Category: Baby

Four Essential Tips for a Road Trip With Your Baby

Americans love their open roads. Americans made more than 1.4 billion trips on November 5, 2021. 

But people rarely made these trips on their own. Parents brought their babies with them, especially for long trips. When you are about to hit the road, you need to follow tips for a road trip with your baby. 

How should you prepare for your road trip? How can you keep yourself and your baby comfortable on the road? What can you do to entertain your child? 

Answer these questions and you can master how to road trip with your family. Here are four tips you can follow.  

1. Plan Your Route

Family road trips do not mean you have to spend hours on the road. Use an app like Waze or Google Maps and figure out the shortest possible route to your destination. 

Many people assume that they have to go on highways to get to places quickly. But backroads may offer faster routes, especially if you are driving during rush hour. Figure out a couple of routes you can take and switch between them if traffic worsens. 

2. Bring Plenty of Food

Babies need a lot of food in order to grow. But stopping for food every hour will make your long road trips with babies even longer. 

Buy a cooler and pack it full of snacks for your baby. Try to get a lot of different snacks, including nuts and fruits.

When your baby starts to show signs of hunger, give them a snack. If you packed too many, you can have a snack yourself while your baby sleeps. 

3. Take Breaks

You should take a break every two hours of driving. This will decrease the risk of an accident and reduce your fatigue levels. 

This rate of taking breaks may be enough for your baby. But your baby may need an earlier break if they need a diaper change or medication. Be prepared to pull your car over and help your baby at any time. 

During a break, you and your baby can get some fresh air or a drink of water. You should take the opportunity to use the bathroom as well. 

4. Find Activities

Many guides on how to take a baby on a road trip recommend packing toys for your baby. This can be helpful, yet it is not always ideal. 

You can get a car or van with an entertainment system inside of it. You should click here to examine some options, but you should compare them with others. If renting a car would be too expensive, you can play games or read stories to your baby. 

The Best Tips for a Road Trip With Your Baby

There are a few tips for a road trip with your baby. Sit down at a computer or with your smartphone and plan out a short route to your destination. Keep in mind that you may need to go off highways. 

Satisfy your baby’s hunger by packing snacks. You should take a break every two hours or whenever your baby needs help. 

Toys are one way you can keep your baby occupied. Feel free to show them movies or talk to them as well. 

Don’t stop learning about road trips. Read more road trip guides by following our coverage.

Baby Clothes 101: How Do You Clothe a Newborn?

Almost four million babies are born each year in the United States. That’s countless itty bitty socks, shirts, onesies, sleep sacks, and everything else that goes into a newborn’s wardrobe. 

It can definitely be tempting to buy endless amounts of baby clothes. Who can resist grabbing handfuls of things when you walk into a baby clothing store?

However, a newborn baby doesn’t need a large number of outfits right when they’re born. You’ll have enough on your plate at that time without having to coordinate a ton of outfits. There’s plenty of time for adorable outfit coordination as the baby gets older. 

We’re going to talk about what baby outfits a newborn needs so you can dress your baby in confidence in those first few weeks of their life. 

What Baby Clothes a Newborn Should Wear During the Day

A great start for newborn baby clothes is a wrap shirt or onesies. Onesies are one of the most common clothing types for babies. These bodysuits are a great base layer for infants. 

What’s great about them is that they stay in place and don’t expose your baby’s tummy and back. The snaps on the bottom make it so you don’t have to completely undress them when you change their diapers. This makes diaper changing a lot easier for you and your baby won’t get chilly. 

Another option is a wrap-style or kimono shirt. The shirt snaps on the front so it doesn’t have to go over their head. This is a wonderful option for the first few days of their life since it’s gentle on their sensitive umbilical cord area. 

Now that we have the top figured out, let’s talk about bottoms. Footies are pants that have feet built-in. This eliminates the need for booties or baby socks. 

With footies, buy sizes that are a little bit larger but still fit your baby comfortable. This way you’ll get more use out of the pants even as the baby grows. You can also cut off the foot portion of the footies and turn them into pants. 

When the baby is in a car seat, add a light blanket over them. If the weather is mild, all they’ll need is a onesie with a pair of shorts or pants. The bottoms help add protection from the car seat buckle pinching their chubby legs. 

Don’t Forget About Layers

Whatever season you’re in will play a part in how many layers your baby wears and how thick each layer is. If it’s summer, all you need is a lightweight onesie. A longsleeved option is great as it ensures your baby feels cozy and protects their arms as well. 

During the winter, think about how many layers you wear but add one additional layer. If other people in your home are comfortable inside just wearing a shirt, add a t-shirt on top of the baby’s onesie. If everyone is wearing a sweater, add a sweater for the baby on top of their two layers. 

However, a lot of people tend to put too many layers on a baby. If they start to get too hot, you’ll notice a sweaty back, flushed cheeks, or fussiness. Whenever figuring out baby clothes, take your comfort level into consideration when determining how many layers the baby needs. 

What Accessories Do They Need?

Whether you’re looking for baby boy clothes or baby girl clothes, the accessories are some of the most fun parts of creating their outfit. You can keep them in a soft skull cap no matter the season. Newborn babies lose a large amount of heat through their heads. 

You’ll also want to get some thin mittens. This will help prevent them from scratching themselves. 

If your baby isn’t wearing footies, you’ll want them in some baby socks. They have poor circulation when they’re newborns. This causes their feet to be colder. 

For the months where it’s extra cold, you can add some leg warmers. Slip them on over the baby’s pants if you’re outside in colder weather. They’ll also help keep their socks up. 

When you’re nursing, carrying the baby to the car, or outside, cover the baby with a blanket. That’ll help them feel protected and cozy. 

A lightweight blanket during the summer is a great option. For colder months, use a thicker blanket. 

Wrap the baby from their toes to their next. Secure the blanket so it doesn’t flap in their face. 

How to Dress the Baby for Nighttime 

Less clothing and accessories are the way to go for sleeping. Babies can get out of their hats and mittens in bed, posing certain health risks. All your baby needs to wear is a onesie underneath a swaddling blanket. 

You can also look into a long-sleeved onesie that has built-in mittens. This is great if your baby tends to scratch themselves. If they don’t like to be swaddled, explore a sleep sack. 

You also don’t need to stress about purchasing clothes that are made from organic fibers. Natural fibers such as bamboo or cotton are very breathable. This helps your baby regulate its temperature. 

Wash any new clothes you buy before you put your baby in them. Some dyes and harsh chemicals can seep into the fabric while they’re being manufactured. 

Save outfits that are brightly dyed with large designs for older babies since you won’t know if your newborn has sensitive skin. Soft clothing that’s plain is perfect for your newborn. 

Keep Your Newborn Baby Happy and Well-Clothed

You’ll have a lot going on in the first few weeks of your baby’s life. Keeping the baby clothes simple and straightforward will reduce some of your stress. They should be comfortable at all times. 

For more parenting tips, check out one of our other articles. 

3 Key Reasons to Get New Born Baby Pictures

Congratulations! You’re about to become a parent, one of the roughly 3.7 million babies born each year. You’re probably a bundle of both excitement and nerves as the time to deliver approaches.

If you’re looking for a way to commemorate the arrival of your bundle of joy, consider hiring a professional photographer to take some pictures of them.

You may think splashing out like this is extravagant or even a bit silly, but we have a few reasons why you should hire a photographer to take your newborn’s photo.

Read on for our top reasons why you should hire a professional to help you make new memories.

1. You’re Not Going to Have Time to Take the Perfect Shot of Your Bundle of Joy

Unless you’re a professional photographer yourself, it’s unlikely you’re going to find the time to dress your child up and take an adorable photo. You’ll be so consumed with feedings, swaddling, and late nights that you won’t have the time to capture these sweet early days in a way that looks put together. A professional photographer can help you do that so that you’ll have photos you’ll cherish of your newborn baby for a lifetime.

Your newborn isn’t going to stop growing. They won’t wait for you to find time to get things together to take a beautiful photo, so it’s best to book a baby photographer.

2. A Professional Knows What to Capture

Sure, photos of your little one on your phone are great, but a professional photographer can take absolutely gorgeous photos. They can focus on things like your child’s toes, lips, and hands in the perfect light. As mentioned above, your baby is growing fast, and you want to capture as much of them as possible before they’re out of that newborn stage. A professional photographer can help you do that.

3. Safety

You may have a really cool newborn photo that you want to recreate with your baby. You may be able to DIY it at home, but is it completely safe? Do you have the equipment necessary to take this type of photo without added risks? Are you putting your child in harm’s way to get that perfect shot?

A professional photographer, especially one with a lot of experience with babies and children, will have equipment ready to go for you. They’ll know how to get that perfect shot you won’t be able to resist sending to your friends and family without putting your little one in danger.

Hire a Professional Photographer to Capture Those Sweet First Memories

The first few weeks of your baby’s life are when you’re cherishing and bonding with your little bundle of joy. It is incredibly fleeting, and having a professional portrait is a great way to look back on those early days as you’re getting to know your child.

For all things saving money and tips for all the mothers out there, be sure to explore the rest of our site.

8 Advantages of Bamboo Baby Clothes

Having a baby doesn’t necessarily mean you have to increase your carbon footprint to new and unwanted levels. 

Bamboo baby clothes are not only a comfortable and protective choice for your baby, but they’re a sustainably sourced fabric. 

Yet, there a plenty more benefits of bamboo baby clothing that we’ll now discuss in this article. If you want quality, sustainability, and something unique, then opting for bamboo fabric is the way forward.

And we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised about what bamboo-made clothing can offer your little one!

Here are eight advantages of bamboo baby clothes.

1. They’re Super Soft and Cuddly!

Since babies have very sensitive skin, it’s a real benefit to have the softest baby clothes you can find to provide them with the comfort they need.

Bamboo fabric is exceptionally soft when compared with commonly used materials such as cotton – and the best part is, if you care for and wash your bamboo baby clothes properly, they’ll actually become softer overtime!

2. Allergy Reduction

Quite amazingly, bamboo is hypoallergenic, which is a relief if you’re worried that your infant might have allergies.

As well, since bamboo fibers are very smooth, they won’t irritate your baby’s skin like other materials. Let’s face it, one of the most common allergies that babies can have is dry skin conditions such as eczema.

Unfortunately, eczema is rife among babies, and it affects areas of the body that produce a lot of heat – their armpits, groins, and knees are typically eczema-prone areas.

Bamboo is a soft, breathable, and organic material which has to be one of the best choices for babies with skin issues.

3. Bamboo Baby Clothes Are Breathable

When choosing baby clothes, one issue most parents have is knowing whether they are breathable or not. If your baby’s clothes aren’t so breathable, there’s a risk that they can overheat, and they can also get clammy.

With bamboo fibers being porous, the clothing made from them is super-breathable and provides your baby with the airflow they need.

One tip is to ensure your baby wears very breathable clothing, such as bamboo fabrics, as they can often overheat at night.

4. Anti-Bacterial Properties

If you want a material with some of the highest anti-bacterial properties, bamboo is a go-to choice! When compared to other standard fabrics such as polyester, cotton, linen, and silk, it has been said that bamboo holds the anti-bacterial crown.

And, of course, keeping bacteria away from your little one should be a top priority. With bamboo baby clothes, your baby’s chances of accumulating a bad odor and developing fungal infections should be reduced.

The anti-bacterial properties of bamboo fabric should also support the reduction in eczema cases, along with its softness and breathability.

5. Bamboo Fabric Stretches

With all the movements that babies make, or at least attempt to make, their clothing needs to be stretchable and durable. The last thing you need is flimsy, non-stretching, and uncomfortable clothing for your baby.

Also, with stretchable fabric like bamboo, you should be able to manage to hold off buying new clothes when your baby grows ever so slightly. 

Ultimately, this stretchable fabric ensures your baby is comfortable, and there is less chance of skin irritation.

6. UV Protection

If you live in sunnier regions, or if it’s summer where you are, then UV protection for your baby is a must. 

Since your baby’s skin is so sensitive, harmful rays from the sun can cause skin irritation at the very least, but more seriously, sunburn is a big concern. Many bamboo fabrics are known to provide sun protection from UPF 20 through to 50+ in some cases, so they’re well worth considering.

7. Eco-Friendly Clothing

If you’re bothered about your carbon footprint and any negative impacts you may be having on the environment, bamboo baby clothing is a step in the right direction.

Not only will your baby gain all the practical benefits of bamboo fabric, but you can have the peace of mind to know that you are helping to develop a more sustainable way of living. 

The reason why bamboo is thought of as sustainable is that fewer natural resources are needed to grow and harvest it. Furthermore, usually, no toxic chemicals are used in the production of bamboo.

8. Bamboo Is Absorbant

One last practical benefit that we almost forgot to mention is how wonderfully absorbent bamboo clothing is! 

As we all know, babies love to move around a lot, and when you play with them, they can become rather sweaty at times. If their clothing isn’t absorbant, then they’re going to be uncomfortably wet throughout the day – especially if you’re in a warm climate. 

Baby bamboo clothing soaks up moisture very efficiently, keeping your baby dry and happy all day long. Furthermore, when your baby’s skin is damp and the air is humid, bamboo fabric won’t stick to their skin like other fabrics!

The Takeaway

When your infant wears bamboo fabric, they’ll remain dry, have good airflow, and loads of soft cuddly comfort throughout their early years. And, the chances of them developing skin irritation and other bacterial issues will be drastically reduced than if they were to wear other fabrics.

Overall, bamboo seems to be a super fabric that we all should make use of more, especially if we want a more eco-friendly future for our new generations.

If you enjoyed this article, consider checking out our blog for a wide range of informative reads. Thanks for stopping by, and good luck with the little one!

How to Buy Baby Clothes on a Budget: 5 Helpful Tips

It should come as no surprise that the baby apparel industry is valued at over $135 billion. This figure is expected to grow even during a global pandemic.

Perhaps the only negative to baby shopping is that apparel is expensive. For a fraction of the size, baby clothes are often more expensive than adult sizes.

The good news is that we are here to teach you how to buy baby clothes. Read on for five essential tips for buying baby clothes on a budget.  

1. Sign-Up Discounts

Many companies offer a generous coupon for signing up for their website. Typically, the company wants your e-mail address in exchange for the discount.

This is an arrangement that benefits both parties. By signing up, the baby apparel story adds you to their digital marketing network. In exchange, you will receive coupons and promotes via e-mail including the sign-up offer.

2. Shop Around

The best way to shop on a budget is to look around. Do not settle for the first cute outfit that you find.

Different companies run promotions at separate times. One retailer may be selling clothes for full price while another is running a huge sale.

By shopping around, you will also find the hottest new styles. Read more here about the hottest styles in baby clothing.

3. Look for Holiday Discounts

The holidays are the best time for retail discounts. Many retailers run huge sales for the major holidays.

Some holidays that come to mind are Thanksgiving and Independence Day. If you plan ahead, you can take full advantage of these great deals.

4. Join Social Media Groups

Social media is a gold mine for baby apparel on a budget. Many parents go over the top with baby shopping.

They receive dozens of new clothes for a newborn. Little do they know that newborns grow out of their clothes in a matter of weeks. The end result is baby clothes that are too small and still have the tag on them.

This is where social media groups come into play. Parents sell brand new clothes on Facebook and other platforms. Since they are second-hand, they come at a fraction of the cost.

Our advice is to find parent groups on social media. Then, be on the lookout for great deals on brand new items.

5. Join Loyalty Programs

Another way to save money at the store is by signing up for loyalty programs. Some stores want you to apply for a credit card to get a recurring discount.

Others allow you to sign up without a financial commitment. Retailers like Target and Kohl’s come to mind for baby clothes rewards.

Here, you gain rewards points by shopping online or in-store. You can eventually use these rewards points to get free items.

How to Buy Baby Clothes Recapped

Buying baby clothes does not have to be expensive. You can find items on the cheap with savvy shopping skills.

Signing up for a social media group or a rewards program goes a long way. These steps make it easier to get clothes on a budget.

If you enjoyed this article about how to buy baby clothes, check out our blog for more great content.

What Are the Benefits of Breast Milk? The Complete Guide

Want to know if you should breastfeed your baby?

If you have a newborn baby, some people may advise you to use formula instead of breastfeeding. For some families, baby formula is crucial to a baby’s survival. However, breastfeeding can be more effective in your child’s growth.

The CDC says that in the US, 84.1% of infants get breastfed. For many, it’s a natural solution to caring for babies. In this guide, we’ll answer the question of why or what are the benefits of breast milk.

Breast Milk Is a Nutritional Source

Breast milk has everything your baby needs to survive his or her firsts. Be it the first day, first month, or six months, your baby can get all his nutritional needs from breast milk. If you’re curious, breast milk has:

  • High protein
  • Low sugar
  • Antibodies and white blood cells
  • Probiotics
  • Antibacterial properties
  • Growth factors
  • Hormones
  • Polyunsaturated fatty acids

Those are only a few nutrients and other elements found in breast milk. The interesting part is that these elements come in all the right proportions for your baby. As time goes on, these nutrients also change and adapt to your baby’s needs.

If there is one thing that breast milk doesn’t have, it’s vitamin D only. This means you still have to expose your infant to healthy morning sunlight. If your newborn has jaundice, sunlight exposure is crucial to their health.

Your Baby Becomes Stronger and Healthier

Because your baby gets all the nutrients he needs from breast milk; it’s easier for him to grow well. He also stays within the healthy weight range of a newborn infant. He has protection against infections and diseases from the antibodies in breast milk.

These illnesses and diseases include:

  • Middle ear infection
  • Respiratory tract infection
  • Colds and related infections
  • Gut infections
  • Allergic diseases
  • Intestinal tissue damage
  • Bowel diseases

Your breast milk gives your baby everything they need to keep these infections out of his/her system. Breastfeeding is one step to ensure your baby doesn’t become sickly. Not only that, when you breastfeed your baby, you’re ensuring he or she becomes strong and healthy.

You Feel a Stronger Connection With Your Baby

Breastmilk is the one thing that a mother can give that a father could not. This unique ability also helps you create a unique bond with your baby.

Nursing is a great way to build a physical and emotional connection with your child. You get to hold, caress, and kiss your child as you breastfeed him or her. You’ll get this feeling of the miracle that is your infant as you stare at him while he breastfeeds.

That isn’t to say that mothers who bottle-feed their babies won’t feel the same way. They’ll still feel these emotions. However, it’s quite different when you’re feeding your infant straight from your breast.

Avoid Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

SIDS or sudden infant death syndrome is an unexplainable death during sleep. Any baby that is less than a year old, healthy or not, is prone to SIDS. When you breastfeed your baby for at least two months, you cut the risk of SIDS by almost 50 percent.

It’s one of the most vital breast milk benefits for babies. There may be no direct explanation for SIDS.

However, the theory is that breastfed babies rouse from sleep with more ease. The immune protection of breast milk may aid in avoiding SIDS.

When Breastfed, Your Baby Gets Smarter

Studies show that breastfed babies have a larger brain size than formula-fed babies. Breastfed babies also have a somewhat higher IQ than infants who had formula. Again, this goes back to the key nutrients in breast milk that help brain development.

The skin-to-skin contact also adds to the intellectual development of babies. When they have this skin-to-skin contact, infants feel safe and nurtured. Parents who want to bottle-feed their baby can also provide this skin-to-skin contact.

Are you looking to save some of your breast milk for later? A breast pump can also help nursing mothers who are struggling to produce breastmilk. Learn what to look for in a breast pump now.

Avoid Health Risks in Mothers

What are the benefits of breast milk for mommies? Nursing doesn’t only benefit your infant. It also benefits the mother in many ways. First, you burn 300-500 calories each day you nurse your baby.

If you’re experiencing postpartum stress, nursing promotes postpartum recovery. When a baby suckles on your breast, your body releases oxytocin. This encourages your uterus to shrink down to its pre-pregnancy size.

Breastfeeding is Convenient

While breastfeeding is essential to the early development of babies, many mothers find it difficult to do. Often, the reasons include that the baby can’t latch on or they lack support at home. In other cases, they have to get back to work right away and/or have a work schedule that doesn’t allow time for pumping.

Let’s not forget that 57% of American mothers feel uncomfortable about public breastfeeding. This public disapproval gets mothers kicked out of establishments or hear rude comments. It’s an unnatural public response to a natural part of being a mother.

Still, why should babies drink breast milk? The final entry to this list is that it’s convenient. Whenever your baby feels hungry and starts giving you the signs, it’s quick and easy to feed him.

What Are the Benefits of Breast Milk?

That ends our guide to the question of what are the benefits of breast milk. We hope you found this short guide on breastfeeding educational and useful. Now, you know how breastfeeding can benefit you and your baby.

Did you like what you read on the benefits of breastfeeding? Do you want to see more educational guides on caring for your baby? Check out our other posts now for more content on baby care.

The Baby Clothing Trends to Watch in 2021

Do you like to keep your baby fashionable? If you’re a fashionable parent, you want your mini-me to stay stylish (but comfortable) any time you’re out together.

We love baby fashion. It’s always sweet no matter what you choose and the tiny clothes are too cute to pass up. 

Are you looking for the top projected baby clothing trends for 2021 so you can get your stylish infant or toddler into their most fashionable clothes? We’ve got you covered.

Keep reading for our favorite baby fashion trends and get ready to shop!

Hair Accessories

There’s nothing like a cute hair accessory on a baby or toddler. It draws the eye to your baby’s sweet face and it’s a functional way to keep their hair out of their eyes so they can crawl and play without irritation. 

There are plenty of baby accessories to choose from. Depending on the outfit and the age of the baby, you have options. 

For babies who wear cute and frilly outfits, we love hair bows. Whether you affix them to the sides of your baby’s head or right in the middle on the top, hair bows are a classic look that never goes away. 

If your baby doesn’t have hair, no problem. Headwraps add the giant bow you want to a comfortable wrap that can suit bald babies and babies with hair alike. 

Gender-Neutral Colors

While the traditional colors are blue for boys and pink for girls, the world is leaning towards more flexibility with colors, even for babies. 

We love a soft sage green color for all babies. This calming color works for dresses, overalls, and even swaddles. There’s no way to go wrong.

Looking for something more “2021?” Why not choose one of Pantone’s colors of the year? These colors aren’t just for paint; they’re great for styling your baby’s clothing in a trendy way. A soft yellow called Illuminating and a cool gray called Ultimate Gray are 2021’s colors. 

Don’t feel limited to “gender-appropriate” colors. Even for infants, branch out. 

Sensory-Friendly Clothing

As we learn more and more about child psychology, more clothing options have become available for babies and toddlers who may be sensitive to touch.

It’s normal to not know that your child has sensory sensitivity until they’re school-age, so starting with baby and toddler clothes is a good idea. Even babies without sensitivities appreciate the added comfort of these clothes.

They’re easy to put on and take off and they come in soft materials so they don’t irritate sensitive skin. The tags are printed onto the fabric so there’s nothing to scratch your little one. 

In 2021, there are more options than ever, and sensory clothes are all the rage for a cute and comfortable baby.

Which of These  Are You Trying? 

These baby clothing trends aren’t limited to style; they’re also functional. A stylish baby doesn’t have to be an uncomfortable baby. 

Is it time to go on a shopping spree for your baby’s new outfits? We think so too. 

For more posts on style, parenting, and more, check out the rest of the site!