New Mom

Motherhood, New Mom, Skincare, Sponsored
Is it Eczema? Signs and Symptoms of Eczema Every Parent Should Know
- 11:28 pm
- 0 comments
- by Adanna Dill
Signs and Symptoms of Eczema Every Parent Should Know.

I was compensated by Med-IQ through an educational grant from Sanofi Genzyme and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals to write about the signs, symptoms, and treatments available for eczema/atopic dermatitis. All opinions are my own.

Don’t you wish your baby was born with a manual similar to those you get when you purchase a new car? You can turn to the page corresponding to the issue and voila, it’s fixed—no need to obsess or wonder. I wish my kids did, especially my firstborn. When she was a newborn, I knew nothing about babies, so when she came down with a nasty bout of cradle cap, I took her to the pediatrician, who was just as perplexed. Is it Eczema? He wasn’t sure. I ended up switching to another pediatrician who right away identified what it was. Years later, we realized that she does have Eczema on her feet. As we head into the colder months, it can be challenging for people who struggle with Atopic Dermatitis or Eczema. In honor of the 31 million Americans who have some form of Eczema, October is National Eczema Awareness month.

Now when it comes to Eczema, misinformation is rampant on the internet. I’m happy to partner with Med-IQ for a two-part series to share accurate, current Eczema information. For part one of this series, let’s chat signs and symptoms of Eczema.

Symptoms of Eczema

Itchy rash

An itchy rash that may be red or darker brown, purple, or ashen grey on dark skin is one of the symptoms of Eczema or Dermatitis. This rash may appear during any season but would most likely occur during extreme weather–too cold or too hot, so most people suffer mostly in the winter or summer.

Skin Reactions triggered by allergens

Skin reactions triggered by food sensitivity, pets, and/or wool clothing.

Covers a large area of skin

One form of Eczema, Atopic Dermatitis, may cover a large skin area.

Filaggrin Deficiency

One indicator is a filaggrin deficiency that results in “leaky” skin, which weakens the skin barrier causing increased sensitivity to allergens and irritants. Sufferers with the most severe cases of Atopic Dermatitis tend to have a filaggrin deficiency.

ps: If you notice that any of these symptoms occur repeatedly, it may be Atopic Dermatitis, which is considered a chronic condition. This form of Eczema can be agonizing for patients trying to deal with the pain and, in some cases, cover a large portion of their skin.

Signs of Eczema

Age Group

Eczema is common in certain age groups. As parents, it’s important to note that it occurs mostly in babies and toddlers, but some teens and adults also struggle.

Genetics

Eczema isn’t necessarily genetic, but some people may have predisposing genes making the likelihood stronger.

Seems unavoidable

Eczema may be unavoidable, regardless of what you use, so if you’re noticing that you’re trying to prevent dry itchiness, but it occurs, that might be a sign of Eczema.

I hope you found this information helpful to get an idea if you or your family members have Eczema. Eczema is a serious condition that can impact us financially, mentally, and emotionally so take good care of yourself or any family member struggling with Eczema.

PS: Med-IQ is conducting an anonymous survey and would appreciate your input. The survey will take less than 10 minutes to complete. Survey responses are shared only in aggregate. Your responses to these survey questions will provide Med-IQ with important information about your experiences with atopic dermatitis, which will help us develop future educational initiatives. Once you’ve completed the survey, you will have the option of providing your email address to be entered into a drawing administered by SOMA Strategies to win 1 of 10 $100 VISA gift cards.

If you choose to enter, your email address will be used only to randomly draw the winners and notify them of their prize.

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How I’m Encouraging My Toddler’s Imaginative Play with her Madame Alexander Baby Doll
Baby, Mom in Heels, Motherhood, New Mom, Sponsored
What Every New Mom Should Know About Introducing Solids and Diaper Rashes
- 9:33 am
- 0 comments
- by Adanna Dill
What Every New Mom Should Know About Introducing Solids and Diaper Rashes

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Triple Paste Medicated Ointment for Diaper Rash. All opinions are 100% mine.

As this decade ends, I can’t help but to reflect on the three children I gave birth to within the last 10 years and my many experiences as a mom. I was raised as an only child, so I didn’t grow up around babies—actually I had no idea what to do with a baby, so I had to learn on the job. It wasn’t easy especially my days as a first-time mom. But here we are three babies later, and much more confident yet I’m still learning because the minute I start feeling like I figured out everything, I get hit with a challenge that humbles me.

One of the first times this occurred was when my first-born was six months old. I was just starting to feel good about how I was balancing my life as a parent and full-time grad school student. My baby was sitting up and ready to eat solids, so I started introducing her to foods, one new food at a time the way my pediatrician had advised. She would spit out some of it; I would continue to try and even brainstorm different ways to serve her solids to make them enticing to her. Then eventually, she started eating, she would dance in her seat doing a little happy dance when she tasted her food, and I took that to mean that we were on the right path.

After a few days, though, I noticed what looked like a diaper rash developing on her behind. She didn’t have one since her birth, so I was shocked and felt scared when I saw it. I was under the impression I was doing all of the right things, so why was this happening? I changed her diapers frequently and ensured that her behind was always clean, dry and had a layer of protection with diaper cream.

I felt like I had failed and even worse, embarrassed to talk to other moms about the diaper rash. I worried that my baby might be in pain from the diaper rash so we took her in to see her pediatrician, who is a mom of five. She smiled at my husband and I, both of us worried about our first child and told us just a few days of Triple Paste, and it would go away. Honestly, that was the first time I heard of Triple Paste, but not the last time I used it. We picked it up from Target on the way home, started using it that day and the rash started to clear up in less than 24 hours. We were amazed by how fast it worked and it became one of those holy grail baby products that we used over and over with all three of our children. As most of you know, my baby is still in diapers so Triple Paste is still needed around here. I don’t feel the same type of embarrassment or fear again about diaper rashes caused by introducing a new food.

It’s not just transitioning to solids that can cause diaper rashes though if your baby is teething, keep an eye out for a possible diaper rash.

There are so many things no one tells you when you become a mom, and I can honestly say that diaper rashes caused by solids and teething as well as how effective Triple Paste are things every mom should know.

ps: Triple Paste ointment is available at several retail stores, including: Target, Walmart, buybuy BABY, CVS, Walgreens, Rite-Aid and other fine retailers

Did your baby ever get a diaper rash from solids or teething?

GIVEAWAY: Triple Paste is giving a $150 e-Gift Card from buybuyBABY.com and a Baby Gift Basket to 5 lucky winners! Enter Here: sumlab.com/giveaway”
Baby, Motherhood, New Born, New Mom, Self-Care
Lost Yourself in Motherhood? Do these things to feel like yourself again
- 8:16 pm
- 0 comments
- by Adanna Dill
Motherhood requires a lot from us! I have three kids — a toddler, newly 6-year-old and almost 9-year-old so I know it can be intense. Our little ones need our constant love, attention, encouragement, protection and to be cared for. There have been entire days that I was in mommy mode and didn’t have a moment to think about my existence much less do anything for myself. When I had my firstborn, during the first few weeks I lived for her every need and overlooking every single one of mine. I had completely lost myself in motherhood, I couldn’t stop to bother about myself — my needs and desires. If you’ve been there too or you’re there now, you know the feeling, you know what it is. You were trying to be the best mom you could be and somehow ending up forgetting about yourself.

Treat yourself like an additional child.

You can’t be a good mom if you’re not taking good care of yourself.

The main reason we get lost in motherhood is that we’re not taking care of ourselves the way we did before we became mothers. We place 98% of our attention on our children and 2% on ourselves and our lives. When we get lost it’s because our kids have taken up space in all areas of our lives and we feel stifled. You’re probably not going to make time for you easily so treat yourself like an additional child, what if you had another baby? Pretend you’re the other baby and treat yourself with all of the love attention you find to shower your children with. This is what I do now because there were times where I would feed my children but not myself. I had to force myself to think of me as another child and feed myself too. Taking care of ourselves teaches our children how to take care of themselves too as they grow older.

Stop overextending yourself.

A few years ago, I decided to sign my kids up for a few different extracurricular activities to keep them active. IT was too much for me physically and within a few weeks of our new routine driving around to different activities, I start to feel the wear and tear on my body. I was exhausted and it affected my mood. We finished up the sessions but I never did that again. Now, I have my kids sign up for only two extracurricular activities at a time and I’m careful to ensure that they’re not scheduled back to back or during a time we might be stuck in traffic. This is just an example but you can think of ways that you probably overextend yourself so you can make the necessary changes. Shorten your to-do list and add yourself to it.

Go after your goals and dreams.

I’ve never met a person pursuing their goals and dreams who was unhappy or had lost themselves. Following the desires of your heart will make you happy, inspire your children and prevent you from losing yourself in motherhood.

Get over perfection.

We all know that it’s impossible to be perfect but somehow, we all try anyway. We might tell our family and friends that we know we’re not perfect but deep inside we still thrive for perfection. I know Pinterest moms look perfect but consider that you’re getting a professional photographer’s glimpse into their lives that are meant to be perfect. Getting past the need and desire for perfection will free you up to take care of you and enjoy yourself and your motherhood journey.

Get a life.

I know this is harsh but last but not least, get out and get a life outside of motherhood. Hang out with your girls, go on dates, join a club or try a class. Do things that you’re curious about that sparks your interests so you have a life outside of motherhood. I know this can be hard but trust me it’s worth it and you will return to your babies filled, happy and prepared to be the best mommy ever.

Let me know some of the things you do when you feel lost in motherhood.

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Baby, Breastfeeding, Family Travel, Motherhood, New Mom
Nursing at the Airport: My Mamava Breastfeeding Pods Experience
- 8:30 pm
- 0 comments
- by Adanna Dill
I’m not a big fan of nursing in public especially now that my baby is over one. It’s not that people stare at me or anyone has ever said anything negative to me. I just don’t feel comfortable. I usually nurse her at the hotel or find a quiet semi-private space if were out in public but as you can probably imagine, it’s that’s hardly possible at airports. Between our bags, baby carrier, stroller and the baby (and kids) it’s nice to have to nurse in a space where I can relax and not deal with the stress of being in a crowded environment. I first learned about the Mamava Breastfeeding Pods in the Jetblue terminals when my friend Clarissa of Passports and Parenting posted about them in her Instagram stories a few months ago. So last week, while traveling with Jetblue, I was happy that they have them at both at JFK and Orlando airports. I used it only Orlando as our flight back home was delayed. Besides these two locations, there are many across the country so if you’re planning a trip in the near future, you can check here to see if there are any at the airports you’re using. Anyway, I wanted to share a few observations I made and my experience using the the Mamava Breastfeeding Pods:

It’s designed just for breastfeeding/pumping.

The pod is basically a small container trailer parked in an airport terminal. It’s a basic space with a small bench to sit, outlets for your pump and other devices, paper towels and hand sanitizer. There are no luxuries, fluffy pillows or extra comfort, it’s just a private space where you can sit and pump. I guess it was designed that way to deter moms from hanging out in the pod for too long.

They’re not changing rooms.

These aren’t meant to be changing rooms for your baby and there isn’t a changing table in the Mamava Breastfeeding Pod to safely change your baby. Plus, it’s so small that the odor of a dirty diaper would make it unbearable for moms to nurse or pump. If you need to change your baby, the bathroom would be the best place to do so.

It’s a Small Confined Space.

If you’re claustrophobic this may not be a good option for you. I’m not claustrophobic but I did worry about getting locked inside the pod with my baby. There are no windows or any way to let anyone know that you’re there so that adds to the isolating feeling. That said, there is a sense of peace in a busy airport, even with so much going on around the pod, you can sit there and nurse you, baby, peacefully.

Spacious enough to hold your luggage etc.

The pods are big enough to fit your stroller, baby carrier, luggage, etc. and even some space for family members to come in with you if you’re traveling with your kids without another adult. This is important for obvious security issues.

They’re Free.

These are free for use of any nursing mom, you don’t have reserve them or pay to use them.

I would love to see airports expand to have nursing lounges instead of these pods. I’ve used family lounges in Europe and in other spaces here in the United States (malls, event lounges, churches, etc.) and I prefer those but the pods are a good start for airports and for Jetblue.

Have you ever used one of the Mamava Brestfeeding Pods? What was your experience like?
Lifestyle, Motherhood, New Mom, Sponsored
Declutter and Make Money on Facebook Marketplace
- 12:19 am
- 0 comments
- by Adanna Dill
Thank you Facebook Marketplace for sponsoring this post. There’s something for everyone!

You know what’s one of the things I feel like moms don’t talk about enough – baby clutter. Having a third baby only reminded me of how much stuff these little humans need. Clothes – lots and lots of clothes that they seem to grow out of within weeks, bulky products, and big toys. A baby will take over your house in no time, but things get a bit better as they get a bit bigger. Now that my baby girl is a year old and it’s the holidays, I’m happy to declutter and get rid of the baby stuff she’s now grown out of before we roll into 2019. As I thought about reclaiming my space, I figured I could make a little money in the process with so much of her clothes never worn, or worn only once, and products that are almost as good as new. One of my friends mentioned that she buys all her baby’s clothes on Facebook Marketplace, so I decided to give it a try as it seemed like the least stressful option to get everything out of my house quickly.

Like most of us modern moms, I basically live on Facebook, sharing updates and keeping up with my family and friends. Facebook Marketplace was a natural and, honestly, easy choice for me to sell since I didn’t have to download a new app or go through the daunting process of setting up a new account. All I did was take pictures of everything I wanted to sell, and upload it which was a simple process.

So far I’ve sold three things, and it was easy to chat with the moms who bought from me over Messenger, and I even checked out the public profiles of the moms I communicated with before selling to them. Over the next few weeks, I plan to both sell more toys that my older children have outgrown too as they’re getting new ones for the holidays and I know moms are holiday shopping on Facebook Marketplace for not just baby, but the whole family.

Do you shop on Facebook Marketplace?
Baby, Lifestyle, Motherhood, New Mom, Pregnancy, Sponsored
Diaper Bag Checklist: Baby Essentials
- 5:48 pm
- 0 comments
- by Adanna Dill
Thank you BJ’s Wholesale Club for sponsoring this post. As always, all opinions are my own.

A few years ago, when my son was still a baby, I took him and my older daughter to their cousin’s birthday party. At the time, I had a baby and a three-year-old, so there was never a dull moment. After finally getting them both and myself dressed we were running late, so I skipped checking my diaper bag before dashing out the door. When I got to the party, I discovered I had no diapers in my diaper bag, major mom fail. I felt embarrassed to have a big diaper bag with no diapers. The host even joked about it, but fortunately, she had a few diapers on hand, and although they were a little small, they worked for the moment. Since that day, I check my diaper bag daily, and I shop in bulk at BJ’s Wholesale Club for all of my baby essentials to ensure I never run out. With the upcoming holidays, I know most of us are going to be out more than usual with our babies, so I wanted to share a diaper bag checklist of baby essentials you need on the go:

Diapers

It’s called a diaper bag for a reason, this is the most critical thing in the diaper bag, and if you forget it at home, it may be the most expensive to buy on the go. On the days that the baby goes to her swimming lessons, I pack swim diapers too.

Diaper Cream

As I’ve mentioned before that I’m a big fan of Boudreaux Butt Paste, it works well on my baby’s skin, and I keep it in her diaper bag for changes on the go. To prevent rashes, I’m a strong believer in creating a barrier between baby’s skin and the diaper, and the Boudreaux diaper cream is quite effective.

Snacks

My baby girl loves Sprout Organic Snacks, the cheese and broccoli curls are her favorite, and even my son loves them too. These are new at BJ’s Wholesale Club and timely for her as she transitions into a toddler.

Baby Wipes

My rule of thumb is always to keep a packet of wipes that are at least half full. It’s helped me, and I’ve also been able to rescue other moms who needed wipes especially at the playground. I’ve never purchased wipes individually since becoming a mom. They’re much cheaper in bulk.

Baby Wash

While her baby wash is mainly kept in her diaper bag to use for her shower at the pool after swimming, it’s come in handy before after an accident to clean her up. We recently discovered Honest Baby Shampoo and Body Wash, and I love that it’s lightweight, free of harsh chemicals and smells sweet on my baby girl.

Above is my full list everything in my diaper bag. You can download a copy here and print it if that’s more convenient for you. If you need to stock up on baby essentials, don’t waste time or money buying products individually. You will never run out of necessities again with a BJ’s Wholesale Club membership. I use the BJ’s mobile app for the BJ’s Add-To-Card coupon feature, and I love that they are automatically applied to my bill, unlike other stores that require extra steps for saved coupons. Besides baby products, I purchase clothes, groceries, electronics, gifts during the holidays and my husband swears that by filling up our gas tank at BJ’s Gas®.

What are your diaper bag essentials?
Lifestyle, Motherhood, New Mom, Sponsored, Toddler
A Healthy Way to Deal with Diarrhea in Children
- 11:45 pm
- 0 comments
- by Adanna Dill
This post is brought to you by DiaResQ® and The Motherhood. All opinions are my own.

Nothing makes me want to run for the hills and hide like one of my kids calling out from the bathroom to alert me that they have diarrhea. Actually, the average American child experiences 7-15 episodes of diarrhea by age five. Urgh! A sick child ranks really high on the “How hard is the parenting?” spectrum. That’s motherhood for you — caring for a sick child is hard not just physically but emotionally, it’s stressful to watch and care for your child who is ill especially diarrhea. In my eight years of mothering three kids, I’ve learned a great deal of what works and what doesn’t work. Here’s how I deal with diarrhea in children:

Assure my kids that they will be fine.

My kids always panic when they have diarrhea, the accompanying stomach and frequent bathroom trips scare them, and I find myself having to calm them down from hysteria and letting them know that they will be fine.

Switch them to the BRAT Diet.

When my daughter was a toddler and had her first bout of diarrhea, her pediatrician told me to put her on the BRAT diet, and I had no idea what she was referring to. She laughed reminding herself that I was a first-time mom and broke down that I should be feeding her mild foods like bananas, rice, and toast until diarrhea stop (my older daughter never wanted the rice).

Try DiaResQ®!

Note I didn’t say medication, I treat their diarrhea with DiaResQ as an alternative to drugs because it’s both drug & antibiotic free, it’s simply a food made from safe, naturally-derived ingredients. Recently, I used DiaResQ® when my son came home and went straight to the bathroom complaining of diarrhea. DiaResQ® isn’t medication which he probably would have given me a hard time to take. All I did was mix the vanilla flavored powder with water, shook it and he drank it all up. I was happy that he got some relief within a relatively short time and was back to playing with his toys instead of doubled over in agony. DiaResQ® restores intestinal function with vitamin B2 and proteins along with other nutrients.

According to the brand “Diarrhea is the body’s natural immune response to try and remove an invading microorganism, and some other products work by slowing that response (and trapping that organism in your body). DiaResQ is different – it works with your body to address the underlying issue fast. With DiaResQ on-hand, you can safely address diarrhea head on – so you can keep your children happy and healthy and your busy life on track!”

DiaResQ worked so quickly that we didn’t even need the BRAT diet this time around. I’m keeping my home stocked with DiaResQ for the holiday season, and if you’re traveling, you should too since diarrhea can affect 70% of travelers. DiaResQ isn’t just for kids; if you get sick, you can use it too. You can purchase DiaResQ at CVS and Amazon.

Visit diaresq.com/momapproved website to learn more and keep your child happy and healthy!

Ps: DiaResQ is not intended for the relief of chronic diarrhea, nor for infants (children aged 12 months or less).
Activities, Baby, Lifestyle, Motherhood, New Mom, Sponsored, Toddler
My Baby’s Swimming Lessons at Goldfish Swim School {Update}
- 1:23 am
- 0 comments
- by Adanna Dill
This post is in partnership with Goldfish Swim School. As usual, all opinions are my own.

Back in the spring, I shared that my baby, who was five months old at the time started taking swimming lessons at Goldfish Swim School, Garden City where my older two kids are enrolled. It’s a full seven months since she started and I wanted to share an update on what the experience has been like if you’re considering enrolling your baby in swimming lessons. I started her much earlier than my older kids because I regretted waiting so long with them, I felt like I did them a disservice and while they’ve come a really long way and can both swim now they’re still working on becoming more confident swimmers.

[Tweet “An Update on My Baby’s Swimming Lessons at Goldfish Swim School”]

When we first started her lessons she really enjoyed splashing in the pool, she would light up during that part of her lesson, and I have to admit that seeing how happy it made her, made it my favorite time too. As she approaches her first birthday and is a bit more aware of her surroundings, she’s very excited about the toys and floaters used in the class. She loves when the puppet sings to her at the end and waving to her siblings sitting in the gallery area looking at her.

She’s not swimming yet, this class takes a very gentle approach, and the focus is to help little ones feel comfortable in the water. When she first started, they started with getting her used to water on her face and now she also does underwater dips. Over the time, she’s getting more comfortable with both of these.

We love bonding with her during class!

When she first started because of the timing of the lessons my husband didn’t get to get into the pool with her so although we absolutely loved her first instructor we switched her time so she could rotate and her new instructor is just as impressive.

We’re huge fans of Goldfish Swim School, and I share clips from each class on my Instagram. You can watch them here. A few of you have also joined our location or messaged me that a location opened up close to you and you joined too. If you have also joined, please shoot me a message. <3
Baby, Family Travel, Lifestyle, Motherhood, New Born, New Mom, Pregnancy, Product Reviews, Sponsored
3 Tips for a Comfortable Road Trip with Kids
- 8:09 pm
- 0 comments
- by Adanna Dill
Thank you Maxi-Cosi for sponsoring this post. Keep your little adventurers comfy, safe & stylish with the Maxi-Cosi Magellan™ Max 5-in-1 Convertible Car Seat!

One of the many things I love about my son is his desire for adventure! Whether we’re sailing the Caribbean, traveling through Europe, or exploring our city, any change of scenery gets him really excited. Lately, it’s been a season of changes for him and I’ve watched in awe as he embraced them all with the same marvel in his eyes. He turned 5 and started Kindergarten within the last 6 weeks and he’s embraced these big changes with so much confidence that I am truly impressed. Now, with fall on the way, I’m excited to travel new roads with him and his siblings. As our family makes new memories on the road trips we have planned for the fall, I wanted to share 3 tips for a comfortable road trip with kids:

Prepare for rest stop restrooms.

I love adventures with my children, but I HATE public bathrooms! Unfortunately, there is no way to escape them on the road. Years ago, I went on a road trip while I was still potty training my son. While you shake your head and judge me, let me tell you what I learned from that trip besides the fact that my husband and I are very patient people. Toilet seat covers are lifesavers! At almost every stop, I saw the other moms with their antibacterial wipes to clean the seats for their kids but me, I had a big box of toilet seat covers in my trunk and I was in and out of those gross rest stop bathrooms in no time with my two-year-old. The trick is to use disposable waterproof covers, so your child stays dry.

Don’t allow your kids to get overstimulated.

Most of us allow our kids to use their tablets, watch movies, or play games on road trips. After all, those are easy ways to distract them, but it’s important to take them off before they become overstimulated. That time frame will be different for every child, so study your child to know when it a good time for him/her. While you may think that turning off the tablets may cause a meltdown and make the drive a less pleasant one, it would actually work the opposite way. If they become overstimulated, look out for a bigger meltdown. I’ve found that the best way to approach this is to tell them the plan, kids love plans. When I get into the car with the kids, I tell them they can watch a movie/play games on their tablets for 90 minutes and then they turn it off for another 90 minutes to play I Spy or read.

Ensure your child is riding in the right seat.

I’m blown away by how tall my little adventurer got this summer! Of course, this meant new pants and shoes, but more importantly, he needed a new car seat as grew out of his previous one. He’d been all over the East coast and even the Midwest in that seat over the past 4 years. I’ve purchased so many car seats for my older daughter that I wanted to get him one more that he could use for the rest of his childhood and backseat adventures. I got exactly what I had in mind with the Maxi-Cosi Magellan™ Max 5-in-1 Convertible Car Seat that he could use until he is 10 years old – yes, that’s 5 years. I wish, this seat was around when he was born because it can be used from birth to age 10 (5 lbs. to 120 lbs.) so it would have been the only seat I had to purchase for him — ever. One of my mom friends sold me on Maxi-Cosi when she pointed out the brand’s patented Adjustable Side Impact Protection that can be adjusted based on your child’s growth stage and keeps them safe and protected when the seat is positioned correctly. She’s a big fan of the brand and her baby is one of the 50 million babies that went home from the hospital in a Maxi-Cosi car seat.

He’s been riding in this car seat for about 3 weeks and my favorite features are the Magellan™ Max EZ Out harness system and the ClipQuik auto-magnetic chest clip.

Since I have three children, I know that it’s really important to have a machine washable fabric on car seats. You just never know what would happen in the car, especially when you take a road trip. I’ve had to wash seats covered in vomit, food, ink – just about everything messy since I became a mother and with the Maxi-Cosi Magellan™ Max 5-in-1 Convertible Car Seat premium fabrics you wouldn’t have to worry about it losing its modern trendy look.

Anyway, I hope these three tips are helpful! You can find the Maxi-Cosi Magellan™ Max 5-in-1 Convertible Car Seat (ARV $399.99ea) in Nomad Blue, Nomad Sand, Nomad Purple, Nomad Black, Nomad Grey for your child at Albee Baby, Nordstrom, and Buy Buy Baby as well as other stores.

What are your tips for a comfortable road trip with kids?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Children's Books, Lifestyle, Motherhood, New Mom, Sponsored
Preparing your Child to Lose their First Baby Tooth
- 11:51 am
- 0 comments
- by Adanna Dill
Thank you, Disney Book Group, for sponsoring this post!

My son loves to give me a breakdown of his day at school while we eat dinner. My husband likes to tease us and call our conversation Hot Topics. He tells me things who he saw outside during recess, who chased him, who got a new lunch box and lately who lost a baby tooth. At first, it wasn’t a big deal to him, someone lost a baby tooth and he moved on to the next hot topic but lately, he’s become excited to lose his baby tooth too. So much so that my little guy started to claim that he has a loose tooth which isn’t the case. It’s become frustrating to him to watch his friends losing their baby teeth (and getting money from the tooth fairy) while his seem to not be bulging anytime soon. I’ve been encouraging him to be patient and preparing him for the day he loses his first tooth. I found the perfect book too, from one of my favorite children’s book authors, Mo Willems. Willems’ new book series Unlimited Squirrels covers children’s physical, emotional and social developmental milestones. The first book of the series, Unlimited Squirrels: I Lost My Tooth! was released on October 2, 2018 and is perfect for my kindergartner.

This hilarious and educational book is about a squirrel who lost his baby tooth which leads to a search party by all of his squirrel friends for the tooth and all types of hilarity ensues. I think I crack up laughing as much as my son whenever we read this sweet little book.

What I love most though is that this book is a great conversation starter. We’ve managed to talk about everything, from what he should do if he loses a baby tooth while at school to how much he thinks the tooth fairy should pay. I even spoken to him how much I got from the tooth fairy as a child.

Reading about the squirrels has allowed us to bond in anticipation of the day that he finally loses a baby tooth. I know that it’s going to be a really special occasion and meeting that milestone will help him feel more like a big boy.

How are you preparing your kids to lose their baby teeth?
Baby, Motherhood, New Born, New Mom, Sponsored
5 Hacks for Shopping for Baby on a Budget
- 2:28 pm
- 0 comments
- by Adanna Dill
This post is sponsored by BJ’s Wholesale Club. As always, all opinions are my own.

I am a regular mom with three kids living in my beloved New York City. I love raising my kids here, but it’s no secret that it’s also one of the most expensive cities in the country. With my first child, I overspent on everything like most new moms, but during my second pregnancy, I started to look for ways to save money and now that I have three, I am conscious of how I spend my money. I wanted to share a few hacks for shopping for babies that I’ve discovered over my past eight years of parenting. I know these would helpful, whether you’re a new mom or you’re looking to tighten up your budget.

Hack #1: Buy in Bulk

This is my top hack because I can hold on to my money and just as importantly my time. I would rather buy almost 200 diapers at once instead of making several trips to the store purchasing small packets with only 25. I’ve found that those small packets are much more expensive, and my baby uses them in just a few days.

As most of you know by now, I am a BJ’s Wholesale Club shopper, and that’s my preferred store for getting all of my baby’s products from baby food to detergent, to diapers and wipes. I joined BJ’s when I was pregnant with my second baby five years ago. My first child was still in training pants, so I knew that I would be buying diapers for two children. It’s not just diapers though, baby food, lotion, and formula are more economical to buy at BJ’s. For my older two children, I purchase their fruits, snacks and juice boxes. All at much better prices than the regular supermarket.

If you’re not a BJ’s member yet, you can sign up here for only $25 for a limited time, I’ve paid $55 for my membership for the past five years, and it’s been worth every dollar.

Hack #2: Shop online to save time.

My cousin told me last week that she can’t seem to find a moment to go to the store with her 5-week old baby. I told her that she needs to shop online if she can’t get to the store. We both laughed because we hate paying shipping fees, but I let her know that’s one of the reasons I shop for my baby at BJ’s Wholesale Club. They offer free online shipping so many products including diapers, training pants and wipes. Other retailers charge up to four times the cost of BJ’s annual membership fee for this service.

Hack #3: Use coupons.

I am no coupon queen; I have friends who have stockpiles that they could use to open a store. I’m your regular girl who wants to save a few dollars on products I purchase frequently. I use the BJ’s app to find coupons and save them while I shop. BJ’s also take manufacturers coupons so that you can double up on savings.

Hack #4: Use a pick-up in club service.

This is my go-to during the school week or if I am running errands. I place my BJ’s order online, and I receive an alert when it’s ready to pick it up. I’m able to get everything I need and get everything else on my to-do list done.

Hack #5: Shop for everything at one store.

There was a time when I would spend hours going to different stores to get everything I needed. Groceries, baby items, new pajamas for the kids, books, etc. Now, I shop at one store, BJ’s Wholesale Club. It’s less stressful for me, and I get all of our favorite brands and products usually at a better price. Groceries are 25% less than supermarkets, and I can find organic food, fresh fruits, and vegetables to keep my family healthy.

I hope these baby shopping hacks help you save money and spend more time with your baby. If you’ve read to this point, you’ve probably decided if a BJ’s membership will be worthwhile for your family. If you decided that it is, use my unique link to get your membership for only $25 for a limited time.

What is your hack for baby shopping on a budget?
Baby, Events, Motherhood, New Mom, Pregnancy, Sponsored
The Ergobaby 180 Reversible Stroller Fits the Urban Lifestyle
- 5:02 pm
- 0 comments
- by Adanna Dill
This post is sponsored by Ergobaby. All opinions are my own.

It’s summer, and our strolls are getting longer and more regular, so when I received the Ergobaby 180 Reversible Stroller a few weeks ago, the timing couldn’t be more perfect for my 7-month-old. We’ve strolled all over with this stroller and last week we were invited to hang out with a few mom friends in Brooklyn at a stroller meet-up which I shared on my social media last week. I wanted to share a few of the things that I love about the Ergobaby 180 Reversible Stroller for the city lifestyle:

The Ergobaby 180 Reversible stroller Moves Sideways.

I have to mention that this stroller moves sideways first because this is my favorite feature of the Ergobaby 180 Reversible Stroller, especially as a New York City mom. I learned how to do this at the meet-up, and it’s made getting around with the baby very easy for me. I’ve used it at just about every narrow aisle or situation to move the stroller sideways quickly. It’s very convenient and a feature that I haven’t seen in any other stroller.

Spacious basket and a zipped pocket.

Since I am a city mom, my stroller is multipurpose. Almost every time we go out; I use it for storage for groceries, toys, library books, etc. The Ergobaby 180 Reversible stroller basket is spacious and holds everything we need. In addition to the basket, there is a zipped pocket behind the seat where I keep my wallet, mail, phone, and keys securely. It’s also much easier for me to access them when I need them than in the basket.

Easy to Assemble.

Since we have three kids, this isn’t our first stroller, but it’s the easiest assembly so far. I was able to do it with my kids in only a few minutes. The instructions were straightforward and easy to follow.

The option of baby facing mom or the world.

I am a big fan of strollers that give my babies the option to face me, so that was the number one thing that attracted me to the 180 Reversible Stroller. Just like with her siblings, I can talk to her show her things, and she feels secure when she can see me. There are studies that support that facing baby helps their development. This baby loves to keep her eyes on her siblings too so if they’re walking ahead of us or on their scooters she likes facing them but when she needs me, I can reverse the handlebar (without switching the seat), and she’s happy again.

One hand fold.

In the past, I’ve had to take a stroller apart into two pieces to fold. Not the Ergobaby 180 Reversible Stroller, I can just fold the stroller by pulling the handle. This also makes it easy to carry and store the stroller. It’s equally comfortable to unfold it while holding your baby in the other hand. Check out the video demonstrations here.

Sun Canopy

In the past, I’ve had to purchase a sun canopy for the baby in the summer. I love that the Ergobaby 180 Reversible Stroller comes with a giant sun canopy that protects my little girl from the elements.

Car seat compatible.

If you have an infant and would like to use an infant car seat with the stroller, the Ergobaby 180 Reversible Stroller is compatible with Graco, Chicco, Britax, Nuna & Cybex Car Seats.

Ergobaby is currently offering a promotional bundle where if you buy the 180 Reversible Stroller in June, you will receive an Egobaby Omni 360 Carrier for FREE. Get the bundle here.

This post was sponsored by Ergobaby.