Baby Products – BurritoBuzz

SnoofyBee Showdown: Real vs. Fake

Published on May 30, 2018 by KirstynVelez- www.BurritoBuzz.comLeave a comment

…and we’re back.

2 years ago, Casey did our initial review of the SnoofyBee in which she happily gave it a 5 out of 5 stars. When SnoofyBee reached out again and informed us that knockoff companies are using their pictures to promote and market their :ahem: less than fantastic product, I agreed to not only (re)review the SnoofyBee, but agreed to review the knockoff product and again provide a true, honest review and opinion.

This is a true knockOUT product versus knockOFF product. Let’s be real here, SnoofyBee was a knockout the second they launched their Kickstarter because it was the answer to everything a parent needed for diaper changes. There really is no comparison between the two.

For the ease of the review, the REAL SnoofyBee is on the top or on the left in the pictures

Packaging: SnoofyBee comes in a typical package but the product itself has a wrap on it with info, scannable QR code and pictures of cute babies. The knockoff has nothing. No instructions, no pictures that show you how it might work, and the zipper on the plastic bag broke so I couldn’t even unzip it and had to resort to just cutting it out of there.

Barrier: So the ENTIRE point of the product is to keep your child occupied and keep their hands out of their dirty diaper area. Both products achieved this but for VERY different reasons. The SnoofyBee’s barrier is rigid (yet still soft and padded) and when Velcroed shut, stands up on its own thus keeping Gabe’s hand out of his diaper area. The knockoff has ZERO stability and kept Gabe’s hand out of his diaper area because he was too busy trying to remove the product from his face as it collapsed. It offered NO rigidity an it’s also not adjustable. The SnoofyBee has adjustable Velcro while the knockoff only offered it to stick together in one location.

Toy Hooks: Gabe’s favorite “busy” toy is his Nuby keys. These do not have a split ring as you can see. The SnoofyBee offers attached toy rings with a split to be able to literally put any toy on there. The knockoff, I would have to purchase a separate ring in order to attach 97% of toys to it seeing as how all they offer is a completely closed D ring with no way to attach anything to it.

Strap: Both offer a carrying strap but the quality is drastically different. SnoofyBee has a thicker strap and buckle that just overall feels stronger and more stable.

Length and Width: While the knockoff product tops the SnoofyBee for overall length and width, the SnoofyBee offers more useable space since the barrier is attached differently. This allows for more adjustment when it comes to being able to grow with your child. When folded completely closed, the SnoofyBee is more compact and I was able to put it into my diaper bag with more ease.

Price: While the SnoofyBee comes in at $29.99 and the knockoff you can snag anywhere between $14.99-18.99, its a true “you get what you pay for” type ordeal. People are purchasing the knockoff and then purchasing the Snoofybee because the pictures are deceiving and the product people THINK they’re receiving isn’t what they ARE receiving.

You can clearly see in the below image that the knockoff has utilized the images from SnoofyBee to try to market their own product when in actuality, their product doesn’t amount to or offer the same attributes as the SnoofyBee.

Again, no comparison between the two.

Have you tried the SnoofyBee or the knockoff brand? What do you think?

Until next time.

I received a full-sized product for the purpose of review and in consideration for my true, honest opinion. No compensation was received in exchange for a positive review.

Virtuoso Bear: Sonatas, Concertos and Symphonies OH MY! {Review, Discount Code & Giveaway}

Published on May 15, 2018May 15, 2018 by KirstynVelez- www.BurritoBuzz.com6 Comments

Since G was a little tiny guy, we have always softly played classical music in the background during any time of sleep. It started off with a mixed YouTube compilation, in which I quickly noticed my favorite and promptly bought it on iTunes. We now listen to Clarinet Concerto in A Major, K. 622 nearly every night during our bedtime routine and it helps Gabe wind down for the night (thank you, Mozart!) Which is exactly why we were super exited to review the new Virtuoso Bear by Vosego. They come in two styles, Ludwig and Amadeus. (You can snag your own with a 20% discount through Amazon using code 9YIMZ7P4 until 7/20!)

So now, instead of my trusty iPhone, Gabe has his new friend, Amadeus! The Vosego Virtuoso Bear is a soft, snuggly, soothing friend for just about any aged child. Each bear, Amadeus or Ludwig, comes dressed in era typical clothing, with battery operated music boxes tucked inside their tummies. Each bear plays 40 min of sonatas, concertos and symphonies written by their respective composers.

Music is turned easily on and off by a battery pack nestled inside their tummy. The bear requires (3) AAA batteries, which are secured by a screw, so even if the child could figure out how to remove the battery/sound pack, they wouldn’t be able to get to the actual batteries. You can adjust/change the volume or track without having to remove the box! Double click to change the track and hold the button down to adjust the volume. I love that we don’t have to assemble and dismantle every time!

The outer part of each bear is washable (you just have to remove the battery/sound pack) and then hand wash it. The eyes and nose are embroidered on (hallelujah!) so they don’t pose a choking hazard for little ones that the hard ones do!

You can buy either bear on Amazon and they retail for $49.99.

They are available in Ludwig and Amadeus. You can use code 9YIMZ7P4 on either bear for 20% off!

These bears are a great gift for anyone and are “aged” from 0+. They would make a great baby shower present for any Mom-to-Be!

Want to win your own?

Comment below to let us know which bear you would chose!

Giveaway runs from May 15, 2018 at 11:00am CST until May 31, 2018 at 11:00pm CST. Open to all United States residents, 18+. Void where prohibited. No Purchase necessary and a purchase or payment will not increase your chances of winning. One entry (comment) per person. Winner will be chosen at random at the closure of the giveaway. Winner will be notified by email or comment reply and will have 48 hours to respond; failure to respond will result in forfeiture of the prize and BurritoBuzz will chose another winner.

Play & Go {Product Review}

Published on November 30, 2017November 29, 2017 by KirstynVelez- www.BurritoBuzz.comLeave a comment

Getting our kids to clean up there toys is always a tedious, argumentative task. Cayden’s new thing is “I can’t carry them all”- to which I typically have him use his shirt as a “pouch” and I fill it up. It’s cute- but it’s annoying.

I was thrilled when offered to review the Play & Go. It’s a play mat, storage system that when flat acts as the play mat, and when it’s done being utilized, a draw string cinches the sack together and cleans everything up.

Cayden loves cars. He loves racing them around, driving them, making roads and lining them all up. What he doesn’t like is cleaning them up.

The Play & Go mat didn’t change that, but helped it not be such an argument. We received the Play & Go Roadmap print and Cayden loved it. He immediately went and got his cars while I flattened the mat out in the living room.

Now, this thing is huge! 55″ in diameter to be exact and the material is high quality, thick, polycotton canvas so durability isn’t even a concern.

The size is great as a play mat, but isn’t small hand friendly. Cayden, who is 4.5, couldn’t cinch it together by himself. I had no problem helping him, but would love to see something easier for smaller hands.

Overall what I don’t like, is the draw string system. There are two places to pull the drawstring and with a 4.5 foot diameter, it leaves a weird taco shaped ordeal, not the “sack” I was hoping for. I think if it had 4 places to pull to cinch it closed, it would be better and close more efficiently.

Price wise, you’re looking around $40 for the regular sized and they do offer a Mini which is only $20. It is the same concept, same material, but only 15″ in diameter. It works great in the car for travel toys, a quick snack holder for park trips, or every a makeup bag. Play & Go has a color and design for everyone. Their Classic Collection offers 8 solid colors, the Print Collection offers 14 fun (yet subtle) prints, and their Designer Collection offers 5 choices including a “Color Your Own”. The Mini Play & Go is only available in 2 prints- either Cherrys or Thunderbolts.

You can find this versatile product on Amazon, in select speciality stores or you can send an email to info@hotalinginc.com where they can take you order and ship it direct.

Love the concept and the size. Not a fan of the seemingly ineffective draw string and think it would be more effective with 4 handles instead of 2.

4 out of 5 stars.

Kirstyn

**Burritobuzz received this product free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are that of my own and no compensation was provided or offered in exchange for a positive review**

No More Digging for Straps- My Baby Carseat SideKick Review

Published on November 27, 2017 by KirstynVelez- www.BurritoBuzz.comLeave a comment

We’ve all been there… you place your sweet bundle of joy peacefully into their car seat only to realize that they’re laying on the straps and you now have to dig around to not only locate them, but you have to physically pull them out from under your baby and try your hardest not to upset the volatile little one … multiply the anxiety by 1,000,000 if your baby is asleep and your plan is to keep them that way.

My Baby Carseat SideKick is here to solve that problem. Using something as simple (and extremely innovate) as a magnet, you can now easily pull the straps out of the way and get rid of the hassle of digging around.

The system is simple- two magnetic strap covers, two magnetic bells and (two sets of) two plastic clips. That’s it! It’s really that simple.

I’m not going to lie, I was super skeptical and so was Danny. We seriously thought that there was absolutely no way a magnet could effectively hold car seat straps out of the way. I’m pretty ashamed to admit how wrong we were, because truthfully, I have no idea what we would do without our Carseat SideKick now.

Installation was easy, like took literally 5 seconds. The hardest part was figuring out what shape clip would work the best with our car seat.

We have a BabyTrend 1st Debut and tried both clips (one is rectangular and one is more oval shaped) and found with our car seat, the more oval one works the best. You simply clip it on to the handle on the sides, velcro the strap covers below the chest clip and you’re done.
Price wise, you’re looking at $22.95, with free shipping over $50. For the quality of the product, this price is spot-on and well worth its weight in gold.

I haven’t had any troubles with the magnets detaching or coming undone and I’ve been able to get G in his car seat and buckle him in with no digging around numerous times. He even stayed asleep a few times.

Seriously, this is a must have product for everyone who has children in car seats, and I can tell you that I have found my go-to baby shower gift for all my friends and family. They offer the product in 3 colors: blue arrows, pink leaves, and yellow chevron. So there is a color for everyone and very neutral patterns. We received the blue arrows and I love the pattern and color.

5 out of 5 from me, but if I could assign a 6th star I would.

Kirstyn

**Burritobuzz received this product free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are that of my own and no compensation was provided or offered in exchange for a positive review**

Stair Barrier {Review}

Published on November 8, 2017November 10, 2017 by KirstynVelez- www.BurritoBuzz.comLeave a comment

We all have been there… those plastic, slide adjustment baby gates…there was always that weird in-between setting where it was either too loose or too tight. You end up settling for something in the middle and if the wind blew the wrong way, it fell over. Storage was a pain, taking it down and putting it back up was a pain… If you wanted to install it on the bottom of your stairs, you were S.O.L and installed at the top of the stairs isn’t the safest thing! All it takes is a little weight and pressure and your regular baby gate comes dislodged and your gate and child or pet are tumbling down the stairs.

Cumbersome baby gates, move over- Stair Barrier is the most aesthetically pleasing and versatile baby gate on the market.

The Stair Barrier is available in a variety of different fabrics , sizes, and Banister-to-Wall or Banister-to-Banister type and requires very little to no time to install. In short, it will easily fit pretty much any staircase without problem.

To touch on the different points-

Fabric: The variety of fabric choices allows for you to have a gate that compliments pretty much every theme and design style you can imagine. There is also an option to personalize them so if your house is anything like mine, and your stairs smack you in the face when you walk in the front door, having a bit of personalization is a nice touch. Now, the personalization does take about 2 weeks longer, but you have the option of ordering your Barrier and having the personalized patch mailed separate (it Velcro’s on- pretty nifty). They also make an indoor/outdoor version, which would be perfect for keep pets on or off decks and patios!

Sizes: The Stair Barrier comes in 2 different sizes, regular and wide. It’s super simple to figure out which one you need with a simple measurement. There is actually an option to order a custom size as well.

Banister-to-Wall: This is what I needed as our stairs have well, a banister and a wall.

The install was fairly simple and required a few screws and that was it. Took maybe 10 minutes total to get it installed?

Banister-to-Banister: This one is portable and weighs only 6lbs! It rolls up small enough that you can virtually take it anywhere and everywhere!

We received a Banister-to-Wall, wide, black and tan Chevron print Stair Barrier with a personalized patch. Our stairs are smack dab right when you walk in the front door, so I figured something even more aesthetically pleasing then the already amazing solid colors would suffice. The package came quickly in a plain brown box (the patch was mailed seperate). Installation was simple and overall its amazing.

Although our youngest is only 8 weeks and can’t climb the stairs yet, its extremely helpful for keeping our dogs off the stairs. Being able to roll the barrier out of the way when we need to walk up and down the stairs is extremely helpful.

Price wise, you’re looking at anywhere between roughly $120 and $180 (and up to $269 for a custom size) depending on the style and if you chose to have your item personalized. Is this high? yes. Is it worth it? yes.

Shipping is FREE and they offer a 30 day satisfaction guarantee (which you won’t need because this product is honestly, amazing)

5 out of 5 from me.

Kirstyn

HearMuffs, Protection for Your Little Ones Ears

Published on October 22, 2017October 21, 2017 by KirstynVelez- www.BurritoBuzz.comLeave a comment

Us as parents do everything we can to ensure our kids are well protected at all costs. We spend hundreds of dollars on creams, lotions, sunscreens, and ways to protect our sweet kids from germs. But, what about their precious ears?

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Lucid Audio has brought innovation to the market with their new to the market HearMuffs. This headphone style ear protection allows for the protection from exposure to loud noises starting at the audiologist recommended age of “newborn”.

HearMuffs come in 3 different styles, each equipped with the GrowBand, which is a adjustable, washable, soft and comfortable band that allows for the perfect fit. This band is adjustable from newborn until around 4 years of age allowing the HearMuffs to grow with your child for long lasting hearing protection.

The base model, HearMuffs protect young ones ears from loud noises and distractions. HearMuffs Soothe and Sounds offer the same protection with added features. Soothe offers the protection of the base model, but allows for parents to speak to their child without having to pull off the ear muff with the press of a button while Sounds offers the benefits of both the base model and Soothe, but also plays 4 comforting sounds for added help with distractions and soothing and calming children of all ages.

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I do have to admit that this product is pretty great. With a newborn, although he sleeps through just about everything, it gives me the peace of mind that the vacuum cleaner, or hustle and bustle of the grocery store won’t hurt his tiny, developing ears. G didn’t seem to mind them on his head, however, seemed uncomfortable trying to lay down or sleep with them on as they didn’t really allow for him to lay his head to the side.

The option to play the sounds is awesome and the controls are fairly simple to operate. The ear padding is seemingly comfortable and the GrowBand is easy to adjust. For the amount of time they are reasonably used, I think the price point for the Sounds is fairly high.

Overall, I’d give a 4 out of 5 stars. If you have a lifestyle of hustle and bustle where your precious one will be around loud noises continually or constantly, then this is definitely the product for you. If you are a stay at home mom, who makes 1 weekly trip to the grocery store, then the $70 for the top of the line HearMuffs, may be a little drastic, but the base model would be perfect.

You can get $10 off your order using code HEARMUFFS10 until the end of October!

Kirstyn

BurritoBuzz received this product free of charge for review purposes only. The opinions given in this review are that of our own and in no way have we been provided monetary compensation for guarantee of a positive review

What Da Fluff? Monthly Cloth Diaper Subscription Box {Product Review}

Published on August 10, 2017August 8, 2017 by KirstynVelez- www.BurritoBuzz.comLeave a comment

There seems to be a subscription box for darn near everything nowadays. I was pleasantly surprised when I ran across a monthly subscription box for DIAPERS! Not just any diapers though- cloth diapers. What Da Fluff is a family owned and operated company (which I love) who does a monthly subscription box (which I love) which includes cloth diapers and related products (which I love). For just $15/ month or $165/year, you will receive a package with:

Now, this says “one male themed diaper” and thats only because I chose the “Boy Box”. However, you can chose from boy, girl, or gender neutral.

What makes receiving the “box” even more exciting, is the packaging. It is so much prettier than a plain cardboard box with a label slapped on it.

So, what was inside?

1- Kijani Swim Diaper
1- Reusable Cold Pack
3- TEViVE Tea Bags
-and-
2- Sweet treats!

What else I love about this whole thing? Everything is affordable -AND- if you fall in love with whats in your package, if available, you can buy the extra inventory off the website’s shop at the end of the month!

My star rating for What Da Fluff? is definitely at a 5 out of 5! The subscription itself is super affordable, the diaper product is of good quality and affordable, the packaging is decorative and not just plain jane AND its a family owned and operated company!

Don’t worry about the need to #buyallthediapers, subscribe for some #fluffmail and you’ll be equally as happy!

Kirstyn

**Burrito Buzz received this product at low or no cost for the purpose of review or testing. No compensation for a positive review was provided. All product reviews are based 100% off of our personal experiences with a product and we never guarantee a positive review.**

My First Cubby from Little Partners {Review}

Published on February 20, 2017February 19, 2017 by Casey SehmLeave a comment

If you’re a new or expecting parent, I’m going to let you in on a little secret. SPOIL ALERT! That tiny squishy baby will soon be an independent almost 5 year old faster than you can ever imagine. Time flies (I’m not at all exaggerating) and soon your little angel will be a wanting to do everything for him or herself with zero help from mom and dad. In my case, that new found independence is so welcomed. I gave birth to my youngest daughter 11 months ago (how is she almost one? *insert crying emoji) so my oldest wanting to do things for herself is a huge help. Whether it’s getting herself dressed, brushing her teeth by herself, going to the bathroom alone, or simply getting herself a snack, it’s one less thing that I have to do. So I jumped at the opportunity to review My First Cubby ($159.99) from Little Partners!

We have worked with Little Partners in the past and we love their products! You can check out the Tri-Side Learn & Play Art Center review here. I was excited to see how the Little Cubby could make our lives easier and help my daughter grow even more independently. First of all, the construction is solid. It was rather easy to put together, the instructions are very easy to read, and it was put together rather quickly (my husband builds furniture for a living so he may have had an advantage). Once built, I noticed the amazing quality. It’s sturdy and looks very classy in our hallway, it’s a piece of furniture you can be happy to put on display. After a quick screw in the wall for the tether to prevent it from falling, it was ready to go!

There are 2 sides, which is perfect for us so each kid can have their own side. There’s a top cubby that we use for hats. Below that is a section with 4 hooks on each side to hang coats and bags. On the bottom is a little cubby for a 2-3 pairs of shoes. My girls have so many shoes but I put the ones out that they were most often. I seriously love being able to ask my daughter to her jacket, shoes, and school bag and she knows to hang her stuff up when she gets home. It’s so nice! I love that it’s also teaching her to be responsible for her own things and she also knows where she can find her school bag or coat, it’s always in the same spot that she put it. The great thing is multiple cubbies can be pushed together for more children and for day cares or schools!

I’m beyond impressed with Little Partners. The My First Cubby will complete any bedroom, foyer, or playroom! I give My First Cubby a 5 out of 5 stars, it’s been such a help in our house and while the cubby is available in two beautiful wood finishes, I would love to see options available in colors. Soon enough my youngest will be able to hang her coat and bag on her side, but for now, my oldest is happy to lend me a helping hand!

Be sure to check out all of Little Partners fabulous products here and don’t forget to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest to stay up-to-date with sales and new products!

– Casey

**BurritoBuzz received these products at low or no cost for the purpose of review or testing. No compensation for positive review was provided. All product reviews are based 100% off of our personal experiences and we never guarantee a positive review.**

VertiPlay™ Wall Toys from Oribel {Toy Review}

Published on February 1, 2017February 2, 2017 by Casey SehmLeave a comment

It’s been over a month since Christmas and I don’t know about you, but I’m still feeling the overwhelming wrath of my kids’ new toys. Each year, I clean out and donate toys that they no longer play with to make room for the new stuff, but it’s still not enough. Their play room in the basement is littered with toys. I’ve stepped on so many little toys, at times I was positive I broke my foot. So when I was asked to review toy from Oribel, I was obviously hesitant. But but VertiPlay™ is unlike any game or toy children own, and the best part? They don’t add extra clutter on the floor and won’t be stepping on little pieces!

VertiPlay™ Wall Toys from Oribel are fun, whimsical toys that hang on the wall or door, allowing for free space on the floor but offering tons of fun! It’s a win-win for both mom and children! No more asking over and over for your kids to pick up their toys! Another plus? You won’t mind them on your wall! They’re visually appealing and simply add to your child’s bedroom or playroom decor. VertiPlay™ also gets your little ones up and gets their blood flowing as they stand at the wall to play and run around.

The designs are simple, engaging, and fun my little one loves her Busy Woodpecker ($19.90)! It was really easy to attach to the wall, I just wiped the spot clean, removed the back of the sticker, and attached it to the wall. Easy peasy. My little one loves tapping the the woodpecker’s tail (sometimes a little too much) to light up the the little bird’s house in the tree. The wooden windmills help with dexterity through fun play! There are many different designs and styles for a range of ages, from 9+ months to 3+ years, you can see them all here! The quality is superb, I would expect nothing less from Oribel! I adore their products. And while I haven’t removed our wall toy, it leaves no damage to the wall and is easy to peal off.

VertiPlay™ gets a 5 out of 5 stars from me. The price point of each set is just right and my daughter really loves playing with her woodpecker toy. If you’re ready to shop for your own VertiPlay™ Wall Toy, you can head to your local Babies R Us or shop online at Amazon and diapers.com. I will definitely be adding a few more wall toys to our playroom, as my oldest is a little jealous she didn’t get one! If you have an older child, I think the Goofy Moose is perfect for them! Be sure to follow Oribel on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for new products and more, you won’t be disappointed with this fabulous company!

– Casey

Minivan Mama

Published on January 13, 2017January 12, 2017 by Megan Desiato - www.BurritoBuzz.comLeave a comment

I officially gained my “soccer mom” status this summer when we traded in my little blue SUV for a MINIVAN. And let me tell you, it was one of the best decisions I have ever made!! It’s true love. I knew I always wanted a minivan someday, because I grew up with my parents always having one, and it always just seemed like the most practical with kiddos. What I didn’t know is how much I would not miss my old car and absolutely love this van!

My husband I had been talking about them for a while and finally buckled down and started researching them after we had our second child. We were tired of not having a lot of room in the car especially if we needed to take any extra people anywhere. Two car seats take up a lot of space. We looked at several minivans on the market, but narrowed it down to the Toyota and Honda. We did have a rental Chrysler that we were happy with as well. After test driving, we were actually surprised at how easy the decision was with the Honda Odyssey. The vans were priced roughly the same, but the Honda just felt like it was made better. We didn’t dislike the Toyota (my hubby drives a Toyota Tundra), but the Honda was just better.

We waited several weeks for the specific model and color to come in that we wanted, but once it arrived, it was love at first sight. I was so anxious and excited that Saturday morning we were able to go and pick it up with the kids. Our 3 year old was excited for the “new van!” too. It was bittersweet leaving our old SUV, but there are new reasons every day why I am so thankful to be a minivan mama now . . .

Here’s a few of them . . .

1. The automatic sliding side doors… need I say more?! I don’t have to worry about my kids or I banging any cars parked next to us with our doors. You know how loading and unloading our kiddos goes, these door make it a dream come true!! Because of the sliding doors, the opening is so much bigger than an average car door – WONDERFUL! The doors also open and close by the simple push of a button from either the key fob, by the driver’s seat, or on the inside of the sliding doors themselves.

2. Not only is there more room in the doorways, there’s more room EVERYWHERE in this car. I can honestly say I’ve been a passenger in every seat and never once did I feel like I had no space to move. And if you need more room . . . You can MAKE more room . . .

3. . . . You can make that extra space because of the movable seats. I know this is typical with most minivans and vehicles with a third row of seats, but the way the Honda was set up was another big selling point for me. Our Odyssey has the option to have an eighth seat. All of the seats are removable (except the front), but with the Odyssey you can have an eighth seat in the middle of the second row. You can easily remove that middle seat of the second row to have 2 captains chairs and an aisle way to the back row, or you can leave it in place to complete the row and have an extra seat. The seat also folds down as an arm rest if it’s left in place. The third row of seats EASILY folds down into the trunk of the van. When we drove to the beach this summer, we opted to fold the third row down so we had TONS of room for luggage and could still see out the back window.

4. Handles on the high way – We drove the minivan on the West Virginia turnpike on our way to Myrtle Beach this past summer, and it handled so much better than my husband’s truck the year before. We could set the cruise control and not have to waver and hit the brake on those winding highway turns.

5. Good on gas – I know the gas tank in the minivan is bigger than my tank was in my SUV, but I swear still that the van gets better gas mileage. According to Honda, the Odyssey gets 19 mpg on city streets and 27 mpg highway. Either way, its way better on gas than a huge SUV would be!

6. Does NOT ride like a bus – I traded in a small SUV for my minivan. I had driven it for 5 years. I will say that I was the most anxious that the minivan was going to feel like I was driving a bus after driving my little SUV. I was so wrong. The van does not feel any bigger to me. I would say it sits up off the road the same height as my old car. Even though the van is significantly longer, I really haven’t noticed other than making sure I pull in the garage far enough. The back-up camera has made this easier as well!

7. Bang for the Buck – I’m telling you, you cannot beat a minivan. Even if you have a small family like we do, it is worth considering. For some reason, they get a bad rap, but I can’t think of one negative thing to say about mine. Maybe I don’t look the “coolest” driving the minivan around, but that is the last thing I’m worried about. Most companies offer all the bells and whistles you can find in luxury cars and SUVs, so don’t think those options aren’t available in a van. It’s convenient, affordable, and I know my kids are safe – that’s what matters to me.

If you’re thinking about getting a new vehicle for your new family, growing family, or just want more seats/space, take a look at a minivan. Check out all the options. Take them for a test drive. I think you’ll love it! And if you take the plunge like we did and buy one, you won’t regret it!

-Megan

Finn + Emma {Review}

Published on January 9, 2017December 7, 2017 by Casey SehmLeave a comment

Pajamas are a huge deal in our house. My girls love their pajamas. It’s not easy to get them changed into regular clothes in the morning to start their day. They’d live in them if they could, but honestly, who wouldn’t? I know I would if I could. Jammies are so warm, cozy, and comfortable, pretty much everything I look for in everyday clothes! I recently had the opportunity to review an amazing modern organic children’s clothing brand, Finn + Emma. These are some of the coziest jams ever and they just keep getting softer with every wash!

While Finn + Emma offers a lot more than just pajamas, I had to try them first! All of their products are made of the finest organic cotton, with eco friendly dyes, and natural wood. As if Finn + Emma isn’t awesome enough, already, all of their garments and accessories are produced in fair trade settings that focus on social and economic independence for local people. I love companies that offer people fair wages and helps them provide a life for themselves and their families. Finn + Emma is a balance of stylish and sustainability and I love it!

The jams I picked out for my girls not only matched, but the print and colors went together perfectly! I’m not usually one for matching my 9 month old and my 4 year old, but when the clothes are this cute, I couldn’t deny my twin-mom fantasy any longer and had to get them to match! The Fairytale print is adorable and not only available in footies for littles and 2 piece sets for older kids, but a ton of matching clothing pieces, accessories, play gyms, and toys are available to complete this beautiful collection!

I have to give Finn + Emma jams 5 out of 5 stars! They’re so incredibly soft and luxurious, I’m kind of jealous! I really hope adult jammies will be available in the future, I will definitely buy a few pairs for myself! Check out all of the awesome products, like clothing and toys, Finn + Emma have to offer here. There’s something for everyone, on any budget. I can’t wait to buy more of their adorable clothes for my girls and gift some of their wooden toys to my expecting friends!

Be sure to follow Finn + Emma on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest for new releases, sales, and more!

– Casey

Shēdo Lane UV Apparel // SwimZip’s Sister Company {Product Review}

Published on January 4, 2017January 3, 2017 by AmandaLeave a comment

I know summer clothing might not be on our minds, but the warm weather is certainly on mine! I am currently staring outside at a few inches of snow and a temperature that is well below my age. I do much better with the warmer months. If some of you are thinking about taking a weekend to the beach, I want to introduce you to some butter soft kids’ clothes!

We aren’t planning a trip to the beach any time soon, but these polos are making some adorable layering pieces for my little man this winter.

Shēdo Lane is a brand new sister company of SwimZip (as seen on ABC’s Shark Tank), and I am so excited to be introducing and sharing them with our readers!

Shēdo Lane is a luxury sun protection apparel brand. Utilizing the highest rated, UPF 50+, UV sun protective fabric in complimenting styles, they bring sun protection clothing to its highest form. Whether it is a morning walk on the beach, a playdate at a favorite playground, an afternoon cup of tea on the patio, or drinks with friends around the pool, Shēdo Lane keeps you covered from the sun’s rays – and looking your best. Shēdo Lane sun protective apparel brings together the function and fashion – so you can indulge in the sun and get on with living your dreams!

We received a toddler 2T polo and found that it runs a little larger than a Carter’s 2T. It fits my little linebacker just fine because he’s so stalky, but on a slender taller toddler, it would be a little baggy.

The material is made from bamboo and it is soft as butter! I seriously wish all kids’ clothes were made this soft and supple. Perfect for snuggling, but stylish enough to wear on a night out! I have washed them multiple times and they don’t shrink or lose their shape in any way!

Not only do they offer toddler clothes, but they have clothes for adults! Who doesn’t want to match their little one? I know I think it’s adorable! I have been eying the cardigan for woman and I will probably be putting it on some sort of wish list for my hubby! I have a feeling I will never want to buy any other brand of shirts!

My only complaint is that the clothes are priced a little high for babies and little ones. One polo is $25. For an adult, I would definitely pay that, but not for a simple toddler shirt. The adult clothes are priced well though. The cardigan I was talking about is only $40 which is pretty average for a woman’s shirt.

Overall, I have to give Shēdo Lane a 4 out of 5 stars! I can’t stop scrolling through their website, looking at all their comfy clothes! Baby clothes are seriously my weakness.

Have fun shopping!

Be sure to check out this awesome, family-owned company on Facebook and Instagram!

– Amanda

Tray Haven {Review}

Published on December 9, 2016December 8, 2016 by Casey Sehm1 Comment

Now that my youngest is almost 9 months old, she’s hell bent on feeding herself. If a spoon or fork goes anywhere near her face, she swipes at whatever’s on it so she can shovel it in her mouth with her own two hands. Because of her new found independence, we just cut food into small bits and put it on her high chair tray so she can go to town on her own. Most of the food ends up on the floor rather than in her mouth though. She thinks it’s funny to throw it all on the floor (I think she wants to give our dog a snack) along with her sippy cup of water. After going through this with my oldest, I decided to find something so don’t have to keep picking her cup and pieces of food up and constantly cleaning the floor. I stumbled upon Tray Haven and I’m so glad I did! I reached out and the company was kind enough to send me one to try out.

I received our Tray Haven just in time for Thanksgiving and it was a life saver! It’s made to work with most high chairs, booster seats, and wheelchairs with removable trays and seat backs. It’s designed to keep food and objects on the tray, and not on the floor. It’s made from durable mesh and strong straps so it can withstand a lot. It also collapses really easy and can be taken anywhere. We’ve been using it for a few weeks now, and I am so happy with how well it keeps everything where it should be! It’s super simple to attach it to a high chair (or even a stroller). Here’s a video that perfectly shows and explains how to use the Tray Haven:

Tray Haven has made mealtime with my baby so much easier, not to mention there is less to clean up! No more bending over to pick things up over and over and over (because it always turns into a game) and no more constant cleaning of the floor. I wish I would have had one when my oldest was a baby, she was always throwing her food and cups! I give Tray Haven a 5 out of 5 stars. It’s made of quality materials, it’s easy to use, and it works! At $34.99 and available in pink and blue, they make great gifts for birthdays, holidays, and baby showers. Parents and caregivers will be so grateful! Purchase yours here!

If you want to win Tray Haven of your own, you’re in luck! We’re giving away a blue Tray Haven to one lucky winner! All you have to do is follow these easy steps to enter:

Like both @burritobuzz and @trayhaven on Instagram.
Like the original giveaway post.
Tag friends you think are in need of a Tray Haven, too!
That’s it!

The giveaway will begin Friday December, 9th at 12pm and will end Monday December, 12th at 12pm. A winner will be randomly chosen and announced on the original giveaway post within 24 hours of the giveaway ending. Goodluck! **This giveaway is in no way sponsored or endorsed by Instagram.**

Don’t forget to like Tray Haven on Facebook and Twitter, too, for product updates!

– Casey

Hi Little One {Review}

Published on November 25, 2016November 28, 2016 by Katie KuceyeskiLeave a comment

BurritoBuzz moms love personalized apparel, but even more so, we love supporting small businesses.

Hi Little One is a company that we were introduced to recently and all too-excited to work with. Their products are made in the USA, their orders ship within 5 business days, and 10% of their profits go to fight pediatric cancer (you can read why here.)

Hand printed products with a modern feel? I was definitely in. I ordered two products, a t-shirt for my little man and a tote for myself.

Truthfully, I expected custom items like most of the ones I already had, with that filmy-plastic decal slapped on some scratchy cotton. I was pleasantly surprised and thankful that wasn’t the case with Hi Little One. Their tee’s are so stinking soft and the print was not a plastic decal, but instead printed on the material. Each of their orders is designed by a professional.

Custom design at a great price? Yes please!

T-shirts range in price, generally from $23-$29. Really, a very good price for a custom item. However, I have a hard time spending more than $10 on a child’s t-shirt when they grow so quickly. My son is just about 2 years old and wearing a lot of 3T and 4T things already.which means we’ve gone through an insane amount of clothing in under two years. Thousands of dollars worth, most likely. As a parent on a budget, I understand that $29 for a t-shirt might not be ideal, but I will tell you that these are adorable, high quality, and would make a great custom gift for a special occasion.

Totes are $19-$25, which is what I’d expect to pay on a tote anyway. I love mine. I throw all kinds of things in it, and just grab it and go. It’s super sturdy and will certainly last for years to come.

With Christmas quickly approaching, items from Hi Little One would make great custom gifts for the little ones in your life! They even have some great gift sets to make life easy.

Be sure to check them out this holiday season and follow them on social media!

Instagram

Twitter

Facebook

Small Business Saturday is this week! They have some great deals going on, you don’t want to miss out!

– Katie

MiracleWare {Review}

Published on November 16, 2016November 30, 2016 by Katie KuceyeskiLeave a comment

If you haven’t figured it out by now, the BurritoBuzz moms are in love with muslin. Muslin is a soft, breathable, non-shrinking fabric that our littles love to snuggle in. From wraps, to sheets, to towels and blankets, muslin is the way to go. Recently,we were introduced to MiracleWare, a muslin line of top-quality products in a variety of patterns and colors.

I decided to try out a handful of products: the crib sheet, hooded towels, and the security blankets.

MiracleWare Crib Sheet: Two layered, 100% cotton muslin, stretch, breathable sheet. The sheet comes in a variety of colors and patterns. We opted for the elephant pattern. I was surprised with the quality of the sheet for one major reason: most crib sheets you struggle to get onto the mattress. There is nothing worse than struggling in the middle of the night after your little one has leaked through their diaper to quickly remove and put on a new sheet. This sheet, while fitted, stretches easily and stays put. The elastic band around the edge is thicker than most, keeping the sheet in place. Price: $29.95. It’s a little steep for what I’d typically spend on a sheet, but with muslin, you’re generally going to pay double, if not more. And truly, muslin gets softer with each wash.

MiracleWare Hooded Towels: I assumed these would be like most other hooded towels that I’ve used, but I was so wrong. The towels come in various quantities, colors, and patterns, but a two pack runs $33.95. The towels are slightly larger than most, which is great for my off-the-charts tall toddler. But the best aspect? The towels get softer and fluffier with each wash, which is not typical of a towel. They are the softest baby towels I’ve used thus far and they seem sturdy enough to last a good length of time. So, in my opinion? Get a two pack of these and avoid the other towels.

MiracleWare Security Blankets: A thin muslin square with a silk edge. Little ones love the silk blankets, but this one is idea because the breathable muslin makes it a safer option for babies. These blankets are just big enough to be a good security blanket. Price: $12.95 for a two pack.

Overall I’m very impressed with the MiracleWare product line. They have all kinds of great items, which you can check out here. These would make great baby shower and holiday gifts for the little ones in your life!

You can also find Miracleware products at Babies R Us!

– Katie

Yookidoo Flow ‘N’ Fill Spout {Review}

Published on November 5, 2016November 11, 2016 by Katie KuceyeskiLeave a comment

My nearly two year old son loves bath time! He usually has a few toys in the tub, and he splashes around for a good 30 minutes while we listen to Disney music. I had a few very basic bath toys and I noticed that he had lost interest in them. They were geared towards very little babies and with his new motor skills and interest in the world, I really wanted to find something that held his interest and made him think. After digging around the internet for a toy that was both intriguing and priced in my frugal price range, I elected to buy the Yookidoo Flow ‘N’ Fill Spout.

The spout is around $25 and can be purchased here on Amazon. I had actually looked in several stores for bath toys but didn’t have much luck. I’m a huge fan of Amazon Prime, and it was easy to order and read through a few reviews before purchasing.

The Flow ‘N’ Fill Spout is so unique. The spout actually pulls up bath water and creates a fountain. The fountain can be pulled from side-to-side and there are three different cups that the water can flow into. Each cup has a different effect: one has a turning wheel, one has holes in the bottom to create a kind of sprinkler, and the other has an interior cup that pops up when it’s filled with water. The cups are easily interchangeable and surprisingly sturdy.The fountain is battery operated. The button in the center turns it on and off, and is large enough that toddlers can turn it on and off all on their own.

This has been a great investment and my only regret is not buying it sooner. My son’s mind has been totally engaged by this toy and bath time has turned into a great activity for fine-tuning my son’s motor skills. He is obsessed with the endless fountain of water and all of the things he can do to interact with this toy.

I hope to work with Yookidoo more in the future and bring our readers additional reviews! With our holiday wish list rapidly growing, we’d love to review a few more of their toys before all of your holiday shopping is done!

– Katie

Wash with Water Organics {Review}

Published on November 4, 2016November 3, 2016 by AmandaLeave a comment

“Together we will protect our earth’s limited resources so our children can love, create, and live as they dream. Together we are limitless.”

We live in a world where it is truly a struggle to find the best for our children and make sure we are giving them the best future. Simple acts, like buying products from sustainable companies, can help our children now and in the future.

Wash with Water is committed to preserving the Earth’s limited resources.

All of their products are vegan and cruelty-free!

Because they want the best for our families, their products are also free of: Petrochemicals, Phthalates, Sulfates, Parabens, Synthetic Colors, TEA, DEA, Silicons, PEGS, Dairy, Egg, Oat, Lactoperoxidase, Citrus Seed Extract, GMOs, Triclosan, and Synthetic Dyes.

“Wash With Water is dedicated to crafting all-natural, organic skin and hair products. All of their award-winning, made-in-the-USA products are created using only ingredients chosen with the utmost care.”

The products are made using Moroccan Argan oil and Calendula so their products are ultra-gentle, and hypoallergenic. They are perfect for the most sensitive skin

I received the biG kiD best hair day set, biG kiD buBble bAth, and their biG kiD buG rePellEnt. My kids love bathtime and I couldn’t have been more excited. Bath time isn’t just washing up for us. It’s time to wind down, wash off the stress of the day, learn, play, and relax to get ready for bed.

We loved all three of these products! They are top of the line for a reason.

biG kiD best hair day set – This set is great for children and babies alike. I felt comfortable using it on my almost 3 year old and my 1 year old.

The shampoo was extremely gentle and didn’t create too many suds. It didn’t leave their hair dry or oily. My kids have very curly hair, so protecting their natural oils is extremely important. The scent for both products in the set is a very gentle citrus.

The conditioner has a pump that comes with it to make it easier to use. This conditioner was perfect for my son who has curly hair, but it is still pretty fine. With my daughter, who has very thick curls, I felt like I couldn’t get enough conditioner on her head to get the same result. In my opinion, it probably doesn’t have the correct formula of oils to saturate coarse hair. Her hair is a lot of work and I don’t hold it against a brand if the product doesn’t work. Finding the perfect products for her are still a work in progress and we have been using products for adult natural hair. If any of our readers have suggestions, feel free to comment! My son’s hair looks like a little doll’s though. Silky and perfect little curls forming without any work and detangling on my part! It is great! I am so thankful to have found something that tames his little flyaways and baby hair.

The set will run you about $40 for two 8 oz bottles. Amazon usually has it a few dollars cheaper.

buBble bAth – My kids both adore bubble baths. It just makes bath time so much more fun! When else are you allowed to cover your sibling from head to toe in something and not get into trouble for it? There is barely any scent and it’s a light fresh “baby” scent. You do have to suds up the water yourself to create the bubbles, because there are no chemicals or additives to do it for you. I did like that they bubbles lasted the entire time the kids were in the tub, unlike some other organic bubble baths I have tried that go flat within a minute or so. An 8oz bottle runs around $17.

biG KiD buG rePellEnt – I was extremely excited about this. At the end of summer and beginning of fall, the kids tend to roll around in leaves and we stay out later for bon fires, so you need something to keep bugs away! Even though we need to protect ourselves from bugs bites, I hate all the chemicals that are in most sprays, deet especially! You can read more here. Like all of their products, it’s all natural. Instead of using harsh chemicals, it is made with eucalyptus and lemongrass essential oils. You kind of end up smelling like a citronella candle, but it’s fresh and my husband and I even used it on ourselves! A 4oz bottle is $16.95.

The biggest downfall with these products is the price. The brand is high quality, but not much higher than others that I have found in stores in my area. You can only find these online and they’re not in everyone’s budget. Even though they are pricey, I will definitely be purchasing the bug repellent again!

Wash with Water is based out of South Carolina. Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram for updates and new products!

– Amanda

Manhattan Toy Storybook Castle {Review + Giveaway}

Published on October 24, 2016October 18, 2016 by Katie Kuceyeski1 Comment

BurritoBuzz is gearing up to share some great reviews to help you with your 2016 Christmas shopping. We know, it’s too early for Christmas shopping, it’s not even Halloween! But we want to give you plenty of opportunity to read our reviews and enter our giveaways.

So here’s another really amazing toy: The Manhattan Toy Co. Storybook Castle

This castle is an award-winning toy and after seeing my toddler play with it, I can totally see why. The castle has quickly become one of my son’s favorite toys. We’ve been adding more and more wooden toys to our toy collection for a few reasons: they’re infinitely less obnoxious than the electronic plastic toys that seem to ceaselessly need batteries, they hold up exceptionally well, and they strongly promote fine motor skills.

Four quadrants of castle-themed activities features gliders, gears, bead runs, snapping crocodile and more to support motor development.

Ages 12 months+
Measures 18L x 20.8H x 18W in
Measures 45.3L x 52.7H x 45.3W cm
All wood toys have non-toxic water based finishes.
Surface wash only
This product meets or exceeds EN71 and CPSIA safety regulations
The castle runs around $100 and can be purchased here

I remember playing with wooden toys as a child and my dentist’s office had many of them. I actually looked forward to going to the dentist just so I could play with their cool toys. When I first started introducing wooden toys to my son, I assumed he would be disinterested because he had so many loud, engaging electronic toys. But I was so wrong. He plays with his wooden toys quite a bit more and they keep him busy. The intricate movements of the various moving parts really make him think.

This castle has four quadrants and each quadrant has moving parts. There are sliders, parts that twist, caricatures that spin or move forward, backward, and side to side. Each piece moves in a different way, meaning that toddlers have to spend some time figuring out the motions. All of my pieces worked quite fluidly, with the exception of the princess and knight that move along the main baseboard. For some reason those pieces were tight and didn’t move well. My son especially loved the sliding door and flag, as well as the crocodile attached to the main board.

Putting the castle together was a little more difficult than most, but it only took me around 30 minutes from start to finish. I struggled with the screws and just gave in to the power drill. The pieces all fit together perfectly, but because of the setup of the quadrants and the top screws, I found it awkward to fully get the top screws in.

Overall, this product is really thought out. My son has been engaged for hours upon hours playing with this castle. It’s the ideal height for him to sit, kneel, or even stand to play. It is sturdy, and is increasingly helping him with his fine motor skills.

Want to win the Storybook Castle?

Here’s your chance! Head over to our Instagram page here and follow these easy steps:

Like both @BurritoBuzz and @ManhattanToy, we will be triple checking!
Like our giveaway photo!
Tag as many friends as you want! But only one tag per comment please.
That’s it!

Giveaway will begin on October 24, 2016 and ends on October 31, 2016 at 8:00 PM EST. A winner will be announced shortly after. **This giveaway is not sponsored or endorsed by Instagram**

Good luck!

– Katie

Mommy Must-Have: Milk Snob Cover

Published on October 14, 2016October 13, 2016 by Casey SehmLeave a comment

I live in Ohio and the winters are cold. My first daughter was born in September, so she was tiny going into the winters months. It was a pain going out with her because you have to keep babies warm, but you can’t them in winter coats in their car seat (it’s unsafe to put little ones in puffy coats and strap them into their car seats, learn about it here). My youngest is almost 7 months old and can be moved to a convertible car seat, but I’m going to keep her in her infant seat during the winter because it’s easier to keep her warm and cozy, especially with our car seat cover from Milk Snob (that also doubles as a nursing cover and shopping car cover).

Milk Snob was created by Melanie Disbrow, a mom of three who moved to the US from Germany in 2006 after unsuccessfully finding a practical and fashionable car seat cover. It’s added nursing cover led to the design of the first patent pending multi functional cover on the market. Milk Snob offers beautiful modern swaddles, as well as their covers and drawstring multi functional nursing covers. Based in Dallas, TX, the Milk Snob continues to create beautiful and functional products for families.I desperately wanted to try a Milk Snob cover and was so excited when they offered to send one for me to review. The one I used with my oldest daughter is a very popular “free” car seat cover that is thick, doesn’t circulate air at all, and you can’t see baby unless you flip open the front. The Milk Snob cover is pretty much the best cover I’ve ever seen on the market. It’s made form a thin, breathable stretchy fabric that’s also modern and gorgeous. It fits on any infant car seat and I love that I can peek in on my little one from the top and that she can see me. It also protects baby from unwelcome touching and staring while out in public as we all know that strangers seem to think it’s okay to touch a random baby. And if you use a cover while nursing, this will actually be a welcomed fashion accessory because the prints are simply stunning. Now that my daughter sits up in shopping carts, this cover is perfect to keep her safe from yucky germs because she puts her mouth on everything, so it’s nice to be able to keep crazy illnesses out of her mouth! It’s so easy to use, it stretches in every which way but doesn’t stretch it out.

If you’re looking for a nursing cover, car seat cover, and shopping cart cover, definitely check out Milk Snob! You can spend a lot of money buying three different products, but at only $36, you’re getting a 3-in-1 cover and it can probably be used in many more ways. And with 37 different prints and colors, it’s hard to choose which one to get. Check out all of the amazing products Milk Snob has to offer and buy yours here!

Don’t forget to follow Milk Snob on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram to stay updated on sales and new releases!

– Casey

**BurritoBuzz received these products at low or no cost for the purpose of review or testing. No compensation for a positive review was provided. All product reviews are based 100% off of our personal experiences and we never guarantee a positive review.**

mommy’s BLISS {Review}

Published on September 24, 2016September 24, 2016 by AmandaLeave a comment

When you are a new mom, there are a lot of facts and products being shoved in your face. You really don’t even know where to begin, what advice is legit, and what products you actually need v. the products that people just loved but would be useless to you. When my doctor prescribed vitamin D drops and suggested probiotic drops (I was EBF my daughter), I followed her advice. But I quickly learned that there are so many options, not only that, but there are so many opinions on your options.

Who knew life could be so complicated?

Mommy’s BLISS made my life a little easier two years ago when I had a colicy baby and they continue to make awesome products today! Their line takes the guessing out of choices. You don’t have to worry about additives or additional problems on top of the ones you are trying to treat with the medication.

All of mommy’s BLISS products have: no additives, chemicals or parabens, no artificial flavors or colors, no dairy, no gluten, and no soy. They are also 100% vegan and vegetarian.

Mommy’s BLISS actually contacted me and sent me their new products a few weeks ago and I have been waiting to write this post so I could be sure that I used them to their full potential! I have to say, I am very impressed with their new products and so excited to share some secrets with you!

VITAMIN D ORGANIC DROPS

Let’s start with why breastfed babies need vitamin D drops.

“The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all babies receive routine vitamin D supplementation (400 IU per day) due to decreased sunlight exposure and an increase in rickets-Vitamin D deficiency”

The babies who do need these supplements need them due to a lack of sufficient sunlight, which is the best way to get your vitamin D. For example, with my Ohio babies, it’s far too cold to go outside and play in the sun half of the year, so vitamin D drops are necessary. Also, if you are darker skinned, it takes more sun exposure to absorb vitamin D.

A formula fed baby most likely would not need any vitamin supplements because their formula is fortified with vitamin D. A breastfeeding mom is most likely deficient in vitamin D (unless you take a supplement yourself, you have a pretty good chance of being deficient), so doctors advise you to give your newborn a supplement every day.

Vitamin D helps with healthy growth and bone development. It is not something to take lightly. But neither are all the chemicals and additives that are in some drops. The products are made for newborns. You would think that it would be a requirement to be the best possible product. But it’s not, so parents are left staring at boxes and weighing the risks of the additives and chemicals for their tiny humans.

These vitamin D drops are USDA certified organic and free of any type of chemical or additive! You are giving your child only what they need. Even though I don’t have a newborn, I still give my 2 year old vitamin D drops (under her pediatrician’s guidance). BK#1 is extremely picky, going through the phase that most toddlers go through, and refuses to eat and drink most of the time. I worry about her getting proper nutrients and growing properly. So far so good, but as a parent, you worry. You can’t help it.

My favorite thing about these drops is the amount needed daily. Just one drop. You don’t have to struggle getting a full syringe into your newborn or toddler for that matter. I sneak a drop on the top of her sippy before she takes a drink and voila, no tantrum because I had to hold her down and give her meds. There is no scent or taste either!

Mommy’s Bliss Vitamin D Organic Drops, 0.11 Fluid Ounce

PROBIOTIC DROPS + VITAMIN D & 15 DAY BOOST

When BK#1 was an infant, this would have been a Godsend! My tiny little angel had colic like nobody’s business. I can’t even begin to explain how tired we were. I suppose I should write about that experience, but colic is not fun for anyone. It leaves you feeling like a zombie with literally zero brain cells because every parental instinct you have to comfort them just doesn’t work. She cried all the time and absolutely nothing we did helped. The evenings were the worst with no break at all. Finally, after trying every possible solution, we tried probiotics and we finally found some relief! She slept. She stopped crying. She was happy.

New parents, talk to your doctor! Save yourself and your baby and try probiotics.

If you want to learn more about how they work, read this amazing article.

“Probiotics are living microorganisms that scientific research has shown to benefit human health. Most commonly these are bacteria, but they may also be yeasts. In some cases they are similar to, or the same as, the microbes already found in a healthy digestive tract. Many probiotics were originally isolated from common fermented foods such as yogurt. Mommy’s Bliss Baby Probiotic Drops contain the live culture Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, the most widely studied probiotic in the world with over 800 scientific publications attesting to the safety and healthfulness of these beneficial bacteria. Like all dietary supplements you should discuss the use of probiotics with your baby’s doctor.” source Mommy’s Bliss Probiotic Drops Plus Vitamin D, 0.34 Fluid Ounce

Mommy’s BLISS created an amazing probiotic and vitamin D blend to help parents skip a step! No need to keep track of two medications. Not only is it two medications in one, but it’s the same price of any other probiotic on the market! You are definitely getting the better deal with mommy’s BLISS.

If you don’t have a baby that has colic, you still might want to consider probiotic drops if your child gets sick, to help balance their immune and digestive system. The Mommy’s Bliss Probiotic Drops 15 Day Boost, 0.2 Fluid Ouncewas created to help replenish beneficial bacteria and may help with occasional diarrhea. Antibiotic use may cause occasional diarrhea* and digestive upset.*

Parents, it actually works! My littles were passing a tummy bug back and forth and this had them back to their normal selves and solid bowels much faster than anything ever has. It’s definitely something that I will be keeping in my medicine cabinet from now on.

Mommy’s BLISS is a great company! Learn more about them and why I think they are so great on there site here and be sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram to get awesome tips and parenting advice.

– Amanda

Keep Germs Away with CleanSmart Toy Disinfectant

Published on September 23, 2016September 22, 2016 by Casey SehmLeave a comment

As you know, cold and flu season is unfortunately upon is. With the changing of the weather and the start of the school year, illness is something that we can’t really ignore. My four year old started her second year of preschool last week and was kind enough to bring a cold home. My family of four all got runny noses, we were sneezing like crazy, had awful sinus pressure, coughing, and had watery eyes, including my poor 6 month old. She got hit the worst and is starting to feel better minus the never ending runny nose. Over the weekend she had a pretty high fever and was overall miserable. When babies get sick, you heart breaks because there’s not much you can do for them. Lots of cuddles and some tylenol to bring down the fever is about all you can do when they’re really young. So what can you do to help prevent the spread of germs when little ones always have toys in their mouths? I have found an amazing toy disinfectant from CleanSmart and I love it so much! I knew I had to share it with our readers!

CleanSmart makes products that are not harmful to people. There are no chemicals or chemical residue, harsh fumes, and the products are 100% natural – just salt and water is left behind after cleaning! There is zero toxicity and can be sprayed around anyone (babies, too). There are no allergy or asthma triggers in any of the products, so you can feel safe knowing what you’re using to clean and disinfect and know the products work! You won’t see any first aid labels on CleanSmart products because there are no hazards. What more could you want in a cleaning product? Watch here to learn about the CleanSmart difference:

I was looking for something to clean my children’s toys, especially with having more than one kid, germs spread entirely way too easy. If one is sick, the other will be soon. It’s just a fact. But I wanted something to help prevent illness as much as I could. Babies put everything in their mouths as we know and germs linger. CleanSmart Toy Disinfectant kills 99.9% of germs and cold and flu viruses, E. coli, salmonella, listeria, strep and RSV. The best part, you just spray and play! You can literally clean toys without rinsing right in front of your child. I often clean my little one’s exersaucer while she’s in it. It’s so easy and I love not having to think twice about using it around my kids. No gloves needed and you don’t have to have a crazy ventilation system (or open all the windows/doors in your house to air it out). It’s perfect to use with teething babies and after sick kids.

I love this product and look forward to purchasing more awesome products from CleanSmart, including their household disinfectants, hand cleansers and more products for my little ones: Pacifier Sanitizer ($4.99) and Nursery & High Chair Cleaner ($4.99). Products for little ones are now available at Babies R Us, so they’re easy to find! You can purchase all CleanSmart products on Amazon. The price point is perfect, $5.99 for the Toy Disinfectant. I’ve had it for about to months now, and I have about ⅔ of the bottle left so it does last a while. Because it’s not harmful, that doesn’t mean it should be left around children. Keep out of reach of children to keep them safe.

Connect with CleanSmart on Facebook and Twitter!

– Casey

Re-Think Mealtime with Re-Play {Review + Giveaway}

Published on September 20, 2016September 19, 2016 by Casey Sehm1 Comment

I was recently looking for new silverware for my toddler, something that was fun, easy to handle, and I wanted to stay away from metal. I found a really cute set of plastic forks and spoons made by Re-Play and they are perfect for little hands. They were exactly what I was looking for and I was pleasantly surprised at the price, just over $2.50 for a pack of 8! If you know me or have read any of my blog posts, you know I’m a cheapskate. The price point is perfect for those on a budget (I’ve learned that all Re-Play products are easy on the wallet). They’re super durable and my daughter loved them so I decided to reach out to Re-Play to collaborate on a blog review. They were kind enough to send a Complete Toddler Feeding Set (right) for my daughter to try. I soon started learned what an amazing company Re-Play is and I am so excited to share this company with our readers!

The moms at BurritoBuzz love products that are good for the planet, good for our families, and products that are made in the USA. This company hits all of those marks and more! Re-Play products are made from recycled milk jugs! How awesome is that? That means there are less milk jugs (we all know you go through gallons and gallons of milk when you have kids) ending up in landfills thanks to Re-Play, which is a family-owned and family-focused company. The brand looks to fulfill 5 Tenants of Responsibility: sustainability, safety, durability, functionality, and affordability. Re-Play is a brand you can feel really good about buying from. Their products are a better alternative for those looking to make the planet a better place for their children and future generations. Check out the Re-Play recycling process here:

I picked the white set for my daughter to try, but there are a ton of colors to choose from (they’re all dishwasher safe and they don’t fade)! Seriously, it probably took me a half an hour and asking my husband repeatedly what color I should pick (white was not one of his choices but I loved it and ultimately decided on it), it was not an easy choice. The Complete Toddler Feeding Set ($22) includes: 1 spoon and 1 fork, 1 divided plate, 1 spill proof cup, 1 drinking cup, 1 snack pod, and 1 bowl. I must say, Re-Play makes fantastic products! They’re so durable and the spill proof sippy is in fact spill proof. My daughter has used a popular brand of sippies with characters on them since ditching the bottle years ago, but they eventually leak and the spout gets cruddy as the plastic piece inside the mouthpiece, which is hard to clean. The Re-Play spill proof cup is only 3 parts: the cup, lid, and valve. It is so easy to clean, as are all of the products! They come in packs of 2 for only $8.99! Products range in price from $4.99 for 8 utensils to $5.99 for 3 bowls, $7.99 for 3 divided plates to $5.99 for a snack stack of 2, check out all of their products and prices here! The snack pod is perfect for on the go and it has allowed me to stop using plastic sandwich bags (there I go, helping to save the planet again). The prices are very affordable and there are several color combinations to chose from, like rainbow, sorbet, and bold to name a few. Re-Play also has kitchen essentials for grown ups and teethers and toys for little ones. Be sure to check out the product section on their website to see all of their goodies!

I have fallen in love with Re-Play! I love that the company is helping the earth and future generations by recycling what would be waste. I give their products a 5 out of 5 stars. I will definitely be purchasing more of their products, especially their spill proof cups for my girls! Re-Play is available on Amazon, through the Re-Play website, and in store at WalMart, Whole Foods, Kroger, HEB, Target, and at various specialty shops and grocers around the country. Give Re-Play a try and I can promise that you will fall in love, not only with their amazing and durable products, but the wonderful company!

We have an exclusive code for 15% off a $20+ purchase just for our readers! Use code BurritoBuzz2016 at checkout to save on your order! **Code is good through Tuesday, September 27th.**

Re-Play has offered to give away a Feeding Set to one of our lucky readers! You’ll definitely want to try to win and it’s super easy to enter:

Follow @burritobuzz and @replaymeals on Instagram
Like the giveaway post
Comment with your choice of color
Tag a friend

That’s it! The giveaway will run from Tuesday, September 20th at 12pm and will end Thursday, September 22nd at 12pm. We will announce the winner on the original post on Thursday, September 22nd shortly after 12pm. Good luck and share with your friends! **Instagram is in no way sponsoring this giveaway.**

Don’t forget to follow Re-Play on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter for updates and sales!

– Casey

pediped Kicks!

Published on September 17, 2016September 16, 2016 by Katie KuceyeskiLeave a comment

I have a very active 19 month old son. He runs, climbs, crawls around and because of that, he needs some sturdy, comfortable shoes. BurritoBuzz has reviewed pediped water sandals in the past. But as much as it pains me to say, fall and winter are quickly approaching in Ohio and it’s time to change out our sandals and flip flops for shoes and boots.

So here’s a recommendation!

pediped offers a wide variety of shoes. Their selection of sizes, colors and styles is vast. We decided to try out the Flex shoe for my son.

Some details about the Flex shoe:

Breathable mesh lining
Flexible rubber sole
Casual style with Velcro closure
Fit: Runs 1/2 size larger than normal size. I found them to be pretty true to size, but they have extra insoles as part of their Flex Fit System — see below).
Approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association for promoting healthy foot development (super important for little ones working on their walking/running skills).

Technology:

The Flex Fit System™ provides additional insoles that can be inserted for a snug fit then removed for room as your child’s foot grows. The insoles can reduce shoe size by almost half a size, extending the life of the shoe.

Machine Washable shoes can handle the playground and the washing machine, so they are easy to keep clean and smelling fresh.

Vegan shoes are made with no animal products or by-products.

The pediped Flex shoe exceeded my expectations. My son has a rather large foot and large in-step. The only shoes I’d found that were easy to get on his chunky feet were Keens, and Target’s new Cat + Jack brand. The pediped shoes are even easier to get on that the brands I had been using. There are two velcro straps, which both easily come loose. The nice thing about the straps, unlike other shoes that he has, is that there are tabs to keep you from pulling the strap all the way out and having to rethread it.

Though the shoes are new, they are loose around the sides similarly to a pair of shoes that has been broken in. This is definitely a plus, because those tiny toddler feet don’t handle new shoe blisters well that usually come from tight, new shoes.

The shoe is cushioned and form-fitting. The grips on the bottom are better than most, which is ideal to help little ones grip the floor more easily.

These washed well. I don’t typically dry my toddler’s shoes, because they shrink and when toddler shoes cost as much as a pair of adult shoes, I prefer to make them last.

These shoes are $57.00 on the pediped website. While I love the shoes immensely, I’d like to see a lower price point geared towards the typical American middle-class family. I typically spend $30 on a pair of shoes for my toddler and because he needs 3-4 pairs of shoes per year, I can’t justify spending nearly $60 on a regular basis. That being said, vegan shoes are typically quite a bit pricier than the average shoe and this is no average shoe.

Note the tab on the top that helps

BurritoBuzz gives pediped serious props. Their shoes are high quality and our littles love them. Make sure you follow them on social media, too! pediped will be apart of our huge 1st birthday giveaway coming up at the end of September. Get a jump start and head to their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages and show them some love!

– Katie

B. toys {You Need Them!}

Published on September 15, 2016September 12, 2016 by Katie KuceyeskiLeave a comment

I love playing with my 19 month old son. Sometimes, he’s more entertained by a cartoon than he is by me, but for the most part, he really enjoys to play. And when he gets a new toy? All the better. Watching the wheels turning in his head as he figures out how a new toy works is amazing to see. How truly astonishing it is to see these tiny beings start life unable to hold their own heads up, to being able to walk and run and play within such a short time.

So, as a family on a budget, I try to get him new toys every once in awhile so that we don’t break the bank. I love toys that are educational or sensory, and toys that are also sturdy and for a decent price. That’s where B. toys come in! B. toys is an award winning company, and their toys are coveted by parents for a reason: they truly are phenomenal. My experience with B. toys up to this point has been entirely positive. With Christmas creeping up pretty quickly already (I saw stockings out yesterday), I wanted to start giving parents some ideas for their little ones!

So let me start with a few of the basic “must haves.”

My son’s first B. toy set was the “One Two Squeeze” block set. This was one of his first gifts as a little guy. While he was really little at the time, he liked to chew on them (and everything else he could get his hands on). As he grew, he started to stack them and knock them over. Each one is numbered and a different color, and they also have sculpted animals and shapes. These remain one of his favorites to play with. Such a simple and fun toy, and he can sit and stack them and knock them over for a great length of time. Price: $10-$15, depending on where you purchase them.

A few months back, I purchased the “Alpha B. Tical” puzzle set. This helps children learn the alphabet, colors and sorting. Each letter block fits into a coordinating space. The spaces each have a photo that aligns with the letter. I remember having puzzles like this when I was little, so perhaps I was being nostalgic when I was purchased it. My son is a bit too young to truly get the hang of his ABC’s, but there’s no harm in starting early! And his sorting skills are pretty fantastic. Price: $15-$18.

My son is obsessed with toys that can be pulled along behind him on a string. So obsessive, that it’s a daily occurrence in our home for us all to be walking in circles for an hour with a puppy on a string. It’s probably his favorite activity and I’m not stopping him because it’s great for his physical activity (and mine). Up to this point, we’ve only had two drag-along dogs. I won’t mention the brand, but each of them is excessively obnoxious. One squeaks and the other is both loud against our wood flooring, in addition to it barking and singing as we go in circles. So when I discovered B. toys the “Happy Go Puppy,” I was incredibly anxious to give it a go. Their drag along dog is not electronic (a huge plus for me, no excess noise, no batteries), and the wheels have a rubber rim that allows for fairly quiet dragging. The string is the perfect length for a little one. My son initially had some issues dragging the puppy along without tipping it over, but he quickly got the hang of it and actually chooses this puppy over his other two loud ones (thank you, B. toys for saving some of my sanity). Price: around $10.

The “Bouncy Boing Bizzi” is super fun. This bumble bee jumper keeps my hyper guy entertained. He likes to carry it around from room to room. I’m not sure why he’s so entertained by the stinger on the bee’s rear end, but the whole toy cracks me up. It’s a great exaggeration of a bumble bee and seeing my toddler jump around on it is entertaining. The bee comes with a pump and it took a minute or two to get it blown up. The bee is extremely durable and seems to stand up rather well to even pretty rough play. It’s an adorable design and a great addition to our play room.

And last but not least, my very favorite, the “Zany Zoo” activity cube. I kid you not, I played with this activity cube for hours with my little guy when it first arrived. There is so much on this cube that he was enthralled by each new activity. All four sides have different activities that require coordination and intent. The top is a combination of movable animals and wooden blocks that glide back and forth. In the world we live in where it seems like “screen time” is the go-to activity, seeing my son so completely engaged with this wooden toy really made my heart happy. This activity cube is thought out so incredibly well. Each activity is engaging, but the level of detail is meticulous and well-planned. The corners of the cube and the small wooden doors are even rounded off to avoid nasty cuts and bruises should your little one fall. Price: $50-$75. And make sure you click through these photos to see each of the sides and features of the cube!

I could not be more pleased with B. toys. These are toys that are durable and can be passed down from generation to generation. Thank you to B. toys for creating such thoughtful toys to engage our little ones!

Like what you see?

Keep an eye out, we’ll be having a giveaway with B. toys soon!

– Katie

B. toys donates a portion of each toy purchase to Free the Children.

**BurritoBuzz received some of these products at low or no cost for the purpose of review or testing. No compensation for a positive review was provided. All product reviews are based 100% off of our personal experiences and we never guarantee a positive review.**

**For the ease of the review, the REAL SnoofyBee is on the top or on the left in the pictures**

Have you tried the SnoofyBee or the knockoff brand? What do you think?

I received a full-sized product for the purpose of review and in consideration for my true, honest opinion. No compensation was received in exchange for a positive review.

Want to win your own?

****BurritoBuzz received this product free of charge for review purposes only. The opinions given in this review are that of our own and in no way have we been provided monetary compensation for guarantee of a positive review****

*Small Business Saturday is this week! They have some great deals going on, you don’t want to miss out!*

Want to win the Storybook Castle?

So here’s a recommendation!

Some details about the Flex shoe:

Technology:

For the ease of the review, the REAL SnoofyBee is on the top or on the left in the pictures

BurritoBuzz received this product free of charge for review purposes only. The opinions given in this review are that of our own and in no way have we been provided monetary compensation for guarantee of a positive review

Small Business Saturday is this week! They have some great deals going on, you don’t want to miss out!