ML Interest Tag: self-soothing

22 Swaddles & Baby Sleep Sacks We Love

by Katie L. Carroll

From cozy swaddles you can use from day one to baby sleep sacks and wearable blankets kids can snooze in even as a toddler, here is the best baby sleepwear from brands including Dreamland Baby, MORI, Little Sleepies, Nested Bean, HALO, Snuggy Buddy, Woolino and more.

Little Sleepies Sleepy Bags

Little Sleepies

Made from eco-friendly, biodegradable bamboo viscose fabric, these wearable blankets are available in two styles: winter weight (for sleep temperatures of 61-67 degrees Fahrenheit) and seasonless (for sleep temperatures of 68-74 degrees). A longer length and adjustable shoulder snaps mean this sleep sack will grow with your child, and double zippers make diaper changes easier. We love the sweet prints and soft colors, and that Little Sleepies sends a portion of every sale to Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, which funds research to help cure childhood cancer.

Available at littlesleepies.com, $49-$54.

aden + anais Easy Swaddle Wrap

aden anais

Known for their dreamy muslin swaddles, aden + anais added two more must-haves to their collection to help baby sleep in style and comfort: the easy swaddle wrap and easy swaddle snug.

The swaddle wrap comes in three coveted prints: dino-rama, fairytale flowers and toile and is designed to feel like a cozy womb and prevent baby's natural startle reflux. With a two-way zipper bottom for easy diaper changes, the easy swaddle wrap comes in two sizes: 0-3 months (7-14 pounds) and 4-6 months (14-18 pounds). Simply wrap baby up in mere seconds and let her drift off to dreamland.

Their snug swaddle, the second product offered in their new easy swaddle collection, is designed for arms in or arms out, which helps baby find her natural arms-up sleep position. This swaddle is recommended for babies 0-3 months (5-12 pounds) and comes in three prints: twinkling stars in pink and blue and savanna spots. 

Both are available at adenandanais.com,starting at $20.99

Love to Dream SWADDLE UP

Love to Dream

The Love to Dream SWADDLE UP is for babies who bust out of their swaddle to get at their hands. The innovative arms-up design allows newborns to use their hands to self-soothe while also keeping them snug in a no-wrap swaddle. It comes in soft pastel colors and sweet prints. You can also honor rainbow babies with the Rainbow SWADDLE UP (pictured above). Love to Dream donates $5 from each purchase of this swaddle to the charity First Candle, which works to end SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths, as well as provides support to families experiencing miscarriage and infant loss. 

Available at lovetodream.com, $29.95 to $34.95.

Snuggy Buddy Wearable Lovey Blanket

Snuggy Buddy

If your child has trouble self-soothing without holding a lovey or stuffed animal, try this sleep sack equipped with an attached lovey. A weighted butterfly at chest level simulates the feeling of a soothing touch with the soft cuddliness of a lovey. The butterfly's wings are loose so your child can hold on to the flaps while dozing off. This sleep sack is made of triple-layer muslin fabric and designed for year-round use.

Available at snuggybuddy.com, $49.99.

Little Sleepies Swaddle & Headband Set

Little Sleepies

Made with eco-friendly bamboo viscose, which offers UV protection and temperature regulation, these swaddles stretch to make them easier to wrap and are snug and super-soft against baby's skin. This print comes with a matching headband; other prints come with hats. Prints range from classic flowers to cute bananas, sharks, lemons, rainbows and more. The company donates a portion of every sale goes to pediatric cancer foundation Alex's Lemonade Stand.

Available at littlesleepies.com, $32.

bblüv Sleëp–Evolutive 3-in-1 Swaddle Suit

bblüv

With its removable sleeves, the Sleëp sack adapts to your baby's sleeping preferences. With the sleeves attached, your newborn can self-soothe with their hands without scratching themselves. Remove them and zip up the hole for a true swaddle, or leave them unzipped for arms-out sleeping. There's ample room for hips and kicky feet in the sleeping-bag portion, and a three-way zipper for diaper changes and passing through straps to your car seat or other gear.

Available at bbluvgroup.com, $24.99.

LouLou LOLLIPOP Sleeping Bags

LouLou LOLLIPOP

This muslin sleep sack keeps baby cozy all night long. There's a two-way zipper for easy off/on and diaper changes, and the fabric is machine-washable. The sleeveless design and breathable fabric make this a great option for warmer days, but a long-sleeve onesie or PJs underneath keep baby warm as the weather cools off. It comes in seven colorful, whimsical prints, from beautiful florals to animals. Comes in two sizes: 3-12 months & 12-24 months.

Available at louloulollipop.com, $42. 

Sleeping Baby Zippy Swaddle

Sleeping Baby

Keep newborns snug and ready for sleep in the Zippy Swaddle from Sleeping Baby. The triple-reinforced swaddle wraps around baby's belly, and there's a zippered opening at the bottom for easier diaper changes. This swaddle comes in two sizes and is designed for babies 7-18 pounds who can't yet roll over. Once your child outgrows the swaddle, check out this brand's Zipadee-Zip, which helps babies transition out of the swaddle into other sleepwear.

Available at sleepingbaby.com, $24.95.

Baby Deedee Sleep Nest

Baby Deedee

The Sleep Nest Lite (pictured) is a lightweight cotton jersey sleep sack for infants and toddlers. It's as soft as a t-shirt and comes in three sizes and a number of colors and patterns. It can be used year-round in air-conditioning and warm nurseries. Outdoorsy families should also check out the Sleep Nest Travel, which keeps baby cozy in tents and on snoozes around town on chilly days. You'll find the full range of cotton, fleece and quilted options on the Baby Deedee website.

Available at babydeedee.com; Sleep Nest Lite starts at $34, and Sleep Nest Travel starts at $42.50.

HALO SleepSack Swaddle

There’s a reason why the HALO brand of baby sleepwear has been around for over 20 years. They pretty much invented the modern sleep sack and continue to innovate. The HALO SleepSack Swaddle adjusts so newborns can have both arms, one arm, or no arms tucked in. It comes in a choice of cotton for warmer weather or micro-fleece for when it gets cold. A bottom zipper allows baby to stay swaddled throughout all those middle of the night diaper changes.

Available at halosleep.com, $22.99 to $29.99.

Tommee Tippee Grosnug Swaddle

Tommee Tippee

Snug around the top but wide enough at the bottom to allow for hip-healthy leg positioning (and lots of cute kicks). The Grosnug swaddle zips open from the bottom, for easier diaper changes. Baby can wear the cozy swaddle with arms tucked in or out, so this swaddle suits a larger number of babies and grows with them.

Available at buybuybaby.com, $24.99.

Kepi Support Swaddle

If you’re worried about visitors—big and small—holding your child, consider the Kepi Support Swaddle. In addition to being easy to wrap, it includes the Kepi Support Spoon, a plastic backboard that can be inserted into the swaddle’s back pocket for proper head, neck and spine support. So when big sister asks to hold baby, you can say yes!

Available at shopkepi.com, $99.

The Ollie Swaddle

Developed with optimal neuro-development in mind, The Ollie Swaddle reduces the Moro reflex—which can jerk baby awake—and keeps baby comfortable with patented moisture-wicking fabric. It comes in one size that uses Velcro and an easy open bottom to grow with baby so you don’t have to buy a new one every growth spurt.

Available at theollieworld.com, $59.

Sleepea

Happiest Baby

Dubbed the 5-second swaddle, this 2018 new release from Dr. Harvey Karp (he's the brains behind the SNOO, Happiest Baby on the Block and the 5's) will prevent even the wiggliest babies from escaping. Here's the skinny: the organic cotton Sleepea boasts a breathable mesh, two-way zipper and inner bands that will keep your baby's arms in a safe and comfortable sleep position. Read more about the Sleepea in our full review here. Available for $19.56 at happiestbaby.com.

SwaddleDesigns Transitional Swaddle Sack

SwaddleDesigns

For babes transitioning out of the swaddle, but looking to self-soothe, the new SwaddleDesigns Transitional Swaddle Sack is a life-saver. The arms-up sack allows your baby to self-soothe with the fold-over mitten cuff design, which you can wear open or closed depending on if you want babe to have access to her hands. The hip-healthy design allows baby to sleep with enough room for her knees and hips to flex. Combine all of these great features with a two-way zipper (hello easy diaper changes!) and oh-so-soft breathable cotton, and this new transitional sleepsack is a winner. Available at swaddledesigns.com for $22.

BundleBee Baby Wrap

Known as the 10-second swaddle, BundleBee says if you can wrap a burrito, you can swaddle a baby with their luxurious wrap. The removable cushion supports baby even when he’s not in a crib or cradle, making it great for visits to friends and relatives. The adorable bow literally wraps your bundle up like a gift.

Available at amazon.com, $42.

Zen Swaddle

Touch is an important sense for a baby’s comfort and security. The Zen Swaddle from Nested Bean mimics your embrace with gentle pressure from lightly weighted pads on the chest and sides. Swaddle with the arms in or out or opt for the sleeveless Zen Sack for older babies. Available at nestedbean.com, $29.99.

MORI Sleeping Bags

MORI

Soft doesn't even begin to describe MORI sleeping bags. Each is crafted with MORI's signature organic cotton and bamboo fabric, which is both breathable, thermoregulating and ultra comfortable for baby. Their 2.5 Tog sleepsack (which we're huge fans of) is perfect for year-round use, and each sleeping bag even comes with a handy guide to show how you should dress baby at what temp. You'll also love the double-direction zipper, side shoulder clasps for easy in/out access and what's more: the sleepsack is suitable for newborn (8-9 pounds) all the way up to two years. New parents know that when it comes to sleep, we can use all the help we can get and this ultra comfortable and safe sleepsack will get baby one step closer to snoozing through the night. 

Available at minimori.com, $48.38 to $71.60.

Woolino Baby Sleep Bag

Once baby reaches a more active age, a sleep sack or bag is a great step up from a swaddle. Made from breathable merino wool, the Woolino regulates baby’s temperature in all climates. It's pricy, but the universal size (with underarm snaps) fits babies from 2 months up to 2 years, so no need to transition your toddler to different sleepwear for a good, long while.

Available at woolino.com, $99.99.

Bumbershoots by Nana

Bumbershoots by Nana

If you're looking for a sleep sack as unique as your babe, turn to Bumbershoots by Nana. Each sleep sack is hand-crafted by Nana in her Maryland studio. Nana hand-cuts and sews each Bumber by hand using patterns she has made and refined over time. Get kiddo in and out with easy snaps at the shoulders and a side zipper (good to know: The zipper stops around baby's hip). Beyond the bespoke quality, we love that each sleep sack is reverse-lined and made with heavier fabrics (heavier as in weightier, not hotter), which we think are perfect for colder months. The boutique sleep sacks are all machine-washable and hold up even after dozens of cycles. Prices start at $80.

Available at bumbershootsbynana.com, starting at $80.

BittaSack

Loose blankets and stuffed animals aren’t safe for sleep, but the BittaSack has a solution for babies that crave a sensory experience in the crib. This cotton wearable blanket has two lovies attached to it, right within easy reach for baby’s little arms. The shoulder straps and diagonal zipper make it easy to put on, take off, or change a diaper.

Available at bittakidda.com, $35.95.

Gunapod Bamboo Duvet Sack

Who knew bamboo-fiber material is ideal for baby’s sensitive skin? Well, the brains behind the Gunapod Bamboo Duvet Sack did. It breathes better than cotton and is silky soft, environmentally friendly, and hypoallergenic. Stuffed with a premium fill, it will make baby feels like she’s sleeping under a down comforter. The stitched channels provide light pressure points to hug your little one all night long.

Available at gunamuna.com, $44.99 to $49.99.

—Katie L. Carroll

featured image: Dreamland Baby

RELATED STORIES:

12 Soothing Gadgets to Help Baby Sleep Through the Night

Sleep Like a Baby: A Reality Check on Snoozing in the First Year

Best Baby Sleep Books for Every Parenting Style & Sleep Issue

 

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5 Tips to Stop Thumb Sucking from a SLP

By Janine Segner

Photo: Janine Segner

My three year old has literally been sucking his thumb since he was in the womb. The doctor saw him doing it on the sonogram and said, “You have a thumb sucker on your hands.”

The other morning, while snuggling with both of my sons before getting up for the day, I snapped a picture of both of them, sucking their thumbs. 

While the SLP in me was screaming, “NO! I can’t have two thumb suckers!” and my mind immediately raced to “Open bite! Lisp!” the mom in me was thinking, “This is just too adorable, and I need to remember this moment forever.”

That’s the advice I want to give you. Similar to overnight potty training, most thumb suckers will eventually, naturally stop sucking their thumb. Your little one won’t go to college with the same habit. 

When to Start Worrying

Typically, you do not need to worry about thumb-sucking until after a child’s permanent teeth come in. 

But, why is it a problem? Well, the constant presence of the thumb between the teeth and pressure on the teeth and roof of the mouth (palate) can lead to atypical growth and development in those areas. 

Persistent thumb sucking can also lead to an open bite (when the teeth do not touch in the front of the mouth, essentially forming an “O” where the thumb usually rests) or a very high palate.

These issues can then take their toll on feeding and speech. 

Sometimes children with a high palate struggle with eating certain foods because their oral cavity is just too large, and they begin to avoid foods that may get stuck up on the roof of their mouth, like peanut butter, or require extra manipulation, like raw carrots. 

Chronic thumb suckers can also have their speech impacted as a result of developing poor positioning and movement of their tongues. 

This can result in a lisp where the airflow for speech sounds such as /s/ and /z/ is pushed in the wrong direction resulting in a “slushy” sound. Other sounds that might be affected include /t,d,n,l/.

So, what can you do about it as a parent? Here are my top 5 tips.

1. Offer an alternative. If you notice your child is often sucking their thumb while listening to a book or watching a cartoon, give them something to hold with both hands such as a stuffed animal.

2. Target in isolation. In other words, don’t work on thumb sucking at the same time you might also be sleep or potty training. Many babies, toddlers, and young children use thumb sucking as a self-soothing technique, and they may rely heavily on it during those times. 

3. Avoid ridiculing or comparing your child to a younger child (e.g. “Only your little brother sucks his thumb.”). This can be a tough one, especially for other family members, but it is important. Scolding your child for thumb sucking can lead to guilt and may only increase the behavior or habit because of those negative feelings. Your goal is to decrease your child’s dependency on sucking for soothing, and the best way to do this is to make them feel more comfortable in other ways rather than increasing shame and other negative feelings. 

4. Offer rewards and incentives. Start small. For example, read a book together before bed and let your child know that if they keep their thumb out of their mouth, they will earn a sticker towards another larger prize or whatever else might motivate your child.

5. Use physical or visual cues. Try having your child wear a glove during the day, as long as it does not make them feel too self-conscious around other children. Or, consider placing a visual cue (a picture of a thumb with an X on it) perhaps at their preschool table. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends treatment if a child is sucking their thumb beyond the age of 5. If you have concerns, bring them up at your child’s next dentist and/or doctor’s appointment. 

 

Janine Segner is a credentialed speech therapist with a decade of experience in school, outpatient medical and private practice settings. She is licensed in Virgnia and Maryland and is the owner of Expressive Speech and Feeding, a pediatric speech therapy practice in Herndon, Virginia.

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4 Tips to Help Reduce Screen Time Mindfully

By Doreen Dodgen-Magee

Today, more than ever, we are juggling screen use for homework in addition to its everyday uses for entertainment and connecting. With the average American spending more than 10.5 hours a day with screens the research is clear that our engagement with technology is far from benign. Children’s brains, bodies, relationships, and the very sense of self are impacted in ways that are not yet fully understood. We must take this seriously and help the young ones in our midst develop an ability to be calm & regulated in and of themselves.

As school systems require children, youth, and young adults to spend increasing amounts of time learning with screens, it’s especially important that the rest of us offer compelling, fun, and engaging opportunities away from technology. This is far from easy. Most of us have families that have habituated to high amounts of screen time and breaking those habits can be a real challenge. For children and young adults to be able to face life with all of its commensurate risks and challenges, however, there is a strong need for them to have skills related to focus, self-soothing, and self-regulation. Each of these high order skills requires the ability to tolerate stillness, boredom, and discomfort enough to be able to bring the self to a state of calm.

Here are tips to empower you to help students develop the kind of grit, resilience, and contentment that come from being able to self soothe in the face of new academic and life challenges.

1. Have difficult conversations wherein you don’t have the answers. Demonstrate what it looks like to struggle with information and to tolerate relational discomfort while maintaining a connection. More than ever we are focused on having “THE” answer. When it comes to how to balance technology and life, there is no such thing. There is also no one size fits all answer to how to be healthily engaged with devices. For that reason, it’s important to ask lots of questions about the place of technology in your child’s’ life and to listen well.

It’s crucial to understand the supportive role that social media, gaming, and streaming have come to play in their lives so that you can help them navigate toward healthy use. Rarely will it work to simply pull tech away. That will likely backfire, creating an even stronger desire for tech time. Instead, dig in for the long run, ask the hard questions, and work to build buy-in and equity in setting tech limits. Your child will feel soothed by you working to understand them well.

2. Understand that limiting technology is never enough in and of itself. We must balance our attempts to dial back on tech use with a real concerted effort to beef up our embodied experience if we hope to become healthy. To do this, offer embodied experiences that speak directly and uniquely to each child. These can often be informed by where the child spends their time with screens.

If your child loves video games that tap into strategy, find some board or single-player handheld manipulative games that require strategic thinking. If they binge on social media in order to be connected, find some embodied spaces where they can interact with a wide range of people or create this in your home. Take them to “fiery” political or spiritual events, find interesting book groups or unique classes or lessons, or encourage get-togethers in your home. If you live in a rural setting where diverse opportunities for connection may not exist, help children find safe and reliable places to encounter those experiences online. If your young student binges on dance videos or live streamed athletic events, take them to some dance lessons or athletic events in person. Live theater is also a great option as are classes in improvisation. Learning how to be in our skin in the world helps us learn to soothe our selves.

3. Tend to the sensory experience of your home. After school time is a time filled with a lot of sensory stimulation. The smells of dinner being prepared, the light changing, people’s exhaustion levels peaking. Take inventory of how you might make your home feel inviting and calm. If you live in a home where the television is on most of the time, consider turning it off between school and later evening. Add lights that sit at eye level and forego turning on overhead lights. Place some engaging, interactive toys out and about. Kinetic sand in a big bowl, a bin of legos, an Etch-a-Sketch, a Kendama or diabolo, or finger labyrinth would all be great. To go further, install a pull-up bar in a doorway or place balance boards in strategic places. Serve warm milk or herbal tea before bed. Diffuse some relaxing oils. When the body is fully invited into a space, we’re much less likely to stay tethered to our phones.

4. Get serious about modeling and teaching self-soothing skills. What our children see us doing is much more instructive than what we tell them to do. If we are asking them to be emotionally and physically regulated without screens but model life with a cell phone permanently attached to our hand, our efforts will fail. There are many ways to practice self-soothing. Finding music or books that help us find our center is one way. Developing the ability to tolerate doing nothing for a short period of time is another. Stretching and warm baths also work. A short, ten-minute mindfulness meditation is an almost sure-fire way of restoring calm. The important thing is to offer ample opportunities for experimentation and repetition. We don’t just “fall into” the ability to bring our bodies, minds, and hearts to a regulated state. Instead, self-soothing is a difficult skill that must be practiced.

This post originally appeared on Psychology Today Blog Deviced.
Doreen Dodgen-Magee
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

doreen dodgen-magee is a psychologist, author, & speaker who thinks about how technology is shaping people. Her book, Deviced! Balancing Life & Technology in a Digital Age was awarded the 2018 Gold Nautilus Award for Psychology & has been featured in the New York Times, Time Magazine, & the Washington Post. 

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Hot Baby Products That Are Total Game-Changers

by Erin Lem

Middle-of-the-night diaper changes and cleaning spills may be your new normal, but that doesn’t mean it all ever becomes easier to handle. To help you through some of parenting’s toughest—and dirtiest—situations, we found eight products that are total game-changers. Read on for our picks.

Buckle Me Baby Coats: Jackets You Can Wear in the Car Seat

Buckle Me Baby Coats

When cold weather hits, you bundle kiddo up. But, did you know that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends taking your child out of bulky coats and outerwear before placing them in the car seat? Avoid the on/off jacket game with Buckle Me Baby Coats, winter coats you don’t have to remove before hopping in the car seat. The coat’s smart design allows you to snap portions of the coat around your car seat’s buckles (watch the video tutorial here). Designed by a mom, these warm and safe coats have been crash-tested, evaluated by first responders and approved by Child Passenger Safety Technicians. You’ll love the collection’s fun, bold colors and its affordability—coats start at $79.99. Sizes start at 6-9 month and go to 6T.

Available at bucklemecoats.com.

 

Lark Adventurewear: Baby Activewear That’s Moisture-Wicking and UPF 50+

Lark Adventurewear

Baby’s skin is oh-so-soft, and you won’t settle for clothes that are anything less than silky smooth. Turn to Lark Adventurewear for breathable and soft fabric that will actually last (no pilling here). Their custom cotton-bamboo fabric is called Softek™, which isn’t used in any other clothing brand. It wicks moisture and is made without chemicals or synthetic fabrics. Choose from rompers, bodysuits, dresses, footies and more. The footies (pictured here) feature reverse zippers, extra grippy feet and tagless labels. Bonus: Each piece of clothing is made with UPF 50+.

Available at larkadventurewear.com.

 

 

Squid Socks: Socks That Actually Stay On

Squid Socks

You have enough to keep track of when you’re a new mom and finding lost socks shouldn’t be on your list of daily tasks. Squid Socks’ unique design features silicone dots on the inside cuff of the sock, which prevent the socks from slipping off (truth—we tested them!). Combine that with a snug fit and a blend of polyester, nylon and spandex, and you’ve got socks that finally will stay on those little feet.

Available for $24/three pairs at squidsocks.ink.

 

 

Dry Baby: Water & Odor Repellent Clothing

Dry Baby

You may not be able to prevent the inevitable spills, but you can put a stop to the sheer amount of stains thanks to Dry Baby. The collection, which includes bodysuits, rompers, pants and bibs, are water, stain and odor repellent. Developed by a former NASA scientist, this smart garment will repel liquid—it literally rolls right off the fabric (we tested this one, too). Dry Baby is made with no harsh chemicals and boasts a variety of fun designs in soft and breathable fabric. Prices start at $9.99.

Available at mydrybaby.com.

 

 

Gunamuna Zippered Pajama: A PJ That Makes Diaper Changes a Breeze

Gunamuna

With a squirmy baby or during a 3 a.m. blowout, onesie snaps are a parent’s worst enemy. Gunamuna’s newest product, the GunaPAJAMA, boasts a zipper at the inseam for easy diaper changes. Simply unzip, change and zip onesie back up. The footie-less pajama’s supersoft bamboo rayon material is stretchy and the neck opening generous, which makes getting it over baby’s head easy-peasy.

Available for $29.99 at gunamuna.com.

 

 

SwaddleDesigns Transitional Swaddle Sack: Ease the Transition from Swaddle to Sleepsack

SwaddleDesigns Transitional Swaddle Sack

Your babe is finally sleeping longer stretches on her own, and now you’re tasked with transitioning from swaddle to sleepsack (cue the cold sweat). To ease this transition and help promote self-soothing, SwaddleDesigns has released the new Transitional Swaddle Sack. It’s arms-up with a fold-over mitten cuff design, which your baby can wear open or closed. The hip-healthy design allows baby to sleep with enough room for her knees and hips to flex, and its two-way zipper makes diaper changes a cinch. Plus, you can’t beat the $22 price tag.

Available at swaddledesigns.com.

 

 

ZippyJamz: A Tailored Fit with Two Zippers

ZippyJamz

So many baby products claim to make diaper changes easier, but few live up to the hype. ZippyJamz is the real thing. The onesie features two zippers: one that runs from neck to right foot and the other on the inseam. Made of 100% organic cotton, each onesie does indeed make diaper changes easier thanks to the premium zipper along the inseam. Instead of the common neck snap, you’ll find a small cuff that covers the zipper so as not to irritate your baby’s skin.

Available at zippyjamz.com.

 

 

The Ready Rocker: A Portable Rocking Chair

The Ready Rocker

Whether you prescribe to Dr. Harvey Karp's 5 S’s, have pacifiers in every corner of your house, or live in your rocking chair (or, perhaps, all of the above), soothing a baby is hard work. One mom is hoping to make it a bit easier with her new invention: The Ready Rocker, a portable rocker that allows you to rock baby anywhere. Whether you’re short on space or are always on the go, the Ready Rocker turns any surface (think bed, chair, wall) into a rocking chair. It’s lightweight at 7 pounds and is slim enough to fit easily into your car, in the closet or on a shelf. Available in three different material options and various colors.

Prices start at $149 online at rockermama.com.

 

 

 

If the above list wasn’t proof enough, it’s clear that the baby and kids space is constantly reinventing itself, and we can’t wait to see what they come up with next. While we love new products, we also continually go back to tried-and-true brands we can’t get enough of. Read on for some of our favorite picks from the 2017 ABC Kids & Baby Expo. 

Convenience Because Your Life Is Complicated Enough

Beyond more sleep, what any savvy parent craves is more convenience as they go about their daily lives. Brands are listening and they’re releasing products and gear that are not only convenient but also multi-functional. Here are four new products that caught our eye:

Reversible Play Mats from Skip Hop

Skip Hop

If you're looking for functional play mats with a bit more style, turn to Skip Hop's latest reversible play mats. They're designed to double the choices for stylish, baby-safe floor coverings. On one side, you'll find a bright and colorful pattern perfect for playtime. Flip it over for a more modern look that doesn't scream "baby." All play mats are totally PVC-free and roll up for convenient transport and storage.

Available for $100 at skiphop.com.

Beaba Big Flopsy Maternity & Nursing Pillow

You probably are most familiar with Beaba's amazing baby-food cookers. And now you have one more reason to love this brand: their maternity and nursing pillow. The pillow is non-toxic with odorless micro-pearls, made of 100% French cotton fabrics and it’s machine-washable. The best part? It doubles as a maternity pillow that will provide multi-position comfort during pregnancy and a nursing pillow once baby arrives. Why invest in two products when you can invest in one great one? 

Available at beabausa.com for $120.

 

Noninoni Kids Cribs

What to really expect when you're 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 baby crib, which debuted in October 2017, can be assembled in one minute and requires zero tools (no joke!). Don’t believe us? Watch this video our editor took!

Available at noninonikids.com starting at $660.

 

Petunia Pickle Disney Axis Intermix Backpack

If you want a diaper bag that uh, doesn’t look like a traditional diaper bag, then perusing Petunia Pickle Bottom’s line of functional and stylish bags is a must (and we don’t use that word lightly). Earlier this year, the company launched its modular Intermix line and after it immediately sold out, they followed up with the new Axis Intermix backpack and this sweet Disney print. With an insulated cooler at the bottom, a removable, machine-washable and water-resistant changing pad, interior pockets and more, this backpack will take you from playdate to playground seamlessly. To say it’s convenient is an understatement.

Available at petunia.com/intermix for $179.

Your Favorite Brands, Now Expanded

You’re one loyal customer to your favorite brands. And who can blame you? Your fave products and gear took you from maternity to the newborn stage and beyond. So when tried-and-true brands start releasing new lines of different products, you can’t help but feel little a kid in a candy shop. Here are four worth shouting about from the rooftops:

aden + anais Pajamas

aden + anais swaddles have a special place in our heart, so when the company announced it would be debuting kids’ pajamas, we immediately did a happy dance. The 100% cotton pajamas start from size 12M and go to 4T. Expect great quality, supersoft fabric and signature prints—basically, everything you’ve come to know and love about this beloved brand.

Available at adenandanais.com for $25.

 

Itzy Ritzy Milk Boss Feeding Support

From diaper bags to teething tools to snack bags, Itzy Ritzy just gets moms. Now, thanks to the Milk Boss Feeding Support pillow, we feel like they understand us even more. The pillow is part infant feeding support, part burping pillow and part arm cushion. Slip the pillow easily on and off your arm when bottle- or breast-feeding baby. Its design positions baby at the perfect angle to reduce the chance of reflux or gas. And, when you’re done feeding, position baby over the pillow to rest on their tummy while getting burped.

Available at itzyritzy.com for $24.99.

Project Nursery 5” HD Baby Monitor

We could spend hours perusing Project Nursery and even more time swooning over their Instagram feed. But, did you know that Project Nursery also is a leader in the baby monitor space? Their 5” HD Dual Connect Wi-Fi Baby Monitor System will ensure you never miss a moment with your babe. If you’re within Wi-Fi range, use the dedicated parent unit (it has an 8-hour battery life), and if you’re away, rely on the Project Nursery app to check in. Other perks include: two-way communication, the ability to record videos and snap photos and infrared night vision.

Available at projectnursery.com for $279.99

Lorena Canals Storage Solutions & Decor

Lorena Canals

You may know Lorena Canals for their washable rugs. And they recently launched a home decor collection featuring some pretty fab items, including the basket tassels (pictured) perfect for storage of toys, blankets, magazines and more. You'll also love their wall hangings, pom pom garlands and cushions that'll really bring any room—not just a nursery or kids' room—to life. Their high-quality new line of decor is just as well-made and charming as their rugs, and we love that the colors and design are versatile enough for any room in your home.

Available at LorenaCanals.us.

 

 

Life on the Go

Busy parents deserve products and gear that can keep up with their active lifestyle. If you’re a family in motion, check out these new products to make your life easier:

Maira.Tie Carrier from Cybex

Safety, function and impeccable style are just a few reasons we can’t get enough of Cybex. And their carrier, the Maira.Tie, epitomizes everything we love about Cybex. The carrier offers an ergonomic seating panel and a multi-functional head and neck rest for newborns to toddlers. With padded shoulder straps for crossed and parallel wearing, this carrier can be tied for front, side and back carrying.

Available at cybex.com for $135.

UppaBaby Double Stroller

There’s a new entry in UPPAbaby’s collection of stylish and highly functional strollers. The Minu is 14.5 pounds and folds into a supertiny package. You’ll be amazed at how easily it folds and unfolds with just one hand so you have the other free for holding baby. Pop the folded stroller into your car trunk, or use the carry strap and sling it over your shoulder.

Available at uppababy.com for $399-$429.

Moby Fit Wrap

If you’re looking for a wrap but are a bit intimidated by the long sheaths of fabric (now, how am I supposed to safely get baby in and out of this thing? asked every new parent ever), then you’ll want to check out the Moby Fit. This wrap goes over your head like a t-shirt and then (with just a few knots and adjustments) it’s ready to hold baby as you go about your day. Bonus: Not sure if you placed baby in correctly? Moby has a free service that allows its customers to video video chat with one of their experts to ensure you and baby are getting the most out of your Moby.

Available at mobywrap.com for $54.99.

Do any of these new products catch your eye? What do you see trending in the baby and kids space? Leave us a comment below!

— Erin Lem and Eva Ingvarson Cerise

 

 

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5 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Became a First-Time Mom

By April Sutphen

They say hindsight is 20/20. There are so many things I wish I knew as a first-time mother—so many things I would have done differently or wished someone had told me before I entered that hospital on a cold Thursday morning in December to give birth to my son via c-section. So, I’m here to share five things I wish I had known before having my son that I think new and expecting mothers could really benefit from.

1. Sleep When Your Baby Sleeps

Now, I’d be lying if I said people didn’t give me this piece of advice while pregnant – they did, on multiple occasions. I just didn’t listen. If I could turn back time, I may have napped while my son slept but more importantly, I would have done anything at all!

What I mean is that when my son was an infant the only thing I did while he napped during the day, was sit around waiting for him to wake up. I sat beside his swing, or bassinet, or bouncy chair and watched. I twitched every time he twitched. My mouth opened in anticipation each time he yawned or smacked his tiny lips together.

He used to sleep for five hours at a clip—five hours! What I could do with five hours?! I could have worked out, showered, made dinner and even taken a nap. But instead, I washed my hair as if I was training for the military and didn’t so much as leave the room when he was resting. So, my advice to new moms is to take full advantage of every moment your infant sleeps. Whether that means napping, meal prepping, scrapbooking, exercising or showering. Whatever you can accomplish during those hours of sleep—do it!

2. Your Baby Can Sleep Through Anything

Yes, I was that crazy mom who shushed everyone at the door, never vacuumed while my infant was present and considered visitors as nuisances instead of a welcomed pair of helping hands.

I recall one specific time that we had company over. My son was probably about 4 months old. Our house is a small raised ranch. There’s not much insulation in the walls or floors and a house full of 12 rowdy adults having fun is less than quiet. In hindsight (there’s that hindsight thing again), I should have sent him to my mother’s to sleep, but I didn’t. As night grew near and I knew it was his bedtime, I started feeling anxious. There was no way he could possibly sleep through this commotion.

But sure enough, a nice warm bottle, cozy crib and soft music playing were all my baby needed to drift off to dreamland. While the adults enjoyed themselves just two rooms away.

3. Let Professionals Handle Certain Things

Whether it’s building a crib, painting the nursery r fighting to install your child’s car seat, sometimes it’s best to leave certain things to the professionals.

I wish someone had told me that your local police department might have an officer certified in car seat installation safety. If this isn’t the case, you can call 1-866-SEATCHECK to find a location near you that offers car seat installation and inspection. There’s no need to fight, curse, and wrestle with your child’s car seat and base. Yes, we’ve all been there.

If you’ve never put furniture together yourself, ask for help when it comes to crib construction. My husband is a prime example of someone losing their patience over missing screws, mismarked pieces, and confusing directions. If you have a family member or friend who loves constructing things, ask them to lend a hand.

I would also suggest starting to decorate and construct your nursery during your second trimester. The first trimester is accompanied by extreme exhaustion and morning sickness. Not to mention, if you want to know the sex of your baby, you won’t know this early on in your pregnancy. The second trimester leaves you feeling more prepared and knowledgeable about your vision for the nursery. Try not to wait until the last trimester if at all possible. Your belly will be growing quite a bit now, which could make moving around difficult. Plus, you want to ensure everything is ready for your new addition. You don’t want to be rushing or worried about incomplete projects.

4. Foster Independence

Every mother has an internal urge to help their child. No one wants to see their offspring struggle, feel helpless, or get frustrated. I am 100 percent guilty of doing way too much for my son. In my attempts to help him, I now realize I was hurting him. I was depriving him of a sense of accomplishment, pride, and independence. I wasn’t allowing him to develop problem-solving or self-help skills.

If I could go back in time, I would continue to be supportive, encouraging and helpful. But I would stop myself from doing things for my son and instead, help him discover ways to achieve things on his own. I am too quick to tie his shoes for him, zip his coat and brush his teeth. I help him clean his messes and spin his spaghetti onto his fork at the dinner table. And I’m not saying that as a mom, we should never help our child—that’s probably an impossible task. But, I do highly recommend fostering your child’s independence by giving them the tools to solve problems and not by solving their problems for them. Without making mistakes, they’ll never learn. And without a small struggle, they’ll never feel the confidence every child needs to succeed in life.

5. Establish a Sleep Routine from the Start

My son was an incredibly good baby. He slept 4 hours at a clip by 6 weeks old and was soon sleeping eight solid hours. When he drifted off to sleep at 6:30 p.m. it was surreal. I had the entire night ahead to achieve all the things I hadn’t gotten too during the day (or while he was napping).

I used to rock my son to sleep with a bottle and place him in his crib, half awake, to stare and wonder at his illuminating mobile. He soothed himself to sleep by sucking his thumb. There were a few nights where he cried and I had to lock myself in the bathroom so I wouldn’t go in there, scoop him up, and sing him to sleep. He figured it out.

All was right with the world until the day my husband changed our 2-year-old son’s crib into a full-size bed while I was at work. I feared that my son wouldn’t fall asleep on his own in this giant bed—he looked so tiny. I allowed my fear to rule my behavior. I sat beside him on the edge of his bed until he fell asleep each night. He felt secure and safe. What I didn’t realize was that I had projected my fears onto him. Here we are, five years later, and my son still needs me to sit beside him each night until he falls asleep.

I wish I had never broken his habit of self-soothing at bedtime. I wish I had allowed him to feel safe and secure in his room without me. So, if you can help your child to create a healthy sleep routine from a young age, I encourage you to do so. Because now, for me, this is my greatest hurdle.

Listen to Your Heart

One thing I can guarantee about advice for new moms is that you’ll get a lot of it and none of it will be the same. Take from it what you want and can practically apply to your life. Don’t feel guilty if you don’t agree with every piece of advice people share with you. Every mother is different. Every baby is different. Listen to your heart—it won’t steer you wrong.

 

Featured Photo Courtesy: StockSnap/Pixabay

I am a 32 year old mother of a son and wife to an officer. I am honest about both the love and struggle of parenting. I enjoy being active and writing is my passion, second only to my family.

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