Holiday Gift Guide 2018: Babies and Toddlers

Celebrating the first holidays can be so exciting with babies and toddlers in the mix. But inevitably, there are questions of what do you get a baby? If you need inspiration, or you are running out of energy and time to think of options to offer up to loved ones, here are 9 great gifts for babies and toddlers!

Burt’s Bees Snowflake Pajamas

Keep your babe warm and festive with these jammies made of organic cotton. With built in traction on the feet, it is one less thing to worry about once your crawlers become walkers.

Wooden Tree Block Set

This block set doubles as a festive decoration. While these little pieces are recommended for ages 2 and older, they are mesmerizing for kids and adults. Stacking toy and sensory toy, this small wonder is both beautiful and educational.

Wood Push Toy

For the child who has taken their first steps and is now toddling around the house in circles, these classic push toys are captivating. The more the wheels go around, the more these adorable creatures move and spin!

Melissa & Doug Sweep, Mop, and Play set

You know by now that babies and toddlers learn by watching and copying! They love to help, and giving your child the tools to help him or her feel like they are a part of the action can help them feel independent and self confident. Save a bit of your sanity, and instead of your toddler struggling to pull the full size broom around, give him the play tools that are just his size.

New Favorite Bedtime Book

A wombat may be a bit out of place in Maine, but this book has an adorable charm that will make it feel right at home. It has a predictable rhythm that your baby will enjoy, and the illustrations are simple, but detailed. This book, a cozy sleep sack, and a full belly will help your child to sleep in no time.

Pinhole Press Customized Face Books

Babies and toddlers love to look at faces. Why not make them a book of faces they’ll recognize? For family who are far away, having an image to touch and hold can make them feel near and dear. You can be as creative as you like! Pages are extra think cardboard for those with teething little ones and the binding is plastic coil. Digitally upload photos, order, and done!

Smart Wool Socks

Is it even the holidays if you don’t get socks?! Initiate your newest family member with quality socks that will keep his or her little piggies toasty warm! Soft wool and durable, these also work great in a pinch when you can’t find those tiny mittens.

Alpaca Knit Kids Hat from Etsy

Kids hats that don’t fasten under the chin are just a mystery. The most common thing kids like to do besides throw food off their high chair is throw their hats on the ground! Help keep them warm, and adorably stylish, with this alpaca knit hat. Many colors to chose from and independently made.

Sensory Board

Sometimes called a busy board, this little wonder is full of things for little fingers to manipulate. Locks, switches, bobbles, and wheels. It is just plan fun. A sensory board rewards the curious toddler with budding logic skills and satisfying results.

And if all that doesn’t work, there is always the box it came it!

Have a gift that is always a smashing hit for little ones? Leave a comment and share it with our readers!

Holiday Gift Guide 2018: Moms and Girlfriends

Getting closer to the winter holidays means needing to find the right presents and tokens of appreciation. When the person you are shopping for also happens to be recovering from childbirth or is getting through those first months with a newborn, it is also the perfect time to show her you care for even more reasons!

We want to share some ideas for things we happen to love.*

1. Velvet Blouse from Boden - Velvet? With a newborn? We know. But hear us out. What we love about this is the full button front, for breastfeeding and pumping mothers, AND the glamour the shirt gives almost effortlessly. It’s easy. It’s fast. Whether it’s a family dinner or a quick date for an hour over a glass of wine. Revel in the occasion! Enjoy it!

2. Treats from Urban Sugar - Be it a hostess gift or a visit as an old friend, don’t you dare come empty-handed when there is a new baby! Urban Sugar has incredible combinations and the benefit of miniature size - which means you can try all of them!

But really, a little love in the form of a donut is always a welcome present to any new parent.

3. The Gift of a Great Book - As a book lover and once new parent, it is so hard to find time to read with growing babies in the house, let alone find time to go to the bookstore and FIND something to read in that time. If you know your lady pal is craving a good book, do her the favor of bringing one to her. We recommend The Lido.

4. Just the Right Mug - Holy cow being a parent is hard. Don’t pass up this opportunity to give your friend or partner some proof that they are all that and a bag of chips. Emily McDowell has a way with words that cut right to the quick of many situations, and this mug is no different. You are doing a f*cking great job, and we hope you know it!

5. Rose Quartz Pendant - Rose quartz is believed to be a stone for opening, healing and activating the heart chakra and intuitive centers of the body. What a lovely reminder of the way our hearts expand when new children come into our lives and how our bodies need time and healing after those babies are done spending their time in that space. We hope it helps remember that the work of parenting is not about how many books you read or experts you ask, but it is an unbelievably intuitive endeavor that needs relationship to thrive.

6. The Shirt For Thank Kind of Day - No comment necessary.

7. Winter Skin Lovin’ - H is for Love makes a fantastic face cleansing oil that is great year round, but especially great when temps get cold, and your skin could use a little extra protection and moisture. If you aren’t sure your gal is a skin-cleansing-oil type, they also have a great trial size kit with a little bit of a few things that will allow for some quality self-care right at home.

8. Elizabeth Suzann Pants - From the site, “high rise, wide leg, generous hem, and flat elastic waist.” Doesn’t it just scream, “Yes!” Being able to get out of pajamas can be a huge accomplishment for new moms, but that doesn’t mean putting on something more stressful is appealing. These are not just comfortable pants. They are a midnight linen that is perfectly paired with silk, or a chunky sweater. They flow. They give. They let life be lived while also bringing beauty to the living as well.

*We are not being compensated through pay or product to promote these items. We really just love them enough to share.

Flying This Holiday With your Baby: Set Yourself Up For Success!

Flying + Babies + Holidays = STRESS
Or does it?

For those traveling with babies one and younger, taking a flight during the holidays is filled with questions about the stuff, the potential stress, and sleep.  As in, will the babies sleep on the plane, sleep at the destination, or sleep at all!

The National Sleep Foundation shares that babies 0-3 months need 14-17 hours of sleep a day and 4 to 11-month-olds need 12-15.  That can be 2.5 to 3 times more sleep than their parents are getting! 

Nervous about sleep options while going through the hectic lines, layovers, and new environments? Here are some ideas: 

BEFORE YOU TRAVEL

• Consider starting a sleep routine.  Helping to signal sleep time with a song, specific book, a comfort object nearby helps babies know what to expect, and can reduce stress. The environment may change once you start traveling, but establishing positive triggers that signal rest time will help your baby adapt easier.

• Consider introducing the travel crib before you leave home.  Will you be using a pack-n-play or other travel crib while away?   Consider using it for a week before you leave to acclimate your baby to the sight, smell, and feel of this space.  Giving them a chance to associate positive experiences with the sleeping area before leaving removes even more new-ness when you arrive at your holiday destination.

• Consider using tools that travel.  Beyond a travel crib, some tools sleep experts recommend for creating an environment that supports safe sleep also help put your baby to sleep!  A white noise machine (or app on your phone), swaddles (for children four months and younger) or sleep sacks, and pacifiers are all tools that could be useful to offer comfort to your child without much bulk. 

• Consider packing less than you need.  This advice may sound ridiculous, but hear us out.  Most families are not traveling to remote locations where things like diapers and wipes are unavailable.  Consider shipping some of those supplies ahead so you can use your bag space for things that matter - like snacks!
  
  

DAY OF TRAVEL

• Check TSA Wait Times. The MyTSA App is available to check wait times for security lines at your airport.  Long lines mean you may need to give yourself more time, which may impact that last nap time at home.

• Consider baby wearing at the airport. Babywearing devices allow for your child to be close, feel safe, and stay cozy warm - all things that can help a tired child drift off to sleep.  Consider using one of these tools as you roam through the airport, and keep the stroller nearby do the heavy lifting of your carry on and diaper bag.

• Organize your essentials.  Regardless if you use paper tickets or digital, having a spot where you put your ID, phone, and wallet every time you are done using it will keep you from setting it somewhere or shoving it into a pocket you forget existed a few hours later.  Having small children means your attention is almost always divided, and that can cause our brains to go on autopilot. Plus, if you get stuck under a sleeping child on the plane, don’t risk waking them because your headphones slid to the bottom, and are now out of reach!  

FEEDING

Eating and sleeping often go together so have a plan for how you can comfortably feed your child.  Do you use a hand pump incase there is no plug in?  Are you bringing bottled breastmilk or formula?  Do you plan to nurse on demand?  Many airports have mother rooms in one terminal or breastfeeding pods like Mamava.  Mamava pod locations may work with your travel plans.

• It can be helpful to give your child something to suck on while taking off and landing to ease ear pressure changes.  Breastfeeding, offering a bottle, or using a pacifier during these times may reduce discomfort, or perhaps trigger your baby to enjoy their first or last nap of the flight.

REMEMBER WHY YOU’RE TRAVELING

If things don’t go as planned, your baby is overtired, and you start to question why you are going through all the trouble of traveling in the first place, take a moment with your partner and take a breath.  You don’t have to pretend.  There is nothing wrong with you or your child.  Babies feel stress just like adults, and traveling and holidays are stressful. You can help your baby by offering them a supportive snuggle, calm reassurance, and love.

We suggest, again: take a breath, slow down, and make eye contact with someone who makes you feel seen.  Ask for a hug.  Ask for help.

As a growing family, you are not expected to have it all worked out.