CheapTweet Blog

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.

Today, we’re starting a new regular feature here on the CheapTweet blog: The Happy Hatchling, a monthly post about shopping for and saving on items for children.  We’ve enlisted mom and guest blogger Heather Ishak to share her experiences keeping her baby and her budget in line.

For this edition of the Happy Hatchling, Heather made a list of the top five items that help keep her baby happy and healthy when they leave the house.

Happy Hatchling Vol. 1: Taking Baby Out

1) Kiddopotamus Tiny Diner Placemat – comes in several colors (pictured)

YES! This product is the best! It is a must have if you enjoy taking your baby out to eat. You don’t have to clean the table surface or worry about what germs you baby is eating off of. Just plop it down and the suction cups keep it locked in place. It even has a roll that extends beyond the table to nicely collect food that falls off or is dropped. I don’t even worry about cleaning it at the restaurant I just roll it up and wash it at home.

2) JJ Cole Essentials Pacifier Pod – Cocoa Tree

You need one or two of these.  I always keep one on the car seat and one on the diaper bag and never leave the house without them filled. I like this one in particular because it has a Velcro opening that allows for easy one-handed access versus zippered holders, which require two hands to open.

3) The First Years BPA Free Suction Blue Bowl with Lid

Suction cups are a good thing.  Unfortunately, these bowls do not work with the Kiddopotamus, but we still use them all the time. We use them to pack snacks in the diaper bag and when visiting friends who don’t have high chairs we just suction the bowl to coffee tables, kitchen tables, floors, etc…

4) Floppy Seat Shopping Cart Cover (pictured)

We use this everywhere on shopping carts and over high chairs when eating out. Soft and plush, it has rings for a toy attachment and folds up into an easy carry-on bag. My baby is so comfortable in it that she often takes a nap on the extra-long shopping excursions. The black giraffe cover is $10 more than the blue or pink floppy seat because it folds into a more elegant looking purse.

5) Go Baby Outmat

This is an outdoor water-resistant blanket that folds into a bag that you can just keep stored in the trunk of your car.  I don’t have one, but I want one. Great for playtime outdoors or, in my case, Dad’s sporting events and football tailgating.

So, these are Heather’s top five must-haves for taking her baby out of the house. What are yours? We’d love to hear your opinion! Please share your thoughts in the comments. And if you’re shopping for your children – or someone else’s – be sure check out the great deals in the Toys R Us and Babies R Us CheapTweet Store.

For this week’s faves and saves, it’s all about babies. Check out these deals on all kinds of baby-related items.

Custom baby sling for $30 with free shipping from @sugarbugslings

Green tots organic bib is 20% off from @turtleparktots

Handmade baby booties are 15% off from @kraftylady

Diaper cakes are currently 25% off from @diaperchef

Funny onesies, like this chunky monkey onesie, are 10% off from @journey2baby

A number of my good friends are having children soon, so I’m in serious baby gift buying mode.  In an attempt to choose appropriate gifts, I asked our Twitter followers for recommendations. Here are their amazing baby gift ideas. Feel free to add your own recommendations in the comments.

Babies “R” Us gift cards (recommended by @Jemjoop)

Baby Buds 3 Piece Crib Set from @dealtaker

Baby fashion for future film fans from @bfmwear

Big Belly Banks (recommended by @thesilverbarn)

Boise Baby Beanies from @BoiseBeanieCo

The Bumbo Seat (recommended by @oklahomapoet)

Childhood Clothing (recommended by @nostalgialife)

Cloud B Sleep Aheep (recommended by @bitofmomsense and @Dyhar)

Crystal’s Baby Blankets (also recommended by @nostalgialife)

Custom CDs from @renagades

Diaper Cakes on Bonanzle, which can also be found on Etsy (recommended by @Paceset999)

Digi Time Capsule from @DigiTimeCapsule

Doctorx Me Book (recommended by @LauraHullVA)

Flip Mino HD camcorder (recommended by @bnl771)

Handmade baby gifts from @boutiquegirl2

Handmade cat hat from Etsy (recommended by@littlefluffycat). I also found the cutest knit monkey hats from Cite Fuzz.

Moby Wrap (recommended by @reecesmommy)

Nursing and new mom items from A Mother’s Boutique (recommended by MommyNews)

Pedro Sprout’s baby booties (recommended by @BlackMustard)

Teddy bear Limoges box (recommended by @LaFrancais)

WrenWillow’s baby shirts and onsies (recommended by @daisycakessoap)

A year’s supply of diapers (recommended by @MilaXX)