aden + anais

A diaper bag is indispensable for any parent leaving the house with their baby. While there are some essentials, there are quite a few items that will find a permanent place in your bag that you might initially skip over.  Diaper Changing Supplies As the name implies, the diaper bag chiefly holds diapers. Baby wipes and a changing pad are also necessary for parents on the go. Wipes serve several functions other than the obvious diaper changes. From wiping down toys that were thrown in the dirt to cleaning baby food off the floor of the restaurant, always have enough wipes to clean up a mess. To that end, a small bottle of hand sanitizer can be worth its weight in gold. Extra Clothes Always have at least one extra outfit on hand in case the first gets messy—and the outfit your baby is wearing will get dirty. Between surprise spit ups and diaper blow-outs, it’s inevitable. Ideally, have multiple outfits, including onesies and pants, jackets for cold weather, ...

Dining out with your baby for the first time can be terrifying. It’s probably been a few months since you last visited a restaurant, but now that you have figured out a schedule, it’s time to rejoin society and eat out. Fear not, using the following tips can give you a better chance at a smooth trip to a restaurant with minimal meltdowns.  Prepare the Diaper Bag First One of the worst experiences with a baby when out of the house is reaching into a diaper bag only to find whatever you need is missing. Whether it’s not restocking the diapers, washing and replacing burp cloths , or not having a change of clothes after a food explosion, getting caught with an incomplete diaper bag can feel like a restaurant horror story. Prep and double-check your diaper bag well before you’re due to head out the door. Go to a Kid-Friendly Restaurant Kid-friendly restaurants are less likely to ask you to leave if your baby is throwing food everywhere or being a bit fussy. Thes...

Putting together your baby registry is an exciting opportunity, but it can feel overwhelming. If you’re unsure how to go about creating one, and where to start, here are some suggestions. First things first: Keep it simple. Focus on picking a registry site or two to cover your baby’s needs for the first three to six months. Family and friends will want to help get you set up and prepared, so point them in the right direction with the following practical baby essentials.  Diapers for Newborns You can’t have enough super cute and super soft disposable diapers on hand. Any old diapers won’t cut it. But in addition to stylishly-designed diapers, make sure they are free of harsh chemicals, chlorine, lotions, fragrances, and latex. You also want to make sure they are absorbent and designed to prevent leaks. Remember that diapers come in different sizes, so make sure everyone knows how to get the right ones. Baby Bibs and Burp Cloths Do you need burp cloths and...

You want your new baby to be as comfortable as possible, especially in the summer heat. New babies can’t regulate their own body temperature, so it’s up to you to keep your little one safe. If you’re a new mom and wondering how to dress your newborn for the summer, here are a few helpful suggestions.  Reduce the Layers Make sure your baby doesn’t overheat by ensuring they are wearing lighter, breathable fabrics. As a general guideline, if you are hot during the heat of the day, assume that your baby is too. If you’re wearing shorts and a t-shirt, your baby will probably be comfortable in something like a short-sleeve or sleeveless bodysuit, aka “onesie.” Soft and Breathable Sleepwear Keep the nightwear to a minimum during the summer, such as a comfy, lightweight onesie made with cotton muslin. This breathable fabric reduces the risk of overheating and is super soft. And instead of loose blankets, you could put your baby in a special cotton muslin sleepi...

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...