aden + anais

One of the crucial parts of getting ready for birth is the hospital bag. It’s a good idea to prepare the bag well in advance, as babies can surprise you and arrive early. The bag should be ready around month eight of your pregnancy, if not earlier. Here’s what you should pack.  Receiving Blanket Your Birth Plan and Other Documents Keep an extra copy of your birth plan in your bag. Along with this, bring your ID and insurance cards. Backup medical records and hospital paperwork won’t hurt, either. Eyeglasses or Contact Lenses If you need glasses or contacts, keep extras in your bag. These can be easy to forget in the rush to get to the hospital. If you wear contacts, also bring glasses, as you may be asked to take the contacts out before any surgeries, such as a C-section. Extra Clothes for You and Your Partner You’ll both need extra clothes. Yours should be comfortable. A tank top and loose pants, like sleepwear or joggers, are a good start. Don’t forg...

Thanksgiving can be a fun, if stressful time. Getting together with family, cooking a feast, then enjoying dinner together are holiday ideals, and your baby doesn’t have to be left out. It can be tricky juggling your baby with Thanksgiving duties but having the right tools can take away some stress, especially if your family can help take care of your baby. Here’s what you need to have a successful Thanksgiving with your baby. Burp Cloths Baby Bibs Whether your baby is feeding from a bottle or is ready to try solid foods cut down to size, they will need a baby bib. They probably won’t eat all of the mashed potatoes you try to feed them, and without a bib, you’ll have quite the mess on your hands. Save your hosting outfit, and your baby’s, with a baby bib. Whether it’s a traditional bandanna type or one that fits all the way around your baby’s shoulders to catch sneaky dribbles is up to you. The best baby bibs are highly versatile and unsnap after your baby is fin...

Halloween is almost upon us, and that means cute costumes for babies! Trick-or-treating, however, can be overwhelming for both you and your baby. Depending on when you go out, the sidewalks could be empty or full of ghosts and ghouls. Don’t expect to be out too long, and don’t expect a large haul of candy—which your little one shouldn’t have much of in the first place. Here are some tips to have a successful, fun, and adorable experience.  Choose a Weather-Appropriate Costume Choose a costume based on your area’s weather. If it’s typically brisk and chilly in October in your area, a fleece costume that covers their entire body plus a hood might be appropriate. If it’s warmer, you might be able to get away with a onesie and pants. Either way, it’s a good idea to bring a receiving blanket . As a bonus, the blanket can be incorporated into the costume, such as a cape.  Avoid Masks and Accessories Masks can make it hard for babies to breathe, so it’s be...

Leaving the house with a baby can be a monumental task. Getting the baby prepared, getting yourself prepared, making sure the diaper bag is restocked—it’s a process. You can help this process along by stocking your car with common-use items so that you always have a few essentials when needed. Some of these overlap with standard diaper bag essentials, but it’s important to have a separate set just for the car, preferably within easy reach.  baby blankets Baby Blankets for Versatile Comfort   One of the most useful things to keep in your car is a set of baby blankets . Baby blankets can keep your baby warm in the cold months but have far more versatility than that. They can also serve as a play mat in the park, a stroller sunshade, a nursing cover, or an emergency changing mat.   Burp Cloths for Messes on the Go   It’s a good idea to keep a few dedicated burp cloths in the car. For added versatility, use burp cloths that double as feeding bi...

The first time you hire a babysitter for your baby can be stressful. It may be the first time you’ve left your baby in someone else’s hands for more than a few minutes. Preparing beforehand and setting the babysitter up for success can ease your mind and help you enjoy your time out.  Leave Out Favorite Items First, make sure your child’s favorite items are out and available. These could be favorite toys, books, a receiving blanket , or a coloring book and crayons. Your child will be more at ease with their favorite items out and ready to play or snuggle with, which will give the babysitter an easier time caring for your baby.  Prepare Food Depending on how old your baby is, from infant to toddler, you may want to prepare food for the babysitter. This might be bottles of milk or formula, or it could be solid food meals. Whatever your child normally eats, make sure it’s ready for the babysitter to heat and give to your baby. Make sure you have bottles, bab...

Traveling with your baby can be hard enough without remembering to bring essential items. Some are large, making them hard to take on a plane or jam in the car. Others are easy to forget or overlook, like extra baby blankets . Leave a few of these items at baby’s grandparents’ house so you won’t have to travel with or remember them. Food Items There are plenty of food items that can be left to ensure you always have what your baby needs. Bottles, sippy cups, spoons, bowls, baby bibs, and snacks are all essentials. Make sure your parents have the right brand or type of item, approved by you. Having the right items on hand will help ensure that visits go super smoothly. High Chair or Booster Seat Depending on how old your baby is, they will need a high chair or booster seat. These can be hard to travel with but are vital to baby mealtime. Baby’s grandparents can even have a high chair that converts to a booster seat to save space when you and the baby are not visiting...

It’s no secret that having a baby is expensive. There are some items that it’s a great idea to splurge on, to really make your baby feel comfortable. There are some other items where can definitely find ways to stretch the budget. A good general rule is that if it’s going to save you time or come in contact with your baby, you might want to splurge! Baby Blankets: Splurge! Baby blankets pull quite a few duties around the nursery. From swaddle to tummy time mat, makeshift changing pad to an emergency burp cloth, don’t skimp on baby blankets. The best blankets are made of soft materials like cotton muslin, can withstand the washer, and have stylish designs to complement your nursery. Changing Table: Save The simple changing table is often practical. A few cubbies, possibly some drawers. While you will be spending more time than you will care to count with your baby here, there’s no need to spend extravagantly on changing tables. After all, you’ll also be changing ...