aden + anais

If you’re expecting a baby in the summer, here are some essentials that will help make your life easier with your newborn. From having versatile baby bibs for picnics in your backyard to swaddles that double as the picnic blanket, these essentials can help you have fun with your newborn, as well.  Burp Cloths A Summer-Ready Swaddle While in winter, you want thick swaddles to keep your newborn warm, in summer, you want something more breathable. A great option is cotton muslin, which is breathable and won’t get too warm during summer nights. Plus, a receiving blanket can be used as a play mat during the day or even a picnic blanket for your newborn to have fun in the backyard. A super-soft cotton muslin blanket can pull other duties, as well, such as an emergency burp cloth or changing pad.  Bibs and Burp Cloths for Backyard Picnics While you may know you need bibs and burp cloths , you will probably need more than you realize. They get messy, fast...

If you are looking for something to do with your baby at home, look no further! From having a picnic in the backyard to singing and dancing around the house, here are a few ideas to help you keep both you and your baby occupied while at home, all while helping your baby develop necessary skills.  Receiving Blanket Have a Backyard Picnic Grab a receiving blanket and some snacks and head into your backyard. Use age-appropriate foods. This is a great time to practice with solid food if your baby is making the transition! Let your baby wander around the grass. Bring out a few toys, as well, and have a fun lunch outside.  Mess-Free Painting While you could break out the finger paints, there’s a way to do an art project with your baby that doesn’t involve any mess. Take a piece of cardstock, put it in a zip-lock bag, and put a few dollops of thick paint inside. Close the bag, and let your baby smush around the paint for a minute. Carefully take out the c...