Mamas keep your babies rear-facing.

It’s a fact that children who are rear-facing have a greater chance of surviving a car crash.

Forward-facing children 12 to 23 months were over 5 times as likely to be injured compared to rear-facing children of same age. - NHTSA

Car crashes are the number one killer of children 1 to 12 years old in the United States. The best way to protect them in the car is to put them in the right seat, at the right time, and use it the right way. - NHTSA

It’s a fact that rear-facing car seats spread frontal crash forces over the whole area of a child's back, head, and neck; they also prevent the head from snapping relative to the body in a frontal crash.

“In 2000, 539 children younger than 5 years died while riding in motor vehicles; almost half were unrestrained,¹ and many others were restrained improperly.²” - AAP

“Birth through Age 2 – Rear-facing child safety seat. For the best possible protection, infants and children should be kept in a rear-facing child safety seat in the back seat buckled with the seat’s harness, until they reach the upper weight or height limits of their particular seat. The weight and height limits on rear-facing child safety seats can accommodate most children through age 2, check the seat’s owner’s manual for details.” – CDC

“In the United States during 2009, 1,314 children ages 14 years and younger died as occupants in motor vehicle crashes, and approximately 179,000 were injured.” – CDC

No harsh Chemicals review

When I first became a mom I did what I thought was right, I bought all the products that I thought babies needed. One of the things that I bought thinking it was the best thing for my baby was Johnson and Johnson baby wash. I mean everyone uses it and I got gifted like 10 bottles so clearly it was the best product. It did not take me long to notice my son was getting bad rashes and had dry skin. Thinking this was normal I lathered on the lotion and went on with my days. Finally I brought it up to my pediatrician that my sons rash was out of control. He constantly had dry red skin. Her first question for me was if I was using Johnson and Johnson, to which I replied yes! She told me to stop using it immediately. That was the worst soap I could use.

BabyLegs giveaway!

BabyLegs is giving away a $50 grab bag to one lucky winner!

Our5Cents is excited to bring you another great giveaway!
Be sure to stop by and visit BabyLegs Facebook page to stay up to date on their sales and products. They have lots of sales for Facebook fans only that you will not want to miss!! While your there be sure to tell them Our5Cents sent you and thanks for the giveaway!
Pros:
One size fits both my 2 year old and 8 month old
Stretchy material leaves no red marks
Great quality
Can be used for more than just baby leg warmers
Socks fit great with lots of colors and prints to choose from
Socks are true to size so no guessing!
Fast shipping
Their Facebook page always has new coupons!


Cons:
None!
Would I refer this product to a friend? YES!!
You can read the whole review of their Leg Warmers and Socks HERE.
 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Game Giveaway

Do you like to have fun playing games with your children?

Do you want to see your children's eyes light up with joy when they are learning?

With the great products for Education Insights, you can rest assured that your children are learning and having fun!!!

It is my pleasure to bring you this great giveaway for Sneaky Snacky Squirrel, a great hands on game for reinforcing colors and counting while developing fine motor skills and strategy. 

This game is wonderful for young children, ages 3-5, though 2 year old children should be able to play if they are closely supervised. Check out the review for a little twist for making it a little more challenging for older children.

You can read the full review at Tots and Me.

This giveaway is opened to US and Canadian residents, age 18+ 

Giveaway ends October 31st.

To enter, please use the Rafflecopter form below. Please make sure you actually complete each task before clicking enter. 

Boba 3G carrier review

I own a lot of carriers. I love them. With Dexter I use to always tote him around in his giant car seat. It hurt my arm, and I never got to just hold him. half the time he would cry because he was in it and wanted me to hold him but I couldn’t hold him and the carrier, so I was stuck with a throbbing arm and a screaming child. I had started wearing Dexter when he was about 11 months so none of my carriers were a good fit for a newborn.I do own a Moby Wrap but I wanted a soft structured carrier just because they are quicker.

I had originally ruled out the Boba because ay the time they only had the 2G. Which you can not put an infant in. About a month before I had Max they came out with the 3G. I looked into it and saw that you could carry an infant in it and I got so excited! This was the carrier I had been wanting and now I could get it. I contacted my friend at Hoppers baby Haven and she told me about all the great changes in the carrier. I was so excited to buy it.  She even found the cheapest way to ship it to me. How cool is that!? I got the carrier about two days later and I was so excited to try it.

Newborn diapers comparison.

So everyone is always asking me, what is the best diaper for a newborn that will last the longest? Well every baby is different and honestly you are doing pretty good if your baby fits in them for more than 3 months. Most will only fit about two months. The diapers I like best are mini one size diapers. The fit longer and you can stuff them with more things because there is more room in the pockets. But why take my advice when you can just look at Max’s cute fluffy bum!?
Pictures and comparisons after the Jump.

Recaro Proride car seat review

Last year around Dexter's first birthday I began noticing he was getting to big for his car seat. My first thought was that I would just get him one of those cheap ones from s big box store. My second thought was, Why are those other ones so expensive anyways? So I decided to do some research. I mean after all why you don't know CAN hurt you, or in this case your kiddos, Right? What I found out was amazing. I wish It was more known. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), at least 72% of the 3,500 observed child vehicle safety restraints were being used incorrectly. When that happens, the risk that the child will suffer an injury or more severe injury rises even more. NHTSA estimates that a properly installed and used child safety seat lowers a child's risk of death by 71% for infants and by 54% for toddlers ages 1 to 4. And rear facing kids have a much greater chance of surviving a car crash than forward facing. (For more information I have found this website to be the best. http://www.car-safety.org/rearface.html)   All of this got me thinking. Maybe those $40 seats aren't made as well as those with a higher price tag. I may be frugal but I will spend a lot of money to keep my kids safe. I never want to be the reason any of them are hurt. After doing a lot of research on car seats I chose this one, for three main reasons.
More after the jump

Action baby carrier review

Recently I have been on what seems like a never ending quest for the perfect carrier. I wanted something lightweight since it does get so hot down here, but it had to be sturdy so I felt like Dexter was safe in it. I own a Hot sling as well and I never feel fully comfortable in it. I constantly feel like he is going to fall out. So after about a month of searching I have found what I think is a great carrier for our 11 month old baby. It is called an action baby carrier.
The Action baby carrier is my first SSC! I am so excited to try it out and review it.

 After ordering it straight from the company I received an immediate email notification that my order had been received and later that day I got a shipping notice! The shipping time was super fast and I received the carrier today after placing my order Monday! I chose the Robins egg print. I love the colors they are so beautiful. As soon as it got here I impatiently wanted to try it on, and use it. However little man was sleeping so I had to wait. I did snap a quick picture of the carrier though.

The carrier strapped onto a chair.

close up of the print

arm strap buckle

With the hood up

Waist buckle

Hood buckle

 Action baby carriers started off as one woman trying to make a baby gift turned into a business. Also all carriers are made in the USA! I know I for one love that about a product.

 The first time I put Dexter in the carrier I did a front facing in carry. I read all the instructions and followed them the best I could. They are clearly written and they include pictures which is always helpful for me! It still took me a minute to get him in there because this is my first soft structured carrier. After I got it on I was very pleased with it. He feels so safe in the carrier and I don't feel like I need to constantly be holding his bottom! The straps were easy to adjust with one hand and they moved easily. I did not feel like I was having to use a lot of muscle to get the straps in the correct place.

 The next try for me was the back carry. This proved to be a little more difficult because he was so squirmy. and just wanted to ride my back like a horse when I was trying to get him in there. Also I was worried he was not all the way down so I had to go to a mirror and check to make sure I was putting him in correctly. Once I got him in the carrier worked great! he was high up on my back and I felt he was very safe in there.

 When my husband got home from work I also had him try it on. It took him a little bit longer to get it on right but he was pleased with the way Dexter fit in there. He was more uncomfortable wearing it the I was. I think this is a great carrier for shorter people but taller people seem to have a harder time getting a good fit. It still works with my husband but it is just not as comfortable. I am 5'3" and my husband is 6'1"

 Over all this is a good carrier and well worth the money. I would recommend it to a short friend but not a tall one. 

Pros

Great quality

Fast shipping

Great selection of patterns

comfortable for me. 5'3"

Has an attached hood.

The straps un buckle so you can wear it in multiple positions. 

Buckles are all sturdy

Well made

Made in the USA

Can carry a baby from 8 to 40 lbs

Cons

Straps are not as padded as I would like.

Not a good fit for my husband.

The chest strap is not attached and it can easily be lost.

Does not come with different instructions for a newborn. 

No pockets for storing stuff.

Here is a link to the website if you would like to order your own.: http://www.actionbabycarriers.com/shop/