We’ve lived in a few Manhattan apartments before moving to the quietest borough on earth, Brooklyn. We brought our daughter home to an apartment on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, right in front of a major intersection and several bus routes. I distinctly remember cursing the screeching brakes of one bus after another as they either woke our newborn up or threatened to. Add in incessant horn honking and other random, constant city noise, and you’ve got one cranky baby. Then I found this:
The Graco Sound Machine was a life-saver. We played the white noise whenever she slept, which replaced all the jarring sounds with a soft, constant soothing one. In addition to the white noise, it also plays 11 other sounds, from lullabies to nature sounds. Want to impart a love of the Beatles or Bach? Use the mp3 port to plug in your own device. It was such a staple in our bedtime routine, we brought it on vacation–it was our sound Kryptonite.
We’ve lived in a few Manhattan apartments before moving to the quietest borough on earth, Brooklyn. We brought our daughter home to an apartment on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, right in front of a major intersection and several bus routes. I distinctly remember cursing the screeching brakes of one bus after another as they either woke our newborn up or threatened to.
Birthday parties just seem to pop up every weekend. There’s always someone on your list–the little neighbor, your niece, the kid who sits behind your son in Mrs. Matthews’ class–which is why we have crowned Melissa & Doug our new favorite gift brand. I just picked this baby band set up for my daughter’s daycare buddy:
There’s a whole range of age-appropriate gifts, from alphabet stacking blocks for toddlers to this awesome sandwich stacking game for older kids. The company’s products are almost all wood and/or other natural materials, and they have an old-fashioned, old-timey feel we love.
Never be birthday party present stumped again!
When a mom is looking for the intersection of cute and functional, Skip Hop always comes to mind. We love the super-smart styling (clean, modern lines) with little touches any kid will adore, too. The brand’s Zoo Packs are a favorite in our neighborhood. There is a sea of various animals (penguins, dogs, pigs) outfitted on the backs of almost every pint-sized student come September. That’s why we’re psyched they introduced two new animals to the family.
The Skip Hop Zoo Pack Owl and Skip Hop Bee are crazy cute. (And I have my eye on that owl for my 2.5 year-old for sure.) The packs are small and light, ideal for a first backpack for preschool. And with summer camp rolling around, one of these could cheerily keep all of his/her belongings reined in.
Bonus: The easy-to-clean, durable material is entirely BPA-free, Phthalate-free, and PVC free, and the front pocket is insulated–to keep snacks cool on hot days.
Looking for more kid-friendly bags? Check out a full range of backpacks for additional options.
Infant carriers have come under fire recently, and it’s with great caution that we sing any carriers praises.But we’re loving the brand-new Tour Guide Carrier. At first, we thought it was a new brand on the market, but it’s very discreetly made by Petunia Pickle Bottom. Its simple color palette and slick design are expected of the baby goods brand, though, now that we think about it.
The carrier slips on like a T-shirt and the fit is customizable via straps and buckles. The best part? It’s made from recycled materials. While this one will only get you through the first eight months or so, you can feel a little bit better about buying another piece of baby booty knowing that it came from a better place. (And once you’re in the market for a larger carrier–for babies 22+ pounds–consider the organic Ergo.)
Looking for more carrier and sling options? There are many, many more!
If you, like us, are planning a summer vacation with a toddler in tow, you know the sleep dilemma I speak of. We moved our daughter from a crib to a bed a few months ago, so she’s pretty used to climbing in and out on her own. But what to take to a hotel or to the the grandparents’ homes? Those smart (and agile) little kids will likely climb out of a pack n’ play if tested, so we need some next-level. Enter toddler travel beds.
Turns out, there are loads of options. From tent-like constructions (think of the camping out games you can promote!) to cozy cots (many daycares use similar fold-up beds), to inflatables complete with side bumpers, these options will suit all sorts of sleepers.
Depending on how you’re traveling and your destination, each offers pros and cons. That cot looks almost perfect, but not an option for flying (the tent folds up like a dream, though). But the cot would stash nicely at the bottom of the trunk, should you be traveling via car. And the inflatable version–with the bumpers? Perfect replacement for siderails.
So no matter where you’re headed this summer, you can cross at one kid-transport dilemma off your list. Happy trails!
Nope, Petunia Pickle Bottom isn’t a nursery rhyme or a children’s book character. It’s a line of super-stylish baby gear.
Luxe fabrics and infant-essential details are rolled into one with the collection of boxy diaper bags. We personally love the removable, flap-out changing pad, removable dirty-diaper pouch and wipes case.
On top of supplying every swanky mom with a diaper case as fashionable as her designer bag, the company also offers a lesser known (but equally fabulous) line of slings, bedding, and layette essentials.
Our daughter lived in these onesies the first three months of her life. The V-neck faux-kimono wrap styling was easy to get over her head, yet kept her cozy. And fashionable.
There’s something about Dwell Studio. It’s as if they’ve ransacked my brain for the best children’s home design pieces–but made them even better. Each time I flip through their catalogs or click through their products online, I can’t help but say, “I want that!”
These cheerful, modern accents look great in a boy’s room.
The perfect way to add a spark to dull or small bathrooms is with a cheery Dwell Studio shower curtain.
No need to hide it away: This toy-storage bin is pretty enough to keep in the living room.
So far, the plan’s working. Dwell’s sweet but cool prints work in every room in the house. The graphic patterns strike just the right balance of parent and kid aesthetics. Check out all their fab baby/toddler options, or pop over to Pronto Home for dining room and bedroom possibilities.
I’ve owned six strollers. I’ve bought and resold them as we moved from one New York apartment to the next, discovering a new set of circumstances for each dwelling. No more elevator? I need something lighter! Move in next to Central Park? Jogging stroller time!
I have to say, though, that there’s one stroller that outshines them all for city living.
Bugaboo. I’m not saying it’s for everyone, and those who need something that can be tossed in the trunk will be disappointed. (It’s a little bulky and must be broken into two pieces to fold up.) But for those who need something to battle bumpy sidewalks, switch baby conveniently from front to rear view, love a good sun canopy, and have a little extra money, it’s worth it.
The bugaboo handles like a dream and with all the accessories, you can make it your customized ride. Considering you’ll be pushing it for the next three to four years, might as well have something you love, no?
Prenatal vitamins are kind of like anything else that ’s good for you: You begrudgingly do it, and the pay off is worth it. You run five miles and you feel awesome the next day. You eat kale and energy abounds. Luckily, the pay off for prenatal supplements benefits you and your growing baby.
We like Nature Made vitamins. There are a few prenatal options, some of which contain baby brain boosting folic acid and DHA. Each has been link to brain, nerve, and eye development.
And should you find yourself trying to beat off hunger pangs, just go with it. Your body’s trying to tell you something (or possibly the small person inside it). For stash-in-your-bag options, we like Bellybar mellow oat snack bars. They are packed with nutrients, and they taste good. Win-win.
Swaddling blankets: one of the many mysteries of life. Somehow, wrapping a baby like a burrito = a happy baby. I guess things are a little tight in utero, and getting squished is just like home. And while baby blankets somehow make it to the top of every baby shower shopping list, consider picking up a Swaddle Designs version.
While most any receiving blanket will suffice, a Swaddle Designs model is made of the softest breathable flannel that tugs and clings and keeps the swaddle fold in place. In fact, every package come complete with folding instructions–unlocking the mystery of the magic binding.
The company is know for the super-cozy blankets, but also offer a full range of burp cloths, bedding, hooded towels, and the like–all in their signature awesome mod-circles design.
