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I recently came across two unique websites, BabySteals.com and MamaBargains.com, both which sell deeply discounted baby items on a first-come-first serve basis.  Discounted items are at least 50% off of retail price, and go up to 80% off.  The concept is simple and very fun: a few baby items are posted on the site at one time, and once the items are sold out, they are gone forever.  At this point another discounted item will be posted in its place.   Most items go very quickly so you’ve got to be quick on the draw to get such a great deal.

Items offered on these sites vary greatly, from maternity items, nursery decorations, clothing, feeding items, toys, gear and the list goes on.  Featured brands include ERGO, BabyLegs, Ju-Ju-Be, and more.  It’s such an exciting way to shop because you never know what type of deal you’re going to stumble upon that day (or moment). 

My first purchase from these sites were from MamaBargains.com on their “Five-Dollar Friday”.  Apparently any random items they have left from earlier in the week get sold for $5 on Fridays just to get rid of it.  I got 2 pair of Baby Legs (normally $12 a piece) and 2 pair of Me-In-Mind shoes (retailing for $27/piece) all for $5 each.  Shipping is also very reasonable with a lot of shipping options. 

Make sure you check these sites out. You just might find a steal/bargain on that baby item you’ve been looking for.  And make sure you share this with your friends!

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Maybe I’ve been living in the dark ages for far too long, but I recently came across the Ju-Ju-Be Paci Pod and immediately wondered two things:  Why didn’t I think of this? and Why didn’t anyone tell me about these? 

I think we’ve probably all been there before…desperately digging around the bottom of the diaper bag searching for a much-needed pacifier for an unhappy baby.  You know there are at least half a dozen in there, somewhere, but you can never seem to find them when you need them.  And then when you do find one, its got all types of fun little things stuck to it from hanging out in the bottom of the diaper bag.

And now enters the Paci Pod.  A cute, round little bag that clips directly onto your diaper bag and neatly (and cleanly) stores 2 easily-accessible, ready-to-go pacifiers.  So simple and ingenius.  And so practical.  Again, I ask, why didn’t anyone tell me about these?

The Ju-Ju-Be Paci Pod retails for $8 and comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns.  Here are just a couple of many options:

So glad I stumbled across these before Baby #2 gets here!  Make sure you enlighten someone today about these Ju-Ju-Be Paci Pods today!

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The Best BIG Diaper Bag for Your Budget

Whether you’ve got multiple small children, twins or multiples, or are simply an over-packer, you may be on the search for a large capacity diaper bag.  In less than 2 months, my husband and I will enter the “two kids under 2” Club, and we’re already feeling the pressure to upgrade from our daddy-friendly Skip Hop Messenger to a bigger bag.  And since I’m becoming an obsessive-compulsive baby product reviewer, I have spent the past few days searching high and low for the best reviewed BIG diaper bags available for every budget.  Keep in mind that if you don’t have multiple small children or if you’re a light packer, these bags will likely be far to big for every day use.  With that said, let’s review the winners for each budget!

The Steal:  Lands’ End Do-It-All Diaper Bag 

Unique feature:  Opens like a doctor’s bag

Measurements:  11”Hx15”Wx8.75”D

Price:  $39.50

Although it’s definitely not flashy, the Lands’ End Do-It-All Diaper Bag was routinely recommended by moms in the forums I came across.  It also gets the highest rating I’ve seen in a budget diaper bag, with a 4.5/5 rating.  Overwhelmingly, the favorite feature of this bag is “doctor’s bag” opening, which allows for easy viewing and full access to all the items within.  It’s also one of the more “daddy-friendly” bags I’ve seen.

The Do-It-All comes in six colors and can be monogrammed for only $5, which would definitely help add some style to this basic bag.  Land’s End frequently has promotions for free shipping and other discounts, so keep your eyes open and get a great bag at a great price!

The Standard:  Skip Hop Duo Double Deluxe Diaper Bag

Unique Feature:  Comes with stroller straps that make it fit a side-by-side double stroller

Measurements:  13.5”Hx18”Wx4.25”D

Price:  $80

From what I’ve seen and read, the Skip Hop Duo Double Deluxe sets the standard for all other large diaper bags.  It gets nearly perfect reviews with a 5/5 rating on Amazon and has been highlighted as the bag of choice in many parenting magazines.  The Duo Double comes great color choices, many of which are daddy-friendly. 
Many reviewers commented how they have tried several diaper bags and the Duo Double surpassed them all.  And for only $80, it’s reasonably priced.

The Splurge:  Ju-Ju-Be Be Prepared

Unique Feature:  Color-coded, tabbed mesh pockets to keep each child’s items organized and identifiable

Measurements:  14”Hx18.5”Wx6.5”D

Price:  $180

In all of my researching for the best big diaper bag, the Ju-Ju-Be Be Prepared was by far the most mentioned, recommended, and longed-for bag.  It receives nearly perfect ratings from a variety of websites, with a perfect 5/5 from Diapers.com and 4.5/5 from Amazon.  Although the price may leave some sticker-shock compared to most diaper bags out there, this bag packs a lot of extra features that leave moms raving that there is no other bag that can compare.  Just have a look for yourself:

Not only is the bag functional, but it’s fashionable.  It comes in several color options and prints.  My personal favorite is Evening Vines (shown at the top of the Ju-Ju-Be post).  Evening Vines is new for Summer 2011 and is pre-order only.  It will be available in May 2011.  Here are some of the other color options:

The Ju-Ju-Be Be Prepared may be a splurge at $180, but it also comes with a lifetime guarantee against manufacturer defects (NOT normal wear and tear), which offers a little peace-of-mind for the price paid.  Many moms also mentioned that they love how this bag can double as their hospital bag or travel bag.

Of course, there are MANY more options out there for large diaper bags.  But, as far as I’ve seen, these 3 bags are a recurring theme when searching for the best of what’s available for every budget.

Do you have experience with any of these bags?  Please share!

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Developing stretch marks are never a welcome sight to see, even when having the excuse of being pregnant.  In my previous post “How to Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy“, I shared the frustrating news that my doctor gave me: Stretch marks are genetic, and there is no amount of moisturizer that will keep them from forming if you’re predisposed to developing them.  Of course, not what I wanted to hear, but I got over it. 

Until now.  Whether it’s because I’m pregnant with my second or the fact we’re having a girl, whatever the reason may be, my developing stretch marks have increased exponentially.  They are no longer confined to my breasts with a few light ones on my hips and belly, but have spread to my thighs, butt, and *gasp* my calves.  Not only have they popped up on just about every spare surface of my body, but they are much bigger and darker than with my first pregnancy.  My doctor says I have been gaining weight at a healthy rate, so I’m not sure the difference this time around. 

With that said, I somewhat hit “desperation mode” and decided, “what the heck, I might as well try some moisturizer.”  After doing some online research, I whittled my options down to either Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Balm or Burt’s Bees Cocoa and Macadamia Nut Body Butter.  Although the Belly Balm is specifically marketed to be used during pregnancy, I decided to try the Body Butter instead, since the reviewers said it it much easier to spread on the skin.  On top of that, I love the smell of Cocoa butter!  There were also a few reviewers who swore by the Cocoa butter and said it helped fade their stretch marks and prevent others from appearing.  So I decided it was worth a shot.

The product itself is wonderful.  It has a very smooth, silky, whipped butter-like texture which makes it very easy to apply to the skin.  It is a very light, non-greasy formula that won’t make you uncomfortable when you get dressed for the day.  On top of that, the aromais delicious (typical Cocoa butter) and makes me want to eat it.  And, if I really wanted to, I could eat it, because Burt’s Bees products are made of all-natural, safe ingredients.  Of course, these natural ingredients come at a price with a 6.6 ounce jar running around $13.  However, I have been very surprised with how far the body butter is lasting.  It’s light texture and easy spread-ability makes a little bit go a long ways!  I have been using it on the majority of my body since I got it 2 months ago, and I still have a little more than half the jar left. 

But putting all of these positive qualities aside, it all stems down to the results: Is Burt’s Bees Cocoa and Macadamia Nut Body Butter a stretch mark cure?  Unfortunately, I’m going to have to give it a big N-O.  Since using the product, I have not noticed any positive change in the color or development of my stretch marks.  They are still there when I hop in the shower in the morning and they don’t appear to be going anywhere.  In fact, they are still multiplying.  Am I disappointed?  Sure I am.  Even though I should have learned with my first pregnancy that they can’t be prevented, I still had a glimmer of hope after hearing from a few lucky women who swear moisturizer kept them stretch-mark free.  Am I devastated?  No.  Unless you count those random moments where the pregnancy hormones take control and the smallest thing causes an emotional meltdown.  Then yes.  But no, it’s definitely not the end of the world.  I actually take confidence in knowing that my doctor knows what she’s talking about and that my husband can see right past the stretch marks as if they’re not even there. 

So do I recommend Burt’s Bees Cocoa and Macadamia Nut Body Butter?  YES!  Are you surprised?  Although it didn’t do a thing for my stretch marks, I am loving it just as a regular moisturizer.  I have never used something that has left my skin feeling so soft and silky.  Even my husband has taken notice and commented on how soft my skin feels.  And although it’s a little more expensive than some moisturizers out there, Burt’s Bees Cocoa and Macadamia Nut Body Butter is the perfect way to treat myself as I complete this task of growing Baby #2.  I would recommend you give it a try too!

Is there a certain stretch mark product you can swear by?  Please share!

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In a recent post I talked about the Sleep Wrap vs. the Moby Wrap and what reviewers were saying about them.  I plan on getting a Sleepy Wrap with my next baby, even though I loved my Moby.  With that said, why not try winning a Sleepy Wrap?  Real Mom Reviews is currently hosting a Sleepy Wrap Giveaway, ending 4/14/11.   Join me in trying your luck to win a greatly reviewed product!

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Free Pampers Gift to Grow Codes and Points

If you’re a Pampers fan, you are probably well aware of their Gifts to Grow points program.  However, did you know that there are a lot of free promotional codes available?  In recent times, I have collected over 300 free Gifts to Grow points, which has brought me that much closer to redeeming the prize of choice for my son.  Here is the extensive list of promo codes and their point value that I found have worked for me.  I’m not sure if some have expirations or not, but I thought I’d pass them along.  Hope they get you one step closer to that big prize you’ve been waiting for!

50 Points Each                                

JOINNOW4REWARDS

2BEGINEARNING50

WELCOME2PAMPERS

GIFTSTOGROW4MOM

10 Points Each

CONGRATS2NEWMOM

CAREFORNEWBORNS

PUNTOSPARAMI123

10PTSFREECODE4U

GTGWELCOME10PTS

PAMPERSGTG10PTS

NEWWIPESPACKAGE

GTGCOUPONPOINTS

FOLLOWPAMPERS10

PAMPERS4MOMJFM1

WELCOME2VILLAGE

GETSTARTEDNOW10

PAMPERS4MOMSOND

SEP3PGW7NRKYWXK

So there you have it!  340 free Gifts to Grow points!  Enjoy!

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Moby Wrap vs. Boba Wrap: Which is Better?

There is no doubt about it:  I loved using my Moby Wrap when my son was an infant.  Now that he’s a toddler, I handed my Moby over to my sister-in-law to use with her baby girl.  And what do you know?  She loves it too!  But now that we’re expecting baby #2 soon, I was feeling a little anxious to get my Moby back, clean, and ready for use.  The only problem is my sister-in-law is still using it on a regular basis with her 9 month old, plus she is expecting another baby as well, so I really don’t want to take it back from her.

With that said, I was thinking of just letting her keep my old Moby and upgrading to a new one for baby #2.  My Moby is chocolate brown, and being that we’re going to have a summer baby, I was hoping to get something in a lighter color to help keep a little bit cooler in the summer heat.  So while shopping around online for the best option, I came across a wrap similar to the Moby that I had never heard of before: the Boba Wrap.

In all reality, the first thing I thought of the Boba Wrap was “it’s a Moby knock-off wrap”.  It is the same concept: a very long strip of material that you use to wrap your baby snugly to your body.  But after doing some research for myself, there are definitely some subtle but important differences to take note of.

The Moby Wrap is made of 100% cotton, while the Boba Wrap is 95% cotton with 5% Lycra, giving it more stretch and “bounce-back” ability than the Moby.  I contacted Boba Wrap to see what they said about what sets them apart from Moby.  They quickly replied with the following:

“The fabric is the main difference. This affects two things, how you wrap it and how you wear it. The fabric is a blend of cotton/spandex which allows some stretch. No need to leave room for your baby as the spandex will do that for you. Just tie it nice and snug and go about your day. No need to retie or adjust, even after nursing.”

One thing I did notice about my Moby was that it seemed to lose its shape once I removed my son from it.  Although I have not yet tried a Boba Wrap, it sounds like the fabric blend they use takes care of this problem.  Many reviewers rave about the Boba Wrap and love how they can tie it tightly, have enough stretch to insert their baby, and once they remove it it returns to its normal fit.  The Moby tends to sag once baby is removed and may need to be retied.

One advantage the Moby Wrap fabric has over the Boba Wrap is the fact that it will likely be a little bit cooler in the summer months.  Since the Moby is 100% cotton, it has the advantage of being a little more breathable than the Boba Wrap which contains spandex.

Both Moby and Boba Wraps come in a wide variety of appealing colors and retail for  approximately $39.95.  There are also organic fabric options offered by each company at a higher price point.

So, which one is better?  Being that I haven’t tried the Boba Wrap, yet, I can’t say which I like better from first-hand experience.  However, upon reading reviews and forums online, I would say that the majority of the people who have tried both tend to lean a little more in favor of the Boba Wrap overall.  The general consensus is that its ease of use due to the stetchability gives it the advantage compared to the Moby.

With that said, I plan on gifting my well-loved Moby to my sister-in-law and taking a chance on the Boba Wrap for baby #2.  I honestly think I would be happy with either (and would still recommend the Moby Wrap to anyone).  But I’m excited to try something a little different and share what I find.

Do you (or would you) prefer the Moby Wrap or Boba Wrap?

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My second pregnancy has wreaked havoc on my eczema.  Thank you, pregnancy hormones!  Usually, my eczema breakouts were very mild and were rather quickly healed up using a simple steroid cream.  However, pregnancy turned my mild eczema into a permanent cycle of moderate to severe breakouts that lasted for months.  Despite religiously using the steroid cream, it simply would not be contained. 

After finally realizing that what I was doing to remedy the problem was not going to work, ever, I mentioned it to my OB/GYN.  She confirmed that, indeed, pregnancy can definitely cause a change in eczema outbreaks.  She assured me that using a steroid cream was safe to use in small amounts, but since that hadn’t been working for me, she recommended trying Aveeno Eczema Therapy

Aveeno Eczema Therapy is simply a moisturizing cream with no steroids, which is a little added safety when you’re pregnant.  It is accepted by the National Eczema Association and demotologist-recommended.  It’s natural active ingredient is Colloidal Oatmeal which apparently is great for dry and sensitive skin.  So the question was, did it work?

I went out and bought the moisturizer immediately and started using it.  I paid about $12 for the bottle.  A little bit of moisturizer goes a long ways.  My eczema is contained to my antecubital areas, and just a small pea-sized amount was more than enough to cover.  The formula is very light and non-greasy. 

But the real question: does it work?  I was amazed!  I noticed my eczema was better within 24 hours, and it was totally cleared after 2 days of use.  This wouldn’t have surprised me, except for the fact that I had been using steroid cream for months with no improvement.  I honestly wasn’t expecting a steroid-free therapy to work.  But it definitely did, and still does.  Now that my eczema is under control, I don’t use the lotion every day.  I only use it when I see a small breakout starting to form, and it has always kept it from turning into a full breakout.  I’m never going back to a steroid cream again, even when I’m not pregnant. 

As always, talk to your doctor if you’re pregnant and dealing with eczema.  And definitely keep Aveeno Eczema Therapy in mind.  It’s been a very effective product for my pregnancy-induced eczema outbreaks.

How has pregnancy changed your eczema outbreaks? 

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Annoucing Baby #2

I am happy to announce that my husband and I are officially expecting Baby #2!  In a previous post, I wrote about trying for a second baby.  It took a few months after I quit breastfeeding to get my period again, but I only had 2 cycles before I realized we were pregnant again! 

Watching that pregnancy test turn positive a second time felt much different than the first.  I didn’t have that feeling of shock like I did last time.  I don’t go about  my day thinking “oh my goodness, I’m pregnant”.  It simply just feels normal.  Apparently going through it once before has given me the attitude of “I’ve done this once, I can do it again”.  I am feeling a lot more calm and in control as opposed to the first.

Another thing that is different about this pregnancy already is that we haven’t told the whole world yet.  Last time we started calling family as soon as we found out, and it ended up leaking out to people we didn’t want to know quite yet.  Even though my husband wanted to tell people right away, I wanted to wait, even just for a few days.  This gave me time to allow the thought of having baby #2 to sink in before announcing it.  We did end up telling our family a few days later but don’t have plans on telling any “outsiders” yet.

I am hoping that this pregnancy will be much different than the first health-wise.  I battled pretty severe morning sickness my entire first pregnancy.  Hopefully I don’t have that problem again.

We would be happy with a boy or girl, but a boy would be a little easier on the financial situation since we already have boy clothes and gear.

So here’s to another great adventure!

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Should I Get an Epidural?

Are you weighing out your pain management options for your upcoming labor and delivery?  An epidural, in my opinion, is the way to go!  But if you’re on the fence about whether an epidural is right for you and your baby, read on!

An epidural can make your labor and delivery a, dare I say, pleasant experience.  I went into labor planning on getting an epidural, even though I have a high pain tolerance.  I also had a very short labor, lasting just over 2 hours, but I was so happy I got an epidural.  Once the catheter was in place, it was almost instant relief from the painful contractions.  I felt good.  Really good!  I was able to rest and relax, and so was my husband.  I can honestly say I loved the entire birthing experience because of it.  I would definitely get an epidural again and recommend them to my friends who are looking at their options for pain relief during delivery.

So what makes an epidural better than other pain relief options?  First of all, epidurals are different than IV drugs.  IV pain relief drugs enter your blood stream, and therefore the baby’s, and your baby can be affected by this.  Since an epidural goes into your spine, the effect on the baby is different, although the baby can still have some physiological changes due to the epidural.  Just be informed and ask the doctor and anesthesiologist about the risks.  Also, IV drugs can make you groggy.  I know people who had IV drugs who were put into a kind of induced sleep because of them, and they weren’t all there when their baby was delivered.  Epidurals don’t mess with your brain chemistry so you will be fully awake and aware of everything during your labor and delivery, minus the pain.

Scared of needles?  I hear this one a lot.  Some women are deathly afraid of needles and the thought of one being put into your spine isn’t very pleasant.  Trust me, I’m not scared of needles but I still don’t like the thought.  There is some risk with the procedure.  The doctor could hit a nerve and do some damage.  But the risk is small, and it just may be worth it to you.  It was for me.  So to those who say they are afraid of needles, I say this.  If this is your first baby, you don’t know how bad the pain will be for you.  But you just may find in delivery that by the time you are in pain you won’t care about your fear of needles anymore. 

Want to do it all naturally?  Good for you!  There seems to be a big trend right now of women delivering naturally with no pain relief.  If this is something you want to do, go for it.  There is nothing wrong with that.  However, I do say don’t be completely close-minded to an epidural.  As mentioned before, if this is your first baby, you really don’t know what your pain levels are going to be until you’re actually in labor.  You may find your pain tolerance isn’t what you thought, or you may have a very long and grueling labor.  Just make sure you keep your options, and your  mind, open.

Are you like me and know before you even go into labor that you want an epidural?  Make sure you talk with you doctor about it so they know your plans.  Every hospital is different, and they may have a cut-off for when you can get your epidural in the labor and delivery process.  Don’t wait until it is too late and you can’t get one. 

If I was into bumper stickers, I would consider getting one that said “I Love My Epidural.”  It was truly that awesome and made the birth of my son the most enjoyable, pain-free experience!

Tell us about your epidural experience.  Would you have an epidural in the future?

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