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
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
Best Baby Blanket
This is the best blanket, period. I know it doesn’t look like it’s that different from the thousands of others on offer for babies and little kids, but it is. … 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
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
Shopping: Macy’s
OK, so let’s be clear up front: I hate going into department stores. I appreciate that they’ve clumped everything together in one place for me, but, man alive do they … Continue reading
Another Swaddling Option
I just had tea with our fantastic post-partum doula, Caroline, yesterday and she mentioned my swaddle round-up and a new swaddle on the market, the True Womb Sleeping Swaddle. I … Continue reading
What the $)(! is up with all the blankets anyway?
Bottom line necessities: 1 sturdy, warm blanket for warmth and floor time. 2-4 lightweight inexpensive blankets (muslin or flannel) for general use (shade, clean-up, having in your bag for whatever … Continue reading
Swaddling Options
Bottom Line: As a minimalist who does laundry frequently, you won’t need more than four of all of the swaddling options. (I know laundry doesn’t sound fun, but you will only … 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
The Cribs Are Back! (Ikea)
In June, Ikea pulled all their cribs from their stores following a change in the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s regulations. (They said it was precautionary, not because there was a known … Continue reading
Bottles
Ah, the whole question of feeding that soon-to-be baby! The shelves of books on breastfeeding. The reams of research on breast being best. The totally foreign concept of your “twins” … 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
Car Seats: Buying
See also Car Seats: Overview and Car Seats: Installing When selecting an infant car seat, check Consumer Reports for the most recent safety ratings and definitely go to Babies “R” Us or … Continue reading
Car Seats: Overview
You probably know this, but you need a car seat. It’s how your baby will travel in the car at all times. Ignore your Aunt Martha who said she drove … Continue reading
Diaper Bags: My Choice: Land’s End
You heard me: Land’s End. The preppie emporium of my Boston youth – well, second-string to L.L. Bean, but still – came through for me in my seemingly endless search … 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
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
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