Euphoria for Green Mamas » Baby & Toddler

Flip Cloth Trainer {a review}

Rachel — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:59:38 +0000

At book club last month I shared my experience using BumGenius’ newly released Flip Training Pants with my friends. Based on my testimony, a few moms opted to cross that line. You know the one – the one where you actually see yourself washing dirty diapers. In the washing machine and everything!

Yes, when it comes time for potty training, even parents who have always used disposables might consider cloth pull-ups over pricey disposable alternatives. There’s a lot of benefits – money saved, likelier faster training (since the child can feel any wetness), not to mention we all know it’s easier on the environment to reuse rather than throw away an everyday product. Plus there’s a HUGE eliminated drawback… the poop factor. If your child is a little ways into the potty training transition, he or she is likely no longer having messy accidents. A lot of us have nighttime wetters only. Since staying dry at night can be a multi-year battle, even using a cloth trainer at night only offers such a significant savings. Washing pee-only diapers is so much easier on the average psyche. I totally get that.

Anyways, I wanted to let you know that we’ve been using the Flip trainer since it was released in November. My 4-year-old still wakes up wet most nights, but bedding and pj’s stay dry when he wears the Flip trainer. Flip Training Pants are sold in a box with 1 waterproof outer and 5 absorbent inserts for $29.95. For a child wearing a trainer during the day, one insert provides the accident protection you need. But, for an older child sleeping overnight we double up on the absorbent inserts to provide enough oomph for a heavy wetter. You can buy extra inserts separately. I love that my child can easily pull the cloth trainers up and down for those late night trips to the bathroom and that we don’t have to keep investing in throw-away solutions.

And, by the way, if you do have a really messy accident, BumGenius has you covered with snap-open access for a normal diaper change. Just dump any solids in the toilet and wash that pull up on HOT. You’ll be just fine. But, all the same, let’s hope that never happens to you (wink)!

$50 off Beco Butterfly Baby Carriers!

Rachel — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 13:30:56 +0000

Now through January 15th we’re authorized to pass on a $50 savings on your purchase of the much-loved Beco Butterfly II baby carrier! These gorgeous Echino prints are made of a sturdy cotton/linen blend and printed with unique, eye-catching designs that certainly don’t scream “baby”. Use coupon code “BECO50” to save on these limited editions:

Beco Butterfly II in Ever

Beco Butterfly II in Duke

Beco Butterfly II in Aiden

All in one Bassinet + Cradle + Moses Basket

Rachel — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:24:54 +0000

When I was pregnant for the first time, I thought a moses basket was a definite luxury. They’re so pretty, so sweet… aren’t they more for looks than anything else? After baby was born I could see soon enough the benefits of a movable bed. Not just in the house or in the garden, but able to come to grandmother’s house as well. A familiar bed just makes everything easier.

That said, I never had a moses basket. We couldn’t buy “everything”, so we only had a bassinet. When I wanted to calm a fussy, but fed baby in the middle of the night, I would reach out and gently jiggle the bassinet beside my bed to approximate a rocking motion. Not the easiest thing to do, but a tired mother will go to great lengths to remain in bed.

A cradle rocks. A bassinet is just the right height by the bed. A moses basket can be carried from room to room. All helpful features and all to be found in our organic moses basket and rocker set made in the USA by Little Merry Fellows. When we came across this lovely, natural design years ago, I knew it was just what I had wanted as a new mom. And since baby’s bed is where she spends most of her time, it’s a great place to start with choosing organic, non-toxic materials.

Because sometimes the beautiful choice is the wisest choice too!

Best Toys for Baby

Rachel — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:01:40 +0000

The best toys for baby are classics, tried and true and handed down from generation to generation. No fancy bells or flashing lights, just quality construction and open-ended play value that sparks gentle, age-appropriate curiosity and wonder.

Our baby and toddler toy boutique is one of my favorite parts of being in business! The beautiful woodwork, soft cloth and quality construction – these are toys I love to have in my home and am proud to give as gifts. When you find yourself seeking new playthings, I hope you’ll support companies like Plan Toys, Under the Nile and Haba of Germany who make your child’s safety the #1 concern. We’re proud to stock them and more natural toys for baby in our PLAY assortment!

Natural Baby Toys

Free Natural Baby Toy!

Rachel — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:29:12 +0000

Free Baby Toy with $75 purchase through 12/16 for our blog readers and Facebook followers only.

Claim yours during checkout in comments!

Choose from natural Soy Crayons, a Plan Toys Wood Teether or an organic Squeak Duck from Dandelion Organic Toys.

Your order of $75 or more with EuphoriaMaternity.com or EuphoriaBaby.com (excluding baby bedding) qualifies for a free gift!

Vibrant new colors in Bumgenius Cloth Diapers

Rachel — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 13:56:11 +0000

Our favorite cloth diaper just got a bit more fun! We’ve stocked all three new colors in both Velcro and Snap closures. Get mirror, dazzle and sassy Bumgenius 4.0 diapers just in time for the holidays.

Happy Changing!

Learn Infant Massage on YouTube

Rachel — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:27:29 +0000

When Liam was a baby, I think I tried infant massage like once? And he probably cried. It definitely didn’t become a habit! I’ve heard so much lately about how infant massage benefits babies by both stimulating their bodies physically to function and develop optimally, and by relaxing them to promote sleep. That’s not hard to believe, as anyone who’s had a massage knows!

I guess the trick would be to find a time in your routine with baby where infant massage really fits – a moment when you are not stressed for time and a moment when baby is likely to accept being undressed. After bath time and before bed is one idea. Or, maybe after that last feeding before putting baby down for the night. As it turns out there are all sorts of classes now that teach infant massage strokes and approaches. But I can’t believe that we need to make it quite that complicated. Today I found a few videos on YouTube that make it look easy enough.

Now, if only I had a chubby little baby to experiment on tonight! Any volunteers?

*footynote: be sure to choose a non-toxic baby oil or lotion, like Weleda or Earth Mama Angel Baby so that you’re not lovingly massaging carcinogens into baby’s beautiful skin.

Reposted: Children’s Books for Fall

Rachel — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 19:20:57 +0000

Aria & I have been declaring “It’s Fall” since the beginning of September. While the weather hasn’t always agreed, the apples are ripe and the first leaves are turning. We’ve sent out invitations for our Harvest Halloween Party (in the style of Remaking Halloween)… and I’ve started brainstorming homemade Christmas gifts. It must be fall.

Here are some books to enjoy with your children this fall. Click through on any of the images to read a description of the book!

Woody, Hazle and Little Pip by Elsa Beskow (my favorite)

Pumpkin, Pumpkin by Jeanne Titherington

Harvest by Kris Waldherr

Frederick by Leo Lionni

Possum’s Harvest Moon by Anne Hunter

Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White (a funny tale)

The Story of the Wind Children by Sibylle Von Olfers

Quiz – Are Cloth Diapers Right for You?

Rachel — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 13:59:32 +0000

Are you considering cloth diapers, but just don’t know if you should take the plunge? Will it be worth the trouble? Will you be able to handle the “yuck” factor? I mean, no one wants to invest in “savings” if the investment turns out to be a dud.

I came across this Are Cloth Diapers Right for You?, a quiz that quite fairly puts forward many different factors to consider when trying to decide between disposables and cloth. It’s a great tool for parents trying to wrap their heads around what all is involved in cloth diapering and how realistic a choice it may or may not be.

Honestly, I would have never taken cloth diapers seriously if I had not known a friend (a real, live person!) who was using cloth diapers like it was no big deal. But now I tell everyone – Just Try It!

For lots more info on cloth diaper resources, see this post or check out Cloth Diapers Explained.

Baby Products you can Skip

Rachel — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 19:01:57 +0000

Overwhelmed by all those baby products? Here’s a list of what you can skip:

Wipes warmer (can’t use it all the time, so get baby used to cold wipes)
Diaper Stacker (any basket or drawer will do)
Bottle Sterilizer (just use your dishwasher)
Highchair (a booster seat w/tray is cheaper and fits on your existing chairs)
Stroller Sunshade (your stroller canopy will suffice, or use a baby blanket)
Swaddler (learn to swaddle on YouTube with a multi-use receiving blanket)
Humidifier (the situation my never arise – wait and see)
Sleep Positioners (safety experts say back is best)
Carseat Positioner (roll up a receiving blanket to stick at one side, but NOT inside the straps)
Mobile (cute, but you really want baby sleeping, not playing in that crib)

On a tight budget? Here some other places many parents save:

Infant stroller (use a baby carrier instead)
Swing (use a baby carrier instead)
Bouncer (use a baby carrier instead)
Disposable diapers (cloth diapers can save you big $$$)
Disposable wipes (wash with cloth diapers as above)

A quality baby carrier, like a Beco, will allow you to carry baby from tiny to heavy with ease. Did I miss something? Do you disagree? I welcome your comments!