Registry Must Haves – BurritoBuzz

Finn + Emma {Review}

Published on January 9, 2017January 3, 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! See the Fairytale collection in action here:

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

**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.**

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.**

MAM Pacifiers & Pacifier Wipes {Review}

Published on August 3, 2016July 30, 2016 by Megan Desiato - www.BurritoBuzz.comLeave a comment

I received the MAM pacifiers and pacifier wipes several weeks ago and so far so good! Two more great products from MAM!

Both of my kids have been “binky babies,” so I was kind of anxious to see if my nearly one year old (at the time) would take to a new brand of pacifier. Since birth, we have pretty much stuck to using the AVENT Freeflow Pacifier. I also used them for my daughter when she was younger. I never really shopped around or tried different ones, but these pacifiers seemed to work with my kids, so I stuck with them.

The MAM pacifiers I received are very similar. My son honestly didn’t miss a beat when I swapped his usual soother for the new ones – that’s a huge plus! Now, I do know that some kids are more particular about certain products, so I think it’s important to note that my kids really haven’t been picky when it comes to pacifiers, teethers, bottles, etc. The specific MAM pacifier I reviewed is the Glow in the Dark Night Orthodontic Pacifier 6+ months.

Here are some of its key features:

1. It glows in the dark – This is great! I thought this feature wouldn’t be that big of a deal to me, and then I saw how well it glowed in the crib in the dark room at night. I was immediately sold. It was so much easier to find! And I didn’t wake my little one in the process! The only part that glows in the dark is the portion directly opposite the nipple, not the entire shield.

2. Silicone nipple – The pacifier my little guy was used to was also silicone. I’m sure this made the transition easier for him. The silicone is said to feel “familiar, like mom,” so I thought this was important for my breastfed babies.

3. Symmetrical nipple is also “anti-slip”. I like that there isn’t a right or wrong side with these pacifiers. It just makes it more convenient and easier for babies to put their binkies in their mouth independently. It is also better for their incoming teeth. I honestly didn’t notice any differences with the “anti-slip.” You might notice this more with younger babies.

4. They’re BPA Free!

5. There are small openings on the curved pacifier shield. This is important to me because the holes allow air to circulate and my little guy’s skin to breathe better. I don’t have to worry about him getting rashy or his skin breaking down and he is comfortable with the curved shape!

6. MAM offers two sizes, 0-6 month and the 6+ month size pacifier to accommodate growing babies and their development.

7. $5.99 for a 2-pack on Amazon – you can’t beat the price! These pacifiers last and are of good quality. Perfect registry item or shower gift. Buy yours here: MAM Glow in the Dark Night Orthodontic Pacifier

To go along with my new pacifiers, I also reviewed MAM’s Pacifier Wipes. These were not a product that I was super accustomed to using. I’m a Mom who finds a bathroom and rinses off her baby supplies or applies the 5-second rule when things get dropped. I will admit, these were nice to have in a bind or on-the–go and their small size (each wipe is 4”x6”) made them even more convenient. I still would not consider them a “must- have.” 40 wipes come in the package and they are advertised as not containing any harsh chemicals and also as being non-toxic. They contain no alcohol, dyes, or parabens. To me, those are important things, especially when I’m wiping off items my kids are going to put right back in their mouths. I wasn’t crazy about the scent. It wasn’t overpowering, it was just unpleasant to me. You could use these to clean any baby item – teethers, toys, pacifiers, etc. You can purchase MAM Pacifier wipes on Amazon for $3.99 here: MAM Pacifier Wipes

Overall, I would give both products great ratings. My son adapted to the pacifier right away, which I think speaks volumes. Even though I wouldn’t use the wipes on a daily basis, they are smart and convenient to use, especially in a pinch.

Be sure to take a minute to visit MAM’s website to check out more of their innovative, and award-winning products for every stage of baby that they have been developing for the last 40 years!

You can also follow them on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook!

– Megan

MAM Sippy Cups {Review}

Published on July 23, 2016July 18, 2016 by Katie Kuceyeski1 Comment

Happy 40th Anniversary to MAM! What a huge accomplishment!

When my son was little, he had the most horrible reflux. He was on medication, slept at an incline and after two choking incidents, he was using a breathing monitor. Needless to say, we had to switch his food and bottles to help accommodate his needs. We ended up swearing by MAM! Their bottles were a lifesaver for us.

So of course we were thrilled to be able to review one of their hard spout sippy cups!

Their Fun to Drink cup is a pretty typical hard-spout cup, a new product to their line!

MAM Learn to Drink Cup, Unisex, 9 Ounces, 1-Count

A few silicone pieces on the inside slide in to create the seal for the spout. It’s important to remove all of these pieces when washing to eliminate the risk of harmful bacteria.
The cup was simple to assemble and it’s easy to take apart and wash.
The spout itself is a little longer than a typical spout, which I thought was great for little ones who are learning to use the spout or prefer straw cups; it gives them the sensation that they’re still using a straw.
The spout has three holes and so far, it has been totally leak proof for us.
The cup holds 9 ounces and comes in a variety of colors. It is recommended for babies 8+ months and it costs around $6.99.
It’s dishwasher safe. BPA-free, PVC-free, Lead-free,and CPSIA-compliant. It’s specially formulated to withstand steam sterilization in the microwave, as well.

Their Sports Cup is like a typical hard spout sippy, but the valve makes it function more like a water bottle.

MAM Sports Cup, Boy, 11 Ounces, 1-Count

The spout comes apart completely for easy and thorough cleaning.
It is larger than their other cups, it holds 11 oz and costs $6.99.
I really appreciated the cap for travel! I really don’t like when bottles or sippy cups aren’t able to be sealed.
Spill proof thanks to their patented valve system. I shook and messed with this cup and it was genuinely spill proof.
Easy to hold due to non-slip grip. It isn’t a completely smooth plastic.
Unique, curved shape
Eye catching designs.
The sports cup is recommended for ages 12 + months.
Like their other cups, it is also dishwasher safe. BPA-free, PVC-free, Lead-free and CPSIA-compliant.

MAM combines technological innovation, medical function and contemporary design to develop superior baby care products that support baby’s development from day one. Since MAM developed its first pacifier in Vienna in 1976, it has evolved to become a global authority on baby care product design and quality. Today, MAM products are used by families in over 60 countries and in five continents. To find out more and view MAM’s range of award-winning pacifiers, bottles, cups, teethers, oral care items, coordinating accessories and gift sets, visit www.mambaby.com.

Be sure to follow MAM on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and on Facebook!

– Katie & Amanda

{Jellycat} My Favorite Baby Shower Gift

Published on July 7, 2016July 6, 2016 by AmandaLeave a comment

I adore all things baby. I mean, who doesn’t? Baby clothes and toys are just adorable 100% of the time. When we had a shower for BK#1, we received our first Jellycat and I fell in love! Above is our little Jellycat collection.

Woodland Fox Woodland Owl Bashful Hippo Bashful Monkey

These are my favorite stuffed animals and the cutest ones I have ever come across. They are a cross between a beanie baby and a super plush stuffed animal. The hands and feet generally have the beanies and the rest is an amazingly plush body. I love that they are all an A-line design. Meaning that the neck is generally smaller than the rest of the body, making it really easy for a younger child to hold. They are the perfect size for a little one to carry around.

They are all suitable from birth!
Made of polyester, filled plastic pellets and all have plastic eyes
Spot clean only
They’re available in multiple sizes and styles. All of ours are 12 inches.

Besides being very lovable, Jellycat made them even better and matched them up with their own board books! Each character has its own book. They are all little sensory baby books, but BK#1 is two now and still asks me to read them on a daily basis!

I also have never had a stuffed animal that has held up this well! Technically, you aren’t supposed to wash them but we all know sometimes you have no other option. The monkey in the picture has been washed more times than I can count and it still looks and feels like its new! I honestly should buy a second monkey to have a backup because I don’t even want to think about what would happen if BK#1 didn’t have it to sleep with.

The price is based on the style and size but they are generally around $15-$25. The books are usually $12.50 but sometimes you can find a sale on Amazon or at your local boutique!

Visit Jellycat.com to see all of the styles and products that they carry.

If you have a baby sprinkle or shower coming up and can’t decide what to buy, a Jellycat stuffed animal and book set would be the perfect gift!

– Amanda

Leaky Diaper? There’s a Solution!

Published on June 29, 2016June 29, 2016 by Katie Kuceyeski2 Comments

Diapers. They’re so frustrating, but so very necessary.

As new parents, my husband and I found ourselves constantly switching brands and sizes. One would be too big, not absorbent enough, irritated our baby’s skin, etc. When we finally found a diaper combo we liked, it seemed like our son was still sometimes wetting through his nighttime diaper. We use Huggies Snug and Dry during the day and Huggies Overnights at night, one size larger than he wears during the day.

Our son sleeps through the night now, but sometimes we wake up to find him soaking wet. We had tried everything – bigger diapers, different diapers, double diapers. Nothing was working. We were so tired of our guy being uncomfortable, whether he slept through it or not, and even more tired of all of the laundry, especially because we both work and were often scrambling to get sheets off the crib mattress and into the wash. So much laundry. So much pee.

I felt like I tried everything, until recently when I did another search for a solution. I stumbled upon diaper booster pads, and thought why the hell not? I ordered them, and thanks to Amazon Prime, they were at my doorstep two days later. The booster pads run $10 for a pack of 30. Essentially, they are just an extra layer of cotton that you’re placing in your baby or toddler’s diaper for extra absorption.

The cotton is great for babies with even the most sensitive skin. Amazon reviews on them show consistent 4 and 5 star ratings.

I’m thrilled to say that we haven’t had one single diaper leak since starting to use these at bed time. We change our son’s diaper right before bed, ensure that he hasn’t drank anything for about an hour before and we place the booster pad in his Huggies Overnight diaper. The pad doesn’t move.

We did not have to fold our booster pad in half, but I’ve seen that many parents recommend folding it in half. For us, the single layer of extra padding has worked wonderfully. My only true regret is not finding these sooner, because I seriously loathe laundry.

These are a one-size-fits-all and are highly recommended for any parent dealing with leaky diapers. We aren’t potty training yet, but I’ve seen that many parents use these while potty training, too!

Want to try them out for yourself? Grab yours here:
Sposie Booster Pads Diaper Doublers, 30 Pads

– Katie

Bambino Bib {Review}

Published on June 8, 2016June 7, 2016 by Katie KuceyeskiLeave a comment

I recently purchased a few Bambino bibs, after being frustrated with the bibs that I had. Now that my son is eating mostly finger foods, he’s dropping bits and pieces all over the place. I was getting pretty tired of picking pieces of food off the floor, out of the crevices in the high chair, and even pulling pieces out from the inside of my son’s shirts.

While my son still throws food all over, this bib has really solved my problem of the food pieces ending up in his lap during meal time. The bib has a large area for catching food that stays open (a problem I had with other bibs was that the “catcher” portion didn’t hold its shape and often ended up flush against the bib.. doing very little good for its intended purpose.

The Bambino bib has a silicone pocket, but the top portion is comfortable because it is made of nylon, a huge improvement from bibs that are silicon the entire way up.

The back closure is Velcro, but I was absolutely amazed by the quality. It isn’t the sort of Velcro that is raised and easily scratches skin. Instead, it is a flat and soft Velcro that won’t hurt your baby should it brush up against their skin.

It also rolls up for travel. This is ideal for a restaurant where, as a parent, I don’t want to be the person cleaning up the high chair and floor for 30 minutes after my family has finished eating. The bib contains the mess, and you can quickly wipe it out and be on your way.

It currently comes in four colors: pink, yellow, green, and blue.

A two pack retails $24.45 on Amazon. For me personally, this is a steep price point. Purchasing it on sale helps (currently $19.45 on Amazon.) Realistically, you’d spend this much on a week’s worth of cloth bibs that need washed every day. Instead, this gives you the option to purchase two that can be quickly cleaned and reused day after day. Still, the price is the only hindrance I see in this product. They would make for a great registry add on item.

BambinoCo baby bibs (free of BPA, phthalates & bPVC) are FDA approved & safe. Machine-washable. I have even put mine in the dishwasher and it’s held up great.

I love this bib, and I definitely give it five stars!
Grab your own here:
Pack of 2 BambinoCo Soft Silicone Bibs – Easily Adjustable & Comfortable Roll up Silicone Pocket Baby Bibs – Soft, Hygienic, Durable & Machine Washable – Attractive Blue & Green

-Katie

**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 and we never guarantee a positive review.**

“The best ‘rash’ decision you’ll ever make”

Published on May 22, 2016May 20, 2016 by Katie KuceyeskiLeave a comment

Now that my son is 15 months old, I’ve tried a good number of diaper rash creams/ointments. He’s been pretty fortunate, in that he doesn’t get diaper rash often and when he does, it’s usually fairly minor. That being said, I use some kind of ointment every diaper change as a preventative measure. Keeping him comfortable means less chaos in the long run for me.

I had heard of Pinxav (pronounced “pink salve”) several times, especially since I’m so immersed in baby culture because of my involvement with this blog. I hadn’t seen it on a shelf anywhere, which is why I hadn’t purchased it. Thankfully, after reaching out to their awesome team, they sent me some samples to try.

Better yet, I didn’t realize that Pinxav is operated from Cleveland, OH, just about an hour north of where I live. I really love promoting products that are both great quality and also run locally. And an essential to me, Pinxav is NOT tested on animals.

The packaging is great, a typical tube container with a cute design and old-world feel. To say that it’s old world isn’t untrue, Pinxav was developed in 1927 by a group of doctors and pharmacists. Their rash treatment contains 30% zinc oxide, which is considered to be the most effective ingredient in healing diaper rash. They have a solid list of ingredients, all thoughtfully explained on their website for the interested parent.

So my test: I was apprehensive about the cream being pink, thinking that it would stain. However, I found the opposite to be true. The use of the very light pink ointment blended into my baby’s skin better than the stark white ointment I typically use. While it leaves pink on the diaper, I’ve found that it isn’t ending up anywhere else and it’s not staining.

I was pleased with how quickly this cream healed the irritated sections of skin. My toddler had some very mild rash/redness and within 3 uses the redness had dissipated almost entirely.

My favorite aspect of this product? It smells great. I’d say a good 80% of diaper rash creams smell absolutely rancid. This is not the case with Pinxav.

This product is slightly more expensive than what I like to spend on a diaper rash cream, but it works, smells great, and is an ethical product. Those items make it worth the cost, but I’d love to see the price lowered by $2-3 a tube.

Uses for Pinxav include:

Babies (Diaper Rash) – Pinxav provides a protective coating for a baby’s bottom. Daily application to clean, dry skin will guard against and help relieve diaper rash.

Active Adults (Rashes and Chapped Skin) – Pinxav provides protection, prevents rashes and chapped skin caused by rubbing and perspiration. Apply before biking and other athletic activities.

Seniors (Protection) – Pinxav provides relief and helps prevent against dry, cracked skin. Use over sun-block for extra protection from sunburn. Use to prevent rashes and to soothe minor skin irritations.

Homebound (Rashes) – Pinxav helps provides comfort to those who are less active and will help protect areas exposed to dampness caused by possible incontinence.

Everyday Uses – Pinxav can also be used for everyday first aid to protect skin from minor scrapes, burns, sunburn, acne and other skin irritations.

Caution: If prolonged skin irritation occurs, consult a physician. Avoid contact with the eyes and do not apply to open wounds. Avoid getting on clothing. The adhesive quality of Pinxav will cause stains on fabric.

Want to purchase your own? Ask for it at your local pharmacy or click the link and add some to your cart!
PINXAV DIAPER RASH CREAM 4 OZ

-Katie

Photos copyright of Kuceyeski Photography.

Guava Family Lotus Crib {Review}

Published on April 13, 2016June 5, 2016 by Katie Kuceyeski4 Comments

My son is now 14 months old. He is weighing in at 26lbs. and a very tall 34in. Meaning, he’s over the limits, or close to the limits, for most traditional pack n’ plays.

Crazy, right? While we aren’t a family that is super keen on the idea of a pack n’ play for every day use, let’s be honest… sometimes they are necessary to get the bathroom scrubbed, throw in some laundry, or just sit down for a second instead of chasing your baby/toddler around.

A pack n’ play is a safe place for your little one, and the peace of mind that comes with that makes the purchase worthwhile.

So, what was I going to do? Travel was going to be harder– many vacation spots don’t offer cribs, and we aren’t co-sleepers.

Upon Googling “large toddler pack n’ play” I stumbled upon a few options, the Guava Lotus being one of them (and the top rated, as far as I could tell.) The lower shelf of the crib sits on the floor, making it safer for those higher-weight babies/toddlers.

Fascinated, I checked out all the facts on the website and quickly decided that this was a great option for us.

Purchase yours here: http://www.guavafamily.com/ 

Why?

-The travel crib is so much more than just a place to sleep. The side unzips so that my son can crawl in and out when he’s playing. Great for the beach (and you can purchase a sun shade for this,) outside camping, or just for making a fun fort in the living room (which we did.) The side zip has a zipper safety so that your little one can’t undo it.

–The Lotus is light. I have some pretty bad lower back problems, so a traditional pack n’ play wasn’t cutting it for me. The Lotus is 13lbs, and easily moved around.

-Set up and tear down could not be any easier. In a matter of seconds, I can have this set up, or torn down.

–The mattress is much better than a standard pack n’ play. I found myself un-enthused with the cardboard-like structure of most, and this one is an exception. It has a nice amount of cushion while still being within safety guidelines. It also has a coating to keep it waterproof.

-The 360 mesh sides bring comfort in knowing that if my guy smashes his face up against the sides, he’ll be able to breath just fine.

-The mesh and guard rails easily come off if washing is necessary.

–Legs have extra padding on the inside, just in case your little one falls or likes to bang their head on things (which, my son does…)

–Optional accessories: sheet, quilted mattress pad, sun shade, mosquito net.

-The best part to me? This whole thing folds up in to a super portable backpack, with padded straps and all. It stores on an airplane in the overhead storage, as well. The quick design, and portability, make traveling much less daunting.

Overall, I have very few complaints. The design shows immense time in engineering, and attention to detail. It was a purchase worth making in my book.

This WILL run you a good $250, unless you can get it on sale. The accessories are not included, and are also pretty pricey. To make this mainstream, I’d like to see this running consistently at $175 with a sheet and sun shade included.

There is a bassinet, as well, which comes separately. Ideal for new parents that want their LO in their bedroom for the first few weeks/months.

This has been one of my favorite baby purchases so far. We enjoy traveling, and it’s nice to have a quick, safe place for my guy to hang out and snooze. We hope to use this for years to come! Thanks to Guava Family for providing a great product.

-Katie

Water Bottle of the Gods {Review}

Published on April 1, 2016March 31, 2016 by Katie KuceyeskiLeave a comment

If you don’t have a Camelbak cup yet, you don’t know what you’re missing out on! After months of spilled milk (actually worth crying over when it’s in your carpet,) I’ve finally found a great straw cup.

I, no joke, purchased probably 20 sippy cups in hot pursuit of one that worked. How hard can a freaking sippy cup be to execute? Cup after cup, I found myself aggravated and seething with anger that all that money spent on sippy cups could have gone to Chipotle burritos.

We’ve done a great many reviews on sippy cups on BurritoBuzz, most of which have been bad. Happily, this one is vastly different.

The Camelbak cup is simple. It is a larger-than-usual straw cup that the baby/toddler must both bite down and suck to get liquid out. I thought it might be a tricky concept for my son, but he got the hang of it within minutes. The cup is four pieces, and is simple to take apart and clean.

I’ve found it numerous times laying sideways on the floor and it hasn’t leaked. The straw portion also folds down to prevent any possible spillage when not in use.

Two things I dislike:

If you little one is teething and biting, they may be able to push the straw all the way in. My guy has only done this twice, because it’s pretty hard to do. When this does happen it creates a mess, but I’ve found that if I really make sure the straw is secure it’s a non-issue.
This water bottle wouldn’t work well for littles that are just learning. The straw is too big/difficult to use. I’d recommend starting the use of the Camelbak cup around 8-9 months.

The cup comes in all kinds of great colors and designs. And while they’re a little pricier than a typical sippy cup, ($10-$12,) they are worth the funds. Instead of spending $100 on 20 cups you’ll throw away, spend $20 on two that you’ll use until your LO is done with sippy cups.

I strongly recommend this to any parent or caretaker looking for a good cup option. Add it to your registry, buy it as a gift… it’s a well-designed product!

-Katie

Baby Safety

Published on March 2, 2016March 1, 2016 by Katie KuceyeskiLeave a comment

My son has become a running, climbing maniac in the last month. I kid you not (pun intended.) I baby-proof one thing, and he finds something else I need to remove from the room.

So, here are my most recent baby-proofing tips:

Corner-protectors. I thought I could live without them, until my son nearly gouged out an eyeball falling. So, the Caring Corners gel guards are now on all corners in my living room. They are incredibly easy to use, and remove. You can get them for $13-16 for an 8 pack on Amazon. The nice thing about these for us: our TV stand isn’t flat on all sides, but they still affixed to the gel protector and stayed on very well.

Baby-Keeps Latches. I actually ended up buying two packs of these, because I loved them so much. Easy to use, and remove. And best of all? You can open them with one hand (which is more practical since we often have a baby/child in the other arm.) These run $20 for 6, and each box comes with a free gift (which is a little snail stick on that keeps doors from closing on your child’s fingers. Great bonus.) You can also snag these on Amazon.

Baby gates. I have several. One of which closes automatically. Sometimes, this is practical, but other times I just want it to stay the EFF open. So, my husband Polish-rigged it with a command strip and hook. Genius, and cheap.

Outlet covers. Obvious. Sometimes you don’t have them though, so use a band-aid as a quick fix until you can pick some up.

Munchkin Latch: I use these on my appliances, particularly my oven, which CAN fall over if the door isn’t properly secured.

Easy DIY Crib Rail Guards: Not only do I not want my little teething baby to destroy the rails of his convertible crib, I also would prefer that he not eat paint and wood chips. Perhaps that’s just me. Either way, you can find the DIY instructions here.

Wiremold: We had wires running along the walls in our living room. I thought it was all kosher, until my son started ripping them from the wall and trying to eat them. Yum. You can get cheap, easy to use wiremold, again, on Amazon.

TV Straps: If your TV is up high, no worries. Ours, however, is not. We quickly realized we needed to secure ours (we secured ours to the TV stand instead of to the wall.) TV Straps can be found here.

No Bulb Nightlight: For obvious reasons, you probably don’t want your LO crushing glass in their palms. This night light comes in a two pack, and there is no bulb that can be crushed by your tiny minion.

For those with cat trees: Secure those suckers to the wall. We have a three-story cat tree that my son recently tried to climb and pull to the floor. It’s heavy, and could really do some damage. We used furniture brackets, but you can use furniture straps just as easily.

An item to avoid? Foam molding. We used it, and it absolutely ruined the finish of our furniture. There are plenty of Pinterest solutions that will work better (like cutting pool noodles in half.)

Remember, all of these solutions are so temporary. You’ll likely have your home baby-proofed with gates and latches for about a year, sometimes a little more. Look for the affordable options! Here are some other great DIY baby-proofing solutions!

-Katie

The Registry Items BurritoBuzz Moms Can’t Live Without!

Published on February 14, 2016February 14, 2016 by Amanda1 Comment

I don’t know about you, but I loved doing my baby registry! I was so excited to plan and prepare for my baby! Well, as months passed after BK#1 arrived, I realized I had forgotten a few items! Even worse, seeing a friend have one item that does what 10 of yours does!

The BurritoBuzz moms got together and compiled a list of “must have” items that we just couldn’t live without!

NURSERY

Rock N Play – A sleeper that is inclined to help with reflux, rocks to soothe back to sleep, portable to move from room to room, vibrates, and the cover is machine washable! All of our moms have used this and would purchase it again! MUST for those first few months.

Pack n play with a bassinet – Like a Graco Play yard. It’s great alternative instead of a typical bassinet in your room. You have changing table, storage, and bed all right there.

Aden and Anais Swaddles – Get them from a Boutique near you so you get the high quality. {Boutiques get the ones that are bigger and thicker than the ones in a chain store.}

BATH & DAIPERING

A&D Diaper cream– It works for everything! Prevents and soothes diaper rash!

Boppy changing pad liners– These are AMAZING! It’s a waterproof liner to put on top of your pretty pad cover! Pee or poo mess? Just toss it in the wash! So much nicer than having to buy multiple covers.

Diapers – Buy more than you think you need, and put every size on your registry!

GEAR

Diaper Bag– We all have our favorites, but be sure to get one with a lot of space and pockets. Back pack style is a life saver if you have more than one child!

Swing – The Fisher Price Swing is great! Its mobile, small, entertaining, and keeps a fussy baby happy! By far my favorite swing on the market, and it’s much cheaper than most!

Infant to Toddler Chair– One like this is a must. Your baby will love sitting in anything that is not theirs, and having something that is safe for them is important! The swings and newborn items are essential, but aren’t safe after 20 or so pounds.

Good Monitor – This is not an item you want to cheap out on. The cheap ones are just that- CHEAP! They don’t last, and you will be kicking yourself when it dies in 6 months. I have tired multiple simple radio monitors, video “baby” monitors, and we have finally found our favorite! It’s the GE wireless Monitor. We have cameras in two rooms, it’s still a radio frequency (no creeps hacking in this house), and its works great!

Infant Carrier Car Seat -30 + lbs.! When you have a 3 month old that is 20 lbs. chances are you don’t feel comfortable putting them in a convertible car seat, and if the weather if cold and gross you don’t want them exposed to the elements. Finding a higher end seat that will last, is well worth your money.

Car mirror – These have been a life saver! Neither of my kids like the car! If they start getting fussy I can click the garage door-like button and start some music and lights to distract them! We bought one two years ago, and another when BK#2 was born and I seriously can’t live without!

Stroller – You will want one that is sturdy and that has varying levels of height for your baby! A click and connect stroller is nice, because it lasts from birth to 50 lbs!

Soft structured Carrier. – Baby wearing has saved our lives! Skin to skin soothes any baby! it helps with reflux, lets you get things done….The list goes on for days. Tula is one of our favorites!

Baby Care & Play

Gas drops – alcohol free gas drops! Little remedies works wonders!

Natural body wash and lotion –The more you read the more you will hate buying the popular lines of things for your child! I promise! Check out this post to find out more!

Teethers – Teething is a nightmare. Put a dozen different types on your registry, and literally have dozens, because you will want them everywhere, and you will want to wash them daily!

Taggy – Taggy’s soothe my babies so easily! They are cute, easy to pop in the wash, and make the baby happy! Taggies Pal and Taggies lovey are our favorites!

FEEDING

Lanolin – Lansinoh brand is the best you can get! If you are planning on nursing be sure to stock up. You can read more why here.

Nursing Pillow– Even if you are not nursing, a “nursing” pillow is great for feeding, propping and play!

Bottles –MAM seem to be the unanimous favorite! They are a little bit pricey, but start there to alleviate/ prevent any type of reflux.

Pacifier – Soothie or MAM (These MAM ones glow in the dark! If your baby will take them try them first!) are the favorites around here! I said I never wanted my babies to have them….I quickly changed my mind at 3 am day 4 of my first baby. I promise they wont go to college with them, and with some tough love in a year you can break them of it!

Burp cloths– Gerber diapers! If you have a baby that spits up at all the “burp clothes” are more like wash cloths, and don’t do ANYTHING! Save yourself time and money, and just buy the diapers. They are white, so if you need to you can bleach them, and they are super absorbent!

Breast Pumps – Manual single (for on the go) and Double electric –Medela. The BurritoBuzz mommas have tried multiple brands and we will just save you time and money and tell you ITS NOT WORTH IT buying the cheaper ones! And 99.9% of the time your insurance will cover one!

Medela hands free pump bra – If you are a working mother this is crucial! You tend to only get a 15 minute break to pump in, and that tends not to be enough! This is a time saver! You can hook up, eat, check your email, or even just sit at your desk and pump if you have your own office! (When I worked when BK#1 was little, I made a sign like this to hang on my office door, so I didn’t even have to think about someone walking in!)

CLOTHING

Halo sleep sack – IF your baby is like mine, he hated being swaddled, but also hated being cold! This is a life saver!

Zip up nighties – I am not sure why they even make button ones. Don’t buy them, and ask people NOT to buy them. GET THE ZIP UP ones! In the middle of the night you wont want to fumble with the buttons, and when you see that you missed one you wont care, but then you will go fix your sleeping baby in fear they will get a draft and be cold. These for example!

Socks– There are simply never enough! They get lost so much easier than adult socks.

Onsies – I put them under most outfits to keep the baby warm and cozy!

Mitts– I hated the way these looked, but the first time your baby scratches themselves in the face you will never go without a baby mitt!

*More clothes than you think you will need* <<< And take a look at sizing before you start buying clothes. Its super frustrating, and if you know before hand it will make it a little easier to shop for your LO.

I can almost guarantee we forgot something, but we went over this list multiple times and between the 5 of us you should be covered!!

Be sure to use a good checklist when making your first registry, so you don’t forget the basics that we might not have mentioned!

What was your favorite baby item? What did you have to go buy that you didn’t get?

~Amanda and the BurritoBuzz Momma’s

Lil’ Leona Baby Wash {Organic Review}

Published on February 8, 2016February 5, 2016 by Katie Kuceyeski1 Comment

Alright, guys. As a parent, I obviously always want what is best for my baby.

Sometimes I’m naive.
Sometimes I’m over-educated.
Sometimes I’m just trying to survive.

(Mostly the third one.)

So I feed my guy as much organic food as I can. I try pretty diligently, but also know that he’s going to be exposed to a lot out of my control… because, let’s face it, America is really slacking on healthy food/products (you can do some research on this, but I personally was amazed by the number of things banned in other countries that are acceptable here.)

When it came to body washes/lotions… I just didn’t think about it. I received a ton of Johnson & Johnson baby toiletries at my baby shower, and proceeded to use them, not realizing what I was exposing my baby to. Really, you can google various baby products that are carried at large retail chains and might be shocked at some of the information you find. If you want to read just one of the MANY articles I found, you can check it out here. It’s hard to find the time to research all of this stuff, and I get REALLY frustrated that products have such poor/misleading labeling.

So outside of just those factors: I noticed my son really hating bath time. Even if I avoided getting water in his face, he almost always would splash some into his eyes. His eyes would get red and irritated. I thought this stuff was tear-free? Also, a lie. Most shampoos for babies aren’t actually tear free, which you can read about here and here.

I went on a mission to find something that was GOOD for my baby and wouldn’t irritate his eyes. There isn’t much on the shelves at a standard grocery store (if you’re lucky enough to have a Babies R Us close by, you might find some California Baby or Honest Company.)

I found a company called Leona, and their baby wash+shampoo had amazing ratings, and was 100% natural and organic. I ordered it, and am thrilled with the purchase.

This wash is a little pricier, $14 for 16 oz. That being said, it takes less than a dime-sized amount to wash my entire tiny human from head to toe. It has a very light floral scent, but cannot be detected after washed off.

I also noticed that my son’s hair is softer, and seems cleaner somehow. There is no residue left behind.

I am absolutely in love with this product and what the company stands for! Check them out and consider testing this alternative to the typical Johnson & Johnson products!

-Katie

Nenu {Product Review} for Teething Little Ones!

Published on January 31, 2016January 29, 2016 by Katie Kuceyeski1 Comment

My 11 month old son has been teething forever. I quite literally mean, since almost the moment he escaped the womb. He started teething on everything around 2 months old, and popped his first tooth at 9 months. Since then it’s been a constant gnawing, chewing on everything (including his crib rails and my living room end tables,) drooling, chaos-filled marathon of trying to grow some teeth. Really though, growing little bone fragments from your face must be as painful as it sounds. I digress… As parents we just want to do what we can that is SAFE for our little tooth-growing-monsters.

In our household we use teethers, cold washcloths, amber necklaces, and the occasional night-time Tylenol. I prefer to use medication as a last-resort. I probably own about 20 teethers in total, but so far the Nenu Family teethers are my favorite.

Why?

-Two fun shapes that are EASY for little ones to hold on to. (They offer two shapes, the teether bud and teether bug.)

-Safety tested, and certified. Medical grade material.

-Free of the junk (junk=phthalate, latex, vinyl, and BPA.)

-100% made in the USA (manufactured in Seattle)

-The teethers don’t collect hair. (If you have teethers, you know what I’m talking about. I wash mine daily because they seem to pick up every kind of lint in the house. EW.) These ones aren’t sticky.

-The teethers are made to reach all teeth, so that they can be used for years (even for those molars!)

-The textures are GREAT. Ridges and indents are ideal to help ease those hurting gums.

-The spoon and fork, separate from the teethers, are great for learning. They have prongs that hold the gross parts off the table.

-The teethers are $10 a piece from the website, or slightly more if you look on Amazon. Most teethers range from $7-$10, so overall very parallel to the rest of the market.

Great job on a product that my LO loves, Nenu! Hope to see you expanding into major markets soon; we need more products like this!

-Katie

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