New Infant Skin Care Line Targeted for Babies with Eczema

     It often appears in the form of reddish, crusty, almost rough blistery-resembling patches that show up on an infants skin, most often during their first few months of life.   This alarming skin condition is bound to scare any parent at first, whether you’re brand new at the game, or if you’re a seasoned pro.  Infant eczema (also called atopic dermatitis) appears in about 10% to 15% of infants. For an infant with eczema, their skin is almost always tender, itchy, dry and rough. As eczema may appear just about anywhere on baby's body, it most often tends to occur on baby's cheeks and at the joints of their arms and legs. Although the exact causes of eczema are not known, pediatricians and pediatric dermatologists agree that it is an immune system reaction that can be triggered by the ingredients in various soaps, creams, allergies, and detergents.

     Taking care of baby's delicate skin is the first step to take when managing infant eczema.  Keeping their skin hydrated is crucial, but this is never an easy task for infants with eczema and other sensitive skin conditions.  We recently received a sample kit of exederm®’s ultra sensitive skin care collection, which we promptly passed along to our friend Emma, the mother of a six month-old girl who was recently diagnosed with eczema, to try.  exederm®’s ultra sensitive skin care collection is designed to provide a targeted treatment for infants and children with sensitive skin and for those who are afflicted with eczema, dermatitis, and other allergic skin conditions by simply using only the mildest ingredients that contain:

No Fragrance

No Color or Dyes

No Parabens

No SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) and SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate)

No Phthlates

No Propylene Glycol

No Cocamidopropyl Betaine

     Emma used the exederm® Non-Irritating Baby Shampoo and exederm® Hydrating Baby Lotion on her daughter for two weeks, and she was relieved to see that Laura experienced no further outbreaks.  The exederm® Hydrating Baby Lotion, applying immediately after Laura came out of her bath, went on with a light touch but kept Laura’s skin smooth, especially during these cold winter months. 

     The National Eczema Association awarded exederm® with a “Seal of Acceptance” and their entire children’s line of skin care products has recently received the organization’s highest rating of 5/5.  The  exederm® Ultra Sensitive Skin Care Collection retails nationwide at Buy-Buy-Baby, Drugstore.com, Amazon.com, ShopRite, Duane Reade and Pathmark.  For further information, please visit their website at: http://www.exederm.com

Cute, Compact First Aid Kit Comforts Little Ones and Supports Wildlife

      As a parent, you probably already know that it seems like no matter what you do, your kids are always going to end up with scrapes, bumps and bruises.  There's no such thing as a vacation from minor injuries and ailments, so having a well-stocked first-aid kit is absolutely a must have, especially when you’re at home or on the go.  The adorable Endangered Species by Sud Smart™ Rescue Kit from Health Science Labs certainly fits the bill.  The adorable plush panda 73 piece first aid kit includes: 

(10) Antiseptic Towelettes
  (2)  Instant cold packs
  (7)  Spot Bandages
 (21)  3/4"x3" Adhesive Bandages
 (21)  1"x3" Adhesive Bandages
   (2)  Fingertip Bandages
    (7)  3/8"x1-1/2" Junior Adhesive Bandages
    (2)   Elbow & Knee Adhesive Bandages

      Packaged from 100 percent recycled materials, this comforting little panda with a resealable Velcro back that easily fits all the pieces of the kit.  This tiny little critter will help to soothe your child’s  pain and bring a smile back to their little face perhaps just a bit quicker than if you whipped out a standard, plain first aid kit.  Best of all, for this animal lover, a portion from the proceeds of this product go to the Defenders of Wildlife (http://www.defenders.org)

     Retailing for $17.99, the Endangered Species by Sud Smart™ Rescue Kit can be purchased on the Health Science Labs website at http://www.healthsciencelabs.com/home , as well as Abesmarket  http://www.abesmarket.com/, Amazon  http://www.amazon.com/ , specialty toy, gift and green stores.   For further information, please visit their website at: http://www.healthsciencelabs.com/home

My Cups Runneth Over

      Not only is your belly expanding; your breasts will change size and shape regularly throughout your next nine months.  Every mom-to-be’s body is different; however, most find that their pre-pregnancy bras become too tight and fail to provide enough support and coverage as their pregnancy progresses.  Arm yourself with your measurements before you look for that perfect maternity bra. A general rule of thumb to remember is that a maternity bra should fit on the tightest hook when you purchase it; that way you can loosen it to accommodate your growing breast size. 

     If you’re like me, however, and you find that your cup size has remained essentially the same, but your normal bra is fitting a bit snug around your chest as your belly starts to get wider, a bra back extender may become your new best friend. Bra back extenders, such as these from Motherhood Maternity,  http://www.motherhood.com/ can  help you to continue to comfortably wear your pre-pregnancy bra longer before you have to take the step of purchasing a maternity bra.  Working in tandem with a 2 or 3 hooked bra, an extender can allow you to increase your bra size between 1 1/4” to 3 ¼”. An added bonus is that it will help you transition back into your normal size once your little one arrives!

Zen Ties Review

     My family has always been drawn to timeless stories that provide us with the simple lessons reaffirming the importance of compassion, friendship and the ties that bind us to one another.  It was of no surprise to me that when we recently received  Zen Ties, the companion book to Caldicott Honor Book and New York Times Best Selling Author Jon J. Muth's  critically acclaimed 2005 release, Zen Shorts, we were quickly drawn into this beautifully illustrated book.


     As the story begins, the warm, lazy days of summer have arrived, heralding the visit of Stillwater the giant panda's Haiku-speaking young nephew Koo.  Imparting his gentle wisdom on his nephew, Stillwater encourages Koo and the neighborhood children, Addy, Michael and Karl to help Miss. Whitaker, an elderly, seemingly grouchy neighbor in need.  At first, with hesitation, the group prepares soup and cheerful drawings to lift Miss. Whitaker's spirits.  The children soon discover that their efforts are rewarded in unexpected ways.  Mr. Muth's beautifully compelling prose and illustrations reiterate to both his young and older reader the value of reaching out to others while finding the time to appreciate the moments, however big or small, in our lives.

     This gentle tale quietly reaffirms the importance of the unique ties that bind us to one another.  A definite must read!

Scholastic
Ages 5 to 7
$17.99 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 978-0439634
Accelerated Reader book level: 2.7

Simple Tips for Figuring Out Your Maternity Size

     Pregnancy can be one of the most exciting times of your life, but it can be filled with lots of obstacles when you first decide to purchase maternity clothes. The difficult phases of maternity shopping during your first, second and third trimester can be overwhelming─ your body isn’t quite large enough for maternity clothes, or it’s the exact opposite.  Trying to figure out your maternity size can be a tricky thing, but here are a few good tips that I used during my first pregnancy that I wanted to share with you to keep in mind before you start:

●Stick to Your Size─ In most cases, your size will be the same as your pre-pregnancy size, since many maternity clothes available today are scaled down to fit your growing belly.  Depending upon how you carry your baby, though, you may find that you will need to move up or down a size.  There's no trick to it, really. Just know what your pre-pregnancy size is when you begin your search for maternity wear. Here’s a chart to keep in mind:

Petite = 2 to 4
Small = 4 to 6
Medium = 8 to 10
Large = 12 to14
X-Large = 14 to16

     Whatever pre-pregnancy category that you fit into from the chart above, will simply determine the size of maternity clothes you'll need. If you normally wear a size 10 (medium), look for corresponding maternity clothes in the same size. And remember, when in doubt, go one size up.

Tiny Lotion Package Packs a Punch at Dry Hands

     Although our faces are probably the most important feature that determines our age, our hands come in a close second.  As with anything that is used on a daily basis, the delicate skin on our hands tends to give off very visible signs of aging and distress.  Stop for a moment and take a good look at your hands.  Do they look or feel dry?   Growing weary of the almost steady visible signs of constant overuse and UV exposure, I knew I needed to make a change in the care of my hands, which thankfully arrived in a small package on my doorstep one morning.    eos™ (evolution of smooth™) Berry Blossom Hand Lotion is a refreshing blend of light florals and sweet berries infused with  a 97% natural formula enriched with shea butter, soothing aloe and oat extracts.  Free from parabens, phthalates, dyes and gluten free, eos™ Berry Blossom Hand Lotion is formulated for all skin types and is hypoallergenic.  Best of all, at least for me, this lotion is not tested on animals and contains zero animal by-products.

     After using this lotion on a regular basis for several days, I've noticed a refreshing change in the feel and the look of the skin on my hands.  The course dryness that I’ve developed from years of constantly washing my hands has started to subside, replacing the irritated cracks with a soft, smooth texture. Best of all,  it has lasted through several hand washes for me as well, leaving behind a light, protective barrier on my skin.  This hand lotion is an ideal size to take anywhere with you─ in your purse or pockets, and it’s something that I, after witnessing the noticeable change of my hands, I will no longer leave the house without.  

     Available at Wal-Marts and Walgreens nationwide and websites online, the eos™ Berry Blossom Hand Lotion retails for $3.99.  For further information, visit their website at: http://evolutionofsmooth.com/

Solving the Great Rocking Chair Dilemma

     It’s so easy to become overwhelmed by the amount of nursery accessory choices that you need to make before your baby arrives.  Flashback to March of 2001, when I was 8 months pregnant.  Growing tired and extremely uncomfortable while looking for a stroller for our baby, my mother says, “You know, you’re going to need a rocking chair too.  Let’s take a look while we’re here.”  A smile came on my face. ”Yes,” I thought.  “I can finally sit down.”  And, with that, I looked around at a few rockers strategically placed around the showroom.  I maneuvered my big belly onto a tan-colored chair.  As I plopped down on the seat, I checked the price tag.  Thankfully, luck was on my side─it was within my price range!  Relieved, I placed my tired, swollen feet on the footrest.  “Ahh, this is heaven,” I thought, “I’ll take it.”    

      Today, choosing the right rocking chair isn’t as easy as it once was.  There are pros and cons to picking one variation over another.  The traditional rocker is a timeless throwback to nurseries across generations.  It adds elegance to any nursery.  Gliders, on the other hand, provide a safer alternative to traditional rockers, which can injure a child who crawls too close to the base.  Or, perhaps you may want to consider another non-traditional alternative─ high-backed chairs and ottoman’s can work perfectly in your little one’s nursery. You don’t always need a rocker to get your baby to fall asleep (a nice standing sway or a gentle, rhythmic back-pat can do the trick, too!). And that’s good news, since rockers aren’t always the most lovely or affordable. Rather than winding up for sale online a year later, as baby grows, these chairs can still fit right in with your decor or they can easily move to another room in the house.

      Each type of chair has positives and negatives, but in the end, your decision ultimately comes down to this question: which one do you want more?

Maybe a Bear Ate It!

     Chances are, your children (and admit it, you too!) can recall a time where they were filled with anxiety when they misplaced a prized possession--either a favorite stuffed animal, a blanket or a toy.  For the young little critter in Maybe a Bear Ate It!, by the bestselling author/illustrating team of Robie H. Harris and Michael Emberly, after awakening from a snooze, he discovers that his favorite book has gone missing.

     Featuring simple, humorous rhyming text and colorful illustrations, you'll follow the little critter on a funny, frantic journey through his wild imagination, as he ponders the fate of his prized storybook.  "Maybe a bat flew high up in the sky with it?"  or "Maybe a rhino ran away with it?" are some of the hysterical and outlandish scenarios that the little critter congers up during his frantic search.

     When I read this book to my son when he was little, I appreciated the way that Harris portrayed children's emotions to an unsettling situation with humor, candor and honesty, and I think that readers of all ages will be able to relate and recall similar experiences with a smile after finishing the book.

Ages 3 and up
Scholastic
$5.95 (Paperback)  & $12.79 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 978-0439929615

I Lost My Kisses review

     Little Matilda Rose just loves to give everyone kisses─ hello kisses, goodbye kisses and even those ‘just because’ kisses.  On the day that her father is due to return home from a trip, she suddenly loses all of her kisses.  Although Matilda Rose is determined to find them before her father arrives, she’s not quite sure what they look like.  Or where you find them.  I Lost My Kisses by author Trudie Trewin, takes us all on a delightful journey, as Matilda Rose frantically searches under her bed, at the grocery store and even the airport to find her elusive kisses.  Featuring whimsical illustrations by Nick Bland, this comforting tale will charm your children, especially when Matilda Rose finally discovers the real mystery behind her lost kisses.

Scholastic
Ages 4 to 8 (PreK to Grade 3)
$11.99 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 9780545055
Accelerated Reader Book Level: 2.4