aden + anais

If you’re expecting a baby in the summer, here are some essentials that will help make your life easier with your newborn. From having versatile baby bibs for picnics in your backyard to swaddles that double as the picnic blanket, these essentials can help you have fun with your newborn, as well.  Burp Cloths A Summer-Ready Swaddle While in winter, you want thick swaddles to keep your newborn warm, in summer, you want something more breathable. A great option is cotton muslin, which is breathable and won’t get too warm during summer nights. Plus, a receiving blanket can be used as a play mat during the day or even a picnic blanket for your newborn to have fun in the backyard. A super-soft cotton muslin blanket can pull other duties, as well, such as an emergency burp cloth or changing pad.  Bibs and Burp Cloths for Backyard Picnics While you may know you need bibs and burp cloths , you will probably need more than you realize. They get messy, fast...

If you are looking for something to do with your baby at home, look no further! From having a picnic in the backyard to singing and dancing around the house, here are a few ideas to help you keep both you and your baby occupied while at home, all while helping your baby develop necessary skills.  Receiving Blanket Have a Backyard Picnic Grab a receiving blanket and some snacks and head into your backyard. Use age-appropriate foods. This is a great time to practice with solid food if your baby is making the transition! Let your baby wander around the grass. Bring out a few toys, as well, and have a fun lunch outside.  Mess-Free Painting While you could break out the finger paints, there’s a way to do an art project with your baby that doesn’t involve any mess. Take a piece of cardstock, put it in a zip-lock bag, and put a few dollops of thick paint inside. Close the bag, and let your baby smush around the paint for a minute. Carefully take out the c...

Tummy time is something every new parent has probably heard of, but that doesn’t mean they know what to do. What is tummy time, and how long should you do tummy time with your newborn? When should you start? How long should a single tummy time session last? Tummy time is important, and having these answers can help your baby develop.  Receiving Blanket What Is Tummy Time? Tummy time is simple: It’s placing your baby on their stomach to play, usually on a receiving blanket or something similar. Tummy time is essential as it helps to teach your baby to lift their head, and gets them ready for later activities such as sitting up and crawling. Tummy time should always be supervised, make sure to follow safe sleep guidelines and never put a newborn down to sleep on their tummy. Back is best for sleeping, while tummy time is best on their stomach. They spend a lot of time on their backs sleeping, which means they need time to work the opposing muscles, as well. Do ...

You’ve made it home and started settling in with your newborn. Now, the fun can begin! Whether you are doing announcement photos or simply doing a newborn photoshoot, these tips can help you make the most out of the window of opportunity you have to capture your newborn. Remember, they are unlike many other photography subjects. Grab your baby blankets , your camera, and toys to keep your baby’s attention, and get ready to snap some photos. Baby Blankets Use Natural Lighting Turn off the flash on your camera: it won’t be flattering to your baby. Instead, use natural light, whether it’s from a large window in your home or an outside photoshoot. Choosing the room with the most natural lighting means you will get the glowy, angelic lighting that makes baby photos shine. Time It Right Another crucial part of getting good newborn photos is in the timing. After a few weeks, you should start to get a feel for your baby’s schedule. Time your photoshoot for either when yo...

One day, probably around the 6-month mark, your baby may go from happy and bubbly to irritated and fussy. There's crying, drooling, and your baby may be inconsolable. They aren't hungry. They just had their nap. Then, through the screams, you see it. A bottom front tooth is breaking through. Your baby is now teething, and it can be an ordeal for parents and babies alike. Here's how to make it easier on the entire household and soothe your baby. Baby Bibs Use Bibs to Catch Drool One of the first symptoms you are likely to notice is the excessive drooling. Without baby bibs , you will quickly find onesies with soaked collars are the new normal. You will want multiple bibs on standby as they become soaked so you can switch them out to let them dry. Keep a Stack of Burp Cloths Handy Keeping a stack of burp cloths nearby can help with any drool that the bib misses and hits the floor. You can also drape them over yourself to protect your clothes from any ...

The first night back home from the hospital is usually joyful but exhausting. You’ve spent at least a night in the hospital, and hopefully, your baby was relatively calm during that night. Your first night home, however, may be more eventful. Preparing can help. From having baby blankets ready for swaddling to having everything prepared for nighttime feedings, ensuring you are ready for your baby to come home before they are actually home can cut down stress during a highly stressful time. Here are the essentials for your baby’s first night home.  Baby Blankets A Bassinet for Safe Sleeping Have somewhere for safe sleep already set up before you come home from the hospital. Many new parents opt for a stand-alone bassinet that they can keep close to the bed. Baby Blankets for Swaddling Have at least one receiving blanket ready to swaddle your little one. This not only keeps them warm but helps fight the Moro reflex, which can otherwise startle your baby awa...

Your entire life is liable to change when you have a baby. However, that doesn’t mean you need to give up the great outdoors. With proper planning, it’s possible to take your baby out camping, though you might want to skip the long hike to a campsite. These tips will help you enjoy camping while you’re still changing diapers. Burp Cloths Location, Location, Location One of the most crucial parts of camping with babies is in the planning phase: where you will camp. While it’s possible to make a hike into the wilderness, this is not recommended with a baby. Start small instead. Stay within a couple of hours of home, in case you need to abandon your plans and go back home. You also need time to change your baby, let them nap, or just have a break from the car seat. A campsite you can drive up to or even a cabin are both great first baby camping locales. Basic amenities like a bathroom can help as well. Pile on the Layers Check the forecast before leaving. You may ...