aden + anais

As new parents, you’ll likely hear tips and tricks everywhere from friends and family to strangers at the store. One tip that you’ll often hear is “always have a receiving blanket on hand.” Why? Here are a few reasons and situations where they can be indispensable. A Soft Place for Baby to Play While you could carry around a play mat wherever you go, a receiving blanket is the jack-of-all-trades item that you can use for practically anything. One way that these baby blankets come in handy is when you're visiting friends or family. When you’re chatting it up, sometimes you don’t want to just hold your baby the whole time. Fortunately, with a receiving blanket laid out on the floor, they have soft, safe space on which to crawl, roll around, or just relax. The best receiving blankets are super soft yet durable, so you can put it on any surface and your baby will feel right at home. Using a receiving blanket for playtime also makes cleanup a breeze. If you're ...

Gender-reveal parties are becoming the norm when even just a few years ago it seemed like the only gift-giving event before a baby’s birth was the coveted baby shower. Now, with so many creative ways to reveal a baby’s gender, it’s fitting to throw a party to celebrate. The gifts that you can give at a gender-reveal party are typically in the same ballpark as baby showers except for one caveat: You don’t know what the baby’s gender will be.  Fear not, as now a days there are not only more gender-neutral options than ever before, but the traditional blue-pink dichotomy isn’t as forced as it used to be. So, if you have a gender-reveal party coming up, here are a few gift ideas sure to go over well with the expecting couple.  Burp Cloths Every baby, regardless of gender, spits up and can make surprising messes on mom’s or dad’s shoulders. To keep their clothes looking fresh and to wipe up any messes, they'll appreciate burp cloths—and plenty of them at that....

Warm weather is finally here, and the trip that you’ve been saving up for and planning for months is right around the corner—are you ready? While you probably have your swimsuit packed and your road trip playlist curated to perfection, new parents traveling with their baby for the first time often worry that they’ll forget essential items.  For peace of mind, here’s a handy list of baby travel products that will make the trip more enjoyable for both you and your baby.  Swaddles Premium swaddles made of cotton muslin are durable yet silky soft and will keep your baby comfortable during a long car trip. These versatile baby blankets , whether you refer to them as swaddles, receiving blankets, or something else, are incredibly useful for a variety of purposes. Whether you’re using it as a swaddle, an impromptu cover for your changing pad, or to block out the sunlight in the backseat, you can never have too many swaddle blankets. Laid-back PJs Sleeping i...

Being a mom is a full-time job that rarely includes any vacation days. Every year, however, Mother’s Day is the time to celebrate everything that moms do for their kids. If you know someone who is celebrating their very first Mother’s Day, make it a special one with these cute, practical gifts that will also make parenting a bit easier. As these gifts are more practical in nature, throwing in a gift card to her favorite coffee shop or restaurant can be a great addition.  Never Enough Blankets The new mom in your life might already have a few blankets, but as any parent knows, you can never have enough premium baby blankets . Blankets come in handy for a variety of scenarios from playtime to cuddle time, bedtime, and more. Plus, when there are only a couple on hand, it can practically seem like new parents live in the laundry room. Get your favorite new mom a premium baby blanket with a cute and fun print to match her nursery theme or to celebrate the warm spring...

For any mom with sensitive skin, you know how tough it can be to find materials that are soft and not irritating. You want the same comfort for your baby, so when looking for items that are going to touch your baby’s skin, you want to choose only the best and avoid synthetic fibers like nylon and polyester as they don’t breathe as well as natural fibers. Let’s take a look at a few essential items that touch your baby’s skin and the primary qualities to look for when choosing fabrics. Diapers If you’re going the disposable diaper route, you don’t have to settle for anything less than your baby’s bottom deserves. In choosing the best for your baby, look for super soft diapers that are made for your baby’s delicate skin. Make sure the disposable diapers you choose offer advanced leak protection, are hypoallergenic, and don’t contain harsh chemicals, latex, fragrances, lotions, or chlorine.  Burp Cloths You want to keep yourself and your baby clean, so having a...

As a new parent, you understandably want to share with your baby the excitement you experienced as a kid when you woke up to an Easter basket full of goodies. However, babies aren’t yet attuned to a world of chocolate bunnies and Easter egg hunts, so in the meantime, it’s perfectly okay to be more practical, yet celebratory, with your Easter gift-giving. Regardless, you still want it to be special because it’s your baby’s very first Easter celebration. To help you create a cute little Easter basket, here are some candy-free gift ideas for celebrating your baby’s first Easter:  Cuddly Toys and Security Blankets A newborn, of course, is too young for jelly beans and marshmallow Peeps, or other Easter candy that typically fills up an Easter basket. They’re also still too little for toys with tiny pieces that pose a safety hazard. Instead, choose something they can cuddle up with. A security blanket, also called a “lovey” or “blankie,” is a great gift to provide ...

Part of the fun of becoming a new mom is building a registry of baby products. At the same time, it’s also challenging to navigate through hundreds of items and narrow it down to what you’ll actually need. Getting advice from family and friends is always advisable, as is reading trusted baby blogs and reviews on products from other parents. To ease your mind a bit and give you a place to start for planning the perfect baby registry, below are some simple suggestions of the basics, broken down into the times you’ll need them most. For Bed time Though it may take some time to find a rhythm, babies sleep a lot, especially during their first three months. Ultimately your baby needs you to provide a comfortable and safe environment to snooze. Consider choosing a swaddle blanket, taking into consideration the fabric, size, weight, and style—all part of the quest for perfect baby blankets . Babies bundled up and swaddled like little burritos tend to feel safe and comfor...