Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard’s family brand Hello Bello recently celebrated their first anniversary. Now they are looking to grow with your family as your little ones are getting older too. Their new kids line is perfect for your big and little ones.
Hello Bello’s new kids line of premium, plant-based kid-friendly formulas are still safe for babies, but come in super fun designs and scents catered to big kids.
The Kids Line features Shampoo & Body Wash, Conditioner and Lotion, available in two new scents, Watermelon and Coconut. Made with organic coconut, marshmallow and aloe extracts, these new products will soothe, moisturize and nourish, ensuring baby-soft skin and frizz-free tresses. Our favorite part is that they’re made without phthalates, parabens, artificial fragrance and common allergens.
Kid’s Shampoo & Body Wash ($6.98) – Watermelon and Coconut
Kid’s Conditioner ($6.98) – Watermelon and Coconut
Kid’s Body Lotion ($9.98) – Watermelon and Coconut
You can find all of Hello Bello’s new Kids Line at HelloBello.com and Walmart.
Do you have a sunscreen that you know and trust? Now that summer is in full swing, parents need to find a safe and effective sunscreen for their family, The Environmental Working Group just added 119 more SPF products to their Guide to Sunscreens.
It’s important to read product instructions. When sunscreen is applied incorrectly, it provides far less protection from harmful ultraviolet rays and leaves skin exposed to sun damage.
Here are 10 of the most common mistakes people make when applying sunscreen:
Not reading the ingredient label
EWG recommends a mineral-based sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide because these active ingredients have fewer health concerns, and these products generally offer good sun protection. Zinc oxide especially provides good broad spectrum protection, protection from both UVA and UVB rays, and stability in the sun.
Not applying enough sunscreen
To protect your body fully, you should use about an ounce of lotion – enough to fill a shot glass. Product testers apply a thick coat of sunscreen to their skin to determine its SPF – the equivalent of a family of four using up a four-ounce bottle in just two hours. Make sure to slather it on!
Forgetting to reapply sunscreen every two hours
Sunscreens lose effectiveness over time and having a high SPF in the product you use is no excuse to prolong your time in the sun. Such products can give people a false sense of security so they think they are completely protected from sunburn and long-term skin damage, and can stay out in the sun longer without reapplying. EWG recommends that consumers avoid products labeled with anything higher than SPF 50+.
Applying sunscreen outdoors
Apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before you venture outside. If you’re already exposed to the sun while applying sunscreen, harmful rays are already hitting your skin. On some days, even five minutes outside in the bright sunlight without sunscreen can damage skin.
Wearing sunscreen only at the beach or pool
You’re exposed to harmful UV radiation year-round. Up to 80 percent of the sun’s UV rays can penetrate through thick clouds. It’s not unheard of to get a sunburn on an overcast day. In winter months, the sun’s skin-damaging ultraviolet rays reflect off snow and ice, increasing your exposure. This is especially true on ski vacations, with greater UV exposure the higher the altitude. Remember, UV rays can pass through some glass panes while you drive or work by a window. Check out more sunscreen myths here.
Using an old, separated or expired sunscreen
As sunscreens age, or repeatedly heat and cool the formulation can separate or clump in its container. When this happens, the sunscreen won’t coat your skin in the thick or even way that’s necessary for proper skin protection. Shake sunscreens before applying and store them at an even temperature whenever possible. Toss any product if it clumps or if the oil separates from the lotion. Sunscreens are generally formulated to last about three years. However, it’s important to check expiration dates and examine the product’s texture before use. Discard products after their expiration date because they may no longer provide proper protection.
Neglecting to wear sunscreen because of your darker skin tone
No one is immune from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Although dark skin tones naturally produce more melanin to protect skin, it’s not enough to prevent skin cancer, wrinkling and photo-aging.
Using a product that combines sunscreen and bug repellent
Avoid products that combine insect repellent with sunscreen. Bugs are typically not a problem during the hours when UV radiation peaks. And, more importantly, if you reapply sunscreen every two hours, as advised, you will be overexposed to the active ingredients in the repellent.
Overlooking SPF products formulated for babies
Many baby products are formulated without fragrance and other sensitizing or allergenic ingredients. These products also work well to help protect adults with sensitive skin. This year, EWG found 16 best-scoring sunscreen products for kids.
Relying on sunscreen alone
Although sunscreen can help protect your skin from sun damage, it should never be your only line of defense. Proper sun protection includes wearing protective clothing, like a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses with UV protection. Find or make shade as much as possible, and stay indoors during peak midday sun.
If your mini chemists enjoy concocting their own slime, then they will love giving it a signature scent with SlimeScent.
Demeter Fragrance just launched a unique line of slime scents to take your slime to the next level. So what exactly does slime smell like?
The line includes fragrances like Jasmine, Lychee, Dark Chocolate, Pixie Dust, Kitten Fur, Vanilla Cake Batter, Asian Pear, Dragon Fruit, Monk Fruit, Butterscotch, Lavender and Sunshine. “Demeter lives at the nexus of fun and fragrance. Scenting slime is the purest fun with fragrance I have experienced. I just love this product,” commented Mark Crames, Demeter Fragrance CEO and Chief Perfumer.
Demeter is also featuring Limited-Edition SlimeScents for the holidays including Christmas Tree, Egg Nog, Gingerbread and Candy Cane Truffle, which are sold individually or in a boxed set. The company will soon launch a Limited-Edition Valentine’s Day set featuring SlimeScent in Pixie Dust, Cotton Candy, Bulgarian Rose and Dark Chocolate.
Each half-ounce bottle of SlimeScent contains enough fragrance to scent two 6 to 8-ounce portions of slime. The fragrance bottles are priced at $5 each and the holiday sets are $20. You can shop the full line here.
It’s happened to many of us—our friend, our siste, or neighbor have their first (or second) baby and after waiting a few days or weeks until we are welcomed to visit the little baby, we wonder what we can bring that is appropriate for a new mom and/or baby.
First of all, let’s put all the focus on mom. Baby is obviously super important, but that goes without saying. Honestly, baby doesn’t know which way is up, what is light or dark, really anything other than knowing whether or not a nipple is in her mouth at this point, so baby will be ok if your focus at your visit is mostly on Mom.
Mom may be doing just hunky dory or she may be falling apart. She may want to talk about this, she may not. She may look like a hot mess when she opens the door (and that’s ok!) and the house may be a disaster zone. Either way, focus on mom. Take off your shoes, wash your hands, and ideally bring something that will make her smile. Flowers are nice, and a casserole will be appreciated, but let’s raise the bar a little.
And don’t overstay your welcome. Depending on how close you are to said mom, you can offer to hold the baby while she showers or naps, or offer to cook a meal or do the dishes, and this is different for every situation.
If you are super close to the new mom, here are a few ideas for what to bring:
Champagne, or her favorite wine. Yes, everyone has an opinion for whether or not moms “should” have a drink while breastfeeding. If you need some stats on that, you can visit Kelly Mom for some great advice. If you know that your friend would smile when you walk in the door holding her favorite bottle of bubbly, then do it. Let her decide what is best for her. Bring the orange juice too.
Soothies Gel Pads for nursing moms. This is more of a mom (who’s been there) to mom type of gift. It would be really cute in a gift bag with a tried and true nursing bra or lactation tea. These little gel pads were a life-saver for me and I didn’t even know I needed them until someone special sent them to me.
A nursing pillow or something snuggly. You know your friend. Might she need a nursing pillow? A soft robe? Slippers? Something cuddly means comfort. And we want to comfort a new mom.
A funny movie or book you are confident she will enjoy. Something you two have talked about, a old movie from when you were kids, or an enjoyable parenting book that you cherished as a new mom. Try to avoid anything TOO tearjerky, she can do that on her own right now.
Something to babywear. This is best if you are a lover of babywearing and have a recommendation for her. This concept can seem foreign to new moms, but will actually SAVE their lives if they know how to do it properly (I did NOT know about the benefits of a wrap as a new mom until someone recommended one to me, a wrap with a new baby is different than a carrier you would use out and about with a bigger infant or toddler). You being able to show her how to you use it is going to make all the difference. And when she gets through the 4:00-7:00pm hour with 50% less cries that night, she will thank you.
If you’re maybe not THAT close to mom but still, want to bring something special…
A healthy meal. In the spring and summer, bring a fresh salad with a lot of vegetables to nourish mom as she heals and makes milk for baby. In the fall and winter, a warming, vegetable based soup. Bonus for homemade. Try not to focus on anything overloaded in dairy, onions, garlic, broccoli, or any super spicy foods. Baby will not appreciate it.
Rosewater mist. Keeping in mind that food should be healthy, and anything mom and baby are exposed to should be NONTOXIC. Something with a lot of fragrance or chemicals is a big no no for nursing moms and babies. This will be so cooling and refreshing for her (when she doesn’t get to shower as often as she wants and is more exhausted than ever).
Body butter, body lotion, or a scrub that she can enjoy that is just for her, not for baby. Time alone and time reminding her that she is still a woman with her own body is going to be a little harder now, and this will give her something to treat herself to when she does get that opportunity (to shower). Remember, less fragrance and chemicals is key, check out Beautycounter for safe products for both mom and baby.
Something for baby. A thoughtful outfit or toy that shows you are welcoming baby into the world. Although this is mostly about what to bring mom, something for baby is sweet too. Pretty bibs, burpy cloths, soft blankets and onesies are lovely for newborns (and you can’t really have enough).
A journal. A mom’s mind is on overload of gratitude, panic, love, emotions and fear. Remembering these early days (that will quickly become a blur) will someday be cherished and journaling is a wonderful way for her to document this time. Writing out her thoughts and feelings can also help with any baby blues or emotions she is struggling with.
Personally, I went through a very mature “I can do it all by myself” phase shortly before crumbling into an “I can’t do anything” phase as a new mom, so you never know what you are going to get. That being said, be prepared for Mom to reschedule or cancel at the last minute and LET IT BE. She still loves you, and you can see her again soon. She wins this one, no matter what it is.
Nicole L. Schmitz, helps others to improve their energy, digestion, sleep, nutrition, weight, and health conditions with simplified, cleaner eating, and better self-care. She is a mother, aspiring yogi, writer, and artist, loves living by the beach, and inspiring others to make clear and confident healthy lifestyle choices every day.
Johnson & Johnson has just announced that their iconic baby product is getting a pretty big makeover. The company announced big changes to Johnson’s Baby Shampoo ingredients and parents will definitely be happy.
For the first time since 1973, the household staple that has promised “no more tears” to millions of American babies for over 100 years has undergone a major transformation both inside and out, starting with a newly designed, more modern bottle. It’s what parents will find inside the bottle that they’ll be most excited about. Johnson’s updated line of baby products will feature 50 percent fewer ingredients than the previous ones.
The company hopes to appeal to parents who are concerned with the safety of products that come in contact with their babies. The revamped products are focused on natural ingredients, free from sulfates and dyes. For example, the classic yellow baby shampoo will now be a dye-free clear color—but the bottle will still have that iconic golden color so it’s easy to spot on the shelf.
Johnson’s is also unveiling a new line of products made just for newborns called “Cotton Touch.” They are inspired by the gentleness of soft cotton fabrics and, most importantly, are free of parabens, phthalates, dyes, sulfates, and fragrance allergens, making them safe for a newborn’s sensitive skin.
The new products are now available for purchase at major retailers like Target, Amazon and Walmart.
Your first Mother’s Day is a day you will never forget. While many milestones and firsts are all about baby, this is one that is all about you. Here are 9 special ways to commemorate Mother’s Day for first-time mamas.
1. Document the day in photos. There are never enough photos of moms with their babies. Go old school and use real film, like with an Instax Mini 8 Camera. Or take digital photos and have them printed so you’ll always remember this big day. Snap selfies throughout the day, and ask loved ones to take photos of you. From eating breakfast to cuddling and reading books, these are moments you’ll treasure forever.
2. Ease into the day. Parents usually need lots (and lots) of coffee or tea to power through the day, so start your first Mother’s Day with a quiet moment savoring a cup in bed before you embark on a hectic day of fun with your bub. Before Mother’s Day, drop hints for a personalized mug, like this new-mom mug from Etsy shop Field trip ($10.80), or buy it for yourself to commemorate your new role. It’s simple yet sweet and something that is certain to make you smile for years to come.
3. Get your craft on. It’s never too early for a craft project with your baby. You might do most of the work, but baby can supply some scribbles, a footprint or handprint, or a beautiful face for a photo. Check out our article 16 Mother’s Day Crafts to Make with Your Baby for lots of great ideas, at various artistic-skill levels.
4. Treat yourself to flowers. Add some color and fragrance to your home with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, picked by your sweet babe (with mom or dad’s help). They’ll stay fresh for the next week or so and will brighten each day!
5. Create a book about those first moments. First bath, first laugh and so many other important moments. Capture those magical memories into a book with Chatbooks. This app creates books from your Facebook and Instagram feeds, giving you an easy way to capture those moments and keep them accessible. Perfect for the coffee table, or even your desk at the office.
6. Choose your special meal. Eat at home or dine out? Brunch or barbecue? Casual or fancy? So many options, but one main focus: Mom gets to pick! The rules are simple: Mom doesn’t cook or wash dishes. Her only job is to kick back, eat her favorite foods, including dessert, and have an enjoyable meal.
7. Keep it close to your heart. There’s a reason why jewelry is a popular and traditional gift — it’s sentimental and something you can both wear and treasure. This “Mama” necklace from Etsy shop Made by Mary ($48-$56, depending on options) dresses up your outfits and shows your pride in your new role.
8. Journal the day. We’ve all heard the new-mom saying: “The days are long, but the years are short.” Use Mother’s Day as the kickoff to starting a journal about milestones, small moments and special memories you want to savor. Make it easy on yourself with the One Line a Day journal or something less formal, like a decorative notebook. You can share these memories with your child when they get older, and then pass on the book to them when they become a parent years from now.
9. Make it a day all about Mom. Hit your favorite place for brunch, enjoy a guilt-free afternoon nap, spend an hour at the park with the entire family, whatever makes you happiest. The day is all about you, Mom, so let others know how to help you feel celebrated.
How will you be celebrating your first Mother’s Day?
If you love the impossible softness and adorable prints of Aden and Anais baby blankets and swaddles, then you’ll be super excited to learn that the company has just released a new line of disposable diapers.
Aden and Anais has become a big name in baby gear in recent years, and once you’ve touched that soft cotton fabric it’s not hard to see why. The only thing softer, is your baby’s skin. Which is why these new disposable diapers sound amazing. And you’ll find the same signature prints on these super soft diapers that are hypoallergenic and free of fragrance, lotions, latex, and chlorine.
Besides being soft and cute, these diapers are also eco-friendly. Aden and Anais has partnered with Trees for the Future and will plant one tree for every package of diapers sold. The diapers come in sizes 1-5, and in a variety of package sizes that start at $12.99. Each pack features two different patterns in boys, girls and unisex selections.
What’s your go-to diaper brand? Share your favorites in the comments below.
A family that crafts together stays together. For a darling date-night-in or a bonding crafternoon with your kids, check out our favorite crafts below. They’re known to make hearts swell.
Crepe Flowers Create a bouquet of flowers with your little one. It requires three easy-to-find materials and takes less than 15 minutes. The best part is that these flowers last forever, meaning you and your kiddo never “forget” to water them. Click here to get Red Tricycle’s very own tutorial.
“Date Night” Jar “Letting the popsicle sticks decide” is also a fantastic, stress-free and diplomatic way of choosing an activity. All you need is a clean jar, popsicle sticks, a black pen and decorating materials of your choice like ribbons, stickers, paint, etc. Write your activity ideas like “Watch a movie, go to the park,” or “Get ice cream” on the sticks. Keep the jar on the side and whenever you’re ready to spend time together, pull out a stick and go! If you have time, be extra creative and color the popsicle sticks thematically so that you can use the jar for date night ideas with your partner too.
Crayon Candles What a great way to take all those colors your kids “don’t like” and turn it into a beautiful craft that’ll warm up any room. You will need to grab a bag of shredded wax, candle wicks and candle holders, which can be easily found at any Michael’s store, but the end result is worth it. Pst – Don’t forget to add fragrance to really spice up the experience! Get the full tutorial over at ramannoodles’ Instructable’s page.
You thought you had road rage issues from commuting in LA before kids, but nothing compares with being a parent in traffic with kids past their nap time as the squabbles begin in the back seat. Instead of using the “don’t make me pull this car over” threat (empty, because you can’t even pull over on the 10 at rush hour), here are tips from savvy LA parents that will make your drive a little less stressful and a lot more fun.
Mixmaster Mom: Summon your inner DJ and create a playlist for your drive. Put on the kids’ favorite tunes (yes, even ones you hate) and reserve the playlist for times just like this. Or, if it’s nap time, cue the lullaby playlist. Older kids might enjoy an LA specific theme to make them appreciate their hometown with tunes like Free Fallin’ by Tom Petty, California Dreamin’ by The Mamas and the Papas, Walking in LA by Missing Persons, I Love LA by Randy Newman or La Cienega Just Smiled by Ryan Adams.
Landmark Love: Make up games to play about the landmarks you pass on a regular trek. Kids don’t know “we’ll be there in thirty minutes” but they know they’re halfway home when they see the spaceship crashing into Fry’s Electronics on the 5 at Hollywood Way. Other fun landmarks to acknowledge: shout out the moment you smell the yeasty fragrance of the Budweiser factory at the 405/Roscoe Blvd. exit, guess how many planes you will see flying over the freeway as you crawl past LAX on the 405 or 105. If you drive by the skyscrapers on the 101 or 110, see how many people you can see in the buildings and guess what kind of work they do, and try to spot police cars doing training at their track west of the 5 near the 405/5 split.
I Spy: Usually you prefer that your kids don’t gawk at strangers, but there is no better people watching than on L.A. freeways—in particular the 10 when every car becomes a fish bowl during rush hour traffic. I Spy the Shaving Man Rapping to Will Smith. I Spy the Lady in Curlers Applying Mascara While Eating a Breakfast Burrito. I Spy a Lady That Looks Just Like Taylor Swift; wait is that really Taylor Swift? L.A. freeways are a place to see and be seen.
Catch Carpool Crime: Deputize the kids! Put them on the lookout for anyone breaking the 2 or more person in the carpool lane law. There are over 531 miles of car pool lanes on freeways all over Los Angeles, so plenty of opportunity to catch the perpetrators.
Follow the Map: Kids have loved maps since their Dora days. If you still have your old Thomas Guide, pull that out, or load Google Maps or Waze on your phone. Kids love to zoom in and follow where they are going. Have them come up with their traffic reporter radio names and be your personal navigator/traffic reporter. They’ll love figuring out Sigalert as much as you’ll love being forewarned about an upcoming accident.
Car Treasure: Have a stash of just-for-the-car items for kids to play with or read while you’re driving. You could even create suspense and anticipation by waiting until a particular exit, say Wilshire, before you break out the stash. Some ideas to include: activity books, board books, maze balls, special stuffed animal, teething ring, action figures. Avoid anything that’s too hard or heavy that if you had to stop suddenly might fly through the car and injure someone.
Spontaneous Story: You probably don’t feel like making up a story after a long day at work to keep kids entertained while you’re commuting, so don’t. Start with a sentence then pass it to the next person in the car to continue, the story, and so on. Even toddlers love to get in on this, and they always take a story in a new and unusual direction (usually involving dinosaurs). Use things you see along the way to help you tell it. Start a story about a man working out inside the 24 Hour Fitness wearing a purple hat you spied at the 405/101 interchange, for example.
Latte Lane: The kids are finally asleep but you need coffee to stay awake for the rest of the journey. There are a few brilliantly placed coffee shops with drive-thru’s near freeway exits. Some Starbuck’s locations: Highland and Santa Monica near the 101, Riverside and Tujunga off the 170, San Fernando and Walnut (near Burbank Blvd) off the 5, Nordhoff and Sepulveda near the 405. Use the handy drive-thru store locator tool on Starbucks.com to find the location most convenient for your commute.
Pass the Buck: Sometimes you just…can’t. So let someone else! Call up your best actor friend or the kids’ grandparents on FaceTime and ask them to help you get through that last half hour. They can chat, sing, and entertain your kids for a while. Then promise you’ll return the favor.
Resort to the Classics: Channel your own family road trip games and enjoy a couple of rounds of ABCs of (insert theme), license plate state finding, word association (you say a word and the kids have to say another word that relates and starts with the last letter of the word you said) or truth or dare. Dare them to do something silly that they might be seen doing in the car, like pretending to pick their noses or yell “Hello Los Angeles, I love you!” out the window. We promise we’ll shout back.
What are your tips and tricks for dealing with our car culture city? What makes terrible traffic better for your little ones? We’d love to hear your ideas in the comment section!
—written by Shannon Guyton with special tips from fellow road warriors Ing Lee and Robin Barnett
