CheapTweet Blog

Hatchling Heather is based in Austin, Texas, and she’s always looking for great local deals… especially those that are kid-friendly. A company called Juice in the City just launched an Austin-based local deal site (and they’re in other cities, too) and she wanted to share these deals with you.

These deals are similar to a Groupon, except that they are selected by local moms, so I know they’re finding deals relevant for moms like me. Another awesome perk about this deal site is that they hire moms to find deals and promote them; I know several stay-at-home moms who write posts for Juice in the City and are making some extra cash. Interested?  Check out the promo for Juice in the City by my friend, Gigi Ross.

Have you tried the Juice?

Not sure what I mean? Well, Juice in the City is now live in Austin! Juice in the City is not your ordinary daily deal site, though; every single one of their deals is personally discovered by a local Austin mom. You can be sure that when Juice offers up a deal, it’s been mom-tested and mom-approved!

Juice offers crazy-good deals on everything from restaurants to summer camps to spas and the deals are focused on locally-owned businesses, so you can feel good that your money is being put right back into YOUR community. Subscribe to the North Austin deals if you’re in that part of town, or South Austin deals if you’re in that neck of the woods. Hurry, so you don’t miss a thing!

In this edition of Happy Hatchling, Heather – mom and CheapTweet blogger – shares a few tips for developers of iPhone and iPad applications for kids. Be sure to follow Heather on Twitter and please share your tips in the comments.

I married into a technologically-savvy family. Family get-togethers involve quality time with laptops, iPads, and iPhones. Therefore, my kiddo has been exposed to Apple products her entire life and she’s been able to navigate my iPhone since she could crawl. Early on, my husband and I had to password-protect our phones so she wouldn’t inadvertently call our friends, send mass emails, or tweet!

When she was a little older we started downloading some kid-friendly apps for her to use. Although apps are innocently priced, with most only being $0.99, I’ve bought 4 or 5 bad apps for every good one I’ve found. Some are so awful that I feel like I have been scammed. Since I am a consumer and close observer of how my child plays these games, I feel entitled to give some advice. Here are my free (and unsolicited) consulting tips to kid app developers.

By the way, you can see my favorite iPad and iPhone apps in two previous posts: Baby’s First iPhone Apps and Best Toddler iPad and iPhone Apps.

1) Load fast, or don’t load at all.

There are lots of good apps out there (say hello to Elmo’s Monster maker and There’s a Monster at the End of this Book), but unless it loads quickly my toddler is not going to play them. Period. Do what you’ve got to do, but instantaneous play is key. If your game is not quick to load, then add in a fun progress bar that lets a kiddo know that the game is working and something is about to happen (for example, see Dora Ballet Adventure app).

2) Be more than a one note app.

Apps that have only one game or one element get old quickly for little kids. While a game like Dinosaur Stickers has cute graphics, it seldom gets played because the only option is dragging stickers around a page. This rule applies to book apps as well, which are typically formulated to move in one direction with minimal variation in the story. The apps that my child likes the most are those that are interactive and can change from one play to the next. See the book feature in Fun with Thadros (pictured) for a good quality book where you get to pick what is going to happen next.

3) If you’re going to offer a free app, don’t be a jerk.

I like free apps but I also realize that nothing is truly free. I understand that to make a free app worthwhile, the producers may have to include ads or another source of income. However, for games designed specifically for children, I expect a little bit of discernment about appropriate advertising. For example, I am not a fan of free apps for little kids that have advertisements in the middle of the game or book (e.g., look at this Shaun the Sheep screencap), or games that contain advertisements that if clicked on send you to an external Internet site. By the way, this isn’t only a problem with free apps (for example, Winnie the Pooh Puzzle Book).

I like the idea of having a free app with limited functionality compared to the full-priced version so you can test it out and decide if you want more. However, when the free app is only the first 10 pages from a complete book (Dr. Seuss), that is lame.

4) Have a good narrator.

This rule applies to flash cards, games, and book apps. The game Toddler Teasers Food is a decent game, but the narrator’s robotic female voice is grating. But my child loves and responds well to the kids’ voices in the Peekaboo Wild games.

5) Don’t make your application too large.

Most kids don’t have their own iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch. Instead they have to share with their parents who have their own set of applications, songs, videos, and games. Thus, competition for space should be a real concern for app developers. We downloaded a game called My Stuffy Bunny, which is another decent game, but it has long since been removed from all our Apple products because of its size (95.8 MB!). We’re unlikely to keep a game that takes up so much space, when we could have 3-8 smaller games in its place (most games range from 4 MB – 40 MB).

In this edition of Happy Hatchling, Heather – mom and CheapTweet blogger – shares some tips for safe and hassle-free air travel with small children. Be sure to follow Heather on Twitter and share your tips in the comments.

Flying with an infant or toddler can be stressful, but being prepared by understanding the airline rules and regulations can make your trip easier. This post was written to help elucidate some of the hard-to-find rules and make you feel like a travel pro. For other travel tips check out my holiday travels post and my favorite iPhone apps for on-board entertainment.

Flying with a lap child

If your child is under the age of two, then he/she can ride in your lap. However, you must inform the airline after making your reservation that you have an infant (this is easiest by phone). Certain airlines, including Southwest, require you to bring a copy of the infant’s birth certificate to prove that he/she is less than two years old. Even if the airline doesn’t specify this when booking the flight, I always carry a birth certificate just in case.

Some large airplanes and airline companies have other infant amenities, such as a bassinet option, which is especially common on long, international flights. Usually the bassinet can be attached to the bulkhead, so to get one you must schedule your flight early and request it in advance. Check Seat Guru for the pacifier key, which indicates an infant amenity may be possible.

Rules on where you cannot sit when traveling with infants/tots

Seating rules are important to know when booking a flight and are often not very easy to find. Here are some things to keep in mind when booking your seats.

• Children under the age of 16 may not sit in an exit row, and parents with lap children cannot sit in the seats behind the exit row.
• If you are traveling with an FAA approved car seat, your child must sit in the window seat.
• If you have multiples, talk to an agent about how to arrange the seating. For planes with three seats, you must have an adult with two young children. In other words, three young children cannot sit in a row by themselves. Also, two lap children cannot sit within the same seat section (this is due to the number of oxygen masks available per row of seats).
• Personal recommendation: Do not sit in the first row because you cannot have carry-on baggage on the floor. It is best to have diaper bag or entertainment stuff accessible and near your feet.

Note: These rules may vary slightly depending on the airline (for example, see Continental’s rules here).

Why you might want to buy your infant his/her own seat

Even if your child is under two, it is a good idea to get a seat for her if you can afford it (especially if she is older 12 months). Why, you ask?

• Regardless of the fact you have a baby, the people in front of you can still lean their seats back, making cramped space even more claustrophobic.
• If your child is used to car travel then having a car seat on the airplane will give her a sense of normalcy, hopefully allowing your baby to fall asleep. I found that my daughter was unaccustomed to sleeping or sitting in my lap for long stretches and would squirm the whole flight.
• You and your child will be more comfortable and you can both have your tray down for snacks, books, or drinks.
• It is safer for your child to have a FAA approved harness or travel seat.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) child safety regulations

According to the FAA, there are no safety regulations for lap children. However, if the child is under the age of two and has her own seat, she must have an approved harness or child restraint system (CRS). An approved CRS states that it is approved for motor vehicles and aircraft and must have a sticker attached. See the full FAA child standards here. If your child is over the age of two, then she is allowed to use the lap belt (however, it may not be the safest option available).

My picks for infant & tot airplane restraints

1) For infants sitting in your lap use a Baby Bjorn (8-22 lbs; $60)

Baby harnesses and slings can act as a seat belt if they are securely fastened to you on the plane, but only if you have on your seat belt as well. I love the harness because it gives you free hands when walking through the terminal.

2) The Lilly Gold FAA approved car seat/stroller (5-40lbs; pictured above)

This is my favorite option even though it is a bit pricey – around $250. My mother-in-law got this for us and we love it when we travel. We don’t use this as our everyday car seat, but if you plan on flying more than a couple of times with an infant or toddler, then this is a worthwhile purchase. Did I already mention that this chair is all-in-one car seat/stroller/FAA approved flight seat? It saves you money from renting car seats from rental car companies and also works as a stroller on vacation. When my daughter flew on my lap we would often gate-check this stroller, and it would serve as a stroller in the airport and a car seat in our rental or extended family’s vehicles. Now when my daughter flies in her own seat, we use it on the flight as a car seat. For it to be secure, you fasten the airplane seat belt to the Lilly Gold seat. It fits snuggly in most airplanes and comes with an FAA approved sticker on the side, which you may need to show to a flight attendant when boarding.

3) CARES: Child aviation restraint system (22-44lbs; pictured left)

This restraint harness keeps your little one secure on the plane. It’s quick to attach and is small enough to be tucked into your carry-on baggage. One of the cons of the Lilly Gold chair is that the distance between your kid’s seat and the seat in front of them is closer, meaning that your kiddo could drive the person ahead of you crazy by kicking their chair. The CARES harness prevents this by keeping your little one closer to the back of his/her seat. However, it is not as comfortable as the Lilly Gold for long flights. A friend who uses the CARES harness brings a pillow for her tot to sit on to make the flight more comfortable.

In this edition of Happy Hatchling, Heather – mom and CheapTweet blogger – shares some of her favorite children’s coloring products. Be sure to follow Heather on Twitter and share your tips in the comments.

When I first started looking at crayons for my kid, I was amazed at how many products there are for coloring. With all the options, it is hard to choose, so here I’ve included some of my favorite coloring options with their pros and cons.

Crayola TaDoodles

Pros: Crayola TaDoodles crayons are great first crayons (for 12 months+). The crayon holders are perfect for little hands to grasp and the crayons do not easily break from forceful coloring. I’ve found that my tot likes coloring with these on plain white paper much more than coloring books.

Cons: To refill the holder you have to buy special triangular shaped crayons.

Giddy-up Dora Color Blast Activity Book

Pros: This Dora activity book comes with a marker that works like invisible ink, which means that you don’t have to worry about coloring outside the lines or on the couch. Just draw on the page and the colors magically appear. This brand has several books including SpongeBob, My Little Pony, and the Littlest Pet Shop. It’s fun to watch the page turn to color, and also requires no skill. This is a great item for travel and dining out. Another plus is that you can leave the cap off for days and it still works (I know this from experience).

Cons: While the markers are no mess, it does take a few seconds to see the color appear on the paper after drawing. When my kiddo would first start drawing she was confused to not to see color immediately. Also, like the Color Wonder brand, the markers only work on the paper provided.

Magnetic Sketcher

Pros: With a Magnetic Sketcher, you never run out of paper. My daughter loves to draw and erase over and over again. I always love good travel toys and these types of magnetic sketchers can come in a smaller travel size as well as larger sizes. Guaranteed not to make a mess.

Cons: No color drawings to post on the refrigerator.

Crayon Rolls

Pros: These are bags designed to tote 8 to 10 crayons out of the house. Have you ever tried packing crayons in the crayon box in your purse? I have and the box falls apart immediately. I have also used ziplock bags, which while functional is not very attractive. Crayon rolls are made to be more durable and have more personality. My tot likes pushing and pulling the crayons in and out as much as she likes to color. I have recently started making these myself, and since I don’t sew, I use colorful felt and fabric glue. If you don’t have the energy to make one yourself, buy one from the LilBambinaBoutique on Etsy for $6.99 (pictured here). It makes a great gift.

Cons: None!

What are your favorite crayons and coloring accessories?

In this edition of Happy Hatchling, Heather – mom and CheapTweet blogger – shares some ways she’s found to keep her baby budget low. Be sure to follow Heather on Twitter and share your tips in the comments.

Having kids can be very expensive. Here are some tips on how to save money by cutting back on buying things new.

Make your own maternity clothes.

Although I loved getting maternity clothes, I totally understand that they are overpriced and might not fit like your perfect jeans. If you love your jeans and want to save money, Belly Jeans will convert your jeans to maternity jeans for as little as $17. If you are really thrifty and good with a sewing machine you could even do them yourself. (Disclosure- in the long run this may cost as much buying maternity because you’ll have to get new jeans to replace your “maternity” ones later.)

Join Amazon Mom. 

I am pretty sure that the Amazon Mom program is a mom of multiples’ dream come true. Sign up and get 30% off diapers and wipes and get them delivered to your house.

Get a library card.

I just recently got a library card. Oh man, was I missing out! I was unaware that library borrowing is FREE! This may be unsurprising to everyone but me, but I honestly assumed that they must a charge a membership fee or something. Libraries have more than just books too, including DVDs (including Pixar and Disney that regularly cost $20 a movie), and even CDs. This is perfect if you like to expose your baby/tot to a range of music tastes from classical music to Christmas CDs to kid tunes. Need another reason to go? My tot now has her own library card that she is very proud of.

Shop at kid resale shops.

Not only do stores like Kid to Kid and Once Upon a Child buy and sell gently used kid stuff, but they often do the same with maternity clothes. I’ve never bought clothes from either of these stores, but I have bought some toys. If you have great stuff that your kid outgrew and you want to earn cash back, I recommend this option. Also useful if you’re having poor luck finding nursery furniture on Craigslist.

Use Cheaptweet.

Do I even have to mention this to you? Get coupons and information about sales from CheapTweet! Printing off coupons before you visit the mall can save you money. If I need to go kids clothes shopping, I always check online to see if there are any coupons for Children’s Place or Gap that I can use to save.

What are some other ways you’ve found that you can avoid buying things brand new?

In this edition of Happy Hatchling, Heather – mom and CheapTweet blogger – shares some of her favorite kid-centered iPhone applications. Be sure to follow Heather on Twitter!

My family travels a lot, mostly because both sets of grandparents live far away. My parents are three hours by car, while the other set is four hours by plane. We also enjoy attending sporting events and eating out with friends. Co-workers, friends and family wonder how we are still able to do so much with a toddler who is not yet two (but already experiencing the terrible twos). My secret is our iPhone. Four hours forced to sit in my lap on an airplane? iPhone. Three-hour drive? iPhone. Two hours at non-baby-safe friend’s house? iPhone. One-hour dinner at resturant? iPhone. Now don’t get me wrong, my child doesn’t just play with my phone all day long. We use it almost exclusively for times when we’re out of the house and on the go. That makes it fun and exciting for her and keeps her occupied for short spurts of time.

I have spent a great deal of time searching and purchasing kid iPhone apps, and let’s be honest, there are a lot of apps that are duds and a waste of 99 cents. However, there are also some educational apps that I am proud to let my child play. Here are my picks for apps that are both mommy and baby approved. (Note: I am not sponsored for this post and these are my honest-to-goodness favorite apps.)

Baby’s First Apps (6 months and up)

1) Itsy Bitsy Spider

Love, love, love this app. This is a great first app for babies because it’s not complicated and everything on the screen is interactive. When you touch the spider it moves to a different scene, the flowerpot blooms, a window opens and shuts, or a banana slug eats a banana. Very entertaining and if your little one loves this app, they make others such as “Wheels on the Bus”, which is fun but not quite as easy or interactive.

2) Balloonimals

This game is fun to show off because it surprises people with its creative cuteness. Kiddo loves it, but there are not limitless options so she tires of it more quickly than other games. It may also require some parent help to play. My own mother sometimes fights my daughter for playing time on this game.

3) Elmo’s Monster Maker (pictured)

Who doesn’t love Elmo? This is app was made by IDEO, the same company responsible for Balloonimals.  The graphics are amazing… It’s like watching Sesame Street. In this app, you create your own monster muppet.

4) Peekaboo Wild

Another great first app for babies. It is a peekaboo game with wild animals (they also have a barnyard version). Your child taps the screen and the next animal is revealed. The animation and noises are cute and not annoying compared to other animal games.

5) Baby’s Animal Show

This is a basic flash card application with pictures of real animals and animated animals. It’s not very flashy, but my daughter likes to see the animals. This one is good for when your kid is learning animal noises.

Apps for Tots (1 ½ years and up)

1) Monkey Preschool Lunchbox (pictured)

Many different puzzles with many different concepts. Although, your child may not be ready for some of the games, they are designed to be solvable even if answers are chosen at random by your tot. This way your child can learn the concepts over time without getting frustrated.

2 ) Shape Builder

Simple puzzle game where your kid drags the puzzle pieces into the correct shape. Very simple, but there are lots of different puzzles and it helps with your little one’s hand-eye coordination.

3) AniMatch

This is a simple matching game. This game makes the list due to the cute animal noises and animal faces. This app is for an older tot (2 to 3 years old) because there are lots of puzzle pieces to match. There is also a free version of this app available.

4) Monkey Preschool: When I Grow Up

Similar concept as the Elmo game, except here you select an occupation for your monkey. It has unlimited play with many options.

5) Alphabets in the Zoo (pictured)

There are four parts to this app. The play mode is actually a video of the animal alphabet song. The graphics are sometimes blurry, but the creativeness and the song makeup for it. The other nice feature is flash cards of the animals that were in the song. The flash cards have four buttons, which tell your kiddo more about the animals featured in the song. There is also a karaoke option, which is totally pointless because it the same video without sound, and finally there is a poor quality matching game with annoying sounds. All in all, the alphabet video is adorable and the flashcards are informative.

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?