Portaplay™ Convertible Activity Center by Oribel Review

Oh my goodness, guys. It's full-blown summer over here, which means I have three kids home all day long. Wouldn't be too bad, but my other half accepted an out of town job that may mean up to two months away - so I'm soloing it.

Ya know, I'm not super mom. Heck, half the time I feel like packing them in a little box and shipping them off somewhere. I'm not cruel; I'd at least poke some air holes! Joking aside, the only way I'm going to survive this summer without totally losing it is by keeping the kids busy. Luckily, we had the chance to work with Oribel to review their Portaplay table, and it has been a lifesaver. Or sanity-saver.

I'll be sharing a couple of other products, games, and activities that are totally helping keep the preschoolers busy, but this one is on the top of my charts right now.

First of all, this is so much more than just a table. The Portaplay is a complete activity center for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Check this out:

Neat, right? 

So here's the deal. It's a bouncy seat with all these little attachments, but it also converts into a play table with a wooden top. The table can then be used as a little picnic table or writing desk - or you can get the paper roll attachment and stools to turn it into a mini art studio for your little ones!

I'm not really able to show off the baby seat/activity center being tested, since I don't have a little one running around that would fit in there right now, but I do want to highlight the paper art roll and the stools for a minute. This has been the best quiet-time activity for my preschoolers (the 10 year old too!)

I really like that the height adjusts, so even my long-legged little munchkins fit under the table comfortably. 

The Portaplay Child Stools have a large seat and sturdy legs and the kids love using them even away from the table to sit on. 

Make the conversion from our Portaplay™ Activity Center to a Play Table even more exciting with matching stools for your little ones. Sturdy and lightweight, these stools are designed to be just the right height for children up to 5 years of age.

The stools come in a set of two, great for us since my two little ones always argue if they don't both have the same thing. 

The Portaplay Paper Roll Dispenser comes preloaded with a 12 inch wide, 75 foot roll of white drawing paper - perfect for hours of quiet drawing and creativity.

Features:
Removable Baby Seat with 3" Bounce with machine washable cover
5 Removable Toys that easily clip on
Folds flat for easy storage
Table insert
2 Child Stools - sold separately
Paper Roll holder with 75" of 12" premium drawing paper - sold separately

The Portaplay™ Convertible Activity Center is available at Oribel­® for $149.00
Child Stools are sold separately for $39.90 and the Art Paper Roll Dispenser is $29.90

This is definitely a set I would recommend to any parents because gear that grows with your child is always the best kind. 

Oribel Cocoon™ - The Complete High Chair (A Review)

I was so excited to introduce the new Oribel Cocoon™ Complete High Chair in this post, and Oribel sent me one to test out for you guys, to show how it works and what my thoughts are on the actual product.

First, let me tell you about the Cocoon High Chair. This innovative piece of baby gear is probably one of the coolest things I've ever seen. It was inspired by butterflies (hence the Cocoon name) and it actually "transforms" into the perfect chair for every stage of solid feeding baby goes through.

Cocoon™ features:

• 3 Recline Positions 
• Comfortable Foam Pad 
• 6 Height Adjustments
• Food & Cup holder
• Magnetic Stow Away Tray
• Foldable Design for storage 

When my little guys were babies and trying their first bites of pureed baby food, I used the "Mom Hold." You know which one I'm talking about: the foot propped up on the opposite knee to make a little nest for your little one to prop on while you juggle the bowl and spoon? Yeah, I think I ended up wearing more of their food than that actually made it into their mouths. 

I really wish I had had something as nifty as the Oribel Cocoon High Chair when my little guys were little enough to use it all the time!

Straight out of the box, it required a little bit of assembly. I was a little nervous seeing how many pieces there appeared to be, but setting it up was really easy. The seat is one piece and slides right onto the front legs, which connect to the back legs via the hinge piece. Attach the footrest and the tray, and done!

As soon as I got it together, Kaya was begging me to let her sit in it. The bright purple "Plum" color is really inviting, and my little threenager informed me, "Purple is my favorite color, so now this is my favorite chair." 

It really does live it up all that it claims, and believe me, I made sure. First of all, the reclining seat. There's a little handle on the back of the seat that lifts and reclines the seat down to an almost laying-down position for bottle-fed and first taste feedings. The second position is a little more upright for when mom is feeding baby, and then the third position is straight up for self-feeders.

Kaya is a little too big to actually test the fully reclined position, so I just snapped a couple pictures with a baby-sized teddy bear we have, so you guys can see what I'm talking about.

Now, obviously, you'd have to adjust the straps to fit your baby, but there are three different height adjustments for the safety straps, with a five-point harness that makes sure that your little one is safe and secure. Something I thought was a really neat feature - the Cocoon comes with a cup holder and bowl/plate tray that attaches to either the right or left side of the seat to feed baby whichever way is most comfortable for you.

See where Kaya's thumb is on the left side of the picture? There's a flap covering the tray holder right there, where the cup holder attachment just slides right in and clicks. It's secure; we tried wiggling the seat and the holder and it stayed - meaning Mom won't be wearing baby's food from an accidental turn.

Once your little one is ready to try self-feeding, the cup holder can be easily switched out for the big tray - again easy installation, just push and listen for the click. What I really like about the tray is that the top comes off for easy cleaning and is dishwasher safe up to 160°F.

After your little one is finished eating, the entire high chair folds up and the tray attaches to the bars on the back for easy storage. Definitely takes up less space than when it's fully opened, and stood up against the wall beside our dining room table. 

All in all, the Cocoon™ is exactly what they claim - the complete high chair. I recommend this from baby's first bite all the way up to three years old. 

ABOUT ORIBEL

New to North America, this company registers the perfect balance between smart design and striking looks, befitting the busy lives of parents while helping them. Utilizing in-house design and production expertise, Oribel can respond to changing tastes while ensuring top quality and safety. This allows them to innovate, explore and deliver signature products for modern, happy families that engage children. They know that behind every happy baby is a set of relentlessly proud parents! 

To check them out for yourself, visit LoveOribel.com. You can also find them on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. 

What did you use for your little one's first bites?

Disclaimer: As stated in the first paragraph, I did receive a complementary sample for review purposes. All opinions are my own, and I only recommend products that I use or think would be a really good fit for you, my readers.

Hours of Fun with Playful Dino from Manhattan Toy Co.

When I bring my little guys to the pediatrician, the first toy they run to in the waiting room is always the wooden busy boxes. I can't even tell you how much time they've spent doing the peg mazes and bead runs, waiting for their names to be called for a check-up. Maybe that's why this Mama was so excited about working with Manhattan Toy Co. again, to show off their Playful Dino.

Activity centers like the Playful Dino teach cause and effect while helping to develop fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination. I love play-to-learn toys, and what cuter way could there be to boost baby's skills than with this colorful dinosaur?

Straight out of the box, it requires a little bit of assembly. Not much, though! The tail comes unattached, but easily slides with a notch on the box and gets secured with a cord that is looped through and placed on a peg. Took me a couple of tries to get it to stay, but once it's on - it's secure.  I recommend using a screwdriver to stretch the cord over the peg to save your fingers from getting snapped. The cord "hinge" gives the tail a little movement, which of course delighted Kaya even more.

There are so many activities on this Playful Dino to keep a little one occupied. The eyes flip, the flowers "boing," there are spinning gears and letters, plus bead runs and bug mazes - all bright and colorful to keep baby entertained. The cute little characters definitely give it a sweetness, with a ladybug and snail, dragonflies and flowers.  

The Playful Dino is rated for kids 12 months and up, and as much as my 3- and 5-year-old love it, I'm going to say it's great for any toddler. Just a simple little busy box that has my kiddos racing bugs and flipping letter, and playing good together.

Really easy to wipe down this wooden toy to keep it disinfected every day, I think this toy is perfect for classrooms and pediatric offices as much as it is for having for your little one at home. It provides hours of easy, simple fun with no extra parts to lose or electronic noises. 

You can buy the Playful Dino from The Manhattan Toy Company for $68

About Manhattan Toy Co.

The Manhattan Toy Company is dedicated to the art of creative play, quality craftsmanship and the success of the national and specialty retailer. The company distributes through thousands of stores nationwide. Toys are designed, developed and manufactured with every child's safety in mind. The Manhattan Toy Company ensures that each product complies with all U.S. and European toy safety standards. For more information about the many award-winning toy collections, visit their website at www.manhattantoy.com.

Disclosure: I received the product mentioned above free of charge in the hopes that I would mention it on Momma Without a Clue. Regardless, I only recommend products that I love and believe would be great for my readers. All opinions are 100% my own.

Review: Samsung BrightVIEW Baby Video Monitoring System

It's been three long years since I've had an itty-bitty baby around the house and suddenly it seems like everyone around me is having babies! My sister is adopting, my niece is having her first, and even my stepdaughter's mother just found out she's expecting too! With all the babies on the way, I know I will be babysitting (as often as I can!) and if there's any piece of gear that's a necessity when it comes to newborns, it's a good baby monitor.

I was offered the opportunity to review a Samsung BrightVIEW Baby Video Monitoring System for you guys and they sent a complimentary sample for me to check out. Ladies, this is the coolest baby monitor system I've ever seen!

First, some of the features:

• Ultra-Large 5.0″ LCD Touch Screen Monitor  
• Night Vision 
• Quiet Mode
• Audio Mode
• Pure Digital Signal
• HD Audio Enhancements
• Four Built-In Lullabies

Let me break it down a little more. We're talking about a 5" touch screen monitor with a clear color display, with app-like controls that allow you to pan and zoom on your little one. The BrightVIEW has night vision capabilities up to 16 feet and includes a soft, glowing night-light to calm the baby even in the dark. The camera automatically detects changes in the light level and adjusts the video to the appropriate setting.

The voice-activated (VOX) mode lets parents adjust the audio sensitivity levels on the camera however you want it. In low sensitivity mode, parents will only be alerted if there is a loud noise in the room such as the baby crying or an object falling. High sensitivity will alert parents to low sounds such as the baby cooing. 

To conserve battery life, audio mode keeps the monitor in a stand-by state and only relays the noises coming from the camera. It's easy to switch back to visual mode - just press the power button on the top right corner of the monitor.

Straight out of the box, I hooked the camera up and turned on the monitor... then realized I needed to pair the two. That step is simple, but make sure you do this prior to mounting your camera on the wall. I was surprised at how clear the picture was, and the high sensitivity mode really does pick up every noise in the room. 

I made a short little video to show you guys how it works. (Go easy on me, I really don't have the hang of making videos yet!) 

(don't laugh at my baby, I didn't have a chance to borrow a teeny-tiny for pictures/video)

Now, no product is perfect, and there were a few little things that I thought could be improved a little with the BrightVIEW. The app-like buttons, for instance. It took me a few minutes (and reading the manual) to figure out what each one was for. They seem a little babyish and I would have liked to see a  more grown-up version with words... but that's just my own personal preference (hello, cluelessmomma here, I need explanations!)

There's so much to love though! This monitor lets you play lullabies to your baby by pushing a button on the screen that signals the camera to play music. How ingenius is that?! Another thing that totally blew my mind - it allows you to set up alerts for feeding or changing schedules.

The Samsung BrightVIEW Baby Monitor is a work-from-home mom's dream! - Tweet this

The BrightVIEW Baby Video Monitoring System is now available to purchase at Kohl’s, Target and buybuy BABY with a minimum advertised price of $229.99. A little steep, but for the great features that you really can't find in a baby video monitor - totally worth the money.

For more information about Samsung Techwin America consumer video monitoring and security products, please visit www.samsungsv.com.

What features do you look for in a video baby monitor?

First Time Moms Must-Haves

Do you remember how stressful picking out the things you needed for your first baby was? Or are you currently pregnant and trying to figure out just what you might need (or want)? Have no fear! I have compiled my top ten recommendations for first-time moms, and what things you should definitely have in your registry.

The Baby Cubby recently reached out to me for a sponsored post to highlight some of the amazing baby products they offer, and after taking one look around their site I had to accept. You guys are going to love them! The best part is that everything on this list can be found right on their site, at babycubby.com.

About The Baby Cubby:

The Baby Cubby is unlike any other baby store you've shopped at! It is for every parent out there who has ever felt overwhelmed or discouraged about becoming a parent. Their team is made up of parents who have been there, know what it’s like, and are passionate about encouraging, inspiring, and reminding parents how amazing we are and how important our role is.

The way they do that is by finding the best and safest baby gear and provide it to parents in a fun shopping experience. They stand out above other baby companies because they do things like test strollers on their stroller track, price match every day - even Amazon, offer free shipping nationwide at BabyCubby.com, and actively engage with parents via social media and their cubby community blog to discuss some of those hard topics of parenting.

You can read a little bit more about what they're passionate about and why they do what they do on their "About Us" page.

Why The Baby Cubby Rocks

- They always price match, even amazon, so you know you're getting a great deal

- They carry only the best and safest gear so you can shop confidently (they spend hundreds of hours researching so you don't have to)


- Free Shipping every day at BabyCubby.com over $49

DockATot Deluxe Dock Baby Lounger & Sleep Positioner

DockATot has created the ideal safe and comfy spot for your baby.  Whether it’s time to rest, lounge, play, cuddle, do tummy time, or get a diaper changed, the Deluxe dock is perfect for your baby from 0-8 months old.  Plus, it’s lightweight, portable, and easy to travel with.  Additional covers keep things even more exciting! 

DockATot Deluxe Dock Baby Lounger & Sleep Positioner (Pristine White) - $165.00

4Moms Infant Tub

This 4Moms clean water infant tub is designed to let clean water flow in while dirty water flows out. It even has a color coded temperature gauge built in so it's easy to get your baby's bath water to a safe and comfortable temperature. 

4Moms Infant Tub - $49.99

Aden + Anais Organic Swaddle 3 Pack

aden + anais® helps continue the timeless tradition of swaddling with our soft organic swaddles. Made of GOTS certified organic cotton muslin that is manufactured in an environmentally responsible way, these organic swaddling blankets are gentle on baby's skin and eco-conscious.

Aden + Anais Organic Swaddle 3 Pack - $54.95

Avent Express Food & Bottle Warmer

The Philips AVENT Classic Bottle/Food Warmer is a safe and easy way to make mealtime more comfortable for your baby. The Classic warmer is suitable for all Classic bottles and includes a bowl to keep food warm. Once it's switched on, the warmer gently heats bottles and food within four minutes. This warmer's compact size makes it easy to store on a kitchen countertop or bedside table for night feedings. It comes with a feeding spoon designed for babies six months and up. 

Avent Express Food & Bottle Warmer - $46.00

Boon Glo Night Light

This multi-colored, interactive nightlight has removable, illuminated Glo balls that turn a night time game of catch into something extraordinary. And there's nothing electronic in them, so they don't get warm, and they won't break. You can even tuck them into bed with your child. The glow fades to dark after 30 minutes, helping them fall asleep. Bonus: 95% effective at keeping monsters away all night long.

Boon Glo Night Light - $65.99

Petunia Pickle Bottom Sashay Satchel

Streamlined, stylish, and supremely capable, the Sashay Satchel features an array of pockets and amenities, the versatility to move from backpack to shoulder bag, and is available in perfectly playful prints on our easy-to-clean Glazed coated cotton canvas with embroidered detailing.

Petunia Pickle Bottom Sashay Satchel in Glazed-Beautiful Barcelona - $175.00

Boob-ease Organic Soothing Therapy Pillows

Boob♥ease Soothing Therapy Pillows with flax seeds combine the softness of Bamboobies with warming and cooling relief –  all natural and gel-free. Each pillow has one side made out of super-soft 100% bamboo fleece and one side of equally soft bamboo and organic cotton jersey to provide you a choice of two different sides for softness and temperature control with flax seeds.

Boob♥ease Soothing Therapy Pillows - $28.99

Bumbo - Floor Seat

Designed to seat young babies who can’t sit up by themselves yet, it should only be used when your baby can support his or her head. With the Bumbo Floor Seat, parents can engage with their child during key developmental milestones from playtime to feeding time and give your baby a chance to see his or her surroundings from a new perspective.
Bumbo - Floor Seat - $44.99

Covered Goods Multi-Use Nursing Cover

Covered Goods is a girl's best friend! It not only keeps you covered front and back making nursing anywhere a breeze, but it can also double as a car seat cover, scarf, shopping cart cover!
Covered Goods Multi-Use Nursing Cover  - $34.99

Ergobaby Four Position 360 Carrier

Ergobaby The Four Position 360 Baby Carrier provides four comfortable and ergonomic ways to wear baby: Front-Inward, Front-Outward, Hip and Back carry positions. The Four Position 360 has a weight limit of 33lbs.

Ergobaby Four Position 360 Carrier - $160.00

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by The Baby Cubby, but the recommendations are my own. 

This week only! Take an extra 10% off your order at babycubby.com with promo code: MAMMAWITHOUTACLUE

What item is a must-have on your baby registry? 

Baby Buddy Oral Care Kit Review (0-24 months)

My step-daughter has a major dentist appointment at the beginning of next month to have a couple of fillings and a root canal. She is nine years old. When she was a baby, I feel like there might have been a little "miseducation" about oral health. Her mom kind of had this reasoning of, "She doesn't have teeth, I don't need to do anything," and then later it became, "They're just baby teeth!"

What she didn't realize was that establishing good oral hygiene practices early on not only instills better habits later in life but sets a foundation for healthy teeth. Living in the Appalachian region, that's a common trend - no one seems to pay attention to teeth until they start rotting out of a person's head. There needs to be more awareness for children's oral hygiene, especially in this area. That's why I'm happy to be working with Baby Buddy, who sent a sample of their oral care kit for me to review.

About the Baby Buddy Oral Care Kit:

Designed for ages 0-24 months, the Baby Buddy Oral Care Kit includes five innovative products that parents can use with their children as they grow towards independent oral care. Starting with gentle Tooth Tissues®, a Certified Natural Product made of bamboo with Xylitol, parents can step up to massaging tender gums and soothing budding teeth with the Finger Toothbrush and the Wipe-N-Brush, which is used in conjunction with a Tooth Tissue. Once babies are ready for the Baby’s First Toothbrush, they can use and manipulate it on their own with guidance. From there, a transition can be made to the 360 Toothbrush Step 1, an intelligent advancement in toothbrush design that features state-of-the-art, circular bristle rings to remove plaque effectively and prevent build-up with regular use.

Oral Care Kit includes:

• Stage 1: Tooth Tissues 30ct
• Stage 2: Silicone Finger Toothbrush
• Stage 3: Wipe N Brush
• Stage 4: Baby's 1st Toothbrush
• Stage 5: 360 Toothbrush Step 1 (Soft)

Price: $32.99

I love that this kit has all the tools to keep your little one's teeth healthy and clean, from birth until toddler. Because my kiddos are big enough for the Stage 5 360 Toothbrush, we tried it out, and it really does make a difference. Because of the 360° bristle design, the toothbrush is able to reach into areas that a normal one can't.

The handle is clunky enough for a good grip in a little kid's hand, and the brush does extra work getting the little "toofers" clean. The Baby Buddy 360 toothbrush definitely replaced her other one.

Sozo Weeblock and Bodysuit & Cap Set Reviews

Keeping with this month's theme of baby products, I had the chance to review a couple of items from Sozo. You guys know the drill by now - I received the samples without charge so I could give you an unbiased review, but all thoughts and opinions are my own. No other compensation was received.

Anyway, back to Sozo. The name itself means "creation and imagination" in Japanese, and that should tell you exactly what to expect from this company.  Trying to keep things fun and whimsical, a mom and dad developed an awesome collection of clothes, blankets, sleepwear, gifts and probably one of the niftiest things I've ever seen, the Weeblock.

Yes, I had a chance to review the Weeblock. No, I don't have a baby boy to test it on, but wow do I wish I had this when my five-year-old was little. Seriously. Have you ever gotten pee in your face? It sucks. Knowing that this little cup exists just makes me want to run out and buy them for every pregnant lady I know.

See what I mean? These cute (and pretty funny) little fabric cups keep you protected from your son's little missile-like stream that inevitably happens during diaper changes. They're made from super-soft 2-ply cotton jersey with a urine-absorbing sponge inside, to keep you and your furniture dry. Totally machine washable, too, which is a huge plus.

The Weeblocks come in a couple of silly little sayings like "#oops"; "#uh-oh"; "crown jewels"; and "whizz kid," all of which crack me up. Unfortunately, Sozo doesn't offer any solid color Weeblocks, but if silly and whimsical is your fancy - these are perfect!

Sozo offers a lot more than just their trademark Weeblocks though. There are some abso-freakin-lutely adorable clothes, blankets, and gift sets too!

I received the Owl cap and bodysuit set, and it will make a perfect baby shower gift. I like that the material is 100% premium cotton and will be soft on baby's skin. The fabric is thicker than just a flimsy little onesie, so you know it'll hold up to numerous washes and normal wear-and-tear. Oh, and it's adorable. Did I mention that?

Check out their bold and fun designs at SozoUSA.com

Disclosure: I received a complementary sample of the product(s) for an honest, unbiased review. All opinions are my own.

PatPat Daily Deals Help Moms Save Money

Kids' Clothes at Affordable Prices from the New PatPat Website

PatPat is a new daily deals-style site and app that offers products for expecting or new parents: things like cute baby clothes, cloth diapers, accessories for new babies, and more. They asked me to check out their site and introduce them to our readers (this is a sponsored post, but the opinions are our own).

PatPat is a shopping app/website for moms with new daily deals everyday. They offer nice upscale kids clothing events, with clothing that is stylish. Good quality with afforable price, you really cant beat that!

It reminds me a little bit of Zulily, with the flash deals that are always changing. However, there's a big upside. What you order is shipped out within days, whereas Zulily's items don't usually ship out until an event is over.

How PatPat works:
By working directly with product manufacturers, they are able to offer some of the lowest prices in the industry. No dealers. No wholesalers. No high price tag.

With up to 20 events starting at 6 am daily, they offer deep discounts on toys, clothing, baby essentials, and other accessories for mom and baby at up to 90% off their normal price.

Safety and quality are of the utmost importance to PatPat. From the manufacturer to your doorstep, they go above and beyond what's legally required to ensure each product meets their high-quality standards.

Check them out at PatPat.com and start saving now!

Keep Your Baby's Formula Germ-Free with NeoTop {a review}

NeoTop - it sounds a little futuristic, doesn't it? Well, it does revolutionize baby formula! I was given the chance to review one of their cool baby formula dispensers and think the idea behind it is genius.

Let me set the scene for you: It's 2 am, the baby is crying, and you're in the kitchen making a bottle. You put one scoop of formula into the bottle, but the scoop gets a little bit wet from the water that was on the edge of the bottle. Not thinking about it, you stick that scoop back into the formula container for the second scoop-full, and that water drips into the dry formula.  Bet you didn't know that those little clumps made from the water dripping in were contaminating the entire container of formula.

You see, powdered formula is not sterile. You should always follow formula preparation safety when making bottles for baby, and this includes keeping the scoop separate from the formula and making sure it is completely dry between scoops. Water dripping into the powdered formula inadvertently makes prepared formula, which is only good for two hours at room temperature.

But with NeoTop, you don't have to worry about that anymore. NeoTop is an innovative formula dispenser that gets rid of the need for measuring or scooping. It keeps the formula dry and germ-free and makes making a bottle even easier.

The NeoTop was developed by a neonatologist and is designed to help prevent bacteria from getting into your baby's formula. It holds up to a whole canister of formula, and to use it, you just tilt it upside down, twist the bottom and a perfectly portioned 2 ounce serving is in the top. Just open the lid and dump it in the bottle, and you’re done. No cross contamination, no scoops, no fuss. It's so easy!

I tried it out just to see (don't currently have a baby to practice with) and lemme tell ya: it was much easier than fussing with a scoop to make sure your formula amount was exactly level, and I didn't accidently pour any formula powder on the counter. You know what I'm talking about. Somehow that powder always ends up on the counter no matter how careful you are, and is so sticky wen you're trying to clean it up with a wet sponge. I always hated that.

Even moms who just supplement with formula should try one of these, as it's a great way to store formula long term for no risk of germs.

Some of NeoTop's awesome features:

• Dishwasher safe and BPA Free
• 80% more effective at preventing germs than other formula storage dispensers
• Designed and manufactured in the USA
• Easy to use

About the NeoTop
The NeoTop was developed by a father of three and leading neonatologist Dr. Sami Ismail (based in Nashville, TN).  The first-of-its-kind powdered infant formula dispenser officially launched in November 2015. The NeoTop retails for $24.95 and is currently available on Amazon and at www.theneotop.com.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary sample to review. The opinions, however, are entirely my own.

Keep Your Toddler Safe in the Sun with These Easy Tips

With the weather warming up (finally!) I know we'll be spending a lot more time outside. My toddler would spend all day outside if she could, running crazy through the park, swinging, and doing other silly toddler things. I know many parents worry, though: Is all that exposure to the sun safe? It is — but only if your child is protected from the sun’s skin-damaging rays.

Damage from the sun adds up over a person’s entire lifetime, but a lot of the sun damage comes from exposure during childhood. The more sunburns your toddler gets as a child, the greater her risk of skin cancer later on. That's why it's extremely important to establish good sun-safe habits early on.

Being sun-safe doesn't mean having to hide indoors all the time, though. Skin cancer is completely preventable; All it takes to keep toddlers safe in the sun is practicing a few sun smart tips:

Slather on the sunscreen

Choosing the right sunscreen is important when it comes to keeping little ones safe in the sun. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays for the best protection, without harsh chemicals that could irritate sensitive skin, and that offers water and/or sweat protection. An SPF of at least 15 is optimal. 

Hang out in the shade

UV rays are the strongest between noon and around 2pm, and can cause the most damage. Avoiding direct sunlight during these hours is best - try finding a nice shade tree, hang out under an umbrella, or let them play in a pop-up tent.

Dress them in the right clothing

Light-colored clothing and loosely woven fabrics allow the most UV rays through. Your best bet is to dress your little ones in darker clothing, thicker fabrics, or sun-protective clothes that have the SPF built right into the fabric. 

Top them off 

Find a hat that shades their face, scalp, ears, and neck. A bucket hat gives great protection for little ones.

I recently worked with Stephen Joseph for a review of their toddler bucket hats. Stephen Joseph Gifts offers tons of adorable things for little ones like backpacks and umbrellas, but their bucket hats are some of the cutest things I have ever seen. We got the Flower pattern hat, and Kaya just looks so stinkin' adorable in it.

The wide brim keeps the sun out of her eyes and off of her face and neck, and the heavier fabric keeps the damaging rays from penetrating through to her scalp. These hats are made from 100% cotton and have a lining with a coordinating fabric - which Kaya takes to mean that the hat can be worn inside out because she's a fashionista rule-breaker like that.

You can find these hats (plus all kinds of other amazing stuff for kids at StephenJosephGifts.com

Bucket hats are also available at Hopscotch. You can use these coupons from hopscotch to get a discount.

Disclosure: I received a sample for review, but my opinions were not affected in any way.

How do you keep your little ones safe in the sun?

Why Do You Need Kangovou's Innovative Dishes?

Have you heard about Kangovou yet? I recently had the opportunity to work with them to review their stainless steel dishware for kids and was really impressed. (Disclosure: They provided a sample solely for review at no cost to me. My opinions are still my own though and weren't influenced by their generosity.)

The dishware industry has gotten better in recent years, making sure to keep BPA, lead, and other potentially harmful substances out of the things our kids eat off of. Kangovou has taken it a step further by creating dish sets made from a food-grade stainless steel that is naturally anti-bacterial,  light weight, durable, does not rust, cleans easily with soap and water, and is top shelf dishwasher safe.

The set that we received (pictured above) is the Kids Dishware Set in Iced Mint. This nine-piece dishware set for kids includes:

• 18/8 food grade stainless steel divided plate which keeps foods separated and provides a built in space for condiments
• 18/8 food grade stainless steel flat plate to use for larger food items such as a sandwich or a slice of pizza
• 18/8 food grade stainless steel cereal bowl to use for cold or hot cereal or even soup
• 18/8 food grade stainless steel snack bowl to use for crackers, sliced fruit, yogurt--the choices are endless
• 18/8 food grade drinking cup that includes pop-up drinking straw and a snap on lid to prevent leaks and a mixer to avoid clumps when adding food powders to drinks (intended for children 3+ years of age)
• Protective jackets and lids which are FREE of BPA, PVC, and phthalates 

What I think about Kangovou's Dishware for Kids:

The jackets insulate the stainless steel to keep hot foods from burning little hands (not that little miss picky ever gets any food that's above lukewarm, because she has to argue with me for so long before actually taking a bite - but I digress.) It's good to know that when I make her oatmeal, the bowl won't be too hot for her little hands, something that plain stainless steel dishes sometimes have a problem with.

The colors are soft and subtle, absolutely gorgeous for either boys or girls. I love when companies find the right shades of colors to make them gender neutral. While the Iced Mint is my favorite, they also offer Frosted Blueberry, Lemon Zest, and Peaches & Cream.

The sippy cup, or "Drinking Cup" as they call it, has a unique design. To assemble it, you have to put the stainless steel cup inside the jacket, and then snap the lid on. I was worried that the snaps wouldn't be secure, but the lid stays on tight. It isn't completely leak-proof, a small design flaw in my opinion, but still perfect for lunches (just possibly not "on-the-go.") 

Actually, that's probably the only thing I dislike about the Kangovou dishware set: They don't seem to travel, at least not with any kind of "wet" foods. For snacks and solid foods, the trays are great, with a snap-on lid to make sure nothing spills out. But if you have any kind of saucy foods, keep them in the bowls instead. The tray lids stand up off of the actual tray about a half an inch so if they are turned upside down, foods will mix and come out of their little compartments. The lids are probably more for storing foods in the fridge, a great idea for preparing little ones' lunches ahead of time.

These dishes are dishwasher safe (top rack is recommended) but not microwavable. 

We use our Kangovou set all the time, and Kaya seems to like them as much as I do. I defintely recommend them to any new moms looking for the right dishes to feed their little ones.

To find out more for yourself, or to buy the Kangovou stainless steel kids' dishes, you can find them at Kangovou.com.

Do you use stainless steel dishes with your little one(s)?

Beautiful Unique Baby Blanket for Any Little One

Disclosure: I was provided with a complimentary sample to review. No other compensation was received, and my opinions are my own and not influenced in any way.

Both of my little guys have special blankies that they've had since birth. They still cover up with them, take them in the car, and love them. There's something so special about a kiddo's first blanket so that blanket should be something unique. If you're looking for a unique baby gift, this is definitely a company to check out.

Petite Namaste is a company that makes gorgeous blankets and bedding that is special enough to pass down from generation to generation. I received a quilt/play blanket from their Blue Elephant Caravan collection; a quilt worthy of being a family heirloom.

The Elephant Caravan Quilt measures 48" by 38", big enough give baby plenty of room to roll around if using it for a play blanket. If you're using it for a comforter or bedspread, it's about 4 inches short of entirely covering a toddler bed mattress, but looks gorgeous with any subtle nursery decor.

This quilt is soft, made from 100% cotton, and is breathable enough so where baby won't get sweaty doing their tummy time laying on it. I love that the blanket is reversible, with a gorgeous pattern on both sides.

Because every piece of fabric is block printed by hand, you know a lot of love has gone into these blankets, almost as much love as your little one will have for these unique blankets.

Petite Namaste offers more than just the play quilts, though; you can find other bedding like sheets, bumpers, bed skirts, etc., as well as changing accessories, burp cloths, bibs, and pillows. So once you find that pattern you fall in love with, you can decorate the entire nursery!

About Petite Namaste:

After spending time in India, the co-founder Yanira Colon fell in love with the traditional art of block printing and the bold beautiful Indian patterns. In 2013, Petite Namaste was born with the goal of creating beautiful hand block printed products for kids.

About the Craft:

All of Petite Namaste's products are block printed on 100% cotton by hand with seasoned teak wood, using a different block for each color. The wooden blocks are dipped in dye and imprinted on the fabric. This process is repeated for every color of the design. Block printing is a slow process and the block printer must take great care to fit each section of the design in exactly the right position to match up the print.

Visit Petite Namaste to find that perfect unique baby blanket.

Follow Petite Namaste on Pinterest for Baby Decor ideas: pinterest.com/petitenamaste