aden + anais

Leaving the house with a baby can be a monumental task. Getting the baby prepared, getting yourself prepared, making sure the diaper bag is restocked—it’s a process. You can help this process along by stocking your car with common-use items so that you always have a few essentials when needed. Some of these overlap with standard diaper bag essentials, but it’s important to have a separate set just for the car, preferably within easy reach.  baby blankets Baby Blankets for Versatile Comfort   One of the most useful things to keep in your car is a set of baby blankets . Baby blankets can keep your baby warm in the cold months but have far more versatility than that. They can also serve as a play mat in the park, a stroller sunshade, a nursing cover, or an emergency changing mat.   Burp Cloths for Messes on the Go   It’s a good idea to keep a few dedicated burp cloths in the car. For added versatility, use burp cloths that double as feeding bi...

The first time you hire a babysitter for your baby can be stressful. It may be the first time you’ve left your baby in someone else’s hands for more than a few minutes. Preparing beforehand and setting the babysitter up for success can ease your mind and help you enjoy your time out.  Leave Out Favorite Items First, make sure your child’s favorite items are out and available. These could be favorite toys, books, a receiving blanket , or a coloring book and crayons. Your child will be more at ease with their favorite items out and ready to play or snuggle with, which will give the babysitter an easier time caring for your baby.  Prepare Food Depending on how old your baby is, from infant to toddler, you may want to prepare food for the babysitter. This might be bottles of milk or formula, or it could be solid food meals. Whatever your child normally eats, make sure it’s ready for the babysitter to heat and give to your baby. Make sure you have bottles, bab...

Traveling with your baby can be hard enough without remembering to bring essential items. Some are large, making them hard to take on a plane or jam in the car. Others are easy to forget or overlook, like extra baby blankets . Leave a few of these items at baby’s grandparents’ house so you won’t have to travel with or remember them. Food Items There are plenty of food items that can be left to ensure you always have what your baby needs. Bottles, sippy cups, spoons, bowls, baby bibs, and snacks are all essentials. Make sure your parents have the right brand or type of item, approved by you. Having the right items on hand will help ensure that visits go super smoothly. High Chair or Booster Seat Depending on how old your baby is, they will need a high chair or booster seat. These can be hard to travel with but are vital to baby mealtime. Baby’s grandparents can even have a high chair that converts to a booster seat to save space when you and the baby are not visiting...

It’s no secret that having a baby is expensive. There are some items that it’s a great idea to splurge on, to really make your baby feel comfortable. There are some other items where can definitely find ways to stretch the budget. A good general rule is that if it’s going to save you time or come in contact with your baby, you might want to splurge! Baby Blankets: Splurge! Baby blankets pull quite a few duties around the nursery. From swaddle to tummy time mat, makeshift changing pad to an emergency burp cloth, don’t skimp on baby blankets. The best blankets are made of soft materials like cotton muslin, can withstand the washer, and have stylish designs to complement your nursery. Changing Table: Save The simple changing table is often practical. A few cubbies, possibly some drawers. While you will be spending more time than you will care to count with your baby here, there’s no need to spend extravagantly on changing tables. After all, you’ll also be changing ...

You’ve been discharged from the hospital, the car seat has been approved, and it’s time to go home. Is everything ready for your baby to come home? Preparing for your new baby can ease the transition not only for your newborn, for but for you as parents, as well. Set Up a Sleeping Area For the first few months, you may want your baby sleeping in the room with you. There are multiple options, from a bassinet to a travel crib. Whatever you choose, it must have a flat surface and secure sheets. You can use a receiving blanket to help safely swaddle and comfort your baby at night. Get the Feeding Area Ready A comfortable feeding place is ideal because you’ll be using a lot. It could be a rocking chair or a couch, but there are a few essentials to keep stocked nearby. Whether you are breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, burp cloths should never be out of reach. Water and snacks for the parents are a nice quality of life improvement, especially if you’re breastfeeding. Bo...

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...