Notice: spl_autoload_register(): Argument #2 ($do_throw) has been ignored, spl_autoload_register() will always throw in /var/www/wp-content/plugins/google-publisher/ClassAutoloader.php on line 27
baby – Page 3 – Luv Saving Money

Category: baby

Making Baby Comfortable on Road Trips

Continuing my series with travel posts, I’ve written a lot about what to do for you and the bigger kids but what about baby?  My kids did many car trips with me. I used to live in South Carolina and would sometimes drive the 10 hour drive with just me and 2 little ones in the car.  Believe it or not it wasn’t as bad as you might think.  Keeping baby comfortable and fed is the important thing.

It’s important for the driver to be comfortable.  The driver needs to be able to concentrate while driving.  Whether it’s you or someone else driving, a screaming baby can really be a distraction to the road.  Of course we know when baby’s crying they’re trying to tell us something.  Here’s some tips and things to consider to help baby be comfortable in the car.

1. Before starting your trip make sure baby is in a clean dry diaper, has a full belly, and is in comfortable clothes.  Tight or rough clothing make baby uncomfortable after so long.

2.  Pack plenty of bottles or baby food and drinks for your baby.  These are things they don’t often sell at quick stops or rest areas.  If they do, prepare to pay higher prices. I personally liked the formula powder when I wasn’t breastfeeding because you could mix it when you needed it and didn’t have to worry about it going bad in the car.

3.  Plan for more stops with baby.  Baby needs to stretch too.  Your baby might also want the comfort of your arms to ensure him/her.  If you’re breastfeeding you may need to stop more often to feed.

4. Consider the temperature in the car.  You may feel comfortable with the air conditioner blasting in the car but baby may not.  If you want to have the air conditioner turned up be sure to take a blanket for baby.  Make sure the air conditioner vents are pointed directly at baby.  You can feel baby’s skin too.  If they feel warm and are cranky or seems flushed you can turn the air conditioner up or open a window if it’s not too hot out.

5.  Baby’s that are more alert and rear-facing might enjoy the car seat mirrors or car seat toys to keep them entertained.  If you have other children in the car they can help you keep an eye on baby and even entertain them.  I personally love the car seat mirrors for rear-facing car seats.  When I’m driving it lets me see baby and babies love the shiny surface of the mirror.

6.  Pack plenty of diapers, wipes, and a few changes of clothes.  Check baby’s diaper at every stop.  It’s easy to relax when baby’s sleeping.  I know my boys would sleep for hours in the car on our trips but it’s still important to stop every few hours and check them to prevent diaper rash and discomfort.  You don’t want anything leaking through and onto their car seat either…Yuck!

7.  For the older babies and toddlers that can be front facing, there are all kinds of neat things for car seats like cup and snack trays, car seat toys, and things that go on the back of the seat that’s in front of them to keep them entertained.  Having a few toddler tunes in the car can keep them happy too.

 

bebe bella strap covers

 

What tips do you have for traveling with baby?  You can read my post on http://www.minibaltimore.com/Prepping-Your-Vehicle-for-a-Road-Trip to get more tips on prepping for a car trip for the whole family.

Items to Keep Baby Comfortable on Car Trips

Keep Baby Comfortable on Car Trips

With the summer travel season fast approaching, there are a number of items I’ve personally used to help keep my babies and toddles happy, comfortable, and entertained in the car. Most of them don’t cost much but can be a big help on road trips.

DLX ROLLER SHADE

725818386_260

Car window shades are simple and come in many different forms. I’ve had some that worked liked static stickers and stuck right onto the windows.  Some are rollers like the one pictured.  This will help keep sun out of the babies eyes and reduced the temperature of the car for your baby or toddler.

DLX ROLLER SHADE – $10.99, See Site shipping – Available at Babies R Us

 

Snack Tray – Ataches to Most Car Seats and Strollers

1463223367_260

There’s lots of useful snack trays that can attach to car seats.  Some car seats have them built in.  For the ones that don’t a snack tray like this can keep snacks close to your toddler and cut down on some mess.

Snack Tray – Ataches to Most Car Seats and Strollers – $22.00, 5.49 shipping – Available at Amazon.com Marketplace

 

Deluxe Baby View Mirror

717196944_260

Car Seat mirrors always served two purposes for me.  One reason was to be able to keep an eye on baby.  The 2nd was that when my babies were more alert they were interested in the shiny mirror and would sometimes entertain themselves by talking and making faces in the mirror.

Deluxe Baby View Mirror – $14.99, See Site shipping – Available at Fullfillment By Amazon

 

Babies R Us Car Seat Spiral Toy

1134910781_260

There are lots of car seat toys out there now.  There are toys that attach to the handle, toys that play music, toys with mirrors, toys that light up, lots of stuff. They also work on strollers.

Babies R Us Car Seat Spiral Toy – $12.99, See Site shipping – Available at Babies R Us

 

Backseat Organizer for Children – Fits Most Cars, Minivans and SUVs – Travel Car Storage for Kids or Babies in Back Seat – Many Compartments for Toys, Drinks, Files, Electronics – Seatback Protector – Money Back Guarantee

1346784671_260

A car seat organizer can help you keep all things you need for baby within reach.  Snacks, wipes, books, toys, whatever you might need.

Backseat Organizer for Children – Fits Most Cars, Minivans and SUVs – Travel Car Storage for Kids or Babies in Back Seat – Many Compartments for Toys, Drinks, Files, Electronics – Seatback Protector – Money Back Guarantee – $14.50, 5.74 shipping – Available at Amazon.com Marketplace

 

Animal Cushioned Strap Covers – Tan Dog

857513488_260

These are so easy to use and work great. I have this exact pair as well as a few others.  If you’re a first time mom and think you don’t need them, just wait until the first time you go on a car trip and go to take baby out of the car and notice a red strap mark on the side of baby’s neck.  It happened to me.  I bought these immediately after.  Now I don’t put baby in a car seat without them.  Some of them also work in strollers, highchairs, swings, and other baby items with straps.

Animal Cushioned Strap Covers – Tan Dog – $16.59, See Site shipping – Available at Fullfillment By Amazon

 

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for Postpresso.

Bebe Bella Strap Covers Super Soft

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

When I had my first son, I really didn’t know the point of strap covers until he fell asleep on a car ride one day and I noticed a red mark on his neck from where the strap was pressing in.  It was the way he was sleeping but I felt horrible.  I ended up buying him a set the very next day.  Now that my youngest (and 4th) is here, I make sure to have strap covers. They work for car seats, strollers, and just about any other baby item that might have straps like a high chair or swing for instance.

bebe bella strap covers

 

Bebe Bella strap covers are made of a super soft minky chenille fabric.  I love how they feel.  Reminds me of a soft body powder puff.  They come in a variety of colors and are reversible.  They wrap around just about any strap and attach with a velcro strip.  I tried them out with my daughter in a car seat.

 

bebe bella strap covers

These had a polka dot design you can see in the picture with a mix of white dark gray, light gray, and pink.  The other side is a solid light pink color.  These fit perfectly on her car seat straps.  I can imagine they would be pretty comfortable against her skin with how soft they are.

Bebe Bella strap covers are 100% Polyester.  They are machine washable and made right here in the USA.

If you’d like to see all the colors available and order your own, I have  50% off coupon code for you to purchase the strap covers.  Enter code: blogstrap at checkout on Bebebelladesigns.com .  This coupon is valid April 28 – May 8, 2014.  Also don’t forget to sign up for the Bebe Bella Designs reward program.  You’ll earn 1 point for every dollar spent that can be redeemed later for rewards on theirs site.  You also get 20 points just for signing up and a coupon for $10 off your first purchase of $25 or more.

You can also find Bebe Bella Designs on:

Facebook: facebook.com/bebebelladesigns

Twitter: @bebebelladesign

Pinterest: pinterest.com/bebebelladesign/

 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Saving Money with a New Baby

Luv Saving Money partnered with Baby Value Factory Outlet on this post

Saving money with a new baby, I know it almost sounds like an oxymoron.  Babies are expensive, but obviously money well worth spending.  I have some advice coming from a mom of 4 to new moms when it comes to preparing for baby.

1.  Research your options

There are lots of options with baby: nursing or bottle feeding, disposable diapers or cloth diapers, pacifier or no pacifier.  Many options are a personal choice.   Depending on how you will do things will help you plan ahead and prepare for baby. You can even plan these things as you trying to conceive not just when you’re pregnant.  Knowing your options with the path you want to take can give you an idea of supplies you’ll need, how much they cost, and where you can get them. Another idea, making your own baby food.  I have some posts on how to do that here: https://luvsavingmoney.com/2013/10/making-homemade-baby-food-applesauce.html

2.  Buy ahead of time

I did this option a lot.  Some things you might not be able to buy right away like gender specific clothes or things with expiration dates but you can buy things like diapers, wipes, neutral blankets, crib, changing table, etc ahead of time.  Allowing yourself time lets you look for sales and coupons and stock up when you see them.  If you know you’re having a baby shower putting gift cards on your list along with the other things is always a good idea too.  That way you can buy supplies like diapers, wipes, formula, nursing pads, etc after baby is born.  Don’t be afraid to ask advice on where to get affordable items from like-minded moms and family members.  Even as a mom of 4 I’m still finding out about great places to grab a deal from friends and family.

JFB spring haul

3.  Baby Reward programs

Some stores have baby reward programs out there. I know one in particular that has a “baby VIB” program where you can earn free or discounted baby needs when you buy so many.  A lot of stores have special offers.  Sign up for baby store newsletters to get additional coupons and notice of sales. Another fave reward program I like is Amazon mom, it’s free and gives you 3 free months of Amazon Prime shipping if you are new to Amazon Prime.

4.  Decide what you really need for your budget

Some things are really nice to have but aren’t necessarily a “need”.  Changing tables can make the job of changing a little easier and give you some storage space but I didn’t even own a changing table until I had my 3rd son.  I got a reusable changing mat and would change him on the floor, couch, or wherever was convenient at the time.  There are tons of gadgets like wipe warmers and bottle warmers for instance that are more of an added luxury thing.  Honestly I did get a wipe warmer with my first son but it ended up drying out the wipes pretty quickly.

5.  Check discount stores and consignment stores

I know, when I had my first child I wanted everything new, new, new.  As I saw how fast my son grew out of clothes and then we had another child I realized there are many items out there that are still in good shape from consignment stores.  I actually bought a gently used Vera Bradley diaper bag at a consignment sale for $6 when my daughter was born!

Blog 007

An infant might only wear clothes for 3 months until they grow out of them and it’s not like they’re playing football in them or going to the gym in them.  Also if you do want new, sites like Baby Value Factory Outlet: www.babyvalue.com.au offer new, brand  name baby needs for discounted prices.  (PS they also have a newsletter to let you know about sales and coupons)

6.  Talk to Family and Friends

Is your friend done having kids?  Did your sister’s child grow out of some of their things?  I know when I had my kids family and friends were happy to give or lend me items their kids had outgrown.  Just a courtesy though, ask if they are going to want them back or if it’s ok to pass them on to someone else.  If you have friends or family with kids you can even trade and pass around clothes, shoes, car seats, etc.  As one has a baby give them the items you’re not using, you have another baby, they give items back plus what they might have bought.  I’ve passed on plenty of outfits, shoes, blankets, etc to friends and family.

7.  Know that you don’t have to have everything right away

Certain things you’ll need right away like a rear-facing car seat, probably a stroller, diapers, etc.  But other things like doorway jumpers, baby gates, baby utensils can wait a month or two.  Those gift cards you put on your baby registry, take baby out when you’re feeling up to it and you can pick up those things then.

Do you have tips for saving money with a new baby?  Feel free to share

Baby Butz Cream Get Rid of Diaper Rash, Naturally

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

My daughter is now 9 months old.  After having 4 kids I’ve kind of learned which diaper rash creams seem to work for my kids and which ones don’t .  I’m always willing to try new products if they seem safe for my kids.  When I had the chance to try Baby Butz Cream I thought why not?  After all, it’s 100% natural and award winning.

baby butz cream

 

Baby Butz cream is a thick paste which I really like.  I never understood how a thin lotion or cream would protect my little ones’ skin.  Most of the time it didn’t. When I purchase diaper rash cream on my own I always went with a thick paste that stayed put in the diaper.  I had put it on my daughter in the morning with the rash she had and by night time, I cleaned off her bum and the rash had faded significantly

baby butz before baby butz after

 

I love the fact that that it really works and it 100% natural and safe.  It also has a 100% guarantee.  It’s dye free and fragrance free so it’s gentle on baby’s sensitive skin.  Baby Butz has received many awards and honors.  Just visit their website to see for yourself: http://www.babybutz.com/

You can buy Baby Butz online or click the “where to buy” section of their website to see where you can pick it up in store.  At a price of only $7.99 I will definitely buy this again in the future.  You don’t  need a lot at one time and the quickness in which this works make it worth the buy in my book.  The fact that this is a mom invented product, is even better.  You definitely need to read their “our story” section.

You can also find Baby Butz on these social media sites:

Twitter: @BabyButz

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BabyButzCream

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/babybutzcream/videos
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.