• new baby gift Archive

    Who doesn’t love baby clothes? While my kids have well out-grown their onesies and footed PJs, I just can’t part with a few choice items of when they were younger. (In fact, a cardigan sweater with multi-colored buttons is now being worn by a stuffed teddy bear!). For moms who can’t get enough of those sweet baby basics comes a line designed by a name they may already know. aden+anais, makers of swaddling blankets, bibs, burp cloths and more, are now lending their expertise to a just-launched layette line. Made from their signature muslin cotton, a breathable fabric that feels just right against a baby’s soft skin, this collection contains all the baby basics for a complete first-year wardrobe. Among the fashionable assortment are short- [&hellip

    Read More...

    There is no one who knows sleep deprivation like a new parent. Back in the day, when my girls were infants, I was lucky if I could manage 3-4 hours a night in those first few months. (And anyone who told me to “nap when they nap” never offered to do come do my laundry or wash my dishes either.) What I also heard a lot about was the key to getting your baby to sleep better and longer, and that was swaddling. I admit to trying to following the steps that the hospital nurse had demonstrated, but by the time when we were settled in at home, it turned out I was all thumbs and I gave up shortly thereafter. Lucky for us, our [&hellip

    Read More...

    Anyone with a new baby knows all too well how many diaper changes they go through in one day. And when you’re in a frazzled, sleep-deprived state of mind, trying to close up a squirming baby’s pajamas at 3 a.m. can be a little daunting. Ollie and Bess two snap crawlers aims to simplify the diaper changing experience. These sleepers are designed with just two snaps–strategically placed in the back–so your little one is ready to go…hopefully, back to sleep. Your first thought might be like ours: only two snaps must mean gaping holes. And yet, that’s not the case; these crawlers provide ample coverage without a tight-fitting feel. Made from 100-percent pima cotton, these one-piece outfits are soft and snuggly, and come in a [&hellip

    Read More...

    No matter how many times we clean it, our family room still ends up looking like a storm blew through it. “What’s the point in cleaning up if it just gets messy again?,” purports my precocious 9-year-old. Despite her “logic,” I’d still like our home to resemble a somewhat civilized place. If you subscribe to the philosophy of  ‘a place for everything, and everything in its place,’ but are looking for something a little more stylish than those acrylic bins from the dollar store, we’ve found just the source for you. Pehr Designs offers Petit Pehr upscale nursery and play room furnishings that fit into your home decor seamlessly and without pretense. The storage bins are roomy enough to stash a menagerie of stuffed animals, [&hellip

    Read More...

    The woman who runs a local cafe gave birth to her second son this past spring. Not one to let motherhood slow her down, she had soon returned to work and, much to my surprise, with her newborn in tow. Straight from the kitchen with a smile on her face, she emerged with her baby boy swaddled in a sling as she set food down in front of waiting diners. As I waited for my order, we chatted about how difficult it is, going from one to two, and I left impressed by how well she seemed to be managing. I also couldn’t help but notice the latest baby gear trend–the baby wrap–being put to good use. It’s a great way to keep a newborn [&hellip

    Read More...

    So, how many British baby boutiques do you think are furiously readying their shops in honor of the Royal Baby? You never know who might decide to walk into your store and purchase that special something for the most-watched baby in the world. It doesn’t matter that we have yet to catch a glimpse of that precious baby boy, but when the hospital doors finally open and the royal couple proudly emerges with their child, all eyes will be on that very bundle. And if Kate is like any other new mum, she’ll want to have her newborn dressed comfortably and not take any chances in him catching a chill in that rainy London weather. In fact, we think she’d rather prefer the Barefoot Dreams [&hellip

    Read More...

    Next week, my older daughter will turn 9. When she was born, I was only able to hold her for a brief moment before she was whisked down the hall to the nursery (apparently, her temperature was down and she needed to warm up). Somehow, I felt like I was cheated out of those tender first bonding moments between mother and child. Because I have a few mom friends with newborns who also have older kids, I’ve been hearing about their guilt over not spending time with their own babies. “How can I enjoy my little one when I am busy reading stories/checking homework/making dinner?” For moms like these comes a new baby product unlike any other we’ve seen: the NuRoo Pocket. Upon first glance, [&hellip

    Read More...

    Just before the holidays, I managed to catch up with an old friend. After updating each other on our families’ lives, she told me about her toddler son who wasn’t speaking and talking like other kids similar in age. After having him evaluated, she learned that he was speech delayed and began taking the proper steps to get him the extra help he needed. Oddly enough, we had just learned of a new speech/language service specifically designed to help parents like my friend work with their child and boost their verbal development. The beauty of Language Launchers‘ subscription-based service for ages 0-2 is that it gets mailed directly to your home, and you can use it at your own pace with your child. We got [&hellip

    Read More...

    When I was pregnant with each of my daughters, I didn’t want to find out their genders in advance. It didn’t matter to me whether or not I could paint my nursery in pink or blue (for the record, we chose yellow) or whether I could buy adorable, frilly dresses (for the record, neither are girly girls…at least so far). I figured that this would be one (or two) of life’s surprises that would be pleasant, and I would rather sit back and wait rather than plan their lives away. It’s probably why I’m always amazed that the first question out of someone’s mouth when they hear of a pregnancy is, “Does she know what she’s having?” For those of us who relish a little [&hellip

    Read More...

    Today, on our weekly supermarket jaunt, my 3-year-old and I were treated to a display of hearts-shaped place mats, cupid cookie cutters and all things red and pink. That can only mean that Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. If you happen to be the proud parent of a new bundle of joy, or have a best bud who’s expecting, it’s time to introduce that little babe to the good life with an infant seat she’ll simply love. Bloom’s limited edition coco rosso rocker may be designed for a baby, but it definitely has grown-up appeal. We love that it looks as comfortable as it feels, thanks to a specially designed Plexistyle soft seat. The 5-point harness ensures that your little one stays put, [&hellip

    Read More...