Not me!

Because every other blog that has reviewed the new Onya Carrier has already come up with a clever way to incorporate the brand name into a funny title I decided to keep it simple.  Considering every time I hear the name I then say “All up on-ya” in a male, sexy, deep voice I know how tempting it can be!

I first encountered the Onya at the ABC Kids Expo this past year.  I’ve used a lot of soft structure carriers over the past 3+ years and the SSC is definitely my favorite carrier style.  When I attended the Expo I had my son Everett, who at the time he was 10 months old, so I was planning on babywearing him frequently.  The Onya was one of the carriers I wanted to test out while there.

Before I even go into details about the carrier itself I have to tell you all that the Onya inventor, Diane, is such a nice person.  She really brightened my day!  She explained the various features of the carrier to me and helped me get it on and sized.  We borrowed it for a the evening and returned it the next day.  Just from that time with the carrier I was impressed by it, but more importantly, Everett loved it for the back carry.

When Diane asked if I would like to give it a true review I was totally on board!  I just love trying out new carriers and playing with the buckles and settings!

Once it arrived I didn’t waste anytime.  I unboxed it and pre-adjusted the staps with some guesswork, then tossed Everett onto my back.  Since that day I’ve been using it around the house when he is a bit cranky and needs some mommy closeness and mommy needs to get housework accomplished.  My main use has been at home since the winter cold/snow has kept us from going out as much as we would like.  I have used it out of the house on shopping trips and I even used it outside for a romp in the snow!

Hands down the best thing about this carrier for me has been that the back carry is a bit higher than similar SSC’s.  Everett prefers being worn on the back in the Onya for this reason.  It is pretty obvious that he likes it.  When the baby is younger they are often stuck facing your back.  In the Onya he gets a higher view!

My next favorite feature would be that the back straps unbuckle and allow for criss crossing when performing a front carry.  Rather than reaching around to clip the chest clip on your own back or having someone do it for you, with the Onya you can buckle each strap easily under each arm.  The comfort level is not compromised- in fact I know many mama’s who prefer a criss cross in the back to a clip.  I don’t think one is better than the other, or haven’t noticed a difference.

The straps are insanely easy to adjust.  They glide throughlike BUTTER.  This is mostly a good thing because no one likes having to tug at a strap when you have one hand on a baby and need to get things adjusted quickly.  The only downside I found was when loosening straps it went from tight to way too loose in a split second because they are so smooth.  I had to condition mysef to pull ever so slightly to prevent it.

The waist belt is padded well and nice and wide which in the world of SSC’s means maximum comfort.  The straps are also adequately padded.  They feel a bit stiff (the straps) however and don’t bend/give as much as some other brands.  This could be something that happens over time when they break in, I just won’t know yet.  I also really appreciate the extra step of having multiple stitch lines through the waist belt and straps since it gives it a quality look.

The buckles match well and just feel downright well made.  When it comes to babywearing you want a carrier that has been well made and is safe.  I felt this was very true of the Onya.  Plus it was under development for over 4 years!  That is mighty impressive.

There is a sleep hood that is hidden.  You will need to just unzip it and pull it out.  I like that it is always there when you need it but hidden away.

The chair/seat thing is pretty cool.  It isn’t something that would make me pick it over any other carrier but having it could be to your advantage.  I see the chair seat as a good option for families who frequent those hole in the wall places that don’t cater to families and don’t have high chairs.  Of course in my life we try to make sure our destinations (like a restaurant) are family friendly.  I personally think if something doesn’t have a high chair then they don’t want a family with kids to be there.  And I don’t like that…

I chose to review the The Cruiser which is the cotton version of the Onya.  It currently comes in two color combinations- Dove Chocolate Chip (White/brown) and Leaf Green/ Umber (Green/brown).  One of the reasons I like the Onya is that the White carrier is very different.  It is a neutral color set and won’t totally clash with anything you own.  It is white though so you might see minor dirt on it more than you would on a typical black/brown carrier.  But I love the risk taking nature of it!  If you are more outdoorsy you might prefer the Outback which is a waterproof version of the carrier.

The Seat Chair gives a “poofy” appearance to the carrier.  You can’t take it out at all so there is not way to reduce the poof.

My chosen method of getting my baby on my back (The Super-Man Toss) is a little more difficult to use with this carrier.  The only way I can explain it is that the seat is deeper than most and I can’t get him as deep in it as I need from this method.  I usually have to get my husband or someone else to push my son deeper into the seat.  I do actually like the deeper seat pocket but since I wear him on my back the most it has given me a hard time!

I am a very petite person.  In the Onya I felt I could have tightened my straps a little more.  Everett wasn’t as snug against my back as I wanted.  I am barely 100 pounds (sometimes not even) so for the vast majority of people this isn’t going to be an issue.

You need to be aware before putting the carrier on, how your straps are tightened.  If you leave the straps loose on the side that faces your back (when doing a back carry) you have to tighten them by pulling away from you, backwards.  It is practically impossible 9at least for me) so after having this happen a few times I finally got the memo and would check each time and tighten that strap all the way.

I have enjoyed, and am still enjoying using the Onya Baby Carrier.  It is so clear how much love and thought went into the design.  Often when a first version of a product is released you can nitpick and find little things that could use improving.  I just can’t complain too much about anything.  One day I’m sure they’ll be able to add more color choices and those things come with time.

You can buy the Onya Baby Carrier through their website or from select retailers.  I’d also love it of you could “Like” Onya Baby on Facebook.  They are always posting wonderful words of babywearing wisdom and sage parenting advice.  

The longer I nurse the more I start longing for the days of wearing beautiful, lacy, SEXY bras again.  I know part of this is tied to wanting to feel sexy again, and part is getting over the hump of the after pregnancy/birth lack of *ahem* desire for certain things.  Once that desire is back I would like to start looking more desirable and less “sweatpants.”

Usually nursing and sexy bras don’t go together.  There are many brands offering cozy and comfortable nursing bras.  I should know, I own many of them and wear them on a daily basis.  However, when I get all dressed up I would like to have a bra that matches that feeling.  Something sexy, lacy, feminine, and that still gives me access to nurse my baby.

Enter the Cake Lingerie line of nursing bras.  Out of the “sexy” brands now offered for nursing bras I feel this brand is the sexiest!  I was fortunate enough to get to see their line in person at ABC Kids Expo.  These bras are made better and designed better than the bras I wore before having kids.

Cake Lingerie does make the popular nursing bra option of the “smooth cup” for under T-Shirts, and more day to day wear bras.  For my review I was able to try one of the bras in their Fashion line.  I was sent Coconut Ice (Plunge).  This bra has a lot of details- lace all the way around, pretty pink and black striped fabric on the bust, decorative straps, a oretty black bow in the center, and a multitude of settings on the back for the ever changing pregnant and nursing figure.

After doing some playing around with the straps and adjusting it to my size, I was happy to find a different kind of silhouette than my every day nursing bras achieved.   It wasn’t something I would wear under my everyday tight T-Shirts, but would look pretty awesome under my nice dresses.  It was more of a “bombshell” shape.

It was a challenge for me to decide on a size.  The company uses a different sizing system and I was torn as to what would fit best.  After some translating from the European sizes and talking with Ashleigh from Cake Lingerie, I decided on a 32 D and it was a bit too big in the cup.  I used some padded inserts from a bikini I had laying around in order to test the shape better.  In most other brands from the US I am usually a 32 D- 32 DD.

I loved everything about the bra when it came to the shape, the appearance, the quality, and the attention to details.  The only thing was that my skin didn’t like the lace!  Insert sad face here.  I just couldn’t wear this bra all day.  By the late afternoon I was one of those women who walk in from a day out at work/ running errands, who immediately unclasp and throw off their bra. It was kind of funny because I have been wearing shapeless and plain cotton nursing bras for so long I forgot what wearing something “pretty” actually felt like before having babies.  The band with the lace trim caused some itching.  It wasn’t the FIT that made it uncomfortable.  I would like to try their Toffee bra in the future; with no lace I expect it would be much more comfortable for longer periods of time.  It is also the ONLY nursing bra with a convertible strap option!

One thing that is nice about the shape of this bra is the wide set straps.  Often, with nursing bras your straps are more centered to the cup.  Certain shirts require wider straps or else they will be visible.  I like to wear this bra with my Toni Top, and even though that top is so wide set they somtimes sneak out, this is a bra that works with it.  Plus the straps are pretty, black, and lacy, so it works.

I was so impressed with the company and I’m thrilled that I met them at ABC Kids.  They really understand what goes into making a maternity and nursing bra.  They offer a huge variety of sizes, including Plus Sizes, and styles.  I’ve never talked to a man who knows more about nursing bras than Keith, who was at the booth during ABC Kids.

I’m going to be stalking Zulily and hope that Cake Lingerie comes back so that I can try one of their other bras.  Admittedly, their price is high at around 59.00 per bra.  After you have tried a lot of cheaper bras and realize how quickly they wear out their welcome and lose shape you start thinking of more expensive bras as an investment.  It has been a gradual shift in my thinking.  But, I still prefer saving money when I can, which is why I try catching good brands like Cake Lingerie on sale.

You can also find Cake Lingerie at A Mother’s Boutique here in the US in select styles.  If you are unsure of your size I know Judy will answer your questions.

*some links are affiliate links.

My first ERGO was purchased used from a woman on Craigslist.  Prior to owning it I wasn’t babywearing much, if at all.  I purchased a ring sling when pregnant with my first son and just couldn’t get the hang of it.  Back then I was a complete newbie to babywearing and parenting.  I read online how amazing the ERGO was and when I saw one for 75.00, gently used, I jumped at the chance.

That carrier introduced me to the wonderful world of babywearing and at a great price!  Knowing what I know now I would have paid anything to have that carrier and have it work as well as it did.  He almost lived in his ERGO.  Months later we started exploring other carriers but the ERGO has a special place in my heart as my introduction to comfortable babywearing.

You can imagine when I heard that Petunia Pickle Bottom (the brand of diaper bag I also use and love) and ERGObaby teamed up that I was over the moon.  My old black ERGO was faded.  It still worked like a charm, but I used it less and less in favor of my other “prettier” carriers like my Boba.

An opportunity to try the PBB ERGO came courtesy of Mom’s Milk Boutique.  They kindly offered to bring one to the ABC Kids Expo for me and I said “OH GOD YES.”  Well…. I was thinking that but I kindly accepted in a less eenthusiastic, more professional way.

Since that time I have been using the PBB ERGO on a very regular basis.  I chose the Peaceful Portofino which goes beautifully with my son’s bright blue eyes.  I love all three of the prints so it was a very difficult choice.  I got to see all of them, and the other new colors and prints of the ERGO when I attended the ABC Kids Expo.

As a Petunia Pickle Bottom owner who is familiar with the depth and beauty of their brocade prints I was curious how they would translate over to the ERGO.  I love them on a diaper bag but was just a little apprehensive about that fabric on a carrier.  Luckily they just translated their STYLE of print to a flat cotton material.  I think this works best for durability and washing reasons.

The carrier itself is still an ERGO which means it is insanely comfortable for Moms, Dads, and caregivers to wear their babies and toddlers.  You can also nurse in it, wear a newborn while using their Heart2Heart insert, and use it for front and back carries.

Mom’s Milk Boutique sells the Petunia Picklebottom ERGObaby Carrier as well as their standard carriers in the new colors like the Mystic Purple (which is stuning in person!), the Performance ERGObaby Carrier, and their Organic Carriers.  You can find all of the ERGObaby accessories there including my favorite, the front pouch.  I kid you not, I use it every day as my purse.

Right now MMB is having a special.  If you buy a full price ERGObaby carrier receive a free Infant Insert.  This doesn’t include the Petunia Picklbottom Carriers.  ERGObaby carriers also ship FREE!

Pssst…… Don’t forget to RSVP and attend the #MilkMiles Twitter Party for Mom’s Milk Boutique. There are a gazillion prizes to be handed out in just 1 hour, including a few ERGObaby front pouches! My fav! It all goes down November 22 at 9 PM EST.

Little Everett has been sitting unassisted for a while now but he is definitely not to be trusted, especially on hard surfaces.  When he was a wee tot I ran out and bought a used Bumbo for him and he loved it.  Unfortunately, he grew out of the darn thing!  His thighs got so chunky that we had to wedge him in and use the Jaws of Life to remove him.

A week after I retired the Bumbo I received the Prince LionHeart BebePod Flex Plus for review because I am part of the Elite Writer’s Group.  I had my doubts since I assumed it was similar to the Bumbo.  Fortunately it isn’t.  And it fit him!  Happy Dance! I plopped him in after unpackaging it and did a mondo load of dishes, all while he played with the neato toy that clips into the tray.  That was a major mommy win. It was a lifesaver during the Flats Challenge last week.  While I was handwashing diapers or wringing them and drying them out I had him in the BebePod Flex Plus.   I felt much safer if I had to leave the room since he couldn’t scoot backwards or fall over and hit his face.  I’ve even watched as he leaned over to get a toy and expected it would tip but it never has.

Award-winning, pediatrician approved bébéPOD® Flex Plus is the best, FIRST infant seat for feeding, play and travel. With its dual-strap system, the bébéPOD® Flex Plus converts from a FLOOR seat to a CHAIR MOUNTED seat in a snap, perfect at home, at restaurants and visiting family. It is comfortably soft, non-toxic and easy to clean with an ergonomic design that provides optimal support in helping Baby learn to sit and eat – Adjustable Upgrade Tray, placemat and learning toy keeps baby engaged!
• Soft, durable, non-toxic and easy to clean
• Ergonomic design provides optimal support in helping baby learn to sit
• High back helps promote proper posture
• Pommel helps keep Baby snugly in place
• Leg openings designed for comfortable positioning and support
• Designed from Award Winning bébéPOD®
• Comes with placemat, adjustable tray and toy
• Available in watermelon and kiwi
• Recommended age: 3-14 months

Now I’m a little sad that we didn’t have this seat earlier.  The good news is that because of the extra features and the more generous thigh openings, it will last longer than our Bumbo did and we will still get use out of it.

The BebePod Flex Plus has a harness to secure the baby into the seat, as well as straps that attach the seat to another chair.  Guess what?  That makes it a booster! This was super exciting for me.  I’ll never forget the time I was out to eat with my hubby and son and I saw a family feeding a baby purees in a Bumbo while he was on the table.  It looked ridiculous but the baby was quiet.  Everett hasn’t started solids yet but I see us using this for his mealtimes because it is so comfortable for him.  It is lightweight and portable enough to bring to a relative’s home or babysitters so they have a place to be fed and a safe seat.  The surfaces is smooth with no crevices which also makes it very easy to clean.

There is also a tray that attaches to the chair.  A mat can be placed on top (with cute fruit themed images) or you can remove the mat and insert the included carousel toy.  Hallelujah! I have a suction cup toy similar to this which I love but it always comes unstuck from the table surface.  Everett loves spinning it.  Sometimes I leave it off and put others toys there and he equally loves banging those on the tray to make as much noise as possible.

Aesthetically I find the BebePod to look nicer than the Bumbo.  It is shiny, has contrasting colors with the white knob in front, and the toy isn’t too obnoxious to look at white it is attached.

If I were to change anything about the BebePod Flex Plus I would like some way to keep the buckles from falling into the seat.  I’ve gotten a little annoyed at having to hold 19 pounds in one arm while sweeping the buckles out from the seat only to have them slide back in before I get my guy in.  I’d also like an option to buy other toys built for the tray.  Toys that can’t be swept off the tray are miracles.

Bumbo

BebePod

If you are deciding between a Bumbo and BebePod Flex Plus the tray is a major factor.  I have the tray for the Bumbo and never used it, ever.  It was a pain in the butt to put on and it was bulky.  The tray for the Bebepod Flex Plus is easier to put on, although I have to admit since Everett is chunky I can only get it to click in once.

It looks to me that the Bumbo works with smaller/younger infants better but I can’t say for sure since I didn’t have the BebePod Flex Plus to compare during that stage.

If you are trying to decide based on price, there is no competition.  Both are about the same price, and if you upgrade to the BebePod Flex Plus with the tray, that price increase is the same as adding a tray to a Bumbo (sold separately)

We’ve been very happy with the BebePod Flex Plus and hope to get many more months of use out of it!

Where to buy: The BebePod Flex Plus can be found at your local Target or on Target.com.

One lucky DDL reader will win a Bebepod Flex Plus from Prince Lionheart!  This is a US Only giveaway, sorry Canadians.

(1 entry) Mandatory Entry: Sign up for the Prince Lionheart Newsletter. Please leave the email you used in the comment for verification and contact purposes. Leave it as a comment.

For extra entries do any or all of the following.  Leave a comment for each you do.

(1 entry) Follow @KimRosas on twitter and tweet this giveaway. Please tweet, “Enter to win the Bebepod Flex Plus from @KimRosas and Prince Lionheart.  http://tinyurl.com/3r58mb2 Ends June 16.” Leave a comment with a link to your status.

You can tweet once a day for the duration of the contest. Leave a comment with your status for each tweet. 1 entry per day.

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Giveaway ends on June 16. Winner will be chosen using And the Winner Is. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours a new winner will be drawn. *Open to US only* A Bebepod Flex Plus was sent for the purposes of the review.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are 100% genuine and my own.

Wendy, inventor of  PumpEase, contacted me about doing a review.  I really wanted to work with her because I know they are a fabulous company but frankly, I don’t pump very often.  If you follow me on Twitter you know that I only have a single pump and when I do get around to it I tweet the entire time about how much I despise pumping.  But I have a friend who pumps, and pumps, and pumps.  I knew she could give this a real work out, and she did!  Read about her experience with the Pumpease and how it saved her back and her sanity!  Plus keep scrolling for a coupon code and giveaway!

Organic PumpEase

I was recently asked to review the Pumpease Organic Pumping Bra for Dirty Diaper Laundry. I’ll start with my favorite thing about it….I’m using it right now. Right this second I am double pumping as I type this review. THAT, is my favorite thing. Let me backtrack and give you and idea of who I am and why I like that so much. My name is Ginni, I am a SAHM/doula/nursing mom/milk donating mom with 4 kiddos. I pump 2-8 times in each 24 hour period, typically 5-6 times a day/night. I have a 7 month old nursling and I also pump for a 6 month old that was born via surrogacy and cannot be nursed by mom, but through donation is exclusively breastfed.

I stay home with my kiddos every day, and 3 nights a week I am an overnight in-home baby nurse/postpartum doula for newborn twins. I pump a couple of times during my shift when the babies allow, usually twice between midnight and 8am. I have to have milk on hand for if my son wakes during the night and I’m not there. I also attend births and have to always have a minimum of 24 hours worth of milk for him for if I get called to a birth. I have various workshops, training courses, client interviews/prenatal appointments, commitments and occasionally even…. *gasp*…..SOCIAL EVENTS! Some of those require (or are just better!) not bringing my 7 month old with me. Oh look! My bottles are full! I can turn off my pump and continue! Didn’t even notice.

So as you’ve probably noticed, my schedule is a little full, and multi-tasking is crucial to my family and career balancing and thriving like it is. Kim specifically spoke to me about this product and said “If anybody needs this, it’s you!” and she was absolutely right. This bra….I love this bra. It has taken the frustration out of pumping really. I hate pumping. It’s not fun, it’s not comfortable, it’s time consuming and well….unattractive. I feel very awkward sitting on my couch with both boobs hanging out hunched over trying to be at least SOMEWHAT discreet while answering my 8 year old son’s question about where his baseball glove is. I don’t mind nursing in front of them, I don’t mind nursing in front of anyone really. But pumping is different…it looks weird and I feel very exposed when I do it around anyone. I mean…I have to take both boobs out and basically sit there with them hanging out, and this machine that’s making them look strange and making a bunch of noise for 10-15 minutes, several times a day. Who wouldn’t love that?

One of the things that I love about the Pumpease is that it eliminates some of that lack of discretion for me. I am basically wearing what from the front looks like a sports bra/tube top. I am quite covered up. I have used it with and without a nursing bra underneath, and it functions efficiently either way.

The next thing I love about the Pumpease is that my back has stopped hurting. I realized that instead of just sitting and holding the pumps with my hands and waiting to be done, I was multi-tasking and using my hands anyway….just not very well. I would answer the phone, wipe my 2 year old’s nose, type an email one handed, try to eat, etc, while pumping. Do you know how to do that? You know, you get everything out of your lap, lean over and hold the bottle part of the pump on one side between your thighs and have that hand free! While bent in half slightly turned to the side….for 15 minutes. Yeah…..functional, but quite painful after doing it several times a day. This bra has taken that away. I actually forgot to put it in my pump bag the other night going to work and was NOT very happy when I sat down to pump without it. Amazing how quickly we get spoiled!

In short, the Pumpease is very simple, very comfortable, very modest and has given me back a couple hours a day of functional time…and I didn’t have those couple of hours to spare. I would highly reccommend it to any mom that is regularly pumping and doesn’t have the time to waste. Thank you to Pumpease and to Dirty Diaper Laundry for providing me with this opportunity to review something that I wouldn’t have thought I would want to buy, but now can’t live without!
Ginni is a mom to 4 kiddos, a doula, and an all around busy lady!  If you are in the San Antonio area she is also helping coordinate The Great Cloth Diaper Change there.  Her website:
www.lovingbeginning.com

Your PumpEase hands-free pumping support will hold your breast pump in place as securely and comfortably for your 1000th pumping session as it did for your 1st. Our patent pending, ‘no-stitch’ horn openings accommodate ALL makes and models of pumps guaranteed.

If you decided after that amazing testimonial that you need a PumpEase too, use the coupon code: DIRTYDIAPER15 for 15% off on Pumpease.com.  And did you know that 2.00 from every PumpEase sold on their website goes to Best For Babes?! Love it!

Oh, and I get to give one away!

One lucky DDL Reader will win their own PumpEase Hands Free Nursing Bra in their choice of size/color/style!

Mandatory Entry:

(1 entry) Tell me your favorite color or style of Pumpease available.   Leave it as a comment along with your contact email.

For extra entries do any or all of the following.  Leave a comment for each you do.

(1 entry) Follow @KimRosas on twitter and tweet this giveaway. Please tweet, “Free up your hands to tweet this while pumping!  Enter to win a @Pumpease from @KimRosas!  http://d28gc.th8.us Ends March 21.”Leave a comment with a link to your status.

You can tweet once a day for the duration of the contest. Leave a comment with your status for each tweet. 1 entry per day.

(3 Entries!)  Sign up for my Monthly Newsletter. Leave a comment saying you did.

(1 Entry) Follow @PumpEase and/or @Snugabell on Twitter. Leave a comment.

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Giveaway ends on March 21. Winner will be chosen using And the winner is…. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours a new winner will be drawn. *Open to US and Canada*

Ginni was sent a PumpEase for the purposes of the review.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are 100% genuine and her own.

The Prince Lionheart WashPOD is something I was very excited about trying for Everett.  Like many parents, I had a 2 sided plastic tub which fit in the sink for my first son.  After we moved our new house only had 1 sink basin.  Not really great for this type of tub.

When I was selected as a Prince Lionheart Elite blogger I was able to choose an item to review.  The WashPOD was very intriguing so this was first on my list.

From the photo it should be clear this is a “bucket” style bath tub.  The design is meant to be close quartered to remind the baby of their previous cozy home.  The tub is meant for babies 0-6 months.

Favorite Features:

• Easy to insert foam cushion meant to give a little dip for the baby’s bottom to fit in.  Baby won’t slip around.
• Lightweight.  Even with water it can easily be lifted and moved around.
• Clear so you can see the adorableness of the baby inside, all squishy and round.
• My baby LOVES it. He is all smiles inside and would stay in as long as the water was warm.
• Small footprint so I can use it inside our big tub and bathe both children together.
• The fact that the baby is sitting makes washing under the chin very easy.
• Also, since they are upright, washing their full head and rinsing is a breeze.

Not so Favorite:

• The most obvious dislike is that washing the nether crevices is more difficult than a larger tub.  Luckily this area gets wiped a lot!
• There is very little water, so when/if they make a poopy they are literally in all poop.  It has happened.  It is ugly.
• The way it makes my son sit has caused him to spit up, a lot.  I try to make sure he hasn’t eaten within the hour when I bathe him.
• Somewhat hard to get the baby out when finished, but I can get him in and out alone.  I just get wet.
• I wish there were a plug.  I would rather drain it then remove him so that I could rinse him in clean water.

Despite the drawbacks I still favor this tub to the sink style tub.  I always bathe him while he is in the big bath tub, and I bathe him and his brother at the same time.  Since Everett loves his WashPOD so much he is content while I wash his brother.  I honestly look forward to bath time because both boys enjoy it and it is almost guaranteed happy time for everyone.

I didn’t get the WashPOD until after Everett was over a month old.  I didn’t get to try it on a new, newborn.  And since Everett had awesome head control and was big to begin with it is even hard to imagine how it would work with one.  I don’t know at the rate he is growing if it will last until 6 months either, but I am hoping it lasts until he can sit unsupported at least.  At that point we will use the big tub.

Where to buy: Amazon.com (blue or white version available)

One Lucky DDL Reader can also win a WashPOD from Prince Lionheart!

Mandatory Entry:

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A WashPOD was sent for the purposes of this review.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are 100% my own and genuine.  Giveaway ends on February 11. Winner will be chosen using random.org. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours a new winner will be drawn. *Open to US only, no PO Boxes*

Ever heard of Nosefrida?  No?  Well, let me put this as delicately as possible.  Nosefrida is a snot sucker powered by mom.  It is also the greatest invention for babies that won’t break your bank (15.00) and will save you a whole lot of heart ache.

Now is the season for colds.  I know this because both of my kids are getting over them and so am I.  I don’t know what is worse, a sick and whining toddler who is constantly wiping snot over his face with his hand, or a helpless baby who needs you to manually remove snot from their nose for them to breathe.

Bulb syringes are the devil.  They are thin and pokey, using repeatedly can cause nose bleeds and irritation for the baby, and they aren’t terribly effective. I always had to repeat the suction over and over with little result.

I got my Nosefrida over a year ago.  The timing wasn’t great, my first son was pretty wriggly at the time.  No matter what form of nose suction I used, it required two hands.  He thrashed and screamed.  But since it was a two handed job no matter what, I always chose the Nosefrida.

With a non mobile baby the Nosefrida is even more amazing.  My poor Everett was so congested a few nights ago he could hardly breathe.  I brought out ol’ faithful and starting sucking out boogies.  You know it is good when you hear this wet suction sound and see the snot in the tube.

I could hear the snot getting pulled from the deeper nasal cavity, truly relieving him of his congestion.  Bulbs can never get this deep, and you wouldn’t want to because that would be irritating to the baby’s nose.

How does the Nosefrida work?

There are 4 pieces.  A tapered plastic tube with a small hole opening at the tip, a cap attached to a long tube, a red mouthpiece, and a tiny foam cylinder filter which will prevent any snot from entering the tube.

The tapered tube is meant to create a vacuum in the baby’s nostril. Only a tiny portion is truly inside their nose, but it is not going to irritate them at all.

Once you have this inside your nostril, you are going to put the red mouthpiece in and suck.  I don’t want to sound gross, but you really need to suck.  Don’t get discouraged if you aren’t hearing something.  This does take some practice.  Just keep in mind you need a ton of lung power.

Once you hear that wet “squishy” vacuum noise you know you are doing it.  You will start to see a lot of mucous enter the tube.  Don’t worry, even if you have super lungs and you manage to suck the mucous all the way up the tube, there is that tiny sponge filter which will keep it out of the tube and out of your mouth.

If you have a weak stomach you might gag at the sight of the snot.  My husband did.  It doesn’t bother me in the least.

My advice if you have one or plan to buy one is: rinse the tube right away. I am awful about this because the most use my Nosefrida gets is in the middle of the night when my kid is congested the most.  But letting the snot dry is a bad idea, trust me.

My other advice is: get over the gross factor.  This product is so effective you will wonder how you lived without it.  Sick kids are the worst.  Babies can’t blow their noses.  Babies need to breathe without obstructions to nurse and sleep comfortably.

I promise you, this is an investment worth making.  If your baby is in the mobile phase it is definitely more of a challenge if they put up a fight.  Still, getting them cleaned out before bed is worth the trouble.  Going from hearing the crackled, congested nose, to clear breathing, is worth all the snot sucking in the world.

Right now the Nosefrida is on sale on Amazon.com (affiliate link) with free shipping!

Nosefrida The Snotsucker Nasal Aspirator

I received a Nosefrida as swag at a conference over a year ago, but I would have written this review had I paid for it too!  I was not compensated for my review.

While exploring the many swaddling options available to new parents I came across the Woombie the first time I was pregnant.  I never tried it, but knew this time around this was something I really wanted to use with my second baby.  There were just too many great reviews about it.  Anything that might help a newborn sleep better is something worth looking into (within reason of course!).

So what makes a Woombie so special?

Swaddle your baby Safely and Effectively with The Woombie … designed to ease your mind and comfort your baby so you may both achieve a better nights sleep. The Woombie is the safest & most NATURAL way to Swaddle your baby, encouraging baby to softly stretch extremities as needed, just like in the womb. The Woombie comforts, softly confines arms & gently compresses baby’s unique curves to hug baby… preventing Startling issues, face scratching, overheating and also preventing dangerous loose unraveled blankets from covering baby’s face.

The Woombie is a proud winner of the PTPA (Parent Tested Parent Approved), Moms Best and Creative Child Awards. We have been seen on television, in numerous popular baby magazines and are endorsed by Doctors, Doulas, Postpartom Baby Instructors, Nurses and countless moms and dads worldwide. In a nutshell, The Woombie is a great easy swaddle for babies with the Startle Reflex & who are in need of a cozy yet gentle confinement.

One of the things I appreciate most about the Woombie is that it comes in 4 different sizes.  With my first son we stopped swaddling for 2 reasons, 1 was that he was outgrowing the largest size of swaddling blanket we could find, and 2 was that he was rolling and making me nervous.  If I had a video monitor I would have continued swaddling.  Anytime I walked in to check on him he woke up.  Fail.

How it worked for us:

The sizing of the Woombie we received was perfect for a newborn.  It was snug and left no wiggle room so it was as tight as a swaddle.

My favorite feature was that the zipper could be undone from the bottom for middle of the night diaper changes.  My son hates being unclothed so this was such a great thing for us when he was brand new.

The zipper is covered with a soft minkee fabric to prevent any irritation to the baby’s skin under their chin.

When first born my son liked to be swaddled but after a couple of weeks he began fighting it so we couldn’t use the Woombie for as long as we had planned.  Still, most babies do enjoy being wrapped tightly for at least the first few months, so having one or two swaddling type blankets or Woombies is always a good idea.

The only possible negative that we came across with the Woombie was when we co-slept.  The baby’s arms end up being high on the chest and this interfered with nursing while laying next to him.  It took a little longer to get in a position to have the baby latch since there were arms near his chin.

They also make a “convertible” Woombie which allows the baby to have their arms in or out.  This would have been perfect for us since he no longer likes his arms in a swaddle!

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Giveaway ends on Dec 3. Winner will be chosen using random.org. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours a new winner will be drawn. *Open to US Only*

I was given the opportunity to review the new Fisher-Price EZ Bundle: a new 4 in 1 Infant Seat, Swing, High Chair, and Toddler Chair.  Yes, you read correctly.  4 baby essentials in one!  With a price point of 150.00 you get nearly every baby furniture essential for your home.

Here’s a revolutionary new space-saving idea that’s also a great value! The EZ Bundle 4-in-1 Baby System gives you 4 baby essentials in one! Start with one seat, then snap it into the infant seat frame, the swing frame, the high chair frame or the toddler seat frame. So easy to switch—and everything you need is included! Requires 4 C batteries.

At the moment, my baby tester hasn’t arrived yet, however he is anxious to try it out when he arrives.  In the meantime, I am going to give you the lowdown on what I have experienced so far.  I will let you know how he likes it when he gets here!

Infant Swing

• 6-speeds for variety

• 3-point restraint

• Comfy stain-resistant seat pad

• Approx. 0-6 Months, Maximum weight: 25 lbs.

• Use Swing from birth until child becomes active and attempts to climb out of the product.

High Chair

• 5-point restraint

• Comfy stain-resistant seat pad

• Approx. 6-24 Months, Maximum weight: 50 lbs.

• Use High Chair only with a child who has enough upper body control to sit up unassisted.

Newborn Seat

• Great for feeding or napping!

• 3-point restraint

• Comfy stain-resistant seat pad

• Approx. 0-6 Months, Maximum weight: 25 lbs.

• Use Infant seat from birth until child is able to sit up unassisted.

Toddler seat

• Holds toddlers up to 50 lbs.!

• Comfy stain-resistant seat pad

• Approx. 18 Months & up, Maximum weight: 50 lbs.

• Use Toddler seat only with a child capable of getting into and out of the product unassisted.

First Impressions:

The box the EZ Bundle comes in is rather large, however you have to remember there are parts to the 4 items inside.  Opening the box overwhelmed me a little.  There were what seemed to be a lot of parts.  I took a breather and came back to the box to tackle my project.  In reality, it was not that hard.  I am like a man in that I don’t like manuals.  I winged it.  I looked at the pictures and compared parts, laying things out that seemed to go together.  4 green pieces went together to create the base of the High Chair/ Toddler Chair stand.  No screws needed.  The infant chair/swing base does require a few screws.  I found it hard to screw them in with a regular screwdriver, so a drill if you have one around is definitely handy!  The swing needed a few screws, and my hubby actually did that part.  Overall it only took 20 minutes of assembly between all of the different pieces.

High Chair: Honestly, this chair is not missing anything in my opinion.  Some people like their chairs to recline but I have never found this necessary.  I believe if you like to give a child a bottle then this is something you need.  My baby never had a bottle and when he learned to use a sippy he didn’t need to be reclined.  The tray is large enough for any dish I own.  The fabric of the seat is easy to wipe clean, another bonus!

Toddler Seat:  My son loves this seat!  As soon as I put it down he ran over to sit in it.  I think toddlers in general love having their own, easy to access, chair.  Unlike our upholstery chair, I felt good when he ate in it knowing I could wipe it clean.  He did often try to sit a cup on the “arm” but it is sloped and just falls off.  He is used to the seat he already had which has a flat arm.

Infant Seat: Sometimes, you just need to put a baby in a safe spot.  Especially if you have this at a home where there aren’t other baby gadgets, this seat is going to come in handy.  Instead of putting the baby on a couch, bed, or floor, you can use this reclining seat which has a buckle.  It might not vibrate or play music, but they don’t always have to!  There is a little rattle toy attached which can entertain the baby.

Swing: The swing has 6 speed settings.  I will have to test out how it goes with a baby and how many pounds it can swing with, but so far it seems to be working great.  My son is just too large for it!

Big Picture: Ok, here is what I love about this.  Cheap, cute gender neutral print and color scheme, and space saving.  But what I really love is the potential for this to make trips to the grandparent’s house that much easier.  For 150.00 you or your parents can buy a simple item that will change how your visits will go.  Let me tell you, I would have killed for a swing for my son when we visited our family.  He napped in a swing at home most days.  There, napping took place on me.  I also didn’t have a place to sit him down…. there was a bouncer but it was upstairs more often than not, and carrying it up and down was a hassle.  There, there was the high chair conundrum.  My well meaning in laws bought a clamp on high chair that was fabric.  It works well for my son now, but it was so soft and low, eating was hard when he was younger, and clean up was a nightmare!  I wanted a regular plastic, easy to clean, chair.  I also think having a toddler chair is such a cool possibility.  There is a tiny wicker chair that he likes to use but it is more for decoration.  He sits on the floor to watch TV and the toddler chair would be much more comfortable!

150.00 is a small price to pay when you want the comforts of home!  And of course, if you are just starting out buying the baby basics and you have a tight space and/or a tight budget, this is a pretty sweet set up!

Where to buy: Fisher-Price.com

I was able to review this product through my affiliation with Mom Select. The item was sent by the manufacturer for the review free of charge.  No other compensation was received and all opinions expressed are my own.