Beco Soleil baby carrier winner!!

Congrats to Katherine... you are the lucky winner of the Beco Soleil baby carrier!!
You have been e-mailed and have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen!

Didn't win?
Don't worry.... there are still a few giveaways to enter HERE!!

~Mama of the Littles~

Bumgenius 4.0 Clothdiaper giveaway!! {US only, ends August 30th)

Want a chance to win a brand new BG 4.0 cloth diaper?
There is a new BG FB Chat, sell, trade page and in order to celebrate that page reaching 200 members, we are having a giveaway!
To enter, simply visit the FB page and request to join.

Once you join, you'll see the giveaway post on the page's feed... simply click on the Rafflecopter form to enter. Just by being a member of the group, you are eligible to enter! You can also tweet for extra entries.

Winner chosen Thursday, August 30th and it's open to US residents only! *but anyone can join the group* Winner chooses which color and closure of diaper! *subject to what's in stock*

There will be another giveaway when they hit 500 members and another at 1000! So tell your friends!!
It's also a great place to chat about BG diapers and buy/sell/trade BG diapers (or offer other non-BG diapers for trade for BG products)!

There are quite a few original elemental organics for sale as well as other diapers at great prices!!

So what are you waiting for? Join the group!!

#NBFluffNStuff CuddlyWrap by Peapod Creations review and #GIVEAWAY {US/Canada} #BABYWEARING

Baby wearing bliss!
I LOVE having the opportunity to try all these amazing baby carriers! This next carrier has been one of my go-to carriers! It is AWESOME! The Cuddly Wrap by Peapod Creations is made of 100% organic cotton and is so soft and stretchy!
I contacted Peapod Creations regarding this event and was sent a Demo Cuddly Wrap in sage for my review. This is what I received:

 

Confession. When I took this wrap out of the package I was a bit intimidated. It's very long and I was concerned that I would not wrap it correctly or tie it the right way and that my inexperience with wraps in general could cause my baby to fall or get hurt! Then I found these video's that Peapod Creations has created to give visual instructions on how to properly use their CuddlyWrap!

 

It is super easy and one of the best ways *in my opinion* to wear your baby!! Especially when they are newborns!!

Here is some more information on the CuddlyWrap *taken from Peapod Creations' website*:

 

"The CuddlyWrap™ is a wrap-style baby carrier that is designed to move with you and your baby, to be secure, yet not restrictive. There are no age or weight restrictions so you can continue to use the CuddlyWrap™ from newborn to toddler. There is no limit on the amount of time you can carry your baby in the CuddlyWrap™.

The CuddlyWrap™ is made from 100% organic cotton, making it extremely soft, lightweight and breathable. The CuddlyWrap™ is one piece of fabric so there are no seams, straps, snaps or buckles to adjust, break, or lose. The strength and security of the CuddlyWrap™ is in the high quality fabric and the way it is tied. The length of the CuddlyWrap™ accommodates all adult sizes.
Each CuddlyWrap™ comes with an illustrated Instruction Manual."

Here are the benefits of the CuddlyWrap *taken from Peapod Creations' website*:

"For Baby

Every baby needs and loves to be held. Babies carried in the CuddlyWrap feel more secure because they are close to your heartbeat, voice, scent and warmth which promote optimal development. The baby is positioned at the appropriate height for eye contact and visual stimulation with your face. For a newborn, the CuddlyWrap promotes vestibular development (inner ear and balance) by providing boundaries and movements that mimic the environment of the womb.
Additional benefits of carrying your baby in the CuddlyWrap include:

• Baby is more relaxed and content; feels secure and therefore cries less.
• Enhances motor skills and coordination by stimulating baby's sense of balance.
• Promotes a quiet alert state and energizes baby's nervous sytem.
• Stimulates baby's brain development and cognitive learning
• Helps baby settle into sleep more quickly.

Carried babies often sleep more deeply and for longer periods of time. The CuddlyWrap™ positions the baby so that their hips and legs are properly supported. This prevents stress on the baby's developing hips and spine.
For Adult
The design of the CuddlyWrap™ ensures that the weight of the baby is evenly distributed. There are no stress points to cause strain on the neck, shoulders or back allowing you to carry your baby in comfort. Even those with chronic back conditions have found they can carry their growing babies in comfort. For adults with various physical and medical considerations, the CuddlyWrap™ provides a unique opportunity to carry and bond with the baby in their life. For some, using the CuddlyWrap™ also means they can continue to be independent with activities of daily living, mobility and communication. The CuddlyWrap™ provides the opportunity for extended periods of closeness that gives them all the positive benefits of bonding with their baby."

Instructions for use:
The strength and security of the CuddlyWrap™ is the fabric and the way it is tied. The ergonomic design of the CuddlyWrap™ means that there are no limits on the amount of time your baby can spend in the CuddlyWrap™ and no age or weight restrictions. The CuddlyWrap™ can be used as long as you and your baby/child are comforable! The length of the CuddlyWrap™ allows adults of all sizes to wear the wrap.
Machine wash and dry your CuddlyWrap™ regularily as it will restore the size and shape of the wrap. WHEN CARRYING YOUR BABY IN THE CUDDLYWRAP™ PLEASE ENSURE THAT THESE IMPORTANT SAFETY GUIDELINES ARE FOLLOWED:

• The baby's face (nose and mouth) should not be against your body or the fabric. You should be able to see your baby's mouth and nose at all times.
• You should be able to kiss the top of your baby's head.
• Ensure that your baby's chin is not touching his/her chest.
• The logo portion of the wrap must be pulled up so that your baby is secure in the wrap.
• Always take your baby out of the wrap before untying.
• Do not use the CuddlyWrap™ as a blanket.

Because we all know we want to avoid THIS:

And see more of this:

 



 And... she's almost asleep!

 Notice her legs here on the bottom right of the picture... she is in the froggy/seated position!

 A view from the back:

 

My little girl lived in this wrap from birth until now! Unfortunately all the pictures I took of her while she was a teeny babe are on my external hard drive which I (for some reason) cannot access. This is an awesome wrap! It's super soft, easy to use and can be used in several different positions!
You can purchase a Cuddly Wrap from any of their authorized retailers, or you can enter to win one here! *I found a red one on Amazon for $29.99 with free shipping! But there was only one, so if you want to buy it, you'd better act fast!!

One of you will win a CuddlyWrap in your choice of fabric color:

 

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents!   

 

To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below! You may have to click "read more" in order for the whole Rafflecopter form to load!

 

Good luck and Have fun!

 

~Mama of the Littles~

Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above in exchange for my review. This review is my honest opinion based on my own personal experience, and may differ from yours. I did not receive any monetary compensation in exchange for this review.

#NBFluffNStuff Beachfront Baby LLC water wrap review and #GIVEAWAY {US/Canada}

Many of you know that I am a baby wearing mama! I LOVE wearing my babies! Mom's of more than one child can tell you how awesome it is to have your hands free to chase around an older sibling! When you are out and about it's awesome to have your hands free especially when you are faced with new surroundings. Being out and about with kids is definitely not boring. You've always got to be a step ahead in your thought and action in order to keep everyone safe... especially if you are a mama of two explorative little boys that will go... go... go!

Safety is always first and foremost on my mind when I'm out and about with my kids! Especially at the pool! Both my boys (ages 3 and 5) are water babies! They LOVE the water! They each wear a life jacket in the pool and will boldly go into the deep end unassisted and (if weren't for the rules set forth by the pool and the constant watch of the life guards) they would be trying to master the slide and diving board!

We've been to the pool several times this summer. The first time we went, baby girl was only 2 weeks old. I of course did not get in but my husband took the boys! I stayed pool-side with my girl and gently rocked her as I watched the rest of my family enjoy the water!

 

While I was at the pool I was thinking how awesome it would be to wear my baby in the pool! Then I found Beachfront Baby. Beachfront Baby was created by Diane Turner out of her need to have her hands free while in the pool with her older kids and yet still have her baby close! *kind of like the situation I'm in now* You can read more about how Beachfront Baby came to be HERE!

I contacted Beachfront Baby regarding this event and was sent my very own water wrap for review. I received a one size wrap in passion berry.

This is what I received:



 The fabric of the Beachfront Baby water wrap is made of 100% polyester jersey:

 Here is a close up of the mesh fabric:

Here is some more information on the water wrap (taken from Beachfront Baby's website):

"What is a Beachfront Baby Wrap Carrier? These sport & water wrap baby carriers are a must have for the summer! 100% polyester jersey lends breath-ability with just the right amount of stretch. The fabric feels like a lightweight, silky swimsuit which keeps it light in the water & dries very quickly. Wear baby in the shower, at the beach, at the water-park or in the pool. This especially comes in handy for keeping your hands free to play with or help older children in the water! Great for showering with a slippery baby! Can even be used as a sporty, everyday wrap! Available in 10 fun colors!"

I was really impressed with the ease of use of this wrap. It is available in 3 different sizes.
*One size wrap dimensions are 15 ft in length and 19-20 inches at the center. One size fits most.
*X-Long wrap dimensions are 18 ft in length and 19-20 inches at the center .This is the perfect size for parents over 5'10" & 200+lbs or those who wear an XL shirt.
*Petite wrap dimensions are 14 ft in length and 19-20 inches at the center. Fits adults approximately 5'3" & ~110lbs & under. Unlike other water baby carriers, there are no buckles, snaps or neoprene- just a long piece of comfortable cloth with tapered ends. The wrap conforms to the wearer’s shoulders and back for a comfortable fit that is fully customizable for babies & parents of all sizes. Wrapping is a process much like tying your shoes- it takes practice in the beginning, but soon becomes second nature. A photo instruction brochure with baby wearing safety info & tips is included with each wrap. A wrap-style carrier places baby in the optimal position- high on the wearer’s chest and close enough to kiss. This is extremely important in any water environment.

These wraps are designed for babies from 8-30 lbs. Since my little girl was just shy of 7 lbs I had to wait a bit before wearing her in this wrap. The correct way to wear your baby in the water is to use the 'heart to heart' hold!

As with the use of any baby carrier, it is important to make sure that you are able to bend down and kiss your baby while you are wearing him/her. It is also very important to ensure that his/her face (mouth and nose) is unobstructed to ensure they can breath easily. The heart to heart hold ensures both!

 

I think it's important to mention here that newborns have a hard time regulating their own body temperatures until they are older. That is one reason we decided to wait to introduce her to the swimming pool until she is older. BUT, having them close and pressed up to you in this water wrap does help regulate their body temperature as they are skin to skin with you and your body temp. is keeping them warm!

 

I love the fact that there is an image sewn directly onto the water wrap to ensure that you are wearing your baby correctly:

 

Here is a picture of the heart to heart hold:

Each time we went to the pool after I received my wrap, it was only about 70 degrees outside. The water temperature was even cooler. My husband was not comfortable my taking our little girl into the water (I think that was partially because she is still so small... a whopping 10.5 lbs at 4 months, and the fact that she's a fragile little GIRL)!!!

 

So I've used my wrap at home, around the house and in the shower:

** no that's not me**

 

But this is...............

 

 

My little girl LOVES this wrap! She does not fuss at all and 9 out of 10 times falls asleep while in the wrap! I love it too. No back pain, no aches! Very comfortable to wear!
 





I'm looking forward to taking my little girl into the pool very soon. We swim year-round so getting the chance to use this wrap in the pool will not be an issue. I also love that the jersey material is so lightweight that it dries super fast AND it is perfect for wearing your little one outdoors in the summer heat! It's breathable fabric that's awesome for hot summer days!

 

You can purchase a one size water wrap directly from Beachfront Baby's website for only $37.99!! Or you can enter to win one here!

As a sponsor for this event, Beachfront Baby LLC is giving away a water wrap to one of you in winner's choice of color and size!

 



This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents!   

 

To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below! You may have to click "read more" in order for the whole Rafflecopter form to load!

 

Good luck and Have fun!

 

~Mama of the Littles~

Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above in exchange for my review. This review is my honest opinion based on my own personal experience, and may differ from yours. I did not receive any monetary compensation in exchange for this review.

#NBFLUFFNSTUFF Round 8 winners!!

It's been busy here to say the least!
We've had the inside of our home painted, it will go on the market today!
Both my boys have started school! My oldest is in Kindergarten *sniff, sniff*
I've been plugging away at the blog and am overdue to draw some winners!!

Here we go!!

The lucky winner of the Naturepedic organic changing pad is Rachel!
The lucky winner of the Sloomb OBF fitted diaper is Emily C!
The lucky winner of the JJ Cole Diaper bag is Jessica O!
The lucky winner of the Boba baby carrier is Happily Southern!
The lucky winner of the $75 GC to Snuggy Baby is Tannis W!
The lucky winner of the Unicorn Fibre wool care prize pack is Lisa D!

All winners have been e-mailed and have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen!

Thanks again for being a reader of this blog!

~Mama of the Littles~

#NBFluffNStuff Beco Soleil soft structured baby carrier with infant insert review and #GIVEAWAY {US only}

I'm super excited to be able to share with you my review of Beco's newest baby carrier, the Beco Soliel! I received a Beco Soleil in Stella Black and infant insert for my review.
This is what I received:

The carrier:

This is the side of the Beco Soleil carrier that faces out when you are wearing your baby. This is the pattern that people are going to see when they see you wearing your baby in this carrier:

 

 The inside. This is the inside of the carrier. The side that will be touching the baby's skin while you are wearing him/her:

 A view of the inside of the carrier as it is fully open:

 

 The waist strap is great because it has a built in safety feature. You must press down on the rectangular button below in order to unlock the clasp:

 The Soliel has a built in pocket (perfect for keys, a paci or your cell phone) and also a D-ring (pictured to the left) which you can use as a toy attachment or clip your keys to:

 The Beco Soleil also comes with a removable black hood. This hood is perfect for protecting your baby from the elements (wind, rain, sun) when out and about. It is also great to use while nursing your child while wearing him/her a task I'm still learning to master) and is meant to be used to support your baby's head while s/he is sleeping in the carrier!

 The infant insert:

The infant insert for the Beco Soleil is made to be used to provide your newborn with additional head, neck and bottom support. It is meant to be used for babies weighing 7-15 lbs.  

 

 You simply place your baby on the infant insert in a seated or froggy position:

 *the froggy position is for smaller babies*

Then secure the strap around them using the Velcro closure to ensure they are snug inside the insert:

 This is the back side of the insert. You can see how to properly attach the Velcro closure here:

This is the correct position of the infant insert when using your Soliel. Note, you are going to have your carrier strapped onto your body (ensuring the waist buckle is buckled) and your baby is facing you.

Like so:

This is such a comfortable carrier. I LOVE the fact that you can crisscross the straps in the back too:

Recently I saw this chart on the Beco FB page which compares the Soleil to the Gemini:

Here is a little more information about the Beco Soleil and it's features (taken from Beco's website):

The Soliel is a very versatile carrier. It's made for babies weighing 7-45 lbs and can be used in three separate carry positions;

front:

 

back:

Hip:

 



Beco Soleil description:

 

SOLEIL BABY CARRIER FEATURES ·         soft structured baby carrier ·         front, hip & back carry positions ·         newborn* to toddler (7-45 lbs/3.5 - 20.4 kg) ·         *with SOLEIL Infant Insert (sold separately) ·         wide base & high back panel ·         large shaped ergonomic seat ·         padded headrest & leg openings ·         ability to cross straps across back ·         roomy pocket on waist belt ·         key ring & toy ring ·         large sleep hood (sold separately) ·         large crossbody attachable bag (sold separately) ·         Designed in California. Responsibly made in China. SOLEIL BABY CARRIER MEASUREMENTS ·         body 16" wide x 17" tall ·         shoulder straps 23" (can be adjusted up to 21" LONGER for a total of 42") ·         padded waist belt 28" (can be adjusted up to 60") ·         weight capacity of the carrier: 7 - 45 lbs (3.2 - 20.4kg) ·         weight of the carrier: 1.5 lbs SOLEIL BABY CARRIER MATERIALS ·         Shell: 100% Cotton ·         Fill (body & shoulder foam): 100% Polyurethane ·         Fill (waist belt): 100% Polyethylene ·         ALL FOAMS ARE FLAME RETARDANTS FREE. ·         Packaging: 100% recycled content. Printed with soy based inks. SOLEIL BABY CARRIER COMES WITH ·         Instructional Booklet ·         Waist Belt Pocket ·         Key & Toy Ring SOLEIL instruction manual page 1 SOLEIL instruction manual page 2 Safety Tips As with any type of baby carrier, always inspect your Beco Baby Carrier for damage before using and follow all instructions. Never perform any task that could be dangerous with your child in the Beco Baby Carrier. Use common sense! Always double check that the buckles are connected properly. Never unbuckle the waist belt while the baby is in the carrier. By purchasing this product, you acknowledge that the Manufacturer or Distributor accepts no responsibility for injury/damage due to the use/misuse of this product. Your child's safety is your responsibility. Be sure you have help getting your baby into and out of the Beco Baby Carrier until you become comfortable with it. If you are starting out with babywearing, do so over a soft surface such as a bed, sofa or carpeted floor covered with a blanket. Please observe the following while wearing your baby: Please support your baby with a hand or two while you and your baby are getting used to the sling. You and your baby will become more comfortable in time and you'll be able to free one or both of your hands. Please, DON'T GIVE UP! Babywearing takes practice just like all other parenting tasks. You can make the process easier by making sure that baby is fed, rested and happy before you try the carrier the first few times. Also, be sure to pull the top rim of fabric up to cover the entire back of your baby to avoid a "backdive." Never wear your baby when cycling or riding in the car. While cooking at the stove, use only back carry position. A sling doesn't substitute for a car seat. When bending, please bend at the knees, not at the waist, and hold the baby with one hand while reaching with the other. Never drink HOT beverages when wearing baby, although your sling will come handy for eating, especially in restaurants. This carrier is AWESOME!! We LOVE it! I've had the opportunity to try out a few different carriers and I can honestly say that this is one of my favorites! I reach for it all the time. I not only have worn my sweet baby girl in this carrier but have also worn my 30 lb 3 year old boy. He nearly falls asleep on my back every single time he is in the Beco Soleil!! You can purchase the new Beco Soleil directly from Beco's website for only $130.00! You can purchase the accessory pack (which includes the hood, infant insert and organic drooling pads) from Beco's website for $40.00 Or you can enter to win one here! As a sponsor for this event, Beco is giving away a Soleil soft structured baby carrier in the beautiful Stella pattern: This giveaway is open to US residents only!      To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below! You may have to click "read more" in order for the whole Rafflecopter form to load!   Good luck and Have fun!   ~Mama of the Littles~ Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above in exchange for my review. This review is my honest opinion based on my own personal experience, and may differ from yours. I did not receive any monetary compensation in exchange for this review.