registryitems – BurritoBuzz

Sophie la girafe: A must for little ones

Published on August 19, 2016August 17, 2016 by Casey SehmLeave a comment

Teething babies are the worst. Plan and simple, teething sucks. Sometimes you get lucky and have a baby that doesn’t show he or she is in pain, so you’d never even know they’re teething at all. My first daughter was like that; you’d never know she was cutting a tooth because she was still happy-go-lucky like she always was. My second daughter is a whole different story. Of course every baby is different but she is reeeeally unhappy lately. She’s working on her bottom two teeth and she’s just a fussy, drooling mess. I’ve tried silicone teething necklaces and bracelets that she likes to chew on when I’m holding her. But when I’m not holding, I’m won’t leave her alone (while I do the dishes or laundry) with a necklace.

Ever since my oldest was born almost four years ago, I’ve seen little ones always chewing on a rubber giraffe named Sophie. It seemed to be a big hit with babies and parents alike, but I never took the plunge and spent the $25 to get her one (being a stay at home mom and only having one income, things were and still are financially tight). But with my youngest being a tiny teething terror at a young age, I reached out to Vulli, who makes Sophie la girafe, to collaborate with Burrito Buzz on a review. They were sweet enough to send us a gift set with a Sophie la girafe for my youngest and flash cards for my oldest

As soon as I opened Sophie and washed her, I handed her to my almost five month old and she immediately snatched her by the leg and starting gnawing on her head. Sophie was so easy for her to handle and actually keep a hold of. The way the giraffe is shaped, with its long neck and legs, it allows for little hands to grab any part of it and bring it to their little mouths.

Sophie also has the cutest little face; I think she’s just adorable! In fact, her face has stayed the same since she was born in France in 1961. She’s made of 100% natural latex rubber, which comes exclusively from Hevea trees growing in Malaysia. Sophie is an award-winning toy not only with little ones and their parents, but among the toy industry as well. My one and only gripe with Sophie is that she squeaks like a dog toy which drives my dog, Mesa, insane. My oldest runs around squeaking as much as she can to taunt him. I know that one day he’s going to snatch her and it’ll be game over for our beloved Sophie. But we’re going to enjoy the relief it brings my baby until then.

Sophie came in a gift set ($31.28) that included flash cards for my almost four year old. She’s starting her second year of preschool and we’ve been working on letters and numbers all summer and these flashcards are perfect to continue practicing! They’re quality made with bright and colorful pictures. The 26 cards each have a unique picture on them so she can familiarize with the alphabet (A is for Apple with a picture of an apple, for example). They’ll be perfect for when she starts spelling words, too! I love that I can use these cards with the baby when she gets a little older to learn objects, letters, etc. Sophie la girafe’s picture is on the left hand corner of each card, which little ones will love as they can learn with their Sophie!

Sophie is definitely be a permanent fixture (until Mesa gets her) in our house. I just love how easy it is for the baby to chew on her and our baby actually gets relief. I give Sophie la girafe and the gift set a 5 out of 5 stars. It’s the perfect gift for both toddlers and babies and a great gift for baby showers. I totally get the hype of Sophie la girafe now, our family just adores her! I really wish I would have spent the $25 a few years ago; I know my oldest would have loved her just as much!

Be sure to check out Sophie la girafe website, as there are many more amazing products; gift sets, teethers and rattles, early learning toys, and bath, mealtime and travel products to name a few! We also have a discount code exclusively for Burrito Buzz readers, use code BURRITOBUZZ10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase! {Code valid until 9.17.16}

Don’t forget to follow Sophie on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter to stay updated on products and sales!

– Casey

**Burrito Buzz received this product at low or no cost for the purpose of product review. 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

**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.**

{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

Gun Safety In The Home

Published on July 3, 2016July 3, 2016 by AmandaLeave a comment

Self-defense is a very big part of my family’s life. My husband is in law enforcement and keeping our family safe is extremely important to us.

There is a lot of debate about gun control right now, but I am not going to get into that here. Owning a gun is your right and your choice. If your family makes that choice, it needs to be an safe and educated choice! BurritoBuzz is not taking a stance on your gun rights. This is merely an informational article.

I am personally not an expert. These safety tips are just from my family’s safety practices, years of education and experiences.

Twelve steps to safely have a gun in your home.

Always use a safe. Your safe should be specifically made for guns and it should only hold guns, you should have a completely different safe for personal belongings. Even if the kids know there are guns in the home, they shouldn’t know where the safe is or have any type of access to it even if they are within age of teaching gun safety. There should always be parental supervision even when teaching.
Gunvault GV1000S Mini Vault Standard Gun Safe This is a simple hand gun safe that we have. I really like it for two reasons. One, you can bolt it anywhere you want to conceal it and two, you don’t have to fumble around for keys. (There is a key provided, but not necessary to open)
Learn how to properly handle a firearm. Whether you take a CCW class or a small class at your local range, you need to learn about your personal gun to ensure proper safety and use make sure you are knowledgeable in your specific firearm.
Practice. You have a gun for emergencies. It is not going to do you any good if you don’t know how to handle it properly. I’m not saying you have to go to the range every weekend, but you should go at least once or twice so you feel comfortable having it in your home and now how to properly handle it.
Ease of access. The gun needs to be secured in a hidden safe but somewhere where you can get to it easily.
Teach everyone in your home about firearm safety. Read up on Project child safe and get here their free firearm safety kit!
Always unload and clean your gun after every use. Any firearm should also be cleaned on a regular basis even, when not in use, to keep it clean from dust and to prevent any rust.
All guns should be treated as if they were loaded. When not actually in use, remember to point it in a safe direction and be sure it is unloaded.
Keep your finger off the trigger.
Always keep your safety in place.
Your children and “Gun play”. It is a very real activity. Even if you don’t have any play guns in your own home, be sure to teach your children the difference between toy guns and real guns, because they may encounter “gun play” when you’re not around.
Talk to your children at a young age about gun safety. Teach them to do the following if they see a gun: “Stop. Don’t Touch. Find an adult to tell.” My husband carries a gun on him at times and my two year old knows not to touch it when it’s attached to daddy (or ever for that matter). Even if you aren’t going to have your gun around your children, please teach them those three steps. It is a simple lesson and it may save a life.
Check state and local laws for storage, transport, and securing requirements. Here is a great overview.

As parents, we are always worrying about our children. We are always worrying if we are doing the right or wrong thing for them. No matter how you do it, I can assure you that if you are taking steps to protect them, you are doing the right thing no matter how you choose to do protect them. If you choose to have a gun in your home, please do it safely! Guns are not toys or collectables. I will be sure to post more about gun safety at the end of this post. The more you educate yourself about this topic, the safer you and your family will be!

– Amanda

Cake Maternity Nursing Bra {Review}

Published on June 17, 2016June 17, 2016 by AmandaLeave a comment

Maternity and nursing apparel can be fun and exciting to shop for, but I have always found it inevitably frustrating. Nothing I found ever fit the way I really wanted it to or it wasn’t as comfortable as it should have been. I started transitioning into nursing bras about halfway through my pregnancies for a few reasons. My milk came in super early, so I needed something that would clean up easily and with that, I grew very quickly. My bras now needed to be a little more comfortable.

After two babies I have found that nursing bras either are functional or they are cute, never both. I was always frustrated that I could never find a bra that was supportive enough for my surprise DD’s and not frumpy. Anything that was lacy and pretty ended up being too thin and not giving enough support, or had super stiff underwire making it extremely uncomfortable. Some companies have cute “demi” styles which I quickly found out that a leaking nip creeping out the top of your bra is not fun! The comfortable ones are basically rectangle cotton sports bras. But you can’t classify them as sports bras because they are not supportive at all. I found myself buying every nursing bra I saw, in hopes it would be a new favorite.

I have a ridiculously large stash of horrible bras. It’s sad, really.

Cake Maternity and I started working together about a month ago. I was honored when they wanted to collaborate to get some breastfeeding education out there, and even more excited when they wanted me to try out their nursing bra. But I have to admit, I didn’t have high hopes. The bras looked awesome, they have done a lot of research and cater to women so well, but I had been stuck with my comfy-frumpy bra for so long that I didn’t think I would find something.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.

You know the phrase “you can’t have your cake and eat it too”? Well you can if you are wearing “Cake”! Happy boobs are making me corny.

I tried the Cake Lingerie Plunge Maternity Nursing Fig Mousse Non-wire Padded Bra,Slate,36D UK/36D US and Cake Lingerie Maternity Nursing Croissant Smoothing Seamfree Flexi-wire Bra,Nude,36F UK/36G US

Pros:

So comfortable while also attractive. Even though they are simple bras, I didn’t feel like I was wearing a nursing bra. My husband even said “If I didn’t see the snaps you would never know if was a nursing bra!”

It’s supportive. You will notice that in the picture of the first bra (wire free), the bottom band is wide to support you, and even though the neckline plunges, the cup still gives you adequate coverage. The is no worry of a nip slip or a nursing pad slipping out because the cups are too small.

Full Coverage. I cannot stand a bra that gives me side boob. I just want them both in there snug, and nothing trying to come out the sides. Cake’s bras have a full coverage cup without looking like you are wearing your grandma’s bra. These are the first bras that I have worn that I am comfortable ALL DAY LONG. At bedtime, I’m not rushing to rip it off because I have a permanent indent.

They’re so soft. Both bras’s fabric are extremely soft and did not rub at all.

The snaps are large and there is a double inside connection instead of just one strap. Believe me, this is worth noting. At 3 am it is extremely frustrating to turn on a light just so you can get your bra situated. I can get baby latched, fed, burped, and back in his bassinet in the pitch black, but I can’t even tell you how many times I have tip -toed to the bathroom to get my bra straps situated. Some bras have one continuous strap that you just unclasp the cup from, but inside it is a triangle shape making it impossible for them to tangle.

There are more adjustments than most bras. Standard hooks are usually 3 or 4 rows, but these have 6! This makes it well worth your money, as it can grow with you.

Flex underwire. Unlike other underwire bras, there was absolutely zero poking or rubbing.

In the underwire bra, the straps had little ridges. The straps helped keep the height adjustment from sliding down the silky strap.

Cons: Not all of the bras have the same design straps. I wish the ridges were on all of them. It would definitely help with comfort.

They aren’t machine washable. You have to wash by hand and line dry. This was a major disappointment. I am a busy mom, and I don’t have time to hand wash my bras. If you have ever had a leak in the middle of the night, you will understand. I do not want to be scrubbing milky bras. Most machines have a delicate setting, and a higher end bra should be durable enough to go through a cold delicate cycle. That brings me to my next point.

It is a little pricey. They all tend to be priced in the $50 range. But you get what you pay for. I really wish I would have found Cake Maternity 2 years ago! I would have much rather purchased a couple higher end nursing bras that actually worked than 20 different bras from maternity stores that didn’t work nearly as well.

Cake only makes maternity so it’s their specialty. The quality is amazing and it really goes above and beyond my Victoria’s Secret bras. I wish they had a sister company for non- maternity undergarments. This isn’t really a downside to the bras, just something I found while learning about the company.

Cake Maternity is a brand I will be definitely recommend to my pregnant and nursing friends and I will be gifting to close friends and family. They have a huge line of clothes and underwear for pregnancy and postpartum. Check out their entire line out here.

Cake also has a lot of helpful education on their website. I found this graphic extremely helpful!

Have fun shopping mamas!

~Amanda

**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 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

Lansinoh Lanolin Product Review:

Published on January 26, 2016January 25, 2016 by Amanda2 Comments

What you research as an expecting mommy really doesn’t compare to real life when it comes to the pains of nursing!

Let’s just be real for a minute here. Nursing SUCKS! I know, I know, “But Amanda, you are advocating for breastfeeding, you talk about how beneficial it is, how amazing the bond is, and what a great thing you are doing for your baby, HOW could you say that??”…. Okay so all of that is true, yes, but that doesn’t mean that a tiny little human learning how to form their sharp little gums around your very sensitive nipples isn’t extremely painful sometimes. Why don’t people talk about the fact that it can be excruciating to have a previously innocent rack suddenly suckled within an inch of its life? It makes a new mom feel like she’s not doing it right, or something is the matter, or it wasn’t meant to be etc.

Moms who have been there and done that will tell you that you just need some time to let your nipples toughen up.

Lactation consultants and other breastfeeding experts will tell you there is no such thing as letting your nipples “toughen up” and that if it hurts, something is wrong and you need to fix it ASAP.

The reality, I think, is somewhere between the two. I don’t think that you necessarily need time for your nipples to toughen up, but I do think that any new mom and baby needs some time to get used to each other, and to get their new skill down right. I do think it is worth asking why it hurts and what you can do to manage and eliminate the pain.

As with anything in life, some people are quick learners and others are not. I think that is why it takes longer for some women to get over the pain than others.

END RANT! Simply put, it can and probably will hurt for a little bit. You might get chapped, cracked, scabbed, or even bleed. Or you might not! Thank heavens some mom/scientist found Lanolin. (I haven’t don’t any research on who created Lanolin, but I am just going to say it’s a woman crying over her nips being on fire!)

We gave some moms this brand of Lanolin to try out for a few weeks, and they came back with their very honest opinions!

Pros: During the first few weeks of breastfeeding this lanolin was very helpful in soothing sore nipples. It provided a lot of relief by creating a barrier on your skin, preventing even more irritation from clothes rubbing against your chest.

As a mom safety is always on our minds! This lanolin is very safe for baby, you can put it on after nursing and don’t have to worry about cleaning yourself before baby eats. “The safety and purity of Lansinoh is not available in any other lanolin product. Endorsed in the US by LaLeche League International. Safe for baby. Relief for mother.”

Another thing that you don’t really get told as a new mom is that not only can you get chapped but your new baby can too! My DH was so worried “Are you guys doing something wrong? Why does she have such chapped lips? How can I help? ….” Because you don’t have to wipe this lanolin off it helps your LO’s lips! {I have even put it on mine in a pinch! FABULOUS}

Last, but not least, there is no color or scent! <<< This is was super important to me, because I have severe skin allergies and did NOT want a rash on my nips! I have tried some that were yellow in color and actually stained my clothes!

Cons: One of our moms said that this lanolin “could have been a little thinner. The thickness makes it a little hard to apply, especially in such a sensitive area if you’re in pain.” This lanolin is a little paste like, and you might need to warm between your fingers first.

This brand of lanolin is a little bit more expensive than others, but you get what you pay for, and it is totally worth a few extra bucks! One of our moms actually just uses coconut oil rather than paying for lanolin, that is always an option if you aren’t too chapped.

This product has very little that moms don’t like! All of our moms rated it a 5 star product and would recommend it to their friends! A must buy, and an essential item to any registry!

UPDATE!

It is currently the middle of January, and my entire house is a snotty gross mess! I have been looking for something that would help with BK#1 and BK#2’s chapped nose and cheeks, and I remembered I had this! Not just for mommies!

It’s completely natural so you don’t have to worry about it ending up in their mouths, and its thick, so it stays on without wiping away in 30 seconds.

I just put a little on my finger and wiped it on after I wiped their nose. It made them look a little moist still, but it protected their sensitive skin from getting chapped!

I always use boogie wipes, but after wiping every other minute even those can cause some redness. Be sure you are washing your hands and following normal cold prevention too parents! I know I forget to wipe down some surfaces some times too, and its annoying to go wash hands a million times a day, but make sure we are all washing our hands throughout the day! Not just in the bathroom, or before we eat.

They no longer have chapped noses or cheeks, and it worked fairly quickly!!! I hope it works for you too!

Stay healthy and warm!!

~Amanda

**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.**

Product Review: Easie Eaters Fork and Spoon

Published on November 18, 2015November 18, 2015 by KirstynVelez- www.BurritoBuzz.com1 Comment

C is a lefty. It’s very apparent, especially when he’s eating. He was having a rough time initially with hand to mouth coordination using a straight spoon and couldn’t grasp the “turn your wrist” concept. This resulted in more food messes along with him getting frustrated that he kept dropping his food. I decided to look into left-handed utensils and found these.

Pros:

Thick, textured handle-wonderful for tiny hands
Lightweight
Dishwasher Safe
Bright color
Fork actually stabs into food (unlike most children’s plastic forks)
Angle is perfect.

Cons:

Spoon is shallow compared to the My Spoon Left Handed Spoon
Price ($6.25+$5.25 S&H) is a little steep, although this is sold as a set.

Overall I would give the Easie Eater Fork and Spoon a 4 out of 5 stars with my main concern being the depth of the spoon. Definitely worth the purchase as we have significantly less mess and less frustration during meal times.

-Kirstyn

Product Review: NUK Gerber Graduates Rest Easy Spoons

Published on October 29, 2015October 29, 2015 by The Essential Life 365Leave a comment

Ok you’re thinking, “This is a silly thing to have a review on. It’s a spoon” and you would be someone who has never had a bad baby spoon. Because they are out there. The ones that are way too heavy on the ends and you set them into a baby-sized food container and then *whoosh* food goes flying everywhere because the spoon fell over. As if dinner time with a baby isn’t messy enough!!

I’m seriously obsessed with these spoons. No need to do pros and cons because there are only pros. The most important thing to me was that they were evenly weighted so they don’t go flying out of the food container (are you getting the feeling that this has happened to me on several occasions? Oh, good because it has).

They are called “rest easy” because they have a genius little stand built in that allows you to set the spoon down in a hurry. So during the roughly 39 times your child will try to smoosh the peaches in her hair and you have to throw down whatever is in your hand to catch her, the mouthpiece won’t touch the table. This is great for going out to restaurants and you don’t trust the tabletop to be the cleanest.

I also love the squared edge. This makes it easy to scrape the smooshed peaches off of little cheeks (or ears, or necks) more easily than with a rounded edge. They also have rubber detail on the handle making them great for gripping when baby starts to feed themselves.

The best part, they’re only $2.99 for a 5pk at Target!! You can also grab them at Babies R Us. On the NUK website you can snag a coupon making them even cheaper.

Seriously you need these spoons. Save yourself the sanity and put them on your grocery list right now. Add them to your friend’s baby shower gift for a cheap add-on she doesn’t even know she has to have.

-Chelsea

Product Review- Comfort and Harmony Cozy Shopping Cart Cover

Published on October 25, 2015October 25, 2015 by The Essential Life 3651 Comment

PROS: This product is very versatile. It can be used to cover a shopping cart seat as well as a high chair at a restaurant. It has 3 pockets on the back and 3 cloth loops in the front that are perfect to hook toys or pacifier clips to.

This cover is very easy to clean, just throw it in the wash or quickly wipe it down with a wipe. The material is very soft and cushioned, perfect for smaller babes that are just learning to sit up on their own. If they start to lean to the side, the cushion will catch them. I also love that this cover really does actually cover the entire seat. Any area within reach of slobbery mouths is protected.

Finally, I appreciate that is has a buckle on the inside. It keeps baby in place and is adjustable so it is like the one baby product on earth you’ll be able to use for several months and never need a bigger size.

CONS: The sheer size of this thing is ridiculous. It is a royal pain to cart around. The cushion of the cover does NOT fold up well. If I was going out by myself with Callie to the grocery store and had to carry both her and my diaper bag and there wasn’t a cart immediately next to my car? Forget it. If they could make a version that was still soft and cushioned but maybe a more quilt-like style that you could fold up? Perfection.

I’m calling this a “new mom” item. Something cute you find and put on the registry (they have it at Babies R Us). It’s great in theory and yes, it did keep my baby safe from nasty grocery carts and germs. However, now that she’s a full blown toddler that’s ~~walking~~ running everywhere, I’m not wasting my time carrying it with me when I’m on high alert in a parking lot. It’s a good item, well-designed and does what it claims; I just wish is was more practical to throw in the diaper bag.

-Chelsea

Product Review: Moby Skip Hop Bath Spout Cover

Published on October 17, 2015October 20, 2015 by The Essential Life 3653 Comments

Product Review: Moby Skip Hop Bath Spout Cover

PROS: This cover is spectacular. Pretty much the day we started putting my LO in the bath tub without an infant seat, I became worried about her hurting herself on the spout. This simple, $13 whale made of soft but tough rubber is genius. It looks cute but it is incredibly effective.

The bathroom we use to bathe our LO is also our only guest bathroom. I love that this is a cute piece, but it can also be kept on while using the tub and shower for an adult. The “spout” area allows the shower switch to be accessible but still protected during silly bath time adventures. The bottom is open, obviously allowing water to run, but it also has a strap to keep it in place should little hands try to pull it down or off the spout.

CONS: Umm…it only comes in blue?

Seriously, this is a great product. It eases my mind while my child participates in the Tub Olympics. It’s affordable, good quality and does what it claims.

This is officially my new go-to baby shower gift!

-Chelsea

Product Review: Munchkin Nursery Projector & Sound System

Published on September 22, 2015October 20, 2015 by The Essential Life 3652 Comments

PROS: I’ve used this sound machine since my LO was about a month old. It has 6 different sound options from classical music and nursery songs to nature and white noise. I’ve kept it on the ocean track for the majority of the time. The blue part on the bottom is a built-in nightlight that isn’t too bright and can be tapped to turn on (perfect for midnight bathroom runs!) It ALSO has four different rotating scenes that can be projected onto the ceiling. The cartridges for these scenes conveniently store in the side of the unit. There is a timer for the sound option (I leave it going nonstop) and it also has the option for voice activation so if your LO wakes up crying, it will automatically turn on.

You get all this in a compact unit that has a good length of extension cord and plugs in to an outlet. I’ve used this an average of 3 times a day for over a year and it has never had any issues at all!

CONS: Really the only con I can think of is that is does need to be plugged in so there is a cord risk if it is not put up during the day or in a higher up location.

This sound machine will cost you about $29.99 and in my opinion, it is totally worth it. This has become a staple in our bed and nap time routine and my LO loves it! It’s easy to travel with and has been reliable in spite of CONSTANT use. A winner in my book!

-Chelsea

Product Review: Tommee Tippee Sippy Cups

Published on September 19, 2015October 25, 2015 by The Essential Life 3651 Comment

PROS: In the world of sippy cups, the only thing that matters is does it spill. This cup truly does not. Now I can’t guarantee you that your LO will not take a sip and bubble it all back out over the living room carpet. However, when she rolls it down the entire length of the hallway, it won’t leak.

The cup has a two part piece within the lid that prevents spilling. There is also a built in cover for the mouth piece that is right on the lid to further prevent spills. You can see it in the picture above. It also has textured, rubber sides to help those slippery baby fingers to grab on a little better.

CONS: This cup is a little on the heavy side. I tried to give it to my LO when she was around 6-7 months and it was little too heavy for her when it was filled with juice or water. Also, it is dishwasher safe but you need to make sure that the pieces in the lid stay put after washing. They click into place so it’s not hard to put back in if it comes loose. Lastly, it is a little on the pricier side when compared to other cups. It will run you anywhere from $7.99-9.99.

Overall, when it comes to infant and toddler sippy cups, this one is higher quality. It’s a little costly, but worth the investment if you want to prevent leaks. A good find, great to add to the baby registry!

-Chelsea