How To Swaddle A Baby

swaddled baby

Photo: Robert Scoble Clearwater piano dealer,

Toward the end of 40 weeks in utero, there isn’t much wiggle room for a soon-to-be-born baby. Which is why many professionals believe swaddling comforts a baby, making it feels like it’s still inside the womb. Swaddling is the primary method for helping a baby get to sleep, duplicating a cozy environment and eliminating the baby startling himself.

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Categories: Kids and Baby

Traveling and Potty Training This Summer

I’m proud to announce that we have an almost completely potty trained child. medical weight loss philadelphia We started a little later than my daughter’s toddler peers, but as a result it was much smoother and quicker. At first, it was even easy. That was when we were in the house. Taking that first step and leaving your place without a diaper on–or in your possession–can be a scary prospect. And we’re talking about just heading to grocery store. What about roadtrips? Good thing there are a few failsafe essentials to ease the potty training stress (possibly more for you than them).

The PiddlePad protects car seats and strollers from accidents. A soft, absorbent velboa fabric  is topped with a waterproof outer layer prevents leaks and contain liquids. Up to a cup of said liquid, actually. That’s heavy-duty.

The Potette travel potty is second on the essentials list. If you’re at the beach, the pool, the park, it’s wise to carry this portable, compact potty. Because sometimes the restrooms are just too far. Place a self absorbing disposable liner, prop up the legs and the On the Go Potty is ready to go. When baby is done, wrap up and throw away the liner, fold in the legs and store the potty into the carry bag.

Voila: Summer fun awaits–even within potty training confines.

Categories: Kids and Baby

Save Your Stroller With A Fabric Stroller Liner

Here’s a cautionary tale: I started using our lightweight umbrella stroller when my daughter was around seven months old. We chose a Maclaren Volo, the lightest stroller offered at the time. I took it everywhere: the zoo, the mall, the subway, the bus, the playground, the park. You get the idea. I’m also not the tidiest or organized person in the world, so oftentimes I could stash wrappers, toys, uneaten toddler snacks et al. in the folded hood. Iced coffee was spilled many times in there.

Add that to the normal messy activities of a baby, and we’ve got one mess of a stroller. Oh, and then add a cat that refuses to sleep anywhere else but the stroller, and you’ve got an even worse (hairy) situation. The result? A stained, dirty mess. I ended up buying a new stroller, but one thing could have saved me that money that I just plunked down: a stroller liner.

Stroller linerMaclaren offers a universal, reversible liner in loads of colors and patterns. Although they’re made by Maclaren, they’ll fit almost any other umbrella stroller–and most regular strollers, too. (Bonus: Change up the look of your stroller for $25.) They’re machine washable and preserve the stroller seat, so you can avoid my mistakes. Minus the ice coffee issue. I bought a cup holder this time around.

Categories: Kids and Baby

If the Kids’ Furniture Fairy Visited Me, I Would Ask For Ecotots

What’s not to love about earth-friendly line Ecotots? Every piece, from beds to art easels to play tables, are constructed of formaldehyde-free, FSC Certified, environmentally-friendly real wood and featuring our durable, 100pct non-toxic water-based finish. Plus, they all have a patented, no tools assembly method. Woohoo!

Ecotots Kids Big Kahuna Natural BookcaseEcotots fire surfin stoolecotots 200037-005 Sideboard Storage UnitAbove: Big Kahuna bookshelf, Surfin Kids stool set, Sideboard storage unit

We like the smooth lines and modern feel that balanced with a sort of chunky, whimsical feel (translation: your kid will probably like it as much as you do.) Bonus: Ecotot is a member of the Sustainable Furniture Council and all pieces have a lifetime construction guarantee. Our faves are the sideboard storage unit and book case. How about yours? Check out the full range of Ecotots pieces for more.

Guidecraft for the Best Book and Toy Storage

There are the kinds of toys that can be tossed in a bin, stacked in a corner. Stuffed animals, Magnadoodles, puppets: It’s these types of things that are a little more flexible in storage a clean-up department. Then there are the books, games, and puzzles that need shelving or bookcases. That’s why we love Guidecraft.

Guidecraft bookshelfThe kids’ furniture company offers all sorts of products, but we particularly like the brand’s toy and book storage options. They offer a wide range of colors and themes (including lots of boy-friendly sports themes), as well as neutrals that would work in any room in the house.

Guidecraft bookshelfThe choices are sturdy and well-built–and equally imaginative and creative. The book cases that look like doll houses are just as ideal as the well-designed, smart front-book display cases. They can take the overwhelming plethora of toys and somehow turn them all into a neat, organized collection of playthings. Just for your kids to pull off the shelves all over again. But, hey, that what they’re there for, right?

Toddler Bike Seats Mean Fun for Everyone

I’ve recently become obsessed with getting a bike and taking my 2-year-old all over town. It seems like such freedom compared to a stroller or the confines of public transportation, and I am absolutely confident that she would have a blast wheeling around the city. First, I found a nice little three-speed cruiser. Next up: a seat for my girl. In doing the research, I came across two excellent toddler bike seat options.

iBert Safe-T-Seat Child Carrier

The Ibert Seat ($95) will keep the kiddie in full view (no turning around every five seconds or yelling back to ask, “Having fun?”). A padded seat and fixed shoulder straps will keep him comfortable and secure. And what a great view he’ll have!

Co Pilot Taxi Child Carrier

The CoPilot Seat ($135) is a great backseat option. It includes a three-point harness, padded overhead restraint bar and foot straps. The quick-release seat is installed on a rear-wheel base (included)–so can be removed easily (like, 30 seconds) for traveling solo.

However you choose to get around this summer, we wish you happy travels!

Categories: Dad, Kids and Baby, Mom

The Quinny Buzz Stroller Goes Fashionable with New “Greystone”

Quinny Buzz Stroller has dialed it up with new Greystone and Raccoon models. Wondering what the heck we’re talking about? Why, the new color options for the Quinny Buzz 3 stroller. The European company has been known for a selective color palette (we had the Quinny in “Juice,” a punchy orange and red combo), and they’ve recently introduced Greystone–a lovely purplish gray–and Raccoon, a deep chocolatey-taupe.

These are the kinds of colors we’d paint our walls: chic, mature, very sophisticated. And aside from being lovely to look at, the Buzz is also a fabulous stroller. It comes with a lightweight aluminum frame that offers a compact fold, all wheel suspension for a smooth ride (woohoo!), and a cool, automatic unfolding mechanism. Plus, it comes with a switchable forward/rear-facing seat and a larger replacement seat cushion included to accommodate your growing kiddo. Love!

Categories: Kids and Baby

Adorable Infant Outfits Now 60% Off!

I’m a little apprehensive to divulge one of my favorite online shopping sites for kids’ clothing. I have scored loads of good deals, and the selection is fantastic. But, because I want you share in the shopping glory, I’ll share: Boscovs.com. I know. I’m not even sure where the physical stores are located (maybe the Midwest?), or how I stumbled upon the site, but they offer lots of good, sturdy, play-hard brands like Carter’s and Oshkosh–which are both oddly difficult to find in New York City. And as usual Boscovs is having a sweet sale.

Newborn Boy Air Control 3 Piece DiaperCan you believe that both of the multi-piece outfits are now $7.99? They’re 50 to 60% off. Excellent deal.

Newborn Girl Baby Togs Floral Bib/Hat/ Diaper SetI say scoop up a bunch in newborn and 3-6 month sizes and keep them on hand for future baby shower gifts. Who can resist those little bloomers? I bought a pregnant friend a similar outfit for her shower, and she chose it as her daughter’s homecoming outfit from the hospital.

Categories: Kids and Baby

Clip-on Bug Repellent from Off!

Here’s something awful about my neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York: It’s a mosquito trap in the summer. They are everywhere. You’d think an urban area wouldn’t have to worry, but I get mosquito-repellent crazy as soon as it gets warm. I’m constantly checking the screens and leaving hall lights on to keep them out (or away from us if they do somehow get in). I was even as the point of applying natural bug repellent on my toddler daughter. Then, the bug-repellent gods smiled upon me. They brought me the Off! Clip-On Mosquito Repellant.

Off! Clip On Mosquito Repellant

The small device expels an odorless chemical via a small fan to keep those bogs away. And it works. The deluxe kit comes with the device, batteries, and four refills for $25. Each refill should last 12 continuous hours or up to two weeks of intermittent use. It’s not that pricey to begin with, but considering you could drop it in the middle of the patio table and several people could benefit from it, it’s totally worth the money.

A Summer Essential: The Lightweight Hoodie

All hail the boys hoodie! It’s an ideal extra layer when headed to school or camp on a crisp morning or when night falls. It’s packable, and if you choose correctly, coordinates with most everything in their wardrobe. Boden tops our list for quality options. We know they’ll stand up to the abuse an elementary school kid (or worse: a middle schooler!) can put on their clothes, all the while looking fabulously lived in (which might be the reason the kids love them, too). Well constructed and super soft, here are our top hoodie picks from Boden:

Lightweight Hoody

The Boden Lightweight Hoodie, $36, comes in a neutral, goes-with-everything brown and white stripe. He’ll reach for it long before you have to give him “the look” and force him to put it on.

Loose Fit Hoody

The Boden Loose Fit Hoodie, $48, is lived-in perfection. A little broken in and with a well-loved appearance, this will be her go-to piece this summer (and fall and winter and spring…). If pink’s not her thing, it also come sin navy stripe, green stripe, and solid blue.