inspired by true events

A couple of weeks ago when I [Andi] was working at the shop, two ladies came in one right after the other looking for a baby gift.

For a Mom who was not cloth diapering.

Well, let me tell you - they came to the right place! I don't know how many times I have said it already, but I'll say it again: We are not just about the cloth diapers. We are SO much more!

I was able to give both of those ladies about a dozen options to choose from that would be beneficial for a gift for a non-cloth-diapered baby.

Yup. A dozen!

So for those of you wanting to support a local business but thinking there's nothing for you here if you don't cloth diaper - think again! I'm going to give you a brief run-down on some products that just may interest you!

1. Glup Bebe St. Bernard Scarves. Need a drool bib for your sweet babe? The Glub Bebe St. Bernard scarf is a thicker terrycloth teething bib. Designed for the peak of an infant's teething stage when dribble is heaviest. It has a Velcro fastener and is made almost entirely of organic cotton. Or try our Bummis Best Ever Bibs as another option!

2. Delish Yum Bum Butter. Yum Bum Butter is a cloth diaper safe, diaper rash cream formulated with natural cocoa and shea butters, oils, and essential oils that heal diaper rash, and keep their bums baby soft. Many mamas use it for so much more than diaper rash. Eczema, psoriasis, cradle cap, cracked skin all over the body, elbows and heels all benefit from this "miracle"! You may also be interested in our Body & Baby Lotion!

3. The Pookie Toquie. Proudly made in Canada, the Pookie Toquie is a multi-functioning and fully reversible sock hat sized to fit babies 0-3 years old. With cozy fleece on one side and a cute sock style on the other, this adorable toque will keep little ones warm during Canadian winters. The unique design can be worn in countless styles, including The Executive, the Donald Trump Comb-Over, and the Princess Leia. Perfect for these chilly fall days!

4. Reusable Swim Diapers. I know, I know...I said these were gifts for NON-cloth-diapering moms. Well, you don't have to cloth diaper to use a reusable swim diaper. No other supplies are needed to successfully use these swim diapers. Simply use it instead of a disposable one and wash and re-use. Pair it up with one of our Colibri Wet Bags if you'd like!

5. The Wubbanub. Need I say more? I don't, but I will! These are adorable soothers that are hard to lose and anchors well on baby's chest. Easy for baby to grab, simple to clean...and cute to boot!

6. Knotted Statement Necklaces. Here is a perfect way to simplify your life as a hot mama -- a gorgeous accessory for you and a perfectly safe and durable chew toy for your teething babe!

7. Amber. Okay, this one is a win-win for anybody at anytime. Baltic amber teething necklaces are made for wearing (not chewing) when a baby is teething. The warmth from the skin releases the active ingredient in the Baltic amber, succinic acid. Recent scientific research has proved that succinic acid has a very positive influence on the human body. It improves immunity and the balance of acids when absorbed into the bloodstream, it stimulates the thyroid glands to help reduce drooling and soothes red inflamed cheeks. Amber's anti-inflammatory and therapeutic properties are recognized by allopathic medicine as a natural analgesic, which will help to relieve teething pain and calm a baby without resorting to drugs. The skin's warmth releases healing oils from the amber, a resin, which is absorbed into the bloodstream. As some sources may tell you raw vs polished or light vs dark may work better, but we believe that is a myth. They all have the same amount of succinic acid in them. Get them in adult sizes too! Or try Hazelwood as another option as well.

8. Soother Clips. If your baby needs a soother then the last thing you want to be doing is frantically searching for the plug. This soother clip is made using waxed cotton cord knotted around raw wood beads [made from the Ash Tree in sunny Crimea, Ukraine!]. The metal clip is sturdy, yet opens easily. Once closed around some fabric the grip is impressive. Kristin has intentionally given the larger beads a larger space between the knots to allow the beads to slide, making the soother clip a bit of a toy, too. It's all about dual-purpose! We love that it can also fit around the Wubbanub nicely.

9. jChews Chocolate Bar Teether. The guilt & dairy free Chocolate Bar. 100% BPA free silicone Chocolate Bar teethers that babies really want to sink their teeth into. Jellystone Designs has created a fun way to help your baby teethe with baby’s first Chocolate Bar! All of the fun of chocolate with none of the guilt! Chocolate Bar jChews are soft on gums and ideal for teething babies. Try them in the Skateboard or Smart Phone option too!

10. Sweater Babies. Made from felted wool sweaters and filled with clean carded local organic Nova Scotia wool, these dolls are the perfect size for little hands to hold and cuddle.

11. Baby Carrier. Going in on a bigger group gift? Why not give the gift of one of our many baby carrier options. From Ring Slings to Stretchy Wraps to Woven Wraps to Structured Carriers, there's something for every budget!

12. Mini Doll Carrier. How about a gift for the older sibling of a new baby? The Boba Mini or the Chimparoo Mini Wrap or the Over the Rainbow Doll Wrap are all great options for that new Big Brother or Big Sister.

So - there you have it! A dozen baby gift ideas for the non-cloth-diapering Mama.

Amber & Hazelwood Necklace Review & Special

Guest post by Melissa:

Amber Necklaces are a great way to provide your baby/child with natural pain relief from teething, growing pains and much more. Healing amber is great for adults too. Do you suffer from arthritis? headaches? muscle or joint pain? Then amber is a great natural way to treat these ailments. The necklaces Tiny TreeHugger sells are made of 100% Baltic Amber, which is fossilized tree resin. Amber has natural analgesic, anti-inflammatory and therapeutic properties. The active ingredient in amber is succinic acid which is released into the bloodstream of the wearer via the skin when the amber is heated by the warmth of the skin or the sun. Succinic acid has pain relieving properties and is therefore great for any of the listed aliments and much more.

[photo by Melissa, with her amber necklace]

I suffer from chronic headaches and only take medication when absolutely necessary, I thought I would try out wearing amber as my daughter has an amber necklace for her growth pains that has worked beautifully for her, you know what ever since I started wearing my amber necklace my headaches are gone, seriously gone. So this sweet necklace of mine hasn’t come off since I
purchased it. I highly recommend healing amber and think you should try it out for yourself big or small we can all benefit from some natural healing.

Tiny TreeHugger has graciously offered 10% off your purchase of any of her amber products. Go get one while they last. It’s so worth it. See below for the coupon code and how you can win one!

~Melissa
I’m Melissa, wife of Timothy and mother to one of the sweetest little people I know, Sydney Isabella
Blogging at Simply Sydney - Welcome to the musings of a first time attachment parent, and military wife. Come for the ride while I share pieces of myself and my families adventures with you my friends and family:)
I am teaching myself to knit. I love to {upcycle} things.
I am pretty granola(ish). I love to cook, and almost all things domestic.
I believe in a parenting style that is built on love, trust and a sense of attachment/ security. I believe in letting the people you love, know how much they are loved. I think we can make a difference in this world of ours, if we try hard enough.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the amber necklaces Melissa!
Our baby is now 7 months old and has had chronic teething since he was three months old. Just in the last week I had noticed the two bottom teeth trying to finally pop through, in the phase of acute teething. He has been wearing an amber necklace for many months now, but just this past week I put it around his ankle and now have a hazelwood necklace around his neck. The hazelwood is helpful with teething symptoms and works in tandem with the amber, but can also be used on it's own. Amber is known to work immediately where as hazelwood may take a few weeks to notice a difference. I am hoping we notice a difference with babyK and his teething is not so hard on him [and me!].

[babyK playing in his crib with his hazelwood necklace]

How hazelwood works:
The hazel tree is an alkaline wood when placed in contact with skin whose level of acidity is too high, will darken. The oxidizing process works to neutralize the acidity surplus and also will largely contribute to balance the organism. When the wood darkens, the hazelwood needs to be replaced. As with the amber, the hazelwood is not just for babies! There are great benefits for adults as well.

Buy it! 
Hazelwood necklaces are $18.99 [baby sizes only- if interested in adult sizes please use the contact form for pre-order], amber necklaces are $17.99 for children and $29.99 for adult. Bracelets also available.

For 10% off your purchase of amber or healing hazel use the code "amberhazel" [no quotations needed]. Good until 10pm CST Wednesday February 29th, 2012. EXTENDED to March1st at 12pmCST!! Not to be combined with any other offers, not applicable to pending or previous orders.

Win it!
Every purchase of hazelwood necklaces, amber necklaces or bracelets will be entered into a draw for a full refund of their purchase of one necklace or bracelet, maximum value of $20. 1 purchased = 1 entry, 2 purchased = 2 entries. Good luck!