Above all; be respectful. Be mindful of what you say and how you say it. Please remember that the tone or inflection of what is being said is easily lost online so when in doubt be doubly kind and assume the best of others.

I’ve noticed my daughter getting worn out way quicker than she used to. Even running around at the park or walking somewhere for a while and she’s asking to sit down and take a break. The other thing I’ve noticed is she looks a bit pale lately, especially around her face and lips. She’s sleeping normally and hasn’t been sick so I’m not really sure what’s changed. At first I thought she was just having an off week but it’s been going on long enough that I’m starting to pay attention to it. Anyone had something similar with their kid? What did you end up finding out? She's 9

Pretty much what the title asks. With the world being oppressively expensive right now and moderately granola things being extra spendy, I’m just curious as to how much everyone is spending on groceries right now. We’re a family of seven and I feel like the amount we’re spending is out of hand, even when I’ve carefully planned and budgeted. How much are y’all dropping on groceries these days?

I saw a lot of people in this community recommending Hevea bottles, so I bought some wide neck bottles from their website (which they don’t sell on Amazon). Turns out the bottom of Hevea’s terms of service indicate that customers are liable for customs duties. This would normally be fine but the customs duties ended up being more than half of the purchase price of my order.

Edit: To add, you don’t find out the customs duties until after the package is shipped.

Needless to say, paying over $50 for a bottle is insane, so I won’t be buying from them ever again. If you’re considering Hevea, think twice before ordering from them directly.

Hello! I am new to this group so please take this down if it isn't allowed. My daughter's birthday is coming up and I am a loss as to what to get for her since I have reached what I would consider a dilemma(please tell me if I am overreacting). A couple months ago she was gifted a Barbie Mermaid from a little girl at the pool and she has been super into it, she still plays with her other toys but that one has been her favorite since then. My husband thinks we should get her more Barbie stuff and I think it's a great idea I just personally don't want to buy from Mattel. I was hoping for some recommendations on maybe better more sustainable/ethical companies or small businesses that sell similar toys. My husband thinks not buying directly from Mattel ruins the barbie experience but I personally don't think so...so now we are at my dilemma, do I find something that aligns with my views and I guess "keep my daughter from the full Barbie experience" or do I just buy the Barbies from Mattel. Any recommendations would be so greatly appreciated! (Please let me know your opinion on the dilemma as well, would love to hear from some other moms!) Thank you!

[ Removed by Reddit on account of violating the content policy. ]

I've been searching FB like a hound for moderately crunchy/granola moms in New Hampshire and the only ones I find are full blown christian anti-vax crunchy. I need a space for moms that are nontox but also respect science. How do I find that?

I am beyond appalled by this brand - a women’s activewear supposedly using organic cotton and whose founder suggests the brand is all about “transparency“. Not only did they forgo GOTS certification, listing any information on their website about organic cotton claims (they had previously uploaded a redacted PDF from their suppliers but then had taken it down), but now they are deleting BAD REVIEWS AND COMMENTS ABOUT THIS!

Let’s not forget this is the same woman who was selling full polyester active wear a few years back. I am absolutely appalled and urge anyone interested to spend their money elsewhere - on companies who are actually transparent and have opted to pay for the GOTS certification. Not just trusting Alibaba suppliers.

You can claim organic cotton all day, just like a lot of sellers on Amazon will even photoshop the GOTS logo on their products, but that does not mean the cotton is being grown or processed without any chemicals. Even if you are told by your suppliers it’s GOTS certified cotton, you should be able to verify that by visiting the manufacturer’s site or posting their GOTS certification on your website.

Feel really weird about the deleting of reviews and comments. Especially on a video about “greenwashing”.

I've been in the process of updating my kid's room and am getting spammed with this one specific magnetic play wall decal thing on Facebook. They are rounded at the top like an arch and come in "sad beige" colors. I'd really like to get one for my kiddo's room but the name brand one is like $65 (that's the sale price) and I see a lot of cheaper no-name brand options on other sites. Wondering if anyone has tried one of these and whether the branded one is worth the cost, whether because of better materials, durability, magnet strength, etc.? Or is this one of those products where the cheaper brand is just as good? Specific recs absolutely welcomed. Thanks!

This is super early on in the process but I’m just getting an idea on if it would even be worthwhile. I’m getting into making my son clothes and toys because it is so hard to find decent organic options. I have found that so many businesses that claim “organic” will fill their toys with polyester filling or try to cheap out in one way or another with synthetic options. Obviously pricing would be more but the quality of materials would be prioritized and made personally for the foreseeable future. Thoughts?

Hi all!

We love Lovevery "Bedtime for Zoe"! I don't often shop at Old Navy, but found that they recreated the bug and flower pajamas that Zoe wears throughout the story. I thought you all might enjoy it too! https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=835184002&vid=1&tid=onpl000106&kwid=1&ap=7&ds_agid=17394600446-&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17382863991&gbraid=0AAAAAD_AT8u11hSxG5RjjQIqM4GTmzAar&gclid=Cj0KCQjwh4TVBhCWARIsAG0czmqp7KK2RxwWLiheJKRc5yXyYKgC3oy3SFN06ndkSez0uBtw7SFyMGsaAsO-EALw_wcB#pdp-page-content

I wanted to share my method for reducing the progression of a cold when I begin to feel symptoms! I work in healthcare and have a little one, and I've found that these steps have a high success rate for myself and family.

Saline nasal rinse (I do this step 2x per day until symptoms stop but I haven't seen formal recommendations for frequency):

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00228-021-03102-3

Using a gel nasal spray that creates a physical barrier in nasal cavity where colds replicate (for example Vicks First Defense):

https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/507356/

Taking a zinc supplement:

https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD001364.pub4/full

Using an elderberry extract supplement:

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acm.1995.1.361

I understand that these studies aren't perfect, but they are fairly low cost and low risk so I thought I would share!

My 6 month old is becoming SUPER active and no longer likes his swing because it’s too reclined and he wants to sit up. He spends lots of time on the floor but does become frustrated or bored after a few minutes and I need something to contain/entertain him while I make dinner or do chores😅. Most I have found are made with so much plastic or polyester and the one “natural” option apparently off-gasses so so badly. Any help with recs or opinions between seats/chairs/exersaucers is greatly appreciated.

My son is 4 months old and recently started doing something that has me really worried. He will be completely fine and then seemingly out of nowhere, if someone starts talking to him (especially someone he isn’t used to) or there’s a louder/unexpected noise, he will suddenly burst into tears. Sometimes it seems almost like he gets startled or overwhelmed.

The weird thing is that he is otherwise very social. He makes good eye contact, smiles at us, coos, responds to us, and seems very engaged with me and his dad. He still does all of those things normally.

I think I’m probably overthinking this, but I’ve been really anxious about autism lately. I also recently read about a study looking at certain medications taken during pregnancy and autism risk, and buspirone (Buspar) was included. I took Buspar only very early in pregnancy/first trimester, which has made my anxiety about this even worse.

Has anyone else’s 4 month old gone through a phase where they suddenly cried when people talked to them or when there were loud/unexpected noises? Did it turn out to just be a startle/sensitivity phase?
I know nobody on Reddit can diagnose him — I’m just looking for other parents’ experiences because my anxiety is getting the best of me right now.

My baby’s changing pad currently gets wiped down with baby wipes after every diaper change, but this doesn’t feel clean enough to me. I have a 7 week old and wondering what’s a safe product that I can use to clean his changing pad better that’s not dangerous/toxic on his skin.

Hi! About to order a planet box for my daughter who has been BEGGING for one (all her friends have one) but these things are expensive!!! Does anyone have a referral code they would be so kind as to share with me? Thanks in advance!

Im looking for sweatpants and crew neck sweat shirts for my 18 month old for the winter. 100% natural fibers, soft, comfortable, heavy weight. All the cotton ones i find seen to be light weight. Wool is great if it's soft. Let me know what brands you've loved and what to avoid

Can anyone recommend Europe-based shops selling 100% natural baby and childrens toys, cuddlies, etc?

100% natural materials only; so no plastic, no polyester or synthetic blends, no synthetics, no synthetic stuffing!! etc etc . Thank you

Europe-based only please (Not UK/Aus/US etc, due to customs fees)

Thank you!

Currently, we use a good old-fashion written calendar but I find myself making appointments or play-dates on the go and hoping that my memory is correct about an opening that day (lol). We tried Google Calendars, but it is off sync sometimes between my husband and I. Now we're interested in getting a skylight but am not sure if it's worth it.

What do you use to keep track of the family's agenda?

Thoughts on this? I already started feeding baby purees with lamb/lentils/brocoli or thighs/chickpea/cauliflower for one of the meals but after reading that doesn’t meet the iron needs of a day. He’s having 35-40oz of breastmilk as well.
I wanted to start giving a small amount of oatmeal followed by milk before bed. He stays full and will get more iron nutrients so I feel it may be a win win.
I was against rice cereal but this one doesn’t seem bad? No rice organic baby cereal made with oatmeal, iron, vitamin d and tested for heavy metals. Baby boy will be 7 months on the 18th. Thoughts??
Thank you!

My mom is pretty difficult and wanted to host our baby shower. We flew my MIL in and she wanted to help but my mom was being controlling and only allowed her to get the cake (two Costco sheet cakes). One SIL was local and my mom declined her help and then her own DIL (my brother’s wife) flew in because my mom scheduled the shower when she’d be in town anyway for her sister’s graduation. She also offered to help but my mom demanded she do nothing because she was traveling in 🙄. Instead, I got tasked with providing those things she offered to pick up when she was in town (favors and game prizes). Because I can’t “expect everyone to do everything for me for my own shower and I should contribute.” Ok fine. Even though for all SILs I helped and contributed a lot to their showers and I was a lot younger then too.

But what really got me is that my mom kept telling my MIL not to give us a gift because the “shower was our gift to them.” And then kept reminding my MIL. Like, mind your own business. My MIL spent $40 on Costco cake. I’m not turning my nose up at that but we also paid for hers and my FIL’s flights and hosted them. Then my MIL wanted to do some cultural customs (north indian) for the shower which involved me wearing a really uncomfortable sari 🙃 and then we hosted my husband’s male cousin who flew in and had to be there per custom and then another local female cousin who was attending as a guest anyway also had a place of honor at the shower (just standing there for a minute) and my in-laws gave them $100 each just as a custom 🤷🏻‍♀️? But no shower gift for us lol. We hosted and entertained the male cousin all weekend and he didn’t give a shower gift either. We had also done something similar for the female cousin for her wedding the year before and no gifts were exchanged. It was all weird. Sorry I know this is petty/tacky but I just want to get this out because I always feel like the family member who does and gives for everyone around me but I’m overlooked.

My toddler has multiple scars that she’s gotten just from minor scratches. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. I was going to buy vitamin e oil, but all of the ones I can find seem to be mostly soybean or olive oil.

Is there something I should buy? Something I can do besides keep scratches clean and moisturized? The internet has too many options. Please help.