Review: Amber Necklaces

I purchased an amber necklace for my little one when she was around 12 months old. I was intrigued by the "healing powers" it may have and also thought it looked adorable.

"Baltic amber teething necklaces are a natural teething remedy. A natural analgesic used in Europe for centuries. Natural anti-inflamatory and pain relieving properties help to soothe a teething baby. They are also known to reduce the acidity in the body in a totally natural way. Necklaces are suitable for babies age 3 months and older, boy or girl. The string is knotted between each bead, so if pressure is put on it, it will break but the beads will not be scattered. They are made to break if enough pressure is put on it for safety reasons. It's important they are not chewed on, but worn on the skin."

I LOVE my amber! I think it looks so adorable on little ones, and I feel safe with her wearing it. They also offer amber bracelets and anklets. You can find these online ranging from $15-$45, or locally in Charlotte at Miss Monkey's Boutique (in Black Lion off of Park Rd). Highly recommend!

Review: Cloth Diapers!

I started using cloth diapers when my little one was around 12 months old, and WISH I wouldve started sooner! They save money, they save the planet, they're MUCH healthier for your baby, the designs are cute, and they force you to do laundry! ;)

I've tried several popular brands, so figured I'd write my opinion on the brands I've used.

My absolute favorite diaper is the "Grovia All in One". An all in one diaper means that everything is included right there in the diaper. No extra inserts, no stuffing the diaper, no pins, covers, etc. The Grovia All in One diaper is a very trim fit, one size fits all (7lbs-35lbs), the designs are adorable, and the materials used are great. The organic cotton doesn't retain any ammonia smells and also is very soft. The snaps are durable and the side tabs are stretchy.

This diaper is the trimmest fit which is one of the reasons why it's my favorite. It doesn't make their butt look bulky and fits great under their pants. These diapers are not the cheapest ones, ranging from $20-$25, however if you add up how much you spend in diapers over the course of 2.5-3.5 years, you save a lot of money.

Another diaper that I really like is the BumGenius 4.0 pocket diaper. A pocket diaper means that you have to put an insert into it (into the pocket). The inserts are what give it the absorbency and 2 inserts are included upon purchasing each diaper. I usually use one micro-fleece insert during the daytime and then add an additional insert into a diaper for overnights. When washing the diaper, you simply take out the inserts and throw everything into the wash. The designs on this diaper are also really cute, however these diapers are not as trim as the Grovia's. These diapers range from $22-$27. You can choose snaps or velcro closures (more like a disposable diaper) on your diapers.

The other diaper that I love to use is the Kawaii Green Baby Bamboo Diaper. This diaper is SO soft on the outside, and bamboo on the inside. It also comes with two bamboo inserts which are much lighter and softer. This bamboo is also not as trim as the grovia, but is a great diaper. It comes in several colors and designs, and is a soft minky material on the outside. The best thing about this Kawaii diaper is the price. These diapers are only $13 which is probably the best price on the market. I'd recommend this diaper to any mom wanting to try out cloth diapers. I use these diapers the most, and love them.

If you're interested in learning about cloth diapers or ordering some, I am a very loyal customer at www.JackBeNatural.com. The owner (Stacy) is absolutely amazing and I'd say this business has the BEST customer service I've ever had. They deliver my orders to my house personally the next day, and for anyone not in the immediate Charlotte area, they will ship for free and FAST. She sends hand written notes with all orders as well as samples and freebies. Check out their website and their facebook page.

Review: Boba Carrier

This carrier is awesome! Many would compare it to the Ergo carrier, however this offers a couple extra features. My boba is "organic" which is a plus. It also includes foot loops where a toddler can put their feet (almost like stirrups on a horse saddle) to help keep them in the correct sitting position. This carrier can be used with a front carry or back carry. It also includes the removable hood that can be put over baby's head if they decide to take a quick nap. The carrier offers a thick waste band and soft thick shoulder straps, as well as a chest strap. It's very comfortable even with a heavier baby (I still use my boba with my 2 year old). The carrier comes in different designs and colors which makes it even more fun to wear. These carriers range from $115-$150, and your best bet is to order them online (www.bobababycarrier.com). On the website, you can also find a comparison chart for the Boba vs. the Ergo. I love my Boba and would recommend it to any mother for a newborn up to toddler. The boba doesn't include a newborn insert like the ergo, however I'm pretty sure you could use the ergo newborn insert in the Boba since they're so similiar. I feel it's pretty easy to use solo, and even found some great youtube videos on how to set it on your back by yourself. I find this carrier helpful for short run ins to Target, or long walks at a park. I love my Boba and couldn't go with out it!

Review: Lily Padz!

So for the first review, I'm going to talk about "Lily Padz". This product is for the mamas only and is used for active nursing moms. I started using these about a month into nursing my little one after I was tired of throwing away a million disposable nursing pads that stuck to me and broke my wallet. Besides producing a ton of trash, they just weren't working for me. I tried washable nursing pads, but they didn't seem to absorb a ton (I was the kind of mom where when baby cried, I leaked, a lot). After visiting a local boutique, I saw these "Lily Padz". I was really skeptical at first, but after using them as soon as I got home, I was SO impressed. They basically are like a silicone soft material. You simply "stick" them on your breast, and they catch any leaking milk. Because of the suction that is formed, the padz hold any milk that has leaked in the "pad". Every couple of hours or when the pad has accumulated some milk, you can simple take it off, rinse the pad and put it back on. You are able to wash the padz with soap and water and it doesn't lose its suction or stickiness. They are quite amazing and work! The best part is you pay the initial cost of $20-$30, and then you never have to buy anymore pads again. Additionally, you are helping the planet and saving trash from accumulating around your house. I recommend these to any mother that is nursing or experiencing breast leakage. You wont be disappointed. **If you experience leaking, you may want to read over the directions again and make sure you are applying the padz the correct way**. LOVE LOVE LOVE this product!

Welcome!

Dear Mamas and Papas!

I'm here to save you. Save you from the hassle of trying products. Are they what they say they are? Is that brand really the best? What are the safety ratings?

I am natural-parenting mother always concerned about safety, materials, if it will last, how it works, is it worth the price, etc. And since I'm always doing my own personal reviews, I figured I'd share my findings with other moms to save you time and energy. I will try to make my postings short and sweet, yet detailed.

Feel free to email me at AlyssaWatson4@yahoo.com if you want me to do a review on any specific product, or want me to include anything extra in my reviews. I hope you will follow me here, and be sure to share the page with your other mama friends!

Talk soon,