January, 2021 | My Baby All The Way

January 30, 2021March 17, 2021

What is the Best Baby Food Maker?

As the owner of this website, I have searched out some special deals for some of the products and services mentioned herein. When you use the links on this page to make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own. Full disclosure.

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Somewhere between 4 and 6 months of age, your baby will be ready for solids. This is determined by you and your pediatrician and mostly your baby! Some babies seem to be ready for solids at 3 months of age, but it is not recommended because it may contribute to food allergies down the road. If you are a mom who is particular about the foods you give to your family, then I suggest purchasing a baby food maker to ensure your baby gets nothing other than the purest and best food possible. In this review, I will tell you about a very affordable, very popular baby food maker and answer the question, “What is the Best Baby Food Maker?”

What is Evla’s baby food maker?

The baby food maker I am going to tell you about was made and designed by parents just like you and me. So, they had everything in mind as we would such as practicality, ease of use, cleaning, and reliability.

It is called, Evla’s Baby Food Maker. This device is very easy to use and creates fresh, healthy, homemade baby food very easily. The baby food maker is a multi-function food processor that steams, blends, reheats, and defrosts along with sterilizing and it is self-cleaning!

The Evla’s baby food maker has 7 settings!

Steam
Auto blend
Manual blend
Auto clean
Sterilize
Reheat
Defrost

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

How does it work?

Using this device is so easy. Start with filling the water tank with approximately 7 ounces of water and secure the tank with the cover. Plug the machine in and press the power button for 3 seconds. You should hear a beep and the control panel will light up.

Remove the stirring cup from the unit by rotating it clockwise and lifting it out. Remove the lid by turning clockwise.

Cut up your vegetables and place them into the steaming basket. The steaming basket sits in the stirring cup. Replace the lid.

Note: Do not overfill the steaming basket.

Next, place the stirring cup in the unit, twist it to lock in place, and turn it on. Make sure the lid remains in the closed position.

Press the steam button and the steam cycle will start. The default steam time is 15 minutes. This can be adjusted up or down by using the time increase or time decrease buttons.

Once the steaming process is complete, you will hear 5 beeps.

Next, you will want to blend the food you have just steamed. Remove the stirring cup from the unit and remove the lid.

Remove the steaming basket and empty the contents back into the stirring cup. You may want to add or remove a little water to match the food consistency for the texture you want.

Reattach the stirring cup lid and return the stirring cup to the device securing it with a turn. Double-check that the lid remains in the closed position.

Press the auto blend button and when the auto blend cycle is complete, you will hear a beep, Or, if you prefer to manually blend, press the manual blend button on and off (pulsating blend) until you have reached the consistency you prefer.

Cleaning and maintenance

Evla’s baby food maker is designed to self-clean! Yes, you saw that right!! Cleaning up is always the absolute worst part of any cooking duties. I know I sure do hate that part.

So, how does this wonderful little machine self-clean? I will tell you.

First, take the stirring up and rinse it out at the sink. Fill the stirring cup with clean water up to the max cleaning line. Attach the spill-proof cover and re-attach the stirring cup to the device as you did before, making sure it is secure by turning it to lock in place.

Press the “clean” button and you will hear a beep when the cleaning cycle is finished. This takes around 45 seconds.

Remove any excess water and leave the unit to air dry.

Also, after every use empty the water tank, clean, and dry it out.

Sterilize

Before its first use and at regular intervals, it is recommended that you fully sterilize this device.

Fill the water tank up to the max line. You can place other items such as pacifiers, in the steaming basket for sterilizing too.

Place the stirring cup into the unit and secure it. Press the sterilize button. The sterilizing process lasts around 10 minutes and will beep 5 times when finished.

Why I think this food processor is the best

I think this little appliance is the best because it has 7 different functions, cleans itself, is super easy to use, and does not take much space on the kitchen counter. It is reasonably priced for all that it delivers.

This is the only baby food maker that I know of that comes with 6 reusable food pouches.

The Big Book of Organic Baby Food is included free! This book gives you recipes for making organic baby food.

Baby food processor — As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

Organic baby food is the best for baby

In a prior post, I wrote about organic foods and baby foods in detail. Please feel free to check it out and click on the title, “What is Organic Baby Food?” to learn more. Also in that post, there is a link for a cookbook for making baby food, however, that same cookbook is included with Evla’s baby food maker when purchased here from Amazon.

Using organic vegetables and fruit in this food processor is one way to guarantee that your baby is getting the best possible purest food there is. I really cannot say enough good things about it. You really can’t be too careful when it comes to what you are feeding your little one!

The ratings are 4.8/5 stars!

According to Amazon, their customer reviews globally are an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars!

Wrapping it all up

My final thoughts on this neat little appliance is that it is the very best buy for your baby food-making needs. It has the most capabilities/features and you get an organic baby food cookbook as well! I don’t think it gets any better than this!

Please click on the link below to check the price and to purchase!

Evla’s Baby Food Maker

Questions or comments?

Please leave your questions or comments in the comment section below and I will respond to you as soon as I can!

Happy baby food making,

Evelyn

January 28, 2021March 16, 2021

Graco DuoGlider: Why It is The Best!

As the owner of this website I have searched out some special deals for some of the products and services mentioned herein. When you use the links on this page to make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own. Full disclosure.

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There is nothing like holding your baby in your arms to swing and cradle him. However, even though we would love to be able to do this all day long, life simply will not allow us to do that all the time. Sooner or later we have to put the baby down and get on with our day in one way or the other. So I have the answer to keeping your baby soothed as if you are cradling him in your arms. And, I am going to give you 5 reasons for the Graco DuoGlider: why it is the best!

The Graco DuoGlider

Pictured above is the Graco DuoGlider and I cannot say enough about this cradle/swing. Oh and where do I start?

I will start with telling you that whether you are a caregiver or a parent, you will find this to be the perfect solution for your baby. It does not take up much room so if you are limited in space, you will love this.

You will find that not only does this cradle glide, but it swings as well. You can put this just about anywhere in your house. Take a look at the size of this and you will see.

The dimensions of this cradle/swing/glider are: 28 x 25 x 26.5 inches.

The age range is from newborn to 4 months of age with the weight capacity of 30 pounds.

Reason #1 : Comfort

This neat little glider has a very cozy seat with a thick, plush insert (removable) that just makes you want to crawl in there with your baby! It also has a 3-position recline.

If your baby falls asleep while in the elevated position, you don’t have to wake him up to lay him down. All you have to do is lower the seat to flat with the recline lever.

Reason #2 : It comes with a mobile

Attached is a moveable mobile for your baby to look at with cute little animals. I say moveable because when you need to pick the baby up, just swing the mobile out of the way. It’s as simple as that!

Reason #3 : Rocking your baby

When you rock your baby either in your arms or sitting in your nursery glider, you use a back and forth motion very gently until he falls asleep. Well, the DuoGlider uses the same motion as you would and adds a few little extras.

Reason #4 : Those “extras”

Those extras are 2-speed vibration and 6 swinging speeds. In addition, this glider plays 10 different soothing classical melodies and if you choose, you can switch to 1 of 5 different nature sounds.

Also, I want to mention that there is a timer on this swing. The reason behind this is to save battery life if you are using the battery option. Just set the timer and it will shut off at the designated time.

There is a 3-point harness which will secure your infant in this glider to keep him safe and give you peace of mind.

Reason #5 : Battery or plug-in

Here is an option that I really like and that is the option to plug it in! Even though battery run items may seem to be more convenient, it is not so convenient when the battery runs dead and your baby wakes up!

It is nice to have both options though just in case you take this to someone’s house and you are not near an electrical outlet.

Click on the link below to check the price. You can purchase yours here too!

Graco DuoGlider (Rascal)

My conclusion and recommendations

If you have a newborn baby or a baby younger than 4 months and are looking for that perfect cradle, I highly recommend the Graco DuoGlider for you. Not only will your baby absolutely love it, but you will too!

Graco is one of my favorite and most trusted brands for baby items and furniture. They have built a foundation of trust all across the United States and they are one of the world’s most recognized and trusted baby gear companies.

Graco has been creating baby essentials for over 65 years! You always want to go with a company who has been around a while and who has an awesome reputation – Graco has just that!

Questions or comments?

Please leave me your questions or comments in the comment section below and I will get back to you as soon as I can!

Always yours in searching for the best for our babes!

Evelyn

January 27, 2021March 16, 2021

Boost A Child’s Learning with Puzzles

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There is nothing like a good puzzle to pass the time. For me, it is one of my favorite things to do on a rainy day. But did you know that building a puzzle is not only just a fun thing to do, it develops many skills? Puzzles are a great toy to get for your children as they provide a stimulating, educational experience. In this article, I will tell you about 5 different skills your child will gain simply by putting together a puzzle and how you can boost a child’s learning with puzzles.

1. Fine motor skills

When your child is working a puzzle, he has to grasp the pieces in order to place one in the space. This involves the small muscles in the fingers, hands, and wrists and so it is developing those “fine motor skills.” Early development of these smaller muscles in this area will help your child hold a pencil much easier and improve his writing skill. Not only writing skill is being developed, but fine motor skills are used in dressing yourself, feeding yourself, and being able to use a zipper.

2. Hand-eye coordination

Putting a puzzle together involves a lot of hand-eye coordination. The pieces are scattered around the table and you have to look at them all noticing the different shapes. Then, you have to look at the partially completed puzzle on the table and see what puzzle piece will fit into what area that is open. By doing this, the brain is being trained to coordinate what the eyes are seeing to the movement of the hands. Thus, hand-eye coordination is being developed.

3. Visual perception

Visual perception is not what the eyes see, but how the brain reads what your eyes are seeing.

Building a puzzle helps to develop this as you have to look at the different colors, shapes, and sizes and try to fit them in the puzzle. Visual perception is a skill needed for learning to read and this is a way to develop that skill.

Don’t confuse visual perception with visual acuity. Visual perception is how your brain understands what you see while visual acuity is how well your eyes see.

4. Memory

Memory is being developed as your child is working on the puzzle. It is being used to remember shapes, sizes, colors, and visualizing where the pieces fit in. When we use our memory, we are using both sides of the brain.

5. Problem-solving skills

Yes, you read that right! Toddlers can learn early on how to problem-solve. This is done when looking at the pieces and trying to fit them in by trial and error.

What are the best first puzzles?

For your toddler who is 2 years old, wooden large puzzles are best. They usually will have simple designs and have either ABCs, animals, or 123s. They are simple to put together for you and I, but provide an adequate challenge for your toddler.

This is a great time to start working with your child with this type of puzzle and before long, he will be putting them together himself and developing the skills listed above.

Here is an example of a great puzzle pack:

You can check the price here and purchase too!

7 Pack Wooden Puzzles for Toddlers 1 2 3 4 Years Old – 7 Colorful Chunky Wood Peg Puzzles for Kids ages 1-4, Alphabet Shape Numbers Fruits Sea Animals Dinosaur Zoo – Educational Toddler Learning Toys

This puzzle pack has 7 very colorful and educational puzzles. Your little guy or gal can learn the alphabet, learn numbers & geometrical shapes, explore animals in the jungle and a sea world. Dinosaurs are also a part of this learning experience.

The puzzles in this pack are made out of wood and are 6 mm thick. The puzzle is painted with non-toxic paint.

These puzzles will stimulate creativity, develop problem-solving skills, hand-eye coordination, concentration and improve visual perception.

Another great set for 1 to 3 year-olds:

Click here to check price and/or you can purchase here too!

Springflower Wooden Toddler Jigsaw Puzzle Gift Toy for 1 2 3 Years Old Boys and Girls,6 Pack Animal Shape Montessori Toy for Infant,Toddler Sensory Toy,Fine Motor Skill Early Learning Educational Gift

Each puzzle is 5.8 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches.

Your toddler can learn shapes, colors, and math symbols at the same time.

These puzzles are 6 flashcards that will help toddlers learn where objects belong and how they go together. The flashcards are a bear, butterfly, ladybug, owl, snail, and bee.

This puzzle set will encourage the development of your toddler’s hand-eye coordination and attention span. And it is also great for toddlers to work on both fine motor skills and problem-solving skills.

Kids 2 – 5 years of age

Wooden Puzzles for Kids Ages 2-5 – 24 Piece Puzzle for Toddlers Preschool Kids Jigsaw Puzzles – 4 Pack Vibrant Children Theme Learning Educational Puzzle Set for Kids 2 3 4 5 Year Old

This 4 pack wooden puzzle is for the next age group and will be slightly more challenging. The themes are under the sea, farm, safari, and insect.

For ages 4 and up

Check the price here and purchase the Rainforest Search and Find Puzzle!

Rainforest Search & Find Puzzle

This puzzle is for slightly older kids starting at age 4 and up. It measures 23” x 15.5” so it doesn’t require much space to put together. The really neat thing about this puzzle is that after it is put together, your child can look for more than 40 animals, insects, and plants native to the rainforest hidden in the puzzle image.

Other options

In a prior post, I wrote about toys to help stimulate development for autistic children. The toys in that article can also be used by other children as well and include the ever-famous “LEGO” building sets. Please see and click here for “Toys for Autistic Kids.”

See here for some special discounts from PuzzleMaster!

Final thoughts

There is so much more to a puzzle than meets the eye. With this fun activity, your child is learning and achieving so many skills and abilities that will not only prepare him for school but will last him a lifetime. In addition, the time you are spending with your child will make for long-lasting precious memories!

Questions or comments?

Please leave your questions or comments in the comment section below and I will respond to you as soon as I can.

Always yours in searching the best for our babes,

Evelyn

January 26, 2021March 16, 2021

Best Playpens for Babies

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Are you the parent of a baby who is approaching 4 months of age? Are you thinking about what safety measures you should be taking when putting your baby down? Well, I have a couple of ideas for you to consider. They have been tried and true and as a mother/grandmother and nurse, I highly recommend you take a look at these best playpens for babies! You will never regret it!

Baby’s safety is always first

When our babies are newly born to about 3 months of age, they do not move around much. Before you know it, your little guy or gal slowly but surely begins to move around more and more. By about 4 months, you move him to the crib from the bassinet.

Ok, but what about the rest of the day? How in the world can you get anything done while the baby is awake? How do you keep him safe and out of trouble? A playpen is the answer!

The number one thing that is most important is that your baby is safe! Little ones are quick and accidents happen even faster!

Obviously, life doesn’t stop after having a baby and household chores still need to be done. Using a playpen is not a cruel thing to do, it is the safe thing to do. Place the baby in the playpen with a few favorite and safe toys and you know he is safe and sound. It just makes life so much easier for you and safest for baby. We cannot always sit and watch the baby all the time every day.

Joovy Room² Playard

The Joovy2 Playard is the playpen of my first choice. I personally purchased this about a year and a half ago as I watch my grandson on a regular basis. I love this playpen!

So, here are some details about this Joovy 2 (the 2 means squared) playard. First of all I want to say that it is very roomy. It is about 50% larger than other playpens and has over 10 square feet of play space! If you have twins or another little one, there will be more than enough room for both of them.

This playpen has mesh on all 4 sides so you can see your baby from any angle and your baby can see you.

It is 35 inches tall, so this will accommodate your little one for a long time.

The pad for the bottom comes with a nice fitted sheet. It is 100% cotton so it will feel nice for your baby.

There are 2 wheels on this playpen. You can lift one side and wheel it around to where you want it.

There is a travel bag that comes with it so you can fold it up and take it wherever you go.

The Joovy 2 Playard has a 2-year warranty which is more than most other brands offer!

I highly recommend this playpen for you and your baby and invite you to check it out here and get one for yourself!

Get yours here!

Baby Playpen,Playpens for Babies, Extra Large Playpen for Toddlers,Kids Safety Play Center Yard with gate, Sturdy Safety Baby Fence Play Area for Babies, Toddler, Infants

The Extra Large Playpen for Toddlers is my second choice for one of the best playpens available. This one is very roomy too!

The size of this playard is 59″x71″x27″ so you can see just how much room there is for your baby to safely play.

This also is made of mesh sides and has a waterproof bottom made of fabric so you can wash it. Take this playpen anywhere – grandma’s house, parks, outside on the patio or deck or just use it at home.

This playpen does not fold up, you have to assemble it. You need to make sure you follow directions carefully so it is put together correctly for sturdiness.

Two drawbacks

There is no padding for the bottom of this playpen so if you want it to be cushioned, you have to buy a pad for the bottom. This makes the playpen set a little more pricey than the rest.

The other drawback is that it is not a fold-up and carry. You have to assemble and disassemble each time you want to use it, unless you are setting it up for use at home.

Playmat for the extra-large playpen

I recommend the Baby Care Play Mat to go with the extra-large playpen. If you have hardwood floors, you are going to want to have some cushion for your baby in case she stumbles while trying to stand up. I have pictured it below.

The size of the mat is 72.8 x 0.4 x 49.2 inches and will fit in this playpen.

It is important to say that this mat is hygienic and hypoallergenic and is non-toxic. This mat can be used not only for baby but for you or anyone else in the family for let’s say, floor exercising, stretching, etc.

Also, be sure to check my home page on the right sidebar for an Amazon Baby Registry. The Extra-Large Playpen and the Baby Care Play Mat would be a great gift idea for someone to get you and your baby.

Other ideas for play yard

In my other post titled “Baby Play Yard (Should You Use One)?”, I have another option, a gated area for baby to play. Click here to read about it and check this play yard out!

Final thoughts

There is no better way to keep your little one safe than the use of a playpen. It has been a great asset for me at my house and I know it will be for you too! Getting one of these playpens is an investment you will never regret. It will allow you to have some of your own time to get things done without having to worry about what your baby is getting into!

Questions or comments?

Please feel free to leave me your questions or comments in the comment section below. I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Always yours in searching for the best for our babes!

Evelyn

January 25, 2021March 16, 2021

Best Toddler Table and Chair Set

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If you are reading this and you have a toddler who is too big for a high chair and too small to sit at the grown-up’s table, then this is the article you need to see. Here, I have an excellent option for you for your little tot. It is the best toddler table and chair set yet! The Humble Crew White/Primary Kids Wood Table & 4 Chair Set is an attractive table and chairs and is very sturdy too. Take a look at some of the reasons why it is important for your child to have his or her own table set and the benefits to you as well.

Independence

As your child grows, he is becoming more and more independent and wants to feel like a big boy or a big girl . Starting around the age of 2.5 to 3 years, your child can put toys away, put shoes by the door and help put laundry away.

So it is an ideal time to encourage this independence and allow your child to have his own table and chair to eat and play. Other ways you can encourage independence is to let your child “help” you in cooking dinner, give control of the toy box to your child and have your child pick up the toys after playing to put them away.

At this age, potty training may be starting and your child is starting to feel self-sufficient.

If your child has not started toilet training yet and you would like some advice on how to go about it, read my article “Toilet Training Advice That Will Work” for tips and techniques to accomplish this.

A place for creativity

Having the right sized table and chairs for your toddler is important for encouraging creativity. Give your child a coloring book and crayons, some playdoh, or some building blocks and let him use his imagination and be creative. This enhances growth and development in his learning abilities.

For instance, playing with blocks helps children develop their vocabularies, improves math skills and teaches them about gravity, balance and geometry! Even though a toddler is not in math class, playing with blocks certainly increases their ability to think creatively.

They learn how to describe shapes, colors, sizes and positions. As they build various structures, imagination is developed.

A place to eat

I remember when I purchased this toddler table and chairs for my grandson, his eyes lit up when he walked into the dining area and saw this table! He was so excited that he had his very own place to sit and eat or play.

I was so excited to see him so happy with this and I think I love it as much as he does! He sits there to eat and he loves to watch his movies while he eats. It is so cute to see him at his own little table and loving it as much as he does.

I feel confident with him sitting there as this table and chair set is made of wood and is very sturdy. I can sit in the chair and my son also sits there with his son.

The coffee table is saved

LOL, yes you read that right! Your coffee table is saved from crayon marks, playdoh stains, etc.

Kids typically will go to the coffee table when it’s time to play if they do not have a place of their own. So, yes, this table set is sure to spare your furniture of any mishaps, and we all know they do occur. It is so much easier to wipe clean this little table than it is to try to clean an expensive piece of furniture that can be destroyed if wet.

I have attached the links below for 3 different color sets of this table and chairs. It does come in grey and white colors, but does not appear to be available at the time of this review.

Please click on each link below to learn more about these table sets and purchase if this is right for you! Please note that there are no additional charges to you because of an affiliate link.

The Humble Crew White/Primary Kids Wood Table & 4 Chair Set

So let me tell you about this table and chairs. First I want to tell you that the table is 26 x 22 inches and is 19 inches high. The chairs are 10 x 10 x 22 inches and 10 inches high.

As you can see in the picture above, the table is white and the chairs are in the primary colors – red, blue, green and yellow.

If the primary colors do not interest you, this set comes in white/purple/pink (white table and dark pink, light pink, white, and light purple chairs) and grey/blue/light blue/green/yellow (grey table and a light blue, blue, green and yellow chairs).

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases)

Humble Crew Kids Wood Table & 4 Chair Set Primary, White/Purple/Pink

Humble Crew, Grey/Blue/Green/Yellow Kids Wood Table and 4 Chairs Set

Final thoughts

As you can see from the pictures above, this is a really attractive, practical and sturdy table and chairs set for your toddler. I am sure that your toddler will love this table just as my grandson loves his!

This table is the perfect spot for a little one to feel “like a big kid” and it provides a place for not only eating but creative playing too!

I know you will love it!

Questions or comments?

Please leave your questions or comments in the comment section below and I will get back to you as soon as I can!

Always searching the best for our babes,

Evelyn

January 22, 2021March 16, 2021

Teens and Braces (What To Know)

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Do you have a teenager at home who has braces? Are you finding that your teen is having difficulty caring for her teeth with those braces? Well, I can tell you that I was in your shoes not all that long ago and I want to share with you what I have found to be true and of great help. The Waterpik Complete Care Toothbrush and Water Flosser works the best for teens and braces. I will tell you about it here and encourage you to get this for your teen….and yourself.

Importance of good dental care

The importance of good dental care every day cannot be stressed enough. Our teeth should not only make for a great smile, but there are many more health reasons why we should keep our teeth clean and free from debris.

Keeping your teeth clean and free of food particles is extremely important in preventing tooth decay and periodontal disease (disease of your gums). There are many types of bacteria in the mouth and when the food particles stay too long, the bacteria “eats” the food particles and begin to start the tooth decaying process. This causes “bad breath” and is an obvious clue as to what is happening.

If you do not brush your teeth, this process of tooth decaying goes to the gums and starts the gum disease process. This not only causes a severe gum problem, but results in loss of bone, teeth and leads to other diseases.

This is even more crucial if you have braces on your teeth. The braces make it very difficult to clean the teeth properly. So, how do you do it? How can you brush your teeth effectively and get in between the teeth to remove the rest of the food particles that the brush cannot reach?

I have a solution and I can tell you that I was faced with the same questions when my son had braces. He would get so frustrated when trying to brush his teeth and then flossing was even worse!

Brushing and flossing

Brushing and flossing your teeth should be an absolute routine for everyone. This should occur in the morning and before bedtime – at the very least! It is recommended to brush and floss after each meal especially if you have braces on your teeth.

Food particles can not only get stuck in between the teeth, but also in the braces. This is where the challenge really is!

So, what did I do to help my son with his oral care while having braces on his teeth?

I bought a Waterpik for him to use with the oscillating toothbrush and it worked like a charm! All I can say is WOW, I couldn’t believe it.

When he used that, all kinds of stuff came out and I was so glad to see him using it and his frustration was gone. I am going to tell you a little more about this great tool for brushing and how it really cleans your teeth.

Using the Waterpik

This Waterpik system, the toothbrush, and the “water flosser”, is by far the easiest and most effective way to clean your teeth. Also, I want to mention that it is the #1 brand that dental professionals recommend for brushing and flossing your teeth – especially when you have braces.

The Waterpik flosser gets to places that string floss could never reach. It also is the best for treating periodontal pockets and cleaning implants and dental work such as crowns, bridges, and veneers.

When you are ready for flossing, fill the reservoir with warm water and set it on the base. Select the tip and click it onto the handle of the flosser. Start with the lowest pressure setting and you will want to lean over the sink. Place the tip in your mouth and turn it on.

Close your lips enough to keep the water from splashing and aim the tip at the gumline. I recommend you start at the back of your mouth, top teeth and aim at each tooth base/gum line all the way around to the other side. Then, do the same for the lower teeth.

When you are finished, remove the tip using the eject button and place the unit back onto the base.

You will not believe how much stuff you will see falling to the sink! String floss just cannot do the same job and it cannot reach where it needs to go because of the braces.

Waterpik CC-02 Complete Care 9.5 Oscillating Electric Toothbrush + Water Flosser

The Waterpik Complete Care 9.5 water flosser and an oscillating toothbrush is your best buy for a tooth brushing and water flossing system. The toothbrush is small and round and it rotates around for brushing the teeth.

This toothbrush design is also recommended by dentists for people who have braces. You can use this effectively for brushing because of its size and you can reach the areas of each tooth better.

Then, of course, there is the water flosser which you use after brushing.

Some people prefer to floss first and then brush and some prefer to floss after. Either way works, as long as you do it. That’s the important part.

The water flosser

The water flosser has 10 settings ranging from 10 to 100 PSI for a custom clean and delivers 1400 water pulses per minute. That’s impressive.

The toothbrush

The toothbrush has 3 different cleaning modes: high, low, and massage with a round brush head that uses a rotating, oscillating action.

The reservoir

The water reservoir holds 22 ounces of water and has a flow control feature that provides 90 seconds of water capacity.

The reservoir is top-rack dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.

What’s included?

There are 5 water flosser tips, 2 brush heads, a toothbrush travel case, tip storage case, and a 2-year warranty!

Here is the link for you to purchase yours now and make your teen’s day!

My final thoughts

I highly recommend this Waterpik for you and your family as it has been a great asset for my family as well as for myself. You will be very pleased also when seeing the dentist as you will be commended on an awesome job of keeping your teeth clean, and this goes for your teen as well!

Questions or comments?

Please leave your questions or comments in the comment section below and I will reply as soon as possible.

Thoughtfully yours,

Evelyn

January 21, 2021March 16, 2021

Power Wheels Jeep Wrangler Fun!

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There is nothing more fun than to cruise around the neighborhood in a brand new shiny Jeep!!! That goes for kids too! When the weather is nice and the kids need to be outside and not indoors with constant video gaming or TV watching, the Power Wheels Jeep Wrangler is the way to go!! It will keep them entertained for hours and get them out of the house to play.

Why children need outdoor play

There are many benefits to being outdoors for all of us and children are no exception. Our bodies require the sun light in order to make vitamin D. Vitamin D plays a huge role from bone development to the immune system. Children especially need this as they are in the process of growing.

Exercise is another reason our kids should go outdoors. When your child goes outdoors, it is more likely that he will run and play. It is good for him or her to get at least an hour of outdoor activity. Nothing beats being outside with the sunshine and fresh air along with running, playing and seeing friends.

Being outdoors and seeing friends encourages socialization skills that we all need as adults. When children play outside and meet with friends, it allows them to be a part of a group and teaches them to share and how to cooperate with others.

Outdoor play toys

Getting your kids to play outside can sometimes be a challenge. But if you keep encouraging them, it will be a lot easier. I know that now-a-days, most kids have electronic games and prefer to stay indoors to play them. There is nothing wrong with them playing those types of games, but they need to have a time limit on them.

One of the ways you can get your child’s interest up in going outside is to have a toy that is just calling his or her name…..the Power Wheels Jeep Wrangler!

What’s so great about the Power Wheels Jeep Wrangler?

Well, first of all I want to say that this is a perfect little “ride on” toy for your 3 to 7-year-old child. Let me explain.

First of all, it is a 2 seater so your child can ride with a friend. Second, it has forward up to 5 mph (8 km/h) and reverse up to 2.5 mph (4 km/h), and drives like a “real” Jeep.

This Jeep has doors that open and close.

The Jeep is easy to operate and kids learn very quickly how to drive it!

The dashboard has a horn and a radio.

Oh my goodness, I could go on and on! I have to tell you that when my two oldest boys were little, they had one of these. It was the best couple hundred dollars I ever spent!! They rode together on this for hours and had so much fun!

I am just so happy to see that these little Jeeps are still being made!!

So, more about the Jeep. It has wheels that can go either on pavement or the grass. This little Jeep will hold 130 pounds, so if you weigh that or under, you can take this little gem out for a spin when your little guy or gal is sleeping!! HaHa. I used to do it all the time. I am not sure who had more fun with this, me or them!!!

Assembly

This little Jeep will have to be assembled when it arrives, but putting this together is not difficult. Definitely pay attention to the instructions and you should not have any problems.

Word of caution: If this is being purchased as a gift, do not assemble it before giving it unless you have a truck and a way to transport it. It is good size. The dimensions are: 47 x 30.5 x 33 inches.

The Jeep comes with a 12V battery and needs to be charged for 18 hours right out of the box. If you do that, this battery will work very well and can last for around 4 hours at a time. Make sure, however, that you do not “overcharge” it or you could ruin the battery.

Lockout option

When your child is first learning how to drive this little jeep, there is a lock-out option feature that allows you to “cap” what speed your child can go. As he or she gets better at driving this, you can re-adjust to let your child go faster. It will go up to 5 miles per hour in forward and 2.5 miles per hour in reverse.

A style for everyone

I am so pleased to say that this little Jeep comes in Disney Princess, Hot Wheels Blue, Toy Story 4, Barbie, and Red. I will show them below and I have attached the link for you to purchase.

Disney Princess

Ooops, I almost forgot. There is one for Frozen fans too!

Disney’s Frozen

Summing it up

All in all, this Power Wheels Jeep Wrangler is one of the best gifts you can get your child for outdoor play and you can let them drive ahead of you on long walks in the neighborhood. You and your child are sure to get compliments on this and you will all enjoy being outside!!!

Questions or comments?

Please leave your questions or comments in the comment section below and I will answer you in no time at all!

Yours in searching the best for our babes,

Evelyn

January 20, 2021March 16, 2021

What’s Sophie La Girafe?

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Every baby is born a unique individual and with that uniqueness includes all stages of development. Teething is one of those stages. Along with teething comes an easily irritable baby. Babies often cry and fuss and are sometimes inconsolable. So what do we do about this and how do we soothe a baby’s teething pain? Along with other remedies for soothing sore gums, I will answer the question “what’s Sophie La Girafe?”

Signs of teething

The age at which our baby will start to teethe can range anywhere from 3 months to about 6 months of age. I say this because there are some babies who actually start this process as early as age 3 months! However, generally speaking most babies will start to teethe by around 6 months of age.

When you see these signs, you will want to be prepared with different measures to soothe your baby. These signs are:

Excessive amount of drooling
Chewing on fists or any other objects
Irritability and crankiness
Slight increase in temperature

Call your doctor if your baby has swollen, puffy, bleeding gums and/or if his face is swollen or swelling up. Never make any assumptions about anything, call your baby’s doctor right away.

Soothing your baby

There are a few things you can do to soothe your baby from the effects of teething. If your baby has a slight temperature, call your baby’s doctor to ask about giving infant Tylenol drops to reduce the pain and discomfort. Your doctor will tell you the correct dose, do not try to figure out the dose yourself.

I have reviewed a great digital thermometer and you can click here if you would like to check it out.

You can use your finger or a clean, cold washcloth to gently rub your baby’s gums. Please make sure you wash your hands well before placing your finger in her mouth. You do not want to introduce germs into your baby’s mouth.

A toy for teething

Meet Sophie La Girafe! Sophie is hand-made in France of 100% natural rubber and hand-painted with food-grade dye.

The rubber used comes from the Hevea trees growing in Malaysia. The trees produce a liquid known as “latex.” It is natural, soft, elastic, waterproof, insulating, and pleasant to the smell and touch.

Sophie is the first teething ring made from 100% natural rubber.

You can purchase yours here!

Sophie has 2 different rings each with a different texture to soothe your baby’s gums. It is designed so that your baby can hold it himself.

Some drawbacks

It has been noted that Sophie’s paint has come off while the baby chews or bites on the head. However, the manufacturer of Sophie has indicated that the paint is food-grade and so is non-toxic.

What “not” to give your baby for teething

I think it is important to note that there are certain items you would not want to give your baby for teething relief. One of those items are over-the-counter teething gels and/or tablets. Some of those “home remedies” have been found to have dangerous levels of an ingredient called “belladonna” which can cause seizures and difficulty breathing.

Another type of medication you should never give your child are teething medications that contain benzocaine or lidocaine. These pain relievers can be both harmful and even “fatal” to your baby.

Word of caution – never give your baby anything until you consult your baby’s doctor!

Teething necklaces, bracelets, or anklets are also on the list of what you should never give your baby while teething. Many of these contain “beads” and can come off and be a choking hazard to your baby. They also pose a threat for strangulation, mouth injury, and infection.

The original teether gift set

Purchase this for your baby or give it as a gift!

Sophie La Girafe and teether

Here is a neat little gift set for any baby who is actively teething. He will love this classic little Sophie who’s been around for 55 years!

The Sophie the Giraffe toy (the original teether) and teething ring is made just like the Sophie above and also note that it is BPA-free.

My final thoughts

It is never easy taking care of your baby when he is obviously having discomfort and pain. As a parent, you feel your little one’s pain and you want to do whatever you can to make them feel better.

I recommend that you follow the guidelines above to make your baby as comfortable as possible. Always remember, when in doubt about something regarding your baby and how to treat her, call your baby’s doctor for advice!

Having a Sophie La Girafe original teether is a great teething toy to have for your little one and it is safe for her to use.

Questions or comments?

Please leave your questions or comments in the comment section below and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Always the best for our babes,

Evelyn

January 19, 2021March 16, 2021

What is a Toddler Bed?

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Sometime around 1 1/2 to 2 years of age, your toddler will be trying to climb out of his crib. This is the time you are going to have to make a decision to transition him from a crib to a bed. What you don’t want to do is to put him in a regular full size bed. He definitely will not be ready for that just yet. The best way to transition him to a bed is to use a toddler bed. You might ask, “what is a toddler bed?” and that is what I will explain to you here and I will give you some ideas to meet that need. So, here goes!

The signs of readiness for a bed

The signs that your little guy or gal is ready for the transition to a “big boy or big girl bed” are as follows:

Attempting to climb out of the crib (the biggest sign)
Your little one is potty training
The crib is too small (your toddler has outgrown it)

Making the move to a toddler bed

Before starting the transition you want to consider the bed. A toddler bed should be low to the ground and have a bedside rail. When you set it up, make a big deal out of it to your little one. Get him or her excited about this new “big girl/big boy” bed.

For the bedding, it’s a great idea to pick their favorite cartoon characters or movie characters for the sheets, pillow cases and comforter. They will love it!

Keep your bed times consistent as well as all other routines like bath time or story time. The only change should be their new bed.

Also, make sure your little one has his favorite teddy bear or other favorite stuffed animal with him at bed time.

The floor around the bed

If the floor is a wood floor, put something down to provide cushion in case your toddler falls out of bed. You can use something like a comforter or a couple of blankets folded up and placed beside the bed.

Guard rails

Guard rails are a very good idea even if you have carpeting or padded the floor. Children of this age can be very restless sleepers and so it is a good idea to have these guard rails. If your bed does not have them, you can purchase them and install yourself.

Safety during the night

Before you start using the toddler bed, go around your house as you did when your little first began to be mobile. Look at everything to see if it is “toddler proof.”

Are there any book shelves that can be tipped over? What about the dressers, are they secured against the wall? Bathrooms pose a safety hazard because of all the obvious – shaving razors, shampoo, soap, mouth wash etc. Put all these items out of reach or secure with a cabinet lock. I have an article I posted called “A Baby Gate and Babyproofing Your Home” and I have some recommendations on what to buy to babyproof your house.

Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008

When you purchase a toddler bed you want to make sure it meets all of the safety standards set forth by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA). These standards are as follows:

The surface coat of paint on the bed must not contain more than 90 ppm (0.009 percent) lead.
The lead content limit must not contain greater than 100 ppm (0.01 percent) of total lead content in any accessible part of the bed.
There are 8 phthalates (substances added to plastics to increase their flexibility, transparency, durability, and longevity) that the CPSIA has set limits to not contain more than 0.1 percent .
Testing and certification – toddler beds must be tested by an accredited third party laboratory accepted by the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) for compliance with the toddler beds standard and all other applicable children’s product safety rules, including the lead paint, lead content, and phthalate content limits.
Product and outer package labeling requirements – toddler beds must be marked with specific labeling information. This includes a tracking label, product registration card.

Dream On Me Austin Toddler Day Bed

The Dream On Me Austin Toddler Day Bed is a toddler bed that meets all of the safety standards as mentioned above and is a perfect choice for that transition bed.

It is made of pinewood and the paint used meets and exceeds the CPSC standards. Only eco-friendly, child-safe water-based paints are used on this bed.

The Austin is low to the floor and comes with a guard rail so you won’t have to purchase it separately.

This bed has a wooden support mattress rail so you will not need a box spring mattress.

The toddler bed uses a crib-sized mattress and I recommend the Dream On Me non-toxic, Greenguard certified standard crib mattress.

Five different colors to choose from

The Austin comes in 5 different colors/finishes and they are:

Pebble grey (pictured above)
Blush pink
Espresso
Black
White

The Austin specifications

54 L x 30 W x 29 H inches.

The dimensions of the safety rail are 22 1/4 x 8 3/4 inches.

Purchase your Dream On Me Austin Toddler Day Bed here!

Dream On Me Austin Toddler Day Bed

Purchase your mattress here!!

Additional note for the mattress above. This mattress comes with a mattress cover so there is no need to purchase a cover separately.

Additional information

If your child is not quite ready for a toddler bed, I have written about a 3-in-1 convertible crib in a prior post. This convertible crib can be used as a crib, then to a toddler bed and then to a day bed. If you would like to read more about it and take a look at it, click here and you can check it out.

My final thoughts

I hope you found this article to be of good help to you in making your decision to transfer your toddler to a bed. It can be a very exciting time for your little one and yet a bittersweet experience for you as the parent. Your little guy or gal is growing up! It is hard to let go of each stage and I totally get it! We all want to keep our babies little, but yet we are proud of each step/milestone they make in their lives.

Questions or comments?

If you have any questions or comments, please leave them for me in the comment section below. I would love to hear from you!

Yours in searching the best for our babes,

Evelyn

January 17, 2021March 16, 2021

Toys for Autistic Kids

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Play is an important part in the care of a special needs child. When a child plays, it helps her to understand the world around her, it helps her to learn how to interact with others and it promotes growth and development. Toys play a huge role in this realm of play and choosing the right toys will reinforce all that the child learns from caregivers and health providers. For this blog I will focus on toys for autistic kids and why it is vital to their health and development.

The 5 senses and the autistic child

Children with autism have difficulties with both verbal and non-verbal communication, social interaction and play activities. This is because the part of their brain that processes sight, hearing, tasting, smelling and touch (the 5 senses) has been affected and has caused “a neurological disorder.”

These 5 senses that we all have, are necessary in helping us to understand, explore and experience things in our world. Children who are autistic cannot use these senses the same way and so it changes their way of reaction, communication and assessment of the world around and how they interact with everything.

Therapy includes sensory toys

An important part of therapy for the child with autism is speech-language therapy. There are devices that therapists use to help with communication and socialization skills and those devices are usually called “communication boards or speech-generator devices.” You can find out more about these communication devices in my article titled Children and Asperger’s Syndrome. It is so important to help the child with autism communicate because they, like everyone else, need to be able to express their emotions, needs and wants. It is when they are unable to do this, they will end up having a meltdown.

Therapists will work with you to show you how to help your child with the communication device so that you can continue working with your child at home. Repetition is the key to learning and that goes for everyone.

Another very important part of therapy is play! Sensory toys are one of the best ways to help your child calm down and focus on one particular thing and it helps to build nerve connections in the brain.

Sensory toys

So what are sensory toys? Sensory toys are designed to target stimulation of the 5 senses: taste, touch, sight, hearing, and smell. These toys are usually made with bright colors and have different sounds and textures.

You know your child best, so choose toys that you know he or she will be interested in and what will hold his or her attention. Sensory toys not only calm your child but with them, your child is learning how to think, how to problem solve, how to share, how to get along and interact with others.

Kids 6 years old and up

For children 6 years and up, there is a great game called Brain Games by Skillmatics (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases).

Brain Games consists of 12 highly engaging and repeatable activities which build core skills through learning. The set has 6 double-sided activity mats, an erase marker pen, duster cloth, and an achievement certificate. This game set teaches key skills of strategizing, problem-solving, social and communications skills, observation, and concentration. Your child with achieve through play, solving equations, decoding patterns, mental maths, trial and error.

For kids 3 to 6 years old

For children 3 to 6 years old, Skillmatics Boredom Buster (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases) consists of 6 double-sided activity mats, dry erase marker, duster cloth, achievement certificate and makes a great sensory toy for your young child.

This set also has 12 repeatable activities which teach logical reasoning, creative thinking, writing, focus and attention, and observation. Your child is going to have fun while learning key concepts. It is perfect for kids to bond with their friends and family.

For kids 3 years old and up

Fat Brain Toys Squigz Jumbo 75 Piece Set with Storage Bag – Exclusive Combo Suction Toy Building Set – BPA-Free

The Squigz toys are suction construction toys that stick to each other and nearly any flat surface. They pull apart with a pop.

There are a variety of shapes and colors, regular and mini-sized and there are 75 pieces in this set. This will stimulate your child’s imagination, interaction and aids in the development of motor skills, hand-eye coordination, visual thinking and concentration.

For kids 5 years old and up

Nothing beats a Classic set of LEGOs for stimulating creativity. (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases).

The classic 450 piece building kit includes a colorful selection of LEGO bricks and pieces including eyes, wheels, hinges and a wide assortment of LEGO windows and doors.

For toddlers 12 to 36 months

ANIMAL ISLAND AILA Sit & Play Plus Preschool Learning and Reading System is a high-quality educational sit and play virtual early preschool learning system. This looks like a miniature computer for toddlers. The educational content is developed by teachers and innovators that adapts to each child’s learning style.

ANIMAL ISLAND AILA Sit & Play Plus Preschool Learning and Reading System

This learning system teaches songs, stories, communications, collaboration, art, problem solving, literacy and numbers.

It uses animal friends to say hello, sing, read, dance, stop and talk and play games.

Animal Island Learning Adventure (AILA) has an “AILA Parent App” for you to adjust and monitor session time and device settings; rate your child’s session; parent dashboard; check in on your little one while AILA Sit & Play is in use; and here is a really cool feature – you can send pictures or videos from your smartphone directly to the AILA Sit & Play and Mister Goose delivers your pictures and videos as mail to your child. How cool is that?

Final thoughts

There are so many high quality and great sensory toys and games for every child. I have only listed a few above and in future articles, I will be recommending more for you to check out. Just click on the links above for each toy and you can find out more about them and go ahead and purchase them too.

Each of the toys listed above are considered sensory toys and will stimulate growth and development for your child as well as bring a sense of calm and contentment.

Questions or comments?

Please leave me your questions or comments in the comment section below and I will get back to you as soon as I can. Thanks!

Yours in searching the best for our babes,

Evelyn