The first three years of your baby’s life are full of milestones both big and small. While your little one will develop before your eyes, one thing will remain constant: where your baby or tot sleeps. Sound slumber is a top priority for any new parent. And the new Nuna COVE aire delivers the goods. Whether you’re keeping baby close by as you go about your day or next to your bed for room sharing, the COVE aire is your worry-free, space-saving solution. Get the scoop on this brand-new product below.

What it is:
As a 3-in-1 napper, bassinet, and play yard, the COVE aire is every new parent’s dream when it comes to baby sleep. The system is intended for use by newborns, growing babies, and toddlers in need of a place to rest or play. For ages 0-3 years, the COVE aire has you covered from birth to beginning preschool. It’s compact enough to maneuver around your house and to travel with.

How it works:
The COVE aire is designed with a firm napper that detaches to reveal a full-size bassinet. The napper is perfect for newborns, especially considering how infants typically spend more time sleeping than awake—upwards of 17 hours! And the bassinet turns any room into baby’s room. When baby is ready to enjoy the play yard, simply unzip the bassinet and remove the attachment.

This integrated sleep system will streamline everyday life at home or while traveling with a baby. Next time you need to chop some vegetables and get dinner in the oven, answer a few emails, read that news article that’s been calling your name, or KonMari your suddenly cluttered home, you’ll have a close, convenient spot to place your baby. And when nighttime sleep is at a new premium, you can rest easy knowing that your child is beside your bed in the COVE aire.

How Nuna is different:
The brand that has delivered some of the best baby products and gear now promises a bassinet-crib-play yard combo that new and expectant parents can depend upon for the first three years of their child’s life. Its ventilated mesh sides, floor and mattress allow for abundant airflow while dissipating heat and humidity. The slim and simple, yet stylish silhouette fits with any traditional or modern decor and is available in three beautiful, neutral tones: Caviar, Frost and Champagne.

Discerning parents will appreciate details like the system’s sturdy aluminum frame with easy, one-handed folding, an above-ground base to keep baby protected from drafts, panels that remove for deep cleaning, and skid-proof feet that keep the COVE aire in place. The practical and versatile design is perfect for everyday use.

COVE aire features worth calling out:

  • Advanced air design™ with 360° ventilation for ideal airflow
  • Contoured napper with customizable recline
  • Zip-off bassinet that folds with frame
  • GOTS certified organic sheet, napper and carry bag all included

Babies need a place to rest. Parents need a product they can trust. The COVE aire is a flexible and easy sleep solution that grows with your baby so that lullabies can become dreams.

Learn more about the Nuna COVE aire at nuna.eu/usa/in-home/cove-aire

Want one for your baby? Buy online at nuna.eu/usa, or at retailers such as Nordstrom, Dillard’s, Bloomingdale’s and Magic Beans.

7 Things Financially Savvy Parents Always Invest In

Photo: Pixabay

While it may seem counterintuitive, sometimes the best way to save money in the long run is to spend a lot of money up front. There’s a wealth of information available about how to better budget and save money, but those who are financially savvy know that there are certain things that are usually worth the splurge.

1. Shoes

It may seem simple, but purchasing a good pair of shoes helps ensure that you aren’t forced to buy a new pair each year or walk around in discomfort. You wear shoes everyday, so it makes sense to put your money toward something that you’re sure to get a lot of use out of.

2. Skincare

Skimping on skincare can lead to more problems in the future down the road. No, you don’t need to fork over thousands for special skin caviar that supposedly makes all of your pores disappear and removes every last wrinkle, but spending money on high quality sunscreen that won’t clog pores and cleansers and moisturizers that keep your skin feeling its best help you put your best face forward for years to come.

3. Training and education

Once you establish what career path you want to follow, learning as much as you can about the industry will serve you well. Receiving the proper education will make performing your job easier, you’ll be able to perform your job better, and you’ll likely have a higher earning potential than if you forego the education. It can also make you a more competitive candidate for landing jobs and earning promotions.

4. Mattress

This simple concept can save you thousands in the long run. Sleeping on a poorly made mattress can lead to complications that can last a lifetime, not to mention a lack of comfort that can lead to sleep disruptions that can increase stress levels. A bad mattress itself can cause pain and may lead to expensive medical procedures down the road. When it’s time to buy a mattress, spending more up front can save cash—and more importantly your body—in the future.

5. Time-Saving Services

Money is time. One of the best ways to spend money is to save time. Financially savvy people know that being overworked can lead to more mistakes and end up costing them more money later. When your schedule gets extra hectic, taking measures such as dropping off laundry or using a rideshare can reduce stress and

6. Tools for Work

When you buy something that directly contributes to your income, it’s best to buy things that will make your doing your job as easy as possible. If you spend a lot of time working on a computer, instead of getting the cheapest model, look for something that will make you want to work on it. If your job requires frequent travel, invest in a nice luggage set that will help getting through the airport easier.

7. Wardrobe Staples

Though there are guides that recommend articles of clothing that every person should have, curate your list based on where you live and your lifest‌yle. If you live in a cold climate, spending more on a high quality jacket will help keep you warm for years to come. If you work in a professional setting, purchasing a perfectly tailored blazer can be worth the investment. For those who spend a lot of time working out or playing sports, investing in a high quality sports bra can save money in the long run. If you know you’ll wear it regularly, you could end up saving money instead of heading to the mall each regularly for replacements.

– Kayla Heisler for Fairygodboss

Fairygodboss Georgene Huang & Romy Newman, Founders
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

As the largest career community for women, Fairygodboss provides millions of women with career connections, community advice and the hard-to-find intel about how companies treat women.

Forget a fancy foray into the woods: the newest trend in luxury camping takes glamping to the next level—and your own backyard (literally). With Glampique’s designs you can turn your yard into a space that rivals even the most luxurious of hotels! But it comes at a price.

If you happen to have an extra $20,000 that’s absolutely burning a hole in your pocket, you can purchase a completely furnished tent from Glampique. While Glampique’s price tag isn’t exactly on par with the pop up tent you bought your tot at Walmart, it’s less expensive than most RVs/trailers and cabins (and even many tiny homes). And bonus, it comes fabulously furnished.

Glampique’s founder/CEO David Levine said, about his company’s lavishly luxe products, “Glampique furnished tents are an ideal way to connect with nature while still enjoying the elevated experience of a boutique hotel.”

Each tent comes with a king-sized bed (with a mattress and bedding), wood and steel dresser, velvet and steel couch, velvet and steel ottomans, polished brass tables, Anker cell phone charger, mirror, Simple Human garbage can, flashlight and fire extinguisher. The $20,000 price tag also includes delivery and installation (in the continental United States). Visit Glampique’s website here for more information on ordering.

—Erica Loop

Photos: Courtesy of Glampique

 

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Cursing under our breath and profusely sweating. No, it’s not the scene from that barre class we took last week. We’re describing the last time we set up—and dismantled—a pack and play. Now, thanks to Skip Hop’s newest product innovation, their portable travel crib, the days of trying to figure out how to collapse those pesky side rails are long gone. Skip Hop’s new travel crib, which just debuted this March, is a cinch to set up and it even expands to a playpen in mere seconds. We recently took it for a spin and here’s what we found.

It’s more than just a crib

The duplicity of this product is why we’re gaga over it. When you want to convert the pack and play from sleep mode to play pen mode, simply unzip the fabric mesh sides and bottom to expand it. The sides telescope to expand 60% larger so your child now has room to move around and play. The ease of conversion will blow your mind.

Plus, the product comes equipped with two convenient pads: one mattress pad with a fitted sheet for sleep mode and another water-resistant mat for play mode. It’s easier now than ever to toggle between sleep and play mode without having to buy more accessories or gear.

It’s easy-to-carry and compact enough for real travel

The travel crib comes with a travel bag and it all (crib, mattress sleep pad and play mat) all fold up easily. With a sling to carry, this travel crib is designed for travel. The entire thing comes in at 15 pounds. And, breaking it down and fitting it into the travel bag is as intuitive as it comes. Bring it to grandma’s house, set it up in your living room to wrangle your toddler or pack it for your next road trip.

It won’t break the bank

Skip Hop’s new travel crib retails for $180, which is far cheaper than the more expensive, light pack and plays on the market. We love that it’s not only a travel crib, but an expandable playpen so you’re really getting two products in one.

Buy yours at skiphop.com for $180.

Copy by Erin Lem; photos courtesy of Skip Hop

 

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Everyone knows the worst part about doing laundry is the folding and putting it all away. If your dryer often doubles as the closet because you just can’t manage to get it all folded, then you’re going to want your very own laundry-folding robot.

Plenty of exciting new household gadgets debut at CES 2019 (formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show). But none were quite as exciting as an amazing machine called the FoldiMate. All you have to do is place your shirts and pants—folded just once to fit—in the compartment and they come out the other side, neatly folded. A dream come true!

It does have some limitations, however, as it can’t fold tiny baby clothes, socks or those impossible-to-fold fitted mattress sheets. It also comes with a hefty estimated price tag of $980, though the figure hasn’t been made official yet. At a folding rate of 25 items in five minutes, however, $980 doesn’t sound so bad when you have mountains of laundry to get through.

You can join the pre-order waitlist for the FoldiMate here.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Matt Henry via Burst

 

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What to really expect when expecting: baby gear whose instruction manuals are as complicated as your senior year AP calculus class. Good news: Noninoni Kids is changing this head-scratching rite of passage for new parents. Their brand-new crib can be assembled in one minute and requires zero tools (no joke!). Read on to get the scoop on the crib of your dreams.

The Crib: What You Need to Know
The crib assembles in minutes. Literally. Don’t believe us? Check out this video our editor took at the recent ABC Baby & Kids Expo. Each piece fits into place like a puzzle. This means you don’t ever have to break out the toolkit or hardware. The crib has three adjustable mattress positions and when disassembled, it packs flat for easy storage and transport. We love how assembling and disassembling the crib is a total no-brainer, and anyone can do it from mom to nanny to grandpa.

The Choices
You have two options: the Noni Mini-Crib (assembled size is approximately 43 inches long, 28 inches wide and 35 inches high, and prices start at $660) and the Noni Full-Size Crib (assembled size is approximately 57 inches long, 32 inches wide and 35 inches high, and prices start at $750). Both sizes are available in seven baby-safe finishes. We thought the mini-crib is perfect for apartment or city living when space is at a premium and the full-size ideal if you have a bit more space to work with.

Bonus: the full-size crib can convert to a toddler bed with the addition of a toddler rail, which is sold separately for $200.

So, Who Invented This Genius Crib?
A mom, of course! The brains behind Noninoni Kids is Carina Bien-Willner Reichman, an award-winning architect in LA. When her son was born, Carina was alarmed when her husband put the crib together there were six bolts left over. She knew there had to be a better option. So she, along with her father, Ruben Bien-Willner—he’s also an architect and custom furniture maker out of Arizona—dreamed up their crib, which is easy to assemble and disassemble by any caretakers, while still meeting the needs of baby’s sleep demands.

But, What About the Safety Features?
The crib’s safety features are taken just as seriously as its stellar design and asethetic. Here’s the fine print: all cribs are made in the USA using sustainable FSC Certified Baltic Birch plywood. All the finishes comply with 16 CFR 1303 and California Prop 64 Standards. Thorougly tested and approved, the cribs also comply with ASTM F 406 safety standards for cribs. If you want a more detailed report, click here.

Buy online at noninonikids.com

Tell us what you think of the Noninoni Kids crib in the comments below!

— Erin Lem

All photos courtesy of Noninoni Kids

photo: JetKids

If you’re like most parents and you dread taking to the skies with restless little travelers in tow, you’ll love this genius gadget that turns regular old coach seats into business class beds for toddlers.

The JetKids BedBox, which is designed for kids up to age 7, is a ride-on suitcase that kids can roll through the airport—then use to make a cozy bed once they’re up, up, and away.

photo: JetKids

The magic happens thanks to the design of the suitcase itself (it was made by a former aircraft engineer and airline captain). The box’s top slides out and acts as the foundation for the enclosed mattress, which folds out to become an extension of the existing airline seat. It’s easy to set up and take down (though it’s tough to get stuff out of the suitcase once it’s in use as a “bed”). And, when it’s not in use, it fits in the overhead storage bin and is airline-approved.

photo: JetKids

Does it work? Yes! Kids under 3 can easily snuggle down and lay flat (taller kiddos may have to curl up a bit); while older kids can use the “bed” as a leg rest. (Hint: This helps for testy tots who like to kick the seat in front of them).

photo: JetKids

As for the storage space, it doesn’t hold much once the mattress is rolled up inside. But a Red Tricycle tester was able to cram a few activity books, some snacks and a beloved lovey into the box and everything fit just fine.

photo: Melissa Heckscher

Even if older kids can’t fit into the JetKids bed, they’ll love rolling around the airport before and after their flight. Running late? With this little gadget, there’ll be no more slow-footing it to make it to your gate on time; parents will be racing to keep up with their little cruisers.

Photo: Melissa Heckscher/RT

The bottom line: If you’ve got a baby or toddler, the lay-flat bed feature of the BedBox makes it totally worth the hefty $199 price tag (it’s cheaper than a real business class seat, after all). Parents of older kids (ages 3 & up) may not need to splurge, especially given that it doesn’t hold as much as a traditional carry-on —but with the leg rest option and the awesome ride-on abilities, it sure does make for fun travels. Buy it here.

Check out the Youtube video below to see the BedBox in action.

 

You’ve probably heard that “back is best” and bumpers are better left out of cribs. But according to a new study by the American Academy of Pediatrics, many parents don’t follow safe sleep recommendations — especially in the middle of the night. Even when advised of the risks and knowing they were being videotaped, parents put their children to sleep in a non-recommended way. We all want what’s best for our babies, but we’re also all exhausted. Here, we’ve got a reminder of the basics for safe baby sleep, and a couple of ideas for how to keep up your resolve when all you want is for the kid to sleep for five more minutes.

photo: Caitlin Regan via flickr

Back to Sleep
Place babies to sleep on their backs. Yes, you went to sleep on your stomach, and you survived (or so Mom tells you), but the best research we have available says back is best. Make sure any babysitters know to place your little one on their back to go to sleep. When baby can roll over by herself, put her on her back to start, and stop swaddling.

Clutter-free Crib
Babies should sleep on a flat, firm mattress. Cribs and other sleeping environments like bassinets should be kept free of stuffed toys, pillows, loose blankets and bumpers. Those bumpers that get handed down might be cute, but keep them for the doll crib. They aren’t safe. Sleep experts say that just because products are sold in stores doesn’t mean that they’re safe for your little one, surprisingly, and hand-me-downs may have been recalled or no longer recommended for use.

Sleeping with baby
Talk to your pediatrician if you’re planning on co-sleeping. In the AAP safe sleep study, bringing your baby to bed in the middle of the night was very common, and often done without letting the other parent know Baby is there, and without having a safe sleeping environment prepared.

Sleeping with baby on a couch is especially dangerous according to studies, so make a plan on how to stay awake during late-night feeding sessions (Netflix and nurse, anyone?). Yes, it’s cute when Baby and Dad fall asleep together, but give Dad a nudge to wake him up, or pick up your baby gently and put him down in a safe place.

photo: Pixabay

The takeaway? Parents are tired, and they want their babies to sleep. Parents are much more likely to put their children to sleep in their own beds, or on their stomachs, after getting up with the baby at least once. We get that! Sleep deprivation does not make for rational decision-making at 2 a.m. What can you do?

Make it easy on yourself and baby. Consider keeping a safe sleep environment in your bedroom where you can feed, change and check on your bundle as needed during the night without too much fuss and hassle.

Get as much rest as possible. If you take naps during the day, you’re less likely to be exhausted at night. We roll our eyes sometimes at “sleep when the baby sleeps,” especially when you have older kids, but instituting a personal naptime is not out of line.

Don’t be afraid to move baby after they’ve fallen asleep somewhere unsafe. If they fall asleep on the couch, move them. Yes, they might wake up, which seems like the worst possible outcome at the time, but trust that they’ll make up for it later.

Ask your pediatrician before trying something new. Dr. Google suggests a sleep positioner, or sleeping on a wedge, and you just want the reflux (screaming) to get better. We’re been there. But make a quick call or email to your doctor or nurse on call before trying something beyond the recommended firm, flat sleeping surface.

Ask for help if you need it. Being exhausted and barely able to function isn’t something you should have to suck up and push through. Sleep when you can, and if you’re breastfeeding, consider asking a partner to bottle-feed during the night if you’re having trouble making it through. Even if you had planned to breastfeed exclusively, you can feel proud of making the best choice for your baby.

What’s your favorite baby sleep advice? Let us know in the comments!

—Kelley Gardiner

Can’t wait for baby to wave hello or pull up to stand on her own two feet? Milestones are as exciting for you as they are for the little ones who are learning to explore their worlds in new ways. Here you’ll discover 11 of the big ones that’ll happen in Baby’s first year. Remember, no two children are alike – your child might reach milestones at different times and that’s okay. Talk to your baby’s doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

photo: Brian via flickr

Smiling: 2 Months
Is that a gas pain? No, it’s a real social smile! At about two months, baby will start to flash you that not-so-toothy grin when she’s happy. Soak it up – you’ve earned it. Now you’ll probably be doing anything to see that smile. It won’t be too long until they bust out the laughs and giggles.

photo: Thomas via flickr

Voluntary Grasping: 3-4 months
Around three to four months, your little one will be able to grasp objects like blocks. She still can’t pick up smaller objects like peas – that comes later with the pincer grasp. Anything she picks up will probably go into the mouth for taste testing so now is the time to pay attention to what’s in Baby’s reach.

photo: Ian Grove-Stephensen via flickr

Rolling Over: 4-5 Months
Watch out! Baby is on the move. By about four months, most babies can roll themselves over from belly to back. By six months, they’ll probably be able to roll from back to belly, too, and you might have your first “Where did he go?!” moment.

photo: Lars Plougmann via flickr

Laughing: 4 Months
Someone’s got the giggles! Time to ramp up your peekaboo programs, because this is about the time you’ll start to hear those sweet baby laughs.

photo: Pedro Serapio via flickr

Sleeping Through the Night: 4 to 6 Months
At this point, sleeping through the night means six hours at a time. And not all babies get there. Or if they do, as soon as you start bragging to your friends, they’ll start waking up again. Still, baby is capable of sleeping through the night now, and you should be getting a little relief from that newborn exhaustion.

photo: Emergency Brake via flickr

Sitting Up: 5-6 Months
By now, your baby should be strong enough to sit on your lap or assisted with a pillow, allowing for a whole new worldview and new games. He should be able to play and enjoy peekaboo around six months, too. And by seven to nine months, baby can sit up unassisted; first for a minute or two at a time, and then longer and longer.

photo: Donnie Ray Jones via flickr

Crawling: 6-10 Months
Some babies never crawl; they scoot, roll and scooch until it’s time to walk. Others never learn to crawl with their bellies off the floor. Others crawl for months and take their time learning to walk. No matter how your little one moves, you’re probably going to be doing a lot of moving, too! It’s time to start expanding your baby-proofing operations.

photo: Sean Freese via flickr

Pulling Up: 8 Months
Put the crib mattress at the lowest setting: baby can pull up! Soon, she’ll learn to cruise – take small steps while holding on to furniture. Then, you can encourage her to take some small steps in between the couch and you, and you’ll have a walker on your hands.

photo: Dean Wissing via flickr

Waving: 9 Months
Bye bye, Baby! Some babies wave much earlier, but by about nine months, they’ll be using their “hello” and “bye bye” waves in context. Be ready for your heart to melt the first time you leave your little nugget and get a little wave.

photo: Ly Thien Hoang (Lee) via flickr

Walking: 10-18 Months
Walking is a huge milestone that Baby has to work up to slowly, so there’s a wide range of when kids start moving on two feet. Most will take their first shaky steps by thirteen months or so. Some kids start out wobbly and stay wobbly for a while, and others prefer to wait until they feel a little more sure. It all depends on their personality, development and motivation.

photo: Philippe Put via flickr

Talking: One Year & Beyond
By the year mark, you’ll probably be hearing those golden “mamas” and “dadas” that you’ve been longing for. As the second year develops, baby will add more and more vocabulary, and by his second birthday, grammar will develop enough for two-word sentences like “Mama read” or “Me eat.”

What milestone are you looking forward to most? Let us know in the Comments!

—Kelley Gardiner