Summer Infant and BornFree participated in the Biggest Baby Shower held by Big City Moms n NYC on Monday, November 7th at the Metropolitan Pavilion! It was an absolutely beautiful event (the Big City Moms really know how to plan a baby shower) and both BornFree and Summer Infant rocked the event by showing moms the latest and greatest in baby feeding, travel and sleep products.

The BornFree and Summer Infant tables were the first tables people saw entered the room and the place was packed with over 750 expectant mothers, as well as some of the top media, bloggers and parenting experts! New moms were looking for information on every aspect of parenting and every product showcased was a big hit. Not to mention, Dr. Greene (along with several other top speakers) talked about the importance of feeding and then stationed himself at the BornFree and Summer Infant tables answering questions from the moms.

Highlighted at the tables were:
- Born Free feeding line
- Prodigy Infant Car Seat & Travel System
- SwaddleMe line of products
- BabyTouch Digital Color Video Monitor

Check out the photos below! Were you there? How did you like it?

Share on Facebook

by Catherine Quel

Thanksgiving is all about planning the perfect dinner menu and being eco friendly at the same time. Do you need help planning that perfect environmentally friendly Thanksgiving dinner? You have come to the right place. Here are some helpful ideas.

Let’s start with the turkey!

• Do not buy a factory-farm turkey. A factory-farm turkey may say on the label that it is all natural but it may not be. It might contain artificial hormones. Do a little research on the major brands of turkeys that are offered in your area and only buy from the farms who have the farming practices that you are looking for.
• You do want to buy an organic, free-range turkey. Read the label before you purchase your turkey. Look for words like “pasture-raised” or “pastured” on the label which means that the turkey was raised on pasture land or the turkey had free range of the land. If you have farms in your local area who sell turkeys, that would be a good choice. Then, you can actually visit the farm to see what kind of conditions the turkeys are raised under.
• You could also consider having a meatless Thanksgiving dinner and cook up a tofu roast. If your family does not like tofu, you can simply make a vegetarian meal. You can make pumpkin soup and serve it in small pumpkin shells or carve out a larger pumpkin and use that as a big soup bowl. You can also make colorful pasta and make a vegetarian loaf of whole grain bread and serve with beans.
• Eat locally grown foods that are organic and grown in your season. Some of these foods are:

1. Cranberries
2. Pumpkins
3. Sweet Potatoes
4. Turnips
5. Squash
6. Apples

Let’s not forget about the decorations and the table!

• Only use cloth napkins on your table. Besides being environmentally friendly, they just look nicer. You can purchase these quite inexpensively at a dollar store, antique store, or you can make them yourself.
• A big no-no at Thanksgiving is disposable utensils, paper tablecloths and throw-away cups. Using disposable items on your table is definitely not eco friendly.
• Another no-no is plastic decorations. You can make your own decorations from items that you can find in nature like pinecones, acorns, leaves, berries and evergreen branches. Involve your children in this project and let them make the centerpiece for your table using these natural items.
• Of course, we don’t want to forget about the heating bill. Keep the temperature around 70 degrees or less if you have a fireplace and can build a fire. What a great way to stay warm and create a wonderful atmosphere at the same time.
• Save energy by serving up some raw foods instead of having everything cooked. You can have a veggie tray, but make some different types of raw food dishes.
• Don’t make reservations at your favorite restaurant for dinner. Stay at home and celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends. Don’t travel great distances, save money on gasoline and wear and tear on your car.

Lastly, relax and have fun on this very special holiday.

These are just a few of the ideas that you can incorporate into your Thanksgiving menu planning to have a stress-free and eco-friendly Thanksgiving dinner.

Visit http://trimthehome.net for many more ideas on eco friendly meals and living the green lifestyle.

Share on Facebook

This November as families all over the United States enjoy the leaves changing color and Thanksgiving surrounded by family, there will be moms and dads whose holiday isn’t as joyful as it could be. Premature birth is the #1 killer of newborns. Every year, more than half a million babies are born too soon in the United States. Our country’s premature birth rate has risen by 36 percent over the last 25 years. That’s serious cause for concern.

Did You Know?

• In the United States, 1 in 8 babies is born prematurely.
• Worldwide, 13 million babies are born too soon each year.

“Babies born just a few weeks early are at risk of severe health problems and lifelong disabilities. Premature birth is the number 1 killer of newborns.” -March of Dimes.com

The March of Dimes has launched a special Facebook fan page for World Prematurity Day (November 17th). Go ahead and LIKE it! Have you given birth to a premature baby? Visit the page to share your personal story. Be sure to also visit the March of Dimes World Prematurity Day website to learn more about how you can help your future babies and children around the world.

Do you have experience with a premature baby?

Share on Facebook

by Dana Gross

Last week’s Big City Moms Expectant Dinner was great! Moms from all over New York City came to learn which products made the “Must Have Baby Gear” list. All of the moms received a BornFree bottle inside their gift bags and some lucky moms went home with a BornFree gift set or great Summer Infant products.

As a BornFree Mom Ambassador, I had a chance to speak and shared with the moms that there were three things they would be concerned with when they got home from the hospital: eating, sleeping and pooping. I let them know that I could absolutely help with the first two!

Sleeping: I let the moms in the audience know all about the Slim&Secure™ Handheld Color Video Monitor. Its digital frequency is especially important in NYC, as there is so much interference from so many wireless signals. In my own experience a few years ago, I went through three monitors before I finally found one that worked without losing the signal. If you get one that works right away, it saves lots of sleep and frustration. I also talked about the SwaddleMe® blankets, which are so key in helping infants sleep. I also used them on my children, so I was able to speak from experience.

As for the feeding, I let them know that there is no better way to bottle feed than with BornFree. I spoke about my experience with BornFree with my kids and showed them one of the Eco Deco bottles and a Breast Pump Adapter.

Some of the BornFree system features I mentioned were:

• BPA Free, safe and eco-friendly

• Venting system helps with gas and colic

• Baby controls the flow

• Variety of products in glass and plastic

• The interchangeable system

Everyone was very attentive and appreciative of the information. Thanks for reading! I can’t wait for the next event.

-Dana

Dana is mom to Harry, 4 and Ally 2

Share on Facebook

As parents we want to keep our homes not only comfortable and fun, but safe for out little ones. Babies and toddlers can create messes that would put fear into the heart of many high school janitors but before you reach for popular floor and surface brands, consider that whatever you spray into the air or in your home, ends up in your child’s body.

I’ll admit it. I used to love the “clean fresh scent” that went along with these potions. The packaging featuring flowers and beaches spoke to me. But after doing my own research and browsing the Healthy Child Healthy World website, I made changes for the sake of my kids. Not only are there safer lines of cleaning products available in stores, it’s very easy to make your own cleaning solutions at home.

My favorite surface cleaner these days is simply vinegar, water, and a few drops of lavender oil! I just mix this in a regular spray bottle and go about the task of making my home appear like a tornado, I mean, 2-year-old, didn’t just rip through it with spaghetti sauce.

Here is my go-to surface solution recipe:  Feel free to share it!

Homemade Spray Cleaner Recipe

Mix in a sprayer bottle:

* 1 cup white vinegar
* 1 cup water
* 2 drops of lavender or tea tree oil

For more recipes and a full guide to eco-friendly, kid-safe cleaning, visit this website. It is full of tips! http://eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_solutions.htm

Do you use any green cleaning products? Do you make any of your own? We’d love to know! Leave a comment below!

Share on Facebook

by Tara Heiser

Back in the day, we celebrated Halloween the eco-friendly way before we knew what eco-friendly meant. Costumes weren’t bought in a bag, they were made. Halloween treats were usually homemade and gobbled up as soon as they were dropped into our Halloween sacks (aka pillowcases). We would bob for apples, snack on popcorn balls, tell scary stories, and play flashlight tag in the dark.

Admittedly, times have changed and there are some safeguards that we must now take to keep our children safe. But we can still make this a green Halloween with a few easy tips.

Candy – Kids expect candy but we can deliver on that in a responsible way.

1. Yummy Earth makes truly yummy lollipops that are certified organic. Pomegranate Pucker is my fave. You can find Yummy Earth Lollipops in nearly every grocery store but if you can’t find them near you, they are currently offering free shipping if you buy on their website.

2. Endangered Species Chocolate sells individual milk and dark chocolates wrapped in festive orange and brown wrappers for Halloween. These chocolates are all-natural and ethically traded. Plus, 10% of their net profits are donated to help support species, habitat, and humanity.

3. Panda Licorice is made in Finland with all natural ingredients. We conducted an entirely non-scientific taste test in our home and the former household champion, Twizzler, was beat hands down by Panda Licorice.

4. Newman’s Own Peanut Butter Cups are simply yummy goodness.

5. Don’t want to dispense candy this Halloween? Why not give unexpected goodies like soy crayons, smencils made from recycled newspaper, stickers, or other spooktacular goodies.

Costumes – Steer clear of the costume-in-a-bag and get your child’s creative juices flowing.

6. Make your own costume from items in your closet or garage. It’s amazing what you can create with a large box and your imagination.

7. If you’re not feeling creative you can buy a used costume at a 2nd hand shop or find one on Craigslist.

8. Organize a costume swap with your friends, family, and neighbors.

9. Keep those batteries out of the landfills and use a crank powered flashlight to light the way during trick-or-treating or for a game of flashlight tag.

10. Bust out an old pillowcase for trick-or-treating instead of buying a plastic candy pail.

Decorations – Please forgo the disposable paper and plastic Halloween decorations and invest in spooky decorations that you can use year after year. Or go all-natural!

11. Decorate your home, inside and out, with locally grown pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn, and brightly colored fall leaves. These natural decorations will provide a splash of season-appropriate color all the way through Thanksgiving.

12. Make homemade luminaries to light your pathway or place along your windowsills. Save a few tin cans, wash well, fill with water, and put in freezer. Once frozen, you will be able to pound a simple pattern into the can using a hammer and a nail. The ice will keep the can from collapsing as you create your masterpiece. Make simple jack-o-lantern faces, a cat, the moon, or the word “BOO”. When finished carving, remove the ice and dry well. Put some sand, dirt, or rocks in the bottom to weigh down. Place a tea light candle or a glow stick inside. Note: if you use a candle, place your luminaries up and away from your Halloween traffic. Windowsills are the perfect location for these recycled luminaries.

13. There are many solar-powered Halloween lights on the market. These are great because you aren’t using energy to light them and you don’t have to worry about extension cords.

14. Make a simple ghost for your yard by putting a bike helmet on a hat stand. Attach a broom or a long stick to form a cross. Drape a white sheet over the hat stand and say “boo”.

15. Create a scarecrow with jeans and a shirt, stuffed with old newspaper, straw, or leaves. Leave it headless for a scary version or add a pumpkin on top with a funny face.

16. Find other home décor items made from natural materials, like Acorn Baskets made from natural seagrass. These are not only adorable but functional and can be used year-round.

17. Banish the home fragrance sprays and fill your home with the scents of homemade cookies or a fresh-baked pie. Don’t have time? Light a fragrant soy candle with all-natural essential oils. There are several mouth watering holiday scents.

18. Light the path for trick-or-treaters with an orange CFL bulb.

Post-Halloween Disposal

19. Add your post-Halloween pumpkins to your compost pile. If you can accommodate it, ask your neighbors to donate their jack-o-lanterns to your compost as well.

20. Clean your used costumes and pack away for next year’s costume swap. Or add them to your kid’s closet for dress up games.

Have a safe and happy GREEN HALLOWEEN!

About Tara: As a new mom, I want to make the world a better place for my children to enjoy with their kids. I’m not an expert on the environment but I am a concerned Mama who is aware of the impact we are placing on our one and only home. My goal for my blog is to educate and inspire. If everyone in the world made ONE small change that would add up to about SEVEN BILLION changes. I think that could make a difference, don’t you?

Share on Facebook

by Kristen Oliveri

Share on Facebook

We just stumbled across this awesome chart from Rookie Moms! Do you think your toddler would agree to these rules?

Share on Facebook

by Alison Rhodes from SafetyMom.com

Share on Facebook

Dana Gross, BornFree Mom Ambassador, attended the Big City Moms Expectant Dinner on behalf of BornFree. Read her account below!

“Last night’s Expectant Dinner was great. It was very full, with around 70 pregnant women in attendance. All of the gift bags had a BornFree bottle inside. Of the products I had on hand was a BornFree Glass  Bottle Gift Set and silicone sleeves as raffle prizes.

I spoke to expecting moms about my experience with BornFree with my own kids. I showed three bottles – one 9oz Eco Classic, one 5oz Eco Deco and one 5oz Eco Classic with a set of orange Training Cup handles on it (the moms love to see how the handles can be put on the bottles). Everyone was excited to hear that BornFree products:

• are BPA Free, safe, eco-friendly

• feature ActiveFlow™ that helps prevent gas and colic

• feature a variety of products in glass and plastic and that all parts are interchangeable for ease of use (that’s when I show the bottle with the training cup handles)

• include a breast pump adapter to make things even easier for new moms

Everyone was very attentive and I even saw a bunch of women taking notes!

Thanks for being part of the team, Dana! Learn more about Big City Moms: http://www.bigcitymoms.com

Share on Facebook

We did it together:! We’ve reached the 5,000 fan mark on our Facebook Page! Thank you so much for sharing this page with your friends & family. Our Facebook community means so much to us.

To celebrate this milestone, we’ll be partying all week- Whoo hoo!

BornFree 5,000 Fan Party Schedule

Wednesday, August 3rd: 6PM PDT/9PM EST: 5,000 Fan Twitter Party! Two fabulous prizes will be given away during this bash. Join in the fun for a chance to win a BornFree Gift Set or Summer Infant Slim&Secure™ Handheld Color Video Monitor!

Hashtag: #newbornfree

Follow us: http://www.twitter.com/newbornfree

New to Twitter Parties? Here’s how to attend: http://www.twitterpartyguide.com/what-is-a-twitter-party

Friday, August 5th: The winner of the Sleep Makeover Contest will be announced! Have you shared your sleep advice with mom Sunnie? She’s trying to get her son to enjoy sweet, LONG dreams. Learn more about the contest by clicking below. Don’t forget to catch up on her sleep diary posts.

One person who shares advice by leaving a comment on the contest page will win a BornFree Eco-Friendly bottle.

http://bornfreemom.com/2011/07/20/our-sleep-makeover-mom-sunnie-baby-kelly/

Good luck & thanks for making our Facebook community so much fun!

Share on Facebook

Last week we asked you to share your bedtime woes for a chance to win a Sleep Makeover from our BornFree community. For two weeks, the Sleep Makeover winner will be given awesome advice (along with a 9oz Eco Classic BornFree bottle). We’ll be following her sleep journey on our Facebook Fan page.

The selected participant for our Sleep Makeover is Mom Sunnie!

Meet Baby Kelly (27 months old):

Mama just really wants a good night’s rest!

“We have tried the bed time routine, dinner, playtime, bath, story and then to bed. We have tried warm milk. rocking, walks after dinner. I have tried doing massage with lavender night time rub, we have gotten him a sleep buddy that has lavender in it. We’ve used lavender candles. lavender bath soap. The older he gets the harder it is for us to get him to bed at night.He wakes up wanting a cup of milk. He takes an awesome two hour nap every day, and goes down perfectly.”

“I have even tried taking the nap away, but that just leads to a very long night. He will go to sleep around 6pm and then wake up around 8:30-9pm and then is up until 11pm-1am.”

“We put him to bed around 8pm, and he doesnt go to sleep until around 11pm. He is in a toddler bed and is able to get up and walk around his room. He has a gate at the door so he cant get out. I have taken all the toys out of his room, but he has gotten smart and hides them now.”

To follow Sunnie’s story and to offer advice, visit our Facebook Fan page: http://www.facebook.com/BornFreeBaby

You can also leave advice in the comment area below.

At the contest’s close, Sunnie will pick one person to win the same 9oz Eco Friendly bottle that she’s receiving!

*All advice is for entertainment purposes only. Please consult your medical professional before making changes to your baby’s schedule or routine.

Share on Facebook

Yesterday we wrote about one mom’s sleep issues. From all of the comments the blog received on the Facebook Fan page, it became clear that she isn’t alone! Many of you have babies who like to party during the wee hours of the morning. We also noticed that many of you have babies who are sleeping like champs.

What could be better than helping each other?

When sleep issues are caused by teething, growth spurts, or all of the other unidentifiable factors, not much can be done. But in many cases, all a family needs is great advice.

Do you have baby/toddler sleep advice to share?

This week, we’ll pick one parent whose baby is having a hard time sleeping and rally for him or her. The lucky person chosen will be featured on BornFreeMom.com and we will follow his or her story for the next couple of weeks. The person selected to receive the BornFree Mom Sleep Makover will receive advice from the community and will be sent a 9oz Eco Classic BornFree bottle.

To enter, just leave a comment with how old your baby is and describe the sleep issue you  need help with. If you are chosen, we’ll feature your photo, baby’s photo, and story. You’ll feel the BornFreeMom.com love! Good luck, everyone! Share your sleep story below.

*All advice is for entertainment purposes only. Please consult your medical professional before making changes to your baby’s schedule or routine.

Share on Facebook

I remember when I was in college and getting up at 8AM felt just wrong. Last night my almost 2-year old woke up at 10PM, 2AM and then finally at 5AM. She wasn’t hungry. Her diaper was fine. I don’t think she’s teething. Yet she woke up screaming and desperate to leave her crib. Other times she wakes up as happy as a clam, ready to start the day and embark on new learning adventures…except it’s still dark outside and the birds aren’t even singing yet.

What do the little ones have against sleep? Don’t they know how wonderful it is? Sometimes when I’m up during the wee hours changing diapers, warming bottles, singing the same “please go to sleep” songs over & over I think about the other moms around the world who are doing the same thing.

So many emotions run through my body when I find myself being jarred out of a nice dream and warm bed to walk in a zombie-like fashion down the hall to a child who doesn’t take slumber as seriously as I do. Part of me, I feel guilty about admitting this, feels intense anger and frustration. Another part of me feels lost: “What am I doing wrong as a parent?”. Questions swim through my mind: “Should I hold her? What would Super Nanny say about picking her up? Is she sick? Teething? Hungry? Scared?”.

I hope and pray that she’ll go back to sleep within 15 minutes so that I can actually fall asleep again instead of staring at my ceiling or Netflix for an hour. I wonder if my neighbors hear her crying and wonder what kind of hades my poor child lives in. I dream of the day she turns 3 or 4 and sleep isn’t such a huge issue (but we all know another issue will take its place).

The morning after a hard night’s sleep…well let’s just say it is a challenge. I drag my feet in the morning and it seems as if everything is done halfway. My kids’ socks don’t match. Breakfast is eaten on the couch. My eyes feel so heavy. But by 9am when my kids are at daycare and preschool and after a good mocha, I start feeling like myself again. I start feeling like a mom who can take on the day (as long as the coffee keeps coming).

I can’t remember the last time I had a great night’s sleep. Maybe when my little ones are in middle school I’ll resume my 9-hour a night ritual. Even if they do sleep well, I sometimes wonder if my body knows how to sleep anymore. On the rare occasion that my kids do sleep past 6AM I still find myself alert by 5:15, checking their bodies for signs of breathing.

Motherhood isn’t a piece of cake. It’s more like a sundae: sweet, with lots of nuts, and often quite messy. For all of the walking zombie moms out there who aren’t getting their beauty rest, just remember, at least we can hold this over them when they are older. Hang in there!

How do you cope with sleep deprivation?

Share on Facebook

The 4th of July is coming up FAST! Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays. Growing up, there was always a party to attend. As day turned to night and the fireworks went off illuminating the dark sky I always felt so proud to be an American.

A big part of celebrations in my families revolves around the food. The 4th of July is no exception. Picnics and potlucks overflow with homemade baked treats, barbecue, salad that seem a lot healthier than they are…yum!

photo from blisstree.com

In this special 4th of July contest we’d like you to share a 4th of July recipe either as a comment on our Facebook Fan page. This recipe can be an old family favorite or a new one from a website you love. For a bonus entry, include a special 4th of July photo of your family or child enjoying the holiday.

One person will be chosen to win a blue BornFree Training Cup! This 7oz cup is meant for babies 6 months+. It features a soft spout and low vacuum valve, designed to create a free flow of liquid for your child’s comfort and reduce the risk of middle ear infections.

Need help?

4th of July Recipes from Allrecipes.com

Easy Frozen Treats from Tablespoon.com

4th of July Recipes from FamilyFun.go.com

Posted Recipes:

Jessica Bolin I am making this cake this year. Can not wait to try it! http://17andbaking.com/2009/07/01/a-little-taste-of-independence/

Angela Moubray Raettig: I’m going to be making this 4th of July Fruit Trifle that I found earlier this year. I’ve been waiting to make it!!! http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/holidays/4th-of-july-fruit-trifle/

Jennifer Kimberly Easiest most refreshing dip ever.. I container sour cream, 1 packet green onion mix, and one ripe avocado oh and a squirt of lemon juice. put in the food processor for and blend. My cousins beg for this dip at every family function. It is not guacamole more like a refreshing oniony dip!

Selvita Pratiknjo-Schrumpf Fruit pizza – a box of sugar free sugar cookie mix (bake according to directions, but spread the dough on a pizza pan), then when done, cool, spread with vanilla icing mixed with a little bit of strawberry preserve, then let the kids decorate the top with strawberries and blueberries..they can decorate however they want it or try to make an american flag…

Christina Brundick steaks and my pasta salad. Easy to make,prepare 1 box tricolor spirals,1 pint grape tomatoes, 1 green pepper chopped,1 jar roasted red peppers drained and sliced,1 8 oz bottle Italian dressing. mix and top w/ parmesan cheese. Can add some pepperoni to it as well,or diced chicken.

Bridget Miceli Strawberry pie: cut up fresh strawberries and put into a premade graham cracker crust, then pour in strawberry jello with a little cornstarch and put into the fridge to harden. it is SOOO good and so refreshing on a hot summer 4th of July!

Dawn Klein southwestern turkey burgers – 1 pound of ground turkey, 1 large clove of minced garlic, two tablespoons of fresh cilantro, 1/4 of diced onion, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin, salt and pepper. Mix together and make into patties. Very tasty and healthy.

Sunnie Making this for hubbys birthday today, but will have left overs! 1 box chocolate cake mix make homemade buttercream icing add 1/2c peanut butter, cover cakes, coat iced cake in crumbled resses peanutbutter cups. pretty easy but tastes so yummy and anyone (unless you have peanut allergies) would love it

Breen Inkman My favorite summertime holiday dessert recipe is one my Grandmother ALWAYS made for us when I was a child! It’s perfect for summer; it’s part creamy, part frozen, part chocolate, & part divinely decadent!! 1lb lorna doone or other shortbread cookie(crush); 1/2cup margarine (melted); 2pt butter pecan ice cream (softened); 3oz instant vanilla pudding; 8 oz cool whip; 4 candy bars(heath bars or skor bars crushed).

Mix cookie crumbs and margarine together and press in bottom of 13×9 cake pan. Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes. Cool. Mix ice cream and pudding mix together & pour over crust. Spread cool whip on top. Sprinkle with crushed candy bars. Freeze until ready to serve, but set out at room temp for about 15 minutes before cutting into squares & plating.

**TIP: Use a festive serving pan, such as a red fluted-edge stoneware pan and you can serve straight from the pan!**

We hope you had a wonderful 4th of July! The winning recipe is from

Toni Lardizabal Keltner “Land of the Free” Spaghetti Salad: 4 cups of cooked spaghetti, 3-4 cups of chopped vegetables (I use tomatoes, purple onions, cucumbers and black olives), 1 cup Italian dressing and 4 tablespoons of McCormick Salad Supreme Seasoning. Mix… ingredients well and refrigerate before serving. This is a great summertime salad that I grew up with and it’s still a favorite of mine! I’ve also bought a Wal-Mart or Sam’s baked chicken, shredded the chicken and then added it to the salad. Very yummy!

The winning recipe is from Christina Brundick! Christina, please email moms@newbornfree.com. Thank you for your great submissions, everyone!

Share on Facebook