CheapTweet Blog

In this edition of the Happy Hatchling, Heather – mom and CheapTweet guest blogger – shares a list of swim essentials. Be sure to follow Heather on Twitter!

Planning on taking a summer vacation? Do you plan on spending time at the pool? Don’t go unprepared!  Here is a list of the essential items you need for going to the pool with your baby. Make sure you purchase these items before you go on vacation, because finding an infant float and swimming diaper can be difficult in a vacation spot or you’ll pay too much money (I know from experience)! Be safe and have fun!!!

1) Huggies Little Swimmers

The best way to stay welcome at the pool with your little one is to provide them with the correct swimwear (i.e., no one wants poop in the pool). These diapers were designed specifically for taking your kid swimming.  If you take your kid swimming in his/her regular Huggies, they will fill to capacity with water.  The Little Swimmers fit under your kid’s swimsuit and are disposable, which is great on vacation where you don’t have easy access to a washing machine. Washable swim diapers are also available and good for the pool close to home. Whether you have disposable or washable diapers, they all absorb some water so change your kid into a fresh diaper when she is done swimming to avoid diaper rash or chafing.

2) Sunscreen

Protect your child’s skin by always applying sunscreen. Look for sunscreen that has a high SPF (>30), and is waterproof and hypoallergenic.

3) An adorable bathing suit or a UV protective suit

Little kid swimsuits can be super cute so I have a hard time purchasing just one.  The UV suits are not as fashionable, but they provide excellent sun protection and they have more coverage for the active infants or toddlers that like to play on the ground.

4) Swimming Pool Float

I’ve tried many swim floats with my daughter and the Swim School Baby and Me Combo Float (pictured) was my favorite because gives you a place to comfortably float alongside your kid. With this feature you can easily venture into the deep end and not struggle to stay next to your baby float.  The only downside is that it does not come with an attached shade like the SwimWays Baby Spring Float with Sun Canopy.

Finally, if you want some reading material on introducing your kid to the water, check out this book: “Learn to Swim: Step-by-Step Water Confidence and Safety Skills for Babies and Young Children”.

What are some of your favorite pool or beach accessories for kids?

In this edition of the Happy Hatchling, Heather  – mom and CheapTweet guest blogger – shares some of her favorite springtime kid activities. Be sure to follow Heather on Twitter!

The good weather is here! After being cooped up for the winter, my tot and I are spending a lot more time outside. Here are some ideas and inspiration for getting the most out of springtime with your kids!

1) Visit Your Local Farmer’s Market

This is the perfect time of year to put on that Baby Bjorn (pictured) and go check out your local farmers market. Even if you don’t feel like shopping, it is great entertainment for your little one. There are lots of people and dogs to watch, live music, and tons of colors and scents to enjoy.

For the heavy produce shopper, opt for taking the stroller and attaching these inexpensive stroller hooks to free up your hands.

2) Tour a Botanical Garden

Enjoy the flowers… go take a walk in a botanical garden. If you have a tots or older children, let them help water plants in your yard with their own watering can (pictured).

You can also look up flower craft projects to do at home. Here are some fun craft ideas by @momtriedit for Everything Mom.

3) Go to the Zoo

This time of the year animals at the zoo are very active (they love the good weather as much as we do). I also like going to zoos and museums for the gift shops to find new toys and books. The San Diego Zoo’s gift shop actually has some of their items online for those of you who don’t live near a zoo.

And, here are a few zoo-themed puzzles and books your kids will love:

• Melissa & Doug Touch and Feel Zoo Puzzle
• Books with wonderful illustrations and stories
  • Goodnight Zoo
  • Dear Zoo
  • Goodnight Gorilla
  • All the Ways I Love You

4) Play Outside at Home

Hang up a baby swing. This works for younger babies and older tots. While outside have your kid point out birds, bugs, and flowers.

Walk or ride with the Stride to Ride Lion. I love this toy because it converts from a walker to a sit-and-ride toy so it can grow with your kid. This toy can work indoors as well as outdoors.

Go play ball with this adorable ladybug kickball.

What are your favorite springtime outdoor activities to do with your kids? Please share your ideas in the comments!

The last edition of the Happy Hatchling focused on women’s needs. This week it’s all about the dads. Heather  – mom and our Happy Hatchling guest blogger – shares some of her favorite diaper bags for dads.

Today’s dad is actively involved with raising the kids. When we first had our baby, my husband was always looking for ways to help out. We got a brown diaper backpack, which I initially disliked because I wanted a more feminine bag. However anytime we would go out with the baby, my husband would automatically wear the diaper backpack to lighten my load. (Honestly, it is amazing how much stuff you need and how heavy that bag can get!) Had we gotten the feminine bag I wanted, I’d probably be the one lugging it around instead.

Now there are so many diaper bag choices that you and your husband can both get a diaper bag that you feel comfortable toting around. Women, please don’t embarrass your husband by making him carry your pink Coach diaper bag! Instead, let him pick out his own diaper bag and he will be more than willing to carry all the baby gear.

1) DadGear Messenger Diaper Bag (pictured)

The best thing about this bag is the accessibility of diaper wipes.  When you open the flap and the wipes are right there. This bag is functional and could be mistaken for your regular work pack.

Because I like this bag so much, I was excited to see that they make them with sports logos. Hook ‘em Horns!

2) Baby Sherpa Backpack Diaper Bag (pictured)

This bag is great for keeping your hands free. Shoulder bags have the unfortunate tendency to dangerously slide off, especially when you are bending over constantly to pick up your baby. You’ll never have that problem with the backpack. Plus, it is definitely not going to be confused as a man purse. The Baby Sherpa has room for everything and is modular so that you can find your items quickly.

3) JJ Cole Essentials Sling Style Backpack Diaper Bag

This sling style backpack is designed for minimal toting. It is perfect for the dad who likes to go on quick outings like going to the park or the grocery store. It holds the essentials (diapers, wipes, bottle) and won’t break your back. It is a bag that can be used as your only diaper bag or as an occasional alternate.

4) Vest Style Diaper Bag from DadGear (pictured)

I mostly hate vest-style diaper bags, but I suppose they can be useful for going out to a park or camping, especially if your husband does not like carrying any kind of bag. If you feel incredibly compelled to go with the vest for functionality sake, this one is stylish and youthful.

However, here is an example of a diaper vest that is only okay if you have multiples or you babysit for the Octomom. It is unsightly and may embarrass the people you are with.

What are some of your favorite diaper bags for dads (or for anyone who doesn’t want to tote around the typical diaper bag)?

This week, Heather – mom and our Happy Hatchling guest blogger – shares tips for the soon-to-be breastfeeding mom. Here, she discusses items that will make the first couple of months breastfeeding easier on mom. You can also follow Heather on Twitter.

1) Medela Tender Care HydroGel Nipple Pad
This product is a must for first-time moms. I did not know how sore and painful the first few weeks of breastfeeding could be. A friend of mine gave me a pack of the HydroGel nipple pads to take to the hospital, and I was so happy to have them. Now I give them to all my pregnant friends that plan on breastfeeding. The pads can be worn for 24 hours (I wore them for 48 hours), and when rinsed in cold water they feel so soothing. Lansinoh breast cream is also a common product for sore nipples, but I found that the cream was so hard that spreading the cream was also painful. The HydroGel nipple pad was so easy to stick on and provided instantaneous relief without the mess.

2) Aimee’s Nursing Nightgown – pictured
These nightgowns are unbelievably comfortable and makes nursing at night easy and accessible. I also loved the pajama tops and wore it with my regular pajama bottoms.

3) Mother’s Milk Tea
Every nursing mom goes through moments of concern that she’s not producing enough milk. Although there’s probably nothing to worry about, it is always good to be proactive. Mother’s Milk Tea has ingredients that have been traditionally used to increase milk production, and it tastes yummy.

4) Lilypadz Nursing Pads
Lilypadz are a great alternative to the standard disposable and washable nipple pads that soak up leaking milk. Lilypadz stop leakage by keeping a constant pressure on your breast. They are made from a flexible silicon that conforms to your shape. They are comfortable and unlike other nipple pads you’ll never have the uncomfortable soaked pad feeling.

Do you have any recommendations for a mom who is breastfeeding for the first time? Share them in the comments!

This week, Heather – mom and our Happy Hatchling guest blogger– shares tips on how to make memorable baby shower gifts. You can also follow Heather on Twitter.

1) Start with a theme. Some ideas: nursery, bath time, bedtime, car seat accessories, diaper changing station, etc…

2) Purchase one item from the registry. Be sure to buy at least one item from the registry so that the expectant mother feels good that she is getting the important must-have items.

3) Add one or two items that are not on the registry. These can be inexpensive or not, but go with your theme. Chances are that plenty of people will buy items straight from the registry, so you shouldn’t feel compelled to buy it all. Furthermore, while the registry is for important and necessary items, they often do not include the really fun stuff.

4) Don’t waste your time wrapping. Throw it all in a useful basket and tie on a bow. Then everyone at the baby shower can ogle your gift before the opening begins. My favorite spot to get future gift baskets is Cost Plus World Market – they have a huge variety of inexpensive baskets.

Here are a few examples of great gifts under $40.

A Nursery/Toy Theme: Bugs ~ $35
Wrist Rattles and Socks & Wooden Bug Puzzle & Bug Car Seat Toys

Bed Time Theme ~ $32
Bed time books (Books sets by Sandra Boynton or classics like Goodnight Moon) & swaddling blankets & Baby Einstein Lullaby CD

Bath Time Theme ~ $35
Boon Frog & Johnson’s Baby Wash

In addition to these suggestions, we recently compiled a long list of other good gifts for baby showers and expecting parents. Plus, be sure to check out all the deals on baby items on CheapTweet.com.

What are you some of your favorite baby shower gift ideas?

This week, Heather – mom and our Happy Hatchling guest blogger– shares some of her favorite pregnancy items.

1) Bella Band by Ingrid & Isabel

This product is a stretchy band that serves to keep your pants on during pregnancy. It sounds funny, but I found it really helpful when I didn’t want to wear maternity clothes, but my everyday jeans were just a little too tight (especially during the first trimester and postpartum). The Bella Band allows you to unbutton your jeans while hiding your buttons and keeping your pants secure. If it shows underneath your clothing, it just looks like a camisole. In the last trimester, the Bella Band kept my pregnant belly tight and secure so it was more comfortable to walk around and to sleep.

2) The Versatile Dress from Pouch

I must confess, I love this dress. I found it during my pregnancy, but I am guilty of wearing it even when I am not prego. I have it in black, and it is really the perfect black dress. It has ties that you twist or knot into different dress styles. It can be worn like a halter, strapless, or one-shouldered dress, even as a skirt. Every pregnant girl needs one.

3) What to Expect Pregnancy Tracker iPhone App

From the author of the bestselling book, What to Expect When You’re Expecting, comes an iPhone application.  Yay, because I love pregnancy and kiddo applications.  This app is a fun and easy way to keep up with your baby’s development. This way you’ll always know what size fruit your little one is this week.

4) Leachco Grow to Sleep Self-Adjusting Body Pillow

Most pregnant women will agree that sleeping while pregnant is difficult and uncomfortable. A body pillow can make a big difference in your sleep. I like this body pillow because the end pieces can be taken apart, which is great if you want to remove the head portion and use your own pillow. I don’t like body pillows that are so big that they take up the entire bed. This one is less bulky in the middle so you can still share the bed. I am wary of recommending body pillows since there are so many different types out there and everyone has her own idea of comfort. So before making a purchase, go to a store (Babies R Us, Target, or maternity shops) and test them out.

What are some of your favorite pregnancy items? We’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment with your thoughts.

This week, Heather – our Happy Hatchling guest blogger and mom – shares her second set of recommendations for traveling with your baby during the holidays (see her first set here).  This week she’s focusing on how to make air travel less stressful.

Flying on an airplane with a baby is stressful, period. Everyone wants their children on their best behavior, and the best way to ensure a great, relaxing trip is to be prepared. Here, I have laid out some rules that may help make your holiday travels successful!

Rule #1: Kids get bored when you board early.

Don’t board the plane right way, so avoid sitting in confined spaces as long as possible. If you are flying with someone else, let your flying buddy get your overhead bags on the plane while you and your tot explore near the gate.

Rule #2: Avoid the dreaded screaming baby scene on take off and landing.

Make sure your baby suckles during these times and it will keep the changing air pressure from causing ear pain. If your baby is nursing, this is great because it can also lull your baby to sleep while keeping their ears comfortable. If your toddler is no longer nursing or drinking bottles, do what my friend Becky, mother to three, suggests: treat your child to lollipops. It will make them more cooperative and, if done regularly, will make them excited to go on a trip.

Rule #3: Bring lots of entertainment.

Go for small and soft items (to reduce the desire and minimize the noise that comes with banging your toys). Also avoid toys that make lots of annoying noises. Bring out a new item and remove the previous toy every 20-30 minutes to renew interest and decrease boredom. Here are some ideas to keep your baby entertained.

• Sticker books
• Soft books
• iPhone games like AnimalPuz, Peekaboo Wild and Drum Kit, and Blackberry games like Baby Go
• Simple items like plastic spoons, plastic baby keys, and colorful and cheap bracelets (this is a bonus item because it serves as a fun toy and can be a great accessory for you)

Rule #4: Be prepared for a delay.

Bring lots of dry snacks and drinks. Use a snack catcher to make eating snacks cleaner and take longer.

TSA allows babies to have more than the allotted 3 oz. containers of fluid. You should bring all the fluids you’ll need like milk, juice, and water (do not trust airplane tap water!). During security screening, fluids should be pulled out of the diaper bag and will undergo a vapor test by airport security. I once flew without milk because I thought there would be some on the plane, but evidently, the beverage cart does not carry whole milk. That was a mistake I will not make again.

Rule #5: Get up and stretch with your baby.

Your baby may like to smile at other passengers, and if your tot is learning to walk or crawl, the aisle can allow for a little bit of freedom. I bought my first pacifier clip specifically for traveling.  Previously, on a flight my daughter spit out her pacifier and it landed between a snoring passenger’s legs and I had to reach in and get it. I now use a pacifier clip to avoid those embarrassing moments; here’s one from the Etsy store 3Hands2Hold.

Got other tips for making air travel with a baby easier or less stressful? We’d love to hear them – leave them in the comments!

This week, Heather – our Happy Hatchling guest blogger and mom – shares her first set of recommendations for traveling with your baby during the holidays.  This week she’s focusing on spending the night away from home.

Currently, my family is scheduled to be four different states in the next two months. We might take traveling to the extreme, but almost everyone will spend at least one night away from home this holiday season. When traveling, we dearly miss our Diaper Genie, the bathtub full of bath toys, the highchair, and other comforts of home. Here is my list of traveling aids that have helped keep me sane when spending the night away from home.

1) Baby proofing essentials

Hotel rooms and grandma’s house can be a treacherous place for infants and tots. You don’t want to spend your whole holiday constantly watching out for dangers that your little one can get into. I try to baby proof one or two rooms completely so that my baby can safely play relatively unsupervised so I can relax and enjoy myself. Since this is not a permanent place of residence you don’t need fancy or expensive baby proofing items. Here are cheap solutions to that are small enough to fit in your diaper bag or luggage.

• Sharp corner protectors
• Socket protectors
• Slide lock for cabinets
• Travel gate – This gate is perfect because it fits different sized openings and folds up easily for travel.

2) Graco Pack n Play – pictured

Grandparents everywhere should invest in pack and plays. They are easy to put up and down and move from room to room. Most pack and plays also have a changing station attachment, which is great for younger babies.

3) White noise maker

Sleeping in a strange place can be difficult for children. Our family gatherings are usually pretty noisy, so it’s hard to find a quiet spot for our baby to sleep. A white noise maker can be the perfect solution to drown out loud chatting, snoring, and other unfamiliar noises. Newborns especially are comforted by white noise. You can purchase an actual noise maker device (like this one from Amazon) if you like them and decide to make one a permanent fixture in your own house, but if it’s for vacation then you could just download an app for your phone; there are white noise applications for both the Blackberry and the iPhone. Furthermore, white noise doesn’t have to be annoying. There are many sounds to choose from such as ocean surf, washing machine, shower, rain forest and more.

4) Baby monitor

The baby monitor I recommend for traveling is the Babyphone app for the iPhone. It turns your iPhone into a baby monitor and calls you on another pre-entered phone when it hears the baby cry. When my family travels we often share neighboring hotel rooms. This app is perfect for letting your baby sleep in peace in the room next door or down the hall while you stay up guilt-free past his or her bedtime with your friends and family.

Happy Holidays!

This week, Heather – our Happy Hatchling guest blogger and mom – shares her recommendations for outfitting her baby for the colder winter weather.

We had our first cold weather spell in Austin about two weeks ago and it shocked me into a winter wardrobe shopping spree for my 1-year-old.  As winter quickly approaches, I am looking for the best ways to winterize my baby.  As a Texan, I have more experience battling the summer heat than the winter chill. Due to my unfamiliarity with the cold, I am extremely cautious when traveling to visit family in colder regions of the U.S.  Plus, winter shopping for a baby is fun because there are so many soft, cuddly coats with faux animal ears.  Here are some of my favorite items to get your baby ready for winter.

1) Columbia Sportswear Bear Hug II Bunting (pictured)

Nothing is cuter than a baby in a bear suit.  A zippered, padded bear suit provides great insulation for going outdoors and is an easy on and off option for layering.  My baby wore one last winter and every time we left the house we were constantly told how adorable she looked. We agreed, of course, but I think all babies will get lots of compliments in a bear suit.

2) Infant Urban Bundle Me

This is a blanket designed for car seats.  It is especially useful for cold weather locations and for newborns who cannot regulate their body temperatures. The urban bundle allows your baby to stay warm without compromising their safety with too many layers of clothing between her and the safety belt.

3) Panda Bear Humidifier (pictured)

Every doctor tells you to get a humidifier and for winter, and you really should. Humidifiers help keep runny noses from getting dry and crusty at night. This helps your little one fight off getting sick and keeps her breathing better at night so she can get a more restful sleep. And who says humidifiers have to be ugly?  This one is adorable and there are many other animals to choose from.

4)  White bear hat with ear muffs (pictured) and mouse mittens

Continuing with the animal theme, here is a great hat and some cute mittens.  These hats are great because the Velcro muff keeps the baby’s ears from getting cold and keeps it in place longer (i.e., your baby cannot yank it off as quickly).  And the mittens are adorable.

5) Halo Sleepsack Fleece

Even with the heater on full blast, it is important to keep your baby warm at night.  The Halo sleepsack is perfect because it keeps your baby warm without the risk of SIDS. There are lots of sleepsacks out there, but this one is nice because the zipper allows for easier access when performing the nighttime diaper change.

For more cold weather items and all the other things you need for your baby, check out the Toys “R” Us CheapTweet Store.

This week, Heather – our Happy Hatchling guest blogger and mom – has her top pacifier recommendations.

Pacifier, binky, soother, or whatever you call it, if your child uses pacifiers then you need a lot of them!  Three near the crib, two in the car, two in the diaper bag, one in your purse, and three or four at daycare… the list goes on. A family friend with twins used to joke that the only way to keep her multiples happy was to have six pacifiers (one in each mouth and one in each hand) because if one of the twins had a free hand she was always stealing her sibling’s binky.

Luckily, parents and companies have spent loads of time perfecting the pacifier – making it easier to find in the dark, more accessible, and even better for teething. Now, if only companies would sell them in economy-sized packs instead of the standard two-pack!

Here is a list of smart pacifier options.

1) Avent Night Time Pacifier (pictured)

Why these are awesome: the handles glow in the dark so they are easier to find during nighttime crying spells. Furthermore, they don’t cost more than the average pacifier. My biggest problem with this product is that many Avent pacifiers are clear and utterly impossible to find in the dark. Why they would not make them all glow in the dark is beyond me.

2) WubbaNub Pacifier (pictured)

A genius and exhausted mother created the WubbaNub. It’s a pacifier that is literally attached to a stuffed animal (and there are lots of animals to choose from).  The stuffed animal provides additional cuddling and makes locating a missing pacifier much easier. It’s also machine washable and was featured in the Academy Awards giveaway bags.

3) Personalized Pacifiers from Cool Pacifiers and My Pacifier

Personalized pacifiers are fantastic, especially if your child goes to daycare, if you have multiples, or you want a unique and memorable baby shower gift.  It also allows for some creative freedom (up to 20 characters) for fun expressions like “plug it up”, “little princess”, and “mute button”.  The only bummer is if your baby’s name is Huntington Sullivan III, you might have to abbreviate it or resort to using a nickname.

4) RaZbaby Razberry teether (pictured)

For those babies, like my own, who never really loved their pacifier for anything more than an object to chew on during times of teething, this is the product for you. Put it in the freezer for additional teething relief.

Finally, here are two not-so smart pacifier options: Little Vampire Baby Pacifier and Pacifier Bronzing.

For more pacifiers and all the other things you need for your baby, check out the Babies”R”Us and drugstore.com CheapTweet Stores.