After a hectic day with two young children, I’m all for enjoying a cup of tea. A well-deserved treat, hot (or iced, if you’re still enjoying this blissful summer weather like I am) tea is not only a great way to unwind, but it has tons of health benefits. I particularly like the new line of teas from Zhena’s Gypsy Tea–especially its Pink Superberry Tea for Women’s Health. This blend is teeming with antioxidants and vitamins, plus it’s a real palate-pleaser, available in a delicious assortment of berry flavors. If you like to know you are supporting a good cause, you’ll feel good that 70 cents of each sale from the Pink line of teas goes directly to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation this October. [&hellip
Breastfeeding your baby is one of the many choices you make as a new mom, and for many, one you may struggle with before you get the hang of it. I decided to bottle-feed both my daughters, but the mom friends who nursed their babies have shared their stories of both the upside–the tremendous bonding–and the downside (soreness, intense commitment and oh, the soreness). When I heard about the Shower Hug, a product designed to give some extra support and comfort to nursing moms, I wondered if it might make a difference. I can remember that even just after giving birth, I was a bit anxious when showering for the first time; the soothing spray that felt so wonderful on my back while pregnant was [&hellip
No matter how organized a mom you consider yourself, I know I can become quite incensed when I can’t seem to get to the bottom of my bag to retrieve some crayons for my daughter. Even when I remember coloring books and other gear to keep her occupied while we’re dining out, those pesky crayons are always tough to unearth from my sea of used tissues, chewing gum wrappers and the like. That’s why I really like the Art-To-Go-Roll . It’s a roll-up cotton holder with 14 soft pockets that hold all the art essentials–plenty of space for crayons, markers, colored pencils or your little artist’s medium of choice. The spacious pockets make it simpler for little fingers to retrieve and return their art supplies [&hellip
Once you’ve passed the milestone of getting your child to sleep through the night, you must contend with the pitter-patter of little footsteps that come in to greet you a lot sooner than you’d like (yes, the words “weekend” and “sleep in” aren’t part of a kid’s vocabulary). If you’ve got an early bird living under your roof, you might try putting the Good Nite Lite in her bedroom. This is a great way to show pre-readers that it’s not quite time to start the day, even if they think otherwise. The lite can pre-set with a wake-up time, almost like a mini alarm clock minus the sound. When it’s time to wake, the face of this nightlight will change from an illuminated moon to [&hellip
Still haven’t mastered the act of closing your baby’s stroller with easy maneuvering? Don’t feel bad; I still have trouble–and I’m on my second child. What makes it especially tricky this time of year is when you’re wearing sandals or open-toed shoes, and you feel as though you’ve dented your foot. Ouch! The Britax Blink Stroller aims to make this experience a little less painful. Thus umbrella stroller has a fold-and-release feature that lets you collapse the stroller without scuffing your shoes in the process. Amen to that. While some strollers skimp on storage space, Britax offers plenty of room to tuck in those essentials; I know I’m always trying to get my hands on that bag of Cheerios to calm a crying toddler. Blink [&hellip
I don’t think there’s a more telltale sign of summer than seeing a child joyfully enjoying an ice cream (or ice pop) on a hot day. Conjure up the image, if you will, of a smiling, stained face, dripping with a grape, orange–pick your favorite flavor–juice down his chin. It’s one of those childhood memories most of us have experienced and now savor as adults. Naturally, it’s why I’m perturbed by another one of these products aimed at parents that errs on the side of caution by robbing kids of the simple bliss of enjoying an ice cream. Pop Pals Ice Pop Holders are billed as an insulated pop holder designed to keep hands warm and ice pops cold. But are they truly necessary? For [&hellip
Chances are, you and your family will be hitting the road at some point this summer for the annual vacation. And if you’ve got a little one in tow who’s not yet sleeping in a bed, you know what a fuss it can be to give them a comfortable place to rest their weary head. When a Pack ‘n Play just won’t do, the Alma Urban Cot/Crib by Bloom is the way to go for posh tots. This wooden folding crib doesn’t require any tools for assembly and stows away easily. Because of its sleek design, it’s also a practical, year-round choice for urban living where space can be tight. Don’t relegate this crib to the attic for overnights to Grandma’s; its $400 pricetag can [&hellip
Always on a quest for “the perfect gift,” but never truly satisfied? This summer, when you’re paying a visit to a friend or family member with a new arrival, the Ice-Qube Baby is one gift the little one’s parents are sure to welcome. It’s a portable package that’s chock-full of both the fun stuff–miniature socks, a board book and snuggly blanket in a whimsical print–as well as the practical. That’s the stuff you think as a new parents you might not ever use, but when it’s 3 a.m. and your baby is burning up, you are so grateful to have: a first-aid kit containing gauze, Band-aids, a nasal bulb and an oral syringe. I know–not exactly the most pleasant stuff to ponder, but if you’re [&hellip
If you’ve been anywhere near the east coast in the last two months, you know we’ve had no shortage of rain. (When did we move to Seattle or London?) And with the wet weather comes all those pesky mosquitoes, which appear to be relentless this season. Luckily, those blood-thirsty buggers are no match from the appropriately named Bug-a-Bug from Eco.kid. This hypo-allergenic insect repellent comes in a spray bottle that you’ll want to take with you wherever you go. I loved the light, fragrant scent that’s much like a citronella candle minus the wax. In fact, when I checked the label, I noticed the ingredients were nothing but good stuff, like vanilla and soy bean oils. One squirt and we were covered–literally. Who knew a [&hellip
When a new stroller hits the streets, it’s difficult not to take notice. (Remember when the Bugaboo first came on the scene?) This summer has its own share of fresh faces to check out. Making its USA debut, the European-based Cybex line of strollers will be turning heads in parks and on sidewalks. Aside from being incredibly fashionable and sporty (Callisto model featured above in indigo), the strollers are lightweight and easy to maneuver. I especially like the aluminum wheels that give a rugged feel to your little one’s ride without making you feel every bump along the way. The extra wide storage basket doesn’t skimp on size; now I can really fit in everything I need to take along for the ride. If you [&hellip