Expecting: Let’s Talk About Bath Tubs
You’re going to need some kind of bath solution besides stepping into the shower with tiny, slippery Murgatroyd in your arms, so yes, you will need an infant bath tub. … Continue reading
Tummy Time Tips
I was just hanging out with my friend and her baby and discussing tummy time, so I thought I’d share. (We talked about other stuff too. We’re interesting people. Really.) … Continue reading
Infant Soaps and Shampoo
Yes, you will need to buy separate soap for your new baby. The Irish Spring in your soap dish has too many chemicals and perfumes for your infant’s brand new, … Continue reading
Leander: Cradle, Crib, High Chair, Changing Table
I’ve just discovered Leander, and I’m a little bit in love. OK: a lot in love. All the pieces are beautiful: minimalist Scandinavian design in natural woods, light colors and lovely … Continue reading
Tea Collection Sale
Tea Collection makes some beautiful clothes, especially for babies. They’re expensive, though, for something little Albert will only wear for a few months, so getting their pieces on sale makes the … Continue reading
Blackout Curtains
Unless you have those awesome European interlocking blinds that can turn your baby’s boudoir into a room fit for developing film, you might want to consider investing in blackout drapes, … Continue reading
Sleep Help
OK, here’s me at eight months pregnant: “I’m not going to go nuts getting my baby on a fixed schedule: we’re social, we travel, and I want her to know … Continue reading
Bouncers!
A bouncer is a must. You need to have one. Really. Yes, baby can lounge in a cat bed or on a posh pillow, but there’s no substitute for giving … Continue reading
Skip Hop Treetop Friends Play Mat
I’ve always liked Skip Hop‘s style and Astrid (and I) were really happy with their farmyard activity mat when she was tiny: soft fabric with some texture and crinkles for … Continue reading
Transitional Object: Gund Comfy Cozies
I wrote a while ago about “transitional objects” and how important they can be for babies. Chances are, you’ll pick out one you like before Baby arrives, or someone will … Continue reading
Ladybug Snuggle Sack
Today is Astrid’s birthday party and the theme is ladybugs because she loses it every time she sees a ladybug. Even more so when she sees a flag, but I … Continue reading
Hello Bugs!
As I’ve noted before, babies aren’t into books. Because they can’t see. They’re weird like that. But they can discern black and white shapes and patterns before colors, which is … Continue reading
Pacifier Wipes
Yes, I know: these don’t sound very minimalist. They sound like yet another thing germaphobe mamas pack in their diaper bags. You know the ones: hand sanitizer dispensers installed by … Continue reading
What Your Baby Will Wear: Nighttime
If you’re already clear on this, go ahead and skip this post. I thought I was but then, after I looked at the stack of onesies, pajamas, swaddling blankets, Velcro … Continue reading
The Dream Feed
I found out about this when Astrid was about three months old and, man, did I wish I’d known sooner. So if you didn’t know about this already, here’s my … Continue reading
Shopping: Bloomingdales
I have one word for you: pajamas. I have two more: ten dollars. At Bloomingdales. I know: I couldn’t believe it either. Like the New Yorker I am, I love … Continue reading
Skwish Mobile
I was in Giggle the other day and came across the Skwish Mobile. I love me some mobiles, so I had a look. Even though I don’t think I would’ve … Continue reading
Stroller Blankets
After my super-zealous write-up/run-down on blankets, here’s my quick two cents on “stroller blankets.” There are two types: warm blankets (some with a wind-proof-y side that faces out to protect … Continue reading
Giggle and Their “Better Basics”
I love Giggle. They have helpful, knowledgeable staff and beautiful products. Their selection is definitely on the high end of the baby products spending spree, but among the products they … Continue reading
Burp Cloths
I adore Dwell Studio’s baby patterns as much as the next geometrics-loving mom, but how, outside your baby shower, are you going to justify $35 for a burp cloth set … Continue reading
Pacifier Clips
So your baby may or may not want a pacifier. If he does, trust me: you will need a pacifier clip. You can buy the pacifiers that don’t bounce as … Continue reading
Clothes: H&M
Ah, H&M, emporium of cheap, of-the-moment knock-off clothes! We love you Swedes! Here’s another reason to love them: they make baby clothes. Really, really cute ones too. And now that … Continue reading
Pacifiers
I had no idea: I guess I thought all babies maybe sucked their thumbs. Or they all took pacifiers. I don’t know… My little cousins, who were babies when I … Continue reading
Bottle Accessories
Assuming you’ll use a bottle for breastmilk or formula, along with the actual bottles themselves (see: Bottles), it’s a good idea to score some of the basic bottle accessories before the … Continue reading
Baby Clothes: Kissy Kissy
OK, so after an “Essentials” post, let’s bounce to the far extreme and talk about overpriced but adorable baby clothes – hooray! I discovered Kissy Kissy (yes, terrible name) at … Continue reading
Nipple Confusion
Moms’ confusion, not babies’, that is! How do you know when to move your baby up to the next size nipple on your bottle of choice? Most bottle “systems” come … Continue reading
Parents’ Groups: San Francisco
I just – finally – pulled together a list of San Francisco parents’ groups for some pregnant friends of ours, so I thought I’d share the information for those of … Continue reading
Gap Baby / Kids
Did you see Crazy, Stupid Love? You should. It was funny. It’s hard not to pull for Steve Carrell. Ryan Gosling (well, his character) takes Steve’s frumpy, middle-aged dad under … Continue reading
First Books
Babies can’t read. Just FYI. In case you weren’t sure. But you’ll receive a little stack of board books at your baby shower anyway. Kids’ books are really cute, some … Continue reading
First Toys: Sophie the Giraffe
See also A Word on Toys Sophie the Giraffe has been around for 50 years and is still sweet and effective. She’s a vanilla-scented, rubber teething toy from France with a … Continue reading
First Toys: “Transitional Object”
See also A Word on Toys A “transitional object” helps your baby transition from needing you all the time to wanting this object when you’re not around to, in the future, … Continue reading
Pimp My Car Seat
The infant car seat is a wonderful thing early on: your baby is small enough to snuggle in it and happy to snooze while you go from point A to … Continue reading
First Toys: Mobiles
See also A Word on Toys Mobiles are awesome. Period. Get at least one for your baby for above her crib. And maybe another one for above her play area. And … Continue reading
First Toys: Rattles
See also A Word on Toys The first interactive toys that will probably catch your baby’s attention are ones that make a small cause-and-effect noise, like a rattle or a crinkle. … Continue reading
First Toys: Mirrors
See also A Word on Toys Also in the staring category are mirrors. Astrid didn’t notice herself in a mirror until she was 3 1/2 months old despite all expert assertions … Continue reading
First Toys: Black and White
See also A Word on Toys Staring is big with infants. They can’t see very well at birth and won’t distinguish colors first thing, so fairly large black and white … Continue reading
Tips: When to stop swaddling
It would be great to feel 100% certain, but, like lots of parenting questions, when you stop swaddling your baby is going to be a judgment call on your part. … Continue reading
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