Fab Finds: Indigo Baby

I came across Indigo Baby while browsing a local magazine. This online store was created by 2 young moms who wanted to work at home so that they can spend quality time with their babies.
I discovered a lot of pretty interesting and quite unique stuff in their store which I think are very helpful for those mothers out there.

Check out my fab finds:
1. HANDY DANDY CHAIR WRAP - This is the first time that I've read of such a thing and it's really a fab item. There are times when my family and I would go out to eat and we would bring our little nephew. Most of the time there are high chairs available for little kids. I always end up cleaning the chairs and chair handles first with alcohol because he might touch the dirty surface and place his hands in his mouth. This wrap by Indigo is convenient since it is washable and more sanitary to use.

2. FUNKY FEET - These socks that look like shoes are really so cute. These are ideal for babies (6 months and below who still can't stand or walk) because it is more comfortable to wear than real shoes.


3. BABY LEGS - These leggings or warmers are cute too. They keep the legs warm at the same time give added protection against mosquitoes. My nephew always wears pajamas even during daytime to protect him from insect bites so this is a great alternative since it's easier to change his diapers too.



4. ZIPPEE SAC - Another must-have is this diaper bag with a built-in mat! There's no need cleaning the surface in the diaper changing area in mall comfort rooms when you change your baby's diapers.

BGONE Insect Repellant Spray

I just found out a few days ago when I ordered my 3rd batch of Bioneem products that the The GreenCow Company has a new product, the BGONE (Bioneem) Insect Repellant Spray. This one is oil-based and comes in a 50 ml spray bottle which is convenient when going outdoors. It is composed of Andiroba Oil with Neem and it is 100% non-citronella and 100% non-DEET. It is both a natural insect repellant and skin moisturizer. This is also said to be ideal for kids with sensitive skin.

Aside from BGONE Spray's insect repellant effects, it can also relieve joint pains (in arthritis), scalp itchiness, muscle pains and many others.

It is recommended to spray the oil onto skin every 4 to 10 hours when going outdoors to give protection against mosquitoes.

I actually tried the spray today. I noticed that the smell is not that strong compared to the Bioneem lotion. (I don't know how to describe it but the lotion has a distinct aromatic smell.) I also noticed that it's not that sticky or greasy. ( which is different from what I expected because the spray is oil-based). It is also cheaper than the lotion. It costs P195 while the lotion costs P325. This makes the spray a cheaper alternative if parents can't afford the lotion.

For more information regarding Bgone spray and other products, just visit The GreenCow Company website.

Organic Insect Repellant

I learned how to make an organic insect repellant a few days ago after watching Channel 2's Umagang Kay Ganda so I decided to share it with you.

This is what I remember:

1. Place water in a plastic container ( 1-2 glasses).
2. Put one onion (cut into half) and garlic. Add crushed lavender and mint leaves (1-2 leaves is enough).
3. Seal the container and leave it for 24 hrs.
4. Strain the mixture and pour the fluid in a spray bottle.
5. Spray the organic insect repellant indoors or outdoors.

Since I don't have any lavender and mint plant in our garden, I just use the Bgone (Bioneem) liquid concentrate. This one is also organic but it makes use of Neem extract which is also a natural insect repellant, disinfectant and deodorizer rolled into one. Ratio of the dilution is 1:5 so I just use the bottle cap for measurement. 1 cap of liquid concentrate to 5 caps of water.

Dengue Prevention

There are a lot of cases of Dengue Fever or Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever these days. There is still no available vaccine against Dengue so here are some helpful tips to protect ourselves from the dangerous female Aedes mosquito:

1. Remove all sources of stagnant water which can serve as breeding grounds for these mosquitoes.
a) change water in flower vases daily
b) turn over all storage containers
c) stored water containers should be covered all the time
d) clear drainage canals
e) remove fallen leaves and stagnant water in damaged drains, roof gutters and garden
f) discard old tires, bottles, plastic containers which may be favorable for mosquito breeding

2. Eliminate mosquitoes by spraying water-based insecticides or organic insect repellants like Bgone(Bioneem) liquid concentrate spray.

3. Prevent mosquito bites by
a) wearing socks, long pants and long-sleeved shirt ( My nephew these days always wears pajamas.)
b) using mosquito nets
c) placing window and door screens
d) applying mosquito repellants like Bgone(Bioneem) lotion or spray ( I use Bioneem lotion for my one-year old nephew. I apply it in the morning and in the evening.)
e) using mosquito coils or electric vapour mats during daytime. ( My family uses the Baygon electric vapour mats. Each of the rooms has one and we also place these mats near the front door and also near the door leading to the garden. The mat gives out a faint aromatic smell which gradually fades the longer it is used. These mats are really effective so I highly recommend it. I think it's better than the mosquito coil because the mosquito coil releases those irritating fumes which suffocate me.)

Red Flags In Development

Here are some RED FLAGS in a child's development that parents should keep an eye on . If these are noted on your child, a consult with your pediatrician is recommended.

MOTOR DELAY
Poor head control by 3 months
Hands fisted by 4 months
Unable to hold objects by 7 months
Does not sit independently by 10 months
Cannot stand on one leg by 3 years

LANGUAGE DELAY
Does not turn to sound by 6 months
Does not babble or use gestures by 12 months
No single word utterances by 16 months
No 2-word sentences by 2 years
No 3-word sentences by 3 years

PSYCHOSOCIAL DELAY
No social smile by 3 months
Not laughing in playful situation by 6 months
Hard to console, stiffens when approached by 1 year
In constant motion, resists discipline
Does not play with other children at 3 years

COGNITIVE DELAY
Not alert to mother by 2 months
No object permanence (or understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen) by 12 months
No interest in cause-and-effect games by 18 months
Does not categorize similarities by 2 years
Does not know full name by 3 years
Cannot count sequentially by 4 1/2 years
Does not know letters or colors by 5 years
Does not know own birthday or address by 5 1/2 years

* taken from PPS Preventive Pediatric Health Care Handbook