aden + anais

You and your new baby have likely gone through many “firsts” this year: first smile and laugh, first taste of real food, first time sitting up, first wave, first step, etc. Another big moment is baby’s first Christmas, and with this festive holiday right around the corner, there are several ways to celebrate and commemorate this special occasion. Meet Santa Claus Is there any better way to celebrate your little one’s first Christmas than with jolly Saint Nick himself? Spend some quality, memorable time with your family and take a photo you are sure to look back on and smile. Even though your baby won’t remember, they’ll always have that special photo. Set Up a Family Photo Shoot If the mall is out of the question, set up your own photo shoot for an even more memorable first Christmas. Whether it’s in front of the tree, out in the woods, or in front of the fireplace, a DIY family photo is an excellent way to celebrate and capture baby’s first Christmas. Get M...

When it comes to celebrating a new baby, all attention should be devoted to the little one and the new parents. It’s a time to offer the new mom and dad unconditional support and of course shower the little one with love. At a time of celebration, the last thing on your mind should be social media. However, that’s not to say that you shouldn’t aspire to give Insta-worthy gifts. From soft baby blankets to adorable baby bibs, follow this gift guide for Insta-worthy gifts that new parents and babies will actually love in real life. A Receiving Blanket That Requires No Filter In a world of filters and Photoshop, it’s hard to know what’s actually top-quality and what’s just made for social media. And let’s face it: when it comes to babies, their spit up, and drool—you need something that can withstand a lot. For the perfect gift, look for a receiving blanket made with a natural fabric that babies will love. A receiving blanket made from four layers of 100% cotton musli...

It’s almost time to deck the halls, and that means the gift-giving season is officially here. While it’s certainly fun to get a little creative, sometimes the more practical gifts can go a long way. Take, for example, the most popular baby gifts on Amazon, which include practical items like: · Diapers · Baby bath sets · Changing pads · Bottle cleaning brushes · Breast milk storage bags As you can see, these gifts err on the practical side of the gift-giving spectrum and, by many accounts, can be a god send during the first few months. While the holiday season might be a time to get away from pure practicality, there’s nothing that says you can’t deliver a gift that is both form and function. Whether you’re searching for Christmas or holiday gifts for your own little bundle of joy or another little one in your life, follow this gift guide for practical and adorable gifts for babies and new parents. Burp Cloths Treat both mom and the little one with a pa...

Welcoming a new baby is one of the happiest moments in a new parent’s life. It’s also a joyous time that others will want to celebrate too, whether it be by gifting baby blankets , clothes, and/or onesies. If you’re searching for a perfect baby gift for new parents, or you’re looking for the best accessories for your baby, follow this guide to find fabrics that you and your baby will love. Cotton Muslin Cotton is one of the most popular fabrics for baby apparel. Soft, absorbent, and gentle, cotton is perfect for young infants and growing babies. Organic cotton has the added benefit of ensuring that your baby will not be exposed to harsh dyes, chemicals, or irritants from fertilizers. For an even softer feel, select baby accessories made with soft cotton muslin, which is a plain weave cotton fabric known for its soft woven texture. Muslin fabric originated in Bangladesh and has been used for centuries for its soft, breathable properties. This lightweight fabric ...

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...