Green Friday! Greenbabybargains.com

Hi all and welcome back to another Green Friday with Bliss Baby Planners! This week we would like to introduce http://www.greenbabybargains.com/. We understand that with the economy like it is, people are looking for a bargain anywhere they can find one. This website is a great place to find a bargain, and a really good one at that! Monday through Friday they put up one new "bargain" each day. The bargains are always at least 50% off and are available until they sell out that day. The next day is a whole new bargain. Each item posted on their website is eco-friendly and they use only eco-consious vendors. You have to act fast to get these bargains as they are only there until the next morning, or until they sell out! The good news is that you can sign up for their bargain emails to let you know what the bargain of the day is right in your inbox! Bad news is that if it doesn't fit, you can't return it. All sales are final!!! So, if you are looking for a bargain check this website out. Even if it is not what you are looking for that day, try back tomorrow! Happy shopping!

T

Potty training on the go!

Summer time is the time when we are always on the go, but potty training is one thing that has to remain constant. I will never forget the first time that we traveled with my daughter in her big girl underwear. As soon as we were on a stretch of road where there was no place to stop we hear, "Mommy, I need peepee now!" Wow, I still can't believe that we actually pulled over to the side of the street and tried to explain that she was going to need to go to the bathroom outside!! After that moment I was on a mission to find a solution to that issue, so it would NEVER happen again. Fortunately, the solution was very easy to find. After a quick stop at my local Babies R Us, I found the Potette Plus 2-in-1 Travel Potty.



This little potty can sit right on the ground or it can be used as an adapter for a full-sized toilet when traveling. I comes with little plastic bags with an absorbent core inside and you simply put the bag around the potty, have your little one have a seat and then tie the bag up and throw it away. I really only purchased the potty for "emergency only" type situations and I didn't think I would need it very often, but if I did need it I would have it. However, I pack that little potty with me everywhere I go. It fits in my diaper bag, in my backpack, and in my carry-on luggage. It stays in the back of my car for instances like the initial incident. It never fails, when we are on a long walk, or at the park with friends, someone's child always has to go to the potty and they can! So before you hit the road for a roadtrip this summer, or before you head for the airport, make sure you pick up one of these fantastic little lifesavers. For around $15, you won't be sorry!

T

Green Friday: Melissa and Doug

With all of the concern around children's toys and lead in the paints, I have found that it is pretty important to make sure that I am keeping my children safe especially when it comes to their toys. My son is 2 and sometimes he still ends up with a toy or two in his mouth. I have always been a big fan of Melissa and Doug products, but I am even a bigger fan after finding out that they are eco-friendly. Their toys are made from all natural wood and colored with non-toxic water based paints. They contain no lead and are a fantastic alternative to plastic toys that are derived from petroleum. These toys are easily found in just about any store or website that sells children's toys. The prices of the toys are incredibly reasonable, especially for the quality of product. If you are looking for a birthday gift for a child, I would definitely suggest a Melissa and Doug toy. My daughter is 3 and she is a HUGE fan of the magnetic wooden dress up dolls pictured here which retails for $19.99.

My son is 2 and his favorite Melissa and Doug toy is his Firetruck Sounds Puzzle shown here which retails for $12.99.

My kids have had loads of fun with all of their Melissa and Doug toys and I am sure the same will be true of any child who recieves one of these toys. Happy playing!

T

Banish the Post Baby Belly with the Belly Bandit!

by Marta Kiss, Belly Blossom Contributor

Being a new mom is a very special time. Being overwhelmed with love for a newborn and busy around the clock with feedings, changing etc. leaves little if any time for mom to give herself any attention. Getting her belly back may seem like an impossible task to accomplish any time in the near future. Luckily, the Belly Bandit can help with this problem and help you get your body back without all the hard work! I am very excited to introduce this new product that was developed by moms to help moms get their pre-pregnancy body back faster without taking any time away from the baby!

The Belly Bandit is a fitting abdominal wrap that fits around the belly and back. Made from latex free elastic, it is both very comfortable and breathable. The Belly Bandit acts as support to help aid any discomfort felt post birth, and it helps reduce swelling in the belly due to water retention. It also provides excellent benefits for moms who are breastfeeding as it relieves pain and promotes good posture. In addition, compressing the belly like this can also reduce stretch marks!

One of the best things about the Belly Bandit is its thin and lightweight material. It can be worn under any clothing without being detected and the fabric has smooth edges, no tags and is easy on the skin.

The Original

The Original Belly Bandit is what has given this great product its name. The elastic is durable and is tense enough to straighten out the back without being too tight or too loose. The Original Belly Bandit comes in nude, black, or white.

The Bamboo

The Bamboo Belly Bandit is the most popular of the three styles. Since it is made from bamboo, it’s naturally organic and 100% biodegradable. The Bamboo Belly Bandit is extremely soft and is also anti-bacterial, hypoallergenic, and anti-microbial. It is number one recommended for moms having a C-section because it will protect and heal the scar faster since bamboo is proven to stop bacteria fungi that causes odor and infection from growing. The Bamboo Belly Bandit will also heavily aid in reducing swelling and water weight by absorbing the water naturally. Bamboo evaporates the water as it is pulled away from the skin. The Bamboo Belly Bandit comes in nude and black.

The Belly bandit is recommended to be worn for six to eight weeks starting the day after birth or C-section. It can be worn all day as long as it is taken off to shower or bathe. To make sure the Belly Bandit is the right size, a measurement around the abdominal area must be taken. If the measurement is prior to delivery, three to five inches should be subtracted from that measurement to get the right size. It the measurement is taken right after birth, the exact measurement should be used. There is a measurement guide on the website and on the back of the product that shows the corresponding sizes and measurements in both inches and centimeters. The Belly Bandit is meant to fit on the snug side, however it is not meant to be uncomfortably tight.

There are countless advantages to using the Belly Bandit. It is recommended by doctors and celebrities around the country. We know how important the first few bonding months are for mom and baby, and now the focus can all be on the baby without feeling any guilt about shrinking your belly! So come on into Belly Blossom or check us out at http://www.bellyblossom.com/ and give the Belly Bandit a try.

Play Yard Recall

Eddie Bauer Play Yards with Rocking Bassinets Recalled by Dorel Juvenile Group Due to Suffocation Hazard.

http://www.cpsc.gov/

Cute Green Gift

For those of you looking for a cute baby shower gift that is green, you should really check out the I play Organic Cotton Gift Set. The gift set includes a super cute embroidered bodysuit, cap, bib, and booties made from 100% organic cotton. It all comes packaged in a gift box. Here is a picture of the Sweet Pea gift set, but there is also Pumpkin (ecru), Sugar Plum (pink), and Cornflower (blue). The best part of the gift is its price. Check out BabiesRUs.com and find this gift set for under $40.

T

Preparing the Siblings

Congratulations! You are having a baby…again. A baby is a big change for everyone in the family. Especially if there are going to be siblings involved. There are a few things you can do to help with this transition that I found very helpful. I hope it will work for you as well!

1. Let the older siblings be involved with the pregnancy as much as you can. Let them go to an ultrasound appointment, feel the baby kick, pick out accessories for the nursery, sing songs to your belly so that the baby can recognize their voice.



2. Read books about what happens when the new baby arrives. Tell them the good…and the bad such as the frequent newbon crying.



3. When doing a hospital tour, see if it is ok to bring your younger children with you on the tour. They will also get an idea of the type of room you will stay in, the baby nursery, the friendly staff. This will put the younger kids at ease. Also, some birthing facilities offer sibling preparation classes.



4. Make sure you get your partner to help as much as possible with bathtime, bedtime, and other child care responsbilities before your baby arrives. These routines will make things much easier for the new mom when she gets home, and the younger child will be used to daddy doing the same things that mommy has always done.



5. Try to keep the day as normal as possible for younger siblings. For example, if you go into delivery in the morning and your kids normally would go to daycare or preschool, let them go as planned. Also, prepare them ahead of time if there will be a new caretaker such as grandma, aunt, or neighbor.



6. Get a tee that says big brother or big sister as a gift. This will let them know their new role, and they will display it proudly. Also, let them act out their new role. Let them help get you a diaper, help with bathtime, sing an lullaby, etc.



7. When the kids come to visit for the first time in the hospital, let them touch baby’s toes, kiss the baby’s hands. This helps them bond. Just be sure they wash or sanitize their hands first!



8. I had my kids and my newborn do a gift exchange. For example, my daughter M. gave my newborn a stuffed rattle toy that was proudly displayed with the baby. In exchange, the new baby gave my daughter an activity book with crayons. This allowed my daughter to stay busy with her new activity as we hung out in the hospital room. Or you might want to give siblings a doll that they can feed, change, and take care of their doll. Kids like to parallel activites that they see parents engaged in.



9. Bring a DVD to watch and some books. This allows some snuggle and quiet time at the hospital.



10. You will be telling your older sibling to wait a minute, or to hold on pretty frequently. Especially during nursing time, diaper changes, bath time, and of course bedtime. Make it a point to tell your newborn also to wait a minute or to hold on, and be sure the older sibling hears you say it. I know, it is psychological, but it shows that the older siblings needs are being met as well. Also, mommy must make some time to give each older sibling some attention by themselves.

Best,

T