[Sponsored advertorial] Tommee Tippee digital baby monitor

Hello folks! How would you like a Tommee Tippee digital baby monitor review?
Parents, was a baby monitor on your shopping list when you were setting up your nursery?

We don't have a baby monitor at home. Reason: For a large part of my parenting life, I co-sleep with my kids. There's no shame in admitting that.
It's just more convenient for me to wake up beside them when they need a feed, or to soothe a nightmare, or simply for me to pull back the covers they kicked off.
Let me tell you, if mothers slept through the night, I'd have 8 more babies.
My elder is 4 and I still wake up for him.

Thanks to my Mummy-friend Ee Zi (thanks Piggy! :p), Mothercare has kindly sponsored me a set of Tommee Tippee Digital Baby Monitor as they needed Mum-bloggers to trial and review this product.
So I thought, why don't I give it a try and let the boys sleep without me for once?
The prospect of having our bed to ourselves again was very appealing!

Yes, the prospect of not having bossy Mummy around is very appealing! Let's boogie!

Features of  Tommee Tippee digital baby monitor:
- Sound and Movement Baby Monitor is super-simple to assemble and use.
- 2-way talk back feature and night light enable you to soothe your baby from another room.
- Movement Monitor comes with a detachable sensor pad that fits under your baby’s mattress and sounds an alarm if no movement is detected after 20 seconds.
- Room temperature display.
- Long distance range of up to 300m.
- Baby night light controllable from parent unit

Let's get started!

Ok, let's do it!

Parent control unit

Left to right: Parent unit, movement sensor pad, Baby unit.
The sensor pad is to be placed underneath baby's mattress. It is about as thin as an iPad, lightweight, and highly sensitive.
**Note: the wire of the sensor pad should always go UNDER the cot and never over or on it.

When movement is detected, it flashes GREEN on the monitor as shown above.

In the boys room.

From our master bedroom.

Verdict

Design:

Simple and non-complicated. Small and sleek and easily placed at corner of the room.

 Idiot-proof:

Easy to configure, user-friendly even for a technophobic like me, and basically just "plug and play".

Comes with step-by-step instruction manual as well. Thumbs up!

 

 

 

 

Function:

Adam is able to talk to me via the monitor (in fact, when we first set it up, he kept calling out to me!) and vice versa, the voice tone is clear and no distortion.

Volume and sensitivity of movement pad can easily be adjusted via Parent unit.

However, because the movement pad is highly sensitive, even fan blowing on the wire will be detected as "movement". Therefore, it is more suitable to be used in an air-conditioned room, or if the wires are tucked snugly against the wall.

**Note: This monitor is not a medical device to prevent SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).

 

 

 

 

Cost:

If I'm not mistaken, this device costs $279 at Mothercare. While it is not the most expensive of monitors marketed out there, it's also not the cheapest I think.

 

 

 

Would I recommend it to parents?

Yes, definitely! Even when the kids are not asleep but left to their own devices in the living room or play room, I can still have peace of mind hearing them and knowing what they are up to.

You know how Mums need eyes at the back of their heads? With Tommee Tippee monitor, I have eyes and ears watching over the kids while I am not physically with them.

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 I would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to Mel and Jenifer from Mothercare Marketing department for this wonderful opportunity to work with Mothercare again. It has been our pleasure and privilege!

[Sponsored reviews] SgBum cloth diaper and Putto korean baby skin care.

Hey Mummies! How was the weekend?

Remember last week I did a sponsored review from Mummytoon?

This post is the second installation of the products which Mummytoon sponsored us: SgBum cloth diaper and Putto skin care for babies.

SgBum Grande Suede Cloth Diaper $25.20 (Mummytoon's price)

Cloth nappy or disposables? When I knew I would be doing a review of a cloth nappy, this was the question I pondered upon.

There are several factors which I considered - cost, convenience, and how eco-friendly.



According to this illustration I got off Facebook, Disposable diapers take 450 years to decompose, ranking the same as plastic and just after fishing line.

 



Cost-wise, cloth nappies are priced more expensive than disposable diapers if you calculate price-per-piece. However, in the long run, because cloth nappies are washable and reusable, you actually end up saving more.

 

Here is an example for usage of diapers on your baby up to 2.5 years (the average age of reliably potty-trained children).

Disposable diapers $0.30 x 6 pieces per day average x 365 days x 2.5 years = $1642.50

Now, let's look at how much cloth nappies would cost you:

SgBum cloth nappy w 2 inserts $25.20 x 24 pieces which is more than sufficient to last = $604.80 (Free courier service from Mummytoon for orders $100 and above)

Each diaper comes with 2 inserts.

How to slot in the insert: there is a pocket at the top end of the diaper.
It is advisable to line the diaper with a nappy liner to prevent poo poo from staining it too much.

Who makes a cuter nappy model??

The size is adjustable by the Velcro closure and makes the fit a dream.

Here's the VERDICT.

Absorbency:

Can hold pee for up to 3 hours.

Gentle on baby's skin and preventing nappy rash:

I love cloth nappies for the reason that both my kids never had nappy rash from using them. The suede material of SgBum is so soft even when I rubbed it on my face. So gentle on baby's skin.

 

 

Convenience:

As convenient to wear and remove as a disposable, except when going out, the cloth nappy is too bulky to fit under Ashton's clothes. The washing is not so convenient though :P

Cost-effectiveness:

Able to reuse and reduce - an important step in reducing the household grocery bill size.

Eco-friendliness:

I'm giving this 4 stars because even though it is washable, you have to consider the costs of water and detergent, and the time spent on washing and drying them.

Surely, you would need more water and detergent to wash off faeces and urine, and that would bring the Eco-friendly factor down.

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Putto Korean baby skin care: Secret lotion

Secret Lotion is the name of this moisturising lotion.

The promise: to make your baby's skin stay smooth and bright like Angel's magic. Contains 100% NHEB-05TM (Natural Herbal Extract Blended) instead of water.

Adam has dry skin after swimming, so I am letting him try this moisturiser.

VERDICT

Packaging:

Moisturising:

Smell:

Don't really fancy the commercial lotion smell. Would prefer essential oils smell like Lavender or Camomile for babies.

Cost:

Makes skin bright and smooth:

Sadly, I would not recommend this product because I find there is nothing special about it. I would prefer California Baby for children's skin care.


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Thanks for reading my reviews. I hope they have been useful to you!
As promised, I am giving you details of Mummytoon's website discount coupon.

Get $5 off every min. order of $60.
Enter this discount coupon upon checkout: MZDISC$5
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Do help to Like and Share Mummytoon Facebook page

And while you are at it, will you please Like Mumzilla's facebook page as well? Thank you so much for your support! :)

Confessions of a Mumzilla.

Hi all, I wanna say a BIG THANK YOU for reading my blog. I've just changed my blog banner too, to something which reflects my feelings as a Mom!

I first started this blog to chronicle my experiences as a mommy and wife when I got pregnant and when Adam was born.
I wanted to reminisce those times when I am old one day.
Four years and 2 kids later, I am still writing about my (boring) life.
The difference is, today, I have made many new Mommy-friends over the course of my blogging.
Moms who don't know me at all who are bothered enough to read about us and drop me invaluable suggestions and advice.
Thank you for walking this scary journey called Motherhood with me. I am grateful for your friendship!

 

Here are my Confessions, true blue Mumzilla style. No holds barred. No pretense that it's all a walk in the park. Just sheer, brutal honesty:

1) I fed my kids cold milk at some points of their lives because I was too tired to warm it up at night.

2) I scream & shout at the top of my lungs at my kids. Occasionally.

3) When Adam is out the door on his way to school on a Monday, I do cartwheels and shout Hallelujah.

4) I let Adam eat junk once in a while just to shut him up.

5) I nearly lost Adam at the mall when I was too engrossed checking out sales items. Once. Worst fright of my life. Never went sales with him alone again. Ever.

6) I'm guilty of surfing Facebook and Instagram on my mobile when Adam is at the playground. Nevermind the dirty looks from other parents. Some me-time is better than none.

7) I sometimes pretend to be unwell so the husband will take over the parenting and I can hide under the covers.

8) Sometimes when Adam wants me to look at him build Lego, I pretend to be amused but the fact is I'd much rather look at the back of my eyelids.

9) I can't stand parents who preach about eating right all the time, total breastfeeding, positive discipline and all of that. It's so holier-than-thou and nobody gives a shit what you do with your kids. Really.

10) At the end of the day, I do love my kids dearly. And my kids love me back too. Whenever I'm home, it's always Mummy Mummy MUMMYYYY! They have powerful in-built GPS that can detect me no matter where I hide.

 

 

Cheers to Motherhood ladies! It's a rough ride, thanks once again for sharing my pains and joys, and for all the advise when I needed them.

I love ya all!

 

P.S. If you have any confessions of your own, I would love to hear them too! :)

Melissa & Doug Write-a-mat and Mothercare SALES

Have you come across Melissa & Doug reusable learning mats called Write-a-mat?

I bought them for Adam to practice writing his Letters and Numbers.

They are better than textbooks because writings can be erased and the mats can then be re-written on over and over.

 

These retractable washable crayons are from Melissa & Doug, and complement the learning mats. However, I find them to be brittle and break easily so we ended up using Crayola washable crayons instead.

Write-a-mat retails for $4.90 per piece, and the crayons at $4.50 per packet of 5 colors.

 

Mothercare SALES is starting tomorrow. Yep. 31st May to 31st July.

During the Mothercare sales last year, I bought loads of Leapfrog toys and Leapfrog Tag reading system at heavily discounted prices, so this sales is not to be missed!

 

 

 

Now how's that to kickstart your GSS :)

 

[Sponsored reviews] Mummytoon organic baby products - Part I

Happy Mid-week mommies!! How is the week treating you so far?
I have been so busy ever since I came back from Rompin. Back to work, back to my kids and family, back to reality!
I have some sponsored goodies that I reviewed over the past week and finally have time tonight to share with all of you :)

Friends and family know I'm quite the organic freak. My children and I are large consumers of organic stuff, from food produce to milk and right down to shampoo and body wash.
Why choose organic, you ask??
I've actually written a post HERE explaining why I choose organic and why I feel it benefits our children.

As you might already know, organic stuff in Singapore do not come cheap. Therefore, I am constantly on the quest for affordable yet convenient organic retailers.
I first came across Mummytoon website about a year ago when I was pregnant with Ashton and sourcing for lowest-priced California Baby products and have been buying my organic supplies from them since. Not only do they have the full California Baby range, they also have Bellamy organic milk and cereal which Ashton is consuming at the moment.
Their doorstep courier service (FREE for orders $100 and above) saves me a lot of hassle.

Recently, Maria and Eileen from Mummytoon sponsored me several items for review on my blog and I must say I am very honoured!

Let's have a look at what the items are that came in our delivery!

Organic snacks, pureed juice, skincare, California Baby bubble bath, and SgBum cloth nappy.
We are stoked!

California Baby bubble bath:

I think this brand needs no introduction as it has been around for very long and remains popular with Mommies here and here's what we think:

Our skin, being the largest organ of our bodies, deserves to be treated kindly, more so for our children.
Babies usually have sensitive skin and are susceptible to rashes (heat rash, nappy rash, pimply bumps), therefore I chose California Baby due to its wide range (from shampoo to body wash to powder and creams), and being organic and sulphate-free (sulphate is the foam-causing agent in most soaps).
California Baby is kind on nature and even kinder to my family.

Verdict: It is very mild and suitable for the most sensitive of skins, and non-drying as well. Although the smell is rather subtle and doesn't last long (compared to brands like Johnson & Johnson), I will still buy it because sometimes my babies are prone to redness and rash on their skin due to our humid weather. Other commercial brands of baby wash leave their skin slightly dry and flaky on their limbs, but I've never experienced this with California Baby. Worth the money.
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Next up: organic treats!

 

Happy Baby organic fruit puree pouches. (pictured first 3 from left)

Verdict: Available in different flavours, I brought these Puree Pouches out with us last Sunday when we had to be out the entire day (swimming lesson for Adam, lunch, going back to my Mum's, we were practically out the whole day). I mixed these into Ashton's organic cereal and it served as a complete meal for an 8-mth old with grains, greens and fruits. The puree is of smooth consistency and just like what you would expect out of puree jars.
Disposable and comes in just right serving sizes mean no wastage and no washing up.
Brilliant, me thinks!
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Organix Goodies organic raisins and chopped apples snacks. Packaged in convenient, individual packs for travelling with your tods:

Verdict: I like these small individual packs for the added freshness and convenience because it just means I don't have to pour them into snack holders. This shaves a lot of weight and bulk from my diaper bag which is so important. Plus, raisin and apple snack - something you cannot go wrong with especially on your little tikes!
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Happy Baby organic fruit puffs - in banana flavour:



Certified USDA organic and melts in baby's mouth. Which means, they are good for toothless eaters just like my Ashton!

Verdict: Good thing they come in BPA free bottles, which goes to show no expense is spared in ensuring the best for your baby. No harmful plastic, no harmful chemicals in the treats that go directly into their mouths and gastro-intestinal tracts.

The only downside I can find probably is, due to the large bottle size (as tall and wide as a 1L water bottle), and the lid not being air-tight, the puffs start losing crispness quicker than my kids can consume them. If you're thinking of buying this product, I suggest you pour them into airtight storage containers, or they simply make an ideal shared snack for playdates or parties.

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That's not all. Our reviews of Mummytoon's SgBum cloth nappy will be up in the next post.

And by the way, have you checked out Mummytoon for the wide array of products they carry? 

Plus.....Discounts for all Mumzilla readers!

Details up next :)

 

Thanks for swinging by and see you soon!