Have you seen the new easy swaddle by aden + anais? Here are the details from their website:
+ 100% cotton muslin easy swaddle
+ breathable and helps reduce the risk of overheating
+ comfortable and ensures a nice secure swaddle.
+ secures with snaps
+ stylish prints
They look similar to the popular swaddleme but there are some differences. The swaddleme is 100% cotton (not muslin) and has velcro rather than snaps. I found it a pain to wash velcro and you have to be careful when washing velcro with muslin because muslin is so delicate. The swaddleme is significantly cheaper with a pack of three being about the same price as one easy swaddle. However, the easy swaddle is definitely better looking with both beautiful and adorable prints. The easy swaddle only has 7 reviews so far and only 2 are positive but I don’t trust reviews until there are significantly more. I absolutely love their boutique swaddle blankets though and would hope these are just as awesome.
Several prints are on sale for 15% off on Amazon and it’s the first time I have seen their price drop. Remember that Amazon prices fluctuate constantly and may have changed since this post was published.
If you haven’t tried Diapers.com yet, now is a good time. Here are two Diapers.com codes that will help reduce your baby related spending. These codes are for new customers only. Valid until March 31, 2013.
- $10 off your first case of diapers with the diapers.com code BABY7AFF
- 10% off almost everything else with the diapers.com code BABY7GAN
- Get 5% back every time you order diapers which can be used over the next 60 days on following orders
If you’re not sure about becoming a diapers.com member, here are some reasons to try them out.
9 Top Reasons to Shop with Diapers.com
1. Fast, Free Shipping with a minimum purchase of $49.00
2. Low Prices
3. Huge Selection
4. Shop the Familyhood (soap.com, wag,com etc)
5. Fantastic Customer Service
6. Refer a friend and they’ll save – and Diapers.com donate up to $45 to charity
7. Customer Reviews
8. They gladly accept manufacturer coupons
9. And no lines, no waiting, no trips to the store!
Check Confessions of a Dealaholic frequently if you’re looking for a Diapers.com code!
Baby toys aren’t played with for a long period of time, so in my opinion, it is best to make sure you don’t spend oodles of money on them. Most baby toys will be a lot of fun for your baby during a period in their first year and then you can pack them up for the next one or donate them to help other families provide some playtime for their little ones. Some baby toys are played with for a longer period of time and since they’re under $10, that makes them a fantastic deal. These toys are also easy to clean – just spray with them a diluted bleach solution and let them dry.
Baby Toys under $10
- First, there is the Baby Einstein Take-Along Tunes. It is usually the # 2 baby best-seller on Amazon, beat out only by Sophie the Giraffe. The best thing about this musical toy is that it is not annoying! Even adults can enjoy the classical tunes and baby will enjoy the light show.
- Second, there are the Sassy Bathtime Squirt Toys. 5 quirky toys for under $7. They’re cute and they’ll make bath time fun for several years. Make sure and give them names!
- Another favorite that doesn’t break the bank is the FP Rock-a-Stack. This is a staple in most households and most parents probably played with one when they were kids. I know I did!
- Next, we have the Baby’s First Blocks which is a great educational toy that teaches sorting, stacking, matching, and shapes. It is another toy that will last into toddler-hood which makes it a great value.
- Lastly, there’s the Bendy Ball. Almost 400 reviewers give it 4.5 out of 5 stars so you can’t lose! It is great for developing fine motor skills and provides auditory and visual stimulation for your little one.
When my daughter was about 7 months old, we decided it was time for a regular stroller and decided on the Contours Lite Stroller. We started out using the Chicco Keyfit 30 and the Snap ‘n Go which I highly recommend. The stroller frame is very light and easy to use and if the baby is sleeping in the car seat you just pick it up and place it in the frame.
Since we were on a tight budget with only one income, I had to be very frugal when it came to baby purchases. I still wanted items with excellent reviews and safety ratings but I knew I couldn’t drop a couple hundred dollars on a stroller especially since I was a baby-wearer (I love my Ergo Sport and my Moby Wrap!). After much research, I settled on the Contours Lite Stroller, a decision I have never regretted even though I secretly lusted after the City Mini. Here is my pro/con list.
Contours Lite Stroller – PRO list
- Consumer Reports gives it a “very good” rating on ease of use, maneuverability, and safety.
- Consumer Reports also labels it a “Best Buy”
- It has 4.5 stars on Amazon which is always a sure sign that you’re getting a great product. I rarely buy anything with less than 4 stars but more than 4 gives me major confidence in the item
- It is usually around $66 on Amazon but has dipped to $51
- It has a huge basket that I have filled to the brim at Target many times
- It has a cup holder for the parent
- It has a tray and a cup holder for the child
- The canopy shade is huge
- The back wheels lock
- The contours lite stroller is very lightweight, easy to fold and put in and out of the trunk
- It stands upright when it is folded which was a surprisingly convenient feature
- It travels well – we have taken it on the plane and used it at the airport with no problems
- The seat reclines (although not flat) and is very comfortable for stroller naps
- Moves smoothly and easily
- Has a 5 point harness
- It’s orange! I love the color!
Contours Lite Stroller – CON List
- There is no parent tray so I kept everything in the basket or the cupholder
- The seat doesn’t sit fully upright which was frustrating when my daughter was a toddler but then we decided not to strap her in and she can sit up herself. She is old enough that she won’t fall out.
- There are no bells and whistles – this is a budget stroller so you’re getting the basics
- This is a lightweight, basic stroller so it will not accommodate an infant car seat
- The seat isn’t really cushioned although my daughter never seemed uncomfortable
Overall, I highly recommend this stroller for parents who are looking for a budget stroller, a lightweight stroller or something easy for air travel. I really have no complaints after using it almost two years and I am happy with the quality and value of the stroller.
In my aden + anais comparison post, I talked about getting the boutique swaddles for the made-for-store price. Right now there are 2 boutique swaddle sets that are barely above the price for the lower quality ones – the Jungle Jam Swaddle Set and the Little Man set. In my opinion, they’re both gender neutral which makes them an even better deal and a great baby shower gift.
Remember, Amazon prices change frequently. Right now these swaddles are in the $36 range. I apologize if the price increased after publishing this post but keep checking, they’ll go back down.
What Babies Need – Clothing
Baby Gap has a printable Welcome Home Checklist that helps you figure out what babies need in terms of clothing. Overall, I’d say it is pretty realistic. For example, they recommend 4-6 footed one-pieces also known as sleepers. I would say that is right on the money.
They also recommend 2-4 sleep gowns which I have heard are great for middle of the night diaper changes because you don’t have to deal with snaps. I hated snaps by the time my daughter was 6 months old! Especially when I would realize at the end I had them lined up wrong and had an extra one at the end. We got Gerber gowns and hated them because they were way too long and skinny and will go with Baby Gap “bundlers” next time around.
What Babies Need – Everything Else
Check out my New Baby Checklist to help you with what babies need in all categories. I think it will help answer most of your questions!
The DEAL here is that you can get 25% of Baby Gap items with the code GAPDEAL. The deal ends March 10 but there will be another one. Gap constantly has coupons now. Don’t settle for less than 25% and 30% is best although 40% happens once in awhile!
Note: This specific coupon has expired but check Retail Me Not to see if there is a current one and there probably is.
Amazon has an interesting promotion going on until April 30. If you buy one of these baby books, you’ll get a free Amazon baby coupon book emailed to you the same day. The Amazon coupons total over $100 in exclusive baby, home and mom care savings. The coupons can be combined with other Amazon offers such as subscribe and save and the Amazon Mom discount.
Update: I purchased a qualifying book and a link to the Amazon baby coupons was emailed to me about an hour later.
Amazon Baby Coupon Book Summary
- There are 13 “diaper care” coupons including $2 off pampers, $5 off gDiapers, several diaper ointment coupons, and flushable wipes coupons.
- There are 11 “baby care” coupons including 20% off Baby Bee items, humidifier coupons, formula coupons, and BabyGanics coupons.
- There are 12 “home care” coupons including 2 coupons for Dreft as well as coupons for toilet paper, paper towel, tissue, bounce, trash bags and more.
- There are 9 “mom care” coupons and the best ones are for Neutrogena, Mederma Stretch Mark Therapy, 20% off The Body Shop body butters and 25% off Fekkai.
Popular Titles Included in Promotion
1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12
The Happiest Baby on the Block – I enjoyed his toddler version
The Belly Book – an adorable pregnancy journal
Dude You’re Gonna Be a Dad
The No Cry Sleep Solution – This one was a lifesaver for me!
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
Belly Laughs – A seriously funny and “real” pregnancy book by Jenny McCarthy
You’re probably going to buy one of the books on the list at some point, so you might as well get some Amazon coupons. You will save enough money with the coupons to make the book essentially free. You are welcome to share this deal using the icons below. If you have a question about the Amazon baby coupon book, please leave a comment and I’ll do my best to help. Enjoy your savings!
Until March 31, if you buy a phil&ted’s stroller on Amazon, you get a Doubles Kit for free. The Doubles Kit is worth up to $149 so it’s a hefty discount. This isn’t a budget stroller but it’s very smart – it starts out as a single stroller and then turns into a double when you have a second child. In the long run, it could possibly save you money.
