun eliminating products that contain petroleum-based ingredients like petrolatum and mineral oil. I'm kind of grossed out about the idea of rubbing hydrocarbons on my body so I have been looking for more natural options. (For more ingredients you may want to avoid, visit the Cosmetics Database.) 

After trying Cake Beauty's products in my shower this morning, I've realized that Bath & Body Works is the McDonald's of body products and I've been missing out on better scented, better for you products for years! Their ingredient lists read less like chemical formulas than dessert recipes. Instead of mineral oil and petrolatum, their products' key ingredients include natural oils like avocado, almond and sweet almond, coconut, macadamia nut, jojoba, olive, grapeseed, sunflower, and butters like mango, cocoa, and shea.

Click Continue Reading for the complete Cake Beauty review and a great deal just for CBB Readers!

Stuff for Sprouts: Natural skincare for kids who crunch

One of my favorite times of day is when my husband presents me with my daughter right after her bath and I get to butter her up with lotion before changing her into her pj’s and tucking her in for the night. I never had a thing for skin-care products until I had a kid whose skin reacted really strongly to even the so-called “gentle” skin care products on the market. After dealing with one bumpy rash too many I started collecting natural skin care products -- always careful to read the ingredients to make sure they were truly free of artificial fillers and preservatives.

Not too long ago I was presented with products from the Stuff for Sprouts skin care line and I instantly fell in love. Not only is it great, it also smells so good that I want to eat it!

Made by a mom (of course!) to cure her crunchy kid of dry skin, Stuff for Sprouts' products are made of truly natural (allergen free) ingredients. The formulas, which are very high in natural butters and oils, are chosen specifically for their beneficial properties for dry, sensitive skin. Also notable is what the formula does not contain: no parabens, no nut oils or butters, no mineral oil, no animal products, no soy, no artificial colors, no chemical fillers (and, of course, no animal testing).

Click continue reading for the rest of the Stuff for Sprouts review (and for an exclusive deal!).

33 weeks Pregnant: Belli Pregnancy Products ease the home stretch

I'm in the home stretch now! And my belly is stretching faster than it has the entire pregnancy. It amazes me how fast it has grown the past few weeks. My skin is itchy all over and I am finding myself to be quite cranky. But I am also finding that high quality skincare products from Belli Pregnancy go a long way to ease the itchies, stretchies and crankies.

Made from pure and natural ingredients, Belli products are the only pregnancy skincare products on the market that are thoroughly researched to contain no ingredients that are potentially harmful to your developing baby. See the site for a list of potentially dangerous common skincare ingredients that can cross the placenta. They are proud to be the #1 recommended skincare solution by ob/gyns.

I received the Belli Pregnancy Gift Box ($42) and have been loving every product that came with it. The gift set comes with 4 oz. sizes of Pampered Pregnancy Body Wash and All Day Moisture Body Lotion as well as 2 oz. sizes of Elasticity Belly Oil, Skin Smoothing Body Exfoliator and Foot Relief Cream. My favorites are the Belly Oil and Foot Relief Creams. The scent of the products are soothing and calming, with a hint of mint and lavender -- they were designed with nauseated moms' needs in mind and are sure not to upset even the most delicate senses.

One more product that I cannot rave enough about Belli's Eye Brightening Cream ($28). I'm using it now due to sleepless third trimester nights and I can see it becoming a staple in my bag of mommy tricks. It really helps me fake a rested look. Not sure how it works, but it is magic! Pamper yourself and protect your baby. Shop for Belli Products on the Belli site.

Ensant Peri Balm: Childbirth shouldn't be a pain in the behind

After my son was born two years ago, I had a 3rd degree tear and then didn't heal well at all. It took almost a year for my body to get back to almost normal. Maybe if I had done some perineal massage beforehand, things would have been better for me. Right before we found out baby Allegra was breech, I was testing out Ensant's Peri Balm, because I didn't want to go through the same problems.

Ensant makes soothing skin care for pregnant women. The products are designed to help with all the unpleasant surprises of pregnancy and birth. Because we all know there are bunch- and sometimes it's a little hard to discuss how to prevent this, with your girlfriends over a cup of coffee).

Their Peri Balm, for helping to minimize perineal tearing, when used in conjunction with perinatal massage, will help stretch that delicate area. 100% natural, the ingredients include jojoba oil, beeswax, shea butter, vitamin E, meadowfoam seed oil and coconut oil. To read about some of the benefits of perineal massage, click here. Included are directions on how to massage (a good job for your birthing partner to help with). The massaging should be started weeks before you give birth to help the skin down there stretch.

Ensant's products were created by a mom. As someone who experienced a difficult recovery after the birth of my first child, I was happy to hear that the company takes a proactive approach to pregnancy. The company's website says,

        Our products are created to help prepare the body. Think about it: Gymnasts don't enter
        competition without limbering up first. It's only logical that we limber up, too ... moisturizing
       and regular massage can aid your skin retain it's precious balance & elasticity. This can
        dramatically lower your chances of incurring stretch marks and episiotomy.

Shop Ensant.

SquidSoap: Take the hassle out of handwashing

As a mom, I've fallen prey to more than my fair share of gimmicks over the years.  There have been some purchases for my boys that I was downright embarrassed by afterwards. (Is a popsicle shaped like Nemo really necessary?  Does it taste any better than its non-Nemo counterparts in the frozen food aisle?) When we were asked to test SquidSoap by Airborne, I have to admit, at first I was skeptical -- I'd been burned one too many times by clever advertising, I guess. But it works. It really, really works! 

SquidSoap aims to help teach children proper hand-washing techniques in a fun and unique way. When you dispense the soap, the palm of the hand that pushed down on the pump is marked with a small, circular orange vegetable dye stamp. Only after approximately 20 seconds of lathering and rinsing will the 'squid' ink vanish, which happens to be the same amount of time the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends for an effective, germ-killing hand-washing. 

Owen, our 4-year-old, was very excited to test SquidSoap because -- like his mother, apparently -- he's a sucker for a good gimmick. The first few times he used it, I have to admit that he ignored the premise and focused most of his efforts on stamping every square inch of his hands. But after some direction, he quickly got the hang of things and one week later he is still absolutely psyched to wash his hands with SquidSoap -- after every trip to the potty, before every meal, after playing outside, etc., etc.  Sometimes I think he has even been making up excuses to wash his hands! He really does dot his hand with the ink and wash until it's gone, just as Airborne intended.  In the middle of cold and flu season, knowing that I've got at least one little guy in the house with germ-free hands gives me peace of mind, and -- gimmick or no gimmick -- that's nothing to be embarrassed about.

SquidSoap is available in-person at a variety of retail stores like Wal-Mart and Target, or online here, at $15.99 for a 4-pack.

Sunflower Hill Soap: A little ray of sunshine for your little one

With a philosophy of "real beauty comes from within," Sunflower Hill Soap has been doing its part to make the women of the world feel beautiful for years.  And while we all like to think our baby is the most beautiful in the world, with the launch of Sunflower Hill Soap's new baby line, he or she can at least smell like they are, too!  We recently tested the entire line, and were very happy with the results.

Love That Baby Bath Soak ($15) comes in the form of several tea bags filled with ground oatmeal, lavender buds, calendula petals, goat's milk powder and lavender essential oils that you hold under warm running water as you draw baby's bath. The aroma was wonderful and, just as the company claims, the bath really did seem to calm our fussy (teething) baby, Sam. 

Love That Baby Gentle Oats Body Wash ($15) is a great tear-free, oatmeal-based wash that definitely agreed with the boys. It's not overly-sudsy, which for us is a good thing, as both boys have sensitive skin that dries out very easily, especially in the winter. The addition of lavender and chamomile essential oils is a nice, luxurious touch.

Love That Baby Oil ($15) is definitely a big upgrade from the traditional baby oil you might be using. A sunflower-based oil with a touch of lavender essential oil, Love That Baby Oil works great in conjunction with the Gentle Oats Body Wash or on its own as a moisturizer.  We love that its not as greasy as other oils; The skin absorbs it rather easily and is left feeling smooth and smelling great.

Love That Baby Bum Bum Balm ($8) is a great multi-purpose balm designed for diaper changes but also very useful in protecting chapped cheeks, chins, fingers and toes. We used it for pretty much all of these purposes and were really pleased -- especially with how well it protected the boys' cheeks on some really cold and windy days.   

The company also has a wide range of pre-existing products for bigger kids, including 'Bog Wash' and adorable 'Frog in a Bog' and 'Fish in a Bag' soaps.  Using only the best ingredients, including essential and fragrance oils, glycerin and fixed oils, Sunflower Hill Soap's products are packaged primarily in recyclable materials and are never tested on animals. Need a little more incentive to give Sunflower Hill Soap a shot?  The company says on its website that it is "committed to hiring local women and allowing them to control their own work schedules with us" as "one more way we are supporting the women of Maine." One more great reason to buy from Sunflower Hill Soap! 

Johnson's Vanilla Oatmeal Baby Wash and Baby Lotion: Bathe your babe in sweetness and softness

Bath time is a nightly ritual in my house and has been for a very long time now. I know that my child doesn't need one every night, but since I was a working mom who wanted her child to understand routine and to sleep well, I found it necessary to create a bed time ritual that didn't vary too much. My mom used JOHNSON'S original no tears formula on me when I was a kid, I remember the yellow bottle fondly, so when I made the choice for my child I stuck with a trusted brand.

A short while back Johnson's introduced a lavendar and vanilla formula that helped little ones sleep better. And while many people LOVED this product, I found that my nose was sensitive to lavendar and just couldn't use it with my child. That has left me with unscented product, until now! JOHNSON'S has just released it's Vanilla Oatmeal Baby Wash and Baby Lotion. This specially formulated baby wash and lotion combines an essence of vanilla with oatmeal (known to moisturize) for an incredibly, indulgent baby product.

Like all JOHNSON'S products they are mild and gentle -- the baby wash is even a No More Tears product! I really liked how soft they left my child's delicate skin and the sugary-sweet vanilla scent was very tame and didn't make my child reek of ice cream. I also was pleasantly suprised to find that her dry skin and sensitive skin patches didn't flare up, but rather soaked in the moisture from the oatmeal nicely.

The JOHNSON'S Vanilla Oatmeal Baby Wash and Baby Lotion will be available in food, drug and mass-market chain stores in early 2008 and each product retails for $3.49.

The Original Little Sprout: Products for kids with curls

When I was a little girl I hated my hair. My mother’s hair is pin straight and, of course, she had no clue how to tame my wild mane. Because of that, my hair was never curly, nor straight, but a crazy, frizzy mess that she would brush out and that I would more often than not ask her to pull away from my face.

I’m sure anyone with curly hair can relate to what I’m about to say but in the 7^th grade I discovered gel and it completely transformed my life. By the end of Junior High School my gel and I had gotten to know each other so well that my curls blossomed and some semblance of an actual hair style had begun to emerge. Though I was learning to make peace with my curls, I still carried around a lot of insecurities about my former frizz, and often found it unnerving (and slightly unbelievable) that other girls would occasionally mention how much they envied my hair.

Click below to continue reading the entire The Original Little Sprout Review.

Noodle & Boo Ultimate Baby Ointment: The ultimate in skin care for your baby

My daughter got almost nothing from me, but it seems the traits that we do share are the ones I didn't want her to have. From her stick straight, baby fine hair to her sensitive skin I am truly disappointed that she couldn't have just had my blue/green eyes and called it a day. But, what is done is done, so now I spend my time trying to find products that will rectify the situation.

My first concern is her poor, delicate skin. Our pediatrician has commented that my daughter has mild eczema on her face and upper arms. I'm actually inclined to believe it's Keratosis Pilaris, a harmless skin disorder that causes small, acne-like bumps. I've had it my whole life and nothing has really made it go away, just lessened it. So when I got the Noodle & Boo Ultimate Baby Ointment ($18) I was very excited to give it a shot.

It's a bit thicker then a normal lotion, yet applies very easily. I immediately noticed  the redness in my daughter's cheeks diminish a bit and the bumps lessened as the lotion absorbed into the skin. The product is recommended for cradle cap, eczema, and diaper rash as well as cracked, ultra dry, and chapped skin. And, unlike most other pricey lotions, it is fragrance and preservative-free and formulated to be non-allergenic and non-irritating. I apply it to my daughter three times a day, upon waking in the morning and after her nap and after her bath.

Noodle & Boo specialize in baby/child, and even prenatal, skincare for people ultra-sensitive skin. Their products are all gentle and specially formulated to nourish the most special of skin. Check out noodleandboo.com to see their full skincare lineup and find the right product for your little ones.

Boogie Wipes: ‘Snot your average wipe

As someone who never relied heavily on cold medicine I didn't feel right giving them to my daughter and after the recent recalls, I think most parents are looking for alternate solutions to ending their children’s sniffles. 

In our house we rely heavily on a mix of saline spray, Vick’s VapoRub and a whole lot of nursing. During the heaviest part of the cold, poor Catie’s nose gets rubbed raw from all the tissues we use. Recently we started relying on wipes since they are gentler but I hate knowing that all those perfumes are touching the delicate skin on her face.  That’s why I was absolutely thrilled to discover Boogie Wipes, wet wipes that have saline added into their unique formula to help relieve your child of, well, boogies.

The hypoallergenic wipes are not only alcohol free but they also contain Chamomile, Vitamin E and Aloe so they won’t leave your child’s nose raw since they moisturize at the same time as they clean.  We recently went through two of these packages of wipes when all three of us came down with a cold and I have to say that I will never go through another cold without them.

At $3.99 you have no reason not to stock up. Check out www.boogiewipes.com for more information (like local retailers if you are on the West Coast) or to order them online. 

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Allizon.com: Simplicity for busy mothers

A great site was recently brought to my attention, Allizon.com. It has a wide selection of terrific products, many of which I have been lucky enough to sample. Allizon.com was started by a single mother with the intent to bring what mothers need to one place for one stop shopping that will make our lives easier. The product selection ranges from wonderful skincare products to MomAgendas to jewelry to Comfy Crawler pants for your baby. There’s a little bit of everything you need for yourself or for great gifts, such as the lovely gift baskets (see the Mom Spa Basket at left). The products and the selection are meant to de-stress any busy mother’s life.

The various momAgenda products are meant to organize your mommy life, and I tried two. The "Busy Mom Agenda" is a 17 month calendar with week-at-a glance scheduling for mom and up to four children that comes in lovely colors. The "Weekly Family Planner" is a planner pad with the same spaces for everyone in the family plus it has a magnet on the back so it can easily hang on the refrigerator.

The Comfy Crawler pants are also really nice. They have padding on the knee and shin area as well as the back pockets to keep baby comfy on the floor. They have an adjustable waistband and come in some really great colors. I especially like the “Johnny Blues” and “Chocolate” corduroy versions.

Other brands you will find at Allizon.com are Get Fresh, Maile , Body Magic (the Blue Chamomile cream is said to work on both puffy eyes and diaper rash and I love the Oh!Rose cream), Herbal Dream stress relieving pillows, Lejaby lingere, The Laundress and Mona Lisa Hair accessories (very pretty). I sampled several of the bath and body products and really enjoyed each one. Also on the site are areas that contain helpful hints and discussions on subjects that concern mothers and also strive to make our lives easier.

Visit allizon.com to see more.

Balms from Least Likely 2 Breed

Least Likely 2 Breed has to be the Best.Name.Ever for a company. The enterprising owners (called "Mom" and "Pop") have a 7 month old baby girl and make several healing products, which each retail for $5.99 for 2 oz tins (how reasonable is that?). 

I was sent samples of the Bad Ass Booty Balm, Tough Titties Nipple Balm (which I am saving for after baby girl's birth to use while nursing) and the Mother Effer's Va-J-J Jelly (which I am also saving - because as of press time I am 9+ months pregnant).

The Bad Ass Booty Balm worked nicely on my son - so easy to apply (you know that some balms are so difficult to even get out of the container). And better than that, it healed my son's rashes (he has such a sensitive tuchos) easily - it's zinc oxide based. The size of the container made it extremely portable and it fit right into my Skip Hop Pronto's front pocket. I also found I didn't have to use a lot to help him feel better.

Since I am a modest person, I'm not going to talk about testing out the Mother Effer's Va-J-J Jelly, but we all know that it comes in handy when things get, um, a little dry. After my son's birth two years ago ... things were not back to normal for me for over 11 months. Anything that helped me feel better was appreciated!  Don't use it with a condom though (since it's oil based).

You can get the above three products all together in their "Bundle of Joy". The retail price is $17.99 and the 3 balms come packaged in a size 2, chlorine free diaper (that is usable for your bundle of joy!).

Their newest product is the Rhoid Rage Balm ($5.99) - which will definitely come in handy during pregnancy and after giving birth. You can get it packaged with a push present - such a cute (and practical and amusing) idea. According to the site, the "Roid Rage Limited Edition Push Present ($39.95 with free shipping) - is a lovely commemorative hemorrhoid ointment packaged in an art deco style tin featuring Swarovski crystals encased in a black velvet box. Totally luxe, absolutely practical and laugh your swollen-ass off funny. Inside card reads "because you pushed it real good." How awesome is that?

I can't wait to see what this company comes up with next!

Shop Least Likely 2 Breed.

Almost 39 Weeks Pregnant: Earth Mama Angel Baby: Mama-to-be Heaven!!

I'm really close to giving birth. In fact, B-Day is tomorrow, this Monday. I'm almost 39 weeks pregnant and frankly, not doing so well lately. I have felt so amazing this pregnancy, so I guess if the last week stinks, I'll have to deal!  Right now I can barely keep anything down because I'm nauseous all the time and my heartburn is awful, too.  I am taking something OTC, but it doesn't always work. My ankles are also very swollen and my blood pressure is high (but thankfully not as high as with my first pregnancy). Sleeping is another issue (or rather not sleeping). But I only have to get through several more days and baby girl will be with us!

Just the other day, I got a package from Earth Mama Angel Baby that completely lifted my spirits! The kind Earth Mamas sent me some relief. Many celebrity moms are fans of this wonderful line, including Gwyneth Paltrow (she used their organic Baby Stretch Oil before daughter Apple's birth).  This is the first time I actually teared up when I got a product to review in the mail!!!

I just started using their Earth Mama Heartburn Tea - a delicious organic herbal tea to combat heartburn. It made me feel much better and it was also yummy. Their website gives directions on how to make their teas, which use loose tea. I have also been soothing my aching back with their Hot Spot Labor Sock - a NICE microwavable herb- filled labor companion (made of rice and calming lavender blossoms).  Tonight, as soon as my son is in bed, I will also soak my swollen ankles in their Happy Feet (an organic foot soak for tired, swollen, tootsies).

Their products are amazing. I look forward to using their C-Section Healing Kit and their Breastfeeding Kit after I have the baby - I will be posting reviews on each of these, so stay tuned.

Thank you Earth Mamas! I also used your birth plan template to make my birth plan. Yes, you can even do them for C-Sections!

Shop Earthmamaangelbaby.com.

Boob Tube: Things are looking up

They say that certain things head south for new moms. One minute you're pointing due north and the next, your headlights are aimed somewhere in the vicinity of Tierra Del Fuego. Which is why Mama Mio came out with the Boob Tube.

Pure hope in a bottle, this lotion delivers what it promises, perkier parts. Applied daily, it really does what it was made to do, which includes vanquishing the words "saggy" and "baggy" from your bosomly vocabulary.

I hear that Santa is from the North Pole. So he'd be the first one to suggest putting this little pick me up in your stocking this season. Let me be the second. Because we all could use a little lift now and then. Purchase Boob Tube directly from Mama Mio for $35.

Use code freeship for free shipping on all orders over $65.

Medibuddy: On the Go First Aid Kits

Like most moms, I try to carry at least band-aids with me when we go to the playground or indoor place spaces, in case of accidents. But what if my child really hurts himself (luckily it hasn't happened yet). Could I take care of even a minor injury? What should I have with me?  These are questions that I'm sure have gone through your head too.

Me4kidz.com attempts to solve this issue with their on -the-go Medibuddy Kid Friendly Kit ($4.95), which was created by a mom. It has 40 items packed compactly in a eyeglass case size plastic pack. It fits perfectly in a diaper bag, car trunk, or stroller basket. And for that low price, it makes sense to keep one in your diaper bag or stroller and one in your car. It's also perfect for vacations!  I don't leave home without it anymore.

The On-the-Go Medibuddy Kit contains:

(15) 3/4 “ X 3” Red, Blue & Yellow Crayon Bandages
(1) 3” Knee &  Elbow Bandage
(1) Sting Relief Pad
(4) 2” X 2” Gauze Pads (2 Two Packs)
(3)  5” X 8” Antiseptic Wipes (sting free)
(1) Burn Relief Cream
2) Antibiotic  Ointments
(12) Kid Friendly Fun Stickers                  

All products are latex free. The price is reasonable and I like that I don't have to worry that I won't be prepared if my son falls down and scrapes himself. 

For the house, you could obtain the original Medibag Kit (which has 117 items). They even make a Medibag kit for pets!

Shop for this and their other products at me4kidz.com. It is also available at Babies R Us.

Reviews Roundup: Two Great Travel Items

We just took our daughter on her first weekend away for Thanksgiving and I brought along two things that made the weekend much more enjoyable:

The first was the Boppy Rock In Comfort Travel Swing. I own the Fisher Price Pappasan swing and the Rainforest swing and I must say, I think I love this more than both of those combined. First of all, it takes up barely any room. It has a two position recline and a very comfortable head pillow that can be removed as baby grows. It really cradles the baby so it's very soothing. It also plays 5 different melodies that are actually nice to listen to, not that typical annoying garbled noise. There are 6 different speeds, which can be set up on a timer or you can keep it moving continuously. It folds up nice and easy and doesn't take up too much room. It also has a lock so it can just be used as a regular seat. We