thelmabeaver - Tumblr blog

thelmabeaver · 9 years ago

Text

Top 5 Best Nipple Cream for Breastfeeding Moms | 2017 Reviews

Breastfeeding is best for children up to two years. How familiar is this line every time baby milk is advertised on TV or on the internet. But it is true though that breastfeeding the ideal way to nurse your baby. It is loaded with benefits for both you and your baby—well, especially your baby, of course. As a mother, we understand that you want the more than the best for your baby and that includes pure and natural breastfeeding, however, it does come with a repercussion especially when your child begins to enter the teething stage. Your baby starts to bite!

It gets really painful for mothers to deal with teething babies because the nipples end up being a chew toy. However, to help relieve that sudden bites and nibbles from your tot, you need a nipple cream safe for baby and you. You might also want to train your child how not to bite you when he/she is breastfeeding.

Quick Navigation

Quick Comparison Table

Lansinoh Breastfeeding Salve

Motherlove Nipple Cream Organic Salve

Earth Mama Angel Baby Natural Nipple Butter

Green Goo Organics Nursing Comfort Cream

Mummy’s Miracle Natural Nipple Balm

Here’s the trick to help your child stop biting without you getting mad at him/her. Once they bite, push your finger on her cheek between his/ her gums. You won’t be hurting your child because there are no teeth there to push. Just push firm enough for your finger to slightly open his/ her jaw. Your baby will cry not because it hurts but because he/ she was disturbed in breast feeding. When your child gets familiar with the finger-on-the-cheek move, the biting will be reduced. Nonetheless, the mere fact that you breastfeed your child very often makes your nipples prone to wounds, bruises, blebs and other breastfeeding issues and the best relief you can get is the relief nipple creams can offer.

You will find it amazingly good when you get your child to stop biting. You can continue to breastfeed your child as long as you want. But for the meantime, you need to heal the biting wounds or bruises that’s why we are giving you our top 5 list the best nipple cream for breastfeeding mothers.

Quick Comparison Table

Lansinoh Breastfeeding Salve

Motherlove Nipple Cream Organic Salve

Earth Mama Angel Natural Nipple Butter

Green Goo Organics Nursing Comfort Cream

Mummy’s Miracle Natural Nipple Balm

$$$

Lansinoh Breastfeeding Salve

It’s hard to believe when you hear that a product is made purely of a certain natural chemical. Well, you don’t have to worry about Lansinoh Breastfeeding Salve because it exactly says what it is made of, pure lanolin. Lanolin is the oil that we get from animal wool. Lanolin is a pure and clean animal oil that is used in many beauty products like lotions, creams, moisturizers and that includes nipple creams.

Lansinoh HPA Lanolin Nipple Cream is our top pick for the best nipple cream for nursing because it is the #1 recommended best nipple cream for breastfeeding recommended by Lactation consultants and doctors across the United States and the only breastfeeding cream recommended by La Lecher League International, the finest of the lactation consultants that set international standards for breastfeeding. It is also made of the purest form of Lanolin, it is safe for both mommy and baby. You don’t need to worry about asking the question, ‘is lanolin safe for babies?’ because the answer is yes.

Is Lansinoh Lanolin cream safe for babies? Most definitely! In fact, it is the only regarded topical breastfeeding cream that is labeled as safe for babies. Other lanolin products mixed with industrial chemicals are not good for your baby that’s why it has to be wiped off before breastfeeding but for Lansinoh, it can stay on your nipple for as long as you want it to. It is great in helping your dry, cracked nipples heal and stay healed.

Another thing that is so great about Lansinoh is that it can double as a lanolin face cream. Since it is mde of pure lanolin, it can be used as a topical cream over any dry skin patches, minor scratches and abrasions and even as a lip balm. You can easily relieve your chapped lips with Lansinoh HPA Lanolin nipple cream at the same time softening those sore cracked nipples of yours.

The reason why we love this so much is because there is practically nothing bad to say about it! There really isn’t any. Mothers love it, your babies aren’t affected by it, it’s natural, it’s recommended by experts, and it’s easy to use! So, the next time you plan on giving your friend a baby shower present, this could be an item you would want to include as your friend’s next breastfeeding essential.

Details of the Lansinoh Breastfeeding Salve

Active Ingredients

100% Lanolin

Size

0.25 ounce tube, 1.41 ounce tube

Dimensions

5 x 1.8 x 1.8 inches

Other Uses

lip balm, minor scratch relief, dry skin

Check Price On Amazon

Motherlove Nipple Cream Organic Salve

You heard it right! Motherlove Nipple Cream lives up to its name. Mothers love this product and it’s always included in their daily baby bag. They tend to be the best relief you can get whenever your nipples grow sore. Babies love breastfeeding and we know that you do too, but the reality is that it can also be a hassle when it starts to get sore, dry, cracked or all at the same time.

Motherlove nipple cream for nursing is as organic breast cream that is ideal in helping you with your breastfeeding worries. We top Motherlove Nipple Cream as the best organic nipple cream available in the market. It works its magic as it helps your cracked nipples heal and prevents it from drying up. It is also the best cream for cracked nipples because it uses the most organic herbals that can aid in keeping your nipples healthy.

Since it is purely natural and organic, it is certified to be safe for your babies and you won’t have the need to wash it off prior to breastfeeding. You also don’t have to worry about any lanolin cream side effects or any other side effects it can pose to you and your baby. And another reason why this product is so great is because it can be used on open wounds without affecting its healing process. In fact, it can even help soften the healing skin around your wounds.

It uses calendula flower extract to relieve the sore nipples and even inflammation when it gets worse. It uses shea butter and extra virgin olive oil as the nursing creams’ softening agent. It also includes beeswax and marshmallow roots. This herbal salve is the perfect match for eco-friendly cautious mothers like yourself. You won’t have the need to fuss about applying nursing creams on your nipples that would pose a risk to your baby. If you do need the best breastfeeding organic nipple cream, then Motherlove Nipple Cream is the right choice for you and also for so many other happy mothers out there.

Details of the Motherlove Nipple Cream Organic Salve

Active Ingredients

calendula flower extract

Size

1 ounce glass jar, 2 ounce glass jar

Dimensions

1.7 x 1.8 x 1.7 inches

Other Uses

Minor wound itch relief, dry skin lotion, nipple lotion

Check Price On Amazon

Earth Mama Angel Baby Natural Nipple Butter

Yet another mom’s favorite organic breastfeeding essential, Earth Mama Nipple Cream is one of the best breastfeeding creams that you can buy. We don’t know where else can you find an organic nursing cream that is certified to have no Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) in it. You can hear organic products everywhere but they use GMOs to make those products, which is just the same as giving you an unhealthy and risky product to use considering that you are using it on something your baby puts in his/ her mouth.

Going eco-friendly and organic for you and your baby is the best choice yet, you just need to find the right and best breastfeeding cream that fits your lifestyle. Earth Mama Nipple Butter uses calendula as its main ingredient to help reduce swelling in your nipples. It uses shea butter and cocoa seeds as an emollient, candelilla wax, mango butter and olive oil to moisturize your nipples, and calendula to help relieve the sores. It is the first lanolin-free and GMO-free certified nipple cream for breastfeeding.

Not only does it serve as a cracked nipple cream, it can also be used as a facial cream for you and your baby. Because it uses natural and organic calendula extract, you are sure that it can also be used to help your baby’s dry and cracked skin. You can apply it on your baby’s dry skin patches, skin irritation caused by eczema, a diaper rash cream, and even as a breast pump lube.

We love this breastfeeding cream also because of the cocoa shea butter scent. And when you apply it, it is easily smoothed on your skin. Earth Mama Nipple Cream is gentle and doesn’t feel greasy at all. It feels like a second skin even though it has a thick consistency it doesn’t give you that icky feeling even in summer. Another plus factor for this breast cream is that when it mixes with your sweat, your sweat starts to smell this creamy cocoa-y scent that’s really alluring.

Details of the Earth Mama Angel Baby Natural Nipple Butter

Active Ingredients

calendula flower extract

Size

2 ounce jar

Dimensions

2 x 2 x 1.8 inches

Other Uses

diaper rash cream, face moisturizer for mom and baby, lip balm, minor scratch relief, breast pump lube

Check Price On Amazon

Green Goo Organics Nursing Comfort Cream

Organic lanolin-free breastfeeding cream that’s healthy for my skin and safe for my baby to eat? Sign us up for that! Green Goo Nursing Cream is one of the best nipple creams for breastfeeding mothers out there and for good reasons too! It’s safe for your baby to eat. It doesn’t have any lab chemicals that are dangerous to your health. It also doesn’t have lanolin either. Lanolin may be a natural product but since it is an extra product in wool, the danger of pesticides used on wool is dangerous for anyone to consume, especially for babies. So, is lanolin cream safe for babies? The answer is an indirect no. Lanolin may be a safe animal fat; you don’t often get a certified pesticide free lanolin product.

Green Goo Nursing Cream includes beeswax, chamomile flower extract and extra virgin olive oil. Mothers love this product because it is safe for both mom and baby. We also love this nursing cream because it is non-greasy; it has a nice texture to it that makes it easy to spread on your nipples. You might also enjoy using it on chapped skin.

Green Goo is originally called Sierra Sage, it’s a well-loved brand for mothers and babies altogether. We really think it’s a good gift to offer in baby showers and it’s also a great nursing cream that works well for mothers who get really sore from pumping milk or nursing. It’s also really good in helping relieve the burning sensation in open wounds. Another thing to love about Green Goo Nursing cream is that it comes in a small handy tin that can be brought around anytime anywhere. It is indeed the best nipple cream for breastfeeding mothers that should always be in your baby pack everywhere you go. It’s an easy instant relief for soreness.

The only problem with Green Goo nursing cream is that it has a unique smell that may not be so appealing to everyone. It may smell nice to most mothers but other mothers just don’t find the scent appealing and neither do their babies.

Details of the Green Goo Organics Nursing Comfort Cream

Active Ingredients

beeswax, extra virgin olive oil

Size

1.82 ounce tin

Dimensions

2 x 2 x 0.7 inches

Other Uses

lotion for cracked skin

Check Price On Amazon

Mummy’s Miracle Natural Nipple Balm

We always check on the labels every time we try out new products all the time. The thing is we have labels that say ‘medical-grade’ and ‘food grade’. We recommend you take the food grade over medical grade or industrial grade products because they are the safest and healthiest especially for your baby. Mummy’s Miracle Nipple Balm for breastfeeding is a food grade nipple cream. It is a good nursing cream that is safe to eat and good enough to heal that soreness on and around your nipples.

Moringa is directly linked to breastfeeding because it actively helps a mom increase her milk production. In this case, it helps the nipple heal faster because it is an active anti-inflammatory agent. Along with other natural products like shea butter, castor oil and cod liver oil, this serves as the best nipple shield because it uses a lot of natural oils. It has high oil content that protects your nipples from getting sore and even becomes a very effective breast pump lube.

What’s also great about this nursing cream is that it uses non-GMO ingredients, meaning all the components used in this breast cream is as natural as it can get. It’s great in keeping your nipples soft and healthy while also making sure your baby is also gaining herbal support from it. Moringa is a medicinal plant that is rich in Vitamin A and B vitamins. Added with castor oil and cod liver oil, your skin will be left feeling soft and tender. In fact, if you use this breastfeeding cream as a lip balm, you might not be able to restrict yourself from touching your lips.

You will love this nipple cream for breastfeeding because it’s non-toxic, phthalate free, no petrochemicals, no parabens and no lanolin. It is the only of the best breastfeeding nipple creams that uses Moringa. You will definitely love the way this silky cream makes your skin feel just as silky, just the way we do.

Details of the Mummy’s Miracle Natural Nipple Balm

Active Ingredients

Moringa oil, castor seed oil

Size

2 ounce jar

Dimensions

2 x 6.5 x 1.8 inches

Other Uses

lip balm, hand cream, breast pump lube

Check Price On Amazon

Getting the most of top nipple creams is reducing the soreness your nipples feel while also keeping your baby free from any chemicals that breastfeeding creams may have. You only need to use the best nipple balm for breastfeeding that fits your baby’s need and yours. So, if you do consider buying one but will get really confused when you’re in the supermarket looking for the best nipple cream for breastfeeding mothers, consider our options because we always have you and your baby in mind.

The post Top 5 Best Nipple Cream for Breastfeeding Moms | 2017 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Top 5 Best Nipple Cream for Breastfeeding Moms | 2017 Reviews published first on http://parentsneed.tumblr.com/

2 notes · View notes

thelmabeaver · 9 years ago

Text

Single Parenting: Tips on How to Cope With Raising a Child on Your Own

Generally, raising a child comes with challenges, but when you are a single parent, these challenges are doubled because you don’t have someone to lean on. People become single parents for many reasons. Some people have children with a partner that is so unreliable, to the point that they feel like a single parent even when they have a spouse. Whatever the case, there are a few tips in this article which you can use to cope with single parenthood.

A single parent is someone who is an uncoupled individual and someone who shoulders the responsibilities of raising a child. Historically, the major cause of single parenthood is death of a partner. Single parenthood can also be the result of unplanned pregnancy and divorce of married parents. Custody battles resulting from divorce determine which parent will have custody of the child for the majority of time. It is most common in the US for a child to be placed in the custody of the primary caregiver, which is usually the mother. The father is usually the secondary caregiver. In the most recent years, however, we have been seeing a rise in the incidence of single women choosing to be single parents. With the changing times, it is now not uncommon for single women to seek getting pregnant intentionally and to become single mothers. Single parent adoption, or sometimes called fostering, is also becoming an option for single people wanting to raise a child on their own.

There is a general increase worldwide in the number of children who live in households raised by a single parent. Majority of these cases are results of divorce and pregnancy out of wedlock. In the United States, being a single parent is fast becoming a norm.

What are the stressors that a single parent may encounter?

Custody battles and visitation problems when divorce is involved.

Shouldering most of the day to day responsibilities of raising your child may compromise the actual bonding time that you can spend with your child.

Continuing the battle outside the court and having constant conflict with your ex-partner may negatively impact your child’s life. It isn’t healthy for you either.

Extended family relationships may be disrupted.

Problems may arise when you try dating again or enter a new relationship. Your child may not be able to take it well, if not handled delicately.

Tips on how to cope with raising a child on your own

Single parenting is truly no walk in the park but it is not impossible. Single parents all over the world have been raising children successfully by themselves.Single parenthood may be difficult but, by following these tips, you will be able to cope, and enjoy your children rather than just merely survive through their development.Here are some tips to help you become the best single parent that you can be:

Focus on the important things

The most important thing to a child is the love of the parent. This has to be your first priority. It helps them to adjust to life and grow up to be confident individuals. Every chance you get, you should bond with your child and show them unconditional support. Children are resilient. They are tougher than we give them credit for and they can survive on the most basic of necessities as long as they have a strong bond with their parents. However, without love and a strong connection with their parents, it can be a disaster. Some parents forget this and they run around looking for the best life for their child, but neglect to bond with them, and end up raising unhappy children.

Routines are your friend

Without a routine, parenthood can be a nightmare. This is the case not only for the parent, but also for the child. Children desire stability, and it is through routines that they can establish stability. They feel secure knowing that someone has set a schedule, and it is followed. It makes feeding time and bed time manageable. It is important to have a bonding with your child.

Discipline is important

Children need love and a firm hand. If they don’t know you are boss they will be the boss, and it will be hard to parent them. As a single parent, you need to know that you can tell your child to do something, and they will listen. Discipline has to be inculcated in the child at a young age. If you do this, you will have fewer tantrums and bad behavior which can make being a single parent difficult. Divorced parents should be able to work together when it comes to disciplining their child. Both should agree on the type of discipline that they will enforce so that there will be consistency, making it easier for your child to learn and adapt. Checking out your local library for parenting books might be helpful if you are at a loss. Parenting classes are also sometimes sponsored by your local hospitals and church groups, so be sure to be in the loop and check them out.

Child care

As a single parent, you may not always be able to be with your child, so you need to find a good child care person to leave your children with. It’s a crazy world now, and the person you leave your child with should be a qualified caregiver. Don’t leave your child with his sibling unless you cannot avoid it. This robs many children of the opportunity of being children as they are busy taking care of their sisters and brothers. Take care that your caregiver is not perverted. Don’t totally give your child up to caregivers and always monitor anyone who takes care of your child so that they do not behave inappropriately.

Keep communication lines open

In line with love, support and discipline, your child needs to feel they can talk to you about anything. The focus of your parenting should be on showing them that they can come to for anything. This will save them from turning to undesirable characters or making wrong judgment, and you will have fewer problems to deal with as they grow up. Be patient, as open communication lines can help you avoid many issues such as child abuse, drug abuse and teenage problems in the future. When you talk, sit quietly and allow them to talk about their feelings without interrupting them. Be constructive when you give out advice and be gentle.

Gently inform that family of the changes that will happen. The single parent can help family members face these difficulties by talking with each other about their feelings and working together to tackle problems. Support from friends, other family members and the church or synagogue can help too. But if family members are still overwhelmed and having problems, it may be time to consult an expert.

Have a support group

You need to have people you can turn to for support when you have problems. For some, it is a circle of trusted friends, for others its family or even a group of other single parents that you can talk to and share opinions and experiences.

Being stuck with just your child for company can bet a bit tiresome. The best way to overcome this is by finding other people who somehow share the similar situation. You can find a buddy with whom you can have regular dinner dates with, along with both your children. It’s nice to be with people who are going through the same thing as you are. You can look for inspiration and seek some advice. You can join support groups through social media such as Facebook or through your local church groups. You can even start your own group.

The important thing is that you build a community. From this community, you can seek emotional support and get a sense of belonging. This will do wonders to the feeling of isolation that is commonly amplified when one is a single parent. You don’t always have to be surrounded by co-single parents. Your community could be and should be diverse. The more diverse your community is, the richer the insights you get will be. At the end of the day, you should accept that you will need some sort of support along the way. Accept the help that other people can provide you.You can’t and you shouldn’t have to handle everything by yourself. Give your family members and friends the chance to be there for you. Just because you are a single parent does not mean you literally have to do everything on your own.

Take care of yourself

While your child is your utmost concern, don’t forget to take care of yourself as well. Do not neglect your needs, and yes, even your wants. Pay attention to your basic needs. Sometimes single parents could be so busy, they are no longer eating enough or resting enough. Keep in mind that if you neglect your own well-being, you may not be able to properly take care of your child. And you do deserve a break or two, so indulge yourself once in a while with a trip to the spa or gym. A happy and healthy version of yourself will make a better parent any day.

Do not let “couple envy” get the best of you

On your first weeks and months, it may be hard to avoid, but try not feeling envious of people who have kind, involved and reliable partners who actually want to be there to raise their child. Never compare yourself, never envy. You never know what lies beneath the projected lives of the people around you. It may just be an illusion that everything is fine and dandy in the lives of those who have partners to help them out. Even married people have problems. There is no sense in trying to compete. The important thing is to focus on your child and yourself. Feeling envious will only cultivate bitter and negative feelings and that sure is not good for you nor your child.

Do not fail to plan

It is imperative that you plan ahead in case of urgent situations like suddenly coming down with a fever and there’s no other adult in the house to handle your baby for you. Prepare for the unlikely. Be ready with emergency babysitting services and make a list of your friends whom you can count on.

Manage your finances

Money is very important especially when there’s only one income coming into the household. Budget your money wisely by keeping track of your household bills and tracking when your next paycheck should come in.

Stay positive

Your presenting mood can easily affect your children. Children easily pick up on their parents mood and attitude. It is important that they grow up in an environment with a positive vibe.

What are the benefits of being a single parent?

There no longer has to be a fight about who gets to do what. There is no more nagging involved when it comes to what is needed to be done. Either there is no one to nag on or there is no one who will nag. Figuring out a system of how to share the responsibilities and then fighting each other over it can be draining.

No one is there to undermine your authority. Your word is the word and your word is final. There will be no contesting or deferring it. As a result, your child will benefit from a consistent and stable form of discipline.

You get the whole closet to yourself. You get the whole house, actually. Do with it what you will.

You can get every other weekend off to spend time for yourself. You get to have an uninterrupted afternoon where you can enjoy your tea or a favorite book and you don’t have to worry about child care at least for a little while.

Important things to keep in mind when you are a single parent

Never leave your child at home alone. Leave them with someone you trust if you have to leave home.

Don’t leave your younger children with their older siblings. You may be robbing all of them of a good childhood by doing so.

Break in your new partner before asking them to look after your children. Their patience might need warming up.

If you are going to rely on a babysitter or child care center, be sure to check out their services by watching the babysitter when they are handling your children or by visiting the child care center.

Single parenthood may be difficult but, by following these tips, you will be able to cope, and enjoy your children rather than survive through their development.

Originally posted 2013-11-11 10:08:30.

The post Single Parenting: Tips on How to Cope With Raising a Child on Your Own appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Single Parenting: Tips on How to Cope With Raising a Child on Your Own published first on http://parentsneed.tumblr.com/

1 note · View note

thelmabeaver · 9 years ago

Text

Benefits of Using Pacifier and Tricks to Keep it on Baby’s Mouth

A Closer Look at Pacifiers

A pacifier can do wonders for a mommy. A pacifier can work like magic in comforting and soothing a crying baby. It’s quick and easy. It works well in calming your baby down when she is feeling a strong need to suck but not you nor her hands are an option. Pacifiers sound great, right? Right. That is if you manage to keep it in your baby’s mouth. Otherwise, you’re giving your baby another frustration to cry about.

In this article, we will discuss some tricks and tips on how to keep your baby’s pacifier in his or her mouth. First, let’s talk about the basics of a pacifier. A pacifier is essentially a nipple that is made of rubber, plastic or silicone. Also called as a dummy, binky, soother or teether in countries other than the US, a pacifier is given to babies to suck upon. The basic parts of a pacifier include a teat, a mouth shield, and a handle. The teat is where the baby latches on. Both the mouth shield and handle should be big enough in order to prevent the baby from swallowing the pacifier or choking on it.

Pacifiers have been around for decades, although back in the olden times, pacifiers looked a whole lot different. They were actually a development of hard teething rings, which were given to toddlers to aid and comfort them during the teething process. Pacifiers came to replace sugar-teats or sugar rags, which had been used to distract and calm babies. Sugar-teats were made from small pieces of linen, with a balled up sugar at the center, and with a thread tied around it.

If you have just become a new mommy, we are sure you highly value the importance of comforting your baby. A crying baby is distressful. Of course, you only want your baby to feel comfortable and satisfied. A distressed baby means a more distressed mommy. While babies can easily be soothed by cuddling and swaddling, there will be moments when they won’t feel content to suckle only during feedings. Sometimes they feel the need to suck on something, even when they’re not hungry. Here’s where a pacifier comes in the picture. You many ask, how to get a breastfed baby to take a pacifier? Now a pacifier is not, by any means, a substitute for feeding. It is meant to appease your baby’s desire for more, when she has already had her fill of formula.

What are the Benefits of Pacifiers?

● Pacifiers can be soothing for both you and your baby.

A pacifier can help relax your baby and satiate her need to suckle some more, when she is not supposed to feed on more milk. It soothes her without risking your baby to overfeed. A soothed and satisfied baby could mean longer sleep for you, as well. As a new mommy, you know very well how precious sleep can become. The fact that pacifiers can help you and your baby lock in hours of undisrupted sleep is precisely the reason why a pacifier may be a welcome childcare buddy.

● A pacifier could save your precious baby’s life.

Studies have shown a link between the use of pacifiers and a decrease in the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS. According to research, babies who had been given pacifiers during bedtime or naptime were less susceptible to SIDS. It is believed that babies wake more easily from sleep when they are sucking on a pacifier. Due to the suckling that a pacifier entails, babies who suck on them may not sleep as deeply compared to babies who do not use pacifiers. Additionally, sucking on a pacifier ensures the baby is receiving enough oxygen by helping open up air space around her mouth and nose.

● You are in control.

You get to say when to start giving your baby his first pacifier. You get to pull the plug on it as well. Giving your baby a pacifier is better than letting her learn to thumb suck. Thumb sucking proves to be a harder habit to break.

Will a pacifier be bad for your baby’s teeth?

A pacifier’s effect on your baby’s dental health will only be of real concern once he or she enters toddlership. Continued pacifier use beyond two years of age is linked to ear infections. A teething toddler who is still reliant on a pacifier past two years of age may suffer misalignment of her teeth and changes in the structure of her mouth’s roof. Anterior open bite, which can be described as the presence of a gap between the front upper and lower teeth, is the most common dental effect of continued pacifier use in older children. If the use of pacifier is not properly weaned off, the child stands to risk having crooked, crowded, or protruding teeth. Experts advice to wean the baby off of the pacifier before she turns two years of age.

What are the things to consider when choosing a pacifiers?

There are a number of types of pacifiers that you can choose from. Here are some of the factors that may affect how you choose your baby’s pacifier:

Nipple shape. Common nipple shapes to choose from may include the standard-shaped pacifiers that have straight elongated nipples. A cherry nipple pacifier has a trunk that gets ball-shaped towards the bottom, while an orthodontic pacifier has a rounded top and a flat bottom.

Material. The usual choice is between a pacifier made of latex or one that is of silicone material. Latex pacifiers are softer and more flexible, although they also deteriorate faster and wear out sooner. Keep in mind that your baby might be sensitive to latex. Silicone pacifiers are sturdier and last longer. They don’t retain odors and are dishwasher-safe. The likelihood of your baby chomping through the silicone material is lower than that of latex pacifiers.

Mouth shield. While some pacifiers may be one-piece and completely made of latex, other models come with plastic mouth shields. These mouth shields may come in different colors and with different shapes. Keep in mind that a mouth shield should always have holes for ventilation.

Handle. Common handles for a pacifier include rings and buttons. Pacifier with ring handles are easier to retrieve once the pacifier has fallen off. Button handles make it easier for your child to grasp on the pacifier.

Nipple cover. Nipple covers are meant to protect the pacifier from getting dirty when not in use. Just be mindful of the cover since it may become a choking hazard for your baby.

How to keep the pacifier in your baby’s mouth

Pacifiers are one of our ever reliable sleep crutches. Of course, this is only true when the pacifier stays in the baby’s mouth. If the pacifier keeps falling out of your baby’s mouth, your baby will only cry and complain, and will require more reapplication by you. Frequent reapplication equates to less sleep for you. Keeping a pacifier from falling out of baby’s mouth is challenging especially when the baby still has the inability to fully use her hands. No, you may not tape the pacifier to her mouth, but you are also not the first to want to attempt it. Still, no. To help you out, we have gathered a few tips that don’t involve duct tape. Below are some of the common tricks used by parents to keep the pacifier in their baby’s mouth:

● Gently introduce the pacifier.

Introduce the use of pacifier to your little one at a time when she is content and calm. You may do this directly after a feeding session. Avoid using the pacifier as a substitute to feeding. When you do this, you are teaching your baby to associate his pacifier with hunger and your baby will only learn to spit out the pacifier when you offer it. It is helpful to introduce the dummy when she is happy so that she will learn to associate it with contentment.

● Make it a pleasant experience.

You may coat the pacifier with a small amount of your breast milk or your baby’s formula. This will give the pacifier a more pleasant taste that your baby may enjoy, instead of the usual rubber-like taste that new pacifiers have. Avoid using honey or other sweeteners. These substances may affect your baby’s gums and teeth development. The application of breast milk or formula should only be for the purpose of introducing the pacifier. Do not make a habit out of it just to get your baby to always take pacifier.

● Swaddle and tuck.

Given that your baby is not old enough yet to fully use her hands, you may try to keep the pacifier in place by tucking just its bottom into the edge of your baby’s swaddle or bib. This trick will only work for babies who still cannot roll. Once your baby learns how to roll, the pacifier will just fall out from the tuck. The good news is that your baby is probably gaining more hand control, too, if she could already roll. Hand control is useful for our other tips on how to keep the pacifier from falling out.

● Use pacifiers with stuffed animals.

Pacifiers with stuffed animals attached to them are easier for babies to handle. These are easy to grab, and your baby can use his or her arms to push the pacifier back into the mouth when it starts to fall off.

● Get the right match.

It is important to get the right size of pacifier. Match the size to your baby’s age to make sure that the pacifier fits her mouth. With the right-sized pacifier, your baby’s suckling will seem more natural, and there will be less tendency for the pacifier to be spat out. Also consider the shape and texture of the nipple of the pacifier. What you can initially do is purchase a couple of inexpensive options from a baby supply store to figure out which works for your baby, and go from there. Try each one until you see which combination your baby enjoys best.

● Let your baby learn how to keep the pacifier.

Apply a little reverse psychology to teach your baby to suck on the pacifier. Your baby must learn how to keep the pacifier in her mouth. Your baby will never figure out how if you keep re-applying it for her. While your baby is sucking on her dummy, gently try to tug it away. Tug just enough to let her instinct kick in, which will make her suck the pacifier back in. Keep doing this exercise for a couple of times, spread over several days until your baby gets the hang of it.

Other pacifier tips

Avoid strangling hazards. Do not secure the pacifier to your baby with a cord or ribbon that is longer than 6 inches. The same goes when attaching the pacifier to your baby’s crib, carriage or stroller. Cords longer than 6 inches can strangle your baby. Go for clips or tethers that are specially designed for pacifiers, instead.

Don’t clean the pacifier by putting it in your mouth. Adult saliva contains bacteria capable of causing cavities in your baby’s teeth. Keep the pacifier clean by washing it in soap and hot water. Clean it regularly, in between use.

Never let children share a pacifier. This is unhygienic and can pose serious health issues.

Choose a pacifier with a mouth shield that has holes. These ventilation holes will serve to let the air in and ensure that your baby is getting enough oxygen.

Sure, glued-on moustaches are cute when you glue it on your baby’s pacifiers but they can become serious choking hazards as well. Use the pacifier as is and do not attach anything that doesn’t belong to it.

Do not use the pacifier to delay or replace a meal. Offer only the pacifier when your baby isn’t hungry. Give the pacifier in between feedings.

If the pacifier falls off while your baby is sleeping, don’t force it back in. Cuddle or rock your baby instead if she seems fussy while napping.

Babies shouldn’t be used to having pacifier for long. For sure, the will come a time when you will ask, when to stop pacifier use? Eventually, you have to learn pacifier weaning system. For the mean time, just don’t forget the importance of breastfeeding because it is still the best for both moms and babies.

The post Benefits of Using Pacifier and Tricks to Keep it on Baby’s Mouth appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Benefits of Using Pacifier and Tricks to Keep it on Baby’s Mouth published first on http://parentsneed.tumblr.com/

2 notes · View notes

thelmabeaver · 9 years ago

Text

Top 5 Best Tandem Strollers | 2017 Reviews

Looking after a baby can be tough work for many parents but having two of them could almost always mean twice the challenge. One of the things that parents worry about when having two small kids is how to make it possible to run errands or go around for casual walks or shopping. Whether you have kids of the same age or varying ones does not matter a lot because both situations calls you to be twice as alert as you already are.

Thankfully, there are a lot of products made for families that have at least two small kids with a small age gap in between. Take the tandem stroller, for example. Unlike regular strollers, this piece of equipment is designed to hold to growing babies and perhaps even more for their stuff and the parents’ stuff. Some are even strong enough to hold an additional load such as a small bag of groceries.

Quick Navigation

Quick Comparison Table

Baby Trend Sit N’ Stand Double

Baby Jogger City Select

Joovy Scooter X2 Double Stroller

Chicco Cortina Together

Delta Children LX Side by Side Tandem

Conclusion

Tandem strollers are not just great for use with twins, Irish twins or an infant and a toddler. They can also be used with just one kid riding and, after the other seat has been removed, can be turned into additional space to make room for shopping bags and other items.

How do you choose the best tandem stroller for your kiddos? The few things that you might want to consider are: age of kids, weight and convenience, orientation, storage space, canopy and brakes, among many others.

To help you further refine your choices, we have come up with the top 5 best tandem strollers. Hopefully our list of reviews will give you a better view at which model to purchase for your kids.

Quick Comparison Table

Baby Trend Sit N’ Stand Double

Baby Jogger City Select

Joovy Scooter X2 Double Stroller

Chicco Cortina Together

Delta Children LX Tandem

$$$

33.1 pounds

35 pounds

39 pounds

34 pounds

23.5 pounds

Inline

Side by Side

Inline

Side by Side

Baby Trend Sit N’ Stand Double

When it comes to double strollers, the Baby Trend Sit N Stand Double might just be considered the best double stroller with infant car seat, at least in our books.

Yes, it can accommodate two children of different ages but they are also perfect for kids of the same age (or nearly the same age aka Irish twins) and it grows with them, too. The good news is that this tandem stroller can fit two infant car seats at the same time, without any problem. You can interchange the way the passengers sit – with the older one in front or at the back, you only have to follow whatever arrangement they prefer best. The seat at the back can even be turned into a standing platform, perfect for preschoolers and school-aged children.

Another thing to love about this double baby stroller is that it comes with a huge storage basket making it perfect for grocery trips. If you only have one passenger with you, you can remove the seat at the back and turn it into extra storage. At just 33.1 pounds, this stroller is definitely among the lightest in the group considering that is packed heavy with features.

Did we mention that it comes with a huge and super convenient parent tray? Each seat is also equipped with child trays with a cup holder each.

There is nothing much we can say about this double stroller that will not make us want it. Its price is even quite inexpensive compared to other brands. For all these great things, we are putting the Baby Trend stroller on the top spot of our list.

Details of the Baby Trend Sit N’ Stand Double

Weight

33.1 pounds

Orientation

Inline

Dimensions

49 x 21.5 x 43 inches

Weight Recommendation

Up to 50 pounds each

5-Point Harness

Yes

Check Price On Amazon

Baby Jogger City Select

Yet another great stroller for infant and toddler is the Baby Jogger City Select.

With 16 different seating combinations to choose from, this is perhaps the most versatile of all twin strollers with car seats. You have both kids face front, face the parent or face each other – whatever position they want to ride in, it is totally possible.

While the City Select is not designed for jogging, it still provides a comfortable ride for everyone. It comes with 8-inch swivel front wheels that make it easy to maneuver or you can choose to lock it in place for long distance walks. Another plus point for the City Select is the huge UV 50+ sun canopy that provides more than ample protection for your little ones.

We truly think that this is the best double stroller for infant and toddler and is a great investment but the $600 price tag is quite a steep price. If you do not mind the price (it can be used up to five years so it is worth it in the long run), then go for it. The price tag, which is nearly three times that of the Baby Trend, is the biggest reason why it takes the second rank.

Details of the Baby Jogger City Select

Weight

35 pounds

Orientation

Inline

Dimensions

43.5 x 25.8 x 38.5 inches

Weight Recommendation

Up to 45 pounds each

5-Point Harness

Yes

Check Price On Amazon

Joovy Scooter X2 Double Stroller

Joovy might just be the best double side by side stroller in the market today. The great thing is that even with the side by side design, it measures just 30 inches in width so it fits through most doors while still allowing ample space for its passengers inside. You no longer have to fold the stroller to get through narrow spaces because it can fit quite well.

What is so good about the Joovy Scooter? For one, it has bigger and better wheels with sealed bearings so your passengers can enjoy a smooth and enjoyable ride no matter the terrain. You can trust that the wheels can provide extra stability especially since you are pushing around two children. Aside from that, each seat in the Joovy Scooter works independently so you can put each kid on recline at different times, depending on their nap schedules and riding preferences. The 5-point safety harness ensures that your little ones stay securely strapped inside this stroller for twins but it also has a removable bumper bar for added protection. Did we mention that it comes with huge storage space and that it packs small?

There are just a few things we don’t quite like about this compact double stroller. For example, it wobbles slightly and leans toward the heavier side when the passengers are not of the same weight. The handlebars are also not adjustable and rather short at 41.75 inches and the weight is also a major issue. Thus, we will have to push the Joovy in the middle of the list, getting it to the third spot.

Details of the Joovy Scooter X2 Double Stroller

Weight

39 pounds

Orientation

Side by Side

Dimensions

32.5 x 30 x 41.8 inches

Weight Recommendation

Up to 45 pounds each

5-Point Harness

Yes

Check Price On Amazon

Chicco Cortina Together

Whatever seating arrangement your kids want – two car seats in, two children, an infant in front and a child at the back or vice versa – is possible with this best stroller for twins and siblings of different ages.

We love that its canopy provides ample amount of protection for its passengers, even with the car seats on. It also comes with huge amount of storage at the bottom thus it gets a big plus point from parents who frequent the groceries with their children.

Storage is quite easy through the one handed activation and self standing fold of this double baby stroller. However, at 34 pounds, it is among the bulkiest and heaviest double strollers in the market so lifting it to put inside the car trunk can be a challenge. Thankfully, it folds quite compactly so fitting it is not a problem.

Another thing that we didn’t quite like about this stroller is that the front seat will not recline and so the passenger in front might have a hard time falling asleep when on the go. Maximum weight capacity may not be an issue but height capacity could be! Be sure to check your kids’ height first and compare it with what the Chicco Cortina can accommodate before making the purchase.

Other than these few cons about the Chicco Cortina, it is still a great product. However, other models do a better job than this one so it gets down to the fourth spot in our list.

Details of the Chicco Cortina Together

Weight

34 pounds

Orientation

Inline

Dimensions

23.5 x 45.5 x 47.2 inches

Weight Recommendation

Up to 40 pounds each

5-Point Harness

Yes

Check Price On Amazon

Delta Children LX Side by Side Tandem

If you are looking for a lightweight double stroller to use when running errands with your kids, this is the most recommended brand to use.

This cheap double stroller is pretty straightforward and does not have a lot of frills. For those going around on short trips that do not require bringing huge bags of shopping or other heavy loads, this is a great product to use.

For one, it doesn’t have enough storage, if at all, at the bottom. The canopy also uses the European design so it doesn’t really provide that much protection against the sun compared to the other brands. We highly recommend the Delta Children Side by Side Tandem for quick trips around the city or zoo that do not require a lot of stuff. This is even great if you decide to walk around Disneyland with your little ones.

This compact double stroller weighs only 23.5 pounds so you do not have to worry about pushing them around or folding them for storage. It is possible to do everything with one hand and you do not have to strain your back when trying to lift it into your car’s trunk. This lightweight tandem stroller is also perfect for travel as it can be gate checked due to its very simple and lightweight design.

However, if you are on who constantly uses their tandem strollers for running errands or going on long trips. It doesn’t have storage baskets underneath so you will have to hang your diaper bag on the handles (but make sure there are passengers inside to prevent it from toppling over) or wear it around your body.

This tandem stroller cannot be recommended for everyday use, only for short, quick trips, so we place this one at the fifth place on the list.

Details of the Delta Children LX Side by Side Tandem

Weight

23.5 pounds

Orientation

Side by Side

Dimensions

31.2 x 29.6 x 37.3 inches

Weight Recommendation

Up to 35 pounds each

5-Point Harness

Yes

Check Price On Amazon

Conclusion

How did that go? Did you like our choices in the best tandem strollers so far? We had a great time reviewing the strollers above and we hope it helps you in making the right decision in your purchase.

Remember, expensive isn’t always the best – you have to listen to what your kids tell you. They will be the ones riding it, after all! Of course, you also have to consider your preferences. You certainly do not want to hurt your back or have a hard time pushing it around – that wouldn’t be too enjoyable, right?

Happy shopping!

FAQ (By Our Ardent Readers)

What is a Tandem Stroller? How is it different from a side by side stroller? A Tandem is typically the same size as a single stroller where the children are sitting one behind the other unlike in side by side stroller where there are sitting next to each other.

Why do i need to buy a tandem stroller? A tandem is very useful if you have twins or kids who are just a few years apart. Also since it is not very wide you could navigate through doorways and narrow passageways very conveniently.

Is the tandem stroller very bulky? Some of them are moderately heavy. But most of the models are designed to be sturdy enough to be able to carry 2 kids and its belongings and as a bonus a small bag of groceries too. But not to worry as it is very easy to handle and move around with it.

Can i fix my infant car seat to my tandem stroller? Yes you can very conveniently or you can choose to have the normal seat which reclines back(though not fully flat) if your child is slightly older and is able to hold his head properly.

Can the car seat be fixed at both front and rear positions? Some models in the market do allow that, but not all of them. It is always advisable to keep the little one close to you while the toddler is sitting in the front with unrestricted views.

Can the car seat and the standard one be interchanged? Yes in some models this can be done depending on which child needs more attention.

Can both standard seats recline? Yes they can. But makes it slightly uncomfortable for the passenger at the back with less leg room when the front seat if fully reclined.

Are there any models with infant seat attachment and sit n stand option for the second? Yes certainly there is. Please read through our in depth review of tandem strollers page before you make your decision.

Can i put my newborn in the tandem? Not really unless you are using the infant car seat. The standard seat in tandem, though reclines back, does not go fully flat. The child must be able to hold its head in position properly before they are ready to sit on it.

Can the tandem be folded easily? Yes of course with just the push of a button and can easily be stored away when not needed.

Does the tandem have a snack tray and a cup holder? Yes it does for both passengers and also for the parent to store coffee, keys, mobile etc.

Can i get a triple tandem stroller? Yes you can. There are several designs for twins, and for infant and toddlers of varying age. Some common brands that do these tandems are Joovy, Childcraft, Baby Trend, Graco etc.

Where can i buy the tandem strollers? You could buy them in store or from a trusted online retailer like Amazon. We would strongly recommend you to read through the reviews first before you nail down on the stroller of your choice.

Are the accessories and spare parts easily available? yes you could buy them in store or order online if you are sure of what you need.

Originally posted 2016-08-21 15:12:18.

The post Top 5 Best Tandem Strollers | 2017 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Top 5 Best Tandem Strollers | 2017 Reviews published first on http://parentsneed.tumblr.com/

0 notes

thelmabeaver · 9 years ago

Text

The Benefits of Toy Rotation System for Your Child’s Learning

As a loving parent, you would want your child to be able to fully explore the world and get creative with his imagination as much as possible. This is how he will come to learn the ins and outs of life. You want your child to connect with the world around him and the people in it. It is important to encourage your child’s interests and show support for their passions while they are still young. It is your duty to help broaden his horizons. Feeling overwhelmed yet? Don’t you fret, and stay calm. This is what toys are here for.

Toys are very tricky things. They are actually teachers, masquerading as mindless entertainment to our kids. Let us take time to appreciate the incredible ways of how toys actually teach our children, and not merely exist to distract the kids. A toy is meant to be an enjoyable means of training young kids to discover and use their given potentials. They are tools to be used in the growth and development of our young precious ones.

Sometimes, however, they do more cluttering the house than educating the children. Have you ever noticed your child not having anything to play with when he is actually surrounded by a number of toys? This is the same feeling you get when you walk into your closet that’s full of clothes and yet you feel like you have nothing to wear. Kids get that feeling too, except it’s with toys. This happens when he finds his playroom full of toys that he has outgrown, or don’t like anymore. Didn’t you ever find yourself going through every piece of article in your closet and realize these are clothes you won’t wear anymore? When this happens to a child, the tendency is to ignore the toys and go grab the cooking pots in the kitchen to play with, instead. You are left feeling frustrated that your child finds your kitchenware more interesting than any toy from his treasury.

There is something you can do. It’s called toy rotation.

The Whys and Hows of Toy Rotation

Toy rotation is exactly what it sounds like. It involves periodically switching the toys that are accessible to your child. Simply put, implementing a system of toy rotation means exerting a conscious effort in rotating the toys that your child plays with. The rotations are scheduled and planned out, with the toys categorized according to their specific purpose.

Why Bother with Toy Rotation?

Toy rotation will definitely require much effort from your part, but the benefits will make it 100% worth it. Can toy rotation really make a difference? Find out here what the benefits of toy rotation are:

● Toy rotation keeps your child’s interest going.

A child learns what the world gives him. This is the reason why experience is the best teacher. Children learn from exploring and gaining new experiences. A child is like a sponge, ready to absorb what he hears, sees, or touches around him. If he were to keep playing with the same group of toys, he will only keep experiencing the same textures and mechanisms. He may quickly lose interest. He may feel that the toys have become too predictable that he no longer wants to interact with them. Daily toy rotation will lead him to discover new ways to play with an old toy, or get interested with a new one.

● Toy rotation reduces your child’s stress.

Toy rotation allows for the reduction of toy options available to your child. Too many toy choices can become overwhelming and stressful for a child. So many toys, so little time. Ease the pressure on your child by reducing the number of choices to choose from.

● Toy rotation lets your child appreciate the toys he already has.

What they say is true about not noticing and valuing the things that we see everyday. This is the reason why some things are taken for granted. Letting your child only play periodically with a certain toy will make him appreciate it more.

● Toy rotation promotes sustained attention.

Toy rotation creates a conducive environment to help a child sustain his attention and focus on one toy. By reducing the number of toys that are accessible to him, your child will be able to resist the urge to flit from one toy to another. Higher-level of thinking during playtime is promoted. Toy rotation may teach your child to play independently for longer periods of time as time goes by.

● Toy rotation makes inventory possible.

Toy rotation helps you keep your child’s toys organized. As a result, it is easier to keep track which toys are out, and makes cleaning up actually manageable. No more stepping on toy parts, or hunting for lost part in between the couch cushions.

● Toy rotation declutters your home.

The clutter in your home can be drastically decreased through toy rotation. Through toy rotation, not all toys need to be out at the same time. Visual clutter is one of the huge sources of stress at home. A decluttered home will make you feel more relaxed and in control.

● Toy rotation encourages your child to help clean up.

Since the toys are well organized, it is easy to see which toys go where. It becomes easier for your child to help out. Toy rotation helps your child to learn how to put things back in their proper place. When there’s not too many toys out at once, cleaning up becomes easy as a breeze.

● Toy rotation helps prevent your child from being spoiled.

As long as his interest in his current toys is kept, you may avoid having to buy your child a new toy to add to his collection every week. Continuously buying toys for a collection is completely different from giving your child access to a variety of toys that address different developmental needs. Toy collections are fun and entertaining, sure. But they may also lead to spoiling. Providing variety through toy rotation, on the other hand, can prove to be stimulating and enriching.

How to Implement a Toy Rotation System at Home

● Choose a location.

Note that you may have several locations throughout your home. Choose your child’s primary play area by assessing where your child frequents the most to sit and play. If you don’t have a designated room as a play area, you may use play mats or rugs to mark the play areas.

● Collect all toys in one place.

Gather everything that you plan to include in the toy rotation and you may consider toy categories for organizing. If you plan to rotate books, include them in the pile as well. Search all corners of your house for toys that seem like good candidates for toy rotation. A good candidate is something you won’t mind seeing scattered on the floor. Leave elaborate puzzles in their box containers. For toys that have several small parts, use clear containers with lids. Once you have gathered all toys in one place, prepare empty boxes and toy storage bins for decluttering.

● Declutter.

Collecting all the toys in a pile may serve as an eye-opener for you. This is where decluttering comes in. Throw away outgrown toys. Get rid of toys with broken or missing pieces. Sort out toys that your child barely touches, he won’t miss them.

● Categorize.

You may sort your children’s toys according to the toy’s educational function. When we say educational function, we mean what the toy aims to train your child for. Some toys serve more than one educational function. Do not think too much about this, just pick a category for it. Make a pile for each category. You may also make a pile of random toys to keep things constructive and creative. Here are some of the categories that you may use in sorting out your child’s toys:

Art. These are toys that involve creating with the use of cutting or painting tools. Art toys enable cutting, pasting and drawing. Examples of these are drawing boards, colored markers, and colored chalks.

Active play. These are toys that would require your child to do some active playing like pushing, jumping, spinning or rolling. Examples of these are balls, and push and pull toys.

Construction toys. These are toys that promote creativity while improving your child’s gross and fine motor skills. Examples of these are wooden blocks, Legos and Lincoln Logs.

Role play. These are toys that involve role-playing, and help develop a child’s creativity and imagination. Examples of these may be dress-up costumes, crowns, wands or wings.

Scientific toys. These toys help children explore the wonders of science and help them get started with the inner scientists in them. Examples of these toys are rain sticks, mini laboratories, simple machines, and natural wonder toys.

Math. Of course, if there are scientific toys, there should be toys that promote mathematics. These toys train your child to count, quantify, sort, or identify shapes.

Manipulatives. These are toys that are to be fiddled with. They promote the development of a child’s fine motor coordination and logical thinking.

Literacy. These are books, illustrations or letters that promote literacy.

Musical toys. Musical toys help develop a child’s cognitive skills. These toys also enhance a child’s memory. Aside from promoting creativity, musical toys can also develop a child’s patience and motor skills. Examples of these toys include a baby’s first piano, shakers, wind instruments, and clappers.

Logic. Toys that promote logical thinking include puzzles, board games and brain teasers.

Vehicles. Throw in this pile anything that qualifies as a vehicle: cars, trains, planes, trucks. These toys promote gross and fine motor skills, as well as creativity and imagination.

Socio-emotional toys. These are toys that help improve a child’s social skills as well as his emotional well-being. Toys in this category may include stuffed toys, dolls and action figures.

Play themes. These are toys that further improve your child’s creativity and proved them venues to explore their imagination. Imaginative play toys include doll houses, cartoon characters, farm animals, and train tracks.

● Choose which toys will go out per rotation.

Since you have grouped toys that are similar together, it is wise to have one toy per category, per rotation.

● Keep the out-of-rotation toys out of sight.

Keep the toys in order by storing like with like in appropriate containers or buckets. This will make it easier when it’s time to swap out the rotated toys with the toys that have been kept in storage. Keep the out-of-rotation in a closet that is inaccessible to your kids to prevent your children from taking the toys out, without following the rotation system.

● Display the in-rotation toys attractively.

Avoid clumping the toys you have decided to take out together. Instead, you may line them up against a wall. Display them in such a way that your child will want to pick them up and play with them.

● Come up with a rotation strategy.

Decide if you want to follow a schedule. Do you want to swap out toys weekly, or monthly? Perhaps you would prefer to rotate according to how your child reacts to his toys. Should you wait for him to ask for something from the stored toys? Will you give him the freedom to “shop” and look at the toys, and then decide which ones get to come out? Observe which toys are his favorite and which toys he ignores. This could be helpful for you in assessing which toys you could declutter in the future.

● Maintain your toy rotation system.

Establishing and implementing a toy rotation system can take some time getting used to. Give the system some time before you decide it’s not for you. Getting started is the hardest part. Your child may need a couple of months before he fully adjusts to the new system of playing at your home. Ease your child into the system and be ready to be flexible. See what works and what doesn’t. Make sure that the toys in storage don’t find themselves in rotation all of a sudden. Keep decluttering if necessary. Stick to your set limits and boundaries. Make sure you follow your schedule and your rotation system. Once adjusted, you’ll find that not only is your home more clutter-free but your child is getting his maximum learning experience as well.

The post The Benefits of Toy Rotation System for Your Child’s Learning appeared first on ParentsNeed.

The Benefits of Toy Rotation System for Your Child’s Learning published first on http://parentsneed.tumblr.com/

0 notes

thelmabeaver · 9 years ago

Text

Top 5 Best Round Trampolines | 2017 Reviews

Trampolines aren’t pieces of equipment that adults are likely to run into regularly. You may be familiar with the bouncy houses that young kids love, but if you’ve had any real exposure to trampolines you’re probably remembering back to experiences you had during elementary school gym classes or summer camp. Otherwise, your knowledge of trampolines is likely to be based solely on the snippets of Olympic competitions they show on TV once every four years.

When it comes time to shop for a home trampoline, that knowledge may not be of much help, because the trampolines you probably jumped on as a kid and those you see on television are large, rectangular models. By contrast, the most popular trampolines sold for home use, by far, are smaller and round in shape. They’re still fun to use and a great way to exercise, but they provide a more consistent bounce while being safer, easier to move around the backyard – and a lot cheaper to purchase.

Quick Navigation

Quick Comparison Table

AlleyOOP DoubleBounce Trampoline

Skywalker Trampolines 15-Feet Round Trampoline

Zupapa 15 Foot TUV-Approved Trampoline

Ultega Jumper Trampoline

Super Jumper Combo Trampoline

That doesn’t mean that a high-quality round trampoline is inexpensive. Heavy-gauge galvanized steel frames, high-tensile jumping surfaces with super-secret bouncing technologies, and modern safety net systems can push the price of the best round models up over $2000 (yes, you read that right). Don’t panic, though; you can also find round trampolines that are safe, well-built and effective for a few hundred dollars.

On our list of the top 5 best round trampolines, we’ll focus more on affordable models than the state-of-the-art marvels of trampoline technology. After all, most who are in the market for a trampoline want something that will let their kids play happily and safely all day without busting the budget. You may also be surprised to learn that some of these models are big and strong enough to let you indulge your own inner kid – either together with your children or when they aren’t watching and can’t see you having as much fun as they do.

Before going on our list, you may want to check out our Best Round Trampoline Buying Guide.

Ready, set, jump.

Quick Comparison Table

AlleyOOP DoubleBounce Trampoline

Skywalker 15-Feet Round Trampoline

Zupapa 15 Foot TUV-Approved Trampoline

Ultega Jumper Trampoline

Super Jumper Combo Trampoline

$$$

14’ diameter

15’ diameter

14’ diameter

Permatron

Polyethylene

AlleyOOP DoubleBounce Trampoline

We promised to focus on “affordable” round trampolines in our reviews, and we will. But we thought it also made sense to include a top-of-the-line AlleyOOP model so you have a good basis for comparison, and we’ve chosen the 14-foot DoubleBounce. It’s unquestionably the best model you can buy so we’ve ranked it at #1, even though its $2200 price tag likely puts it way out of your reach. Believe it or not, there’s an even more expensive variation of this trampoline, the Power DoubleBounce, which adds extra springs and a stronger safety net for another $300. You can also opt for the plain PowerBounce model which sells for $1700, or the VariableBounce for $1500.

Why is the AlleyOOP line so special? The galvanized steel frame is the sturdiest you’ll find on a round trampoline. There’s a proprietary system to protect the frame from the stress that can cause it to twist over time. The safety net is the best-designed on the market, interlocked with the jumping surface and equipped with a fail-safe enclosure. And most importantly, there’s a double-jumping mat and a unique spring construction (that’s the DoubleBounce part) which greatly increase bounce and minimizes the possibility of injury through a “shock absorption zone.” One of the main features of this construction is that only half of the high-performance 10-inch springs (the longest on any round trampoline) engage when you land on the mat, while the other half of them kick in a fraction of a second later. That not only provides a stronger jump back up, but better helps the body absorb the impact of landing. It’s an innovative and effective design.

There are other advantages to the AlleyOOP, including the facts that the trampoline is tunable so you can adjust the bounce to suit the age or skill level of the people who will be jumping, the frame pad is made from gym-quality polyethylene with closed-cell foam and a reinforced PVC outer coating that’s UV- and water-resistant, there’s more ground clearance for the jumping mat than on a number of competitors, and the rust-resistant springs are attached with steel V-rings and straps instead of being threaded through grommets that can rip the mat over time.

Finally, there’s the strength of the DoubleBounce. It is rated at 250 pounds for a single user (which is impressive enough), but the company’s “real-world” testing has shown the trampoline can handle multiple users weighing up to 800 pounds without a problem. When you see how sturdy and well-built this trampoline is, you’ll believe it. It’s beautiful too, with a forest green pad and black-and-silver supports, net and accents. Assembly will take a long time, but that’s to be expected with a complicated piece of technology – and that’s what this is.

If you’ve got a spare $2K kicking around and want to spend it on a round trampoline, there should be no question in your mind which one to buy. The AlleyOOPs are the models against which all others should be judged.

Details of the AlleyOOP DoubleBounce Trampoline

Size

Round, 14’ diameter

Frame

Pre-galvanized steel

Springs

128 10” zinc-plated steel

Mats

Permatron, UV-shielded

Weight Rating

250 pounds, single user (tested to 800 pounds, multiple users)

Warranty

Lifetime

Check Price On Amazon

Skywalker Trampolines 15-Feet Round Trampoline

We now descend from the high air of a session on the DoubleBounce to re-enter the real world, and we do that with a strong and well-designed model from Skywalker that costs a more realistic $375.

Many of the most-important construction features seen on the AlleyOOP are also used, in their basic forms, to build this trampoline. The frame assembly is made from heavy-gauge and rust-resistant galvanized steel, there are T-sockets that keep the frame from twisting, and the jumping mat is made from heavy-duty polypropylene with UV protection. There are also a couple of aspects of the Skywalker that we think are even more desirable than what’s seen on the DoubleBounce (that costs almost ten times as much): there are six “W” support legs instead of four, and the safety net is interlocked with the jumping mat at each V-ring with buttons and buttonholes, which eliminates the gaps between the two components where a small child could get stuck.

Naturally, for a much lower price than AlleyOOP charges you’re not going to get the same features or performance; the springs are much shorter and there’s a single bouncing mat, as two examples. Then again, you won’t be comparing the two models side-by-side. Viewed on its own merits the Skywalker is a solid unit, the bounce is great and more than you’d probably expect from a round trampoline at this cost, and the safety features are robust and definitely reassuring. We’re not sure that we’d want to leave this trampoline out in snowy and windy winters even though it’s been weatherproofed, since the padding seems that it might suffer over the long-term. In more moderate climates, however, there should be no issue.

We should also note that this is a 15-foot model, so there’s even more room to jump than on standard 14-foot units. The Skywalker comes in four colors (red and camo are more expensive than blue or green) and it’s a lot of trampoline for the money.

Details of the Skywalker Trampolines 15-Foot Round Trampoline

Size

Round, 15’ diameter

Frame

Galvanized steel

Springs

96 6.5” galvanized steel

Mats

Polyethylene, UV-protected

Weight Rating

200 pounds, single user (anecdotally 400 pounds, multiple users)

Warranty

One year frame, 90 days material

Check Price On Amazon

Zupapa 15 Foot TUV-Approved Trampoline

Zupapa is a German company, and TUVs are that nation’s independent safety certification companies. Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, we’ll give the Zupapa our own seal of approval because this is a strong and enjoyable round trampoline. We’re looking here specifically at the 15-foot model which sells for a little less than $500, but they also offer 12- and 14-foot round models as well.

The frame is made from thick, rust-resistant galvanized steel with six “W”-shaped legs, and longer-than-normal poles which accommodate an adult-sized six-foot safety net. The mat is UV-protected polypropylene, protected by a foam pad with PVC cover and held by 108 seven-inch galvanized steel springs. That’s fewer than on the high-end DoubleBounce, but more than you’ll find on most moderate-priced models like the Skywalker.

The bounce on this trampoline is very good, perhaps not quite up to the Skywalker’s level but close, and it certainly will keep your kids happy. It will definitely make you happy too, if you decide to give it a try; the Zupapa can easily handle an adult’s weight and height. There’s one negative to mention, though. As with the Skywalker, we’d be very tempted to take this “weatherproof” unit inside during difficult winter weather to protect the padding and the manufacturer actually recommends taking that step, so there could be a lot of disassembling and assembling in your future. There’s one very welcome positive to mention as well: unlike most trampolines, the Zupapa comes complete with a ladder and a rain cover.

This model ranks at #3 on our list of the top 5 best round trampolines, but it didn’t miss the #2 position by much.

Details of the Zupapa 15 Foot TUV-Approved Trampoline

Size

Round, 15’ diameter

Frame

Galvanized steel

Springs

108 7” galvanized steel

Mats

Polyethylene, UV-protected

Weight Rating

375 pounds, single user

Warranty

Three years frame, one year mat and springs, six months pads and nets

Check Price On Amazon

Ultega Jumper Trampoline

For those who can’t see spending $400-$500 for a trampoline, we offer the Ultega (as well as the final entry on our list, the Super Jumper Combo) which is a decent model for about $325. There’s a galvanized steel frame and base, four “L”-shaped legs (which are a bit more stable than the “W”-shaped ones) and the standard 88 steel springs, so the jumping experience is good although it doesn’t fully approach that of our first three trampolines.

The Ultega is German-made and boasts TUV safety standard approval (although they don’t put it in the name of their product). And you can tell from inspecting the product in-person that while it doesn’t have the impeccable design of the DoubleBounce, this is a solid unit that should hold up just fine for kids to jump on for several years. Adults who want to use the Ultega will be best off if they’re on the slim side; fitting into the zippered opening is difficult for full-sized people.

With a 200 pound nominal weight rating, though, this is designed mainly for the kids and it’s a trampoline they’ll enjoy. As with most of the bouncers on our list, we’d suggest taking the Ultega inside for the winter if you live in harsh climates, to protect the pads and straps.

Details of the Ultega Jumper Trampoline

Size

Round, 15’ diameter

Frame

Galvanized steel

Springs

88 7” galvanized steel

Mats

Polyethylene, UV-protected

Weight Rating

200 pounds, single user

Warranty

Two years

Check Price On Amazon

Super Jumper Combo Trampoline

Finally, we have a trampoline that we’d suggest as a kids’ model rather than one for older children or adults. The Super Jumper Combo that we review here is 14 feet in diameter and costs a little over $250, but the company offers a range of sizes from 16 feet ($350) to 4½ feet ($100).

The quality of the Super Jumper’s build isn’t up to that of our first four reviewed models, but it’s still safe and sturdy for younger kids with a galvanized steel frame and four “W”-shaped legs. We just don’t think it will hold up to continuous use over a long period of time, particularly since there are only 80 springs holding the mat and the welds don’t appear to be as strong as on some competitors. The stated weight limit is 330 pounds, but we’d feel more comfortable placing the number around 200 pounds.

Personally, we’d spend the extra $100-125 for a tougher and more durable trampoline, but if budget is a major factor in your purchase, this will do just fine for the kids.

Details of the Super Jumper Combo Trampoline

Size

Round, 14’ diameter

Frame

Galvanized steel

Springs

80 6.5” galvanized steel

Mats

Polyethylene, UV-protected

Weight Rating

330 pounds, single user

Warranty

One year

Check Price On Amazon

Enter your text here…

Originally posted 2016-06-19 08:31:58.

The post Top 5 Best Round Trampolines | 2017 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Top 5 Best Round Trampolines | 2017 Reviews published first on http://parentsneed.tumblr.com/

0 notes

thelmabeaver · 9 years ago

Text

Top 5 Best Valentine Gifts for Men | 2017 Reviews

You’ve just entered another year. And the great delights of winter haven’t ended yet. You’ve already seen our list for our round-up on the best Christmas presents for the beloved men in your life. Well, January is about to end and we’re about to enter the Month of Love. With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, we’re sure you’re already preparing for that special day you’re going to have but what would be the best gift to give him for that special day?

Quick Navigation

Quick Comparison Table

AB Handictafts - Mango Wooden Docking Station

Cortunex Magic Coffee Mugs

Remington All-in-1 Grooming Kit

PowerAll Power Bank and Car Jump Starter

Glantop Magnetic Sculpture Desk Toy

Believe it or not, anything functional is already a good gift. But since it’s Valentine’s Day, you’d like to spice things up a little. Then, why don’t you plan your romantic evening together but still give him something that he actually needs. Men become more appreciative if they can use it rather than getting a homemade project that he might barely or never even use at all.

Men are like that, they do love what you give them but they would still prefer it if what they get is something they can incorporate in their daily lives. Instead of making the date perfect for you, design a Valentine’s Day that says, I love you and I want this day to be made just for you and me. So, we have in our list below are the Top Five Best Valentine’s Day gifts for him!

You don’t need to really draw in the hearts on this day because Valentine’s Day is all about making each other happy and loved.

Quick Comparison Table

AB Handictafts - Mango Wooden Docking Station

Cortunex Magic Coffee Mugs

Remington All-in-1 Grooming Kit

PowerAll Power Bank and Car Jump Starter

Glantop Magnetic Sculpture Desk Toy

$$$

AB Handictafts - Mango Wooden Docking Station

This may not mean a lot to you but honestly, this could be one present your husband or boyfriend will definitely wish he’d had for such a long time. We all know our men, they have the tendency to FORGET EVERYTHING! It’s true! That’s why they always come up to you and ask you where his tie is, his watch, his phone or any small handy trinket, gadget or item. There are even times when he gets frantic looking for something he is already holding.

Let this be a simple gift to your man. Let him know that this thing should remind him of you because it’s a small handy item that always knows where things are. The reason why we absolutely love this gift, it’s because it’s totally made for men. It has a device holder with a notch at the bottom so he can still keep his phone upright even while charging. There is also a small hook– or something we’d like to call a peninsula– that can hold his watch, bracelet or set of keys. Plus, there is a wide space at the back where he can keep his wallet his money clip, card holder or any other thing he can think of.

Still not convinced it’s a good Valentine’s Day gift for him? It’s a gift that can be given at any season but the way to make it a more romantic appeal is that if you can just add a touch of you and him. Grab a permanent marker and write something sweet for your hubby or draw something that only both of you can understand.

We love this wooden station because it is made from reclaimed Mango Wood. It is a sturdy tiny furniture meant to keep your hubby’s things nicely organized. It’s a nice and fun way to keep things by his side. Since it’s reclaimed wood, it is Eco-friendly with that barn chic theme. We know full well that it will easily go well with your furniture.

Other than that, it’s a nice gift to give with a smile on your face. And with a thoughtful Valentine Gift for him, you’re romantic day with your hubby will definitely a nice and sweet one.

Details of the AB Handictafts - Mango Wooden Docking Station

Weight

1.1 Pounds

Dimensions

8 x 9 x 6.5 inches

Types

One Size

Special Features

reclaimed Mango Wood

Check Price On Amazon

Cortunex Magic Coffee Mugs

Men aren’t so particular about gifts that they want. They would often just say that they would like anything that’s handy. It’s totally true. They’re not lying about it. Men and gifts for some reason don’t mix well because whenever they get a gift, they don’t seem to know how to react to them. Sometimes they get stoic, sometimes you can even sense a hint of pretense just for the sake of satisfying you. But the reality is, men really do like anything that comes from you. It’s just a matter of not knowing how to openly express them. So instead of tiring yourself doing crazy things just to get a decent reaction, go for something simple but very meaningful. Besides, it really is the thought that matters.

Mugs are very popular gifts for your man. Since your husband won’t leave the house without a decent cup of coffee, why not get him this wonderful Magic cup? It’s entertaining and it really gives the morning that great zing! With an empty cup, the mug has a drowsy sleepy face but as you pour hot water into the mug, the dark drowsy eyelids drift away to reveal a really perked up face. It makes morning coffee never dull. An interesting morning with you having to make him breakfast and an awesome mug that your husband will never get tired of. This is one unique Valentine’s Day gift for husband because it shows just how much you know how important his morning routine is.

Other than that, it’s a really fun gift to give and a fun gift to have. We really love this mug because it’s simple, and yet very thoughtful. We really love this heat-sensitive coffee mug that ever changes with hot drinks. From either coffee, tea or hot cocoa, it’s always a fun surprise to see the ever changing face. It comes in two colors: red and blue. And it also comes with an all-black mug that changes into a sunshine full of smiley faces. Have fun with a Valentine’s Day gift for him this year!

Details of the Cortunex Magic Coffee Mugs

Weight

3.5 ounces

Dimensions

8 x 9 x 6.5 inches

Types

Blue funny face, red funny face. Yellow happy face, pool of smileys, constellation mug

Special Features

heat-sensitive color changing mug

Check Price On Amazon

Remington All-in-1 Grooming Kit

How often does your hubby shave? Daily? Every other day? Twice a Week? Well, it’s definitely a frequent thing. One of the almost daily routines of your husband (or boyfriend) is shaving and grooming himself. What else? They’d love to look good for you don’t they? And we know that so do you. This is one great men’s Valentine’s gift idea since it is a gift that is all about him.

This is a great gift for Valentine’s Day for him because it is an item that will always see its use. Besides, it’s a wonderful gift for such a great price. You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to buy him a suitable and awesome gift because at less than $20, you can already get an all-complete grooming set for your husband.

We love the Remington all-in-one Grooming Kit because it is an eight piece set. Your husband will love the fact that he has a full-sized trimmer, a foil shaver, a detail trimmer for his nose and ears, a hair clipper comb with 8 different length settings, and three bear and stubble combs. It’s a complete grooming set that will cater for all of his needs. And it all comes with a compact set that even he can carry on long trips. We also love it so much because they are made with surgical steel blades which guarantees you that they are rust-free. They are also easy to clean since you can simply detach the attachments and rinse them under running water.

This also makes a great Valentine’s Day gift for husband because it requires little maintenance, it’s easy to travel with and it’s very versatile. He wouldn’t have to worry about self-grooming for the next year. It’s a small but powerful machine that wouldn’t suffer entanglement because it can run for 65 minutes without being plugged in.

Since your husband’s needs are one of your priorities, you might as well put in effort in helping him take care of himself– that is grooming. So with a well-groomed handsome man that will wake up every morning with a pleasant smile is all because of a little trinket you bought for him on Valentine’s Day.

Details of the Remington All-in-1 Grooming Kit

Weight

10.1 Pounds

Dimensions

3 x 9.2 x 4.5 inches

Types

One Size

Special Features

rechargeable batteries, cordless grooming kit, travel light

Check Price On Amazon

PowerAll Power Bank and Car Jump Starter

Men’s Valentine gift ideas can really be tricky. It’s difficult to know if a guy really likes a gift you’ve given him. But if you really want to make him happy is to make his second lady love happy. Yes! His car! Give your husband’s car a gift! If you begin to consider things that are important to him, you are in for a real treat! Men and cars share this endless bromance. You’ll never really realize just how much man can love his machine but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t do anything for his car.

If you really do understand just how much his car means to him, then taking a bit of your time to care for that affection is more than he can ever replace that’s why we chose this item for you! It’s a Powerbank! Yes! And it’s strong enough to jump start his car in cases when his battery will die out on him. This is an awesome Valentine’s Day gift for men because it’s everything that they would ever need when their battery unexpectedly dried out because he has an alternator problem or that his battery iss just already about to give up.

This is a stunning Valentine gift for husband because it’s lightweight and compact that you can toss it in your glove compartment. It has strong power surges that can charge up your husband’s engine up to 20 times. It also has a MOSFET rectifier that prevents counter surge from burning up the powerbank. It also comes with a built-in LED flashlight.

We love this item because it’s small, compact and doesn’t just serve as a car jumper but it can also serve as your gadget’s powerbank. It has two USB ports where you can charge your gadget on the go. It has a standby period of 6 months which means that if it can still hold power until 6 months unused.

It’s a wonderful item to have, although it’s a bit more expensive than the rest of our gifts in our list. But then again, anything related to vehicles will totally cost quite a lot of money.

Details of the PowerAll Power Bank and Car Jump Starter

Weight

1 pound

Dimensions

2.88 x 6.5 x 1.25 inches

Types

16,000 mAh, 32,000 mAh

Special Features

portable car jumper, two USB ports, LED flashlight

Check Price On Amazon

Glantop Magnetic Sculpture Desk Toy

We know just how much your husband is hard at work. And it’s something we really appreciate them doing. There are times they come home exhausted. Even if they don’t really deal with with manual labor, our husband’s who work in the office can easily get mentally exhausted. So why not give him an interesting gift, a stress reliever. It’s a gift that says, I may not be with you all the time but let me help you out when your mind is getting quite an exercise.

This Magnetic Sculpture Stress relief makes a really good Valentine’s gift idea for men because it really does the work of reducing the tension in the brain. It’s made of hundreds of tiny metal balls on a magnetic base. Unlike a stress ball you can squeeze and choke with both your hands, this stress reliever works its magic as a fun desk toy. They can just start making different shapes– to surprisingly anyone’s amusement. It’s a fun thing to play around to pass the time or distract your husband a little bit off work to give brain a little bit of a breather.

It’s a fun toy to have around, your husband can build tiny 3D models using the metal beads. It’s also a very interesting brain booster because it takes up patience to make designs with the metal balls that can really be a fun item to have around even at home.

Both you and your husband can have fun just building small designs on this cute little item to pass the time. It’s absolutely an item for amusement, you and your husband can enjoy playing with the small metal beads. It’s enjoyable to have a competition on who can make a better design between both of you.

This may be a simple concept present but it goes a long way especially in helping your husband get back in track at work. It’s good to have a piece of you at work with him to keep him company. Besides, your care for your husband’s overall wellness is as much as the best Valentine’s Day gift for him.

Details of the Glantop Magnetic Sculpture Desk Toy

Weight

11.4 ounces

Dimensions

3.7 x 2.8 x 1.4 inches

Types

Mini beads, Acrobat edition, Moon and Stars, Aquarium

Special Features

non-magnetic beads, magnetic base

Check Price On Amazon

Gift-giving has already taken a new shape. Giving gifts is not a must just because an occasion calls for it, it’s something to make a special day even more special. Make your Valentine’s Day gift for husband more thoughtful with gifts that show you care about him and that you put a lot of thought about what he needs. A wonderful day of hearts to you and your Valentine! Happy Valentine’s Day!

The post Top 5 Best Valentine Gifts for Men | 2017 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Top 5 Best Valentine Gifts for Men | 2017 Reviews published first on http://parentsneed.tumblr.com/

0 notes

thelmabeaver · 9 years ago

Text

Top 5 Best Valentine Gifts for Women | 2017 Reviews

Whenever you ask your wife or your girlfriend what they want for a birthday gift, a Christmas gift and any gift for any other occasion, you always get the same answer, “Anything is fine, Love”. It can become such a frustration when you go the gift shop and end up dumb-founded because you have absolutely no clue what to get for your beloved lady.

Quick Navigation

Quick Comparison Table

Mr. Pro Scented Bath Soap with Baby Bear Doll

Young’s Metal Bucket List Bucket

SunnyHouse Matching Couple Pendant Necklace

Anboo Retro Leather Cover Leaf Journal

Teddy Bear Night Light by Rainbolights

Well, when the season of love hits, all shop windows are filled with red ribbons, hearts and cupid’s arrows. And for that reason, you’ll end up with any gift in the shape of a heart and a bouquet of red roses. Unfortunately, that’s really not the way to give your lady a wonderful Valentine’s gift. For years, everybody has struggled in choosing Valentine gifts for girlfriend and we have finally collected the best Valentine gift for girlfriend.

You don’t really need a lot of money to make your counterpart feel loved and appreciated, besides, that’s exactly what Valentine’s Day is all about—to love and to feel loved. That’s why our list of five creative Valentine gifts for her are all about showing how much you care and adore your wife or girlfriend. We considered so many factors in gift-giving in the day of hearts and we’ve gone down to see that cost is one of the most important things to consider.

Anyhow, before getting any of the things on our list, we would also like your utmost participation (not a lot of time to spend, mind you) to make it even more special for your lady love.

Quick Comparison Table

Mr. Pro Scented Bath Soap with Baby Bear Doll

Young’s Metal Bucket List Bucket

SunnyHouse Matching Couple Pendant Necklace

Anboo Retro Leather Cover Leaf Journal

Teddy Bear Night Light by Rainbolights

$$$

Mr. Pro Scented Bath Soap with Baby Bear Doll

This gift totally has it all! It’s inexpensive, it’s a romantic gift for women and it’s something your lady love can totally use for a long time. So instead of buying her a bouquet of roses- a very cliché gift that will only end up in the trash after it wilts, why not get her a bouquet of rose SOAPS?

What makes this gift our best valentine gift for girlfriend or for your beloved lady is the fact that it cares about her entire wellness. Firstly, the soaps smell amazing! They are made with multiple essential oils that give you and your lady love that romantic whiff when taking a bath. You both can enjoy a nice warm and soothing bath together. Why not? It totally elevates the senses for you both!

Secondly, it’s not just a simple floral scented soap, these soaps are also antibacterial. They not only excite the senses but they also clean your beloved’s body. It has antibacterial properties that are very vital in keeping a healthy well-being in order to keep an also healthy relationship. Isn’t that great? Not only do you both smell good, you’re both nice and clean too!

It just doesn’t stop there either! We love recommending this cute Valentine’s day gifts for her because it is just so beautiful! It come’s with that adorable teddy bear too. Stuffed animals on Valentine’s Day are also typical but they’re still very much adored. Although, you can opt for a box with 18 rose instead of 12. The 18 roses doesn’t have any plushees in it. It’s also great that they come in three different colors: red, purple and blue.

One of the best reasons why this is such a unique and awesome gift, is the cost. It is well below $20! Come on! Isn’t that just wonderful? All you need to do with it is use it like a real flower, take a petal off and lather until it bubbles. You can also remove petals and toss them into the bathtub like real rose petals. Imagine how sweet it would be for you to set your lady luck’s bath with the rose petals in it and the box of soap sitting beautifully by the bathtub. It’s sweet, caring and romantic! Now that is the best Valentine’s Day gift for her!

Details of the Mr. Pro Flora Bath Soap with Baby Bear Doll

Weight

3.5 ounces

Dimensions

9.4 x 2 x 4.7 inches

Types

12 Red with bear, 12 blue with bear, 12 purple with bear, 18 red, 18 blue, 18 purple

Special Features

All-natural

Reasons for Purchase

Cheap, Adorable, Useful, and Romantic

Check Price On Amazon

Young’s Metal Bucket List Bucket

We don’t really mean you should give your date a Bucket’s List! She might take it the wrong way and turn her back on you the moment she sees it. This is where we ask you to do a little bit of tweaking. Instead of making a Bucket List, make a DATE Bucket List. Use the cute and adorable notes to plan for your ideal dates in the future! It’s a great idea! You can list down a few dates you think are ideal and she would write on most of the notes. Day by day, week by week, or month by month, you guys can plan for the perfect date all the time!

This is one heck of a creative Valentine’s Day gifts for her! Think about it! You’re giving her not just one Valentine’s Day gift but an entire series of endless love! You get to enjoy dates that you both would have never even thought about. You can watch your sweetheart be creative in planning or thinking of things to do on a date. The list can go on and on.

This is one exciting gift because it’s interesting, it’s unique and it goes a long way. Besides the fact that she gets her ideal date night list, you also get to be her genie in a bottle– or a bucket– to fulfill her wishes inside these gift cards. In fact, you can even call it a date coupon!

What’s also so wonderful about this unique gift for Valentine’s Day is that it is also really cheap! You don’t need to pull much out of your pocket. And besides, even if you do get to finish your list, you can still keep the bucket as a wonderful memoir. It’s also one adorable and decorative piece for your girlfriend’s room.

Besides, Valentine’s Day isn’t just about being each others’ Valentine but being each others’ company where you get to make wonderful memories together. Giving this would also mean that you care about her wishes and that you would love to do anything just to make her happy. Even if you know she’ll end up writing something outrageous for the both of you.

Details of the Young’s Metal Bucket List Bucket

Weight

6 ounces

Dimensions

7 x 7 x 6 inches

Types

One-type Metal bucket

Special Features

Customizable bucket label with chalk

Reasons for Purchase

Cheap, Trendy and Creative

Check Price On Amazon

SunnyHouse Matching Couple Pendant Necklace

One of the things you probably don’t realize is that women absolutely love having couple things. Couple shirts, couple mugs, couple toothbrushes. And one other thing that you should consider in buying the best Valentine’s gift for girlfriend is jewelry. A good-looking jewelry is a huge plus for you. And another plus factor for you is that if that jewelry comes in a pair. If she finds out you get to have your own paired pendant, she would be ecstatic.

Women love it when they get to declare that they are in a relationship not just with anyone but with YOU! And with a wonderfully crafted jewelry, you get to show your affection towards each other no matter what you wear.

There are so many jewelries out there but what makes these charm pendants so unique is that they have careful and delightful engravings. This Valentine’s gift idea is something to show for because it is made with strong Titanium steel. It doesn’t easily wear and tear and it doesn’t easily break apart either. It also has carefully in-laid Zirconia stones around the interlocking rings. What’s also great about it is that the ‘hers’ pendant is plated with Rose Gold. Isn’t that wonderful?

The pendants are also hypoallergenic. There’s super trendy and can go with anything you wear. They don’t overwhelm your neckline nor are they too much for casual or too less for formal wear. They are chic and formal and casual all at the same time!

We also love these pendants because they are engraved with sayings. The first engraving says 'eternal love’ while the second saying says, 'The World looks wonderful when I am with you’. Doesn’t that just send chills down your spine? It’s a fantastic gift for girlfriend on Valentine’s! And it’s a definite keeper especially if she knows that you would be wearing a pair that looks exactly just like it. It even has varieties to look for just check it out!

Details of the SunnyHouse Matching Couple Pendant Necklace

Weight

0.3 ounces

Dimensions

6.4 x 4.7 x 1.2 inches

Types

Engraved Double Ring, Heartbeat Engraving, Promise Charm, Plain Pendant, Rose Gold And Zircon Double Ring

Special Features

Titanium Stainless Steel and cubic Zirconia Stones

Reasons for Purchase

Cheap, Trendy and Creative

Check Price On Amazon

Anboo Retro Leather Cover Leaf Journal

You may wonder what’s so great about giving your lady love a notebook. Well, a good-looking blank journal with a short message of love from you will truly make her day. Women love putting things into writing. They always love writing about so many things and a bank journal with a natural theme would give her the idea about your down to earth attitude about her thoughts and feelings.

Giving a gift where she can do her own magic through words will become one simple creative Valentine’s Day idea. Your lady love will appreciate a set of these colorful notebooks because they come in an array of shades and hues. Besides, what’s so awesome about it is that it is really cheap, so getting a set of matching notebooks that will last her for a long time will definitely be a present well-appreciated.

The reason why this is the best notebook out of the many notebooks you can find, is that it is a wonderful gift that captures every season. Your darling can explore her creative side by turning it into a picture album or a journal or a note that she’ll keep around.

It would become more special if a few words of encouragement or just a simple pasted photo of both of you would totally earn you love points. It’s unlike other journals with good covers, the paper is vintage colored and thick. It’s also pretty durable in the rain since the thick paper won’t easily absorb water easily.

And besides, the greatest aspect of this gift is the fact that women love tokens from their loved ones especially if it is something that they can use all the time. You’d love being a part of her daily life too, right? So choose something that she can be with all the time.

We really love this naturally inspired notebook. If your loved one enjoys the outdoors– not necessarily spending a lot of time outside but rather a person who likes nature in general, then this is just the right Valentine’s gift for her.

Details of the Anboo Retro Leather Cover Leaf Journal

Weight

3.3 ounces

Dimensions

5.8 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches

Types

Yellow, Blue, Brown, Dark Green , Fuchsia, Dark red, Grey, Green, Hot Pink

Special Features

Nature-inspired leather notebook

Reasons for Purchase

Cheap, Thoughtful, Inspiring and shows a lot of care and attention

Check Price On Amazon

Teddy Bear Night Light by Rainbolights

What to give your girlfriend for Valentine’s day? If you want to stick to the classy, balloon and teddy bear combo, this would be the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for her! It’s a balloon that never pops and a teddy bear that never gets weary. Instead of choosing the typical gifts for Valentine’s why not be practical at the same time classy and romantic?

Younger women love getting roses and balloons and teddy bears or plushees, but the reality is that it becomes a phase that will pass by and these gifts will just find themselves locked in a box. That’s a bit disappointing especially if you and your sweetheart have been together for a long time and most of your gifts are all stored in a box hidden somewhere. Besides, they might just end up being dust magnets or too much to put out in display.

The best Valentine’s day gift for her is something of the same kind with much more thought. Make something common into something unique and creative. And for those reasons, we handpicked this teddy night light just for you!

It may be the most expensive gift in our list but it barely bites your wallet either. For not even $30 you’ll get this wonderful 3D wire shaped like a bear holding a balloon. It is a night light with all the seven colors of the rainbow alternately lighting up your room. It shimmers a gentle glow setting off a really romantic mood for both you and your lady love. You can even choose from other teddy designs like the simple teddy bear or the teddy bear with a heart.

We love this 3D Night light because it is both sweet, incredibly functional and makes a great gift for Valentine’s Day. We’re sure you’ll never find this inside your box of gifts hidden inside the cabinet somewhere. In fact, it will find its home on top of your side table for both of you to enjoy the nights with. It’s a great companion for your girlfriend or wife too if you happen to be away for a night or two. The sweet teddy bear becomes the light that shines in the dark. You know, like your sweetheart’s temporary knight and shining balloon. It’s a wonderful Valentine’s Day gift idea for her that she will surely fall in love with.

Details of the Teddy Bear Night Light by Rainbolights

Weight

12 ounces

Dimensions

10 x 8 x 2 inches

Types

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear Heart, Car, Cute Pig, Balloons, Headphones, Rocket, Animal heads, Solar System

Special Features

Multi-colored LED Nightlight

Reasons for Purchase

Adorable, romantic and fully-functional

Check Price On Amazon

The best Valentine day gift for her doesn’t have to be expensive or doesn’t always have to be the same every year. You don’t have to keep ordering those flowers all the time or maybe that special box of chocolate that you can still get her even if it isn’t Valentines. Valentine’s Day is a special day for both you and her and it only comes once a year, so you might as well make the most of the gifts you’re giving. Give her something that will tell her that you thought about it and that she deserves something special every year. Something beyond flowers and chocolates, something that definitely tells her that she deserves the best from you.

The post Top 5 Best Valentine Gifts for Women | 2017 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Top 5 Best Valentine Gifts for Women | 2017 Reviews published first on http://parentsneed.tumblr.com/

0 notes

thelmabeaver · 9 years ago

Text

Best Pool Table Buying Guide

Of course you love spending time with your kids. Just this morning they probably woke you up with their little giggles and smiled in appreciation at the breakfast you prepared for them. Your heart must have melted when they hugged you real tight before you dropped them off at school. And later, you beamed with pride when you picked them up and they regaled you with stories about their day. You live for them, and we know it. That’s why you have that huge spare room downstairs that you and your spouse decided should be a family game room.

In that room, you set up a wide screen TV, a gaming console, and video player to make it an entertainment mecca for your kids and their friends. But mom and dad need to have some fun too! So in one end of the room is a fold away bar and in the center of the room is space for a pool table intended for good old fashioned fun with the grown-ups. We feel you. Sometimes you crave adult company.

What features should you consider in buying a pool table?

There are so many ways a pool table can enhance your game room experience. It’s a fun game to play that will harken back to your pre-kids days when you played pool with your buddies as a past time. And who doesn’t like billiards? It is a game still popular with your peers and is the perfect way to do some entertaining when you just want to be with adults.

That said, billiards isn’t just for grown-ups. We know your children will enjoy learning to play and you will be there to teach them. It is a great game to play that will have your children moving around the table instead of just staying seated at the gaming console. It’s a win for mom and dad. And it’s a win for the kids. But we didn’t need to convince you of that!

With so many choices and such a wide price range, how do you even begin to find the pool table of your dreams? Use the following guidelines.

● Budget

We know that it is almost bad form to be discussing money right away when that beautiful shiny pool table is staring back at you in all its artful glory. But pool tables can vary widely in price and quality that picking one can get a little crazy. We don’t want to have to say it, but once you’ve seen pool tables that are way above your price range, you might not like the ones you can afford and that’s a shame. We don’t want you to feel that way especially since there are so many beautiful great quality pool tables to choose from at different price ranges. You will definitely find one within budget that you would be proud to own and that could be the star of your game room. This is why we strongly suggest knowing your budget first so you could narrow your options down only to those tables which fall within it.

● Your Room Size

Pool tables come in three sizes: 7ft, 8ft, and 9ft long. To help you visualize, the width of a pool table is always half its length. You want to choose a table that gives you at least 6 feet of wiggle room all around the table. Less than that, and you will end up with cue marks on your wall or worse, end up playing with bad form due to lack of space.

Eight foot long tables are the most common tables for those who buy them for their homes. They fit nicely into most game rooms and there is enough room on the surface for a decent game of pool. A smaller 7-inch table is not bad by any means, although some feel that the balls get cramped on the surface. To each their own. But if you can fit a nine inch table at home, well, let’s just say that with enough practice playing on that huge surface, you’ll be the champion among your friends who play at smaller tables. They’d better come to your party prepared!

● Purpose

Of course, you’re buying a pool table to play pool! But by its sheer size alone, a pool table can really dominate a room and can serve as a conversation piece. Do you intend for the pool table to be the main centerpiece of your game room? Would you like for it to be a family heirloom? If so, then maybe you should pick a design that fits the theme of your room or, if an heirloom is what you are after, choose a beautiful hardwood piece in a classic design that will delight your family for generations to come. You will also want to pick a slate cover color to match your game room if the normal blue or green is not to your liking. Likewise, if you are buying the pool table just for your kids and their friends to learn on and not really for your entertaining purposes, you might want to get a cheaper table for that purpose and just buy the heirloom piece when your kids are older.

● Material and Stability

Even if you’re picking a pool table in the lower mid-range, it is still a considerable investment. You want to evaluate the materials used to create the pool table and see if it is worth the price. A pool table that is mounted on solid wood will definitely be more expensive than one that is made of engineered wood, but it will also last far, far longer. But keep in mind that you will want to buy a pool table with a strong and heavy frame. You will be putting your weight on the table, after all, and nothing is more of a hazard than a table that gives at the slightest pressure. So when you shop, give the pool table a good strong shove. It should stand its ground and stay solidly in place. If not, it’s not likely to withstand your leaning over the rail to make that crucial shot.

● Surface

The jury is out. Slate is the surface of choice for a billiards table and no other. Slate is durable and heavy which adds to the weight and, therefore, to the stability of your table. It is the best for getting a smooth roll out of your ball and is the only material approved for tournaments. You don’t have to go for too thick a slab. Many experts agree that a 1” slate is enough to make a great pool surface. Thicker than that is redundant and just more expensive. Don’t be deceived by other surfaces called slate core or wood slate. Slate core is slate mixed with cement while wood slate is plywood. These are cheaper surfaces and are inferior. Slate is solid stone. If you’re investing in a pool table anyway, go for slate – we just can’t specify it enough! Like, did we mention that you should go for slate?

● Frame

A pool table may have a lovely slate surface but if its frame is flimsy, you might want to consider a different one. A good frame is of paramount importance because it holds the slate in place. Basically, everything on the pool table is hinged on that frame, so sturdy construction is important. In addition, you want to check that the frame is level. You will definitely want to buy from a reputable store that stocks tables from the best and most trusted manufacturers of pool tables.

● Rails and Sights

The rail is where the cushion or edge is mounted. And sights are the dots that you see all around the rail. The sights actually guide players when they are making a shot and helps them when they need to bump the rail to create an angle towards a pocket. But aside from that, sights are a way to decorate the rails to make them really attractive. They could be made with scallop shells, ivory, cow horn, and other beautiful materials.

● Cloth

The cloth that covers the slate can be made of a variety of materials. Tournament quality tables are covered in a blend of wool and nylon. Although there are other materials in a variety of colors to match your game room. Tournament quality, of course, is the most durable, but some recreational quality cloth covers can last a long time if you take care of it.

● Installation Crew

So you’ve found the pool table of your dreams. Does the store have a crew to help install it in your game room? A pool table is definitely not a DIY project and you want to make sure that you have people who specialize in assembling a pool table to help you. If the store doesn’t have installation personnel, it is a good idea to look for another store who sells the pool table that you want.

Tips for maintaining your pool table

A pool table is a considerable investment and definitely something you can pass on to your children as an heirloom. This is possible if you conscientiously maintain and take care of your table. Here’s how:

Brush the surface of your pool table after every use to remove talc. Brushes can be bought at pool supply stores.

Don’t allow anyone to put food and drinks on top of your table, whether on the surface or on the railings. This is the quickest way for spills to happen and stains to form on your table.

The frame of your pool table can be sensitive and can be prone to scratches. Discourage wedding rings, bracelets, and watches from getting close. Of course, we understand that you don’t want to be a party pooper, and sometimes you can’t avoid guests with jewelry approaching the table. So just maintain the leather and wood surfaces with oil based furniture protectants which you can find at furniture stores.

The sun can be harmful to your pool table. So position it where there will be little or no sun exposure which can cause warping and fading. If you like natural light, make an effort to position the table out of direct sunlight and use a table cover to protect your pool table when you’re not using it.

Keep your billiards balls clean. Balls that are covered in chalk makes for a dusty table cloth later.

Pay attention to moisture levels in your room. If you live in a super dry climate, your table can get brittle as the moisture gets sucked from it making it brittle and prone to cracks. So if you live in a high altitude or in the middle of the dessert, make sure to have humidifiers in your game room.

Teach the kids how to play pool! The better they know about the game, the better they know about taking care of the game equipment. This will ensure that they care as much about the pool table as you do.

Play often. A pool table actually needs to be played on to keep it in good shape. Also, playing more often lets you interact with the table so you can easily see areas that need maintenance and get it taken care of right away.

Our Recommendation

We know you are super excited to shop for your pool table and welcome it to its special place in your game room. We tried and tested some of the top rated pool tables and let us tell you, there are a lot out there that will make your heart race. But you will want to know which we ranked the Top 5 Best Pool Tables and read about why we believe they deserve a place in your home. We absolutely adore the 19th century inspired Olhausen Huntington Pool Table. Steeped in tradition, the Huntington pool table is 100% American made by the master woodworkers of this family owned company. Read about why this pool table captured out hearts and is our top pick for the best pool tables to add to your game room.

Originally posted 2016-08-31 10:14:56.

The post Best Pool Table Buying Guide appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Best Pool Table Buying Guide published first on http://parentsneed.tumblr.com/

0 notes

thelmabeaver · 9 years ago

Text

Top 5 Best Door Knob Covers for Babyproofing | 2017 Reviews

How potentially dangerous can doors and door knobs be? The safety risk would probably never cross your mind, that is, until you have a baby in your own house. So, why is there a need to child proof a door knob? Let us count the ways.

There are two main reasons why you would want to install door knob covers around the house. One would be to prevent a little kid from playing and using doors on their own. Two would be to prevent them from getting injured because they got caught in the hinges or in the gap between the door and the frame.

Quick Navigation

Quick Comparison Table

Door Monkey Door Lock and Pinch Guard

KidCo S353 Door Lever Lock

Safety 1st Grip N Twist Door Knob Cover

Safety 1st Lever Handle Lock

Munchkin Door Knob Cover

If you fail to use baby proofing products, there is a huge likelihood that your child could bruise or cut themselves or even suffer from a dead nail but worse things can happen if we are not careful as parents. No matter how overprotective we are, there will always be moments when we won’t have our eyes on our kids and, when this happens, we would want to make sure that the entire house is made safe for them as much as possible.

Different types of doors use different types of rubber door knob covers. It depends on the type of knob you use or on what you want it to achieve (prevent using the door knob or prevent the door from closing fully in case your child is there). We have made your shopping a little easier for you and we have come up with a list of various covers that will surely help you in baby proofing your home.

Quick Comparison Table

Door Monkey Door Lock and Pinch Guard

KidCo S353 Door Lever Lock

Safety 1st Grip N Twist Door Knob Cover

Safety 1st Lever Handle Lock

Munchkin Door Knob Cover

$$$

0.5 ounces

3.2 ounces

0.3 ounces

0.8 ounces

2.4 ounces

Door Monkey Door Lock and Pinch Guard

If you are looking for something else to protect your kids from doors, say you want to make sure that they don’t get their little fingers caught between the gap of the door and the frame, then you might want to check this product out.

The Door Monkey is considered one of the best childproofing products in that it makes sure that your doors do not fully close and instead maintain a small gap to allow air to circulate inside the room and prevent your kids from pinching themselves. What we love about this product is that it is compatible with most standard doors (1-3/8” thick) and a standard rectangular door stop moulding. You do not need any special tools or skills to get this product installed on doors because you simply clamp it without any problem – you can choose the height on which to install it in as well. You can put it high up so no kid can reach it and yet still make it easily accessible to adults.

Worried about the item breaking? Well, just like most baby proofing kits, this one is made strong and durable and can endure around 40 to 50 pounds before it breaks. You do not even have to worry about ruining your door because this is made with soft rubber grips which help protect the door’s surface.

Perhaps the biggest disadvantage to using this product is that the cost can add up especially if you need them in huge quantities. You might have to be selective in terms of where you should have this installed inside your house. However, it works great in that it prevents kids from opening or fully closing the door especially when you are not around to look after your kids. It may look very easy to operate but as long as you keep it out of their reach, it is designed to be truly fool proof.

No wonder, we place this one at the first spot in our list.

Details of the Door Monkey Door Lock and Pinch Guard

Weight

0.5 ounces

Dimensions

1 x 2.2 x 7.2 inches

Colors

White

Check Price On Amazon

KidCo S353 Door Lever Lock

Not all doors use knobs because others use lever handles instead. Obviously, you cannot use the regular door covers to baby proof these areas; instead, you need to look for door knob covers for lever handles.

Now, what makes the KidCo Door Lever Lock stand out from the rest? What we liked about this product is that it requires no tools just to have it installed. You just place it right on top of your existing door lever and it should work perfectly. You will have to make use of a very sticky adhesive so it properly adheres to the door but you also have the option to use screws in its place. However, you have to keep in mind that using screws means that you will have to deal with holes in your doors once you no longer need to use this lever lock.

Parents love that this child proof door knob lever lock easily fits most standard lever knobs. If you do have a thin lever, you can simply put in some additional padding to make sure that it returns to its locked position. We also love that even though it effectively locks a door, it does not mean that you can’t open the door from the other side, unless of course you also have this lock installed on the other side.

The design of this lever lock may look very basic and simple but it does its job quite well. It is difficult for kids to figure out how it works and how to open doors and yet makes it easy for the adults to use it. Be sure your little tots are not around when you open the door (or at least hide the lever from them); these kids can be very smart and they might just figure things out very soon.

We obviously love this lock although it does not work quite as well for some parents – but it did for us. For that, we are placing this at the second spot in our list.

Details of the KidCo S353 Door Lever Lock

Weight

3.2 ounces

Dimensions

2 x 4 x 10 inches

Colors

Clear, White

Check Price On Amazon

Safety 1st Grip N Twist Door Knob Cover

If you do not have the time, energy or skills to DIY child proof door knob at home, then try looking for premade door knob covers that are easily available in stores, such as this one from Safety 1st.

Unlike the other product we included in the list (from the same manufacturer), this cover is made for standard round knobs and should fit perfectly in your home. It is made of rubberized material so they are easy for adults to use and grip and yet hard for kids to operate. What we like about this one is that it can be easily installed into the door knob without any special tools or skills. Just get the two parts and lock them to each other around the door knob and everything should be set already.

However, you will have to remember that not all door knob cover locks are perfect. This one still has its flaw although it can still function as desired. Taking it on and off your door knobs can weaken the plastic material which will make it easier to pull apart (even in the hands of your little ones) so try not to take it off too often at the most important doors in your house or at least keep a few strong ones in handy just in case. Don’t worry, getting a few of these will not hurt your pocket.

We also love that the holes in this door knob cover is just the right size: big enough to fit your fingers in and still allow you to get a good grip of the knob and yet small enough so it does not look weird on your door. An additional plus is that this item glows in the dark so you can still find your way towards your door even in the dark. Cute, isn’t it?

Because of that, we are ranking this door knob cover at the third position.

Details of the Safety 1st Grip N Twist Door Knob Cover

Weight

0.3 ounces

Dimensions

9.6 x 7 x 5.6 inches

Colors

White

Check Price On Amazon

Safety 1st Lever Handle Lock

Finding the perfect child proofing door cover that is compatible with the hardware you have at home can be a pain. If you have French style levers at home, then you should consider getting this lever handle lock from Safety 1st.

What makes this product stand out from the rest? For starters, it can fit most standard lever handle locks whose round base has a diameter between 2-7/16 and 2-13/16 inches. It can also cover most internal doors that have a cross bore diameter of 2-1/8 inches. The only problem when it comes to using this product is that it requires you to take off your existing lever handle so that you can install the lock. It does not require special skills; you can easily install it as long as you follow the instructions carefully. And nope, you cannot use command strips alone just to install this as it might not be strong enough.

It does come with an advantage in that parents do not have to squeeze so hard on the rubber covers to be able to turn the door knob or place the tips of their fingers in the small holes. Some parents did complain that their kids were able to bypass the locking mechanism of the product which made them useless but after installing them upside down (this means kids will have to lift the handle instead of pull them down), they were perfectly baby proofing doors without worrying about their kids figuring it out. You will have to take note that this can work on both sides of the door if your lever handles move dependently with each other so make sure you know what to do in case your kid accidentally locks you on the other side of the door.

We love that this lock works perfectly, in an accidental manner, when turned upside down. However, we did not quite like the installation process which required removing the lever hardware. Because of that, we are putting this at the fourth position in the list.

Details of the Safety 1st Lever Handle Lock

Weight

0.8 ounces

Dimensions

2.6 x 5.6 x 7.6 inches

Colors

White

Check Price On Amazon

Munchkin Door Knob Cover

You never know what your mischievous little one is up to and having doors around is not an exception to the things that they consider as toys. Surely, you would not want them opening the door suddenly on a cold winter day or sneaking their way to your garage or basement – who knows the horrors this will unleash!

These child proof door knob covers from Munchkin are the perfect way to protect those doors and rounder knobs from your little ones, ensuring that they will never be able to open it, especially when you are not looking. We very much like that despite its simple design, this cover is made very durable and strong and is, in fact, tamper resistant. It is quite easy to wrap around standard rounded door knobs – you just have to clip the two parts in place around the knob and it should work perfectly after installation.

For adults, opening the door is quite easy as you just have to get your fingers through the holes in the cover, grab the door knob and turn it. It works in a very simple manner and yet your little ones’ tiny hands will still have a difficulty figuring out how to open the door. Even if they do figure out how it works, their hands will be too small and too weak to open the door by themselves. We also like that this door knob cover still shows the door lock although this might be a problem if you have kids who like to lock and unlock doors.

Some parents did complain that these padded door knob covers make it a little hard for them to turn the knobs considering that you only use the tip of your fingers to grasp the knob. It can take some practice – do make sure every adult knows how to operate it in case of emergencies – but it will be worth it. For that, we are placing this item at the fifth spot in the list.

Details of the Munchkin Door Knob Cover

Weight

2.4 ounces

Dimensions

Not specified

Colors

White

Check Price On Amazon

It can be very easy to go overboard when you start child proofing your home and making sure that it stays safe for your kids and yet remain functional for the adults. Finding the right products should be a compromise between safety and ease of use so make sure to carefully weigh the pros and cons before you go and buy them in huge quantities.

Remember, there is no single best door knob cover because the products, as listed here, come with their own advantages and disadvantages. They are also meant for different purposes and door knob styles so look for one that you truly need at home.

The post Top 5 Best Door Knob Covers for Babyproofing | 2017 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Top 5 Best Door Knob Covers for Babyproofing | 2017 Reviews published first on http://parentsneed.tumblr.com/

0 notes

thelmabeaver · 9 years ago

Text

How to Involve Your Kids in Doing Household Chores

The division of household chores is one of the common sources of disagreements within families. The in and outside of the house need maintenance everyday. Chores involving the different parts of the house also differ weekly. Children are naturally not mindful of the responsibilities in taking care of the house. Their lives are focused primarily on school, friends, and popular things. How can you make the kids part of chore assignments? It begins in the sharing of daily chores between husband and wife. It is a way of setting good example and the stepping stone to encourage your children to get involved.

There are many benefits of doing household chores. However, it is somewhat a norm that women do everything around the house but this is slowly changing as women are also pursuing their careers. Meanwhile, men tend to be lazy at doing chores but this does not mean this perception cannot be changed. When men assume new roles as a husband or a father, they become aware of the added responsibilities and try to get hold of doing simple tasks like washing the dishes or cleaning the garage.

Throughout the stages of married and family life, situations are likely to change and rearrangement of chores assignments may happen. This can lead to quarrels and misunderstandings. Here are a few tips to compromise the idea of handling chores between you and your partner:

Sit down with your partner and list the things the two of you have to accomplish daily, weekly, and monthly. After completing the list, decide who does what task.

Treat housework as a simple way of demonstrating love for your partner and family.

Acknowledge your spouse’s field of expertise when it comes to chores. If your husband is good at mowing the lawn, then designate this task to him.

Consider accomplishments of tasks as beneficial to the whole family and not as a solo endeavor.

Don’t be to pushy with your partner. Remember that as an adult, he or she will eventually realize that he needs to take part in running the house.

Chores for Each Age Group

After settling the division of household chores with your partner, it is now time to get your kids involved. Children as young as two years old can already assist in doing chores. In case you are not sure what tasks to assign to each of your child (especially if they belong to different age brackets), go online and browse through the many chore charts available. Print one and stick it on the fridge or corkboard where everyone in the family can read it at the start of the day. Children often learn faster when an act is demonstrated. It is better to show first how the task is done and observe how your child does it at a first try. See which action can be improved and explain gently to your child why you have to correct him or her. Here’s a rundown of age-appropriate household tasks:

Chores for toddlers

These chores are suitable for children ages 2 to 4. It is still important to supervise toddlers when doing these tasks. It is also not advisable to assign chores that involve sharp objects, cleaning agents, and other chemicals. Make sure that your child is not allergic to dust or pollens when letting them work around the house.

Pile books and other reading materials

Gathering toys in one place

Putting pet food on a bowl or in the aquarium

Pulling weeds and gathering dried leaves in the garden

Watering the plants

Putting soiled clothes in the hamper

Chores for kids

Why children should do chores? Gradeschoolers age 5 to 9 can be assigned with chores that involve a little decision-making. They also understand the concept of glassware which are breakable and it must be moved carefully to avoid any accidents.

Fixing their beddings

Folding clean clothes and placing the in the closet

Fixing simple breakfast like a bowl of cereal or peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Loading and unloading utensils and plates from the dishwasher

Sorting laundry

Wiping spilled liquids

Set plates for family’s lunch and dinner

Take pet for a walk around the neighborhood

Getting the newspaper from the yard

Cleaning the pet’s cage or litter box

Chores for teenagers

Both teeners and teenagers (age 10 to 19) can assume more complicated chores and errands. At this age, it is better to teach them the concept of juggling academic and nonacademic tasks. In this way, they will learn how to be independent and be able to do most things on their own:

Make own breakfast and snacks

Set and fix tables before and after meals

Do the laundry

Wash the dishes

Clean the bathroom

Cook simple dishes for family’s lunch or dinner

Wash the car

Vacuum and mop the floors

Babysit younger siblings when needed

Little gardening in the yard

Emptying the waste cans and placing the trash bags into bins

Mowing the lawn

Do the grocery

Help younger siblings in their homework

Simple cleaning of the family’s swimming pool

The Reward System

What do the experts say about giving allowance to children in exchange of doing household chores? It is not recommended.

The purpose of assigning chores to the kids is to teach them to be responsible and independent and not to earn money. They will eventually need to learn how to work to earn an income but this is different from doing chores. Giving monetary reward is also not the method to teach children how to handle money on their own.

This scheme will likely lead to a negative impression to younger kids. They might be motivated to work because of money and not the sincere effort to simply get praises from mom and dad. This can also teach them to be dependent on material things at an early age.

However, adjustment can be made for older children. Some teenages ages 13 to 19 may need extra cash for school projects and small amounts from doing chores can help.

One alternative to encourage kids to move and accomplish chores is a point system. Here is how it works:

Revise the chore chart a bit and assign a point to each chore. A simple chore like piling the scattered books can equal to one point while more time-consuming tasks such as putting the plates into the dishwasher can be worth three to five points. Post this on your family message board so everyone can check on point values of tasks easily.

Set some rules like it is requirement to accomplish both minor and major tasks or there is a minimum total of points that needs to attain by the end of week. These directives can help the children strategize which tasks that when done can contribute to more points. They will also have control over their time and the effort they will devote in completing a task.

To have your children something to look forward to every week, designate different prizes for the total point values. Prizes can range from objects like art supplies, stickers, or books to something special like a trip to an ice cream parlor, a ticket to see movie, or your child’s own wish. You can also customize prizes depending on the season like when it is Christmas, summer or school opening.

How to Make Doing Chores Around the House Enjoyable

How do chores teach responsibility? Children see household chores as boring and “things mommy does”. You and your partner have already established a point system, so what’s next? The next step is to inject a few more fun and surprises to draw the kids to continue doing chores:

Create certificates like “Most Industrious” or “Most Hardworking” and hand it over to your children by the end of the week. Set up a corkboard, pick a best worker every week, and post your child’s photo on this space.

Each of your kid can have a chore booklet where he or she can receive a stamp or sticker of approval whenever he or she accomplishes a chore. This booklet can also be decorated and the outstanding design can receive the “Most Creative Award”.

You can also install a small bundy clock in the house and let the children experience of putting time cards into this machine to commence their work. Children feel confident when they imitate things adults do at work.

Teach your toddler to compile his or her toy after playtime by drawing a circle on the floor and instruct the kid to put the toys inside the circle only.

Boost your children’s creativity by letting them design old socks to become dust mitts. Put a rack where the kids can hang these mittens. In this way, no need to use name tags and they would know each one’s mitten depending on the design.

Have the girls wear special aprons or let the boys have customized vests that can serve as their uniforms. Children often love the idea of pretending to dress up and do jobs like adults.

Devote one night to talk to your gradeschoolers, teeners, or teenagers about the experience of helping around the house. Give them the freedom to share their thoughts and feelings. This will give parents the perspective on the children’s approach on particular tasks.

Record short videos and take photos to document these everyday activities of your children. It will be a fun event when the family reminisces these moments.

Parents must not be too strict when teaching their children the importance of knowing how to do household chores. It is better to use a relaxed approach then explaining the chores to the children. They will be motivated to help around the house when there is no one nagging them. An effective chore scheme at home is when children have the initiated to do the chores.

Make sure to build a positive environment while the child is on working on a chore. Praise the kid once you see there is progress. In this way, he or she will relate doing chore to something favorable. This prevents the child from accomplishing the chore the sake of finishing it. Toddlers during formative years learn more quickly. Take advantage of this and introduce simple chores at an early stage. Never underestimate your child’s capabilities when it comes to doing housework.

Training children to appreciate helping in the chores requires consistency. Be understanding when they don’t get it at the first try and be patient when they become cranky at the start. Keep encouraging and teaching your children.

It is also good to meet up with other parents or relatives and learn a thing or two about how they get their children to do chores.

What if You Have a Househelp?

There will come a time that you and your partner will still consider getting a househelp. The busy days at work plus taking care of their family take much time and it is sometimes good to have someone to assist the parents. However, this should not stop you from motivating your children to try their hands doing on household chores.

To be able to continue on your children’s training on the handling the chores, advise your househelp to leave out the tasks that are included the children’s chore chart.

You can also explain to your children the purpose of employing a househelp. Set the limit that a househelp is only present to do the complex tasks in the kitchen or to take care of the younger siblings.

Tidy-Up Time

Parents can refer to chore time as “tidy up time”. Allot about 15 minutes in the morning and another 15 after dinner for your children to complete the day’s tasks. On weekends, tidy-up can take about an hour or more.

The whole family can follow this simple rule: when the parents are busy with household chores, the children should get on their feet, too. This is the perfect way to encourage to take part in the running the house. And you know what? Your children can adapt this practice and try it on their own offsprings when the time comes.

If the all the members work at the same time, it means there will be a plenty of time later for everyone to relax and unwind.

The post How to Involve Your Kids in Doing Household Chores appeared first on ParentsNeed.

How to Involve Your Kids in Doing Household Chores published first on http://parentsneed.tumblr.com/

0 notes

thelmabeaver · 9 years ago

Text

Top 5 Best Mineral Makeup | 2017 Reviews

It’s almost impossible to ignore the drumbeat against makeup containing parabens, nasty chemicals, artificial colors and fragrances – and if you’re smart, you’ve paid attention to all of the criticism of these products. Our mothers and grandmothers used makeup with all kinds of “bad” stuff in it, of course; even though mineral makeup has been sold for decades, it wasn’t common or easily found unlike eye creams and foundations.

Quick Navigation

Top 5 Best Mineral Makeup

Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Get Started Complexion Kit

IQ Natural 12pc XL Minerals Makeup Set

Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Loose Powder

Pur Minerals 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup Light

Jane Iredale Liquid Minerals A Foundation

We’re more fortunate today, as there is an enormous selection of mineral makeup to choose from. And it’s not just worth considering for the “healthy skin” benefits of going natural. These formulations are game-changers for those who have sensitive skin since natural minerals don’t cause irritation the way traditional makeup often does. They’re even more of a revelation for sufferers of adult acne because the minerals are non-comedogenic, which means they don’t clog pores, a major factor in the proliferation of acne. They are also a good natural sunblock and are so gentle you won’t have a problem if you’re so tired that you fall into bed without taking your makeup off.

Mineral makeup is produced by grinding and milling common minerals like zinc oxide, iron oxide or titanium dioxide and including them in the product. The end result is a foundation or other product which doesn’t irritate the skin but looks just as good as the makeup you’re probably using now; in fact many people believe there’s an extra glow to their face after using mineral formulations. It usually has to be applied more often because it doesn’t have the normal chemical binding ingredients, but that’s a small trade-off.

Many of the big brands have hopped on the bandwagon by offering mineral-based foundations, and some companies have complete lines of mineral-based products. Naturally, some are better than others. Which are the best? Keep reading for our top 5 best mineral makeup reviews.

You may also check out our Best Mineral Make-up Buying Guide here.

Quick Comparison Table

Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Get Started Complexion Kit

IQ Natural 12pc XL Minerals Makeup Set

Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Loose Powder

Pur Minerals 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup Light

Jane Iredale Liquid Minerals A Foundation

$$$

Flawless Application

No Chemicals

Hypoallergenic

Formulated with Vitamin E

Light-reflecting Formula

0.5 oz.

6.4 oz.

0.3 oz.

1.6 oz.

3.2 oz.

Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Get Started Complexion Kit

We normally start top 5 lists with the highest-quality product. Here, we’re making an exception. Don’t get us wrong, the bareMinerals kit is very good; it’s just not the very best makeup you’ll find in our rankings. We make the exception here for one important reason. Most mineral makeup is sold “on its own,” so it can get pretty expensive testing various brands just to find out whether you want to make the commitment to minerals. If you haven’t tried any mineral products before, this is a great way to get started, because the Bare Escentuals kit includes primer, original and matte foundations, and finishing powder as well as an application brush.

The makeup in this kit is very light, and between the somewhat-different process of applying each component and the “strange” feel of the primer, foundation and finisher, you may find that it takes a while to get all of the makeup on correctly. It quickly becomes second-nature, though, and the results are worth it if you have sensitive skin. Our testers who are prone to acne or skin irritation noticed a definite difference in the way their face reacted to the bareMinerals product, and there was no problem going to sleep with the makeup on, either. This review is not being written in the worst of summer heat, but it would seem to us that the products would be ideal for “sweaty” weather.

The bareMinerals foundation doesn’t cake on like many products do and it’s light to begin with, so you may find there are some areas of your face which aren’t covered enough for your taste, particularly spots under the eyes. You may need to use a different, non-mineral product for touching up those areas. That’s still a darn sight better than using that product on your entire face.

At first, you may feel like you’re not even wearing makeup when you use the bareMinerals makeup – it’s really that light. Your final look may not be the one you’re looking for if you’re going out for a big date, since in no way can you consider the makeup a traditional “concealer.” It will do a very good job concealing your acne, though, and is a great way to get acclimated to makeup that’s free of oils, binders, fillers, waxes and preservatives.

The “medium” kit should last you at least a month and will only cost you about $30; there are other sizes and shades available as well. That’s not a lot to pay for a first foray into the world of mineral makeup.

Details of the Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Get Started Complexion Kit

Includes

Prime Time Foundation Primer (0.5 ounces)

Original Foundation (0.07 ounces)

Matte Foundation (0.05 ounces)

Warmth All-Over Face Color Finishing Powder (0.03 ounces)

Face Brush

Makeup Clutch

Check Price On Amazon

IQ Natural 12pc XL Minerals Makeup Set

Here’s one more really good kit to try if you’re investigating the world of mineral makeup. It’s even more complete than the Bare Escentuals one because it includes concealer, bronzer and eye shadows in addition to two foundations and a finishing powder for the same price (although with slightly larger sizes of most cosmetics). We rank it at #2 simply because we like the feel of the bareMinerals products a bit better.

The foundations give you a good choice of base color, but they each go on easily and you can barely tell that you’re wearing makeup at all. The colors didn’t match our testers’ faces quite as well as the bareMinerals, but of course that’s going to differ with each individual. What the foundation and powder did do was hide blemishes and acne very well, while lasting longer than we would have expected.

The IQ Natural concealer is a nice touch, but unlike what you may be used to, it is a smooth powder rather than a cream. That makes sense when you think about the way mineral makeup is made, but it’s still a bit of a shock when you open the jar. As it turns out, the powder goes on easily and does the job, particularly around the eyes. The eye shadows are pure powder as well (we weren’t surprised when we opened them, having thought about the manufacturing process) so you’ll need to use an eye primer, something which sort of defeats the purpose of using mineral cosmetics.

All of these products are fully organic and the ingredients are 100% minerals, so you’ll feel good about using them in addition to looking better. We didn’t like the overall look and feel quite as much as with bareMinerals, but it was a close call. We liked the cute cosmetic bag that came with the IQ Natural set, too.

Details of the IQ Natural 12pc XL Minerals Makeup Set

Includes

Two mineral foundations (0.2 ounces each)

Setting Veil (0.2 ounces)

Bisque concealer (0.05 ounces)

Bronzer (0.1 ounces)

Eye Shadows (0.05 ounces each)

Brushes and Cosmetic Bag

Check Price On Amazon

Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Loose Powder

We now move to “stand-alone” mineral makeup – products you can use for the long-term once you’ve become convinced that you want to go the mineral route. And we start with an inexpensive powder which is simply terrific. Just one warning before we start, though, this talc-free product does contain parabens in addition to a number of minerals and vitamins, so the Physicians Formula foundation isn’t for those who want a completely organic product.

This powder comes in neutral shades so it’s best used by those with lighter skin. It goes on smoothly and feels very gentle and sheer on the face, as you would expect from mineral makeup, and reflects light very slightly (so it has a tendency to make oily skin look somewhat shiny). The Physicians Formula mineral powder has more than its share of active ingredients to provide UVA protection so it will protect your skin well, although using a foundation that’s also good against the sun is recommended.

You’ll find this powder covers most skin blemishes well, doesn’t highlight fine lines or wrinkles (because it doesn’t contain the talc that often settles into those areas found in many products) and doesn’t aggravate acne or skin sensitivities. Some concealer may be needed for problem areas, but for most people it won’t even be necessary. The Physicians Formula loose powder stays put for hours once you’ve applied it, and works well either in combination with foundation and finisher, or just on its own. It probably won’t be the only weapon in your mineral makeup arsenal, but it’s one that should be there if you’re on a budget, since it only costs about ten bucks.

Details of the Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Loose Powder

Size

0.5 ounces

Colors

Creamy Natural, Buff Beige, Natural Beige, Sand Beige, Translucent Light, Translucent Medium

Partial List of Ingredients

Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Boron Nitrate, Zinc Stearate, Vitamins A and E, parabens

Check Price On Amazon

Pur Minerals 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup Light

The 4-in-1 in the name of this powder refers to foundation, powder, concealer and sunscreen, and Pur Minerals claims that this one product can substitute for all four of those products. That may be overstating the case, but doesn’t take away from the fact that this makeup is very good for some people – those with normal, medium complexions.

The primary attribute of the 4-in-1 makeup is the way it looks once it’s been applied. The texture of the powder is smooth and it goes on evenly; once it’s there, the matte finish has fine sparkles which add greatly to the skin’s overall look and healthy glow. However, all bets are off if you have excessively dry or oily skin, because you’ll likely find that the powder is either not absorbent enough or too absorbent. For normal skin, though, it looks great. It also stays for hours without fading or smudging.

Now, for the bad news. We wouldn’t count on the Pur Minerals product to replace a concealer or sunscreen, despite the marketing claims. It simply doesn’t come close to the coverage you’d get from a dedicated concealer, and you’d really have to slather it on to get decent UV protection without using additional sunscreen or an extra foundation with a higher SPF rating than the 15 rating of this powder.

Putting that aside, this pressed powder (without parabens) works wonders for those with acne or sensitive skin, and does do the job of both a foundation and a powder quite well. It costs $30 for about a quarter-of-an-ounce, which is rather expensive but not outrageous for a well-performing mineral powder, let alone a foundation as well.

Details of the Pur Minerals 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup Light

Size

0.28 ounces

Colors

11, including Porcelain, Light, 2 Mediums, 3 Tans, 2 Darks, Deep and Deeper

Partial List of Ingredients

Titanium Dioxide, Mica, Bismuth Oxychloride, Boron Nitride, Zinc Stearate, Magnesium Silicate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Dextrin, Ferulic Acid, Lactic Acid, Shea Butter, Retinol

Check Price On Amazon

Jane Iredale Liquid Minerals A Foundation

Here’s a final entry which is truly a splurge product. The jane iredale foundation is a light-diffusing liquid serum which comes in a pump jar and almost feels like water when you apply it. It gives your skin a beautiful smooth, matte look when you spread the foundation with a brush or sponge; the spreading is necessary because the minerals inside the liquid can be a little chunky and need to be “broken up” manually. After you get used to the process, though, it’s no big deal.

Unlike mineral powder foundations, the liquid can be blended with glycerol and other ingredients that nourish the skin, an added plus to the Liquid Minerals A foundation. Like the powders, it doesn’t irritate the skin and covers acne and blemishes well. This liquid will last longer on the skin than most powder foundations, without feeling heavy as some liquid products do. It’s also vegan and gluten-free. You’ll have to spend $50 for a fluid ounce, but it will give your skin an attractive, natural look without breaking you out.

Details of the Jane Iredale Liquid Minerals A Foundation

Size

1.01 ounces

Colors

13, including Amber, Bisque, Caramel, Golden Glow, Honey Bronze, Latte, Beige, Natural, Radiant, Satin, Suntan, Sienna, Silk

Check Price On Amazon

Originally posted 2016-04-19 22:39:35.

The post Top 5 Best Mineral Makeup | 2017 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Top 5 Best Mineral Makeup | 2017 Reviews published first on http://parentsneed.tumblr.com/

0 notes

thelmabeaver · 9 years ago

Text

Top 5 Best Electronic Dartboards | 2017 Reviews

It’s nearly impossible to get kids (and many grown-ups) to realize that there are actually forms of entertainment that don’t show up on their phone, tablet or video game console. There’s an effective way to get that message across, though, and that’s by setting up a family game room.

Many of our parents’ game rooms featured “attractions” that have fallen out of favor or barely exist anymore, like mechanical bowling or pinball machines. But there are game room staples which transcend generations and should have a place in every 21st century basement or garage family retreat, and one of them is a dartboard.

Quick Navigation

Quick Comparison Table

Arachnid Cricket Pro 650 Electronic Dartboard

Viper 797 Electronic Soft Tip Dartboard

Fat Cat Rigel 13-Inch Electronic Soft Tip Dartboard

Gran Board 2 Bluetooth Electronic Dartboard

Regent-Halex Millennia 1.0 Electronic Dartboard In Wood Cabinet

We’re not talking about your parents’ old-fashioned dartboards, although they’re still very much on the market and still a lot of fun. If you’re trying to compete with Minecraft, Candy Crush clones or the latest PlayStation and Xbox releases, you’re better off going high-tech with an electronic dartboard. Once the lights, sounds and automatic scorekeeping have initially grabbed the players’ attention, they’ll realize that the reason the game of darts has been around for more than 150 years is because it’s so much fun. They may even start playing the original version without bells and whistles at the local pub – if they’re old enough, of course.

What’s somewhat ironic is that electronic dartboards actually make the game more enjoyable, unless you consider arguing an integral part of the fun. The board tells you where the dart has landed and no one has to remember the score or even whose turn it is; those who enjoy playing with their favorite beverage in their hand may find that helpful.

The electronic dartboards on the market range from inexpensive smaller kids’ versions to professional models. We’ve avoided ranking the lower-level boards because, quite frankly, most are very poorly made with darts that fall apart or don’t stick to the board. You may find that we’ll allude to pro models in some of our reviews of the top 5 best electronic dartboards, but we’ve decided to focus on mid-range boards which are appropriate for the entire family.

Check out our Best Electronic Dartboard Buying Guide too!

Quick Comparison Table

Arachnid Cricket Pro 650 Electronic Dartboard

Viper 797 Electronic Soft Tip Dartboard

Fat Cat Rigel 13-Inch Electronic Soft Tip Dartboard

Gran Board 2 Bluetooth Electronic Dartboard

Regent-Halex Millennia 1.0 Electronic Dartboard

$$$

2.2 pounds

5.5 pounds

5 pounds

6.2 pounds

17 pounds

8 max players

16 max players

8 max players

4 max players

8 max players

Arachnid Cricket Pro 650 Electronic Dartboard

Arachnid is perhaps the premier brand name in dartboards, and was the inventor of the so-called “soft-tip dart” which has taken over the sport in many parts of the world. The soft tips, made of plastic instead of metal, are obviously safer; they’re also one-third the weight of old-style darts, requiring a learning curve for old-school players but ideal for the molded plastic dartboards used in electronic games.

There are numerous Arachnid electronic dartboards on the market. We’ve chosen to review the Cricket Pro 650 which isn’t as expensive as the higher-end Bullshooter models, or the more full-featured Pro 670 and Pro 750 which have more game variations and display options. On the other hand, the 650 has more bells and whistles than the cheaper Arachnid Interactive 6000 and non-tournament size Cricket Master 300. The Pro 650 is a good compromise and a great dartboard.

This board has almost everything you’d want and compares favorably to the electronic boards used at many bars. It is a 15.5 inch regulation size-and-color model dartboard featuring five cricket and 19 other games with up to 132 options (yes, if you’re a novice dart player there’s a lot more to the game than just throwing darts and adding scores). The Cricket Pro 650 accommodates up to eight players with a four-player LED score display and four sets of tricolor cricket displays, along with a solo play option (against a computer “opponent”). There is also full control over player handicaps so novices and advanced players can go head-to-head in a competitive game.

The construction of the Pro 650 is top-notch. It’s thick and durable, but more importantly it’s built so there are very few bounce-outs during a game, with micro-thin nylon segment dividers grabbing hold to the soft-tip darts firmly. In fact, they grab the darts so well that you may have to twist them as you pull in order to remove them from the board. The only time bounce-outs or scores that don’t register can become a problem is if you’re using light darts (under 16 grams).

Among the extra features are bounce-out amend, sleep mode, and a rather-loud audio system which calls out results like “single,” “double,” “triple,” “bullseye,” “miss” and “winner” – and prompts when it’s the next player’s turn. You can turn it off if it gets on your nerves. There are some features which would be nice to have, like battery as well as AC power, X/O displays, and a selectable bullseye, but if you simply have to have those latter options you can always step up to a more expensive Arachnid model. For about $150, this is just about all the electronic dartboard anyone but a dedicated pro could want.

Details of the Arachnid Cricket Pro 650 Electronic Dartboard

Regulation size

Yes

Maximum Players

Games

Five cricket, 19 others

Display

Four-player scores, two sets of tricolor cricket displays

Audio Announce

Yes

Included Darts

Six soft-tip, extra tips

Power

Size

21 x 2 x 29 inches

Weight

2.2 pounds

Warranty

One year

Check Price On Amazon

Viper 797 Electronic Soft Tip Dartboard

Just about any electronic dartboard will be a step down from an Arachnid, but the Viper 797 isn’t too much of a fall – and at less than half the price (about $65) it’s definitely worth considering.

The Viper is regulation-size and color with a 15.5 inch nylon target face that isn’t quite as diligent as preventing bounce-out or recording scores as is the Cricket Pro. But it’s close. This board can accommodate 16 players and there are more games (35) and more options (171) than on the Arachnid board (but for some reason the game defaults to Euro instead of American cricket). The scoreboard shows four players’ scores simultaneously and there’s a four-player cricket LCD display along with X/O capability – but it’s half the size of the display on the Arachnid and hard to read from a distance. There is auto-player ranking and single/double bull capability, but there’s no handicapping function for multi-player modes. In other words, there are pros and cons to the Viper 797, but overall it doesn’t provide quite the same experience for more advanced players.

You’ll find that the automated features like scoring and “next player” announce can be a little finicky, you’ll probably have to upgrade the six darts that come along with the board, and like the Cricket Pro 650 this dartboard doesn’t work on battery power. As a fun board with lots of options, however, you won’t find a better choice at the low price point of $65.

Details of the Viper 797 Electronic Soft Tip Dartboard

Regulation size

Yes

Maximum Players

Games

Five cricket, 30 others

Display

Four-player scores and cricket displays with X/O

Audio Announce

Yes

Included Darts

Six soft-tip

Power

Size

23 x 2 x 20 inches

Weight

5.5 pounds

Warranty

One year, limited

Check Price On Amazon

Fat Cat Rigel 13-Inch Electronic Soft Tip Dartboard

If your goal is simply a good time and not replicating the tournament experience, the Fat Cat Rigel can do the job for a very reasonable price of $45. The target face is only 13 inches (although it does have a tournament spider) and decorated in red, white and blue (with half of the supplied darts featuring American flights and half with British flights). You won’t feel as if you’re in a serious match when facing this board and you shouldn’t expect to be able to hit triple 20s with ease. For a playroom, though, it will fit right in.

Bounce-outs aren’t the problem you’d expect from a bargain-priced electronic dartboard. However, the Fat Cat isn’t as well-made as the first two products on our list of top 5 best electronic dartboards, so don’t be surprised if you start having issues with the display or other automated functions after a while.

The Rigel board can handle eight players and shows two scores at any one time, along with an easy-to-read two-player cricket display with X/O capability. Overall, this model features 32 different games with a whopping 305 scoring options. There’s no solo-play option or other advanced features, but it does have auto-announce for doubles, triples and bullseyes – and most importantly, it’s fun to play with good game variety, at a great price for a soft-tip electronic board.

Details of the Fat Cat Rigel 13-Inch Electronic Soft Tip Dartboard

Regulation size

Maximum Players

Games

Display

Two-player scores and cricket displays with X/O

Audio Announce

Yes

Included Darts

Six soft-tip, extra tips

Power

Size

21 x 2 x 16 inches

Weight

5 pounds

Warranty

One year, limited

Check Price On Amazon

Gran Board 2 Bluetooth Electronic Dartboard

First, the good news: this Japanese import is a very well-made tournament-sized electronic dartboard, and it runs on batteries so you’re not tied to an electric outlet in order to play. Now, the bad news: it’s the most expensive in our rankings, at almost $240. Finally the news that we’ll let you characterize on your own: there’s no display on this board – you have to use it in conjunction with a SmartTV or a tablet that controls the game (including board sensitivity), shows the scores and lets you play against others using the app in other locations. The manufacturers call this the “next generation” of electronic boards. Perhaps we’re stuck in the last generation, but we think there’s just a little too much work involved in playing darts with the Gran Board 2.

Let’s deal first with the specifics of the board. Right now there are just nine games programmed into this model (including all of the 01 games and standard cricket) but the company says new games will be added regularly and will be available by updating the Gran Board app. There are the options that make any advanced game more realistic like separate bull and master in/out, and there are nine different levels of solo play against the computer. Bounce-outs aren’t a major issue, and this is a solid product.

Now, for the elephant in the room. You have to download the app to your device or SmartTV, which is where you control all game functions and see the well-designed scoreboard. That means setting up hooks for your tablet underneath the board, hanging the dartboard next to your TV, or constantly having to look wherever you’ve been able put your phone or tablet down just to see what’s going on in the game. It’s great to have the ability to get regular software updates as the product is improved, but we personally prefer to have the score displayed right on the board. The app works with both iOS and Android, so everyone will be able to use it – if they want to.

Details of the Gran Board 2 Bluetooth Electronic Dartboard

Regulation size

Yes

Maximum Players

Games

Display

Configurable on separate Bluetooth connected device

Audio Announce

Yes

Included Darts

Six soft-tip

Power

Two AA batteries

Size

22 x 2 x 12 inches

Weight

6.2 pounds

Warranty

Six months

Check Price On Amazon

Regent-Halex Millennia 1.0 Electronic Dartboard In Wood Cabinet

This is a solid tournament-sized electronic dartboard, but the real reason to buy it is in the title: wood cabinet. There are others that come in cabinets, of course, including several Arachnid models – but not with a $100 price tag.

The build on both the board and the cabinet are good (and the cherry-finished cabinet is attractive, for a fake wood item), there aren’t a lot of bounce-outs except along the edges, and the electronics work well. There are 28 games (three crickets) with 167 variations, a two-player LED score display with X/O cricket windows, and unlike the others on our list of the top 5 best electronic dartboards, the Millenia 1.0 has a trash-talking feature (and yes, it can be turned off). This model is powered by an AC adapter.

The features on the Regent-Halex aren’t overwhelming, but they’re more than adequate for those looking to spend less than they’d pay for an Arachnid. And you can simply close the cabinet if you don’t want your visiting highbrow friends to know that you love playing darts.

Details of the Regent-Halex Millennia 1.0 Electronic Dartboard In Wood Cabinet

Regulation size

Yes

Maximum Players

Games

Display

Two-player scores and cricket displays with X/O

Audio Announce

Yes

Included Darts

Six soft-tip, extra tips

Power

Size

26 x 7 x 80 inches (including cabinet)

Weight

17 pounds

Warranty

90 days, limited

Check Price On Amazon

Originally posted 2016-06-06 01:29:45.

The post Top 5 Best Electronic Dartboards | 2017 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Top 5 Best Electronic Dartboards | 2017 Reviews published first on http://parentsneed.tumblr.com/

0 notes

thelmabeaver · 9 years ago

Text

Best Nerf Gun Buying Guide

War games have been popular long before the Nerf gun ever hit the market. But you might remember your own parents strongly discouraging you from playing with toy guns out of fear that it would cause violent behavior. In spite of that, though, you probably played war games with other kids in your neighborhood. You had your thumbs up and aimed your pointer finger at your opponent as you made a little shooting sound; or you and your playmates improvised and made your own toy weapons from materials you found lying around.

Chances are, some parents you know now have also discouraged their kids from playing with toy guns for the same reasons. Psychologists, however, have had a difficult time finding a direct correlation between toy guns, war games, and growing up violent. It seems that there are other factors that come into play than just playing at war. In fact, playing Nerf war games with your kids (or allowing them to play with their friends) has some actual benefits.

Note: We at ParentsNeed HQ completely respect your decision as parents. We are in no way advising you to buy toy guns if you have banned them for your own children. We are merely providing information to those parents who see it fit to allow their own children to play war games.

Benefits of Playing Nerf War Games

One benefit of playing Nerf war games is that it gets children active. If you allow them to play war games on their game consoles, then it is the same thing to allow them to get off the couch and play a real game. They get to run, crawl, kneel, and jump, all while trying to aim and shoot at an opponent or dodge a shot. The difference is that when they play a Nerf war game as opposed to on their game consoles, they are fully physically engaged without being exposed to gory graphics.

Another benefit is that it fosters team work and teaches them to set goals with other people, making it a highly social activity. They get to learn how to leverage individual team member’s strengths and compensate for weakness in order to win the game. If your whole family is in one team, you can teach your children about strategy, planning, and how to follow rules. They will learn that in a crisis, not following the chain of command may be the difference between winning and losing.

A third benefit of participating in Nerf wars is that you get your children exposed to thinking under pressure. With opponents coming at your team from all sides, you have to make quick decisions that will seal their fate. Feeling this pressure will prepare them for other stresses as they grow up and will allow them to cope better.

Playing war games teaches kids about friendly competition and how sometimes they may win or lose. By experiencing both winning and losing, they can learn about good sportsmanship when they lose or about being gracious when they win.

Most importantly, though, as your children learn about competition, rules, and thinking under pressure, you can also teach them an important lesson about safe gun handling and responsibility. You can also teach them about championing the weak and being a hero. Children, after all, learn best through play.

Ready to Join a Nerf Game?

Not so fast! The first thing you need to participate in a game is, of course, a Nerf gun! So we have prepared this guide to help you choose among so many models that Nerf has put out in the market. You will first have to consider your fighting style, the type of gun, and the available ammunition.

Your Fighting Style

The first thing you would like to consider when buying a Nerf gun is your fighting style. Do you like to get in the center of the action and go for your enemies with reckless abandon? Or do you like to hang back and wait for your enemies to take the fight to you. Whatever your fighting style, there is a Nerf Gun for you.

● Commando

There’s a war game out there! You can’t be expected to just sit back and do nothing! So you’re out in the battlefield, an open target for anyone with enough range to get you. They know about your aggressive devil-may-care fighting style and hope they can use it against you. But you know better. You know that this is not the day that you are leaving the battle early because your gun is as berserk as you.

If this sounds like you, you will want a bad-ass Nerf gun that takes no prisoners. You will want to choose one that lets you fire multiple rounds with a single pull of the trigger so that you can increase your chances of hitting your target while on the run. You want to be able to reload quickly and get back into the action before you turn into a sitting duck without ammunition. Your objective for choosing your Nerf : outgun everyone.

● Sniper

You are cool and oh-so-calm on the battlefield. You must be, because your concentration depends on it. You aren’t one to go out there for a hack and slash adventure. In a war game, you let your enemies take each other out, and you can deal with whoever is left. Your teammates depend on you to cover them from your lofty position – with your gun at the ready. In your mind, the way you win the game is not to outgun your enemy. It is to outlast them.

If you are a sniper, you wouldn’t mind having a Nerf gun that is lightweight and shoots multiple rounds. But it isn’t your top priority. What is really important to you is that your gun has the range so you can target your opponents from afar and take them out before they get too close to your (hopefully) impenetrable fort. Your objective for choosing a Nerf gun: long range.

● Stealthy

Going out there and blasting everyone in sight is just so wasteful and so… unsophisticated to you. Sure you like to be out there and get your share of the action, but must you be so loud? Must you use too many darts? No, that’s not you. You like taking your opponents out cleanly with just one shot. And you do this by moving quickly and undetected; getting close enough so you don’t miss. You love the element of surprise and no one in the game is better at using it than you.

Sounds like you? If it does, this means all battery operated motor-driven Nerf guns should get crossed off your list because they can get really noisy and spoil your fighting style. You should also avoid any weapon that is too cumbersome as to stop you from moving quickly. What you want is a Nerf gun that you can carry and shoot with one hand; and light enough so that it doesn’t affect your speed. Your Nerf gun shopping priority: light and quiet.

● Mixed

You don’t have a real identifiable fighting style, but you enjoy the game and you get things done. You are a versatile fighter who likes to assess the situation and you adjust your game accordingly. That Nerf gun you are holding isn’t the perfect one for your style… yet. But it will get there by the next game because you know how to do it. Your Nerf gun shopping priority: customizable.

Types of Nerf Gun

Once you have determined how you want to play, you should now be able to choose among different types of Nerf guns. If you and your kids are joining a league, you should find out first what specifications your Nerf gun is supposed to have so that you don’t go buying a gun that is banned in your league. In general though, Nerf guns fall into four specific classifications.

● Pistol

The pistol is by far the most popular type of Nerf gun. It is light and handy, requiring only one hand to shoot it. It allows you to shoot only one dart at a time, but some models are very versatile and will allow you to use different kinds of ammunition. These guns are also the most inexpensive and they allow the most upgrades and modifications after sales. Pistol type Nerf guns are great for stealthy players who like to sneak up on their opponents; or as a secondary Nerf for those with other fighting styles.

● Rifle

The rifle type guns are bigger than the pistol type. Though they are not heavy by any means, they require two hands to shoot one dart at a time. They have a longer range than pistols and have larger magazines. This means that you can load up more ammunition at one time. These features make the rifle type Nerf guns really popular in competitive leagues, but they are more expensive than the pistol.

● Shotgun

The Nerf shotgun type multiplies the fun big time! Not only do they let you carry more ammo, they also let you fire more darts with a single shot. For you commandos out there, this where you want to start looking because this will be the minimum requirement for your hack and slash fighting style.

● Special Guns

Special guns include battery operated machine guns, bows and arrows, and hold out pistols. Aficionados and competitors like buying the special guns and modifying them to suit their personal fighting styles. You might like to pick a special gun and one of the more basic guns as primary and secondary weapon if you are serious about competing. Whatever you wish to do, Nerf has you covered.

Ammunition

If you ever find yourself confused by more than one Nerf gun, you might like to make your choice according to your choice of ammunition. Some guns fire just one kind while others are compatible with multiple kinds. But you would like to choose a gun with ammunition that is widely available and in constant supply. You will know what kind of ammo your gun supports by looking at the package.

Tips for Playing Nerf Guns with Your Kids

Wear goggles to protect your eyes while playing.

Even though a Nerf gun is a toy, teach your kids about handling guns safely. They should learn not to look down into the barrel, not to put their finger on the trigger unless they are ready to shoot, keep the gun pointed at the ground when they are not aiming at anyone, not to leave the gun lying around if it is not on safety, etc. As mentioned earlier, while playing is the perfect opportunity for kids to learn.

Even if they like to play stealthily, don’t allow your kids to sneak up on someone and point the Nerf gun to their head.

Shooting opponents in a war game is okay. But never shoot at anyone outside of the game – unless it is someone familiar and you know that they don’t mind.

Never paint the Nerf gun black and never remove or paint the orange tip. A Nerf gun should not be made to look realistic so that authorities will not get the wrong idea about the toy gun.

Our Recommendation

There are different fighting styles, but they will all benefit from a gun that shoots quick and reloads quicker. For that we have our top pick: the Nerf N-Strike Elite Rampage Blaster. Whether you like to take the fight to your enemies or lay back and wait for them to come to you, you will benefit from this rapid fire model that shoots a whopping 26 darts at the pull of the trigger. The best part is that while it is already awesome out of the box, it is fully customizable so you can make it even better. Not convinced? Well, if you still think our favorite Nerf gun isn’t for you, go on over to our reviews of the Top 5 Best Nerf Guns. We are sure one of them will be your perfect weapon at the next war game.

Check Price On Amazon

Originally posted 2016-09-04 02:49:36.

The post Best Nerf Gun Buying Guide appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Best Nerf Gun Buying Guide published first on http://parentsneed.tumblr.com/

0 notes

thelmabeaver · 9 years ago

Text

Becoming Acquainted with Breastfeeding

Once your precious one is out onto these world, the next challenge that will come along the way is how to get yourself acquainted with breastfeeding. You and your baby share a natural bond but proper breastfeeding takes a bit of practice.

You might be wondering if all expectant mom produce milk in the nine months of pregnancy. The answer is yes and it is very rare for women not to lactate. Remember that time during your first trimester when your breast are all sore and sensitive? This is a sign that the body is preparing the mammary glands for milk production in the coming months.

A special gift you can provide to your offspring during breastfeeding is the colostrum. This is a yellow substance consists of nutrients and antibodies needed by the baby for strong immunity against viruses. This will serve as your baby’s first food.

You must prepare yourself as mastering breastfeeding will test your patience. The trick here is to not make yourself and your baby forced to do it. There are many problems associated with breastfeeding but all these can be surpassed when you have the positive attitude towards it.

What is Latching?

To latch means “to get attached onto something” and that it is what you want your baby to do when you place the child on your chest. Getting your baby to adhere to your nipple and areola takes time. Once you and your baby get used to this, the baby’s mouth will automatically open as you place the nipple near the baby’s lips. Once the nipple is in place, the baby will know that it is feeding time and that milk will pour out when sucking motion is done.

How Do You Master Breastfeeding Latch?

There is no definite techniques to fully grasp the idea of breastfeeding latch. Take for example when you were learning how to ride a bike, you will have to balance on your own and after a few rides, voila! You will know how to pedal and move in no time. These are the few things that will come in the perfect time. Here are the methods and tips so you can guide the baby to the right way to latch on:

Learn to cradle the baby at the chest level. You can use a body pillow or regular pillows to put at your lower back and on the side of your shoulders.

If you are seated on a chair, put one pillow on your lap to bring the baby at the level before your nipples. Add one pillow under the arm that supports your baby’s neck and head.

Use a stool to bring your legs up as your hold the baby closer to your chest.

If you are seated on a bed, put pillows under your knees to avoid leg cramps.

Tie your hair in a bun or wear a headband to prevent hair from falling onto your child’s face while you breastfeed.

While you carry the baby on one side, use your free hand to cup your breast from under. Position your nipple onto the upper lip and let the baby’s lower lip take a mouthful of the areola. If the baby’s mouth is closed, ask for help from someone to carefully pull the baby’s lower lip and slowly open it to accommodate the breast. Both the top and bottom of the lips should be circling the areola.

Signs that Your Baby is Latching Properly

Here’s a checklist to know if your little one is latching and sucking correctly. Some of these signs can be observed immediately while other can take some time to show:

There is no milk leaking from both sides of the mouth. When the top and bottom lips are fully turned out, a seal is created between the baby’s mouth and your areola.

The baby who is latching properly have rounded cheeks and you will see a slight movement on the ears as the baby sucks milk from the breast.

You will hear baby swallowing after sucking two to three times. Colostrum might be quite tricky to suck and might take a while before you hear the baby swallow something. The continues sucking and swallowing will happen as the baby gets familiar with latching.

The baby will have the tendency to doze off after breastfeeding as there is a feeling of being full and relaxed. This is similar to an adult feeling sleepy after a good meal.

When the baby is not latched on properly, you will see dimpled cheeks as the baby is not sucking the milk flawlessly. It means the tongue is blocking the nipple and not positioned under it.

There is a clicking noise as nipple is rubbing on the baby’s mouth and there is no efficient sucking motion.

Feel the position of your nipple in your child’s mouth. It should be placed at back portion of the tongue. The front of the tongue must be latched on the lower part of the nipple and the areola.

After several months of successful latching, you will see that baby is slowly gaining weight especially in the arms, legs, and cheeks. You will also feel and observe that there is an eagerness in your baby every time you signal that it is feeding time.

Most women connects their postpartum weight loss to breastfeeding. According to studies, you burn as much as 300 calories when you breastfeed your baby but you will still need to eat food rich in protein as you will need sufficient energy to produce more milk.

Food Intake when Breastfeeding

Familiarizing yourself with breakfast might be awkward at first, but it’s about making it as habit. You don’t need to overthink it and just let the process takes place. It will eventually feel painless and comfortable in no time. Also, don’t compare yourself to other nursing mothers who learned how to do it easily. Don’t feel intimated and change the negative attitude that breastfeeding is only for the few chosen ones.

Many studies show that babies have innate knowledge that they will be fed through breastfeeding. And amazingly, nature also has its way to leave hints to the babies to find the prime source of milk. Remember the darkening of your areolas and the visible line forming from your navel and up the stomach? Specialists say that babies are inclined to follow these dark spots and direct them to where the will be fed to be able to live. Talk about survival skills at a very young age!

You can ask help from a lactation consultant if you feel your baby is still not latching properly after a several months. Lactation experts say that teaching your baby to latch onto you need exact timing. As much as possible, nurse your as soon as you give birth. Right after delivery, you see that most babies elongate their tongues as if searching for something to suck. This is the natural drive to find the breast of the mother. Don’t miss the chance to latch the baby when the nurses bring the infant to your chest. The baby’s reflexes to find the milk source can last only for an hour or two.

You can also try latching in times the baby is longing for milk - especially in the morning. This adds a little pressure for the little one to open his or her mouth and perfectly latch onto you.

Aside from teaching you how latching works, the lactation expert can demonstrate how to extract milk from your breasts using either a manual or an electric pump.

You can also seek advice from the lactation specialist whether lactating mother need special diet to be able to produce more milk. Generally speaking, there is no formula or perfect meal plan to increase milk production. Based on studies, the quality of milk produced by a nursing mom is not influenced by the food intake. Milk is a reliable food source for baby at anytime. There is greater chance that an unhealthy diet will affect the mother than the baby.

The point of eating meals consist of proteins, fiber, and vitamins is for the mother to regain the lost energy during pregnancy. Add to that the energy needed to rear a growing child, take care of the family and finish the daily activities at home.

You can still eat and drink your usual food or even your favorites but always in moderation. Bear in mind that eating well will make you stronger to endure the sleepless nights and stressful days.

Regardless of the food you eat, the essential thing about breastfeeding is doing it frequently will lead to many rewarding things - your baby is nourished, you lactate more, and you cut a few inches off your waistline.

After giving birth, the action of breast feeding might seem like the most natural thing for a woman to do as it is one of the very first things she does when taking care of her newborn. Even if women have been lactating for centuries, it is not such an easy thing to learn. In fact, both mother and baby need to take their time and try to learn this complicated yet wonderful process. There are a few main things women have to learn and remember about breastfeeding before even beginning to lactate.

The Importance of Being Relaxed While Breast Feeding

For a woman to successfully approach breast feeding, she needs to be first of all very relaxed. The anxiety of learning how to breastfeed summed up to external issues, can cause a chemical imbalance in the woman’s nervous system, which can lead to causing anxiety and stress. It is actually proven that anxious and nervous women produce much less milk compared to those who are happy and relaxed.

Doctors also recommend creating a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere by turning on soft music in the background, lighting up sweet-smelling candles, thinking positive thoughts and trying to fully enjoy this unique bonding experience that only a mother can have with her child. Using a soft pillow to support the baby while breast feeding can bring invaluable physical comfort also to the mother.

Learning About Breast Feeding

Once the baby is in the right position and ready to nurse, it is important to make sure he is latched properly to his mother’s breast. This is what many women consider to be the most difficult part about breast feeding as if the latch is not correct it can become very painful for the mother. Sometimes first-time mothers who need to become acquainted with breast feeding will find it that their nipples become very soar. A good solution is to place a cool table cloth on them and also using soothing gentle cream that will help them heal.

Many hospitals offer pregnant women free courses on lactating and, after birth, a nursing expert usually keeps the new mother to breast feed her baby for the first few times. The nurse shows the woman how to properly place the breast and nipple into her baby’s mouth and how to stimulate the suction. In fact, newborns usually need a little bit of encouragement to keep nursing as the act itself requires a lot of energy on the baby’s part and he, being so little, gets tired easily and falls asleep.

Doctors also recommend keeping track of the first breastfeeding cycles as the baby should be latched on each breast for minimum 20 minutes at a time. The reason is because the longer the baby nurses, the more breast milk the woman’s body will produce. When the baby stops breastfeeding, the mother should take advantage of this short break make sure to stay hydrated and have a healthy snack. Proper nutrition, as well as regular liquid intake can help increase the quantity of milk production and ease the process of breast feeding.

Originally posted 2013-05-24 20:17:47.

The post Becoming Acquainted with Breastfeeding appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Becoming Acquainted with Breastfeeding published first on http://parentsneed.tumblr.com/

0 notes

thelmabeaver · 9 years ago

Text

Top 5 Best Walkie Talkies | 2017 Reviews

Walkie talkies? Those are still a thing?

They sure are. They’re no longer the toy that every kid dreams of; they’re now programmed to start asking for their own phone by the time they start school. And “walkies” are no longer indispensible for most service businesses, which largely have switched to cellphones because of their weight and convenience.

Walkie talkies, though, can do many things that smartphones can’t. Most importantly, they can be used in areas where there’s no reliable cell service. But they’re also a godsend in noisy environments like construction sites and concert halls, and have the ability to continuously connect a workforce spread out throughout a large area on a single channel (or set of channels). Hotels and convention centers, retail stores and warehouses – all are perfect environments for the use of walkie talkies, particularly when workers are equipped with earpieces or headsets. And naturally, they’re still widely used by police and security forces.

Quick Navigation

Quick Comparison Table

Midland GXT1000VP4 FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio (Pair)

Cobra Electronics ACXT1035R FLT Walkie Talkie

Uniden GMR5088-2CK Camo Submersible Two Way Radio (Pair)

Uniden 16-Mile 22 Channel Two Radio (Pair)

Garmin Rino 650 US GPS

Just as commonly, walkies are essential equipment for campers and hikers who frequently travel through areas where phones will do no good. Whether it’s for locating other members of your family or hiking party, calling for help, or accessing NOAA weather channels, walkie talkies can be invaluable. Some even have a vibrate mode for hunters so the game they’re tracking won’t be alarmed.

Today’s best walkie talkies are extremely powerful and able to communicate across distances as long as 50 miles in the right circumstances. Many are lightweight and waterproof, provide access to channels on both the FRS (Family Radio Service) and GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) although you’ll need a government license for the latter, and there are even walkies with a record function so you can keep messages for the long term.

Kids still love walkie talkies too, even though they’ll be likely to outgrow them once they reach “phone age.” You’ll find that most of the units in our rundown of the top 5 best walkie talkies focus on units for campers, hikers and professionals, but we’ll also make mention of the best ones for children, too.

Before going on our list, make sure to read our “Best Walkie Talkie Buying Guide” too!

Let’s get started. Over and out.

Quick Comparison Table

Midland GXT1000VP4 FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio

Cobra Electronics ACXT1035R FLT Walkie Talkie

Uniden GMR5088-2CK Camo Two-Way Radio

Uniden 16-Mile 22 Channel Two Radio

Garmin Rino 650 US GPS

$$$

4.8 ounces

5.6 ounces

1.5 ounces

9 ounces

11 ounces

36 miles

37 miles

40-50 miles

16 miles

None claimed

Midland GXT1000VP4 FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio (Pair)

These Midland walkie talkies are a perfect example of what today’s modern radios can do, boasting an amazing number of features. They can access both FRS and GMRS channels, and have a separate set of those channels with pre-set privacy codes for a total of 50; the FRS channels are meant for short-distance communication, while you’ll need to use high-power mode and the GMRS channels (which require a license) for longer-range transmissions. Midland claims a 36-mile maximum range, but that depends greatly on terrain, with city buildings or mountains often limiting transmission range (as is the case with all walkie talkies – the best way to get better range is to get a better or longer antenna). The GXT1000VP4s are among the best for distance over unobstructed ground, though.

We like these units because they provide outstanding sound quality with auto-squelch, but also because they’re sturdy and waterproof (up to a point – you can’t submerge them, but they can handle splashes and light rain) which makes them ideal for camping and hiking. These are also one of the walkie talkie models for hunters we alluded to earlier; they have vibrate mode, as well as a “whisper” mode which lets whispered transmissions be heard perfectly. (Some hunters may prefer the similar, camo-finished 1050VP4 model, which also has five signal tones which can also be used as animal calls.) You can also scan and monitor weather channels for local alerts (and not just for storms, but everything from fires to biohazards), and send out an SOS alert with the push of a button.

That’s just the start. The Midlands have hands-free operation capabilities (with nine different sensitivity levels), included headsets, direct-call functions that let you contact some people on your frequency without letting others hear, 142 different privacy codes to create thousands of “private” channels, a scan function to quickly find active channels, ten different call alert tones, selectable power-saving levels, a backlit LCD display (a nice feature, since there’s quite a lot of programming involved to get these working to their full capabilities) and much more.

You can clip these walkies onto your belt or carry them in a pocket since they’re about the size of a phone (not counting the antenna) and lightweight. The GXTs have a rechargeable battery pack which can power the units for about eight hours and can also run on AA batteries, and come with a dual desktop charger and a car adapter. If they’ve left anything out, we can’t think of it. There are two radios per set.

For a combination of good range, great quality and terrific features, this pair of Midland walkie talkies can’t be beat at about $60.

Details of the Midland GXT1000VP4 FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio

Channels

50, including FRS and GMRS

Power

5 watts

Claimed Range

36 miles

VOX/headset operation/vibrate mode

Yes/yes/yes

Waterproof

Yes (splashproof)

Weather Alerts

Yes

Power

Rechargeable battery pack or four AA batteries

Size

2.5 x 2 x 10 inches (including antenna)

Weight

4.8 ounces

Warranty

Three years

Check Price On Amazon

Cobra Electronics ACXT1035R FLT Walkie Talkie

The Cobras aren’t quite as full-featured as the Midlands, but they have one feature that can be invaluable to campers and hikers, and you probably noticed it in the title of this review: if you drop them in the water, they float. That means they’re completely waterproof, so some readers have probably just found the walkies they really need when out in the backcountry. They’re also built more sturdily than the GXTs (although they’re also fatter and shorter, so they don’t fit as well in the pocket).

The range on these units is similar to that of the Midlands, a nominal 37 miles which is completely dependent on terrain, as you know by now. They have 22 available channels in the FRS and GMRS ranges, there are plenty of privacy codes, and they have emergency alerts plus an SOS signal.

So why do these rank at #2 instead of #1? Quite honestly, we think they’re more difficult to operate than our top choice. The display is cluttered, with a plethora of hard-to-depress buttons all around it. We think you’ll find it as confusing to figure out as we did, and in these days of simple LCD displays and touchscreens, the Cobras feel like a throwback – and not in a good way.

Rechargeable AA lithium batteries power these walkie talkies, which are more convenient than having to use a proprietary battery pack, and most of the other features you’d expect like VOX and headphone capability are included, as is the ability to replay the last 20 seconds of a message. We’d say that both of the models we’ve looked at so far are very good; the Cobras should be your top choice if you need truly waterproof units, but the Midlands are better if you don’t.

Details of the Cobra Electronics ACXT1035R FLT Walkie Talkie

Channels

22, including FRS and GMRS

Power

5 watts

Claimed Range

37 miles

VOX/headset operation/vibrate mode

Yes/yes/yes

Waterproof

Yes

Weather Alerts

Yes

Power

Three rechargeable AA lithium batteries

Size

1.5 x 2.5 x 7.5 inches (including antenna)

Weight

5.6 ounces

Warranty

One year

Check Price On Amazon

Uniden GMR5088-2CK Camo Submersible Two Way Radio (Pair)

This is the first of two sets of Uniden walkie talkies we’ll be examining; the next ones will be for the kids, while these are for the grownups. Like the Cobras, these walkies are waterproof; unlike them, these are actually submersible for up to 30 minutes at a depth of three feet. They also have the highest-claimed range of any of the units on our list of the top 5 best walkie talkies, at 40-50 miles. As we keep saying, though, always take those numbers with more than a few grains of salt. There are 22 channels (FRS and GMRS), a decent number of privacy codes, direct call capability, a “power boost” button for extra oomph when a signal isn’t quite getting through, and NOAA weather alerts. They operate on rechargeable NiMH batteries and come in a camo pattern.

One plus is that the headsets for these walkie talkies are included in the package but that’s offset by the lack of “extra” features we’d expect to see like whisper and power-saving modes, considering the fact that these are more expensive than the Cobra and Midland walkies at $120 for the set. They’re fine, but not good enough to be top-ranked for that price.

Details of the Uniden GMR5088-2CK Camo Submersible Two Way Radio (Pair)

Channels

22, including FRS and GMRS

Power

5 watts

Claimed Range

40-50 miles

VOX/headset operation/vibrate mode

Yes/yes/yes

Waterproof

Yes

Weather Alerts

Yes

Power

Four rechargeable NiMH batteries

Size

8.5 x 4 x 13 inches (including antenna)

Weight

1.5 ounces

Warranty

One year

Check Price On Amazon

Uniden 16-Mile 22 Channel Two Radio (Pair)

And here is the second set of Unidens we mentioned, the ones that are our best choice for kids. They have most of the same basic specifications as the expensive ones, covering 22 channels (FRS and GMRS) with a nominal range of 16 miles (and a functional range of much less). They’ll scan all channels for existing users, have decent audio quality with auto-squelch, and are easy to operate for preschoolers and elementary school kids (the ones who don’t have phones yet).

There aren’t any fancy features like headset operation or voice activation – but trust us, your kids won’t miss them. The walkies will communicate around the block or neighborhood just fine, and while they may go through lots of lots of AAA batteries, so will any other toy you purchase. Don’t count on these for commercial use or if your life might depend on being able to communicate out in the wild, but for $30 you can let your kids venture back to the days when every kid on the block had a walkie talkie, and loved it.

Details of the Uniden 16-Mile 22 Channel Two Radio (Pair)

Channels

22, including FRS and GMRS

Power

Not specified

Claimed Range

16 miles

VOX/headset operation/vibrate mode

No/no/no

Waterproof

Weather Alerts

Power

Three AAA batteries

Size

8 x 3 x 7 inches (including antenna)

Weight

9 ounces

Warranty

Three years

Check Price On Amazon

Garmin Rino 650 US GPS

For this final review we’ll take the word “best” in “top 5 best walkie talkies” literally, without regard to price – because these units combine an excellent walkie talkie with a Garmin GPS device, electronic compass and altimeter – for the low, low price of $440 apiece. For those of you who had trouble in math or are in shock, that adds up to nearly $900 for the pair.

But if you’re a serious hiker, trekker or camper, you may fall utterly in love with the Rino 650. The true selling point on this unit is the GPS functionality, but we’ll first deal with the communications aspects. The walkies can access 22 channels (FRS and GMRS) with 121 privacy codes, voice activation capabilities and vibration mode, with a functional range similar to that of the Midlands subject to the same caveats on terrain. Audio quality is good, and there’s also a texting function on these radios. There are customizable weather alerts which can be displayed on the TFT screen or heard audibly.

Now, for the “other stuff.” The Rino 650 has a sensitive receiver and a quad-helix antenna allowing you to find and maintain your position, view your position on maps and images which can be downloaded or imported via microSD card (the Rino is compatible with BaseCamp software), and send your exact position to other Rino users. There’s a three-axis, tilt-compensated electronic compass and a barometric altimeter built in, along with calendars complete with sun/moon rising and setting times. If you’re an avid outdoor type, are you in love yet?

Everything is controlled on a well-lit 2.6-inch touch screen and held in a waterproof case, and runs on a rechargeable lithion-ion battery which can go up to 14 hours between charges. In short, if you spend a good part of your time in the backcountry and have a spare $440 (per unit) to spend, you need one of these Garmins. Otherwise, they’re cool to think about.

Details of the Garmin Rino 650 US GPS

Channels

22, including FRS and GMRS

Power

5 watts

Claimed Range

None claimed

VOX/headset operation/vibrate mode

Yes/yes/yes

Waterproof

Yes (splashproof)

Weather Alerts

Yes

Power

Lithion-ion battery, rechargeable

Size

2.5 x 2 x 7.5 inches (including antenna)

Weight

11 ounces

Warranty

One year

Check Price On Amazon

Originally posted 2016-06-09 07:31:21.

The post Top 5 Best Walkie Talkies | 2017 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Top 5 Best Walkie Talkies | 2017 Reviews published first on http://parentsneed.tumblr.com/

0 notes

thelmabeaver · 9 years ago

Text

Best Sunscreen for Babies Buying Guide

Children are naturally adventurous, that is commonly agreed with. Here at ParentsNeed HQ, we are all for letting them explore the world outside, with the hopes that they would learn to become well rounded children. Though the outside world is full of knowledge, it is also full of harmful elements, one of these being the sun.

While the sun makes it possible for us to live and survive, it may also cause us harm. The sun, as we all know, is our most important source of energy for life. One form of energy that the sun provides is ultraviolet or UV radiation. A type of UV radiation, UVB plays an important role in the synthesis of vitamin D in the human body. To be more specific, UVB induces the production of vitamin D. What is so important about vitamin D? Vitamin D regulates our body’s calcium metabolism, meaning it greatly affects our bone health as well as our nervous system. This is why it has always been advised, that to ensure the healthy growth of our children, we expose them to a little bit of sun, particularly in the morning. A little bit. Did you ever wonder why only a little bit is advised and why it’s mostly advised to be done in the morning? Overexposure to UV radiation can cause both acute and long term harmful effects on the skin such as sunburn, different types of cancer as well as promoting the premature aging of the skin. It is best to catch the sun early in the morning and avoid sun exposure during mid-day, when the sun’s heat is at its peak. Such exposure can surely leave us with a sunburn. We should understand that sunburn is a much more serious threat to our little children and babies, whose skins are very sensitive.

Now how will you keep the skin of your baby healthy if and when sun exposure can’t be avoided? You can cover them up with protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, pants and even wide-brimmed hats. But what if these types of clothing do not agree well with your planned activities for the day like sports or a trip to the beach? What is the best way to allow tour children to enjoy their youthful days under the sun while still keeping them protected? If you were into spoken word songs in the 90’s, you would know that Baz Luhrmann has told us the answer years ago:

Wear sunscreen.

Sunscreen is a wonder product designed to keep our skin healthy and protected against the UV rays from the sun. How do sunscreens work? They either block or absorb the UV rays from the sun. There are two types of sunscreens, the physical sunscreen and the chemical sunscreen. Physical sunscreens work by blocking and reflecting the UV radiation away from the skin. Chemical sunscreens absorb the UV radiation and change it to heat by a chemical reaction.

Unfortunately, the benefits of sunscreen are underrated most of the time, and people tend to do away with sunscreens. But you are not one of these people, yes? You’re probably here wanting to know which type is the best sunscreen to buy for your baby. Lucky for you, we are here to provide you with guidelines in buying the sunscreen product that is best suited for you and your baby.

There are a number of choices for sunscreen products out in the market. It could be quite overwhelming, but don’t panic. We have got your back. The goal of this buying guide is to help you determine the best choice of sunscreen for your children, based on your preferences and priorities. We aim to enlighten you so that you may arrive at an informed choice. We at ParentsNeed HQ understand the importance of choosing only the best for our little ones.

So what are the things to be considered in choosing the best sunscreen for our mini me’s, then?

Which type of sunscreen do you prefer?

The choice is between physical sunscreen and chemical sunscreen. If you have no initial preference, let us give you a bit of information about the difference between the two, aside from their mode of action, of course. Physical sunscreens are mainly composed of mineral ingredients whilst chemical sunscreens are made of, well, chemicals.

Physical sunscreens provide immediate sun protection as soon as application on the skin is done. Owing to their mineral content, physical sunscreens are heavier and have thicker consistency. They also tend leave pasty stains on the skin, which are more obvious on darker colored skins.

Chemical sunscreens are thinner in consistency and are, thus, more wearable. Daily or regular use is easier to comply with due to its ease of application and lighter feel on the skin. With chemical sunscreens, however, immediate protection may not be expected as it usually takes around 20 minutes before its effectivity sets in.

With that said, it might be helpful for you to know that physical sunscreens are almost always recommended for children use due to their kid-friendly formulations.

Does it provide protection?

This is the primary purpose of you getting one, after all, right? The sunscreen that you will choose has to be able to meet this requirement. But what kind of protection would you want for your kid? Obviously, you would want one that offers broad-spectrum protection. The best sunscreen is the type that can protect against both UVA and UVB.

You might be wondering, “What are UVA and UVB?” Ultraviolet A (UVA) and Ultraviolet B (UVB) are types of ultraviolet radiation. They differ in wavelengths, and this difference affects the amount of which that could be absorbed by the ozone layer. The long-wave UVA is not absorbed by the ozone layer and can therefore completely pass through, meaning there can be an abundance of UVA in our living space. The ozone layer absorbs most of the medium-wave UVB and only allows some amount to pass through into our atmosphere.

Products that contain titanium dioxide or zinc oxide work best at effectively blocking UVA rays. For UVB protection, a sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher will do the trick.

How high should the upper limit for SPF should be, exactly? To give you a bit of an idea, if you multiply the label claim of the sunscreen’s SPF (Sun Protection Factor) to the time it takes for your skin to burn without any sunscreen, you would have determined the sunscreen’s effectiveness. Let’s say your skin would burn in 10 minutes in the absence of sunscreen. Applying an SPF 15 sunscreen would allow you sun protection for 150 minutes before your skin would get burnt. There has been much controversy about the label claims of sunscreens. Studies have been made that sunscreens with higher SPF only offer a marginal increase in sun protection. Any claim beyond SPF 50 is considered misleading. It does not necessarily follow that the effectivity of a product with higher SPF would last longer than a sunscreen with a lower SPF. These sunscreens with higher SPF would still require reapplications as instructed. With that said, let us not get excited about high SPF sunscreens since these do not necessarily mean the best choice.

What do you need it for?

You have to consider the type of activity your kids will be participating in. Are they going out for a light walk in the park? Will sports be involved? Are they participating in a play session at the playground? Or are they going to the beach for some water fun? If you answered yes, the best choice of sunscreen for your child would be sunscreens that are sweat and water resistant. According to FDA rules, the label SPF of a sunscreen claiming to be “water resistant” should be the SPF value determined after 40 minutes of water immersion. The label SPF of a sunscreen claiming to be “very water resistant” must have the same label SPF value after 80 minutes of water immersion.

If you are looking for a sunscreen for everyday use, you really don’t need a sunscreen that is water resistant. Light and sheer types of sunscreens could be your best choice.

Is it non-toxic and kid-friendly?

Of course, you would want products that are actually safe for your children to use. The skin of our kids and babies is very sensitive and vulnerable. The best sunscreen to choose would be the ones that offer protection without getting absorbed by the skin. As mentioned earlier, commonly recommended sunscreens for babies are usually physical blockers that contain titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. These ingredients are less likely to irritate their young skin. Ingredients to watch out for include PABAs, dioxybenzone, oxybenzone, and sulisobenzone. These substances may be biologically harmful, and it is best you keep them away from your child’s skin.

Will it get a positive reception from your child?

Yes, you also need to consider whether your child will actually like putting on the sunscreen or not. It is his/her skin, after all. The comfort of your child should be taken into consideration as well. Will your child complain of the sticky feeling on his/her skin? Will the scent irritate your baby? This is important in that your child’s approval of the product determines his/her compliance to using it.

What mode of application do you prefer?

Sunscreens are available in the form of a lotion, cream, gel, spray or other topical applications. Sprays are generally easy to apply and they effectively cover the hard to reach areas of our child’s body, but they also pose the risk of your child inhaling the product. Lotions are very common and are easier to apply in a liberal amount. Top-rating sunscreens usually come in lotion or cream form.

Is it within your ideal price range?

For some, this may be the most important consideration of all. We at ParentsNeed HQ are well aware of the difficulties in keeping a balance between getting the best for our children and keeping our budget intact. It is best to compare a number of products that are of similar specifications and see where you would get the best value for your money. A little heads up, physical sunscreens are generally more expensive than their chemical counterpart.

Is it highly rated among sunscreen choices?

It would be helpful to conduct your own research and see which products are highly recommended by other proactive parents such as yourself. Check out online reviews about best sunscreen products and visit the websites of the products themselves. There are certification bodies such as ECOCERT, an inspection and certification body for human being and sustainable development, from which you could verify products with. There are also a few organizations you could look into, that conduct researches to provide useful and unbiased product information, especially regarding health safety and positive environmental impacts. As an example, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a non profit organization dedicated to protecting human health and the environment. They conduct breakthrough researches on products with the goal of empowering the consumers to make healthy and informed choices. Just this May of 2016, they have released their list of best-scoring sunscreen for babies based on the product’s safety and effectivity.

How to buy the best sunscreen for your child?

Now that you’ve narrowed down your list, the buying part should be easier. If you’re buying from an online store, make sure that you’ve double-checked all the details and specifications. Again, it won’t hurt to do a little research. List down the things you are looking for in a sunscreen and verify if the product meets the requirements. If you have the luxury of time to run to your local health store, then all the better. This will give you the chance to fully inspect the product and get into the details of its label claim. More importantly, you have the opportunity to do a compatibility test with your child’s skin. The product could claim to be the safest and would contain all-natural ingredients, but if it is not compatible with your child’s skin then it still is no good. When your kid elicits undesired reactions from the sunscreen product, it is best to consult your doctor about the best option for your child’s mode of sun protection.

Some final important tips to remember:

Apply the product liberally on all your child’s bare skin.

Take note of the time needed for effectivity to set in as claimed by the product’s label.

Reapply the product as instructed to remain protected. If no instruction is available, reapply the sunscreen at least every two hours, or after every swimming session or excessive sweating.

Wear sunscreen even on cloudy days to keep protected from UV radiation, which is still present in the atmosphere.

Our Recommendation

We at ParentsNeed HQ, ourselves, have come up with our own top choices for the best sunscreens products for babies. Check out our reviews of the Top 5 Best Sunscreens for Babies and see if maybe one of our choices could be yours too. And our top pick is Thinkbaby Sunscreen, SPF 50+

No matter what type of sunscreen you end up buying, the return of investment highly depends upon its correct usage. We hope our guidelines have helped you explore your options and make an informed choice. Good luck buying, and remember: wear sunscreen!

Check Price On Amazon

Originally posted 2016-07-15 02:42:26.

The post Best Sunscreen for Babies Buying Guide appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Best Sunscreen for Babies Buying Guide published first on http://parentsneed.tumblr.com/

0 notes