Coping With Secondary Infertility

June 18, 2018 Leave a Comment

Raising children is wonderful, isn’t it? When you have your own children, you spend every day in a state of bliss mixed with wonder mixed with frustration at the small creatures that you have to train into adulthood. You go from wanting to hide in a closet with a glass of wine to avoid the knocking, mashed-potato covered minion that you created yourself, to standing and staring while they sleep in total awe that you have created this little piece of immortality. It’s a rollercoaster of a ride and for most people, having one or two children is the goal in their life. They get to have a family, their first born gets a sibling and everyone is happy.

Except, there are a minority of people that suffer with secondary infertility. If you haven’t heard of it, you’re not alone. When you try for and conceive your first child, there’s a part of you that feels a flood of relief. It’s like ticking a box to say that your body can function the way that it was built to by nature. You can create and carry life within your womb; it’s a blessing. So, when it comes to trying for another baby and nothing happens, you’re not immediately concerned. After all, you’ve got a toddler tearaway running around chattering to imaginary friends and tormenting the cat. You’ve already confirmed that you can carry children, so it’s bound to happen again eventually, right?

Image Source

Well, no, not quite. Secondary infertility is the struggle to conceive children again after a successful conception and pregnancy of a first child. It’s not something that’s talked about, mainly because there are a bunch of clichés that people hit you with when you try to explain that you’re struggling to conceive despite months of trying. Some of these are:

 

“Oh, well at least you CAN carry a baby.”

“Even if it doesn’t happen for you again, at least you have the one child already.”

“How can you be struggling, you’ve been pregnant before!”

Each of these clichés is a needle in the heart of a woman yearning for another baby to carry, nurture and birth. The thing is, secondary infertility has no rhyme or reason to it. It has no pattern, no predictability and you can find yourself desperately clawing for information as to why you managed to conceive once, but despite regular ovulation and sex, it’s just not happening again. Some couples try for years before turning desperately to affordable IVF. They go through heartache trying to figure out what’s ‘wrong’, but if the medical professionals run their tests and scans and can find nothing, this is often far worse. At least if there’s a reason to blame, you have a focus, a thing to think, ‘yes, this is why I can’t get pregnant, and now I can fix it.’ Once you know the problem, you can find a solution. Secondary infertility unfortunately has solutions that are more than just the sperm meets egg plan.

When you have a child already, there is an added layer of heartache for secondary infertility: you already know what you are missing. Your body has already experienced the joy of pregnancy, labour and birth. You’ve already got the war wounds of scars and stretchmarks on your belly to represent fecundity and fertility. And now your fertility has abandoned you and the guilt of not being able to provide your child with a sibling and your partner with another child can be crippling. Secondary infertility is no less devastating than infertility when you are childless in the first place; they are both hard situations to be a part of. The key here, is learning to cope with the diagnosis. Understanding any changes in your life since your first child was born is the first place to look. Sometimes, secondary infertility can be due to age – especially if you were much younger with your first child compared to now. Fertility diminishes over time, and your choices in when you choose to try for a baby can affect your egg quality and the regularity of an egg being released.

Image Source

You should be as proactive as possible about medical help. It’s not just about finding the best fertility doctor, either. You should read up on acupuncture and homeopathy so that you can learn the ways that you can help your body to regulate properly, to ovulate with good quality eggs. While you’re researching the best doctors and help out there, you should do as much research as you can about the tests that you can expect. Testing for secondary infertility can be invasive, which you should be okay with before you get started. Make a plan for you and your partner to face it all together and embrace how you feel. The pain you are going through isn’t going to go away immediately and the anger, sadness and anxious feelings are all normal responses to being told that you are not able to have children without help. It’s a hard blow to the heart and can make you feel rather empty on the inside.

The important thing to remember if you get a diagnosis of secondary infertility is that you haven’t done anything wrong. You need to accept that this is the situation, but that doesn’t mean that you have to give up on your dream of expanding your family. You do have a child to concentrate on at home, which can provide an excellent distraction while you’re attending appointments and having tests done. It’s important that you accept how you feel and keep moving forward, finding a way to have more children that you desire. Worrying about what’s doing to come next can really rob you of the joy that you feel today. There will be tough questions ahead for you; some you’ll ask and others you’ll receive. The way to handle it is to keep as positive as you can and be truthful. Secondary infertility is not something to be ashamed of.

 

 

Filed Under: Baby, Family, Fertility, Uncategorized

Twinning Is Winning! Planning A Nursery For Twins

January 2, 2018 Leave a Comment

Congratulations, the stick has turned blue and shock – it’s TWINS! Let’s not panic. Twins are a big surprise when you plan for one baby and you got another one for free. Nearly every set of parents are thrilled when they find out that they have a set of twins on the way; after all, it’s twice the love and you could possibly choose to complete your family in one go. There’s a good chance though, that you are feeling utterly overwhelmed. You only planned for one baby. Your finances only planned for one baby. Your maternity leave and plans only factored in the one baby. The idea of trying to juggle the needs of your instant family, plus other children you may have and the housework – it’s okay, stop hyperventilating. You can feel overwhelmed and underprepared, but you would feel the exact same way with just one baby. One baby is demanding and takes your time away from you. One baby still takes your money and you still have to financially plan for one child. Getting creative to sort out twins is the only way forward.

Image Source

Getting in contact with other parents of multiples via social media, parenting forums and blogging platforms is a great way to get live feedback from people in your exact situation. It can help the overwhelming feeling that you are alone and handling this. We can promise you, you aren’t. There are plenty of parents around with twins and even triplets, handling it like a boss. They can tell you reviews on the best prams, what to expect when it comes to feeding and sleep schedules, and you could even arrange to meet up with them and form a whole new social circle. One thing that they will all tell you about, is the nursery that you need to start planning far enough in advance so that your wallet can handle all the new purchases you’re about to make. It’s nice to plan a nursery for a baby, but it’s twice as nice to plan a nursery for twins on the way. If you get that lucky, you’ll soon learn that planning a baby nursery for twins isn’t twice the work – just twice the fun!

Making room for a baby is a completely different ball game when you are expecting twins. The idea of putting two newborns into one room can be daunting, especially if your house has a nursery perfect for one baby but not big enough for two at the same time. Of course, the guidelines for safe sleep – which you can read in more detail on this website – state that a baby should be in the same room as its parents for the first six months. This is because babies regulate their breathing with their parents breathing, and being in the same room is also far easier during the night feeds. Don’t worry though, you can create an absolutely beautiful and functional space for two babies without much more effort than what you would have put in for one baby. So, let’s all take a nice deep breath and look at how you can start planning the perfect twin nursery.

Image Source

Beginning early is the absolute key when it comes to putting together a nursery for twins. A normal singleton pregnancy takes anywhere between 37 and 42 weeks for a fully developed baby. Twins are a success if they reach 36 weeks, and that means you have less time to get things together. It’s likely you only found out at your first ultrasound that you have twins on board, and if that ultrasound was at the standard 12-week mark, then you really only have 25 weeks to get your nursery ready. This is the reason that an early start is a good idea. If you find out the gender of the twins, you can then decide whether you want to plan a neutral nursery, like the ideas you can find here, or make it more personalised. If you choose to personalise a nursery, then you can use merchandise from Makaboo.com/ and make it a monogrammed haven for your babies. Don’t be drawn in by convention; a boy’s nursery doesn’t have to be powder blue, and a girl’s nursery doesn’t have to look like it has been hosed down with Pepto Bismol. You can choose any colour you want for your nursery and you can hang any accessories that you want. Finishing the new nursery will be the last thing on your mind when the babies arrive, so you need to start early so you have time to budget and shop. The last thing you want to do when you are heavily pregnant with two babies is decorate a nursery. You could choose to hire in a design and painting company to paint and decorate your nursery for you, but half the fun of setting up a nursery comes from doing it yourself.

Image Source

One of the most tempting things about having twins on the way, is the chance of doubling up on everything you need. This is probably the last thing that you should do, because you only have one pair of hands. Are you really going to use two sets of wardrobes and clothes chests when you are changing the babies? How about two baby baths and two changing tables? It’s not only an expensive concept, it’s one that just doesn’t play out. Instead, have one set of everything – except the crib. Use drawer separators like these ones to separate clothes, and use one changing table. You can’t physically change both babies at once, so there’s really no need for two changing tables. We mentioned that the crib is the one thing you should buy two of, and the reason there is an obvious one. You have two babies, and you can’t put them both down in the same crib unsupervised! It’s fine for newborns to share a crib, as they cannot roll into each other and disturb each other. Choosing small, simple cribs is the best option, especially with sharing your room at the beginning. You can still put both cribs together, but you don’t have to worry about babies disturbing each other.

Image Source

When it comes to decorating your nursery, keep it simple. Neutral colours with bolder accessories is the best idea than trying to theme your nursery. You can get easily tired of a nursery theme, but a neutral colour is far better because if you get a little bored or want to change the theme, it’s just the accessories that you have to change out. Keep it simple with your colours, and avoid busy patterns. The nursery is a space for sleep, and so keeping it light, calm and pretty is exactly what your babies will need. Don’t go nuts on the accessories, even though every cell of your body will be screaming at you to buy the bunting for the wall. You don’t need it and you don’t want the nursery to be too busy. Check out some of these lovely ideas for a simple nursery and make a point of comparing prices of wallpaper and paint online. You can have a lot of fun with the décor for a nursery. Mixed gender twins is even more fun, as you can choose a neutral colour throughout the room and for furniture, but have different accents for each gender. Check out these ideas for mixed gender bedrooms.

More babies equal a lot more stuff. Toys, clothes, blankets and even diapers and changing accessories will be a bigger amount. You need some sound storage in the nursery and this IKEA Kallax unit is a cheap and cheerful way to keep things organised. You can choose different colour boxes to go into the unit, meaning you can coordinate with the nursery accessories that you’ve bought. You could even choose to install hooks into the closet for things like coats and towels, and you can buy canvas storage bags to hang from them for easy-grab wipes, diapers and cream. You’ll also need to think about lullaby machines – buying two instead of just one is going to be a good idea as small babies cannot see very far away from themselves at first.

When you raise multiples, you can feel completely outnumbered, as if you’re in the middle of a circus. Don’t panic though, because you are a parent and you are built to adjust. Things will seem harder when you think about them, but once those babies arrive and are in your arms things will just fall into place. Having a good support system around you will make life an awful lot easier for you, so spend your pregnancy rallying the support of family and friends. Make sure that they know that you would appreciate a freezer stocked with easy meals that you can cook, and make sure that they are on your speed dial. A good support system can make a huge difference. Twinning is winning so enjoy your new babies and your new nursery adventure!

Filed Under: Baby, Children, DIY Interior, Family, Kids, Uncategorized

Luvs Diapers #MoreToLuv

December 1, 2017 Leave a Comment

This review was made possible by iConnect Influencer Management, I was compensated for my participation in this campaign, but all opinions are 100% mine.”

When my second child was born, I felt a lot surer about my decisions on what I was doing. Being an experienced mom helped me make smarter money saving ideas I seemed paralyzed to on the first child. On the first child, I felt if I didn’t spend the top dollar I was not only not being a good mother but I was also sure I wouldn’t get the same quality. Boy. was I sure wrong. This time around I chose Luv Diapers!!

I considered myself a better, frugal, smarter mother the second time around. I did more research and figured out how wrong I was the first time around. I saved a ton of money the second time around but using Luvs diapers. The price is even lower now and works amazing. After comparing the amount of coverage, the length they lasted I realized I was spending unneeded money on the first child!!

#MoreToLuv(s) = more money in the bank for parents

I am so in Luv with these diapers. The quality and quantity are amazing. I especially like saving money! The second time around I would rather spend the money having fun and making memories.  Luvs, with NightLock Plus, locks away wetness faster than Huggies Snug & Dry. You know more – so why spend more?!

Luvs is a great value – with quality leak protection at a great price – check out your favorite retailer for new lower prices. What’s not to Luv about that?

 

Filed Under: Baby, Children, Family

Things I Wish I Knew Before I Had My First Baby…

November 16, 2017 Leave a Comment

If you are preparing to welcome your first baby into the world, first of all, congratulations! This is undoubtedly an exciting time in any expectant parent’s life. You have a fun, incredible and surprising journey ahead of you. No matter how much preparation and reading you have done, nothing quite readies you for life as a parent. There are always hurdles along the way. Read on to discover some of the things that most people wish they knew before they had their first baby.

Image Source

 

  1. Get ready for the clichés – If you thought you heard all of the clichés in the world when you were pregnant, you have heard nothing yet. You will lose count of how many times people tell you that it goes by ridiculously fast and that you should enjoy every moment. Speaking about enjoying every moment, you probably won’t if the next point is anything to go by…
  2. Changing nappies isn’t the only yucky part – We’ve all heard expectant new parents joke about who is going to change their baby’s nappy. However, this merely scratches the surface of the yucky stuff that comes with having a baby. Expect to be a human toilet or napkin most of the time! Oh, and that’s without even mentioning when your baby decides to throw food everywhere or smear it across their face and the walls! Oh, and what about when they throw up on you? Lovely! And then there’s the belongings too! There’s actually a good read on how to clean and disinfect your diaper bag, which is something you will need to do often. The good news is you probably won’t even care about all this sort of stuff. It becomes the norm!
  3. The faster you can meet other moms, the better – You will really start to enjoy your new role as parent once you meet other moms that are in the same position as you. This is not to say that you should ditch your current friends. However, it can get really lonely being at home just with your baby, so it helps to meet people in the same situation.
  4. You’re never going to get it right – Well, in the eyes of someone anyway! No matter what you choose for your baby, be it going back to work or staying at home, breastfeeding or using a bottle, there is always going to be someone that is saying you are doing it wrong. Don’t be shocked when your close relatives become your biggest critics. But the best bit of advice is to simply ignore them! There’s no right or wrong way; it’s all about doing things YOUR way.
  5. Your relationship with your partner will change – Having a baby is a big deal! Becoming parents is the biggest change you will both go through in your life, and so it would be crazy if your relationship weren’t to change as a result. It’s important to be aware of this and to really work on your relationship. Try not to neglect one and other and ensure lines of communication are always kept open.
  6. Trust yourself – This is probably the most important part of them all. You need to trust your own intuition. There is nothing wrong with asking for help sometimes, but it’s your baby and this is your journey, trust in yourself! Every new mother wings it a bit; it’s part of the process. You’re not meant to know what to do all of the time.
  7. Your emotions are going to be all over the place – A lot of people assume that they are going to give birth and have a constant smile on their face because they are going to be filled with so much love. The reality can be very different, and there is nothing wrong with this. A lot of people experience the baby blues, i.e. they feel sad once they have given birth. This happens because your hormone levels drop. Of course, if this feeling persists, you should see your doctor. And again, there is nothing wrong with that either!
  8. Be kind to yourself – Being kind to yourself means being kind to your baby too. You’re not helping anyone by running yourself into the ground. Make sure you take a little bit of time to yourself, whether this means going to the spa, reading a book, or simply going for a walk.
  9. Don’t compare your child – Don’t fall into the trap of comparing your child to others. If your friend’s baby started walking at eight months, and your child is now ten months old and hasn’t taken his or her first steps yet, so be it! It happens!
Filed Under: Baby, Children

Mommy Scene Holiday Giveaway Gift Giveaway!

October 31, 2017 Leave a Comment

Mommy Scene Holiday Giveaway Gift Giveaway!

We are excited to share Mommy Scene’s Holiday Giveaway packed full of gifts for babies, kids, and moms! Get inspired for gift giving this year with interactive gift ideas for creative kids, practical gift ideas for baby’s first Christmas, and luxurious gifts for yourself or the new mom in your life. One lucky winner will receive this entire gift collection!

2017 Holiday Gift Guide Giveaway gift collection for babies, kids and moms - Mommy Scene

Gifts for Babies

Crane Drop Humidifier – Grey
Pacific Baby Hot-Tot 9oz Insulated Toddler Bottle
aLoo Bottle Valve
Revelae Kids Cozy Baby Sleepers
Bonjour Baby Baskets $50 Gift Card!
lulujo Baby’s First Year blanket & cards set
Button Diapers One-Size Diaper Cover and three pack of Daytime Diaper Inserts of winner’s choice
Toofeze baby teether

Featured in Mommy Scene’s Gift Ideas for Babies.

Gifts for Kids

Piggy Paint natural nail polish for kids
Sleep Zzz Pillow for kids ages 3 and up
Wild Things Animal Blankets
Interactive Map of the World by Lil’ollo
Soft’n Slo Squishies Sweet Shop squeezable collectibles
The Shrunks Indoor Tuckaire Toddler Travel Bed
Morph by Orb Toys
Window Jammers low-tech collectible characters
Ocean Exploration Discovery Box by Revelae Kids
Wizard Roll board game of magical spells!

Featured in Mommy Scene’s Gift Ideas for Kids.

Gifts for Her

Back Buddy Support Pillow
PeachSkinSheets
Aurorae Aqua Microfiber Beach and Swim Towel
Aurorae Hawaiian Island Afternoon Coconut Pineapple Aromatherapy Spritz
Mama Strut Postpartum Care System
Fresh Wave Kitchen Kit
Rachel’s Remedy Breastfeeding Relief Packs
Covered Goods Original 4-in-1 Cover
Kindred Bravely Davy Nursing & Maternity Pajamas (Pant Set)
Moody Sisters Mommy Deserves It Gift Set (Eye Cream & Nourishing Serum)

Featured in Mommy Scene’s Gift Ideas for Her.

Holiday Gift Ideas for Babies, Kids, and Moms ★ Giveaway!

Enter to win this fabulous gift collection of prizes for babies, kids, and moms!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is coordinated by Mommy Scene and is open to US entries ages 18 and older. No purchase required to enter. One (1) winner will be randomly chosen and contacted through e-mail, and their name displayed on the giveaway widget after the giveaway ends on December 15th, 2017. Mommy Scene and the participating blogs are not responsible for fulfilling brand-sponsored prizes. Prizes will be shipped directly from each brand.

Filed Under: Baby, Children, Giveaway

FAO Parents: You Don’t Have To Do It Alone!

September 25, 2017 1 Comment

Whether you’re a single parent or two, providing your son or daughter with the best start in life is no easy feat. However, you can make things a lot easier simply by accepting the available support.   

 

We all need a helping hand from time to time, and this can come from various sources in a number of situations. Here are just five where outsiders can have a hugely positive impact on your child’s development.

Source:

 

Encouraging a skill: Whether your child is a talented soccer player or musician doesn’t matter. Seeking support from a qualified coach or tutor can accelerate their progress to help unlock their full potential. This might not always lead to a career in the chosen field, but it will almost lead to increased confidence and happiness. This in itself should be considered to be a reward that vindicates the decision to gain that help. Besides, every parent wants their kid to achieve the best they can.

 

Maintaining their health: Keeping your child in great health is top of the agenda at all times. It can be very difficult when children face problems, which is why they deserve the best help available. Experts like Daniel C. Allison, MD, FACS, who specialize in pediatric treatments are the best option. Opting for a generic medical team can often see your child miss out on the human elements that their unique treatments require. Aside from things like surgery, it can influence their rehab processes too.

 

Using the computer: There is no escaping the impact of technology in modern society. Computer literacy is a skill that all kids need for future school assignments and work situations. As a loving parent, you don’t only think about their development. It’s equally important to ensure that your son or daughter stays safe online. Using the right software packages will ensure that this happens. While this type of support may not come from a person, its impact should not be ignored. After all, computers are the present and future.

Source:

 

Providing financial stability: Whether you like it or not, money is important. Parents can seek relief from various sources, including the Child Care Resource Center. While some people may feel too proud to accept it, this is the reason you’ve paid your taxes. Kids understand their family’s financial status from a very early age, which is just reason why you should care. Perhaps more importantly, every piece of support you gain can allow your son or daughter to live an enriched and enjoyable childhood. Frankly, that’s all any parent could ever want for their child.

 

Completing daily activities: Modern life is hectic. As such, arguably the best support that parents can gain is from each other. Whether it’s organizing a carpool or offering to help out at birthday parties isn’t important. Anything that makes life a little easier for parents will bring huge benefits for the children. Besides, sharing closer relationships can make discussing potential problems far simpler too. Given that these people could play an important part in our lives for several years to come, ignoring those incentives would be very naïve.   

Filed Under: Baby, Children, Family

Essential Questions To Ask Yourself Before Expanding Your Family

August 25, 2017 Leave a Comment

Few people know for sure the number of children that they want to have. They might have an idea, but not many of us are absolutely settled on the exact number.

 

When you get through the trials and tribulations of being a first time parent, you will have learned a few essential lessons. It might have been tough, but it will have been absolutely worth it. The lesson you might find yourself learning most of all is that… you want to have more children.

 

Whether you just have one or are already on your fourth, that nagging sense that you’d like to have another child is rarely easily quietened. While the impulse to add to your brood can be overwhelming, there has to be a moment where you allow a little investment in contemplation of what you might be undertaking.

 

Of course, that’s not to say it is an inherently a bad thing to consider having more children. However, it might be wise to ensure you’ve got all the right answers, to the following questions, prior to going ahead…

 

Question One: Do You Have Room?

 

While young children can usually share a bedroom quite effectively, the same is not true when they reach a certain age. Eventually, your kids are going to want privacy, especially those that are different genders. That might mean you need to think about choosing a home loan and moving somewhere larger, so that everyone can have the space that they need.

 

Bear in mind that you might need to do this sooner rather than later; it might not just be a thought for the teenage future. If you have young children and they would have to share their room with a baby at your present address, then you have to consider the ramifications of nighttime disturbances of a newborn. Realistically, a new baby is going to need their own space, or risk damaging their siblings’ quality of sleep.

 

Question Two: Are You (And Your Partner) The Only Ones Making The Decision?

 

Society has a way of pushing certain ideas onto us. When a couple gets married, the first question they will be inundated with is when they plan to have children. You might think that having children would actually get you a break from this invasive line of questioning… but it will still happen! Now the question is, “when are you planning on having a little brother/sister for [your child]?”.

 

Don’t be pressured into having more children by other people. You might hear a lot of people enthusing about the prospect of siblings for your existing child/ren, but this is one decision that only you and your partner need to be involved in.

 

Question Three: Are You Ready For The Expense?

 

It can feel incredibly unpleasant to talk about babies and expanding your family in such coarse terms, but nevertheless, it’s a conversation you need to have. Babies are expensive; children more so; teenagers still more again – and then you might have to think of the cost of an additional college education.

 

Do you have a financial plan for the future that’s going to allow you to afford all of that for an additional child?

 

In Conclusion…

 

If you can confidently answer all of the above questions, then you are well prepared to consider having another child. If you don’t have your answers figured out yet, that’s okay. Give it a little time and figure out solutions where needed; you’ll get there in the end. What’s more, you’ll be all the more prepared to welcome the joy of a new life when you can answer these questions – so you and your children can enjoy the benefits of your careful contemplation. Good luck!  

PixaBay.com

Filed Under: Baby, Children, Family

Baby Items Galore Giveaway!! #BabyShowerEssentials

August 13, 2017 Leave a Comment

Having a new baby this year? We know choosing baby gear can be overwhelming. We are excited to share Mommy Scene’s Baby Shower Essentials & top picks for feeding, clothing, diapering, and setting up baby’s nursery! Don’t miss entering this fabulous Baby Shower Essentials Giveaway for the chance to win these must-have baby products!

Baby Shower Essentials Gift Guide Giveaway - Mommy Scene

Baby Shower Essentials Giveaway – Prize Collection

LILLEbaby COMPLETE Airflow Baby Carrier
Baby K’tan Chevron Diaper Bag
Babo Botanicals Convenient 3-in-1 Cleansing Wipes
Revelae Kids Cozy Sleeper
Yummi Pouch Brights Reusable Food Pouches & Cloth Snack Bags
Pacific Baby Bamboo Feeding Spoons
Baby Comfy Kit: Snot Trap Baby Comfy Nasal Aspirator – Baby Comfy Nail Deluxe Safety Clipper – Baby Comfy Hydrator – Baby Comfy Gummi Chewy Jewelry
Active Essentials Unscented Healing Baby Balm
Crane Drop Humidifier
Cover My Heart Chevron Nursing Cover
NogginStik Developmental Light-up Rattle
BabyIt Perineal Massage & Postpartum Comfort Gel
Tottigo Pack ‘n Potty Travel Potty Seat
One Z Pillow for Nursing & Support
NOURISH by BeliBea Pumping/Nursing Bra
Snuggle Me Organic Co-Sleeping Baby Lounger
Buttons Diapers Trial Pack of Diapers (1 Cover + 3 Inserts) + Hanging Wet/Dry Bag

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is coordinated by Mommy Scene and is open to US entries ages 18 and older. No purchase required to enter. One (1) winner will be randomly chosen and contacted through e-mail, and their name displayed on the giveaway widget after the giveaway ends on 8/31/17. Mommy Scene and participating blogs are not responsible for fulfilling brand-sponsored prizes. Prizes will be shipped directly from each brand.

Filed Under: Baby, Giveaway

Jarra-Dophils Probitoics Formula

August 4, 2017 Leave a Comment

I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com) to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

Being a mom and grandmother, I want what is best for my little ones. What mom/Mimi doesn’t? In the picture are four of the best special formulated probiotics I have ever been exposed too. What are probiotics you might ask?? Well, probiotics are living bacteria (the good kind) that are super beneficial for your body. They help regulate the good bacteria with the bad. As shown in the picture above are Jarro Dophilus infant formula, Yum-Yum- Dophilus formula, Jarro Dophilus Women’s formula, and lastly, we have Women’s Fem Dophilus formula.

You can find these at any of the following:  Whole Foods Market, Sprouts Farmers Market,
Natural Grocers, and independent retailers and online at iherb.com,
vitacost.com, provitaminas.com, and swansonvitamins.com.


Starting with the Jarro-Dophilus infant probiotics, they have been known to calm a colicky baby, gassy tummies, improve the baby’s digestive system, and even have been known to help with constipation! They say it takes a village to raise a baby, so let this be part of the helpful village!

 

 

Next, we have the Yum-Yum Dophilus Probiotics formula, which has an EXCELLENT taste making it so easy for kids to enjoy taking them. Is great for kids getting sick a lot, or for kids with tummy aches. It is Allergan free so if your kids have major food allergies it is okay for them to take. My 3-year-old grandson loves them!

 

 

Following we have Jarro-Dophilus Women’s! Jarro-Dopjilus is special because it uniquely contains four patented probiotics strains known as the “Astarte” strain. All four Astarte strains are good for women in the third trimester of pregnancy and are predominant species found in the vaginal tract of healthy women. It is allergy friendly, dairy free, gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan. This is a great product you will want to try!!

Lastly, we have the Women’s Fem Dophilus Probiotics formula. You will not be able to get enough of these pills. If given the right chance they will completely illuminate odor. People who have been struggling with an ongoing UTI should try this!

You name it and Jarro-Dophilus can take care of it!

jarrow.com
jarrowprobiotics.com
facebook.com/JarrowFormulas
twitter.com/jarrowformulas
instagram.com/jarrowformulas

Filed Under: Baby, Children, Health Reviews Tagged With: , ,

Pampers Printable Coupon #PampersCoupons

June 22, 2017 Leave a Comment

Printable Coupon $1.50 off Pampers!!

From newborn to an active toddler Pampers have always been my favorite go to diapers! They have been the number one diaper for OVER 50 years! You cannot beat the quality and the absorbency of Pampers.  Not only are they the softest but they are also super stretchy. Pampers are also the number one recommended diaper from most moms. I never had an issue with leaks, rashes or them coming apart and I used them with three different, very active children!

I remember bringing my first son home from the hospital and the nurses sending a pack of Pampers. I knew then if they trusted Pampers then I did too! From the beginning, I loved how they would keep the “wet” away from his body and allowing him a good night sleep.

The Pampers Swaddlers were by far my favorite Pampers diaper, they fit and moved better for my active kids! They absorbed more than the other diapers I tried and I never had a leak or wet crib in the morning.

Pampers is super absorbent, it has up to 12 hours of all night leak proof protection.

I cannot thank Pampers enough for causing my little to stay dry. You might be wondering what makes this product so leak resisdent. Well, it has three absorbent layers verses two in the other leading national brands to lock away wetness. Also, another reason this product is so resisdent to leakage is that it fits better around your little one’s legs.

Diapers can be expensive so we are offering a “Print at home” coupon code!

#PampersCoupons #ad

Also just in time for Summer is an awesome $1.50 off Pampers Swim Diapers!!

“This post was made possible by iConnect and Pampers. I was compensated for my participation in this campaign, but all opinions are 100% mine.”

Filed Under: Baby, Children Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Luv’s Diapers & $2.00 OFF Coupon #SharetheLuv #Ad

June 21, 2017 Leave a Comment

Printable $2.00 Off Coupon Print Here!!

 

Upon coming home from the hospital, I always had a problem with trying to figure out why my son always leaked through his diapers. I would change him constantly however it was not helping! I tried tons of different diapers, tons of different brands and even cloth diapers, but one day I came upon Luvs diapers. I was totally baffled at how I had never tried this company before! These diapers were AMAZING! Finally, my son is able to go more than a couple of minutes in this diaper without it leaking.  It was great on his sensitive skin. No more diaper rash from the wrong type diapers!

As he became older I could see the diapers growing with him. He was able to crawl around freely without me having to worry about his diaper leaking. Not only is this diaper affordable but it has the best quality for its price. I wish I would have known about these before so that I would not have wasted so much money on useless diapers!

During summer vacations, I do not have to worry about bringing a change of clothes because I know these awesome diapers will prevent a blowout!

Luvs is offering a print-at-home discount for a great way to save money. You can access the print-at-home $2 coupon here Coupon Code. The coupon expires in 30 days from the date the coupon is printed out. You can use this coupon at any mass discount, or grocery stores where Luv Diapers are sold. All Luvs diapers ae included in this offer.

There’s no way around it, parenting is expensive! But this summer, Luvs is offering great money-saving opportunities for parents with little ones.

As always you can follow them here to stay up on their latest coupons & deals!!

 

#SharetheLuv #Ad

“This review was made possible by iConnect and Luvs. I was provided compensation to facilitate this post, but all opinions stated are 100% mine.”

Filed Under: Baby, Children Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Baby’s First Home: Buyer’s Guide For Expecting Parents

June 8, 2017 Leave a Comment

There’s nothing like having a baby to make you realise that yours and your partner’s ‘young couple’ flat doesn’t have enough space for your growing family. Unfortunately, you have to balance your budget so you can afford both a bigger place, and everything else your little one might need. It’s an overwhelming, but necessary, undertaking. Here are a few tips to get you through this exciting time.

Image Source

Brainstorm

When it was just you and your partner, you might have been happy living somewhere within your price range, close enough to work, and not too far from any amenities. Now that you have a baby on the way, you might want to narrow down your criteria. Do you want to live in a good school district? Would you prefer a bungalow so you don’t have to babyproof the stairs? Be clear on what you want before you officially start your search.

Set up alerts

With some much going on at home, you might not have time to search the classifieds, property websites, or peek through the real estate agents’ windows until you find something you might like. Instead, have someone else do the searching for you. Agencies in your local area, such as Manausa Realty, have expert agents that are paid to take all your requirements on board and mind a property that meets all your criteria. Alternatively, you could go to a property comparison site, fill in your budget, area, and room requirement, and sign up to get emails whenever a property that meets your criteria goes on the market. However, you might be better off with an agent; they can let you know about new properties before they go on the website, increasing your chances of getting your dream family house.

Check the surroundings

Remember, you’re not just buying a house; you’re buying the whole neighborhood. Will it keep your kids awake at night if they live close to a busy road, or if the neighbors are too loud? Can you live next door to someone who doesn’t keep their front lawn up to standard? Is it better to live close to a park or a small corner shop? If you think you might like one of the houses on the list, take a walk around the block and see if you can imagine your whole family happy in the area.

Image Source

Get an inspection

Before you sign any documents, you should request an independent inspection of the house. The home inspector will look for hidden problems with the house, and you can learn about any issues that may prevent you from buying the property before it’s too late. This may include mold problems, termites, foundation problems and a bad roof. The last thing you need is a faulty house when you have to look after a newborn. The inspection can save you thousands in repairs later on, and you can rest easy knowing your new house is child friendly. If there are problems, you might be able to renegotiate the price.

Filed Under: Baby, Children, Home Tagged With: , , ,

The Way To A Child-Friendly Home

June 7, 2017 Leave a Comment

For any parent, keeping the home safe is always going to be a major concern. However, it can often be surprisingly difficult to know how to do just that. If you are a parent, and you want your home to be as safe as possible for your children, then you might find that it can be surprisingly overwhelming achieving that. There is often much more than you expect to have to deal with, and what’s more it can be a constant source of worry for even the most experienced of parents. If you want a more child-friendly home, you have to approach it from many angles and consider every last possibility, otherwise you can never be sure of how safe it is going to be. Let’s have a look at some of the major considerations when it comes to making your home more child-friendly as fast as possible.

Source

Babyproofing

One of the first things you will ever need to do is to babyproof the home. This is something all new parents are aware of, and yet it is always something of a shock when it comes to actually making it work. Babyproofing requires that you don’t overlook any tiny detail, and that is probably why people tend to find it so difficult. You need to go around your home and think about every possible injury or illness which might occur as a result of the state of the home, and then you need to fix it. The important thing here is detail: don’t skimp over anything, as this is the quickest way to ensure your child is injured. The good news is that once you have baby proofed your home, it is relatively easy to keep it that way. Then, even as your children grow older, you are in a much better position to continue keeping your home as safe as possible. This is why babyproofing is a necessary first step, and why you should not overlook it at all.

Prevention

There are all sorts of problems that can occur in the home, and it goes without saying that the ideal way to deal with them is to prevent them from happening in the first place. This is easier in some cases than in others, but there is usually at least something you can do to minimize the potential danger of any particular scenario. Even when it comes to things like natural disasters, you will find that there is a great deal you can do to minimize the damage. The fact is, most of the situations we are referring to here develop inside the home, so prevention is well within your grasp most of the time. It is a good idea to think about the particular threats facing your home, as they are different for each and every home. You can then work on ensuring that you do everything possible to prevent such a thing happening, and in this way help to keep your home as child friendly as possible. Although not always easy, this is always an essential action for any parent who wants their child to be as safe in the home as possible. Prevention is more effective than cure, so make sure you do everything you canto prevent the worst from even happening in the first place.

Source

Restoration

Even if you do everything in your power to prevent disasters occurring at home, sometimes they will happen anyway. When they do, it is often the case that you need to be focused more on reducing their impact and rebuilding than anything else. The number one concern at all times is the safety of your children and yourself, so make sure that you remember that if something terrible happens. However, in order to secure the ongoing safety and health of your children, you also need to make sure that you are doing everything you can to restore your home back to how it was as soon as possible. This can be quite difficult to do, but any parent will agree that it is absolutely essential as well.

Source

How you go about restoring your home will depend hugely on what kind of damage has been inflicted upon it. Regardless of what needs doing though, you will almost certainly need to hire the professionals – companies such as restoration eze can help you to restore your home to the way it was before, no matter what kind of disaster has struck it. Of course, you can also work hard yourself to get your home back to the way it was before, and you should, of course, feel free to do that. As long as you are working hard in this respect, you will find that you can soon get your home back to a much safer and more secure position, and that will benefit you and the rest of your family well.

Security

It’s not just disasters that you need to think about if you are protecting your children in the home. Security is always going to be a major concern too, and that is something that you should bear in mind if you think your children deserve to be as safe as possible. Being secure in the home ultimately means doing whatever is necessary to protect it from outside forces. If you are in an area where break in and burglaries are common, then you might want to think about getting a security alarm of some kind. Even if you don’t go that far, it’s vital that you take basic safety precautions such as keeping the home locked at all times, and not advertising your belongings easily for people to see. Taking these steps is essential if you want your family to remain safe in your own home.

Source

It might also prove necessary to carry out a number of regular checks, to ensure ultimate safety and security in your home. This might be checking the windows and doors and other entries, or it might mean checking your smoke alarms. You should be vigilant and never let your guard down, and in that way, you can protect your home and your family.

Filed Under: Baby, Children, Home

How To Plan The A Baby Shower For A Friend

June 7, 2017 Leave a Comment

Throwing a baby show for a friend is one of the greatest, heartfelt gifts you can give them. It’s a rite of passage for many women, who are pregnant for the first time, and what better way to celebrate an upcoming birth of a baby, than crossing the line into womanhood surrounded by friends. But this in itself, poses a huge challenge for friends and family, as the challenge is to differentiate your party from every other baby-related gathering or celebration. Luckily there are a few common codes of conduct that are flexible enough to give you creative control and allow you to make a truly bespoke baby shower.

 

The location

There is a whole range of differing locations that present contrasting vibes for baby showers. You could rent out a luxury apartment in the city, in a high-rise building so you can sip wine and enjoy the view while your pregnant friend opens presents. You may find renting of a 40×60 steel building cost is less than a hall venue in a grand hotel, yet provides bigger room and more options for facilities, such as a band, outdoor play area for visiting children of other moms, and a large main room for a large guest list. Parallel to the seating arrangement, you could have tables set up with a buffet food offered to the attendees. If you’d rather do it at your own home, that’s a great decision too, because it’s more personal and provides you with a chance to show the mark of a great hostess.

Image by – Lori

Setting the tone

It’s pivotal to the select a theme that your friend will relate to and enjoy. It’s got to be expressive of their nature, or perhaps from a childhood memory, and possibly even a theme that’s reflective of their baby’s gender. The easiest way to lose a grip on the overall look and interior design of the party is to move forward with just a vague hint, perpetuating a stride with no clear direction. Set out the day and what you want to achieve. For example, the catering, you could start out with a light brunch, reminiscing about the past with a close, tight-knit bunch of friends. Next onto an afternoon tea or lunch, where each person could swap stories about the first time they had a child and exchange tips and tricks on how to cope with a newborn.

Source – TerriC

The plentiful bounty of gifts

Make sure you brief your guests before they come to shower, and inform them well in advance that gifts should be baby proof and practical and something that will be detrimental to raising a baby. Apparatus like a breast pump, advanced guide to the stress calls and crying a baby makes life hacks that will save her time and money with the proper planning advice, clothing for the baby such as hats, mittens, and footwear, etc. These gifts should be given to make the life of the pregnant woman easier and less stressful, so try to steer away from food items and makeup.

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Baby, Children, Family Tagged With: , , , , ,

Swimways Baby Spring Float Sun Canopy – National Learn to Swim Day May 20, 2017

May 3, 2017 18 Comments
  • This post was sponsored by SwimWays as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

I have 3 grandsons under the age of 3 and water is a big concern for our family. At our home, we have a huge pond in the backyard and at our condo, we have a pool. We realize the importance of our grandsons learning to swim asap!

We taught our 3-year-old grandson using the Swimways Baby Spring Float Sun Canopy baby float and are now working on the 20-month-old, Tanner. I love the fit and comfort of these floats and the assurance of the cover to keep him from getting those sun rays!

The canopy has UPF 50+ sun protection with easy to remove or add, on and off snaps. The sides of the Swimways have a mesh material so that you are able to see the child in the Swimways the entire time they are in it. This Swimways Baby Spring Float is for ages 9 months to 24 months, so you are able to use it throughout the swimming season. Tanner loved that he was able to splash around and kick with no fear of tipping over. He is a big baby and this wide seating fits him perfectly.

As a middle school teacher, on a couple of occasions, I was made aware of middle school students drowning. This devastated the whole community, as you can imagine. I always think back to my family and how important water safety is!

Mark your calendars for this important date!! Or start sooner but please make sure your children learn water safety!

National Learn to Swim Day will be held on May 20, 2017.

After I began using the Swimways baby spring float sun canopy, my grandson, Tanner, is no longer afraid of the water and has even moved on putting his head under and learning to hold his breath. Next, we are going to work on kicking to the side. But thanks to the Swimways we are well on our way

If you are looking for an amazing safe water float check them out at Target! They carry this, swim step 1, and swim step 2 & 3 if needed. They can help your little one become and independent swimmer.

Check them out on their social media:

Filed Under: Baby, Children, Educational Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

#ShareTheLuv LUVS Diapers $1.00 Printable Coupon & $2.00 off in this Sunday’s Paper 4/30

April 23, 2017 12 Comments

I like saving money!! I am one of those who will scour the internet to try and find the best deal before spending my hard earned money on a product. I really love saving money on something that I use often. That is why when I find out about a great coupon on a great product I just had to share it.

Luvs diapers are by far my favorite. After three kids and a ton of time looking for the best-priced product, I found Luvs Diapers. I like knowing I am getting a good deal so when you add a coupon to the mix, I get extremely excited. Next week in the Sundays paper is a two dollar off coupon (April, 30th).

I usually won’t spend my money on a newspaper unless it is full of great coupons, like this week coming up. But you could print this amazing $1.00 off printable coupon if you were unable to get the Sunday paper! This is a big savings deal for me since I already use these great diapers and love saving money!

If you haven’t heard some drugs stores let you stack different types of coupons for even better savings. The low price at Wal-Mart is always a great deal. I try and stock up when I can get a great coupon like this.

Luvs Diapers are “softer and more absorbent than ever before, with large stretch tabs for easy fastening, ultra-leakage protection and a money-back guarantee, Luvs Ultra Leakguards with NightLock Plus™ provide the high-quality features babies and parents need for less cost than the premium brands”.

Save $1.00 print LUVs Coupon HERE

 

Follow them for their latest coupons here:

 

 

Twitter: @Luvs

Facebook: @LuvsDiapers

“This review was made possible by iConnect and Luvs.  I was provided compensation to facilitate this post, but all opinions stated are 100% mine.”

Filed Under: Baby Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

UpSpring Prenatal & Gummy #IConnect @UpSpringBaby #AD

April 18, 2017 11 Comments

 

UpSpring Prenatal & Gummy

From the moment I heard “Congratulations, you are pregnant.” I immediately felt a protective urge come over me. I want to protect this little human growing in my stomach. I started reading everything I could and really just wanted to make sure everything that entered my body wasn’t going to harm the baby. This is when I learned about the UpSpring Prenatal & Gummy.

This is such a special time in your life and the whole experience is amazing, I couldn’t risk anything, I was so relieved when I found this amazing all natural multivitamin supplement. It is so important to take vitamins as soon as you find out. I loved the assurance of knowing I was doing everything I could to have a healthy baby!

Product Description:

  • UpSpring, a mom-founded and mom-run company, has a mission to empower parents with confidence and to give them the freedom to enjoy motherhood even more. By finding innovative solutions to the everyday health and wellness challenges and frustrations facing mothers of a baby or young child, UpSpring provides “more fun, less worry.” Since 2005, UpSpring has made all-natural products based on true science that solve real problems.

  • UpSpring Prenatal+ is a complete multivitamin that also includes omega-3 DHA and choline (in the form of Alpha GPC), which are clinically shown to support fetal brain development.  Alpha GPC is a highly bioavailable form of choline and the only form that crosses the blood-brain barrier to nourish your baby’s growing brain.  It also helps to enhance DHA absorption.  This formula also contains the natural form of vitamin B9, folate, instead of synthetic folic acid. Enjoy three delicious mango-peach gummies every day plus one easy-to-swallow softgel. You get 100% of the daily value of 11 essential nutrients, plus brain-building omega-3 and Alpha GPC. Best of all, our gummy is easy on the stomach, so no tummy upsets!      

    You can check them out for the latest information and products here:                                                                                                                                        

    Twitter: @UpSpring_Baby

    Facebook: @UpSpringBab

     Instagram:  @UpSpringBaby                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

 

“This review was made possible by iConnect and UpSpring.  I was provided compensation to facilitate this post, but all opinions stated are 100% mine.”

 

 

Filed Under: Baby Tagged With: , , , , , ,

ClearPop Rapid Earache Relief

March 24, 2017 1 Comment

I have always hated an earache. As an adult, it hurts, unlike any pain I have ever felt. I really dislike it when my son gets an earache. I always felt so bad and helpless, until now! The first time I realized my son was grabbing his ear and was in pain I called the doctor and requested an appointment immediately.

Since then I have found ClearPop Rapid Earache Relief, I no longer have to stress over another earache. ClearPop is an over the counter treatment. It is easy to use by simply sucking on it like a sucker.

 

 

How it Works:

Only ClearPop works from inside the mouth to effectively and safely unblock the ear and Eustachian tube for immediate pain relief without medicines. Often over-prescribed, antibiotics treat the infection but can take 24-48 hours to work, don’t directly address pain, and can have potential side effects. Analgesics only mask the pain but don’t treat the underlying issue. Externally applied drops and solutions are ineffective because they can’t penetrate to the middle ear where the problem originates. ClearPop actually stops earache pain where it starts!

 

 

Filed Under: Baby, Children, Health Reviews Tagged With: , ,

#UpSpringBaby UpSpring Probiotic & Colostrum #ad

March 6, 2017 18 Comments

“This review was made possible by iConnect andUpSpring.  I was provided compensation to facilitate this post, but all opinions stated are 100% mine.”

It is such a joy to bring a new baby into the world,  I love watching him sleep and learn new adventures every day. Having a new baby is exciting and very scary. When I became a first-time mom I was determined to only use natural items with my son!

Of course finding these items were not always easy, especially ones that worked! I found this out quick when my son starting having tummy issues. Having a baby who has digestive issues can be overwhelming! Fortunately, there is UpSpring Probiotic & Colostrum to alleviate the digestive problems and help new parents! This was a lifesaver to my family! Saved us from having sleepless nights. Every time we had to change his formula we had to start giving him UpSpring to help his tummy issues.

 

This company is founded from mom’s themselves. It is made of all-natural products that are perfect for your littles one’s issues. Whether it is constipation, gas or even diarrhea it works great! I was so excited to have found out about it but after using it I was in love. My son became the happy go lucky baby he was before the tummy issues.

Upspring Probiotic & Colostrum is available at Walgreens, Target or online here. It is very easy to find and worth every penny!

It is always best to have some on hand because you never know when your little one will need it. I always hated to see mine suffer when they were little. Usually, it was due to tummy issues. We found this out the hard way.

You can follow them on social media here:

 

Filed Under: Baby Tagged With:

Be Mine Giveaway

February 9, 2017 Leave a Comment

 

Be Mine Giveaway for families, kids and babies - Mommy Scene

We are excited to bring you a fun giveaway from Mommy Scene filled with wonderful prizes for your family and cute little ones!

Prize Collection

Re-Play Valentine’s Day Tableware Set

Yummi Pouch Brights Reusable Food Pouches

Pacific Baby 3-in-1 Insulated Baby Bottle (7 oz Cherries) + 1piece Yellow and Green Straw Top

Taster pack of Amara Baby Food and reusable grocery bag

Four PaigeLauren Baby Caps and a Classic Layette Converter style of choice

Buttons Diapers Cloth Diaper Cover style of choice and Two Daytime Inserts

Handsocks Baby Mittens

One Infanteenie Beenie Newborn Hat (Excludes monogrammed items)

Cozy Blanket Pouch size and color of choice

NogginSeek Peek & Seek Rattle

Babo Botanicals Natural Kisses Lip Tint Trio

Thinkbaby Sunscreen

Bella B Foaming Face Wash and Nipple Nurture

Sleep ZzzPillow for kids ages 3+

The Shrunks Indoor Tuckaire Toddler Travel Bed

Enter to Win these Valentine’s Day Inspired Family Essentials!

This giveaway is coordinated by Mommy Scene, sponsored by the participating brands, and is open to US entries ages 18 and older. No purchase required to enter. One winner will be randomly chosen and contacted through e-mail, and their name displayed on the giveaway page after the giveaway ends on February 24, 2017. Mommy Scene and participating blogs are not responsible for fulfilling brand-sponsored prizes. Prizes will be shipped directly from each brand. Have fun and good luck!

 

Mommy Scene Blog Street Team

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Baby, Giveaway Tagged With: , ,

To the Top