Kid Product Reviews

Throughout the generations parents have believed, “If my child would just do as I say then we wouldn’t have to argue, fuss, or fight.” But your child's lack of cooperation is only 50% of the story. The other 50% is yours: the way you're encouraging your child to do the things you need her to do. Being too demanding creates rebellion and power struggle. Using threats creates fear, which only leads to more fear.

Some common situations that lead to parent-child power struggles are insisting that your child brush her teeth for two minutes only to see her ignore you and chew on the toothbrush, or demanding that he eat his veggies, which makes him throw a fuss so he doesn’t have to. Or the anxiety you have when your child needs a shot and cries as you walk into the doctor's office. 

Here are some wonderful products that will allow your child some independence in situations like these, so that you don't have to go through awful power struggles to accomplish these simple, everyday tasks.

6 Products That Make Parenting Easier

1. Twooth Timer

Getting a child to brush his teeth for two full minutes can turn into a power struggle. Lisa L., a Circle of Moms member with a 2-year-old, says her son, “Likes the tooth brush and asks for it, but then brushes for about two seconds and then uses it as a bat or drum stick or hair brush or back scratcher.”

Helpful Product: “Twooth® Timer is a friendly looking two-minute tooth brushing timer designed to make dental hygiene a fun habit for kids and reduce stress for parents.”

2. Buzzy for Shots

Like Jennifer W., many parents experience power struggles at the pediatician's office: “Every time we go to the doctors now, she asks if she is getting a shot. I’m not going l lie to her when the time comes, but I am weak in the knees at the thought of them jamming needles in her legs,” she shares.

Helpful Product: Enter Buzzy, a unique and helpful way to “change the doctor visit drama from "Do I have to get a shot?" to "Did you bring Buzzy?" "Buzzy is an over the counter combination of cold and vibration that desensitizes the skin to shots.”

3.  Parking Pal Magnet

How many times have you had to chase your kids in stores and parking lots? The kids think it’s fun to run away, but mom and dad get increasingly agitated until they begin threatening, yelling or punishing.

Helpful Product: What if you had a large fun magnet that could be placed anywhere? Place ParkingPalMagnet on your car so your kids can touch it and remain close to you, or stick it to anything metal at the counter while paying for purchases. It’s a clever and simple way to make outings a little bit easier.

4. AVA the Elephant

You’re child is sick and needs medicine, again. You know you’ll have to struggle, plead, and bribe in order for her to take the medicine she needs to get well.

Helpful Product: AVA the Elephant® is a clever talking toy that helps take the anxiety out of administering medicine to children three months and older. Ava says, “One, Two, Three…Open wide! Good Job!”

5. SwimZip

We’re all supposed to wear sunscreen, even the kids. Remembering to apply and reapply sunscreen doesn’t always happen and a power struggle can ensue while a child squiggles to get away as you apply it.

Helpful Product: SwimZip is stylish UV 50+ swimwear for babies, toddlers, and children. It’s uniquely designed for an easy-on, easy-off UV protection through the use of a full-length zipper down the front. SwimZip blocks 99% of the harmful cancer causing rays, too. 

6. The Human Body Detectives

We all know that getting your child to sleep and eat can easily create a power struggle, enough said!

Helpful Product: The Human Body Detectives is a series of books highlighting a girl’s adventure through the different body systems so she is more apt to make healthy food choices.

All of these products are made by moms who face the same struggles you do. They empower kids and help parents reduce reactions and power struggles when they have to do something in order to keep their child safe and healthy. Just thought you’d want to know!

Sharon Silver is a parent educator whose advice is basic, real and direct, just like a child. Her site, ProactiveParenting.net shares ways to reduce both a parent and a child’s reactions. She’s a mom, author of Stop Reacting and Start Responding, and a monthly expert contributor on TV’s Sac & Co. Find Sharon on Twitter and Facebook.

Image Source: Christine Szeto via Flickr/Creative Commons

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

Do you remember your first sweaty attempt to install your baby's car seat? Since so many of us apparently do it incorrectly, there's now a product that promises to make doing it right a lot less stressful.

The First Years has just introduced an electronic monitoring system that will let you know if your child is safely in his or her car seat. Their IAlert System will send messages to your smartphone if the seat is installed improperly or if your child becomes unbuckled. It will also let you know if the temperature inside your car is too hot or cold for you baby or if you've left your child in a parked car.

IAlert will work with The First Year's True Fit Convertible Car Seat. It'll be available this Fall, but pricing hasn't been announced yet. 

Read the full story at Foxnews.com.

Image Source: foxnews.com

Whether you have friends with deep pockets or not, it doesn't hurt to dream big! Specifically, it doesn't hurt to hope for luxurious loot at your baby shower. After all, "friends pooling their funds together can translate into more expensive gifts," says Circle of Moms member Kim H.

But as members' conversations about baby showers reveal, the rules for gift giving can be unclear. So Kim is inspiring expectant mothers to set their sights on gifts that are grander and pricier by sharing her own wish list, which includes a nanny service and a designer crib.

Why not? Here, culled from the fantasy registries of Circle of Moms members, are five baby shower gifts that will launch your mini in the lap of luxury!

1. Professional Help

Yes, Kim H. is right on the mark, as it seems nannies, cleaning and cooking services head the list of bigger-ticket gifts some moms-to-be are hoping – and asking for - on baby shower day. “Some of my friends bought me a cooking service for three months for my shower and it was the best gift ever,” says Kelly S.

2. Pricey Baby Gear

Heather B. is wishing for top of the line baby gear, including a baby carrier that can cost $125. “If you want to travel I think the Babybjorn carrier is a must,” she says. “I had friends who got cheaper ones but they made the baby sore.” Khara says she yearned for a Bugaboo stroller. “I love the Bugaboo and wanted it, but didn’t ask because I felt like $1,000 on a stroller was a waste of money. But I still wanted one and kind of regretted not getting it.”

3. High-End Layette

For some expectant moms, like Sheila G., expensive clothes and baby supplies are a top priority. “Since this is my first child I'm all about getting her the best of whatever it is she needs,” she says. Renee J. agrees and has asked for all designer clothes for her soon-to-be baby daughter. “I have style myself and I want my daughter to be stylish, too.”

Another Circle of Mom member, a mom who goes by the name “Good Day,” wants personalized clothes for her baby. “My favorite things to receive were the totally unnecessary things, like monogrammed onesies and bloomers,” she shares.

4. Posh Nursery

The grander and pricier the nursery set-up the better, say Circle of Moms members like Sapphire. “I had an acquaintance who spent close to $3,000 on a nursery, with a round crib, gorgeous crib bedding, furniture, and she hired someone to paint the room with murals,” she says. “I would love that but it is out of my price league. If someone can afford to buy that for you, or you can, I say why not?”

5. Banking on It

One gift that makes a statement – literally, is setting up a bank account for the child-to-be, where guests at the shower deposit contributions, suggests Brandice W. “I would tell guests that you prefer money to help pay for care of the child, and open a special savings account at a bank that people can deposit money in if they're uncomfortable with handing you cash."

Mandy H. also likes the show me the money idea and says her favorite baby show gift was a gift card. She feels moms-to-be should not be afraid to hope for cash in at their showers. “...my favorite gift from one of my baby showers was a gift card,” she says.

What's your dream baby shower gift?

Image Source: Lululemon Athletica via Flickr/Creative Circle

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

Music not only makes a toddler's activities more fun, it's great for brain development. But if you’ve been listening to the same kid CDs so often that both you and your discs feel ready to crack, it's time to ask other moms for recommendations! Here, suggested by Circle of Moms members, are some favorite albums to add to your playlist.

1. Baby Einstein

Many moms begin introducing their babies to music with classical CDs from Baby Einstein. Bonnie B. keeps Playdate Fun, Sing and Play, and Lullaby Classics all uploaded to her iTunes playlist, and says she plays them daily.

Available at BabyEinstein.com, $7 each

2. Beethoven's Wig

Continuing with the classical theme, Tara P. applauds the Beethoven’s Wig Sing-along series. “They take classical music and make it extra kid-friendly by setting cute songs to the music."

Available via Beethoven'sWig.com, $13

3. Yo Gabba Gabba!

Not surprisingly, toddlers like songs they hear on TV. And because Yo Gabba Gabba! regularly features musical guests and a “beat of the day,” it’s no wonder that Joanna G.’s daughter Paige loves all of their albums.

Available at Ty'sToybox.com, $11 and up

4. Rockabye Baby!

Rachel H. sings the praises of Rockabye Baby!, which features lullaby renditions of favorite rock songs. “It's pretty radical. They've made Journey, Aerosmith, Green Day, Led Zeppelin, The Cure, Queens of The Stone Age and a million more. I downloaded all their stuff and it was totally worth it. We slip in one of the CDs in the car and the boys are silent and happy as can be.”

Available at RockabyeBaby.com, $17 each

5. Sandra Boynton

You might know Sandra Boynton's name from the greeting cards she’s designed and children’s books she’s written, but the series of CDs with music written by the same author are “our little guy's favorites, hands-down,” says Debi P. “They are full of really adorable, clever songs and can be purchased with read-along books from places like Amazon. I can't recommend them highly enough!” she says of Rhinoceros Tap, Philadelphia Chickens, Dog Train and Blue Moo Diner.

Available at SandraBoynton.com, $12 and up

6. Veggie Tales

Theresa J.’s child is now 11 years old, but she recalls that when he was little, he loved the “silly songs” by Veggie Tales.  It certainly can’t hurt to entertain your toddler with songs sung by an asparagus.

Available at VeggieTales.com, $3.50 and up

7. Fisher-Price Little People

You can’t go wrong with time-tested albums. Katarina R. says the 50th birthday edition of Fisher-Price’s Little People has more than 50 sing-along songs on it, including perennial favorites like The Wheels on the Bus and If You’re Happy and You Know It.

Available at Amazon.com, $13

8. The Wiggles

Australian children’s acts seem to be especially musical; both Hi-5 and Hooley Dooley are from Down Under. But Linda H. is one of several Circle of Moms members who saves her props for The Wiggles. She says the Shake Your Sillies song from the album Yummy Yummy works wonders with toddlers who are on the move, encouraging them to “shake their sillies out, nod their naughties out, jump their jiggles out and clap their crazies out.”

Available at TheWigglesShop.com, $19

What would you add to this list?

Image Source: garageolimpo via Flickr/Creative Commons

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

Even after you've got your essential baby products covered, there are still so many product choices for new moms to make. To help, we asked our Product Review mom bloggers — experts at hunting down and testing products for parents — to share the scoop on their best product discoveries for moms. Below are four of our favorites. (To read all their product suggestions for moms, click here.)

1. Natural Essentials Wipes 

Ah, wipes. As Anitra Elmore of The MamaZone asks, "What mom doesn't keep them in the car, purse or somewhere nearby to clean up spills, wipe noses or take care of that last minute face wipe before you walk into soccer practice?" She rates Natural Essentials as her favorite wipes: "They are 100% cotton, all natural, flushable and paraben and phthalate free. They come in a variety of scents and there are separate products for noses (which I use as an all-purpose wipe), fevers and first aid (great for mosquito bites too!). Nothing fancy or expensive, but essential nonetheless. It's definitely one of my favorite and regularly recommended products!"

Available at GNC.com, $3

2. QuickZip Sheets

Hate changing the sheets on your bub's crib matress? QuickZip Sheets might be the solution for you. As Cecelia of Cool Baby Kid shares: “The QuickZip Sheets by Clouds and Stars are a must. Eliminating the need to remove the crib mattress, sleep-deprived parents can simply zip off the top layer of the sheet, zip on a clean one, and voila! At least one baby-task simplified.”

Available at Clouds and Stars, $37

3. Beaba Baby Cook

Sarah and Erin of In The Know Mom recommend the Beaba Baby Cook for creating your own fresh baby food: “[It's a] compact countertop appliance that functions as a steamer, blender, warmer and defroster to prepare fresh, healthy meals for baby. Quickly steam cook vegetables, fruits and meats in 15 minutes or less, while preserving their vitamins and flavors.” Happily, the bowl and basket are both dishwasher safe.

Available at BabiesRUs, $120

4. Mama Roo

Judy Joyce of Health, Beauty, Children and Family praises the versatility of the Mama Roo infant seat: “The many features allow for various movements and the ability to plug in an MP3 player allows moms to choose to play music or . . . the built-in natural/soothing sounds.”

Available at MamaRoo, $200

Updated August 9, 2012: One of the items originally on this list has been removed due to safety concerns.

Aside from the essentials (car seat, stroller, crib) what's your favorite baby product?

Image Source: Via Acting Balanced

A sippy cup is an indispensable baby and toddler product, and there's a glut of options on the market — so many that it can be hard to know where to begin. To help you hone in on a sippy cup that will work best for your little one, I've rounded up Circle of Moms members' views on the five most important features to consider, and their sippy cup recommendations — as well as my own.

1. Variable-Flow Nipple Versus Spout

When your baby is first learning to use a sippy cup, the ability to control flow can be helpful. The majority of moms discussing this issue in Circle of Moms communities recommend flow-control nipples for first-timers. Avent is the most highly recommended brand, though Jessica G. says her baby doesn't want to work as hard as this cup requires. (Because this cup is also spill proof, babies have to suck to get the liquid flowing.) Once your baby has mastered the nipple, many moms recommend keeping the same cup, but moving on to the spout top, which helps develop greater motor control. 

Available at Avent.com, $8

2. Hard Versus Soft Spout

Some sippy cups come with interchangeable soft and hard spouts, including Avent's. Alycia D.'s son switched from a bottle to the soft, rubber spouted Avent cup at 10 months, and she likes both that he only has to suck once to get the liquid flowing and that the cup is spill-proof. (Members who use the Avent sippy cups recommend waiting until a child has nearly a full set of teeth to switch to the hard spouts, as they can hurt the gums.) Several moms prefer Playtex sippy cups, which have a soft spout. Kim S.'s eight-and-a-half-month-old twins find them easy to use — and they're cheaper than the Avent line.

Playtex is available at Amazon.com, $4.10; Avent at Avent.com, $8

3. Cups With Straws

Love 'em or hate 'em seems to be the verdict on sippy ups with straws. Silicone straws are fine for babies without many teeth, but they require harder sucking, which some babies find difficult to master, says Sara M. Over the age of one, harder straws are fine, and they're easier to use. Elizabeth H. prefers the Nuk brand of cups with straws, but didn't start her kids on them until age two. Other moms say that the Nuks spill more readily than other brands and that kids who are inclined to throw cups or intentionally spill can make a big mess with these.

Nuk is available at Amazon.com, $5.30

4. Wide Versus Narrow Mouth

Several sippy cup brands have narrow tops that mimic the shape of a baby bottle, and this is another feature that divides opinion. While some moms prefer narrow mouth sippy cups for young babies because the transition from the bottle is eased by the familiar shape, others say it's not different enough to feel like progress towards a regular cup. Jessica G., who falls into the latter camp, likes Nuby's nipple-top sippy cups because of their wide mouths, which make it easier for her to pour in liquids. (She also likes that her daughter will be able to transition to the spout-top when she's ready without having to purchase a whole new cup.)

Nuby is available at Diapers.com, $5 and up

5. Easy-To-Clean Versus Multiple Pieces

The construction of a sippy cup can make it easy or difficult to clean, with the more complex designs causing moms to regret their purchases. Some say the more parts a cup has, the more likely it is to leak. Jesseli V.'s Born Free sippy cup has multiple parts, which makes it more time-consuming to clean (with lots of nooks and crannies), but she says it is leakproof. Simpler cups are a breeze to clean, but often leak, especially if there is no inner seal. (Personally I prefer spending a little extra time on the cleaning process in exchange for a more leak-proof cup.)

Born Free is available at Amazon.com, $10

Your baby, of course, will provide the ultimate test of whether a sippy cup works. I recommend buying a few different popular brands and letting your baby be the judge.

Image Source: Courtesy of the Hindrew via Flickr/Creative Commons

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

Does the interior of your car look like a tornado ripped through it? Is the floor covered with cracker crumbs, discarded wrappers, and broken crayons? Circle of Moms member Megaly P., who has two preschoolers, says that every time she takes her car to be washed she's embarrassed by "all the crap" the attendants find in, under and around her kids' car seats. Not to be outdone, Tracey T. claims her car is "sooooo bad" she avoids valet parking situations altogether. Is it possible to rein in "the madness," as Megaly calls it? And if so, what's the secret to keeping the family car clean and organized? Here are four ideas to get you started.

1. Getting Organized

The first step to getting your car organized is to get it down to what I call "baseline." Wash the exterior, remove everything from the interior and clean and vacuum surfaces. Then decide what kinds of cleaning supplies you need to keep in the car all the time, and devote a specific space to each item, either in the body of your car or in a bin in the trunk.

My family uses a lot of paper towels, so we keep a roll in a little storage bin on the floor of the rear passenger's side along with a bottle of water for cleaning up spills right away. You may also need a hand-held vacuum or a lint remover.

Kids definitely make for car chaos, but they can also be part of the solution. If your kids want to help with clean-up but won't put the clean-up gear back in its proper place, just tell them, "This is Mommy's work." If they really want to help with clean-up, they'll learn to put the tools back when the job is done.

2. Staying Organized

Now what about all the stuff — snacks, drinks, activities — that your kids are constantly littering the car with? Circle of Moms member Sharon G. gave each of her kids a drawstring bag with instructions to "Pack it in, pack it out." They now tote their wrappers, juice boxes, and toys back out using these handy bags, and have developed a sense of responsibility for helping to keep the family car in order.

Circle of Moms member Casey has another suggestion for organizing kids' belongings in the car: keep one big bin for each child in the car and instruct your kids to stash all their stuff in it. Casey suggests plastic or fabric bins from WalMart; spacesavers.com carries similar gear. This way, they don't have to constantly drag things in and out, and they can find what they're looking for if they need to. She cleans the bins out every week or so, which beats the daily struggle of trying to clean up after every drive. 

3. Removing Stains

Kids are messy. They track dirt and food into the car on a daily basis. While you can try to teach them good habits, such as not stepping on the back seat to get into the booster while wearing muddy boots, you can't always control the cracker and cookie crumbs, juice spills, and sandwich smears.

One product that I've found useful for treating food stains is Bac-Out Stain and Odor Eliminator, a natural cleaning product made from enzymes and botanical extracts. It works on mustard, ketchup, and other common food spills, and it has a pleasant lime smell. It even works on blood!

If you have a grease stain, skip Bac-Out, and head straight for CitraSolv, a natural orange-based de-greaser that works amazingly well, even on older stains. (This product is also good for carpets and rugs in the house.)

4. Removing Odors

Even kids who are potty trained have accidents, and urine leaves behind a strong odor, so you don't want it trapped in the fabric of your car upholstery. Nature's Miracle works well for removing odors from both upholstery and carpet without toxic chemicals. I discovered it when our cat was spraying the walls around her litter box, and now we keep a bottle in the trunk to use in the car.

If the smell or mess is confined to your child's car seat, read the tage to see if it's machine-washable. Many moms are afraid to wash car seat inserts that have foam backing, but Asia C. tried it after her daughter threw up in the car. Faced with the choice of throwing out the soiled cover or attempting a machine cleaning, she went ahead and put it through the machine. She now does it regularly and advises that the occasional run through the washer won't hurt a car seat cover as long as you air-dry it.

What tricks help you keep your car clean and organized?

Image Source: via iStockPhoto

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

Ouch! Diaper rash is a true pain in the bum—and as common as ants at a picnic. Caused by factors that include extended wetness, diarrhea, diet, and allergies, it shows up as inflamed, bright red skin on a baby’s rear end. Thankfully, over a thousand Circle of Moms members have shared their tricks for banishing the pesky rash, and here we're sharing 7 of the best.

1. Open Airtime

“The best remedy for diaper rash is to let your little one be diaper free for a few hours throughout the day,” advises Yesenia S., one of numerous Circle of Moms members who stress that open-air playtime is the fastest way to heal diaper rash.

2. Frequent Diaper Changes

Diaper rash is commonly linked to continuously wet diapers, so frequent changes are essential to prevention and healing. As Asawari S. recommends: “Make sure you change the diaper every 3 hours as a rule. The acidity of the wet diaper will add to the rash.”

3. Ointments

Every baby is different, so it’s no surprise that moms tout many different diaper rash creams as miracle workers. Still, some products receive consistently high marks, including Melanie B.’s favorite brand: Triple Paste. "It is THE BEST on the market…Both my daughters have eczema and sensitive skin, so Triple Paste has been a lifesaver, or should I say, a butt saver.” Others agree with mother-of-two Jessica S.: “I like the Bourdreaux Butt Paste, and not just for the funny name! It works better than anything else I’ve tried, and it’s really gentle on her skin. A lot of the other ones seem to burn if she has a bad rash.” Additional popular remedies include mixtures with Maalox (to neutralize the acid in your bub’s nether regions), or good old Vaseline.

4. Baking Soda and Corn Starch

If over-the-counter ointments prove unsuccessful, consider raiding your cupboard. Many moms swear by baking soda baths, while others like Lora J. recommend corn starch: “An old remedy is corn starch straight outta the box. It coats and soothes all in one.” Note, however, that if a yeast infection is involved, corn starch will worsen the situation.

5. Switch Baby Wipes and Diapers

“You may want to try different wipes and diapers,” suggested mother-of-three Stephanie S. “There may be an allergy issue. My LO is allergic to all but Huggies Supreme and 7th Generation.” Kim N. agreed: “Be careful about the wipes you are using during changing. If they are fragranced or infused with alcohol, they will irritate his skin even more.”

6. Check Baby's Diet—and Yours

Diaper rash often develops after a baby is introduced to solid foods, or when a breast-feeding mom eats certain foods. As Christine N. shared: “When my babies had bad nappy rash I tried to limit the amount of dairy products they ate as these tended to make them worse.” Acidic foods, such as citrus juices, are another common culprit.

7. Rule Out Other Infections

Be sure to consult your pediatrician if diaper rash lingers, spreads beyond the diaper area, or is accompanied by fever, blisters, boils, pus or weeping discharge. The rash may actually be a yeast or fungal infection, thrush or eczema.

Image Source: futurestreet via Flickr/Creative Commons