LilSugar

Will You Still Use Amazon Mom Under Its New Terms?

Kate Stahl — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:12:20 PST

Amazon Mom launched shortly before I had my daughter, and every mom I knew told me I had to sign up! A whopping 30 percent off diapers and wipes made it a no-brainer, and I've been happily stocking up using the site's Subscribe and Save option ever since. So I was incredibly bummed when I got an email from Amazon a few days ago, detailing Amazon Mom's new terms of use, going into effect next week.

Starting Jan. 24, the maximum discount available on diapers and wipes subscriptions will be 20 percent, which isn't so bad, except that 15 of that 20 percent is only available to Amazon Mom members who are earning free shipping benefits because they signed up in the last three months, or because they have an active Amazon Prime membership (which comes with a $79 per year price tag). The site still has some good deals, but I'm not sure I'll take the time to go through them now that I can probably get my diapers and wipes cheaper somewhere else. And frankly, it annoys me when companies give new members incentives that they don't also offer to loyal customers. So what about you? Will you still be stocking up on Amazon Mom, or have the new terms turned you off? Weigh in below!

Cloth Diapers? Not For This Mama!

BabyCenter — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 11:42:22 PST

We're excited to share this post from our partners at BabyCenter! Every week, we will be bringing you the best parenting and lifestyle stories from the experts at BabyCenter, including this post from Stacie Lewis about her decision to use disposable diapers.

I use disposables. I believe they are easier, more convenient, faster and more hygienic than cloth. I like using them – at least, I like them as much as a parent can like a diaper. I have never considering changing. I have never tried cloth. Why would I?

My husband and I had one conversation about cloth vs disposable, three years ago before our daughter was born. It went as follows:

Me: (opening discussion by using the universal family signal: pressing mute on the TV remote) Honey, have you ever thought about cloth diapers?

Him: What?!? What are you talking about?

Me: You know, diapers that you wash after each use instead of throw out.

Him: (look of total confusion on his face) You wash them? Like in the washing machine? All that poo, in the washing machine?

Me: (nodding without enthusiasm) Yeah.

Him: Why would we do that?

Me: (puzzled) Um, I’m not sure.

Him: Well, there you have it. (grabs remote and unpresses mute)

A splinter of doubt needled me after I wrote my last post. In the post, I explained how it is possible to pull onesies down after poo explosions. Besides many parents declaring it a "life-changing" idea - and think of that what you will - quite a few others used the opportunity to praise cloth diapers:

Keep reading to see what cloth diaper advocates had to say.

Hurry Down the Chimney! Huggies Introduces Santa-Inspired Diapers

Rebecca M Gruber — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 09:45:21 PDT

Santa baby will take on a whole new meaning this year! A year after giving the traditional nappy a much-needed update, Huggies is at it again with a holiday-themed diaper that will take toddlers right through the holiday season. Like the jean and camouflage versions before them, Huggies Little Movers Santa Diapers ($12.30 for 29) feature Jolly Old St. Nicholas's red pants and black belt printed on the diaper company's traditional design. Better turn up the heat before slipping these on your lil one though - unlike the denim design that unveiled in the middle of the Summer, these nappies are hitting stores just in time for the coldest months of the year, so tots might not be strutting around in them as readily as the others.

What do you think of the new design? Will it be part of your lil one's holiday outfits?

Are Moms Skimping on the Diaper Changes These Days?

Rebecca M Gruber — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 08:33:20 PDT

Check the language on any package of disposable diapers and you're sure to see some boast about the nappy's absorbency. All diaper manufacturers love to discuss how much their products can hold, and it seems that moms are tuning in to their claims.

Every time my own mother or MIL come to visit, the first thing they want to do is change my tot's diaper. They love to tell me how they are amazed by the efficiency of today's disposable diapers compared to the versions they used. So I found a recent report in Consumer Reports about a decline in diaper sales rather interesting.

They linked the decline in nappy sales and a rise in diaper cream sales to the fact that mamas are changing their lil ones' soiled nappies less frequently than before, ultimately leading to more diaper rashes. There's no telling if it is the bad economy that is pushing moms to hold off on the changes or if it is the better absorbency of the diapers, but it is an interesting correlation. What do you think?

OnSugar Blog: Huggies Slip-On Diapers Review

OnSugar Blog — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:15:12 PDT

Lots of moms like to think out loud and CelebBabyFashion is one of them. She put Huggies newest diapers to the test. Here's an except from her review.

My baby girl Katie is always on the move. At 22-months-old, she's hard to catch to change a diaper these days. While she's getting close to the potty training age, Katie refuses to use the potty. Alas, we love the new Huggies Slip-On Diapers for this very reason.

After we were done going through an entire pack of the Huggies Slip-Ons, I can tell you that they're pretty neat! It's so much easier now to diaper my little squirmer. Plus I absolutely love the fact that I can easily open the diaper at the sides if I need to.

Want to see more? Start following Celebrity Babies or start your own OnSugar blog. It's easy, it's free and we just may feature your content on our site.

Oversensitive Tots: 8 Products to Soothe Sensitive Skin

LilSugar — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 12:01:07 PDT

Stop scratching! Kids with sensitive skin - and their parents - know that dry, itchy, or painful skin is no joke. There's no one cause of sensitive skin. It can be hereditary, caused by harsh products, or simply from spending time outside in the cold Winter or the hot Summer. Oversensitive kiddos aren't doomed to a season full of scratching. These products will help soothe their irritated epidermis, leaving everyone (and everything) a lot calmer.

Clockwise from top left:

Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Chamomile & Argan Oil Baby Head-to-Toe Ointment ($10): A good rule of thumb when looking for a kids' moisturizer is the greasier the better. Ointments are better than creams, which are better than lotions. Part of SheaMoisture's Organic Raw Shea Butter Baby Collection, this ointment combines the hydrating properties of shea butter with argan oil, which is naturally high in skin-softening Vitamin E. This is an amazingly multitasking product; it works great on baby's chapped lips, cheeks, hands, arms, and legs.
Dr. Sears Baby Wipes ($3): Developed by everyone's favorite cosleeping enthusiast, Dr. Sears, these wipes are made with biodegradable, ultrasoft bamboo fabric, an incredibly gentle way to clean babies' delicate bum.
Gentle Naturals Eczema Baby Wash ($5): Eczema is an extremely common, and uncomfortable skin ailment, for which there's no known cure. It's essentially a really bad, itchy rash, which can be red, rough, scaly, and oozing. It can't be cured, but there are ways to treat and prevent eczema flareups. It's especially important to use a mild cleanser, like this baby wash by Gentle Naturals - made with aloe, calendula, jojoba, and vitamins A, D, and E to gently cleanse, moisturize, and soothe itchy skin.
C.O. Bigelow Lotio Mentholus No. 002 ($25): Seriously itchy kids will get real relief from this nonprescription medicated cream - not recommended for kids under 2 years old.
Dr. Smith's Premium Blend Diaper Ointment ($13): Diaper rash is the most common skin ailment suffered by infants, and it can get bad. Applying a generous layer of a good, thick diaper cream like Dr. Smith's will create a barrier between baby's tender bum and the offending, rash-causing moisture
Earth's Best TenderCare Chlorine Free Diapers: One of the first recommendations doctors make when a baby has diaper rash is to try switching to a different brand of diapers. Made with soft, cloth-like, chlorine-free materials, these Earth's Best diapers are free of any latex, dyes, and perfumes, which can all cause major irritation.
Madii & Dyl Luxe Cleansing Flannels ($15): Specifically formulated for tots with skin issues, these cleansing flannels are super soft. The air spun cloth is made from eco friendly materials.
Carter's Sensitive Skin Baby Shampoo + Body Wash Duo ($8): Classic kiddie brand Carters recently launched a line of baby bath and body products - all chemical free and hypoallergenic. This moisturizing cleanser is made without any dyes or fragrances, leaving babies clean, moisturized, and comfortable.

Huggies Hopes to Take the Squirm Out of the Diaper Change Experience

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 14:05:58 PDT

Could the days of squirmy diaper changes be a thing of the past? Moms have tried virtually everything – from straightjacket-like contraptions to virtual gymnastics – to keep mobile tots in place when changing a soiled nappy. Now Huggies is coming to the rescue. The company plans to introduce Little Movers Slip-On Diapers next month, a new line of disposable diapers that slide on like a Pull-Up, but are removed like a traditional diaper thanks to stretch sides with special finger tabs.

Calling it a "catch, slip on, and release" experience, the new diapers will facilitate changes both standing up and laying down, which as any mom of a mobile tot knows varies from day-to-day. Will you be buying the diapers?

How to Know What Size Diaper Your Baby Needs

Heather Dale — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 08:11:58 PDT

A month or two before a new baby arrives, it's often protocol for parents to stock up on diapers. The problem is, if you buy a lot of one particular size and your newborn baby is larger (or smaller) than you predicted, you have to go back to the store to get the right size.

Quite commonly, hospitals will provide you with newborn diapers to get you through your first day or two. If this is the case, you can send your partner on a diaper run after the lil one is born for the right fit. For mothers who are on their second, third, or fourth child, note that every baby can differ tremendously. Just because baby Alex was born weighing 7.5 pounds doesn't mean his brother Jack will weigh the same. Most mother's find that the newborn-size stage is gone before they know it, so only buy enough for a week or two. Here are a few more tips and tricks for getting just the right diaper fit:

"Too big" is never an issue: It's always better to go larger rather than smaller, because your baby is going to grow like a weed! Even if you are stuck with big diapers, rest assured your baby will grow into them.

For more tips just read more!

Be on the Lookout For Baby Goods Vending Machines This Summer

Rebecca M Gruber — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 13:31:51 PDT

Who's ever opened a new pack of diapers, headed out for the day, and suddenly realized that just-opened pack of nappies is still sitting on the changing table, while your diaper bag sits devoid of the things? Whether it's a missing diaper, dried out wipes, or delinquent sippy cup, rushing mamas have a tendency to run out the door with a half-packed bag lacking a few of their daily necessities. That's where the Nanny Caddy comes in. The tot-centric vending machines are filled with everything a diaper-changing mama may need – and more (including three sizes of diapers, Tylenol, toilet seat covers, hand sanitizer, and bandages). Currently located at several children's museums around the country, as well as a few zoos and amusement parks, the machines can save parents from abruptly ending a family outing when a diaper blowout occurs.

Have you seen, or tried, a baby-item vending machine yet?

Ellen Pompeo Denies Hollywood Baby Boom, but Talks Paparazzi and Poop

Heather Maddan — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 11:32:32 PST

Ellen Pompeo may live in Tinseltown, but the mom of one - daughter Stella Ivery, 1, - hasn't allowed success or the bright lights of Hollywood to shake her sensibilities. The Grey's Anatomy star answered a few of my questions as she promotes Huggies campaign to diaper babies in need.

LilSugar: There’s a big debate about whether or not it’s possible for a woman to truly "have it all" - a career, a marriage, and children. What’s your opinion and how do you manage?

Ellen Pompeo: I do think it’s possible to have it all. However, I don't believe the definition of having it all means the same thing to everyone. Just because someone chooses not to have children doesn't mean they don't have it all. Just because a woman decides to be a stay at home mom doesn't mean she doesn't have it all. "Having it all" to me means being fulfilled and that should be determined by the individual not society. As far as managing goes. That's always a tricky question for me because I would seem a little out of touch if I didn't acknowledge the fact that I have a great job and am very lucky to be able to afford a little help. That being said I am a big fan of a strict schedule. Stella's mealtimes and sleep schedule happen at the same time every day and everything gets planned around that. Also a couple of days a week I set aside time to prep food. Veggies, brown rice...etc... so making meals takes less time and there are always things in the fridge ready to work with.

LS: On Grey’s Anatomy, Meredith and Derek are having a hard time getting (and remaining) pregnant. The storyline is reflective of what a lot of couples go through. How do you feel about your character having this struggle?

EP: The infertility issue certainly is a relevant one. One of the conversations I had with Shonda was about the fact that we have an opportunity here and what do we want to do with it? It’s very important to me to not ONLY portray the angst or desperation one would feel in a situation like this. I want Meredith's journey to be multifaceted and hopefully some sort of enlightenment happens along the way. What you end up seeing in the final cuts of the episodes is an entirely different story!

LS: Hollywood is experiencing another baby boom. With all the paparazzi and interest in famous families, is it difficult to raise Stella in such an environment?

EP: I don't think there's a baby boom. People have always had babies. The boom is the tabloid media’s obsession with famous people's children and pregnant actresses. It is predatory and creepy. I'm a big girl and I can deal with being stalked by paparazzi - it’s a very small price to pay for all the perks that come along with this life, but it’s unfortunate our society is obsessed with exploiting innocent children.

LS: Fill in the blank. You know you're a mother when?

EP: You know you’re a mother when you get excited about poop!

To see how you can help babies in need, read more.