Kissaluvs Wipe Review

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I've been using baby wash cloths as wipes for my little man's sensitive skin. I thought buying cloth wipes from a cloth diapering company would be silly.

Kissaluvs sent me a Sampler Pack of their awesome wipes, and I must admit, I am a changed woman!

Here's a little bit about Kissaluvs from their website:

Kissaluvs is a family-owned and -operated company dedicated to creating and providing excellent natural family products. Our diapers are enjoyed throughout the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, and other areas far and wide.|
Started in a dining room with a fitted diaper for baby "Kissa," Kissaluvs products are now produced by professional seamstresses with top-notch equipment, fabrics and supplies.
We take family ownership quite seriously. The whole family -- Tashi, Randy, the spirited 5 year old Sumair and the lively 3 year old Saheb-- share in the work and are all thrilled to be part of the Kissaluvs team.
Even with our whole family involved, however, we couldn't possibly make and ship all these diapers alone. Thankfully, we work with some real professionals on our production team who help ensure that you get diapers that perform well and look good, too.

Also featured on their website are fan pics and videos of babies in Kissaluvs, Tips and Tricks for travel, fitting diapers on your thin babies, list of their amazing iParenting Media Awards plus others, features in top magazines like Time and Pregnancy & Newborn (a personal favorite!), and much more!

Included in Kissaluvs' Wipe Sampler Pack are the Premium Organic Wipes, Organic Cotton/Hemp Wipes, and Awesome Knit Terry Wipes.

Premium


Organic Cotton/Hemp Wipes


Awesome Knit Terry Wipes

I have to admit I definitely felt a difference between these wipes and plain wash cloths. They are thicker, really soft, and much more absobant. Sometimes I need 2 or 3 wash cloths depending on the mess Austin makes in his diapers, but with these I only needed one every time. I find myself reaching for the regular wash cloths in small changes just so I can use these for the heavy duty things!

My absolute favorite is the Organic Cotton/Hemp. It's Terry on one side for the bottom and smooth on the other for faces, nose, little hands, etc. This wipe is so soft and feels great. The Premium wipes are awesome for a gift. They are super cute and one side is a REALLY soft flannel with super cute prints. The Awesome Knit Terrys are also a great soft wipe and can be used as washcloths and other things!

The Cotton/Hemp and the Terry wipes can also be used as doublers or boosters in your cloth diapers!

Kissaluvs also has a Diaper Lotion Potion and they suggest using these wipes wet with warm water with their spray. I soak my wipes in warm water with baby soap, but I may try this lotion of theirs to fight a small rash Austin seems to keep under the front waist band of his diapers.

Want to try some of Kissaluvs amazing cloth diapering products? They are offering my blog readers 20% off from now through Saturday February 27th! That's amazing savings! Pick up a Marvel's One Size Diaper, a pack of the awesome organic wipes, or some newborn fitteds for your new bundle of joy!

The coupon code is "babybumble"
Have fun shopping!
http://www.kissaluvs.com

I was sent an assortment of wipes for this review that I kept. I was not compensated.

Droopy

I know that Dear Baby did this already, but I've been planning on this post for weeks, I just have limited internet time and usually forget what I wanted to do by the time I get on LOL. So I'm doing it anyways!

Amber Teething Necklaces

I had never heard of Amber Teething necklaces. I saw some babes at my BFing support group but I was too shy (yes me, I know...) to ask what they were. Then I saw pictures of babies on diaper swappers wearing them around their ankles. I HAD to know what they were.

I posted a thread on diaper swappers asking what in the world these were and was quickly responded with-

They symbolize no more long nights awake with a cranky teething baby! They're amber teething necklaces, and the resin in the amber is a natural pain reliever that is absorbed by the baby's skin. They work wonders--my daughter got two teeth with lots of crying, fever, nights awake, etc. before we bought the necklace. She's gotten six more since then without so much as a whimper from teething.

The moms then directed my toward an awesome woman named Liana. She makes these wonderful pieces of functional jewelry. She was so incredibly helpful and always answered my questions really promptly, even when she was on hiatus from customs. She even may be related to me, very distantly. We're still trying to figure it out!

Here is what her website says about Baltic Amber:

What is Baltic Amber? Baltic Amber is a fossilized tree resin originating from the Baltic Sea Region of Russia. Baltic Amber contains Succinic Acid and when it is heated against the skin it releases an all natural analgesic (pain relief) which helps to ease teething pains in children as well as colic and gas and other ailments. This works so well that necklaces made in lengths for children are the main thing used in Europe and Asia for teething pains and other ailments. These also work wonders with adults! They help with Migraines, arthritis, acid reflux and many many other issues!! The Amber I use is imported by me directly from Europe. It is found in the Baltic Region in the Baltic Sea area. Baltic Amber is believed to contain the highest amounts of this acid. Though all types of amber are believed to contain this acid only Baltic Amber contains enough to be considered healing. Contrary to what some think NOT ALL Amber is Baltic.

The women on diaper swappers had RAVE reviews about Liana and her necklaces.

Well. I just had to have one. Surprised?

I made a custom order based on a design she showed me that her baby is currently sporting. You get to pick the thread color, bead colors and sizes, the clasps... The possibilities are ENDLESS. She sent me pics while they were still in the mail on the way! Wasn't that nice of her?

Here is little Austin with his anklet!

Here's some of her other work for girly girls! I've already had a couple friends on Twitter say they wanted some, but some PRETTY ones ;) You can also find her on Facebook and see more!

You can find Baltic Creations here! (<---click that)

I can't wait to see how this works! Austin isn't teething yet, but he does have painful gas sometimes. I hope this cuts out the Mylicon use!

BTW I was NOT asked to do this review, I was NOT compensated, I just am really excited and REALLY want some more people to try this out!

BTW! TopBabyBlogs votes were reset. We were WAY behind. PLEASE just click this banner. It takes .02 seconds. That's all you have to do! Voting for us is easy peasy!

Snow Busy

It's been a long time since I've posted. We've been pretty busy! We had SNOW in Charleston! Like 6 inches. We haven't had snow like that since 1989.

Austin has been gaining weight steadily, now over 10 pounds! My big boy...

I have about 10 blog posts swimming in my head & I hope to be able to sit down soon and get them all down on "paper".

We're also moving at the end of the month! I'm really excited to get closer to the city!

I also have some products I'm in the process of reviewing & will be able to offer y'all some awesome coupons! Can't wait to show y'all what we've been trying out! :)

Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

The Power Of Twitter

Some people say "I don't GET Twitter." I thank Twitter every single day for the major support I have received. I know for a FACT I wouldn't be breastfeeding today if it weren't for Twitter, amongst other things.

I have found this new world of women, moms, on Twitter. Breastfeeding, baby wearing, cloth diapering, co-sleeping moms. They have helped me so tremendously. I really owe A LOT to them.

I almost quit breastfeeding when I finally came home from the hospital with Austin. I was having to EP (exclusively pump) because I was still giving him fortified breast milk in the bottle. I was stressed being home with him by myself, I had a new non-hospital grade pump, I was exhausted, I was everything a new mommy is, plus so so scared not being dependant on a nurse or monitor to tell me how the baby was.

I was SO mad at the pump. I was plugged into the wall, it was hurting, Austin was awake (something he wasn't much at the beginning) and I couldn't play with him, and my supply was zilch. My mom said that she and my dad thought I should just stop, I was too upset and my being depressed wasn't worth it. I tweeted that I was going to just quit.

I had dozens and dozens of moms write me. They tweeted me, they commented my blog, they hunted down my email and emailed me. They reminded me it's never easy at first, breastmilk is the most nutritious meal for my baby, and once I got to breastfeed and get off that awful pump, all of my hard work would be worth it. I was amazed by the empowering support I got from women I didn't even know. I kept pumping, and that night when Austin was still hungry after his bottle, I nursed him and I realized they were all right. It was the most amazing experience and I would do anything to breastfeed my boy, even if it meant pumping for a few more weeks.

Breastfeeding isn't easy, especially at the beginning. It's scary and difficult. Is the baby getting enough? Is he gaining weight? Should I supplement? Every question I had was answered. I was getting to weigh Austin weekly at Best Fed Baby at Trident hospital, he seemed content after each meal, and no I should not supplement or my supply will never catch up to my baby. I had a lot of frustration with my shield the lactation consultant gave me, and women on Twitter supported me by saying "this too shall pass", reminding me it wouldn't be forever, and offering their horror stories. It was nice to know I wasn't the only one in the world!

Not only have I learned a ton, but I gained the confidence through twitter alone to NIP (nurse in public). WITHOUT those covers. Those covers a pain in the butt. I don't like to use them. I have no problem feeding my son in public. It's a baby eating its food. If you have a problem seeing breasts in public, then you should relearn the uses of the breast. I always wear a nursing tank top under my shirts. I just raise my shirt and lower the little part on the tank top. Austin's head is right in front at all times, and I'm about 99% sure no one has ever been able to see anything, even if they were staring. Christopher didn't even KNOW I was feeding Austin multiple times. People have no idea. You only bring attention to yourself when you try to hide it. If you LIKE the covers that's one thing, that's fine. But I don't. So I won't use it! I did at first to gain some confidence, and then through listening to women on Twitter talk about NIP, I realized I had nothing to hide! I feel very liberated!

There is an amazing site I have linked here about Booby Traps. I had no one help me breastfeed. I had an LC (lactation consultant) and Twitter. I had some friends who breastfed, but it wasn't really on my top list of things to talk about. I just became very confident in my nursing. Best For Baby has an amazing site about the Booby Traps we face, trying to make NIP NORMAL like it SHOULD be, and giving breastfeeding a makeover! If you are pregnant PLEASE read this! It will help you make that amazing important decision about breastfeeding!

I swore I'd never ever sleep with my baby. I was sure I'd roll over and squish him. But I am coming out of the co-sleeping closet. I am a co-sleeper, and I am proud. I have done some research, and did you know, more babies die alone in their crib than any baby in bed with mom and dad. The only family bed deaths basically are when the parents are intoxicated, unaware, or the bed is not safe (excess pillows, blankets, etc). I have an Arm's Reach Co-sleeper and Austin sleeps in there and in the bed with me. He sleeps better, I sleep better, it's easier to breastfeed in the middle of the night... Babies weren't designed to sleep alone. They stop breathing and their heart rhythms change throughout the night in slumber. There is a hormonal connection between a mother and her breastfed baby that connect the breaths and helps baby learn to breathe, and if the baby is in any type of distress, the mother will wake up. It's amazing how God works. CIO (crying it out) has now been proven to lower serotonin levels which is being linked to SIDS, as well as brain damage. Why in the world you would leave a NEWBORN that knows NOTHING other than "mom" or "no mom" is beyond me. When a baby is older I can see putting him down and making him learn on his own, but a NEWBORN?! They don't understand! They are scared and alone, and you're just making it worse.

I found these articles and support through the Twitter world as well. If I didn't tweet that desperate plea about NEVER getting sleep and being up and down all night long with Austin in a standard bassinet, I would have probably pulled all of my hair out. I got a lot of researched information, proven facts, and quiet nights.

Babies Are Not Designed To Sleep Alone

Dangers of Leaving A Baby To Cry It Out

Where Should Babies Sleep At Night

10 Reasons To Sleep By Your Child

Tons more articles HERE

Thanks to @drmomma for the great blog with amazing articles!

I also have gotten spades of cloth diapering tips, tricks, and help from Twitter. I've talked to the creator of Bumgenius herself (@bumgenius, @cottonbabies) and she has taken the time to help me personally with some questions I was having! She even talked to me today about a question I had! I've even had moms GIVE me diapers from Twitter! I've now gotten two other moms to start cloth diapering their newborns born around the time Austin was. They love it, which they should because it's awesome. (Hi @mommurray & rigatormom!). I found my current AMAZING detergent through Twitter (@RockinGreenSoap), won a Banana Bottoms diaper through Twitter (@bananabottoms) and a diaper sprayer from @TheCDReport.

I learned about a very very special little baby girl named Cora. She was born a few days after Austin. I remembered reading her mom's tweets about her birth while I was pumping in the hospital for Austin. One night @kristinebrite wrote the Tweet no one should EVER have to write. Her little baby girl passed away at 5 days old. Kristine later found out that Cora had a Congenital Heart Defect, the #1 birth defect. #1 birth defect? Bet you didn't know that. Neither did I. And 50% of those cases can be caught with a simple teeny tiny pulse ox test. You know, those annoying things the nurses do 12987209834 times on your finger while you're in the hospital? Yeah, those. They don't do them on our babies. And our babies go home with undetected heart defects. PLEASE visit Kristine and Cora's blog. Kristine is doing the most AMAZING job in raising awareness.

I'm going to give a shout out to everyone who has helped me. It's a lot and KNOW I am going to miss someone. I'm sorry & I love YOU the most ;)

@hautesinglemama, @keepemcookin, @TheCDReport, @that_danielle, @NewMomJD, @thebluemoongirl, @SylkoZakur, @CrunchyNurse, @3kiddosunder4, @mommatokmhs, @ashhan123, @holleeinbalance, @myniftynappy, @cottonbabies, @bumgenius, @heartsandhandss, @jdruit, @AppleCheeksDipe, @fentonslee, @wonderkarin, @pattiliciouz, @mandyw526, @earth_mommy, @flwrbtt, @moshermama, @clairelouise2, @marfmom, @havenlilliana, @twomomsandababy, @soapsuds, @mamacavy, @angeliotum, @rigatormom, @mommurray, @radicalactivist, @tryitmom, @induetime, @thehappyhours, @MeMo07, @sbeecreations, @posielove, @andyparas, @esteelavitt, @ilovemonty, @granolamom, @naptimemama, @thechattymomma, @kerisma, @bananabottoms, @butifulmess, @carfreemama, @danielleb1221, @robinpregnancy, @theecochic, @rockingreensoap, @spiffybex, @dragondream, @bambimomio, @mylarose24, @smilyg, @rgnaturalbabies,

Ugh and I can only get to February 7th in my replies. I would actually pay real life money to know the girls that tweeted my not to quit pumping the day I wanted to quit!

Not only have I gotten great help I've won tons of stuff :) I've met amazing people who I cal true friends!

I Love...

I wanted to be a mommy my whole life. I wanted a baby. I want to feed a baby and clothe a baby and change diapers and rock a baby to sleep. I loved to soothe crying babies and cuddle babies and kiss baby cheeks. I baby sat, had 30 cabbage patch dolls, tried to surround myself with babies every moment I got!

I knew a mother's love for her child was like no other I heard the moms say "I never knew love until I had my baby". I wanted that love. I saw babies only want their mommies when they were scared or sad or even just happy. I wanted a baby to want me.

I loved my baby like that the second I knew he was there. I felt that connection from the first fleeting thought of curls, rosy cheeks, and smiles. I knew what I would have with my baby would be extraordinary!

Sure enough, I had Austin. I loved him exactly like I knew I would. People asked me "did you ever imagine you would love someone so much?" I just smiled and shook my head each time, but honestly, I thought the answer "yes," every time. I knew how I would love him. I knew he'd be irresistible to me. I knew that huge vacant space in my heart would fill, and be overflowing, with this indescribable feeling for my baby.

The moment I heard his cry in that OR Thanksgiving morning, not knowing if it would be there or not, put all of the pieces of my life together. There was that baby, healthy and here, ready for me to love with every ounce of love I already had for him, have for him, and okay, probably a little extra that I couldn't imagine I'd have!

Motherhood makes me so happy. I love it. I love knowing the different cries he makes & knowing exactly how to fix it. I love knowing exactly where to tickle him so that he smiles and squirms. I love knowing that when he's sucking on his pacy & his eyes get really big, it means he's hungry & wishing it wasn't a pacy at all. I love knowing that he likes to copy me when I stick out my tongue or make AAAH sounds. I love knowing the perfect combination of swaddle, sleepy, and music makes him comfy & dreammy in his bassinet, but that he'd really rather cuddle with me. I love his exasperation when I text on my blackberry instead if singing his favorite song, which I love knowing is Father Abraham. I love weighing him every week and seeing him grow before my eyes with nourishment that only I can provide him. I love that "nom nom nom" sound he makes when he's nursing. I love noticing when he does new things, like noticing his mobile for the very first time. I love that he looks like me. I love when he makes new noises. I love that I know exactly where to pinch his cheeks to make him giggle. I love when he squeals because he's so excited. I love when he pees on me, even though it's gross, it's so so funny. I love showing him off to my friends and family. I love knowing they love him too. I love that I forgot my birthday because I was so wrapped up in him. I love taking hundreds of pictures of him & I love looking at them over and over again. I love that my instincts know exactly what to do. I love when I look over at him and he's just gazing at me smiling. I love that my heart melts & my eyes well up every time I remember that memory. I love that I feel this way about him.

I love being his mommy. It's the most wonderful thing I've ever done in my life.