WubbaNub is doing its part to help The Children’s Heart Foundation. According to the organization, almost 40,000 babies are born with Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) every year in the United States, with 25% of them needing surgeries or other solutions to survive.
The Heart Warrior Collection by WubbaNub is an annual lineup that helps support babies born with CHD, with a portion of proceeds going to The Children’s Heart Foundation. This year it’s made up of The Heart Warrior Bear pacifier and lovey.
Both products come with a scar across his chest, just like the tiny heart warrior babies they support.
Carla Schneider, Founder and CEO of WubbaNub shares “We hope this will bring all the little heart warriors and their families some soothing comfort and joy when they need it most.”
Each WubbaNub is made with a medical grade, latex free pacifier that is BPA, PVC and Phthalate-Free. The plush animals help babies use the pacifiers on their own, and each one is hand or machine washable.
You can start shopping The Heart Warrior Collection on Feb. 7 starting at $15.99 each on WubbaNubOnline.com.
You may know them for their diapers and wipes bundles (and their famous parent co-founders, Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard), but did you know that Hello Bello just released a handful of brand-new products just in time for the holidays? From new winter-themed diaper patterns to a brand-new diaper line for older kiddos, read on for three new and cool releases from Hello Bello to put in your shopping cart now.
Training Pants
Hello Bello just released their line of training pants. Like their regular diapers, these pull-on training pants are made without lotion, fragrance, phthalates and latex, and feature premium leg cuffs to prevent leakage and a core liner that's absorbent and plant-derived. They're stretchy, comfy and perfect for kiddos starting the potty training journey (or may not be night-trained). Bundle to mix and match your designs.
It's not just baby that Hello Bello has in mind. Their Everywhere Balm and Lip Balm can be used for both kiddo and you. They make great stocking stuffers or gifts and will leave your lips, their cap and everyone's skin ultra nourished, even if this extra dry winter weather.
They may not know what Santa Claus is yet, but they can still get in the holiday spirit with Hello Bello's new winter diaper patterns. Choose from cute designs like Santa's jolly reindeer helpers to arctic whale and seal polar pals to dancing polar bears. You'll love the colorful and festive designs, which may make the multiple diaper changes per day just a tad bit more bearable.
Hello Bello is all about growing with your family. The brand recently released a line of kids’ specific products because they know kids are not babies. Now they are happy to announce the launch of their new training pants line.
Potty training will be more pleasant with Hello Bello’s cottony-soft stretchiness paired with cute “big kid” designs and premium leg cuffs to prevent leakage both day and night.
These training pants give your little one more control with their easy on and off fit that is designed to look and feel more like underwear including elastic that doesn’t leak or sag. These reimagined potty trainers feature premium leak guards for active kiddos and stress-free up and down use with disposal tape for quick cleanup.
Hello Bello’s new training pants are made of chlorine-free fluff pulp from sustainably managed forests, a unique high-performance Spherical Super Absorbent Polymer, polypropylene/ polyethylene/ polyester nonwoven fibers, plant-derived PLA nonwoven fiber, spandex strands and an elastomeric film. Made without lotion, latex, artificial fragrance, phthalates, chlorine processing, TBT, DBT and MBT.
Fall means warm sweaters, pumpkin spice and adorable new diaper prints from Hello Bello. Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard’s family brand has just launched several fun fall patterns. These adorable diapers will keep those baby booties stylish and dry all fall long.
Timed to All Hallows Eve, these soft and stretchy diapers are decorated with patterns featuring candy corn, pumpkins, batts and ghosts – for kids of all sizes. The cute new designs of the diapers are made without lotion, fragrance, phthalates and latex making them hypoallergenic, eco-friendly and effective.
Hello Bello’s diapers are super soft, stretchy, snug and comfy. Stretchy side panels allow freedom of movement, while the diaper’s inner and outer layers are super soft, with a snug fit, for supreme comfort. Hello Bello’s diapers are made without lotion, fragrance, phthalates and latex making them hypoallergenic, eco-friendly and effective. Their cutting-edge, plant-derived absorbent core line is super absorbent to help protect against any leakage.
The soft, stretchy and super-absorbent diaper material is specially designed for supreme comfort to keep babies and parents happy. The super cute patterns are sure to bring a smile to your face.
Get the whole family in the Halloween spirit with Hello Bello’s cute Jack o’ Lantern Box that comes with each diaper bundle starting at just $65 for 7 packs of diapers on HelloBello.com. Customers can also get 20% off their first bundle + the Jack o’Lantern Box, plus choice of Halloween Diaper Designs using the code SPOOKY!
Tis the season for Christmas trees, poinsettias, mistletoe and scented candles. But if your nose looks like Rudolph’s, it’s a little hard to feel jolly. Although allergies typically peak in the spring and fall, the holidays may surprise sensitive sufferers with a gift of unexpected triggers. Here are five holiday allergens and allergy triggers, along with some advice to help you stay merry and healthy during the holiday season—not sneezing, coughing or scratching.
Holiday Allergy Trigger #1: Christmas Trees
Mold is the biggest problem with live Christmas trees. Often, they are cut in advance and kept in humid environments, promoting mold spore growth. Within just two weeks of bringing a tree into your home, indoor mold counts can increase significantly, according to one study.
The sap contains terpene and other substances that can irritate skin and mucous membranes; and pollen stuck to the tree may be released inside and lead to reactions, so you make think an artificial version is better, BUT they could harbor dust and mold from their time in storage, also triggering allergies.
Precautions: Slip on gloves and wear long sleeves when handling your fresh tree to avoid the sap coming into contact with your skin. Before schlepping your tree inside, give it a good shake (or a blast with a leaf blower) and spray it down with a garden hose (especially the trunk) to help remove some of the pollen and mold. Then sit the stump in a bucket of water and let the tree dry for few days on a covered porch or in a garage. For an artifical tree, give it a good wipe-down before decorating with lights and ornaments. Follow directions carefully when spraying artificial snow or flocking. Inhaling these sprays can irritate your lungs and trigger asthma symptom s (better to avoid altogether in my opinion).
Holiday Allergy Trigger #2: Festive Foods
The most common food allergens are milk, eggs, soy, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, and wheat. Of those, peanuts and tree nuts will most often make it into holiday dishes without people knowing, and have the potential to cause severe reactions.
Precautions:: It’s a good idea to let your holiday host know about your food allergies; it’s important to ask about the ingredients in each dish; and it’s very nice to volunteer to bring something that’s safe for you, and shareable with others. But what’s crucial is to be prepared with an epinephrine auto-injector (Epi Pen), an emergency dose of antihistamine, and an inhaler if you have asthm. Learn which foods and recipes are unexpected sources of allergens at FoodAllergy.org and AAAAI.org.
Holiday Allergy Trigger #3: Cocktails
You raise a glass to your loved ones, your boss and colleagues, friends and neighbors, and even the strangers sitting next to you at a bar. There’s lots of celebrating at this time of year, but be mindful of what you’re using to toast. Some people may experience mild wheezing or other symptoms from the sulfites in wine, for example, and certain alcoholic beverages contain major food allergens.
Precautions: There aren’t good tests for sulfite sensitivity, but your reaction to dried fruit—high in this sulfur-based preservative—could be an indicator. Pay attention if you have asthma, as sulfites can trigger symptoms. Maraschino cherries contain small amounts of sulfites, as well. Stick with organic wine for a sulfite-free sip. Other triggers to be aware of: Tree nuts may be found specialty beers, particularly seasonal ales; milk is in Irish crème and white chocolate liqueurs; and egg whites may be used to add froth to specialty drinks.
Holiday Allergy Trigger #4: Travel
Staying in a hotel for the holidays may be wonderful, but not if you have allergies. Pillows and bedding can harbor a lot of dust mites. You may have difficulties with some of the detergents they use as well. If you will be staying with family, they’re pets may trigger your symptoms.
Precautions: Consider bringing her own pillow, or at least a dust mite cover for the pillow. Also make sure you get a nonsmoking room. If you’re allergic to your family’s pet, taking medicines with you. If possible, avoid petting the animal, and wash hands after direct contact.
Holiday Allergy Trigger #5: Stress
Be aware that stress can lead to asthma attacks. Chemicals released by the body during stressful times can cause the muscles around your airways to tighten, making it difficult to breathe.
Holiday Allergy Trigger, Bonus Round! Poinsettias
This festive plant is a member of the rubber tree family and contains compounds similar to those found in latex, so stay away if you have a latex allergy. Certain groups of people—such as healthcare workers and people with spina bifida who have had numerous surgeries—are more likely to be allergic to latex. One study Showed that 40% of latex-allergic individuals were also allergic to poinsettias.
The key is to be prepared and plan ahead. Consult with your doctor in advance.
Dr. Patel is an allergist in Pasadena California. She is board-certified in Allergy-Clinical Immunology and Pediatrics. She is the co-author of The Mommy MD guides to Twins Triplets and More! She understands that parenting is the hardest and most fulfilling job you can have. You can find her @TMommyMD.
Cloth diapers or disposable? It’s a question many expectant parents ask. As with many choices in life, there are benefits and drawbacks to both, as well as a myriad of options. So let’s dive into the pros and cons, as well as some parent-approved favorite brands.
1. Saves money. By acquiring a stash of diapers, using them for your baby (and any other kids you have), and then selling them after you no longer need them, parents can recoup some of the initial costs. The average diaper stash, according to many cloth-diapering parents, is about 20 diapers, which allows enough diapers to last a couple days if you do laundry every two days or so.
2. Earth-friendly. Another wonderful benefit to cloth diapers is saving the environment from one-use diapers. Even though disposable diapers require laundering, the fact that they are used for years and may be recycled after their usable life is complete is a huge win for cloth-diapering enthusiasts and parents who are looking for earth-friendly alternatives for their babies.
3. No chemicals. Cloth diapers are typically made from cotton, hemp, bamboo or microfiber. These materials allow peace of mind for parents wanting to limit harsh chemicals from interfering with their baby's delicate skin. There are many options in the material of cloth diapers from organic to bleached to non-bleached materials.
Drawbacks of Cloth Diapers
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1. Initial investment. Acquiring cloth diapers requires an initial financial investment that some budgets may not be able to accommodate, especially with everything else you need for a new baby. But with the popularity of cloth diapering, it is possible to purchase pre-owned cloth diapers for a fraction of the price through parent groups on social media. This gives parents a chance to try them out without breaking the bank. There are also varying price points for the many cloth diaper brands on the market, making it a financially viable option for those interested.
2. Diaper booty. Using cloth diapers may mean you have to go up a size or two in clothing due to the adorable cloth diaper booty that results. Different brands have varying levels of thickness and absorbency, which will impact the fit of clothing on the lower half of the body.
3. Extra laundry. Adding more laundry to the new parent's already full plate could prove stressful for some. Many cities offer cloth-diaper laundering services, but if that's not an option for you, many cloth-diapering parents say that once they get in the groove, it's really not a big deal to rinse solids off the diapers (using a toilet hose attachment) and throw them in the washing machine every few days. Also, many parents choose to cloth-diaper their babies during the day and put disposable diapers on them at night for ease and extra leak protection.
Cloth Diaper Brands to Consider
GroVia
Smart Bottoms are less bulky, made from organic cotton and hemp, and are all-in-ones (AIO), which means they are one-piece. They are made in the U.S.A. and have the cutest prints.
Bum Geniusis known for one-size cloth diapers that adjust with your baby's growth. They have a myriad of options including all-in-ones and diapers with inserts.
GroViahas lots of different cloth-diapering options with AIO, inserts, organic, hybrid diapers and the brand's beloved Buttah velour diapers, which look as soft and buttery as they feel.
1. Ease of use. The learning curve of being a new parent is steep, and sometimes you just need the easy button. Disposable diapers are pretty intuitive at a time when you are bombarded by things that are not. The wetness indicator line on the front of some diapers takes the guesswork out of figuring out if your baby's diaper needs to be changed in the first place.
2. Availability. Once you find a brand you like, you will most likely to able to find them in stores near you. Or you can order online and have them auto-shipped, which means you don't have to worry about running out. Buying them online also means you can compare prices to get the best deal.
3. Fewer diaper changes. Because disposable diapers have ultra-absorbent technology, they aren't as prone to leaking, and diapers can be changed less often than cloth diapers. Also, diaper rashes may occur less because of the extra absorbency.
Drawbacks of Disposable Diapers
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1. Irritating materials. Some babies may get diaper rashes due to the chemicals, dyes and gels used to make disposables super absorbent.
2. Non-recyclable. Experts calculate that more than 3 million tons of landfill waste can be attributed to diapers. While there are some up-and-coming companies dedicated to recycling these used diapers, this option is not readily available to most consumers.
3. Expensive. According to some estimates, parents can spend $2,000 to $3,000 per year per baby on disposable diapers. Compare this with a stash of cloth diapers which can be acquired for less than $800 and can last through multiple children and later resold.
Disposable Diaper Brands to Consider
The Honest Company
Pampers Baby Dry are the most economical of these three brands and are loved by parents because of their breathability, wetness indicator and absorbency. They are free of parabens and latex and are hypoallergenic.
Honest Diapers prides themselves on using super-absorbent, hypoallergenic materials that are plant-based. These diapers are readily available at national retailers as well as online, and the patterns are super cute. With bright and cheery prints, these diapers will make you smile even in the midst of the messiest blow-out.
Babyganics Skin Love Diapers are made without latex, parabens, chlorine, petroleum-based lotions or fragrances. Their diapers are a bit more cost-effective than similar brands and are also available at national retailers.
The Diaper Lowdown
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Diving into the diapering world can be information overload. Talk to friends and find out what brands they've used and how they diaper their kids. Join social media groups devoted to parenting and even cloth-diapering. There are so many wise and experienced parents out there who are happy to share the what, how and why behind their choices. Whatever you choose, know that you are doing the best for your baby.
Hello Bello is known for their family friendly and affordable products. Now they have just launched an adorable new collection of summer diaper designs, introducing over 10 new summer prints. This latest collection features designs such as Li’l Floaters, Tiny Turdles and Blooming Booties.
Hello Bello’s diapers are super soft, stretchy, snug and comfy. Stretchy side panels allow freedom of movement, while the diaper’s inner and outer layers are super soft, with a snug fit, for supreme comfort. Hello Bello’s diapers are made without lotion, fragrance, phthalates and latex making them hypoallergenic, eco-friendly and effective. Their cutting-edge, plant-derived absorbent core line is super absorbent to help protect against any leakage.
Blooming Booties: A diaper garden ready for all your baby’s watering and soiling.
Goin’ Bananas: Extra absorbency for little monkeys, wild monkeys, dirty monkeys… all the monkeys.
Tiny Turdles: Turtle shells and Hello Bello diapers, the perfect 1-2 combo for total booty protection.
Monster Squad: If you think the monsters are scary, wait till you see what’s inside.
Tooty Tweets: Squawk, squawk. A little tropical delight to wrap up baby’s next surprise.
Snacktime: Pack up the picnic basket, load up the kiddos, we’ll handle the leak protection.
Pretty in Pink: It’s a dirty business, we’re just trying to make it a little prettier.
Li’l Floaters: The pool party is starting and your baby’s got the freshest wrappers around.
Colorful Summer: All the colors of summer in a soft, comfy wrapper.
Rainbow Sherbert: Someday we’ll find it, the rainbow connection, the diapers, the blowouts, the poo.
Hear Our Roars: When there’s a roar under those diapers, Hello Bello brings the protection.
You can find these new designs at Hello Bello or at your local Walmart.
Diapering your kiddo just got easier—with DYPER! The planet-friendly diaper service is launching a new subscription program Feb. 1 and you can get a one-week diaper trail for $8!
Forget about trips to the grocery store or warehouse club to load up on diapers. With DYPER you’ll get individualized delivery based on your baby’s weight.
So how does DYPER work? The subscription service uses artificial intelligence to estimate the number of diapers your child needs each week. Don’t worry if your run out—DYPER’s SOS service offers a week’s worth of extras delivered to your doorstep in four to 24 hours.
Not only is DYPER convenient, it’s also good for the planet. Used diapers are fully compostable and free of chlorine, latex, alcohol, perfumes, phthalates, PVC, lotions and TBT. DYPER also purchases carbon offsets on behalf of service subscribers to help reforestation.
DYPER’s diapers come in sizes for newborns through children who are potty training. The month-to-month subscription costs $68, with delivery every four weeks. To order DYPER’s diapers, and get a one-week trial for $8, visit the service’s site here.
Your kiddos have mid-winter cabin fever and are begging to play ball—inside. Now they can! Ollyball is an award-winning toy and it’s made specifically for indoor use.
When the husband and wife creators of the Ollyball needed a way to keep their kids busy inside, minus the indoor destruction a soccer ball or baseball can cause, they took matters into their own hands.
With no other option already on the market, the duo built their own ball. Five years later the Ollyball was born! Made from a lightweight shell (it’s also PVC, Latex, BPA and phthalate-free) and the patented KrunchCOR interior, the ball is made for full-force indoor play.
So how does Ollyball work and, more importantly, why won’t it destroy your home with one volleyball-like spike? Even though the ball is full size, it only weighs 19 grams. If you’re not sure exactly how light 10 grams is, it’s less than one ounce. In comparison, a soccer ball weighs an average of about 16 ounces, according to Ollyball’s website. To use the ball, simply inflate it with the included straw.
Not only does the innovative light-weight design allow for indoor play, but it’s also washable and your kiddo can color (with permanent markers or crayons) on the outer shell.
To order the Ollyball, visit the brand’s website here.
Children diagnosed with autism tend to struggle with sensory stimulation, from the touch, noise, taste, or other sensitivities. Their symptoms usually include difficulty in processing this sensory information from the world around them. If they don’t know how to handle it, it can make ordinary interactions and situations quite overwhelming for them to deal with. Eventually, it may affect their daily function and isolate them from other people and the rest of the world. This is why it helps if you engage kids with autism with sensory activities to help them overcome sensory difficulties and improve their daily function.
Sensory arts and activities can help children with autism stay regulated, experience various senses in a controlled, calm, and fun way, and connect with other people better. These are seven sensory arts and crafts activities that can help kids with autism.
1. Plastic Baggy Painting
This activity is great for a starter activity to play with paint without having to actually touch it and make a big mess. Squish paint inside a Ziploc plastic bag, use multiple colors to make mixing more fun, and close the top. Tape the bag to the table and let your child paint using the mix of colors inside it. Talk to your child about the mix of colors and the images that they can create.
2. Create Personalized T-shirts
You can always have fun with laser printers by creating personalized T-shirts with your child. Prepare the design that your child wants along with the T-shirt ready for customization. Assist your child all the way through the engraving process, waiting for the machine to finish. If you know how to use the machine yourself, then you should be able to achieve the T-shirt design that your child has in mind. They should be even prouder that they’d get to wear the design that they made themselves. This activity can help develop your child’s processing of their sense of touch and sight.
3. Latex-gloved Finger Painting
Finger painting can be really fun for your child with autism, but with the latex gloves involved, it can be less messy since you won’t have to clean tiny fingers. Prepare some latex or non-latex gloves if your child’s allergic, construction paper, a container of washable paint, small containers, and an old bedsheet. To avoid a paint-filled mess, bring the activity outside. Lay the sheet down, fill the small containers with some of the paint, put the construction paper, and let your child wear the gloves. Then, let them free their creative mind and paint!
4. Sand Art
Sand can expose your kids to a different textural and auditory experience, but regular sand can be pretty dangerous to your child with autism so it’s best to create edible sand. Prepare some colorful sand, liquid food coloring, salt, Ziploc baggie, construction paper, glue, and disposable aluminum pan. You can make it more fun by playing in your backyard. Just get one of those silent generators for home use and light up your backyard, spread a blanket and a couple of cozy pillows and you have the perfect playing atmosphere.
5. Water Tub Colors
This can get quite messy, but it’s a fun activity that you can do outside. Prepare a large clear tub, soap, food coloring, and a few small containers. Kids in the autism spectrum often feel comfortable dealing with water, so this is something that they can do without difficulty. Fill the tub with water and soap and the smaller containers with colored soapy water. Guide your child on how to make different colors with the soapy water using the food coloring. This is a pretty simple activity that will teach your child about color mixing, while letting them enjoy it with their touch and sight.
6. Styrofoam Sculptures
If you have received packages with protective Styrofoam, make sure to keep them. They would make for food materials for Styrofoam sculptures, along with some toothpicks. Along with your child, you can break up the Styrofoam pieces and connect them with toothpicks, as required by the sculpture that your child has in mind. Let their imagination run free! To make the sculptures look even more impressive, you can give your child some markers to color them up. Let them take this activity with their sense of touch, sight, and hearing.
7. Bubble Wrap Painting
Bubble wraps can be more than just something that you can pop to keep your hands busy. They are also great materials for a sensory activity with children with autism. Just prepare it with a gallon of paint, an old bedsheet, a roll of packing tape, disposable aluminum pan, and a large area where your child can freely paint. Layout the bedsheet outside, put some of the paint on the aluminum pan and put it close to your child. Then, wrap your child’s feet in bubble wrap and secure them with packing tape. Lead your child to stand in the pan, then to walk, jump or run on the laid out bed sheet. With their feet, let them enjoy scattering the color around while hearing the satisfying pop of the bubbles under their feet. That should make for some great sensory input through their sight, hearing, and touch.
Try these activities with children with autism and help them deal better with sensation overload. Help introduce the fun side of the otherwise overwhelming world to your child by doing these projects.
Emma Williams is a young mother of 2, having expertise in writing about various topics of lifestyle, beauty, home improvement and a lot more. She enjoys diving into new aspects of life, learning as much as possible from the business world, marketing and branding.