The Best Homemade Baby Food on the Planet (Giveaway ends 1/11/11)

UPDATE 1/13/11

Winner was selected by random number generator, and has been contacted. Thanks to all who entered!

Well, happy new year all! It has been a lovely start to 2011 already for our little family, and to celebrate, I have some fun for you all with a review and giveaway of The Best Homemade Baby Food on the Planet by Karin Knight and Tina Ruggiero.

Scroll to the bottom of this page for a sample recipe from the book.
Yes, the recipes include nutrition information. Hot.

So I will just remind you all I love making homemade baby food. It saves money, it's healthier for your child, and it is actually a good time. Obviously, I was ecstatic when I was asked to review this cookbook of homemade baby food recipes.

And I have to say, this book brings it. It's full (as in over 200) of recipes for babies of all ages. In fact, the book is broken up into "chapters" based on baby's age, complete with helpful hints to go along with each stage of food. The book answers a lot of questions parents ask in a short first chapter (Should I Go Organic or Not?), and it serves as a great compass in the ways of homemade food.

What I particularly love about this book is the great variety of recipes in it. I have been making my son's food from the start, and there were ideas in here that sound delicious that I had not thought of (and I was skeptical that nothing in this book would sound new to me). Sure, there are how-to recipes on simple purees, but there are also great ideas for using food in baby-friendly ways (like a strawberry omelette or green beans in cream cheese and yogurt).

These recipes are simple enough to make, but they are inventive so that your babies will enjoy them, and I firmly believe that getting kids to try a variety of foods at a young age will help them to have a more developed and adventurous kid palate. I know it could happen, but I am trying desperately not to have that kid who will not eat anything at the party just because he hates all food. And honestly, I know this book has opened new doors for me involving what I prepare for my son.

One other thing I just wanted to note is that this book is helpful in getting you into new foods for your little one. We are not a huge tofu-eating family so I am sort of intimidated when it comes to preparing it, and this book is totally unassuming of your experience with varied foods-- I felt good that I didn't need to be a vegetarian James Beard winner to know what to do with the tofu mentioned in this book because it points out what is what so that you can successfully prepare the right tofu (or whatever!) product for your kid.

The book is priced at $19.99 and was published in November 2010 so it's a hot new item out there in the baby market. And if you want to make your baby's food, I would buy this book as your go-to-- it really did impress me, and I was not paid to say that. It's hefty and worth the purchase.

And you can win a copy of The Best Homemade Baby Food on the Planet!
*Include your e-mail in every comment so I can contact you if you win!*

Option #1: Follow this blog (on the left hand side) and leave a comment.

Option #2: Follow @amomwriting on Twitter and leave a comment.

Option #3: Visit the book's website here: http://www.homemadebabyfood.net/ and tell me something you learned there.

Option #4: Tweet about this giveaway, including a link to this blog post (http://su.pr/1wFGTe), the title of the book, & @amomwriting. (as much as twice per day) Comment for each tweet.

Bon Appetit!

This giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. EST on January 11, 2011. All entries without an e-mail address included are disqualified.

I was given a copy of the book to review, but was not paid for opinions or this giveaway event. These opinions are mine and mine alone.

--

Excerpted with permission...

7 months: Orange You Cute Carrot and Sweet Potato

Baby carrots can also be cut into thin strips (julienned) and microwaved, steamed, or simmered until very soft and served as finger food. When cooked or served with a little unsalted butter, the fat helps the body absorb the carrots’ vitamin A.

Ingredients:
4 baby carrots
1⁄4 cup (60 g) peeled, cubed, and cooked sweet potato
3 tablespoons (45 ml) water

Microwave Method:
Cut the carrots lengthwise, then in half, and place in a small glass bowl with the cooked sweet potato and water. Cover and microwave on high 2 minutes. Allow to cool slightly, then purée in a blender or mash with a fork. Use apple juice, breast milk, or formula if needed to achieve desired consistency.

Yield: 4 baby servings, 2 tablespoons (30 g) each

Each serving contains: 12.8 calories; 0.0 g total fat; 0.0 g saturated fat; 0.0 mg cholesterol; 7.1 mg sodium; 3.0 g carbo-hydrates; 0.5 g dietary fiber; 0.3 g protein; 5.0 mg calcium; 0.1 mg iron; 3009.2 IU vitamin A; and 2.1 mg vitamin C.

--The Best Homemade Baby Food on the Planet, 2010. Knight & Ruggiero.

Yoreganics Review and Giveaway: Ends 8/22

Yoreganics is a natural cleaning company with a spirit for the simple. This wonderful little company is run by a Kim, an interior design-go green momtrepeneur. And their products?

Soap Nuts
Soap Nuts are dried up fruit berries, as in from a tree. They suds naturally when agitated, and a pack of six little nuts can wash your laundry about four to six times before they become too thin to use. They are supposedly great for laundry of those with sensitive skin, specifically for those with eczema. Soap nuts are also anti-fungal and anti-microbial, and they are low-sudsing so they do well in HE (front loader) washing machines.

If you think it's crazy that "soap nuts" can clean your laundry, I'll push the limit-- these little dudes took on Gabriel's cloth diapers, and they looked and smelled beautiful when done. It was really satisfying to take out our little eco-effort diapers and know they were cleaned with something as natural as a nut.

There are a few things I question about soap nuts--- one: their origin. They come from India and Nepal. So I wonder, who collects these nuts? How are they treated? What are they paid? How are they shipped? Who are the distributors? Once wonderful companies like Yoreganics get these little nuts, is the carbon footprint already larger than your typical modern detergent? I know none of these answers. But I do know they are created naturally and used as is. That's impressive.

Stain Remover
An organic pocket-sized stain remover with a citrus scent. With my little stain-maker on the move, I need to throw this in my diaper bag.

Brightens & Whitens
An all-natural brightener and whitener without bleach or phosphates. It is supposed to remove pretty much any stain you can imagine.... sounds good to me!

Lip Balm
USDA certified organic, in flavor Simplemint
This is hands down my favorite lip balm, and that is saying a lot because I was a loyal lover of one particular lip balm before I tried this. It is tingly, smooth, minty, and simple. It has a really nice, subtle taste, too. You will love it.

Win your own Yoreganics Package!

Mandatory Entry:
Tell me, which Yoreganics product do you most want to try?

Extra Entries:
1. Follow the blog (see the right sidebar) and comment.

2. Follow @amomwriting and/or @yoreganics on twitter.com and comment.

3. Tweet:

Enter to win a @yoreganics laundry package on @amomwriting by 8/22 & return to simple, natural cleaning! http://amomwriting.blogspot.com

(You can tweet twice daily, and you can comment for every tweet.)

4. Head over to http://www.yoreganics.com and then comment on another product you would like to try or comment on something you learned.

A Mom Writing did not receive monetary compensation for this entry. These opinions are mine only.

Contest ends on 8/22/10 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Leave your e-mail for contact in case you win.
Winner will have 24 hours to respond before a second is chosen.

Organically Grown Group Goes Baby.

Did you know that "25% of the planet's insecticides come from the production of conventional, non-organic cotton?" I didn't.

Insert Organically Grown Group, an apparel company devoted to offering 100% organic, pesticide and GMO-free cotton clothing and bedding, as well as eco-education. This Spring, they are launching a new baby line.

The first thing that went through my mind when I touched a 6-month size clothing sample was, "Oh.So.Soft."

I'm not kidding. Cotton is a soft fabric, but 100% Organic Cotton is an entirely new level of light, soft, loveliness. Having a baby with extremely sensitive skin, I was very pleased to find a product so tender on little arms and legs.

The other thing I liked about the sample (clothing pictured is different from the sample I received)? It's simple.

Many of the clothes are designed with animals on them, but the animal prints are details. There's an overall pure look to these clothes that isn't disturbed with cartoons or neon colors. These clothes scream whisper, "Wear me when baby needs to be soothed."

The price isn't obscene-- i.e. 3 bodysuits for $20. Not too bad considering they are organic, but not too cheap if you are on a tight budget.

My 12-18 month clothing-sized Gabriel doesn't fit in the wee baby clothing any longer so this clothing isn't for him (and therefore I can't speak to how these clothes hold up in the wash). But these mild-colored rompers, gowns, and bodysuits would be an excellent light and protective clothing choice for little summer babies (sizes 0-9m).

Check Organically Grown out for yourself here.

A Mom Writing did not receive monetary compensation for this entry.

Snuggle Up and Plant a Tree: Greenzys Review & Giveaway (Ends Earth Day)

Hi, everyone. I think I'm in love. With Greenzys.

And because of that love and my love for TREES, A Mom Writing is celebrating the 40th anniversary of Earth Day with a Greenzys review and giveaway...


Greenzys (by Kids Preferred) is a brand relatively new to the kiddo market, offering green living plush animal character toys with a literary basis. Say What? Yes, this brand published a story about taking care of our earth, and then they turned the characters from the story into adorable, eco-friendly, green-colored stuffed animals.

But what makes Greenzys truly special is that they not only inform children about the earth's issues, they function in an eco-friendly fashion. That is, they produce their products in "socially-responsible factories from soy fibers and nontoxic dyes with packaging made from recycled paperboard."

And what's more? Greenzys has paired up with the Arbor Day Foundation. For every toy purchased, a tree is planted. What is sweet about this, too, is that each toy comes with a code you enter into the Greenzys website. It asks for your child's name, and a printable certificate is created to commemorate your little one's tree (we didn't print Gabe's-- we just saved the pdf version-- using paper to signify a tree being planted seemed counter-intuitive).
So what about Greenzys makes me swoon?
I love that the plush animals are based on characters from a book. I'm a children's lit fanatic (I was admitted to a very good school in NYC to pursue an MFA in children's lit, but I didn't go because of the money), and it warms my heart when a company doesn't just dive into the image of fun, but gives that fun a contextual place. These characters come to life not only with the imagination, but on the page. A toy company promoting reading? Fab.

I also love how absolutely cuddly the Greenzys are. Peat the Penguin is a nice size-- about the size of your average baby doll, but with plenty of fluff-- and he is just so very soft to the touch. He's a sweet shade of green-- not bright enough to be kelly, not dark enough to be hunter, not light enough to be mint-- a very muted and comforting tone.

The only negative thing I have to say about Peat is that his tummy is covered by a huge earth heart (this I love) with the brand Greenzys sprawled across it (this I do not). It just isn't my aesthetic preference to see a big word across a plush toy's belly. But it does not detract from Peat's overall cute, snuggliness, and it certainly has not kept Gabriel from yelling talking to him with curious eyes and a huge smile.

Probably my favorite thing about this toy is that it is teachable in so many ways. You can read the book to your kids, they can read it to you, you can use that moment to explain environmental issues facing our planet; it is a perfect door for a teachable moment-- you can say to your kids, "This is why we go green." (Just think, you can answer them thoroughly when they ask, "Why?")

These toys also can offer a personal feeling of accomplishment to a child. Seeing that certificate pop up on the computer screen will definitely allow kids to feel proud. They can say to themselves (or be told): I chose this toy, and because of that choice, a tree will be planted. I made an eco-friendly choice.
All in all, it is not easy to find a company that talks the talk and walks the walk of eco-friendly. And a toy that goes beyond the practice of green, but also educates through literature and ecology? I'm not sure that sort of lightning often strikes in the toy industry.

So where can you buy Greenzys? Head to FAO Schwartz to purchase your Greenzys today.

Lucky for A Mom Writing readers,
You have a chance to win your own Greenzys!


The mandatory entry:
Head to the Greenzys website and tell me which character you would love for your little one.

Want more entries? Do any or all of these.

2. Publicly follow my blog (right sidebar) and comment. If you already, follow, make sure to comment!

3. Vist the Arbor Day Foundation website and comment about something you learned there.

4. Follow @amomwriting and/or @TheGreenzys on Twitter and comment for one (1) additional entry each.

5. Tweet about the giveaway, including @amomwriting and @TheGreenzys, and comment.
(You can tweet and comment once per day.)

6. Blog about the giveaway including a link to amomwriting and comment with the permalink to your entry for two (2) extra entries, leaving two separate comments.

7. Vote for A Mom Writing on Top Mommy Blogs here and comment. (1 entry per vote, 1 vote per day)

8. Vote for A Mom Writing on Top Baby Blogs here and comment. (1 entry per vote, 1 vote per day)

Make sure to leave your e-mail in your mandatory entry if it is not in your profile so that I may contact you if you win. The contest will end at 11:59 p.m. EST on Earth Day-- April 22, 2010.

A Mom Writing did not receive monetary compensation for this entry.

Yummi Bears Organics Review & Giveaway (Closes 4/9)

Take.your.vitamins.

Never was that so impressed to me as when I got pregnant with Gabe. Nutrition matters. And whether your bean is in the womb or on the soccer field, it's a huge responsibility making sure he or she is getting all the nutrients needed to grow up healthy and strong.

So, you look into vitamins, and most of the vits for the kiddies are full of high fructose corn syrup. For the mommies who remain unconvinced by the commercials claiming hfcs "is just like sugar," for the mommies who want their children to eat organic, non-GMO foods, and for the mommies who have little ones with nut allergies, celiac-disease, or other common intolerances, Yummi Bears Organics are a great nutritional option.

Because they are deceivingly delicious. I sampled the Multivitamin, Immunity Shield, and Bone Builder varieties. My husband tried them, a handful of my little cousins tried them, and so did many other grown-up family members. The taste test results were truly positive.

My husband and I could tell immediately which fruit was used to flavor which vitamins. How often does something apple or strawberry-flavored truly taste like apples or strawberries?

When my reluctant-to-try-new-foods 5-year-old cousin (who has celiac disease) was handed a Yummi Bears Organics, my aunt said, "It's like a gummy bear." The response after trying? "Mom, this IS a gummy bear." Duh, Mom, right? Well, these bears aren't of the candy variety, cuz. But the joke is not on my cousin, because Yummi Bears Organics are doing much more for her budding body than candy.

I'm not advocating this, but I love that you could tell your kids they're "allowed" to have three or six bears (serving depends on the variety) as a treat, and they'd be getting vitamins without ever knowing the difference.

They've got lots of nutrients, but not so much of the fake stuff. Their flavoring and coloring are from vegetable juices, such as black carrots, rather than dyes like Red No. 5. They're also pectin-based rather than gelatin, making them vegetarian-friendly. And when it comes to Genetically-Modified Ingredients, they're made with tapioca syrup-- escaping any suspicion of iffy so-called non-GMO corn syrups.

Did everybody like them? Nope. I have to be honest! My 8-year-old not-so-sweet-toothed cousin was not a fan. "They're too sweet," he remarked. So, if you've got a kid who would rather eat the apples and loads o' spinach to get their vitamins, stick with the produce.

And that sweet sweetness is the only real complaint I have about Yummi Bears Organics and every other gummi vitamin out there-- When the first ingredient is listed as something sugar-related (in YBO case, organic evaporated cane juice), as a parent, you think, what am I really feeding my kid here?

But when you look at the overall nutrition, the sugar doesn't seem too frightening when you consider the nutritional gains. Out of 3 Multivitamins, you're getting 4 g sugar and 20 calories, but you're also getting 100% or more daily value of Vitamin A, B6, B12, and Folic Acid, as well as 50% or more daily value of Vitamins C and D3. The Multivitamin is not a good source of Calcium or Iron, but that's why Yummi Bears offers a plethora of vitamin types. Many of them are safe to mix and match.

So, overall?
Organic, non-GMO, non-allergen vitamins with authentic fruit flavor. As an all-about-natural Mommy, I'd definitely give these a shot if I were you.

You can give them a try!
Win Yummi Bears Organics on A Mom Writing!

The Mandatory Entry

Visit Yummi Bears Organics and look at the vitamin varieties.
Comment: Which one would you like your little one(s) to try?

Want more entries? Do any or all of these things...

2. Publicly follow my blog (right sidebar) and comment. If you already, follow, make sure to comment!

3. Follow @amomwriting on Twitter and comment for one (1) additional entry each.

4. Tweet about the giveaway, including @amomwriting, and comment.

5. Blog about the giveaway including a link to amomwriting and comment with the permalink to your entry for two (2) extra entries, leaving two separate comments.

6. Vote for A Mom Writing on Top Mommy Blogs here and comment. (1 entry per vote, 1 vote per day)

7. Vote for A Mom Writing on Top Baby Blogs here and comment. (1 entry per vote, 1 vote per day)

Make sure to include your e-mail address in your mandatory entry (if it is not in your profile) so that I have a means of contacting you if you win! The winner will be chosen by random.org on Friday, April 9, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. EST. I will then notify the winner by e-mail; the winner has 48 hours to respond before another winner is picked. Thank you to Yummi Bears Organics for this opportunity!

Questions?
Contact me at amomwriting@gmail.com

A Mom Writing did not receive monetary compensation for this entry.

Swear By It? Wear It: Wild Blueberry Ink Breastfeeding Pendant Necklace Giveaway (Closes 3/30)

***THIS IS A 200 Oz. CELEBRATION SERIES EVENT***

I swear by breastfeeding so I pumped 200 Oz. for the Human Milk Banking Association of North America. If you swear by breastfeeding, you should probably read this review and enter this giveaway...

When you breastfeed, pump, donate milk, or any mix of the three, after awhile it is hard not to become passionate about nursing. For me, every day I breastfeed my little one, I am that more certain we made a great decision for our baby and family. And I'm proud of it. It's not always easy to balance with the demands of 2010 life.So, breastfeeding Mommies or supporters, if you are feeling proud (and you should be proud!), you are so in luck because Shirley of Wild Blueberry Ink is giving away a fantastic prize to one lucky A Mom Writing reader!

About Wild Blueberry Ink (and why I LOVE these designs).

Wild Blueberry Ink is a fabulous Etsy shop of fantastic, vividly-colored and scrupulously-formed digital designs. From the humorous to the simply elegant, the designs found at Wild Blueberry Ink are unique, chic, and modern-- perfect for a myriad of occasions and celebrations.
In the case of A Mom Writing, I am specifically talking about Shirley's Breastfeeding Buttons and Glass Pendants--
they are adorable technicolor snippets with catchy phrases and pro-breastfeeding images (as you can see from the few pictured above).
There are so many versions of these lovely things, but some of the cute phrases I adore?

"Lactivist"
"iBreastfeed"
"Breastmilk: It does a baby good."
"got human milk?"

I mean, come on, how fun are those phrases? And look at those graphics. They're bright, eye-catching, and feminine. Perfect for any breastfeeding Mommy. I personally think they, used in any form, would be a fabulous gift to a girlfriend to offer support in the early days or from a husband to his wife as a thank you for breastfeeding. Regardless of where or who or how, these images are top notch, and I adore them.

This could be yours!

Shirley was so awesome to sign onto the 200 oz. event, and she even reached out to one of her jewelry designers to collaborate on a little something for ya'll. It's a necklace with a scrabble piece-sized tile with one of her breastfeeding designs on it. And you get to choose your favorite design so it will be totally personal! So CELEBRATE your breastfeeding self and ENTER TO WIN!

The Mandatory Entry
Visit Wild Blueberry Ink's Etsy Shop and look at the big page of designs.
Pick one that you think suits a milk donor best and comment about it!

Want more entries? Do any or all of these things...

2. Visit http://www.hmbana.org and figure out which Mother's Milk bank location is closest to you. Tell me which one with their contact number in a comment. I live in NJ, but am working with Ohio!
(2 additional entries-- leave 2 comments.)

3. Publicly follow my blog (right sidebar) and comment. If you already, follow, make sure to comment!
Publicly follow Wild Blueberry Ink's blog and comment! (1 entry each)

4. Follow @amomwriting, @wildbluberryink, and @givemilk on Twitter and comment for one (1) additional entry each.

5. Tweet the following (One (1) entry per tweet; you can tweet twice per day):

I support #breastfeeding! Enter to win @WildBluberryInk #bfing pendant necklace from @amomwriting's 200 oz. @GiveMilk event. Ends 3/30!

6. Blog about the giveaway including a link to amomwriting and comment with the permalink to your entry for two (2) extra entries, leaving two separate comments.

7. Vote for A Mom Writing on Top Mommy Blogs here and comment. (1 entry per vote, 1 vote per day)

8. Vote for A Mom Writing on Top Baby Blogs here and comment. (1 entry per vote, 1 vote per day)

9. Enter any other current or future giveaway of the 200 oz. event and leave a comment.

Make sure to include your e-mail address in your mandatory entry (if it is not in your profile) so that I have a means of contacting you if you win! The winner will be chosen by random.org on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at 10:00 p.m. EST. I will then notify the winner by e-mail; the winner has 48 hours to respond before another winner is picked. Thank you to Mamatini for this opportunity!

Questions?
Contact me at amomwriting@gmail.com

A Mom Writing did not receive monetary compensation for this entry.

Winner: (by random.org) Princess Mom... contacting now!

Nobody puts BabyLegs in the corner: BabyLegs Review & Giveaway

It's a first for A Mom Writing today-- my very first giveaway! Party it up-- let's get going.

In that spirit, I remember the first time I heard about BabyLegs leg warmers-- I was on thebump.com's 1st trimester board, and I saw some post, "Look at my babylegs!"

I thought to myself, "Umm... I don't care about your baby's legs, but this is weird enough to check out." So, I did. And I discovered I was lucky to have opened up the post because, obviously, I learned that BabyLegs were actually one of the most adorable baby clothing items on the market.

So my love affair began with BabyLegs. But I was reluctant to purchase them until I knew the sex of the baby. In the middle of the second trimester, my husband and I were overjoyed to discover we had a little man on the way.

A boy. In BabyLegs?

I'm here to tell you that yes, they are just as cute on a boy, and no, they are not girlie. They come in so many colors and prints, from pink to stone to pumpkin to skulls to patriotic to striped and back. And you can wear them so many ways!

They are so fun and adorable, but maybe you're wondering...

Are they easy to use?
YES. Gabe is a squirmy dude, but I always can slip these on him. They are particularly lovely during diaper changes-- they can stay where they are, slip down to the ankles or glide right off for a second. They are quick on and off- baby is dressed in a jiffy.

But do they work well with cloth diapers?
MUCH BETTER THAN PANTS! I very quickly got sick of hoisting pants over my baby's fluffy butt. Sure, you can put larger size pants on your baby, but then they look long, and unless you get just the right fit, pants over cloth diapers look a little silly. What doesn't look silly? BabyLegs. They keep baby's legs nice and snugly so that he or she can still wear cute onesies and shirts with a cloth-diapered bottom.

Aren't they sort of scratchy on baby's skin?
NO. BabyLegs are so soft even before they are washed. No rashes, no irritation. They even protect your little one's legs in the sun or when crawling.

So what are the drawbacks?
For a younger baby, Babylegs can be a little long. Luckily, Babylegs sent me My First Babylegs (available at Target online)-- they are made shorter for younger, shorter legs.
BabyLegs also take care when washing-- either you can wash them by hand or you have to be very, very careful washing them with the rest of baby's clothes. Velcro stuck to BabyLegs is NOT fun.

So overall?
I wholeheartedly recommend BabyLegs. I think they are cute, warm, protective, and convenient for any busy Mommy and baby. BabyLegs are a wardrobe must-have for a little man or little lady. They're versatile and varied.

All right. You've read my review. Now what?

Buy them.
Head to babylegs.com and shop now. Sales start at around $7.00 for a pair!

AND/ OR

Win them.
One lucky reader will win a Pair of My First BabyLegs in Robot OR Block -- you get to choose!

The mandatory entry:

1. Visit BabyLegs and answer me this-- Which BabyLegs would you love your little one to wear?

Additional Entries

2. Publicly follow my blog (right sidebar) and comment for three (3) additional entries.
i.e. I follow you #1, I follow you #2, I follow you #3...

3. Follow @amomwriting on Twitter and comment for one (1) additional entry.

4. Tweet the following (One (1) entry per tweet; you can tweet once per day):
Win @babylegs from @amomwriting! 1 lucky winner will receive a pair of My 1st Babylegs. #giveaway. http://tiny.cc/FyKmL

5. Blog about the giveaway including a link to amomwriting and comment with the permalink to your entry for two (2) extra entries, leaving two separate comments.

6. Vote for A Mom Writing on Top Mommy Blogs here and comment. (1 entry per vote, 1 vote per day)

7. Vote for A Mom Writing on Top Baby Blogs here and comment. (1 entry per vote, 1 vote per day)

Make sure to include your e-mail address in your mandatory entry (if it is not in your profile) so that I have a means of contacting you if you win! The winner will be chosen by random.org on Sunday, March 7, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. EST. I will then notify the winner by e-mail; the winner has 48 hours to respond before another winner is picked. Thank you to BabyLegs for this opportunity!

Questions?
Contact me at amomwriting@gmail.com


A Mom Writing did not receive monetary compensation for this entry.


CONTEST CLOSED
Random.org Random Number Generator
1-93 selected #44-- Congrats, Jennifer Mercurio!
An e-mail has been sent, and the winner has 48 hours to respond before the next winner will be selected at random. Thanks, everyone!

200 Oz. Event, what?

It seems the blog is going to be taking a turn for the fun! I am pleased to announce...

A Mom Writing's 200 Oz. Celebration Series

Yup, I'm currently working on a line-up of reviews and giveaways to celebrate when I hit 200 oz. for hmbana! I can't spill the details just yet, but I am so pleased that these giveaways are now officially in the works.

Get ready to party it up, Mommy style, ladies!

FINALLY!

I am so excited to write my first product review, and it is a darn good product to begin the review process.

After weeks months of struggle with this little thing called the bottle, my baby is finally able to consume his ounces from something other than me!

And it is due to a wonderful item I won on twitter from Coddlelife:

The Coddlelife Polypropylene Bottle.

I am not kidding when I say my baby was literally chewing on Medela, Avent, Playtex Nurser System, etc. nipples. He would chomp, scream, kick, flail, and pretty much expel his way through 45 minutes of bottle feeding with Daddy. Oh, and maybe he would get 2 oz. out of it before Daddy would look at me drained and say, “Please nurse him.”

So what’s so different about the Coddlelife PP that Gabe is able to nurse?

First of all, please understand this has not been a magic fix. Bottle feeding is still messy, and Gabe still sheds some tears while he figures things out in the first two minutes, but he was actually able to drink 5 oz. within 20 minutes. He didn’t spit up much afterward, and he wasn’t an angry ogre when it was over. He still needed some more from me, but he is just a hungry bugger lately. But this bottle is getting the job done well enough that I might actually be able to leave my sweet baby for longer than 2 hours at a time in the future, and here’s the science behind it:

The Coddlelife PP was developed with breastfeeding in mind. The nipple was designed to mimic not only the shape and feel of Momma (it even has little bumps on it), but it is designed to function like Momma—it actually stretches and flattens in baby’s mouth. It is pliable, allowing the baby to truly latch on and flange like he would if it were a real breast. And I think this is the key for Gabe.

The other wonderful thing about this bottle is that it was made for babies with colic and reflux. And if you read my blog at all, you know my little man has a nasty case of the ‘flux. This bottle has a special air venting system meant to keep the extra air in the bottle from getting into baby’s sucks. And that helps alleviate gas by preventing bottle-created gas bubbles. Good for the spit-up-tortured reflux baby.

It's BPA free, too, which is a must when it comes to bottles.

And I am such a skeptic and critic when it comes to bottles. I doubt every little claim of the anti-colic-blah-blah-blah because everything we have tried has NOT worked. Most nipples really do not remind my breastfed baby of my nipple, and he has a hard time getting any food at all. But this one has worked for little one a few times now, and it has given us some much-needed solace in the bottle battle department.

To be fair, I will offer one criticism of this bottle—I wish that when you turned it over, not a single lick of milk would drip out, because for it to be absolutely like a woman, it would have to function in that way. (Please realize the drip is so slow and so minimal, but I have to be critical about something, right?)

And as this bottle becomes more popular—and I am SURE it will—it would be fun for some colors to pick from other than pink. My boy is man enough to eat from a pink bottle, but I am obsessed with green baby items because they work for both lads and ladies.

So all in all, if you are having a hell of a time with bottle feeding, do yourself a favor and order yourself this bottle. It has gotten quite a bit of acclaim lately (featured in Parents magazine and on the Toy Man Product Guide 2009). Get this for your baby, because quite literally, it sucks.

Thank you, Coddlelife!!

Available online and at Sears