US Japan Fam
  • Blog
  • About Me
    • Hire Me!
    • Mommypreneur Coaching
    • Contact
    • Subscribe to our List Serves!
    • Press Page - Travel
    • Privacy Policy & Disclaimers
  • Day Trips & Weekend Getaways
  • Hudson Valley
    • Day Trips & Activities
  • Bay Ridge Families
    • Scavenger Hunt
    • Advertising
    • Submit Your Event
    • Summer Camp Guide
    • Birthday Party Guide
    • Classes & Activities for Babies & Toddlers
    • Bay Ridge Baby Sitters
    • Halloween Guide
    • Holiday Guide
    • Life in NYC >
      • Brooklyn
      • Bronx
      • Manhattan
      • Queens
      • Staten Island
  • Family Travel
  • Blog
  • About Me
    • Hire Me!
    • Mommypreneur Coaching
    • Contact
    • Subscribe to our List Serves!
    • Press Page - Travel
    • Privacy Policy & Disclaimers
  • Day Trips & Weekend Getaways
  • Hudson Valley
    • Day Trips & Activities
  • Bay Ridge Families
    • Scavenger Hunt
    • Advertising
    • Submit Your Event
    • Summer Camp Guide
    • Birthday Party Guide
    • Classes & Activities for Babies & Toddlers
    • Bay Ridge Baby Sitters
    • Halloween Guide
    • Holiday Guide
    • Life in NYC >
      • Brooklyn
      • Bronx
      • Manhattan
      • Queens
      • Staten Island
  • Family Travel

App Review:  Breastfeeding Central

7/31/2014

2 Comments

 
In honor of World Breastfeeding Week and National Breastfeeding Awareness Month kicking off tomorrow, I'm going to be reviewing an app that brings Breastfeeding FAQ's and helpful tips right to your fingertips.

Breastfeeding Central guides you through all stages of breastfeeding and is written by Beverley Rae, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Clinical Social Worker, and mother of five breastfed children (you go, girl!!). You can read through it like a book (click on a category and it'll bring you to a list of articles), saving any for easy reference later (the "saved" folder is one of 5 icons at the bottom of your screen). Or you can just look up specific topics when you find yourself faced with difficulties, such as a plugged duct or low milk supply.

Each article is short and to the point, which is about all an exhausted new mom can handle, let's face it! Forget fumbling through a 200-page book or turning to Google, which if you're like me, is likely to send you into a major hypochondriac fit! Breastfeeding Central is like having your own personal Lactation Consultant in your pocket!

OK, so let's see how it works. We'll say your milk has just come in and you're suffering from engorgement. Yes, that sounds familiar!! You click the main screen, then "Common Difficulties" and finally "Engorgement" which brings you to a helpful 2 paragraph article with a photo.
US-Japan Fam Reviews Breastfeeding Central App
Here's a closeup of the image that goes with the engorgement info, since my screen shot didn't quite capture it. There really is nothing quite like cold cabbage on your moobies, whether you're suffering from engorgement or a plugged duct... ahhhhh!!
Picture
"Washed, chilled green cabbage leaves placed over the breast help to reduce engorgement."
So, there are 6 main categories in the Breastfeeding Central app:
  • Preparation for Breastfeeding (with 7 articles, from a shopping list of must-have products to creating a "nursing corner" and setting expectations).
  • Getting Started In The Hospital (with 6 articles, from position and latch to preemies and twins).
  • Early Days At Home (with 8 articles, from first night home to getting your partner involved to managing a toddler and a new baby - that one will be helpful to me in a year or two!!).
  • Common Difficulties (with 7 articles, such as sore nipples and low milk supply).
  • The First Six Months (with 8 articles, from growth spurts to medications/alcohol and breastfeeding in public).
  • Returning To Work (with 5 articles, of course covering issues with pumping and storing milk).

Furthermore, the help tab at the bottom brings up a list of websites where you can find a local lactation consultant and mother-to-mother help and support groups! Woohooo!! In a nutshell, this app is extremely helpful and convenient. I wish I'd had such a resource in my early days of breastfeeding just 19 months ago!

Wanna get your hands on it? Breastfeeding Central is available for download on iPhone and iPad for $3.99, and you can follow Beverley Rae and Breastfeeding Central on Twitter (@BRaeIBCLC) and Facebook!

Sponsored Post Disclosure: Opinions are my own and not swayed by compensation of any kind. This was a sponsored post, but I limit such posts to companies that meet my moral standards and I feel I can really stand behind (hey, I'm not a sell out, but time is money...).
2 Comments

Learn Japanese:  Fun Japanese Alphabet Song for Hiragana & Katakana

7/29/2014

1 Comment

 
My son is 19 months and starting to speak English, he even knows a few letters of the English alphabet (O, P, B, C). It's all very exciting but at the same time a little sad that he's not doing any of these things in Japanese yet. It's no surprise as my workaholic husband does not even have a fraction of the amount of time with Kenzo as I do, as a work at home mom. So, I've been trying to find ways to supplement his Japanese exposure with none other than... YouTube! Ha!

So, this post will start my "Learn Japanese" series in which I'll recommend a video, book, or product that I love that helps kids and/or adults to learn Japanese in an easy and fun way.

Japanese does not have an official alphabet song, as we do in English. They have do have a specific order for their 46 phonetic sounds (visually you have to learn two sets: one set in Hiragana and one set in Katakana, which makes 92 characters to memorize, not to mention the Kanji characters, of which you need to know at least 1,000 before you can read a newspaper, sheeeesh!). 

We recently came across a really adorable YouTube video that showcases a fun song for the Japanese alphabet. We LOVE LOVE LOVE it, and so does our son. He already tries to sing along. He always howls along with the dog at the end "Wa-O-N" part! So cute!!! Here's the video, with the Hiragana/Katakana chart below if you are interested!
Picture
Photo Credit: Japanese Lesson A Day - click on photo to go to their page.
1 Comment

RecordablePal - Your Baby's Must-Have Bedtime Buddy

7/24/2014

1 Comment

 
We've all seen those story books where you can record your voice and send to a niece, nephew, or grand child living across the country, right? Super cute! But there is a new recordable device on the market that is even cuter, and extremely practical. I'd like to introduce you to Elli And Nooli's RecordablePal™!
US-Japan Fam Reviews RecordablePal
The idea behind it is that there's nothing more soothing to a baby than the sound of mom or dad's voice. You record your voice (up to 20 seconds) and it plays on repeat for up to 30 minutes! Each of the owl's feet contains a volume up or down (though this isn't meant to be a boom box, even the loudest setting is fairly quiet), one hand is play/stop, the other hand is record. There are two strings so you can tie it to the crib, and the battery pack is inside the Owl in a zippered compartment. It couldn't be simpler, the batteries were even included!!
US-Japan Fam reviews RecordablePal
Because it's so easy to use, I was worried that my son would end up recording over our song. But so far he hasn't. You have to hold the record button for a few seconds before it beeps to let you start recording. Kenzo doesn't have the patience for that, he just likes to push buttons quickly (all of them, over and over again). I sense the RecordablePal™ engineers had buggers like mine in mind when deciding on this feature!

Moms, if you want to go all out with providing the most comfort to your little one, I recommend stuffing the RecordablePal
™ in your shirt for a while to pick up your scent. Can you imagine? Your wee one is laying there falling asleep - hearing and smelling you - it's almost like you're actually there!

Here's a video of us recording and playing back for our son. We chose a fun new Japanese Alphabet song we learned, because we're raising him bilingually but he's just not getting a whole lot of Japanese these days... You think he likes it? (Spoiler alert.... he LOVES IT - don't miss the hugs and kisses at the end!!!)
One tip - don't let your little one tap the RecordablePal while recording like Kenzo did in the video. Let's just say we had to re-record!

This would make a really awesome and unique baby shower gift and a wonderful piece in any nursery (in addition to or as an alternative to a standard sound machine - you could even record your own shushing sounds for white noise! You can get a RecordablePal™ at Babies R Us, Walmart, or on Amazon (for now they just have Al the Owl, but rumor has it they'll be adding more animal options - hooray!!). Go ahead and ike Elli & Nooli on Facebook to stay in the know!

*Disclaimer: Although I did receive this product free of charge, I was not compensated in any other way to do this product review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and completely unbiased.
1 Comment

A Day at Spa Castle

7/20/2014

5 Comments

 
A variation originally posted on Mommy Nearest
Picture
Jacuzzis, saunas, pools—always a good time but not really anything extraordinary, right? But did you know there’s a place up in Queens that has taken these water elements to a whole other level. Meet Spa Castle. Not only will you be blown away with all of the cool things to do there, but you’ll also feel like you’ve been transported directly to Korea. Talk about an exciting family adventure! Here are some features of Spa Castle I found especially noteworthy:

Uniforms and Bracelet Charge Cards

After admission, men and women are sent to opposite locker rooms to change into uniforms; you'll be given a bracelet to wear that acts as a key to your locker and also your account for charging food, drinks and treatments. (It kind of made me feel like I was in a sci-fi movie like The Island, but it’s really nice not to have to carry around your wallet—or worry about your kids getting food on their clothes during lunch.) While they stored our stroller in the back employees-only room, keep in mind that children over 3 feet are required to go to their respective locker rooms, and no shoes are permitted past the locker room.

We’re NAKED!?

Yep, the hot baths on the first floor do not allow the use of bathing suits or towels. Buck naked, wash off, and in you go. Many Americans may not be quite up for this, but don’t worry, there’s plenty else to do if you decide to skip it!

Sauna Valley
Picture
There are seven themed saunas on the second floor—and they're all pretty darn amazing. You’ll find six hot ones (LED/Color Therapy, Gold, Jade, Far-infrared, Loess/Yellow Stone & Mud, and Mineral Salt) and one cold one (Ice Land). Each one conveniently lists the current temperature on the outside of the door—temps ranged from 48°F to 187°F when we visited. You'll probably want to avoid taking small children in to most of the saunas, with the exception of the Ice Room which my little guy loved. He got to touch snow… INSIDE! How fun is that!? I lasted all of five minutes in most of them (I'm a wimp when it comes to heat), but it was really cool to jump in and out and try them all. My favorite was the gold sauna—it really makes you feel like royalty—in a room surrounded by gold.

Outdoor Pools
Picture
Don't get confused—these are not swimming pools. The tubs are full of imported jets from Korea and Japan, combining the health benefits of hot water immersion with Asian acupressure. There are tons of spots to sit, stand, or lay down in and get various parts of your body massaged by jets of water, which range from firm to feeling like you’re getting hosed down by a fire fighter. (I kid you not!)
The Food
Picture
You shouldn’t have too much of a problem finding food to please every palette—they have everything from a huge salad bar and American staples (think chicken fingers and hamburgers) to Korean food. There's even a Starbucks and a frozen yogurt stand. There were no children's menus, but they did have high chairs.

Get Pampered

If you’re really looking to go all out, there are a bunch of extra treatments you can shell out for, such as body scrubs, massages, and facials. Click here for a full list of services.
Some Things to Consider If You Bring a Baby or Toddler

Children under 4.5 feet are not permitted in outdoor pools on the top deck (except for the small kiddy pool). This was hugely disappointing to me, but I understand. The pools aren't for swimming—they are filled with powerful massaging jets, currents, steps and built in chairs. It’s not the place for a small child, even if you’re carrying them (one small misstep and you’d both be underwater). That said, I definitely saw some smaller children in there, so I’m not sure how strict they are about it.

I’m not saying don’t take a baby or toddler to Spa Castle, I’m just saying it will restrict you a wee bit. My 18-monther certainly didn't have a lack of action. He had a blast in the kiddy pool and play room while my husband and I took turns watching him and visiting the other pools individually.
Picture
During my son's nap (they actually have a sleeping area, with heated flooring and mats, where he took an amazing one hour snooze), my husband and I took turns visiting all of the saunas. Imagine my surprise when I came back from my free time to find both of my boys snoozing away...
Picture
Spa Castle has changing tables and a play room (both great!), but I would have loved if they had some child care services. My husband and I will probably consider leaving our son with a sitter for our next visit, so we can experience the spa as a couple rather than tag teaming a majority of the time. Maybe next time we'll check out their newest Manhattan premier location, expected to open in September or October 2014. It'll be on the 8th-10th floors of 115 East 57th, and for ages 16+ only!
Picture
*Disclaimer: Although I did receive tickets, food, and drink free of charge, I was not compensated in any other way to do this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and completely unbiased.
5 Comments

Sneakz Organic:  Chocolate Milk Choc Full of Veggies

7/14/2014

0 Comments

 
Attention chocoholics! What if I were to say you can satisfy your sweet tooth and get a full serving of veggies in one serving of chocolate milk. This sounds crazy right? Crazy AWESOME! Let me tell you about the new kid on the block, Sneakz Organic Chocolate Milkshake...
US-Japan Fam Reviews Sneakz Organic Chocolate Milk
What Sneakz has:
  • Delicious rich and creamy taste
  • Ingredients you can stand behind: Organic Skim Milk, , Sneakz Organic Veggie Puree Blend - (Organic Dried) Sweet Potato, Carrot, Beet, & Spinach, Filtered Water, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Dutch Cocoa, Organic Vanilla Extract, Natural Flavors, and Carrageenan.
  • 6 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber per box/serving
  • Lots of vitamins: Vitamin A - 100%, Calcium - 20%, Vitamin C - 6%, Iron - 6% (percents based on 2,000 calorie diet)
  • Shelf stable packaging i.e. no refrigeration needed!
  • More fiber and less sugar than most other chocolate milk drinks

What Sneakz doesn't have:
  • GMOs
  • Antibiotics
  • Synthetic Hormones
  • Gluten

But the real question is... how does it taste? My son is only 18 months and all he knows in the beverage category is milk and water. As far as desserts go, he thinks strawberries are as good as it gets. I'm not quite ready to burst his bubble and start giving him "sweets", even if they do have a serving of veggies inside! So, I did the taste test myself.

US-Japan Fam Reviews Sneakz Organic Chocolate Milkshake with a taste test
I put Sneakz up against what we had in the house, which was Organic Chocolate Almond milk. Sneakz was just as creamy and yummy, but had a bit of a fruity taste as well. It was a unique flavor, one I really liked. And knowing it's got the full serving of veggies inside I would totally buy it for myself, and for my son once he's a wee bit older! It's perfect for the lunch box, road trip, or just a quick grab from the fridge!

Sure, it's marketed for kids since we often have a helluva time getting them to eat their veggies. What a brilliant idea to sneak them into something so yummy! But who's to say the parents (or non-parent adults) can't indulge as well!? Go for it!!

If you wanna check out Sneakz Organic Chocolate Milkshake for yourself, you can order a pack of 12 on Amazon, or search for a nearby retailer on Sneakz's website (it looks like Babies R Us is starting to carry them).

*Disclaimer: Although I did receive this product free of charge, I was not compensated in any other way to do this product review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and completely unbiased.
0 Comments
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Follow on Bloglovin
    Contact Me!
    Picture
    Follow @usjapanfam

    RSS Feed

    Picture

    About Me ^_^

    I'm a NYC metro area mom blogger living in NJ with my Japanese husband & our 3 kids (twins plus 1).  This blog is chock full of product reviews, family travel guides, and giveaways galore! It's also home to Bay Ridge Families, and several guides focused on kid-friendly activities and guides to South Brooklyn, Hudson Valley, and New Jersey, as well as family-friendly destinations beyond the NYC area (check the menu bar!)

    Brand Ballot
    Picture
    Legit Ways To Make Money From Home - a stay at home mom's guide to working from home
    The Network Niche

    USFamilyGuide.com

    Parent Reviewers Directory Listing

    Categories

    All
    Baby
    Babywearing
    Babywise
    Bay Ridge
    Bilingual
    Birth Story
    Breastfeeding
    Childbirth
    Co Sleeping
    Co-sleeping
    Fashion
    Fitness
    Giveaway
    Guest Post
    Hair Dye
    Healthy Living
    Home
    Hudson Valley
    Hypnobabies
    Interracial Marriage
    Japan
    Jet Programme
    Learn Japanese
    Maternity Leave
    Mommy Nearest
    Motherhood
    New York
    Pregnancy
    Review
    School
    Sleep Training
    Sponsored Post
    Stay At Home Mother
    Technology
    Toddler Faves
    Toddlers
    Travel
    Twin Pregnancy
    Twins
    Vaccination
    Vlog
    Weaning
    Weightloss
    YouTube / Social

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    June 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    December 2012

Proudly powered by Weebly