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
Spinning Lights
In honor of our Independence Day, I’d like to suggest a toy that is anything but minimalist and definitely made in China, i.e. very American! The LED spinner or whatever … 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
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
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
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
Music Boxes
I loved music boxes when I was a kid. The little machine inside – OK, yes, I broke one in half to see it – was like magic and the … 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: 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
Two Baby Medical Resource Books
One of the things I got a little obsessive about while I was pregnant was finding the right infant medical resource book to have at home. Here’s what I wanted: … Continue reading
Little Giraffe Chenille Blanket
To be clear up front, this is not a must-have and it’s a bit spendy for what it is, but it is a super nice-to-have. So when your rich friend’s … Continue reading
Nail Clippers
Cutting Astrid’s nails scared the bejesus out of me. Babies’ nails are so small and their fingertips are right there and you’re supposed to do it in the dark while … Continue reading
Fisher Price Music Box Record Player
I didn’t have a lot of mainstream toys when I was a kid. My parents were more “use your imagination/we walked uphill barefoot both ways” types, so Lincoln Logs and … Continue reading
Best First Book: I Am a Bunny
Everyone tells you to start a bedtime routine right away with your infant so that by the time s/he is old enough to notice that there is one, you’ll have … Continue reading
Mmm…shoes…
I’m finally willing to concede that Astrid needs some shoes. She got a bunch as gifts when she was born, but a.) most of them won’t fit her until next … Continue reading
Baby Bath Decor
To brighten things up for Astrid, I got her a set of these bright Tub Tattoos which you can affix to the near side of the tub so all your … Continue reading
Baby’s First Bath Toys
When we moved Astrid into the big tub, I felt like she was relaxed but bored, so I went hunting for some starter bath toys that wouldn’t make our only … Continue reading
Minimalista Mama 