Baby Products

I have tried many different brands of diapers (disposable) for my children which includes Huggies, Pampers, Members Mark (private Sam’s Club brand), and Luvs.

Luvs Diapers

However, of the four brands I have tried for all of my children, I love the Luvs brand the best– not only it’s economical, but it outperformed and surpassed my expectations!

Huggies left “crystal-like” remnants on my children’s butt and it was really impossible to get rid of it (except giving them baths/showers – honestly, who want to do that all day long?).

I have to tell you first-hand that I change diapers VERY frequently – if it is wet than it was time for a diaper change.

When my aunt came to visit us she couldn’t believe how clean my children’s butts were – there were no rashes, red marks of any kind, and etc.

She further continued complimenting me by telling me stories of her visits to her children.  She told me that when she visited her grandchildren she discovered that all of her grandchildren had some sort of rashes.

Of course, I did tell her that my children’s butts didn’t stay clean by accident, but we spend great deal of money on their diapers.

At that that, between the three kids, we were going through about 3-4 boxes of econ-sized (comes between 125-108 diapers per box) diapers which is equivalent to about 350-450 or so diapers a month.

I am just grateful that two of my children grew out of the diaper stage – I am saving SO much money now!  Honestly, my husband and I are very HAPPY!

I have heard and read reviews that Luvs diapers are not as absorbent as HUGGIES or Pampers, but frankly who wants that?

Diaper Rash

Think about it – if it is that absorbent your baby’s waste(s) (#1 or #2) are rubbing against their sensitive skin, and the moisture is literally trapped in there – that’s how you get rashes!!

Moreover, from personally speaking here, Luvs are not as bulky as HGGIES which allow babies (especially the crawlers and walkers) to move more freely.

Also, I have noticed that HUGGIES sags and falls down – it looks like they pooped, but it’s just the gravity taking its toll on the diapers – it’s just a bummer.

Here is a comment from P. Vaughn who commented on Luvs product on Amazon’s website:

*”These diapers are great, they are of the same quality as Pampers, only about $6-7 cheaper for the same amount. They have the stretchy sides that are exactly the same type as Pampers Swaddlers and Cruisers. They have a babypowder scent to them, which is a little stronger than the Swaddlers, but not to where it bothers anyone. So far I’ve tried Target, Wal-Mart brands, Huggies, Pampers and Luvs. From my experience they ALL leak, no matter what they say. Especially when my breastfed baby has an explosive poop while not laying on his back — this makes the liquid come out from the back of the diaper. But these don’t leak as much as Huggies and generic brands. They are also not as rough as Huggies. Like I said, I would compare these to Pampers, I really think they stole their design ”

I can keep writing about Luvs product, but it is up to the parents and how it works with individual child.  No child is the same and unfortunately you have to try different baby products to find the PERFECT brand for you.

However, do not disregard Luvs product because it has made more parents happy (saving money and quality) than disappointed.

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*http://www.amazon.com/Luvs-Premium-Stretch-Diapers-Size/review/product/B0012M73LE/ref=dp_db_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Two Thumbs Up

Popularity: 4% [?]

Baby

You are expecting a child or you know somebody who’s expecting, and thinking what baby products to buy; right? 

As a mom of three, do not get unnecessary things: i.e. rubber duckies, teddy bears, vibrating swings, foofy dresses (for girls), baby nail clippers with a magnifying glass, or even diaper genies.

Yes, you want to buy something so adorable that every women in the room turns around and say “ahhs” at your gift. 

Don’t get me wrong those things are cute and adorable, but they would get little to no use out of it – So, make sure you limit how many you get or receive.

For instance, you’ll only need three to four pretty dresses/outfits – one dress/outfit in 0-3 months size, and rest in 6-9 months.  Trust me; your child will live in onies for the first six months of his/her life.

Don’t get suckered into buying things that would make your “life” easier: i.e. vibrating swings or chairs — your child will get used to the vibrating motion to fall asleep. 

I bought one for my oldest child (first time mom, and I didn’t know better), and I wish I can kick my own butt for doing that.  At first I thought it was all honky dory, but eventually I had to rock my child to sleep three times a day – boy, it got OLD!

I even tried to put the baby in the crib until he fell asleep, but he would cry for hours – some days he would even lose his voice!  My husband and I thought it was inhumane so we stopped doing that.

So, you are probably thinking “what should I stock up on?”  I have ten things you cannot live without:

1) Avent Pacifiers – My kids cannot use Nuk Pacifiers because of the angle (they chock on it).  Also, American Academy of Pediatrics commended babies use pacifiers to reduce and protect from SIDS.
2) Dr. Brown baby bottles – great for colic babies.
3) Bibs and towels (e.g. wash cloths) – put it under your baby’s neck when feeding, and you’ll be amazed how much they drip!
4) Zip lock bags – instead of using Diaper Genies (I vomit and gag every time I used to empty the canister out) I use sandwich size generic zip lock bags to throw away diapers.
5) Baby carrier – Baby Bjorn, and ONLY Baby Bjorn
6) Baby slings – (check out my other blogs to make your own baby sling)
7) Onsies, and did I mention onsies?
8) Luv’s diaper – I tried Huggies and Pampers, but discovered Luv’s is better
9) Pampers Sensitive Wet Wipes
10) Digital camera

Remember this is the list for the first six months of your child’s life, and your life will never be the same (in a good way).

Popularity: 3% [?]

Is your baby ready to walk? 

I used to buy my child only Robeez, but discovered it was just too expensive to maintain it.  For instance, the leather (pre-walk) footware range between $27-$35 a pair, and the harder soles (for children who are really walking) cost between $40-$50 (I think I bought mind for $45/pair).

Honestly, I want the best for my child, but $50 for shoes – really?  I don’t even own a gym shoes that cost that much.

Don’t get me wrong – I think Robeez shoes are awesome.  It fits comfortably on their feet, putting them on is a breeze, and they cannot take them off in the car; but I thought there has to be an alternatives online or in stores.

I think unless your child or an infant has some sort of feet problem/balancing problem and/or it’s recommended by your pediatrician, it’s just waste of money.  I really believe, most of the times, we buy these expensive things to make ourselves feel better more than anything else – because that’s what I did.

So, as a savvy shopper I did research online to find substitutes.  I bought similar, soft soles, ones at Target, in the baby/infant section, and you can also buy them online for about $12/pair.  Also I came across couple of websites offering similar products for around $20/pair: Shooshoousa and overstock.

There are other websites out there offering similar infant products, but they still cost over $25/pair and you have to pay for shipping and handling charge – some offer free shipping if you buy two or more.  Sorry, I have issues with paying for shipping fees; so, I usually combine shop at once so I can receive free shipping.

Back to the product … I do not personally know the quality of these two website’s product, but I can give you a personal comparison between Robeez vs. the ones I bought at Target.  Let’s say there are NO comparisons – Robeez are superior in nature.

Robeez have the “tailored look” to it when the child/infant puts it on (it just looks more expensive than the Target brand),  the leather holds shape much better after some wear and tear, the elastics (tucked behind the ankles) does not roll-up, and the leather is SO soft.  However, when you have to replace it, at least one pair every month or so, Target’s price point is much easier to swallow.

There are instructions to care them, but after you wash it the leather hardens up, it gets all slimy, and it loses its shape – it just isn’t pretty.  It’s easier on you to replace it rather than “revive” it.

If you are looking for the harder soles check out Kohls stores.  I have heard lots of great things about them, and the prices are not too bad either.

My shopping advise to you is to do research – most of the times you can find substitutes, and don’t ever pay retail prices (unless if you want to).

Popularity: 2% [?]

I love Baby Bjorn!!!  I could not have survived motherhood without it; especially when I was chasing my older kids around.  However, time came when I had to say goodbye to my Baby Bjorn (he out grew it), and had to come up with another idea.

I have seen women carrying their children around in baby slings, but when I searched it online it was way too expensive; especially when I knew I would probably use it for only couple of months max.  So, first I checked out ebay to find a used ones and bidding on sellers who sews these slings for you, but it was still too expensive for me.  

I was reluctant to go with the sellers who sew these slings, even though it was much cheaper, because I was placing my child into these things.  What if the seller didn’t put extra stitches in it and my child falls?  I don’t think I could carry it back of my head, “is my kid going to fall out of these things?”  So, I was back to square one. 

If you didn’t know, these slings range from $40 to $100.  The $40 products are pretty general – simple color, not reversible, sometime the patterns/colors are too wild (if they even offer printed fabric), and have to pay for shipping/handling. 

However, if you are not into sewing and/or are into organic products there are many online stores offering these specialty products at ”reasonable” price.

On the other hand, Nordstrom sells their slings for $74, and the other designer looking slings range between $55 to $95.  For example, Mamma’s milk slings are rather popular with the celebrities.  If you check out their website you can see which actors/actresses are using which slings – of course, if this is what you are into. 

For savvy mothers out there this one is for you.  Since I have SO  much time in my hand , and just being a cheap-skate, I researched online where I could find and buy sling sewing patterns to make my own.  I was only brave enough to tackle this task because I recently learned how to sew (nothing fancy here, just straight stitching) and wanted to make it a project myself when the kids are in bed. 

It took me a while to find this website, but it is amazing.  I had to read over the instruction many times since I didn’t know too much technical sewing terms, but I finally figured it out by linking the words to the pictures.  The website’s address is http://www.mykarmababy.com/pages/BabySlingPattern.php.

This project only took 45 minutes of my time (took little longer because I was new at this sewing business and wanted to make every stitch perfect), spent around $12 for home décor fabric, was able to make my sling into a reversible ones, and it is custom made for me!  To this day I receive many compliments, and people asking me to sew the slings for them.  How awesome is that?

Popularity: 2% [?]