Tips for Moving Baby to Their Own Room

Many people have no problem bringing baby home and letting them share mom and dad's room. In fact, for me it is handy to have baby close by when they are waking up for middle of the night feedings. But there comes a time when mom and dad really want their space back and there are many bonuses to baby spending the whole night in their own room. Here are some tips for making this happen.

1. Get a good, safe crib. Knowing that your baby is safe in a crib that they cannot get out of and does not have anything harmful in it can help you feel secure in baby sleeping on their own.
   
2. Get a good baby monitor. We like an LCD Digital Wireless Baby Monitor. Key features for us include night vision, good sound, and rechargeable batteries. This helps mom and dad be able to check on baby without going inside the room and waking baby. I also like that the video feature helps me to make sure the big kids aren't picking on the baby and/or waking them.
   
3. Stay out. If you have a good crib and a baby monitor, one little thing that helps baby be
   comfortable in their own room is simply for you to stay out. I know this can be hard but if your baby sees that you are nervous and keep checking on them they will feel insecure and be less likely to stay in their own room.

I know these may seem like simple things but they are the tricks and tips that we use to keep our children in their own beds. Having seven children that sleep in their own beds is a must for mom getting a good night's sleep and being 100% for them during the day. What tools do you use to help get yourself the sleep you need with children in the house? We'd love the hear!

Milk for Baby with Fluiditea

 Baby is almost here and that means it's time to pull out many of the necessities that I know I'll want to have around for those first days and weeks after baby's arrival. The car seat, diaper bag, cradle, and more are all out and ready so now it's time to prep some things for myself. This list includes hospital snacks, breast pump, breast pads, and the new Fluiditea for breastfeeding moms.

Fluiditea was kind enough to send me two samples to try with the arrival of this new baby. First is the Fluiditea Clear and Flow that helps clear milk-duct clogging and optimizes flow. I am very excited to try this as my milk comes in those first few days when I have been so uncomfortable in the past. As an ancient, plant based, 100% natural remedy I love that I know it is safe for me and my baby during those first crucial days.

Once my milk is in I'll get the chance to try Fluiditea's other option, Fluiditea Flourish and Grow. This product helps enrich, maximize and sustain milk supply. Like many women, sustaining my milk supply has been a problem in the past and I'm excited to try this tea as it contains some ingredients that I have used in the past to help with this problem and some new ingredients that I haven't tried before but with proven benefits. This tea also is plant based and 100% natural making it a great option for me and baby.

You can learn more about Fluiditea and their other products today on their website, Facebook, twitter or Pinterest. Save 10% when you order in December or January with coupon code DEC15CAK. I'd love to hear your experience with these products and I'll be anxious to share more of mine as soon as our little one makes his grand appearance.

Diaper Bags: 5 Tips For Making it Work

With a new baby almost here I have been working hard to get everything prepared. One of the things that I have had to spend some time revamping is our diaper bag situation. It wasn't too bad but I have spent some time reevaluating what is inside so today I'd like to share with you my must have in the diaper bag list.

1. The Bag - This might very well be the hardest part. You want something cute. You want something not too big and not too little. Most of all, you want something easy to wash and stain resistant. Did I mention easy to wash and stain resistant?
   
   
2. The Diapers - Being that this is a diaper bag you'll want to make sure you have 2-3 reliable diapers, like Huggies Little Snugglers from Sam's Club, plus wipes with you at all times. Some people also like to include a changing pad and diaper cream on this list however, as nice as they are, I often forgo these in the diaper bag simply to save space and weight.
   
   
3. The Snacks - This is one of the most important parts of my diaper bag. I like to contain the snacks in a separate bag - something with a zip top either reusable or disposable depending on your preference. Now the important part, what to pack for snacks. For a new baby that's pretty easy, a bottle if needed and formula (we like the individual serving packets), but there are a few other things I would add. First, don't forget something for yourself. I keep a small bottle of water and some granola bars or trail mix. As baby gets older, or if you have other children, you may want to pack something for them as well. Squeeze pouches with applesauce or fruit leather are great options that are easy to feed and healthy for your children.
   
   
4. The Other Items - A blanket, a burp cloth (or three or four), a change of clothes for baby, and extra shirt for yourself, pacifiers, small toys, and anything else you use on a daily/hourly basis are nominations for any diaper bag. I tend toward leaving most of this home with the exception of the first three which have a separate bag in the car in case the ones already with baby in baby's car seat need to be changed.
   
   
5. Meds - I know, you thought I was done after the last one but I'm not. At least at our house, medication is an important addition to our diaper bag. Again, we place these items in a zip top bag inside the diaper bag so they are always with me and easy to find. Our list of meds includes an inhaler (or three), BENADRYL (children's and adult), EpiPen, and adult pain killer. Yes, this takes up a good part of my diaper bag but if I don't take them ... well of course someone needs them.

End of Summer + Giveaway

The end of summer is officially here. School started for most of my kids and we've had to dig out the sweatshirts and socks to help keep us warm enough on the cold Idaho mornings. It's a new chapter in our lives but that means it's time to celebrate and today we are doing that with an amazing product - The Mighty Mug.

If you're a parent like me then most likely you deal with spilled drinks. But then, who am I kidding, we all have clumsy moments where are cups get away from us. That is why I was so excited when I learned about the new Mighty Mug. Finally, barware that won't fall! It's like a miracle. The Mighty Mug is designed to stick to a flat surface so that it must be picked directly up to move and cannot be pushed over. This has been a lifesaver for keeping myself hydrated over the last two weeks as it's the first cup that I've felt comfortable keeping next to my sewing machine and computer during the day when the kids are around. It will even stay standing on my hardwood floor if I set it at the foot of my chair which is awesome!

There are only two downfalls that I can see with this cup. First that it must be hand washed. And second, that there aren't more sizes. I can easily see me using a smaller version of this cup for my kids at the table. It would be so much easier then regular cups while still teaching them to drink like an adult. Please Mighty Mug, work on this for us moms!

Do you think the Mighty Mug sounds fantastic? Then here's an opportunity for you. Today you can enter to win a $30 gift card to Mighty Mug so you can try out these fabulous cups for yourself. To enter simply use the form below. Good luck!

Entry-Form

And now that you've entered here at Kerrific make sure you go check out all the other great prizes to help you celebrate the End of Summer. A huge thank you to LeahSay's Views & Planet Weidknecht for putting together such a great group of bloggers and prizes! Happy Monday!

Too Cool for Drool with I See Me! + Giveaway

Sometimes the hardest people to buy gifts for are the little people that don't really need anything but that you really love and want to buy something special for. For those hard to buy for individuals I highly recommend a gift from I See Me! This is a great company that has everything from growth charts and lunchboxes to an amazing selection of books all personalized for your special someone. Today I am excited to have partnered with I See Me to bring you a feature of their newest addition - the My Very Own Trucks Personalized Book.

I am just in love with the My Very Own Trucks book we were sent and I can't wait to give it to my son for his birthday next week. As usual, I See Me has outdone themselves with fun, bright pictures, an interactive story, and the flawless personalization that makes this book something that will be treasured for a lifetime.

You'll want to make sure you check out this and all the other amazing books at I See Me! Then once you do, enter to win your Very Own Trucks book using the form below. Good luck!

Entry-Form

Now that you've entered our giveaway here at Kerrific, make sure you enter to win all the great prizes during the Too Cool for Drool hop. The Mommy Island & The Kids Did It have done a great job of putting this all together!

An InLinkz Link-up

A Comfortable Baby for Fall

I received product and compensation from Mead Johnson Nutrition to create this post written by me. All experiences and opinions expressed in this post are my own and not those of Mead Johnson Nutrition.  Consult your pediatrician before making changes to your baby’s diet or if you have concerns related to your baby’s digestive health. Please see the product label/website for acceptable use and benefits. You can contact Mead Johnson Nutrition with product related questions or comments toll free at 1-800-BABY123 or through the Contact Us link on Reguline.com or Enfamil.com.

Fall is on its way in and with that means a changing of schedules for back to school. This year, our house is going to be much quieter with a second grader, a kindergartner, and two preschoolers. That means, at least until the new baby arrives, G and I are going to be home by ourselves. What a change that will be!

With just the two of us here it's going to be extra important that we work to keep each other happy and comfortable. One of the ways we have recently improved the comfort status of little G is by trying out a sample of Enfamil® Reguline™. This specialized formula was designed to promote soft, comfortable stools and to help support digestive health making it a great option for many babies.

Like most Enfamil® formulas, Enfamil® Reguline™ contains complete nutrition for babies through their first year of life. As an extra bonus, this formula is designed to help promote soft stools in infants. It has a blend of two prebiotics. Prebiotics are a type of carbohydrate, also found in breast milk, that help feed the good bacteria in the digestive system and are often recommended for children and adults with digestive and weight management problems. Having experienced a recommendation of prebiotics for multiple of my children I can agree that having it included in a formula is a good way of adding them to a small child's diet then many of the other ways the doctors have suggested.

 

I love having a happy baby and I know you will too. Life is better when all is well on the inside. Once your comfy make sure you take the time to curl up with your baby and enjoy some snuggles. They grow up much to fast so don't miss out!

I received product and compensation for this sponsored post written by me on behalf of Mead Johnson Nutrition. All opinions are my own and not those of Mead Johnson Nutrition.

Fun Fit Ideas for Mom & Kids

As a mom of five kids I know that it can be very hard to take time to care for yourself while still giving the very best to your children. Although taking care of yourself is an important part of succeeding as a parent it is often one of the first things neglected when times get rough. Today I want to share with you five easy ways to care for yourself by helping your physical fitness while enjoying time with your children.

Jumping - When was the last time you got on the trampoline with the kids? I know, for me it's been a while but it's one of the things I am excited to do again after this baby arrives. My kids love playing with mom and dad on the trampoline or in the bounce house. Both are great fun and playing games like dead man and crack the egg will create memories that you and your children will cherish for a lifetime.

 Walking - Going for a walk is a simple way to stay physically fit with your kids. It's easy to load even the smallest of kids into a stroller or baby carrier and go enjoy the fresh air. Walking your kids to school or the park is a great way to make sure you're getting enough exercise. Or, if you're really feeling adventurous, try walking to the grocery store or the mall. With the cooler air of fall here now is the perfect time to start a walking routine.

 Play Catch - This is an activity that I used to do with my dad. There is nothing like spending an evening playing catch in the yard. If you have a large enough family, or friends you can recruit, then a game of kickball is a great option as well. It's not hard and doesn't take any special equipment but will give you some quality time with your kids while giving you the exercise your body needs.

Ride Bikes - This is an activity that our family is looking forward to doing together. At this point I still have more little kids that can't ride their own bikes then I do ability to carry them on or behind an adult bike but bike rides are another great memory from my childhood. There is a lot you can see when riding a bike and it's a great way for kids to explore their neighborhoods with their parents.



Yoga - Yoga is a great option to do as a family. This is probably our favorite fitness activity because it's great for kids of any age and something that doesn't take a lot of planning ahead. Yoga can be made to fit any skill level and helps with strengthening, flexibility and relaxation (to name a few) so everyone can benefit. My children's favorite part of the yoga experience tends to be trying to tip mom over as she tries to balance but it's all in good fun and we really do have a great time together. As a bonus, I always feel better and sleep better after spending a little time on a yoga mat.

While you and your little one are out and about and moving make sure that you are protected from any diaper leakage with Pampers Cruisers and their three Extra Absorb Channels. You'll notice a difference in the amount your child is weighed down by their diaper and you'll love that a donation is made to families in need when you use Pampers. You're child will love that they stay in place but flex and move with them as they enjoy spending time with the ones they love most!

This review was made possible by iConnect: Influencer Management and Pampers. 

I received product free of charge, but all opinions are 100% mine.

The Fight for Finn + Giveaway

The story of baby Finn and the Blumenthal family is one of hope, strength, and courage that resonates deeply within all of us.

When Sleeping Baby appeared on the hit ABC show Shark Tank, they shared their story of losing a child and how they were able to overcome their struggles largely with the help and encouragement of their sweet customers. The Parkers were flooded with emails from supportive fans… including one woman, Kelly Blumenthal.
Kelly had just discovered she was pregnant with a child who had little to no chance at life due to potentially terminal heart defects. The Blumenthal family had to make plans to terminate the pregnancy based on the recommendation from doctors who conveyed the severity of the baby’s condition and his inevitable fate.
After watching Stephanie share her heart and story on Shark Tank, however, Kelly was renewed with a sense of purpose and drive to see her little one survive and give him a chance at life. Stephanie shared Kelly’s story on the Zipadee-Zip Facebook page and their Sleeping Baby Fans surrounded the family in an overwhelming outpouring of prayer and support during the pregnancy.
Finn is now 5 months old and is ALIVE, well and pretty darn ADORABLE too! In many respects, the Blumenthal family has since become part of the Parker family and they hold a special place in the hearts and prayers of tens of thousands of the Sleeping Baby Fans.

Fight for Finn Giveaway

Sleeping Baby wants to thank their fans for their outpouring of prayer and support with a very special Fight for Finn Giveaway!
5 lucky winners will be chosen to receive a Zipadee-Zip of their choice and 10 winners will receive a Little Sailor teether.

Enter through the Rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Order the Limited Edition "Finn" Zipadee-Zip & Flying Squirrel Now!

Watch the Finn Video!

Kidgets for Budget Kids

With back to school upon us, it is time to reevaluate the family budget. I can hardly believe that this is E’s last year of school but at the same time I am so thankful that we have almost made it to the end. As we tackle this last year as a family it is going to be extremely important that we stay on top of the budget and keep our debt to a minimum so that as we look toward a future of a new job in a possibly new location we do not have school debt holding us back. That is why I was so excited when Family Dollar asked me to share some information about their value brand, Kidgets.

Kidgets are a great buy for anyone who is counting pennies (and many of those that are not). Kidgets’ diapers not only provide excellent leakage protection for little ones with stretchable sides and a cloth-like outer cover but they also include a 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back. There aren’t many brands left that can say that which makes Kidgets truly one of the few. Whether you are buying diapers for one kid or three, Kidgets is a great option that can make a huge difference in your family’s budget situation this school year and beyond.

One last note, the other thing I love about Kidgets is that while I am out picking up these practical diapers I can also grab many of the other things on my list at our local Family Dollar. They have a good selection, are close to home, and are one of the few places where it is actually easy to find what I need. If you have never checked out your local Family Dollar store I highly recommend finding your nearest store and stopping in for a visit soon!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Family Dollar

Baby Strong

Okay moms…can you relate to this? New moms may have every intention to hit the gym, attend a class, go for a run, or pop in a DVD and workout at home...but things don't always work out this way with a new baby. When we heard about this new mom invention launching on Kickstarter, we just had to share with you! Baby Strong Workout is the solution for every new mom to feel good again...and by only using mom + baby! Make sure to scroll below to help spread the word about Baby Strong in two simple steps. Baby Strong Workout is a fun, effective and inexpensive workout option that helps moms of all sizes, shapes and fitness levels feel strong, healthy, happy and confident. Features:

• Deck of workout cards held together with a teething ring link
• Includes individual exercise cards and a series of pre-made workouts (do one-off exercises, put together your own workout or try the pre-made ones)
• Baby Safe: chew, drool and baby-friendly material used for cards
• Text and photo instructions included for each exercise
• Follow pre-made workouts or customize your own

Benefits:

• Workout with ONLY mom + baby!
• No gym, no classes, no special equipment
• Created for moms of all shapes, sizes and fitness levels
• Helps moms feel strong, healthy, happy, and confident
• Fun, effective, and inexpensive workout for moms
• Mommy Care + Baby Care
• No Tears. No Guilt.

Could you help our friends over at Baby Strong Workout spread the word? Here are two simple steps:

Step 1:

Step 2:

Head over to the Baby Strong Workout website to learn more and if you think this is a great idea your pre-order on Kickstarter is much appreciated!

 

Formula for Happiness this Summer with Baby

It's hot! It's dry! It's summer vacation! YIKES! I can't be the only mom who's starting to feel like maybe it should be time to go back to school. I've decided it's time to reevaluate our summer to keep things rolling smoothly. Here are  a few of the things I've learned really help the happiness level at our house along with a few things we're going to try adding to our formula for happiness.

Sleep - this is the most important thing at our house to keeping everyone happy. Even when we're out and about or on vacation it's important to make sure you and your little ones are getting enough sleep. For us that means that all my kids have nap time every day. It's great because it gives mom some quite time and puts the kids back on tolerable terms with each other. Not sure if you're child is getting enough sleep? A chat with a sleep expert is a great idea! They can help you not only learn how much sleep should be happening but also help make sure you have safe sleeping environments and help you conquer any sleep challenges you may be having.

Keep it simple - having a simple daily plan can help keep everyone on track. If you and your children know what to expect it helps keep everyone happy. At our house this means that we do chores first thing after breakfast and once they are done the kids can play until lunch time. After lunch we have naps and then do one more chore before they are able to play for the rest of the evening. The chores and play activities change but having the basic structure of our day be standard helps everyone's experience be better.

Keep it clean - another part of having a basic schedule is that it helps us keep our home clean make it a more enjoyable place to be. I love looking at a clean house and even the baby loves crawling on a clean floor. Who wouldn't? It's another simple thing that helps keep everyone happy.

Plan meals in advance - I've discussed this one before but I've found it's especially important to plan meals ahead during the summer. With the long hours of light there is nothing worse then having a screaming child before you realize it's way past dinner time. We like to keep meals simple but filling and eat early enough that we have time to enjoy time as a family once we're finished. It's another small step to keeping everyone happy.

Go with the flow - yes, structure is important but sometimes you need a day to just do what you feel like. Go to the park, the zoo, or visit with family or friends. You children will love spending a day relaxing and it's a great way to change things up a bit and keep things moving.

If you like these tips then you'll want to go check out these great ideas for helping to keep you children happy. We'd also love to hear from you. What tips and tricks do you have for us that we can add to our formula for happiness? 

Summer Must Haves for Baby

There are always great new products out there for your babies and toddlers. Today I'd like to share some products I've recently been introduced to that I thought those of you expecting babies this summer might want to know about.

For Memories:

There is nothing more special then a new little one and there are some great tools out there to help you remember their first days. I highly suggest a baby footprint kit and a baby birthday chronicle. These are both simple ways to save memories that you can hang on the wall or put in a scrapbook that your children will love looking at as they get older.

For Safety:

We always want our homes to be the very safest they can be for our children which is why I suggest every parent invests in U Shaped Edge Guards for all needed surfaces (coffee and end tables are the worst culprits at my house).

For the car a Baby Car Mirror can be a big comfort to both mom and baby. I have the benefit of having older kids that can play with and check on the little ones during our long car trips but if you don't have that advantage then this is a tool you probably won't want to travel without.

For Health:

At our house we also like to use a waterproof crib mattress pad. This is partially a safety thing as it does make sure that our mattresses stay in usable condition but it is also a health thing as this helps us to make sure that baby's bed is always clean and that if baby does get sick I can disinfect properly.

Another of our favorite health things are Amber Teething Necklaces. They work for my kids and myself and if you haven't tried them and are struggling with teething or other pain I highly suggest trying them. You might be surprised at how well they work.

For Feeding:

If you have twins you'll for sure want to check out the Twin Z Pillow. My good friend had the chance to try one out with her little ones and loved it! Hopefully however this is one product I never have the chance to try myself.

If you're nursing then a good hands free pumping bra is a must. I know that this made a huge difference for me. I went from trying to hold everything in place and work on homework or blogging at the same time to being able to comfortably do both without dropping anything. Yes, some of you know exactly what I'm talking about.

For Diapers:

There are a ton of different kinds of diapers out there but recently we were introduced to buttons diapers and they work really well. Although they are not our preferred pocket style buttons diapers did their job and the cute color selection is hard to resist.

For Play Time: 

Have you seen Zubels Yet? If not, you're missing out! They make adorable cotton rattles and more that any baby would love! I know our little one took to hers right away and loves to snuggle and play with it. As a bonus - the rattle is fairly quiet and I can get away taking it places that I wouldn't think of taking some of her other toys.

For Cuteness:

Every baby needs some cuteness in their closet and here we recommend checking out these adorable rock star bodysuits. They have lots of fun colors and styles with phrases and graphics to match every parent's style.

Pacifier clips are another fun way to add style. You can pick boy, girl or gender neutral for any gift giving occasion and most moms are thrilled. It seems you can never have enough of these little buggers and the cuter the better.

Another fun accessory is a bandanna bib. Again, these come in lots of colors but having some of the basics is a great way to accessorize your little one and keep them looking adorable!

Happy Shopping!