Category: Parenting


May
2017

How to Cut Your Packing in Half When Traveling with a Baby

categories: Family Travel, Parenting, Tips & Tricks, Travel
How to Cut the Packing in Half When Traveling with a Baby

Traveling with a baby is no small endeavor. Yes, they’re tiny. But holy moly, their stuff certainly is not.

My husband and I travel all the time with our baby. Over the summer it’s often every weekend. So we’ve come across some great tricks, tips, and work-arounds that make the process easier.

The name of the game is obvious: figure out what you don’t need and find the most space-saving version of what you do need. I was advised to look into something like best bottles for travel, as it saves you a lot of stress when going out with your baby, especially if they are breastfeeding or using a bottle. (more…)


May
2017

Is the NoseFrida Really Worth It?

categories: Parenting, Tips & Tricks
Is the NoseFrida Worth Buying?

Sometime between my first child and second child a new product was born: the NoseFrida.  Had I not come across a Facebook thread full of raving mothers I probably would have never even considered trying this medieval-looking device.  But I was a heavily pregnant woman and there’s one thing I remembered vividly from my first – those snot sucking bulbs are worth their weight in gold.  I had forgotten it once on a trip and that was the last time it ever left my side.  When you’re baby is stuffed up, it’s the only thing that will fix it!

But this snot sucking device was different.  You suck the boogers out of their nose with your mouth. I’M SERIOUS.

Why?? Isn’t there another way?  Is it really that important for the suction to be coming from our mouth? Would this really be any different from the age-old bulb aspirator?

Basically – is the NoseFrida really worth it?

(more…)


Apr
2017

The Best TV Shows to Watch When You’re Up At Night Breastfeeding

categories: Attachment Parenting, Breastfeeding, Parenting, Tips & Tricks, TV, TV, Movies & Books
The Best TV Shows to Watch When You're Up at Night Breastfeeding

I know I’m supposed to stare longingly into my baby’s eyes while I breastfeed her, but let’s be real. Half the time she’s suckling away WHILE sleeping, the other half I’m struggling to keep my own eyes open.  And books just don’t do it for me when I’m drained and tired.  But TV does. And not just any TV. Only certain shows make the cut when I’m trying to keep my cool at 3 am.  

There’s something special about these kind of shows. They’ve all got strong female leads (duh, those are the best), but more importantly, they won’t leave you in tears.  Sorry Grey’s Anatomy, you’re a wonderful show but NOT what I need to see while hormones are zipping through my sleep deprived body and I’m cradling my newborn.

So if it’s 3 am where you are and you’re trying to figure out how to keep yourself awake, distracted, and calm, add these shows to your list and relax a bit!

(more…)

  • Comments Off on The Best TV Shows to Watch When You’re Up At Night Breastfeeding

Mar
2017

5 Co-Sleeping Alternatives for When Your Baby Just Wants to Sleep with You

categories: Attachment Parenting, Parenting, Tips & Tricks
Co-sleeping alternatives that provide the best of both worlds!

Over the past 4 years, I’ve had a crib-sleeper, a co-sleeper, an in-his-own-room sleeper, an only-in-your-arms sleeper, and a next-to-my-bed sleeper…and that was just one child.  Now I have a newborn, so the joy starts all over again…and this time with two to juggle. While I love co-sleeping, the fear that’s been instilled in me has led me on a search of all the possible co-sleeping alternatives. And luckily, there are quite a few (looks like I’m not the only one trying to make things work).

So if you’re wondering what your options are if your baby or toddler wants to co-sleep, but you (or your spouse) really aren’t into it, I’ve got you covered!  Here are some of your other options:

Related post: 12 Ways to Make Co-Sleeping Safer

 

(more…)

  • Comments Off on 5 Co-Sleeping Alternatives for When Your Baby Just Wants to Sleep with You

Mar
2017

10 Reasons to Let Your Toddler Watch TV

categories: Parenting, Tips & Tricks
We hear so much about limiting screen time for kids, but there are still a lot of good reasons to consider letting them watch tv!

I will never forget my pediatrician’s fateful do-or-die advice at my son’s 9 month check-up. I had asked about co-sleeping, breastfeeding, babysitting, crying-it-out, napping, feeding solids, sun exposure, eye contact, bathing vs. showering, first words, crawling, walking, teething, socks or no socks, and over-mothering. He said: “Whatever you decide to do is fine. Just don’t ever let him watch TV.”  

What?? I just nodded my head.  I had gone in worried that he’d think I was crazy and walked out thinking he was crazy.  Of all the controversial concerns we have about toddlers, TV was the last thing I was worried about – and to be honest, it still blows my mind that people worry about it so much.

For me, I’m actually glad that I let my son watch TV.  In fact, I think we’re both better for it. So before you rip your hair out trying to avoid the inevitable, consider these reasons for giving into a little screen time:

(more…)


Mar
2017

The Best Easter Basket Ideas for 3-Year Old Boys

categories: Easter, Gift Guides, Gift Guides for Children, Holidays, Parenting
10 great ideas for your 3-year old's easter basket!

For some reason, putting Easter baskets together for my kids is one of my favorite times of the year.  There’s way less pressure than Christmas and spring is just about to come!  This year we’ve got a 3-year old and a newborn, so it should be extra fun.  While I’m sure my 3-year old would have been satisfied with a basket full of trains, I am bound and determined to make it well-rounded and still tons of fun (if you also have a train obsessed boy, you may just want to check out this post → What to Get for Your Thomas the Train-Obsessed Little Boy).  So if you’re looking for Easter basket ideas for 3-year old boys, check some of these out!

(more…)

  • Comments Off on The Best Easter Basket Ideas for 3-Year Old Boys

Feb
2017

The Best Easter Basket Ideas for Your Newborn Girl’s First Easter

categories: Easter, Gift Guides, Gift Guides for Children, Holidays, Parenting
These Easter basket ideas for your newborn girl will help to make her first Easter magical!

With kids, every holiday is more exciting.  But the first holiday?  There’s few things better than that!  Easter is definitely no exception.  You’ve got the weather, the family time, and of course…the Easter Bunny!  And somehow the planning and preparation is way less stressful than Christmas, so you can focus more on enjoying things.  So if you’re still in need of Easter basket ideas for a newborn girl, hopefully this list will be helpful.  Enjoy your baby girl’s first Easter!

 

(more…)

  • Comments Off on The Best Easter Basket Ideas for Your Newborn Girl’s First Easter