BY NATURE Handmade Soaps

Moisturizing Insect Repellent (100% NATURAL) - USING IT NOW!
When I was preparing for our trip to Subic last month (September 2007), I made sure I would bring something to protect my kids from insect bites. I didn’t want to use a chemical-based insect repellent so I thought of making one myself. I used essential oils that help repel insects, mixed them in a wonderful oil blend, and placed the mixture in a spray bottle. I wasn’t able to use it on my sons in Subic since it was raining the whole time we were there. But when we got back to Manila, I started using it on DL1 because he always gets insect bites on his arms and legs. It really works! He’s been free of mosquito bites most of the time. Whenever he does get a bite or two, it’s always because those pesky blood suckers get to him first before the spray does (usually in the morning when he wakes up). Grrr…

NOW AVAILABLE!

Instructions:
Protect yourself and your kids from pesky insects while keeping your skin moisturized all day.
Apply all over exposed skin before going outdoors. Re-apply as needed.
May also be used as moisturizer after every bath.

Ingredients: Sweet Almond Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Jojoba Oil, Essential Oils, and Vitamin E

Available in 120ml (spray bottle).

Moisturizing OiLotion* (100% NATURAL) - USING IT NOW!
I am a sucker for massages, and for home services, I always use the massage oils I make (so I know what it’s made of, no mineral oil or synthetic ingredients). For my kids, I made a milder version and used all wonderful oils in it. I made it specially for their dry skin (due to their atopic dermatitis), to use after every bath. Their skin greatly improved! I only use my handmade soaps (currently using Baby Blue) on them then either the Moisturizing Insect Repellent or this. Some doctors would say that oils can clog the pores and would not help with atopic dermatitis, but being a mother who has been doing research on the field of natural skin care, I chose to stick with what I know. The oils I use are easily absorbed by the skin (you’ll know it’s so when you’re massaging your baby and you have to re-apply a bit more oil for a better glide on the skin). The next thing you’ll know is the skin feels soft and smooth but without the greasy, sticky feeling. I think the doctors were referring to regular baby oils that are normally made of mineral oil. No wonder they result to clogging pores, tsk, tsk…

* I came up with this word, “OiLotion”, because I couldn’t just call it a moisturizing oil since it also serves as a lotion and vice versa. Makes my labeling so much easier, too

NOW AVAILABLE!

Instructions:
Use this instead of lotion after every bath for softer, smoother skin for you and your baby.
May also be used as massage oil for the whole family.
Shake vigorously before pouring to get some of the natural aloe vera gel.

Ingredients: Sweet Almond Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Sesame Oil, Jojoba Oil, Essential Oils, Aloe Vera Gel, Vitamin E, and Calendula Extract

Available in 120ml (flipcap bottle).

Other Products…

(posted June 23, 2008)
(photo taken from Rubbermaid.com)
Rubbermaid Sippy Bottle - USING IT NOW!
After disposing all our sons’ baby bottles and sippy cups because of the “bisphenol-A scare”, I decided to get plasticwares from the plastic/rubber expert, Rubbermaid. Nevermind if they’re expensive, as long as I know our kids will be safe while using them. Besides, they’re built to last so I know that buying their products is money well spent. They’re sippy bottles are just right for kids. We bring one each for DL1 and DL2 whenever we go out. Our kids drink a lot of water, so the size of the bottles are perfect. They will be good enough for them to use even till they reach high school…nah, maybe till grade 5 or 6, but that’s still 9-11 years from now

 (posted June 23, 2008)
Corn Starch Powder
Instead of using baby powder which is made purely of talc, I use corn starch to keep our boys dry.  Since they really perspire a lot, they tend to get sweat rash or prickly heat, which are actually very itchy.  During summer, the boys will get a lot of it.  DL1 would come to me and ask me to scratch his back.  Instead of doing so, I just rub his back with corn starch (with lavender essential oil) and he walks away happy.  The redness of the prickly heat also disappears.  Just be careful to apply the corn starch slowly because you wouldn’t want your child to be inhaling it either.  By the way, corn starch easily cakes, so it’s better to wipe off your child’s perspiration first before applying it.

THE FIRST YEARS Products

(photo taken from LearningCurve.com)
Hands-Free Gate - TRIED IT!
When DL1 started walking at exactly a year old, I had to look for the perfect gate to keep him safe and away from the stairs. I needed a gate the was sturdy, stayed in place, easy to install, and easy to open by an adult but not for a child. When I saw The First Years’ hands-free gate, I knew it would serve its purpose well. And it did! But after a long time, the rubber that kept the gate in place wore off from being moved too much. I thought we won’t be able to use the gate anymore. Then I found out from their website that they also sold the mounts. I was so happy! We can use the gate for DL2 as well.

(photo taken from LearningCurve.com)
Medicine Dropper with Cap - USING IT NOW!
I got this dropper when DL1’s vitamin dosage increased. I just mix them all in a medicine cup and used the dropper to serve them to him. I still use it for him now and DL2 has started with his own as well. It’s so much easier using this big dropper rather than giving their vitamins one at a time.

(photo taken from LearningCurve.com)
Take & Toss Bowls with Lid - USING IT NOW!
I love containers because they make life easier, especially for an OC mom like me. These plastic bowls store my kids’ cereals, crackers, and snacks very well because of their tight lids. I also used them for the fruit ice cream I made for DL1 before. Now, it’s time to make those yummy fruit ice cream once more for DL2 These little containers come in really cute colors so they make snacking even more fun!

(photo taken from Dr-Edwards.com)
Dr. Edwards Sterilized Drinking Water - TRIED IT!
I wrote a post about this product, why I only trust it for DL1 (when he was still a baby) and DL2’s drinking water. It comes in a very convenient and easy to use bottle. Its cover can be replaced with a regular baby bottle’s cap so the baby can drink directly from it. I order them in bulk from the distributor. They do deliveries and they give rebates on empty bottles (P0.50 per bottle). When you and your baby’s on the go, you just have to grab a bottle with no preparations needed anymore.

Chicco Electric Sterilizer - TRIED IT!
To me, they have the best design for an electric sterilizer. It’s solid but light-weight and very easy and practical to use. It takes only a few minutes to sterilize things and it shuts off automatically. I prefer using an electric sterilizer because it’s a lot safer and convenient.

PIGEON Products

(photos taken from Pigeon.com.sg)
Bottles and Nipples - TRIED IT!
(Sad to say, I had to dispose all these bottles, including the other brands like Evenflo, Avent, Disney, etc. due to the possible or actual bisphenol-A (BPA) content in them. What’s REALLY annoying is that researchers come up with these findings AFTER the bottles have been released and sold by the millions. Now, there are findings that the hazards of BPA in baby bottles is a myth. But as a mother, I’m not taking any chances! I have already let go of all baby bottles and sippy cups that may or do contain BPA, and introduced our sons to drinking straight from glasswares. As of today (June 23, 2008), two (2) glasses have been broken, but for me, I’d rather have a lot of broken glasswares than have our sons drinking from contaminated plasticwares.)

Note: I am not deleting this particular product, though I am not having our kids use them anymore, so more moms can read what I just wrote above.

 
(photo taken from Pigeon.com.sg)
Nylon Bottle Cleaner - USING IT NOW!
This item is very convenient to use and makes bottle cleaning a lot easier. You just have to put the brush inside the bottle, turn the handle and see it do its job. Beats doing the old style of twisting the brush with “in and out” motions. It also comes with a nipple cleaner attached to it.

(photo taken from Pigeon.com.sg)
Trainer Set - USING IT NOW!
DL2 loves his first toothbrush (the white one)! He gets tickled every time I clean his 2 lower teeth. This set covers all three (3) stages of tooth brushing and I love how safe the one for the first stage was designed.

(photo taken from Pigeon.com.sg)
Baby Wipes with Box - TRIED IT!
The box makes it even more convenient to use since it helps hold the pack in place. The baby wipes are soft and mildly scented and they really pull out easily (a big help when your baby’s already all frantic while you’re cleaning him–trust me!)

More to come…

© BY NATURE Handmade Soaps copyright 2000