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Pregnancy & Baby – Gaia Products + Giveaway

By 26 Comments

Pregnancy and baby products are something you will need at one point or another (if you are having kids of course which I presume you are because you are reading this). Trying to find the ‘right’ products for you and your child can be a long and exhausting one because there are so many available that claim to be the best. The best for one family however may not be the best for yours. I have put together a review on some of pregnancy and baby products that Gaia Skin Naturals have to offer. Oh and there is a giveaway for one lucky fan as well so they can try the products for themselves. Yay!!

Gaia Pregnancy Products

Gaia Skin + Body Belly Butter

I don’t know about you but when I am pregnant my belly, breasts and thighs itch from the skin stretching and it is not a pleasant feeling. Finding a cream or butter that helps minimise this is usually on the top of my purchase list. The Gaia Belly Butter is enriched with pure cocoa butter, certified organic Shea butter and rosehip oil which helps maintain the suppleness and elasticity of your changing skin. You simply massage the butter into your belly, breasts and thighs twice daily (or as needed) during pregnancy and as long as required after birth. Available in a 150ml tube for $17.95.

Gaia Skin + Body Nipple Balm

This nipple balm is new to the Gaia product range but it is one that all breastfeeding mothers should consider. This organic nipple balm moisturises, soothes and protects sore and cracked nipples which assist in keeping them in good condition for your baby to latch onto during breastfeeding. I love that the scent isn’t overpowering and as it is made from pure, edible organic oils, including sunflower and avocado, there is no need to rinse before feeding. You don’t need to use a lot of this product at once as a little goes a long way. Available in a 40ml tube for $12.95.

Gaia Pure Pregnancy Belly Oil

This belly oil is very similar to the belly butter, obviously in an oil form. It assists the skin in stretching and eases the dry itch thanks to the certified organic rosehip, jojoba and wheat germ oils. The Gaia belly oil is in a convenience spray bottle so you can spray directly onto the area and massage it in. Available in a 95ml spray bottle for $17.95.

 Gaia Baby Products

Gaia Natural Baby Bamboo Baby Wipes

I must admit and say that I have used one particular brand of baby wipes since my eldest was a baby with the exception of a few here and there. I have stuck with the same brand because they have always been the best that I have tried, until now. I absolutely love these bamboo wipes. Why? Because they are strong and I am without a doubt positive my finger will never tear through one in the worst possible moment. That in itself is reason enough to try them. These 100% biodegradable bamboo baby wipes are lightly scented but thanks to their sensitive skin formula I am not concerned about rashes or skin flare ups. I am surprised that given how strong they are, these wipes are unbelievably soft.

The Gaia Bamboo Baby Wipes are available in 3 sizes: 20’s travel pack – $2.99, 80’s pack – $6.50 and the 240’s value pack – $14.95.

Gaia Natural Baby Skin Soothing Lotion

Keeping baby’s skin soft and moisturised is important for parents. This is one of the harder products to choose because we regularly use it on newborns, babies and toddlers. We fear their sensitive skin will not be able to tolerate some of these products so often act on the side of caution. Thankfully Gaia has a multipurpose soothing lotion designed for use on their faces, body and nappy area to sooth and protects skin while remaining pure, natural and organic. It has a light calming scent of lavender without being overpowering and the zinc, castor oil and beeswax ingredients provide a barrier, making this lotion last longer on skin. Available in 100ml tube for $9.99.

Gaia Natural Baby Conditioning Detangler

My daughter is just shy of two and her hair is rapidly growing which means upkeep and hair maintenance is now vital. Due to the length of her hair it is knotty every morning, brushing her hair was a task in itself however the struggle is now a distant memory. The Gaia hair detangler is amazing!! With just a few sprays of the leave in conditioner, the brush glides through her now silky smooth hair. Maintaining and tying up her hair is a breeze. Available in a 200ml spray for $9.99.

Prize Includes: 1x Gaia Skin + Body Belly Butter – 150ml (RRP $17.95), 1x Gaia Skin + Body Nipple Balm – 40ml (RRP $12.95), 1x Gaia Pure Pregnancy Belly Oil – 95ml (RRP $17.95), 1x Gaia Natural Baby Bamboo Baby Wipes – travel pack (RRP $2.99), 1x Gaia Natural Baby Bamboo Baby Wipes – value pack (RRP $14.95), 1x Gaia Natural Baby Skin Soothing Lotion – 100ml (RRP $9.99). Total Prize Pool $76.80.

**As the winners are chosen based on skill and not chance; you will be sharing for 0 extra entries however I’d love you to share the giveaway with friends and family. Sharing is caring and karma loves kind people. **

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms & Conditions: 
1. Australian residents only.
2. Judges decisions is final
3. Winners must make contact within 72 hours.
4. This is a game of skill. Chance plays no part!
Therefore no extra points are given for sharing however it is good karma!!
5. All Mum Said is not responsible for delivery of prize.
NOT endorsed by or have anything to do with facebook.

If you want to enter more giveaways click over here.

Disclosure: I received the above products for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.

Dreambaby Health and Safety + Giveaway

By 24 Comments

As parents we know that teaching our children health and safety is important and there is no better place to start than with the products we use with and around them. Dreambaby® health and safety products will not only assist in keeping your little ones safe but it will also help them learn in a safe environment.

Dreambaby® Health and Safety

Dreambaby® Premium Nail Clippers with Magnifier 

These baby nail clippers are perfect for use on any age up from newborns. I say any age up because there have been several times where I have used them on myself just so I didn’t have to hunt down the adult set. As all my children were born with long nails I understand the importance of owning a good set of nail clippers. My youngest used to scratch her face quite badly if I didn’t trim them every couple of days. The magnifier assists parents in seeing the nail closer and more clearly which also helps ensure you don’t cut too close. The magnifier folds away which makes storage easier and the adult sized handle allows for easy gripping and improved control. RRP $5.95

Dreambaby® Anti-Slip Mat

This particular product I haven’t used however as I have come to expect from Dreambaby®, this anti-slip mat ensures safety in more than one way. It is designed to be placed on the floor in the bath tub and is secured by suction caps to provide a safe and secure bath environment for babies and toddlers by giving them extra grip when standing or sitting in the tub. The mat is not only great for its anti-slip properties but it also contains heat sensing and colour changing starfish which alerts you if the water is too hot. It is important to remember that young children should not be left unsupervised near water. RRP $19.95.

Dreambaby® Easy-Clean Potty Seat

We are in the process of toilet training our daughter (almost a week in) and as our boys never had an interest in using a potty they went straight to the toilet with the aid of a toddler toilet seat. If you are toilet training boys this post may help. I love how this seat easily clips apart for cleaning because it ensures it is as clean as it can be and the splash guard at the front helps eliminate additional mess. The only thing I can fault about the potty seat is that it doesn’t sit snuggly in the toilet so it moves around when little ones climb on and has the potential to pinch their fingers. This may not be every toilet as I would assume some toilet seats are smaller/larger than others. Overall though it is a great product that works well to make toilet training easier for both parents and children. RRP $14.95.

Dreambaby® Bath Tub Spout Cover

Water safety is vital especially where there are little kids involved. Bath times are meant to be fun and thanks to Dreambaby® the risk of injury has been minimised once again. The bath tub spout cover does exactly as the name suggests and covers the spout/tap to prevent bumps while still allowing perfect water flow. The cover is inflatable which means it is easy to transport if going on holiday, to grandmas, etc. RRP $6.95.

For more information on the Dreambaby® health and safety products visit these links: 
 Visit the Dreambaby® web site at www.dreambaby.com.au
Become a Dreambaby® fan: http://www.facebook.com/Dreambabysafety
Check out DreambabyTV on You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG4-KBu8VmI7N26W6TEmruA

2x WINNERS!

Each Prize Includes: 1x Dreambaby® premium nail clippers, 1x Dreambaby® anti-slip mat, 1x Dreambaby® easy-clean potty seat, 1x Dreambaby® bath tub spout cover. RRP of each prize $47.90. (Total Pize Pool $95.80)

**As the winners are chosen based on skill and not chance; you will be sharing for 0 extra entries however I’d love you to share the giveaway with friends and family. Sharing is caring and karma loves kind people. **

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms & Conditions: 
1. Australian residents only.
2. Judges decisions is final
3. Winners must make contact within 72 hours.
4. This is a game of skill. Chance plays no part!
Therefore no extra points are given for sharing however it is good karma!!
5. All Mum Said is not responsible for delivery of prize.
NOT endorsed by or have anything to do with facebook.

If you want to enter more giveaways click over here.

Disclosure: I received some of the above products for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.

Bonding with baby through feeding + Medela GIVEAWAY

By 22 Comments

Bonding with your baby through feeding

Bringing a new baby home is an amazing feeling. It is exciting. It is scary. It can be very overwhelming but it can also be the most important time of your life. Being able to bond with your baby is such a magical and unexplainable sentiment and for many women breastfeeding helps to establish this deep connection with our baby. Because of this we always hear about how important it is for women to breastfeed because of the advantages it gives both mum and baby but what about dads?

How are dads supposed to bond with their babies when they can’t breastfeed? With teamwork is how. The benefits of mum expressing milk help not only her but also dad and baby. First time dads especially feel like they are left out of the process when it comes to feeding so when a women expresses milk it not only gives dad a chance to bond with his baby through feeding; it also allows the baby’s mum a chance to enjoy a cup of tea/coffee, enjoy a sleep in or even be able to embrace her partner enjoying the closeness of their baby. As I said it’s magical. Even though dads don’t often express their needs where their baby is concerned, dads want to be able to feel this closeness and bond with their baby just as much as mums do. Bonding with your baby through feeding is a great place to start which is easy for mothers who breastfeed and often why they express breast milk.

There are so many breast pumps on the market that it makes it hard to know which one will be suited to you, which pumps works and which ones are a waste of money. My younger sister and brother-in-law have just experienced the beauty of bringing their first baby into the world which also meant she had been searching for the right breast pump in preparation of their baby being born. She was anticipating returning to work and expressing is a must for her as she wanted to breastfeed her son. She also wanted her partner to be able to experience the feeding process and do night feeds (because no one wants to get up every single time). This is when I received an email asking if I wanted to review the Medela Swing Maxi Double Electric Breast Pump. I called my sister and asked her if she was interested and she was beyond thrilled because she was looking at Medela for her pump mainly because she had heard nothing but great reviews. This particular pump retails for $449.00.

Medela Swing Maxi Double Electric Breast Pump Review

Set Up and Cleaning
The first thing I noticed about the pump after opening the box and taking all the parts out of their individually sealed bags was how simple it is to set up. Without even looking at the directions you can see exactly what fits where. Once I had it all together, I checked the instructions to ensure I set it up properly and to my surprise they are extremely simple and easy to understand. Don’t be scared by the size of the manual.

Before using the Medela breast pump; I sterilised all the equipment. Step by step directions on how to clean are included in the manual which makes it basically fool proof. This can be done by hand washing, putting through the dishwasher or boiling. It took minimal time from start to finish to take apart the breast pump and clean it which is made even more enticing by the fact that all the parts are easy to wipe dry or can be left on a cloth to air dry.

Using the Breast Pump
I think what makes the Medela swing stand out compared to other pumps is the ‘2 phase expression’; which is the 2 stimulation phases that mimics the breastfeeding rhythm. The first stage encourages a milk let down and after 2 minutes the pump will automatically change to the second phase; the ‘expression’ phase, which imitates a long sucking motion similar to the one of a baby. If your milk starts to flow prior to the second phase, you can press the button and it will start the expression phase. I personally found it never took more than 30 seconds to get a good flow to then switch to the expression but as everyone is different you may need the full two minutes in stage one. Both stages are exceptionally comfortable and gentle on the breasts and nipples and the vacuum can be adjusted to suit your need at the time. I used mine mainly as my milk was ‘coming in’ days after my baby was born and there were times my breasts were too sore to even touch yet I could still use the Medela breast pump comfortably.

It took me approximately 10 minutes to pump both breasts and I would get around 100mL from each. What made it even easier was after you finish pumping you can just pop the storage lids in the bottles and store right in the fridge until they are needed. I use the double pump most frequently but it can also be used as a single pump, either of options offer the same great performance.

My favourite part about this pump is the fact that I was able to express breastmilk for my partner to be able to feed bub. It not only allowed him to provide our baby his feeds throughout the night when I needed that extra sleep but he was also given the opportunity to experience that special bonding time that without the pump he wouldn’t be able to do.

Storage
If there wasn’t enough to love about this pump already, the lack of space it requires to store should be added to the list. I was able to keep it in a container on a cupboard shelf where it took up minimal room. The Medela Swing Breast Pump is very portable as you are able to clip the motor onto your clothes and move around the house or store in your handbag for use while out and about thanks to it having the option to operate on batteries (6 AAA).

Pros
The efficiency from start to finish makes a light work load of expressing breast milk thanks to the simultaneous expression in combination with the 2-Phase which ultimately saves you time. The range of vacuum levels and settings allows you to be in control of your comfort and still gain maximum efficiency from the breast pump.

The Medela breast pump is very easy to assemble, use, clean and store. Thanks to how light and compact the pump is, it makes expressing flexible by offering use on batteries or the main adapter.

It allows my baby the opportunity to bond with his dad through feeding.

Cons
It’s very hard to fault this pump! I found that while pumping you have to hold a constant pressure with the shield onto your breast which can become difficult while you’re double pumping. This can be resolved by purchasing an ‘easy expression bustier’ which allows hands-free expressing.

I also noticed the pump makes a bit of noise during use and the harder you set your vacuum the louder it becomes.

Medela Breastfeeding Starter Kit

This kit contains everything a mother needs in those first few weeks of breastfeeding and expressing. It offers an easy and safe way to collect and store breast milk in addition to feeding while containing products that help make mum more comfortable and sooth sensitive nipples for months to come.

This Medela breastfeeding starter kit contains:
• 1x Calma, breastmilk feeding device (specially designed teat that mimics the natural rhythm of breastfeeding)
• 2x 150ml Bottles with multi lids
• 12x Disposable nursing pads
• 1x Purelan 100 7g
• 1x Quick clean microwave bag
• 5x pump and save bags

The Calma lets your baby feed in a way that is similar to breastfeeding which allows for easy transition between the two. Thanks to its one size and shape fits all, your baby will be satisfied from birth until weaning off milk. Just like a nipple.

This kit is suitable for every woman that is breastfeeding or expressing and is the number one choice of hospitals and mothers. I highly recommend it for all your storing, feeding, breast care and breastmilk management in those first few weeks and months! RRP $49.90.

Prize Includes: 1x Medela Breastfeeding Starter Pack. RRP $49.90.

**As the winners are chosen based on skill and not chance; you will be sharing for 0 extra entries however I’d love you to share the giveaway with friends and family. Sharing is caring and karma loves kind people. **

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms & Conditions: 
1. Australian residents only.
2. Judges decisions is final
3. Winners must make contact within 72 hours.
4. This is a game of skill. Chance plays no part!
Therefore no extra points are given for sharing however it is good karma!!
5. All Mum Said is not responsible for delivery of prize.
NOT endorsed by or have anything to do with facebook.

If you want to enter more giveaways click over here.

Disclosure: I received the above product for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own and my sisters.

Organic 365 Sleep Bag + Giveaway

By 43 Comments

We all know how expensive baby products and clothes can be. Especially when they grow so fast and the seasons change which requires you to go and purchase even more. The dollars add up and these days everyone is trying to make the most and get more value for their money. Today I am going to share with you a great product that I have been reviewing with my daughter for the past week; it is the 365 Sleep Bag from The Sleepy Company Organics.

365 Sleep Bag

As the blog title suggests this 365 Sleep Bag is designed to be used every season of the year and is made in sizes that give your child 2 years use before handing down to your next child. Each baby sleeping bag consists of 2 bags; one for summer and one for autumn/spring, when zipped together they create a comfortable 3.0 TOG Winter bag. In all honesty I was expecting the winter bag to be big and bulky but it is surprisingly not oversized.

You can choose between two different sizes and tog ratings to suit your climate and child which makes the 365 Sleep Bag even more versatile.

Summer tog ratings: 0.3 Tog which is made from a single layer of organic cotton fabric, recommended for 23°C to 27°C OR 0.5 Tog which is made from a double layer of organic cotton fabric, recommended for 22°C to 25°C.

Autumn tog rating: 2.5 Tog.

Winter tog rating: 3.0 Tog.

The features of this organic sleeping bag are impressive and the benefits just keeps growing. From allowing maximum use from each bag by being suitable ALL year and being generously sized means they will cater to each child for minimum two years. As mentioned above the bags zip together to create the Winter bag and while it sounds like a pain, it is far from it. It zips together simply and once together you don’t have to unzip both bags to change the childs’ nappy as it is designed that the Summer bag zips to an extra zip so you only ever have to unzip one. Very simple, easy and time efficient to use. I love this sleeping bag because it means I don’t have to buy new ones for each season and size which ultimately saves me money.

They are available in two different sizes: 3-24 months and 2-4 years. You can’t tell me that’s not impressive!

For those who have babies with sensitive skin and prefer organic well I have great news because the 365 Sleep Bag is made of 100% GOTS certified organic cotton, is free from harmful chemicals, pesticides and doesn’t contain any polyester or synthetics. It is made from great quality thick cotton that is durable and designed to last. They are machine washable and dryer safe which is a must for me.

Most importantly it is safe to use and meets both Australian and British safety standards. I always preferred to use baby sleeping bags for my children when they were little because they all moved around so much that they would get tangled in their blankets. I felt the sleeping bags were safer for them at that stage of life and the 365 Sleep Bag gives me peace of mind that my daughter will not get tangled, suffocated or freeze in Winter after kicking free her blankets.

Prize Includes: 1x 365 Sleep Bag. RRP $160.00 (Winners choice of size & Tog)

**As the winners are chosen based on skill and not chance; you will be sharing for 0 extra entries however I’d love you to share the giveaway with friends and family. Sharing is caring and karma loves kind people. **

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you want to enter more giveaways click over here.

Terms & Conditions: 
1. Australian residents only.
2. Judges decisions is final
3. Winners must make contact within 72 hours.
4. This is a game of skill. Chance plays no part!
Therefore no extra points are given for sharing however it is good karma!!
5. All Mum Said is not responsible for delivery of prize.
NOT endorsed by or have anything to do with facebook.

Disclosure: I received the above product for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.

Keep the Kids Safe + GIVEAWAY

By 25 Comments

Keeping kids safe is a parents main concern. There are many products on the market that aim to take the worry away but with so many options also comes confusion with what works and what doesn’t.  Dreambaby safety products have been around for years and like any good brand they continue to evolve and produce high quality products that benefit parents at reasonable prices.

Dreambaby Safety Products

Dreambaby Ezy-Check Multi-Use Latch

Child proofing at its best; this latch is impossible for small children to open while remaining very easy for adults to ensure it locked. The Ezy-Check is straightforward, if it is locked correctly a green locked image will appear in the opening and if it isn’t locked it will have a red unlocked image. To close: simply clip shut. To unlock: you have to squeeze the side buttons together and also press the green indicator tab simultaneously (getting that green tab can be tricky if you have large fingers).

Thanks to the extra long and flexible band; this product is great for keeping little ones out of cupboards, toilets, fridges and in our case our top kitchen drawer because that is where we store our cutlery, chef knives and scissors. I like that they require no tools, no drilling and is as simple as adhesive backing. RRP $5.95.

Dreambaby Door Knob Covers

You know that moment your child discovers they are tall enough to open doors? Well for those with door knobs these door knob covers are a saviour! We have handles on our doors so these were not able to be tested with my daughter however a friend of mine has door knobs and a two year old daughter who loves to test her mothers sanity with her escaping abilities. These covers have stopped their little miss in her tracks as she can no longer turn the door knob.

While these are too hard for little hands to work out, they are extremely easy for adults to grip and turn. They are simple to fit over the door knob and require no tools. These would also be great if you are going on a holiday and want to prevent your child from opening the doors. They are a neutral opaque finish so they will blend in and not take away from the beauty of your home. RRP $7.95 for a packet of 3.

Dreambaby Soft Touch Corner Cushions

We have all experienced our child running into the sharp corner of the dining table, coffee table, bench, etc. It isn’t pleasant for them or us. These Soft Touch Corner Cushions are a fantastic way to minimise the impact and pain sustained by our little ones when they are running and not watching where they are going. These are small but effective and are very easy to install. RRP $6.95.

I have been using Dreambaby safety products since my eldest was a baby and it is a brand I have complete faith in. Their products have always lasted, did the job they are designed to do and at an affordable price. For more information or to find your local stockist visit the Dreambaby website. If you have an inquisitive little one and think you may need some of these Dreambaby safety products than enter below!

3x WINNERS!!

Each prize includes: 1 x Dreambaby Ezy-Check Multi-use Latch (RRP $5.95), 1 x Dreambaby Door Knob Covers (RRP $7.95), 1 x Dreambaby® Soft Touch Corner Cushions (RRP $6.95). Total Prize Pool $62.55.

**As the winners are chosen based on skill and not chance; you will be sharing for 0 extra entries however I’d love you to share the giveaway with friends and family. Sharing is caring and karma loves kind people. **

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you want to enter more giveaways click over here.

Terms & Conditions: 
1. Australian residents only.
2. Judges decisions is final
3. Winners must make contact within 72 hours.
4. This is a game of skill. Chance plays no part!
Therefore no extra points are given for sharing however it is good karma!!
5. All Mum Said is not responsible for delivery of prize.
NOT endorsed by or have anything to do with facebook.

Disclosure: I received the above products for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.

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