Purchasing a Amazon mattress is not as far fetched of an idea as you may think.  Recently we purchased a queen size Signature Sleep 8″  Amazon mattress, and found ourselves pleasantly surprised by the overall experience.

The mattress costs right around $135-300 (depending on size) with free shipping for Amazon Prime members.  It arrived rolled up in a compact box and weighed roughly 88 pounds. When our UPS driver dropped it off and we told her the box contained a queen size mattress, her jaw dropped in disbelief.

The mattress took about 15 minutes to remove from the box and cut the plastic off. Within seconds the mattress starts expanding, and about a few hours later that mattress will reach about 90% of its final size.

The Signature Sleep 8″ mattress is quilted on both sides and has 7″ coils encased in foam for optimum comfort and support.  We found the mattress to be extremely comfortable, firm yet soft.  According to the 6000 plus Amazon reviews many have slept on this mattress for 2-3 years and had not noticed much wear on the mattress.

Signature Sleep 8″ Mattress

Here are some Pros and Cons of purchasing a Signature Sleep Amazon mattress.

Pros:

• The Signature Sleep 8″ has coils which means that you can rotate and flip the mattress every few months to keep it in the best shape possible. Foam mattresses without coils cannot be flipped.
• CertiPUR-US Certified (read more below)*
• Zero if any smell
• Delivered right to your front door
• Takes minutes to set up
• Price point

Cons:

• Unable to try mattress before purchasing. This is where Amazon reviews come in handy and the Signature Sleep 8″ mattress has over 6,000 to read from.
• The box the mattress is shipped in is heavy duty and hard to open, you may need two people to get it out of the box (depending on the size) . Also be sure if using a box knife not to cut too deep as the mattress takes up all of the space in the box

Safer Foam Mattress Certification

One of my biggest concerns was off gassing and materials used to make the mattress. I was surprised to find that there are now safer foam mattress options.  CertiPUR-US is a not-for-profit company which tests the safety of foam to meet certain criteria.

From the CertiPUR-US website:

CertiPUR-US® is a not-for-profit certification program for foam used in bedding products and upholstered furniture. When you see the CertiPUR-US® seal, you can be confident that the flexible polyurethane foam inside meets CertiPUR-US® standards for content, emissions, and durability, and has been analyzed by independent, accredited testing laboratories.

CertiPUR-US® approved foams are:

Made without ozone depleters
Made without PBDEs, TDCPP or TCEP (“Tris”) flame retardants
Made without mercury, lead and other heavy metals.               Made without formaldehyde.
Made without phthalates regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) emissions for indoor air quality (less than 0.5 parts per million)

Keep in mind the CertiPUR-US certification is for the foam only and does not include any of the other materials the mattress is made of,  but knowing that the main component of your mattress does not contain flame retardants, formaldehyde, and heavy metals is comforting.

Platform frame can fit 8 (58 quart) storage containers easily under the bed frame.

Platform Frame and Storage Bins

Foam mattresses work best on a platform frame (no box spring needed), but if you have box springs and just want to put a new mattress on top of your old box springs that will work just as well.

Sterilite 58 quart plastic containers fit perfectly under the bed frame.

We ordered a very simple platform style frame without a headboard. The reason we choose this particular platform frame was that there is plenty of room for storage under the bed. My daughter collects Beanie Boos and she has plastic bins filled with them. With the new frame we are able to store 8 large  58 quart size storage bins under her bed!

Helpful Links:

Signature Sleep 8″ Mattress

Zinus Platform Frame

58 Quart Plastic Bins

CertiPUR-US website

List of other CertiPUR-US mattresses:

Zinus Memory Foam Green Tea Mattress

Sleep Master Ulima Mattress

Studies have found that Finland has one of the lowest rates of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and using a baby box may be the reason.

The BBC reported about how baby boxes can help prevent accidental suffocation due to co-sleeping.  Recently we where introduced to the Finnish Baby Box company, a company conceived from the tradition in Finland where every new mom receives a baby box filled with all of the essentials for babies first year.

The baby box contains among other things a small firm mattress that fits snugly inside the box, transforming it into a bassinet or co-sleeper. Parents use the baby box next to their bed for easy nighttime feedings as well as throughout their house during the day since it is light enough to carry into any room, keeping your baby always nearby.

The box is carefully constructed of virgin fiber sourced from European trees.  Additionally the glue used to construct the box is made from wheat, corn or potato starch,  and the paint is a water soluble.  The well ventilated baby box is designed to be big enough for babies to securely sleep for their first 4-6 months.

Beyond the box itself, which we think is the coolest part, there are countless carefully chosen items for babies 1st year.  When you order your Finnish Baby Box you can choose if you prefer a gender neutral box or one designed for girls or boys.  The Finnish Baby Box company will also ask you several questions such as what time of year your baby will be born and questions about the climate where you reside.  This allows them to hand pick the best items for your babies environment.

Here is the list of what is in the baby box:

• The baby box itself (a perfect bed for newborn babies)
• Mattress
• Bottom sheet
• Mattress cover
• 2 Muslin burp cloths
• Bath towel
• Bath Thermometer
• Toothbrush
• Reusable Nursing pads
• Hairbrush
• Nail Scissors
• Duvet
• Duvet Cover
• Feeding bib
• Drool bib
• Fleece bodysuit
• Balaclava hat
• Baby cap
• Knitted hat
• Ribbed socks
• Ribbed mittens
• Socks
• Mittens
• Tights
• Outdoor overalls
• 2 Pajamas
• 5 Pants
• 2 Footed leggings
• Romper
• 2 Wrap bodysuits
• 6 bodysuits (onesies)
• Baby toy
• Sleeping bag
• Feeding Bottle

3 Finnish fathers that own Finnish Box Company

We have a hunch that soon babies throughout the United States will be sleeping soundly in their own special baby box. By the way you can use the box to store its contents for future babies to use, or a favorite among European parents is to then use the box as a beautiful toy box.

Get Yours:

Finnish Baby Box Company  Free shipping is provided, be sure to order early as shipping times can take 2 weeks to reach the United States.  The Finnish Baby Box Company ships worldwide.

The Nursie Nursing Arm Pillow is baby feeding genius. Often the best baby products are those that make you scratch your head and wonder, “why didn’t I think of this!”

Small Size, Perfect for Travel

The Nursie pillow is small, about a 1/4 of the size of a regular nursing pillow making it perfect for moms on the go.  The Nursie slips around your arm and puts your baby in optimal feeding position.

Not only is it a great choice for nursing moms but works just as well for bottle feeding parents.  Elevating your babies upper body during feeding helps prevent gas build up in little baby bellies.

The beauty of the Nursie lies in its simplicity and smaller than usual size. Today with the shear amount of baby gear that most of us have too lug around, anything that helps remove some of that burden is always welcome.  The Nursie looks like a super cute little throw pillow when not being used, whereas a Boppy or other large nursing pillow can easily consume half of your coach.

Pictured above is the Nursie Arm Pillow in the soft Dandelion pattern with a minky while interior lining.

The Nursie Nursing Arm Pillow is available in a wide variety of attractive patterns including Purple Midnight Feathers, Bliss baby, Under The Sea and Dandelion.

Where to Buy the Nursie Nursing Arm Pillow

The Nursie is made of soft plush fabrics, is generously padded with cotton filling and is machine washable.  Did we mention it is handmade here in the USA? Currently you can purchase your Nursie from the Meinhart To Yours Etsy store, owned by Tiffany Meinhart.

Just a small sampling of the fun fabric options for Nursie Arm Pillows. From left to right, Woodland Owls, Lola Rose,  Purple Midnight Feathers.

Safe Sunscreens for Kids our Top 4 Picks! Choosing a sunscreen that is safe, effective, easy to apply, and that yours kids will actually wear can be a  process.  Over the years we have purchased countless bottles of sunscreen, only to be disappointed by how ineffective they where from protecting against harmful rays.  Fortunately  several savvy sunscreen manufactures have mastered the art of creating safe and effective sunscreens.

Listed below are our Top 4 sunscreen picks which just might become your family favorites too.

To make the cut these sunscreens will have:Continue reading

In this DIY Mommy Hack, we’ll show you how to turn your mason jars into a glass sippy cup. Glass sippy cups are often hard to find and pricey, ranging from $12 to $19 per cup. Our mason jar sippy cup will range in price from $3 to $10 depending on the size of the mason jar.  Let’s get started!

*Last month we walked you through how to make your own glass baby bottle, you can check that out here.

INGREDIENTS

• Glass mason jars regular neck 12, 8 or 4oz.   Use regular neck mason jars only, the spout will not work with the wide neck mason jars. We recommend the 4oz or 8oz for younger children as glass is on the heavier side and it will be easier for them to hold.
• The screw-on rings provided with regular neck mason jars
• This Nuby silicone spout:  Be sure to use this spout. Nuby makes many different bottle spouts and this is the only one that will work.  Trust us, we have tried others.

INSTRUCTIONS

Place the Nuby spout inside of the ring provided with the mason jar and screw the ring onto the mason jar.

HASSLE-FREE OPTION

In a rush and just want to buy a ready-made mason jar sippy cup?  Check this out!

Above is the JellyJackets Silicone Mason Jar Sippy!  You can use the silicone screw-on cap with any regular neck mason jar, the same goes for the silicone sleeve.  Here is a Amazon Link to purchase.

VARIATIONS

If you are looking for a hard spout glass sippy instead of a soft spout like the Nuby spout listed above, here are some options.

Ball Sip and Straw Lids  These are little plastic disks that sit inside the ring of the mason jar. The hole can be used to sip from or use the straws to create a glass straw cup.

ILids   ILids are neat because the top opening can be sealed shut when you are not using the sippy. *ILids are wide mouth so you will need to purchase wide mouth mason jars.

Cuppow  These are plastic inserts that sit inside the ring of your mason jar.

PROTECTIVE COVERS

Glass Guardian is a family based veteran owned business that makes high quality silicone bottle covers right here in the USA.  The best part is that these covers fit onto most 8oz mason jars.  What we love is that unlike some other brands that just wrap around the sides of the mason jar, these fully cover the bottom of the mason jar as well.  Plus there are little raised circular bumps on the covers which helps improve the grip for little hands.

As with all glass products we recommend only using them with adult supervision.

One of our favorite Mommy Hacks is how to make a glass baby bottle using mason jars.  This is a cost-effective, way to feed your baby.  Plus there is ZERO plastic in this homemade baby bottle.  Just a glass mason jar, silicone nipple, and a metal jar ring.

A good quality glass baby bottle can range in price from $8-16 depending on brand.  Instead, you can use mason jars that you already own, or purchase regular neck mason jars for as little as .71 cents for 4oz jars!  Plus the cost of the nipples which come in at about $3.50 per nipple. Here we picture an 8oz and 12oz mason jar baby bottle.

Mason Jar Glass Baby Bottle 8oz and 12oz

*Added Bonus* – Most mason jars are freezer safe, pumping moms can easily store their breast milk in the mason jars and warm as needed. AND you can use the sweet little 4oz mason jars for homemade baby food.

Want to see how to make a Mason Jar Sippy? Click HERE.

INGREDIENTS:

• Glass Mason Jars Regular Neck in 12oz, 8oz or 4oz sizes (freezable)
• The screw-on rings provided with the Regular Neck Mason Jar or can be purchased separately here.
• Comotomo Baby Bottle Nipples (available in 6 different flow rates)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Place the Comotomo baby bottle nipple inside of the ring provided with the mason jars. It is going to be a snug leak-proof fit.  Next, take your regular neck mason jar and screw the ring with nipple attached to the mason jar. It may help to wet the bottom of the ring where the nipple will touch the jar. The Comotomo nipples are vented so you should not experience issues such as nipple collapse, but if you do, you may have the ring to firmly tightened to the mason jar.

SHOP:

Our favorite regular neck mason jars, that can also store your breast milk 🙂 and are freezable.

Here is a link to purchasing extra rings

Here is a link to purchasing the Comotomo silicone bottle nipples.  FYI, the Comotomo silicone baby bottles are some of the best out there, if you prefer a lightweight option and non-glass.

Here are some of our favorite items to bling up your glass mason jar bottles.

Reusable Mason Jar Labels

Let us know what some of your favorite Mommy Hacks are down below.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click the link and make a purchase. 

Recently several moms have contacted us for recommendations of not plastic straw kids cups.  Here are our Top 5 Picks. Straw cups are a good choice for older toddlers and school-age children, often they are leak-resistant and hold quite a bit of liquid.

Here’s what we are looking for:

• contains zero or very few plastic components
• easy for kids to use
• leak proof (we know this is important for children in daycare or schools)
• easy to clean; while all the cups we have listed are dishwasher safe, we highly recommend cleaning the straw portion with a brush similar to this one.

Top 5 Not Plastic Straw Kids Cups

Thermos Funtainer – Best Leak Proof Option

The Funtainer is a 12 oz insulated 18/8 stainless steel straw cup.  The top part of the straw that kids drink out of is made of silicone and the bottom part is made of a firmer plastic.  My daughter used this cup from K to 3rd grade here in Arizona and even after a long hot day there would still be ice in it.  It has a super easy push button for kids to open and the lid simply needs to be pushed down for the cup not to leak when inside lunch boxes or backpacks.  Dishwasher safe.

Foogo– Best Leak Proof Option for Younger Toddlers.

Perfect for toddlers the Foogo is a smaller version of the Funtainer (above) and holds 10oz. it is recommended for ages 18 months and up.

Pura Kiki Straw Cup – Best Zero Plastic Option

The Pura line contains zero plastic components, it is an 18/8 stainless steel non-insulated cup with a silicone straw system.  It comes with a silicone cap that you can fit over the straw, but this may not be easy for most small children to accomplish.  This would be a great option for  home where the cup would not be transported in a backpack and possibly leak.  The cup is easy to clean and recommend for ages 3 months to 4 years.

Jabricks Kids Straw Bottle – Cutest, Insulated and Leak Proof

Here is a insulated stainless steel straw bottle with a cute fun design that does not leak when closed.  It holds a little over 9 oz. and has handles, which is a plus.  It is dishwasher safe and has a plastic straw.  Their Amazon product information states it is made from FDA-approved and BPA-free materials.

Buggygear Glass Straw Bottle – Best Glass Straw Bottle

This is a 14oz glass insert that fits inside a plastic shell, similar to, but larger than the Green Sprouts Sip n Straw cup.  The borosilicate glass is stronger than regular glass and helps protect against breakage.  The straw is silicone and the cup is dishwasher safe.  Recommended for 18 months and up and for supervised home use because after all, glass can break.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click the link and make a purchase.