aden + anais

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), a professional membership organization that promotes high-quality early learning for infants to 8-year-olds, has a series of recommended, age-appropriate toys to help your child develop at his or her individual pace. Read this guide to find the perfect items and toy ideas for each stage of your baby’s development. Infants Through 6 Months At this stage in your baby’s development, he or she will enjoy bright colors, distinct patterns, looking at people, and textures. Look for toys they can reach for and grab,and baby-safe items with faces. Specifically, NAEYC suggests rings, rattles, soft squeeze toys, and textured toys. Babies will also enjoy simple songs and mirrors that they can follow themselves in. At this stage, soft baby blankets are a perfect way to introduce touchable, natural fabric into your baby’s playtime, cuddling time, and story time. Look for blankets that are machine washabl...

You inevitably have a lot on your to-do list to get ready for your little one, and picking out a nursery theme is likely high on that list. These four baby- and adult-friendly nursery themes will provide decorating inspiration that both you and your baby will love. Adult- and Baby-Friendly Colors Research has shown that a baby’s sense of sight takes six to eight months to develop. In the first month or two, your baby will likely prefer black, white, and simple patterns, followed by brightly distinguished colors over the next few months of developmental learning. If painting your nursery black sounds unsettling, use soft classic colors like pink, blue, or gray to help your baby along as they learn to identify distinct colors. Add brightly colored toys, blankets, or burp cloths with distinct patterns that will keep your baby engaged and transfixed. If you have a favorite color, incorporate that into the nursery as well. A brightly colored chair or a statement l...

If your infant is about to embark on their first road trip with you, it might be a bit nerve-wracking trying to prepare for several hours in the car with your baby. But road trips can be a lot of fun for adults, kids, and babies, too! Here are a handful of tips and tricks to surviving and enjoying your baby’s first road trip. Pack the Night Before In addition to packing your own bags, your baby comes with a lot of gear. Double-check to make sure that you have your car seat, diaper bag, playpen, stroller, baby’s overnight bag, and other supplies that you will really need while away from your home base. Packing your bags and loading up the car the night before saves you a lot of hassle and stress the morning or day of your road trip. Be strategic about packing placement and where you put the essentials (which we’ll talk about next). Being organized and keeping a list of all of the things you need to bring is a smart way to stay on top of all of your stuff and your...

Waiting to find out the sex of your baby until they’re born is a surprise like no other. While you’re patiently awaiting the arrival of your newborn, you still have to decorate a nursery and cultivate a space that will be calming and soothing for parents and baby alike. Theming your nursery is a fun way to plug into those nesting urges that occur during the last trimester of pregnancy. Here are a few gender-neutral nursery themes to inspire your decor and your aesthetic for this wonderful new phase of your life. Cozy, versatile, and functional are all important factors when designing a baby room. From the blankets to the diaper pail, take a unique twist on one of these themes to create a one-of-a-kind space for you and your baby. Classic Disney This is an easy choice if you’re a die-hard Disney fan. Go back to the classics with a Walt Disney-themed nursery that focuses on the vintage cartoons with the first version of Mickey Mouse. Black-and-white themes with meta...

It’s so important to provide the mother-to-be in your life with support and love. The baby shower is your chance to show her that you are anxiously awaiting her little one and that you are so happy and excited for her. If you haven’t yet waded the seas of parenthood, it can be difficult to know what to invest your money in or what will remain use ful after the newborn stage. For the scoop on what mom really wants at her shower, keep reading.  Unique art Whether or not her nursery has a theme, a unique piece of artwork is a lovely addition to a baby shower basket. A loving quote, an adorable hipster animal, or a personalized name print—the options are endless. For truly uncommon art that no one else at the party will have, shop Etsy, which is an excellent source for all things nursery art. Plus, you’ll be supporting small-time artists. A social media-ready blanket You may be thinking everyone will be gifting baby blankets , and you’re probably right. Ho...

Becoming a mother drastically alters your life. If you’re the first mom in your group of friends, it can be an alienating experience. You need the support of other women experiencing the same parenting ups and downs that you do to maintain your sanity and reaffirm that you are doing just fine at this parenting thing. It takes a village to raise a child, so find your tribe of like-minded moms who won’t judge your parenting style by following these tips: 1. Mingle at the park No matter your little one’s age, the park is a perfect place to meet other moms. The swing set is especially conducive to conversation as you spend your time pushing your young one and so do other parents, creating a non-awkward environment conducive to conversation. If you’re going with the intent of finding mom friends, pack snacks or a toy that is easy to share as a conversation starter. If your child is under 18 months, pack a receiving blanket in your diaper bag in case they need rest from ...