Looking for the best gifts for a toddler boy? These ideas are both practical and fun all at once! When you’re done, check out these gift ideas for the 5 year old girl who has everything! This post contains affiliate links and gifted product.

Toddlers are so much fun to buy gifts for and today I’m going to share with you some of my favorite picks for toddler boys – tested by my very own prince charming!

The toddler stage is a bit ambiguous but primarily addresses ages 1.5/18 months through age three. It depends heavily on the child but I figured I’d share ideas for the full range.

First, as usual, I’m going to share some general gift giving tips for this age group. As a fourth time toddler mom (and a third time toddler boy mom) here are some of my best practices.

How to find the best gifts for a toddler boy

You really can’t go wrong with this age group. Anything they can unwrap – and even the wrapping paper itself – is a great gift!

My goal here is to share some ideas for when you’re stuck – some practical ideas as well as some fun ideas. At this age, a gift for the kid is still a gift for the parent, so this list includes some really fun finds that Mom & Dad will love too.

Some category tips for finding the best gifts for a toddler boy:

• This is the age where non-toy gifts are a win! Anything cozy or colorful that’s also practical will be something kid and parents love. Think of essentials – but take them up a notch and get a higher end version.
• At this age, many kids have favorite characters. They absolutely love seeing those characters in gifts – whether it’s on clothing, toys, or accessories.
• Lifestyle – it’s really helpful to know what the family’s lifestyle is like. Do they travel a lot? Is the toddler in childcare at all? Do they have a large or small house? Do they have occasions to dress up?
• Personality – again, knowing personality will always help with gift giving. Is the little guy an active one? Does he prefer tabletop play? Is he a snuggler?

I hope these tips and specific ideas help you in finding the best gifts for a toddler boy!

Disclaimer: Some of these toys are labeled 3+/choking hazard toys! Please read the instructions and use discretion when purchasing for kids under three. I include some of these toys in this guide because I personally like purchasing ahead – if I’m getting for a 2.5 year old, I’m thinking of what he’ll play at age three and beyond. I also personally allow my child to play with such toys before three since he does not tend to mouthe them – but only with close supervision.

12 Best Gifts for a Toddler Boy

The Best non-toy Gifts for a Toddler Boy

If you’re a fan of non-toy gifts, this is the age to gift it! J loves anything cozy, so that gift with a cozy element? Straight win! Non-toy gifts are almost foolproof at this stage, as they have a practical spin. Here are some favorite picks for the best non toy gifts for a toddler boy.

CozyCo💤™ Blanket with Hand and Foot Pockets

With CozyCo💤™ the snuggles are everything! These blankets have built-in hand and foot pockets to allow for a swaddle-effect. The hand pockets have finger holes so that they can still be used while wearing it.

CozyCo💤™ is the kid version of CozyThrow💤™ (the full-size one that that I’m enjoying – and shared in my list of gift ideas for a wife.) J absolutely loves it – the plush is soft and embracing. As he says, it’s cozy!!

WeeWander Backpack, Stuffy, and Bottle

For the family that likes to travel a lot – whether it’s weekends at grandmas or bigger trips- WeeWander makes fabulous high end travel gear for little ones!

Their backpack is just the right size for a toddler – but with maximum use of the space. It has loads of pockets for activities, devices, snacks, blankets, and more! It has an insulated compartment to keep things fresh and a chest strap for extra support. All the straps are adjustable so they grow with the little one. Individual pockets means that it’ll take more work for J to unload its contents – and it’ll be much more organized.

It’s designed to be perfectly compatible with optional other WeeWander accessories that are really cute when bundled with the backpack.

The water bottle is a very well-made stainless steel straw tumbler. It’s leak proof, and has the most adorable little print on it. I love that it’s slimmer than the typical tumbler, perfect for tiny hands. And it fits right into the side pocket of the backpack!

And the stuffy is a really cute little travel companion that comes with its own tiny backpack! It fits into either of the water bottle pockets (which has special slots for its feet) and can be a special “travel toy” for the kid who’s a bit antsy in the car.

The backpack comes with a mini travel “passport” activity book with stickers too. And of course, there’s a strap for the suitcase handle too – making it great for air or car travel!

Feltman Brothers Heirloom Lattice Knit Set

Classic fine knitwear makes for a fabulous gift that both mom and the little one will enjoy! Feltman Brothers makes heirloom quality, timeless clothing that is a favorite in our house. J loves this lattice knit set that is gorgeous with his red hair.

This set manages to be gorgeously dressed-up while still being comfy and fun for an active toddler to wear! It’s 100% cotton and breathable, and yes, of course it’s machine washable!

The fit on the sweater is a bit looser and the pants are a bit slimmer, for a really sweet combination.

Hobibear Barefoot Winter Shoes

Shoes are a really fun gift for toddlers for two reasons: they’re still new at walking and are kind of obsessed with their shoes, and they keep outgrowing them!

Hobibear makes fabulous barefoot and wide toe shoes that allow for more freedom of movement for little ones. Their Spruce winter barefoot shoes come in toddler sizes and Y LOVES them. They have a plush (“cozy” inside and ample support around the ankles. But they’re still unrestrictive and allow those toes plenty of movement – and they’re easy to get on and off.

And the colors are just so fun! Yes, they do have them in black too – but we went with this icy blue.

The Best Interest-based Play Gifts for a Toddler Boy

At the toddler stage, kids start to show very specific interests – some might even say obsessions! J is starting to recognize favorite characters (and tell me how cute they are), and he loves trucks. Find out what they love and go with that! Here are some common toddler favorite themes and gifts to give based on them!

Mighty Wheels 16″ Toy Crane

For the construction obsessed kid, the Mighty Wheels 16″ toy crane is an epic toy! This is a 3+ toy that little boys will just love. It’s a nice size toy with solid construction and realistic sounds that’ll make little boys smile.

And it even comes with traffic cones! The wind up hook provides plenty of pretend play opportunity, and winding it up requires some fine motor musclework.

I love that it’s a bit of a more unique pick than your typical dump truck or excavator (though Mighty Wheels makes those too) while still fitting in with the whole construction fascination. And J loves using it to hook onto and move other toys around.

FAO Schwartz Bluey Vending Machine

J loves Bluey and got so excited when he saw this vending machine from FAO Schwartz. This is a 3+ toy that is actually a win for birthdays, holidays – and yes, potty training!

Everything about this is so charming and giftable – and yes, they make other characters too (such as Marvel and Disney) for kids who like different shows.The front flap of the vending machine has the iconic Bluey letters and Bluey and Bingo sit atop the machine.

No need to insert a coin – just twist the lever and one capsule is released. Inside are small collectible figures. J loves playing with this type of figure with his favorite characters and this is just a really cute way to gift it.

This can be gifted all at once, or use it as smaller gifts to hand out one at a time. Refill the capsules with new prizes when you’re done – they’re reusable! Includes common, rare, and limited edition figures.

Cocomelon BooBoo JJ

In every gift guide, I like to include at least one holdover recommendation – something we’ve featured with our older kids but is still very much loved! This one is a holdover from A but J loves it too!

BooBoo JJ is fabulous for a Cocomelon fan, and brings an element of nurturing to the table. JJ sings the booboo song and has his own medical case with hook and loop bandages. The part of him with a booboo lights up so that little ones can put a bandage on it.

The Best Educational Gifts for a toddler boy

Kids learn through play and exploration and while all play has the potential to be educational, our favorite type is when the kids are encouraged to try things! These picks nurture that exploration and make favorite gifts for a toddler boy.

Mindware Konvertibles Transforming Wooden Cars

With my kids superfans of converting vehicle toys, I was so excited to see Mindware make a toddler-friendly version! This one isn’t a puzzle like the big-kid ones – it simply folds and unfolds. But it provides plenty of problem solving exploration for little ones.

Turn it from a long car to a tall car easily for more play value from a classic toy.

These are made from high quality wood – but still bright, colorful, and kid-friendly (no sad beige), these toys are heirloom quality. The box turns into a play scene as well, and of course, it’s made from safe paints.

Milestones & More Play Kit

If you’re looking for a well-presented bundle gift, Milestones & More has you covered. They curate age-targeted gift baskets filled with an assortment of toys and gear for little ones, as well as educational activity and parenting resources.

These are quality items from real brands. The 24-30 month box featured a pounding block from IKEA, a Munchkin bath temperature duck that says “Hot” if the water is too hot, a bilingual Priddy book, and a little plush bear.

This is a really fun gift for younger toddlers who can benefit from milestone-targeted toys.

Battat Light Box Sensory Set

The Battat Light Box is a multi-functional sensory play set that is fabulous for the toddler stage. It features a wooden base with a light box, and loads of activities to do on it. Our favorite are the translucent geometric shapes. Kids can play with them on their own, but it also comes with transparency sheets for matching those shapes up.

Included pattern cards are a next level way to play with the shapes, and of course, layering them teaches about color in a natural play-based environment.

It comes with a sensory bin topper as well that can be used with the included tools for water or other sensory play. It even comes with some grass bin filler, but of course, it can be used with other sensory fillers too.

This is a great all-around toy for tabletop play, fine motor, and sensory exploration.

The Best Active Play Toys for a Toddler Boy

For little ones that love to be active, these gifts will help get out all that energy! While they don’t quite need help getting moving, these best gifts for a toddler boy help channel that energy – and will be enjoyed at least the next few years! Build those gross motor skills!

Pikler Triangle

Here’s another holdover: this Pikler Triangle is a multifunctional toy that is one we keep out and available all the time! kids love climbing on this toy (we’ve since moved it on top of a foam playmat) but there are other ways to play.

The triangle can turn into a tent with a throw blanket tossed on it. Flip over the arch, add some cushions, and it’s a rocking chair.

The kids switch it from slide, to climbing wall, to bridge, and back to slide again – again and again…

Trampoline

Sometimes the classics are a classic for a reason – and J loves jumping on his trampoline! This is one of those toys that you save from sibling to sibling and is loved for many years. It is great for indoors and out.

Literally just a ball.

If you’re looking for an easy, low budget gift that’ll charm any active toddler, just go with a ball! I recommend the lighter weight plastic balls (rather than rubberized playground balls) – but you can even give them a beach ball.

What are your best gifts for a toddler boy? Got any to add to the list? Comment below!

The post Best Gifts for a Toddler Boy appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

This Gladly Family wagon review will share you all you need to know about the Anthem 2 and Anthem 4 stroller wagon series. When you’re done, check out my best baby sprinkle gift ideas too! This post contains affiliate links.

Every time I walk through the streets using our Gladly stroller wagon, people always ask me about it. “Is it really good? Can you wheel it on beach sand? Is it easy to push?”

I decided it’s about time I write up an in-depth Gladly Family wagon review, featuring the Anthem 2. Most of what I’ll write applies to the Anthem 4 as well.

Just so you know: I’ve been using this already for close to two years, so I’ve got a good, thorough take on all the pros, cons, and using it with a newborn, 1 year old, 2 year old, 3 year old, AND 4 year old (between two kids).

I’ll over the good, the not-so-good, who it’s best for, what you need to know BEFORE buying, and more

Please note: I did receive a sample for inclusion in a post almost two years ago, so while I did not purchase this myself, I am well past my relationship working with this company, and creating this review of my own accord. I am going to be 100% honest here.

I AM an affiliate and yes, I earn a commission if you purchase through my link. If you find this review helpful and DO decide to purchase this, I ask that you please do so by clicking through my link – it’s how I am able to create honest reviews without requiring compensation from the brand and turning it into a straight up ad.

Gladly Family Wagon Review – Overview

In a nutshell

The Gladly Family stroller wagon is a feature-rich, all-terrain stroller wagon. It’s a convertible pull or push wagon, with options for 2 seater or 4 seater styles.

Gladly Family includes some accessories and comes in many different colors.

Technical Details

• Dimensions open:  41″ L x 25.5″ W x 21.5″ H
• Dimensions closed: 41″ L x 25″ W x 16″ H
• Handle Height: 42.5″ 
• Price point (note – this is a range, prices constantly change): $450-600
• Weight: 34 lbs
• Passenger seat weight limit: 50lb each
• Wagon weight limit: 150 lb (including cargo)

General features

• 5 point harness
• Double canopies
• Includes a nap mat
• Includes a removable basket
• Includes a parent cupholder and storage bin
• 2 or 4 passenger versions
• Push or pull without switching handle direction – just release it with a button.
• Add-on Accessories available: infant adapter

Answering your questions

Since I said that people always stop me with questions, I figured I’d include a section in this Gladly Family wagon review answering specifically the questions we get when out and about with it.

Is the Anthem stroller wagon easy to push?

This is always the first question we get, due to its size and bulk. And the answer is yes/no. The push is very different from regular strollers. It is insanely smooth – much better than any double stroller I’ve pushed. It takes very sharp turns because the swivel of the wheels is in back, you can do a sharp 90 degree.

HOWEVER and this is a big HOWEVER – because it navigates so differently from other strollers, there is a big learning curve. And while you’re learning, you might get a bit stuck a couple of times. Not STUCK-STUCK, just enough that you’ll be like “oops, shouldn’t have done it like that” and maneuver a bit.

But once I learned the tricks – such as when you need to turn, it’s a bit deeper into the corner than on regular strollers – it was so much easier, because it took those sharp turns better than a double stroller would.

That’s why you’ll see some people saying “it’s impossible” and some saying “it’s the best”.

Can you use the Gladly Family wagon on the beach?

This is where I need to highlight the difference between pushing and pulling with such a wagon. A large part of your advantage with a stroller wagon over a double stroller isn’t just the all-terrain feature, it’s the pull feature.

So it can go over loose sand, rocks, etc – as long as you switch to pulling! It took a bit to figure this out (and if you don’t realize that you just need to pull it it can be frustrating) but once you do – game changer!

The same goes for bumpy spaces that don’t have good paths. We took it through Lancaster farms, zoos, rocky paths, etc. And again – game changer to be able to have a stroller go through this, especially on trips that are hard for older toddlers and preschoolers to walk.

However, since you can’t tilt it up like you would a stroller, it’s not well-suited to city curbs.

How does the Gladly Family Anthem fit in the car?

We have a minivan, and while it can fold down enough to fit in the trunk, it’ll take the whole trunk. That makes it impractical for everyday use (considering we fill the car up for carpools).

We usually put down a seat or two from the back row when taking it on trips.

Does it replace a double stroller?

It depends! For a four year old it will, because in most quick scenarios they’ll walk, and for “bigger trips” we’re happy to make the extra effort to take the wagon.

I actually keep a stroller with a sit/stand bench in the car for quick shopping trips. For neighborhood walks, at first I used an umbrella double when I just wanted something quick and in the winter. Now, we use the Gladly Family stroller wagon exclusively as our double stroller that we keep in the house.

Keep in mind that for infants, you do need an infant seat adapter, so it’s bulkier. Once the kid outgrows that and can sit, it’s definitely similar in size to more full-sized double strollers.

My personal Gladly Family wagon review

We’ve been using this wagon for a few years now, and we find it to be a game-changer in some situations, and not so practical in others. The kids absolutely love it.

We use it mainly on walks to the local park, walking-intensive family outings (think: amusement parks, zoos, etc), and now that our preschooler is a little bigger, we use it when she needs a double stroller, such as longer family walks. On trips, we can almost live out of it, making it so convenient to have.

I’ve used it on exercise walks as well, as I found it easier to push than my double strollers. While it’s a bit bulky to be a real stand-in for a double stroller, and would definitely supplement that, it’s definitely enough to allow you to get a cheaper travel-friendly double stroller.

We use it mainly seasonally, storing it away for the winter, and leaving it in a corner of our living room, quite annoyingly, throughout Spring, Summer, and fall.

The wagon has a weird feature. When pushing, you have the back wheels swiveling instead of the front wheels. I do think that this helps the pull feature be really good, however, this does make for some wide turns on city streets.

I didn’t know if I should put this into the “pros” section or the “cons” because sometimes I love this feature and sometimes it’s a bit of a pain, but now on to my pros/cons breakdown.

Pros: What I love about it

There are so many situations where I can’t imagine being without the Anthem2 stroller wagon.

For example, last year, Baby J was a year old, not walking, and we liked to spend our Saturday afternoons at the local park. But he’d get antsy sitting in the stroller. We’d open the nap mat in the wagon and let him play in there. It worked amazingly.

He’s also a redhead, and sun-sensitive, so the huge canopies are a major deal.

And then let’s take the beach. You can actually wheel it there! And kids who need a break from the sun and play can really break in it.

I love that the kids love being in it.

I love the ample storage.

I find it so much easier to lug and access piles of water bottles on summer trips, snacks, and more. I hang things from the handle and it doesn’t tip (but it does impact pulling).

It’s SO easy and seamless to switch from push to pull, and I get through tight corners once I learned how to navigate the 90 degree turns. It is quite easy to fold. It comes with the basic accessories, making it an all-in-one for a fair price, much cheaper than a comparable quality double stroller would be.

Their infant seat adaptor is also really easy to use, and it’s universal, fitting many brands with one easy piece. I purchased this part myself and it was a game-changer, allowing me to use it with Baby J from the newborn stage.

Cons: What I don’t love

It’s huge. I really wish it would fit more easily in the car – and that I can handle it myself – and fold smaller. While it’s smooth enough to bump down my front steps (without kids inside), I wish I could just carry it down.

I’m not really sure if I should include that weird wheel setup as a con, as I found that it makes it easier to wheel around tight city corners, but I know that for some buyers it can be a downside. It does prevent you from really being able to “tilt it up” a curb, however, you can flip around and pull it up.

Overview and Summary of my Gladly Family Wagon Review

My outtakes

While the Gladly Family wagon didn’t fully replace a double stroller at the infant/toddler stage, it was much better than one in some circumstances. It also DID replace our double stroller at the toddler/preschool stage.

I have been using it regularly for multiple years, storing it open in the corner of my living room throughout the warmer weather. My kids love it, I enjoy using it mainly for outings, longer exercise walks but not quick “run to the neighbors” or shopping trips with kids. It’s a “lug everything” while out and about and a game-changer for family trips.

In addition to the Gladly Family wagon, I used a travel umbrella double stroller only for the quick run to the neighbor type walks, and used (and still do) an inexpensive regular stroller with a toddler sit/stand bench built in for shopping.

It IS the ideal solution for us for family outings where we do lots of walking, and for longer walks, such as day camp pickups all over the neighborhood.

I learned how to navigate with it after a walk or two, and when I need to switch to pulling from pushing, mainly in bumpier/rougher ground. Usually it’s easy, but when city sidewalks are very cracked, I sometimes need to manipulate a bit.

Who it’s best for

The most important part of this Gladly Family wagon review: is this really the right choice for you.

I think that for families who need a real double stroller solution for very short term or in very specific circumstances like larger family trips, it’s perfect. It’s perfect for amusement parks, the zoo, beaches, longer/larger park trips, corn mazes, apple picking… I mean, it made the whole trip more pleasant for the family. So if you do a lot of this, you’ll swear by it.

If you have a larger family that might need it too – specifically multiple kids at the preschool and toddler stage, it’s fabulous, especially if you need a four seater (which, by the way, will be slightly larger and heavier than the two seater that I’m reviewing).

If you just want it instead of a double stroller, it’s probably not for you.

If you have an attached garage that you can just wheel it out of, it will actually be a much better choice for you (I need to carry it up and down steps each time).

In a nutshell: the Gladly Family anthem wagons are fabulous, more affordable than some competitors, and really durable. They are a great solution for an on-the-go lifestyle but won’t fully replace a double stroller for the infant stage, especially for city families.

Did you find this Gladly Family wagon review helpful? Got any questions to add or feedback of your own? Comment below!

The post Gladly Family Wagon Review – Anthem Stroller Wagon appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

Are you looking for some simple end-of-the-year organization tips? Now is the time to put a plan in place for organizing kids’ papers at home! 

Can you believe that our kids will be back for summer break in just a couple of weeks? It may feel like the school year has just started, but the piles of kids’ crafts and papers are stacking up from the year. All of this paper and memorabilia can feel overwhelming, yet each year, we find ourselves with stacks of fun things our kids did during the year – that they don’t want to let go of. 

As a mom of creative kids, we needed a better system to organize all of those papers and finally put together a plan that works for my kids and me. 

Today, I’m going to share some tips and tricks for organizing kids papers.

What are some general tips for organizing kids papers?

When it comes to artwork and paper organization tips for moms, you can never be too prepared! Before starting to make a plan on how to be organized, just remember that consistency and maintenance will be key.

You can’t start an organization system at home and then not follow through with it – that defeats the entire purpose. 

Having a solid ongoing system in place will allow you to keep things organized, minimizing the need for organizing kids papers again and again.

How can I organize faster – and keep it that way?

My best tip for organizing kids papers or ANY kids stuff? Get the kids on board to help! They can easily be a part of the organization process to help make sure that everything is good to go for the year.

Not only can this help you, but I recommend this for a few more reasons:

• This is a fabulous skill to teach them – a hands on approach to how to organize.
• They’ll appreciate the organization if they participated in it as well.
• Personally, I find that the only way my kids will stay organized is if they helped create the system. That way they really understand how it works.
• I don’t believe in going through and organizing my kids’ papers – some of which might be personal – without them.

To keep things moving along while organizing kids papers:

• If they want to look or read something they find, give them a timer of about thirty seconds and then move them along.
• Allow them to sort things into “look through” in addition to “keep” and “purge.
• Have organization tools handy and ready to use.
• Set a limit for your “keep” stash. This can be based on the capacity of organization tools you choose.
• Differentiate between the “catch all” location for future keep items and the “keep to have” location for things they just can’t let go of (yet).

Have a solid strategy

In a nutshell, having a future strategy that the kids understand will ensure it stays under control. You can do a weekly backpack purge, sorting papers into the above categories that I recommended (look at, keep, purge).

Make sure your kids completely understand it. Like I said, the way I do this is by involving them in the process. If this doesn’t work for you (or even if you do implement it) here are some more tips:

• Don’t overcomplicate it. Keep categories simple. Some ideas “things I created” and “things I wrote”. “Things I’m proud of” and “Projects I made”. Or just a simple keep binder can do the job too.
• Label EVERY FREAKING THING. Kids will not just “know” where things go like you do. Include visual labels as well where needed. Have a label maker or Cricut Joy handy when creating.
• Monitor it. At least for the first few months, stay on top of the process.

Favorite tools for organizing kids’ papers

Here are my top essentials for organizing all of those sentimental goodies you and your kids want to hold on to.

Letter Trays

A great way to organize all of those papers is with a letter tray. You can have one for each child, which makes it easy to organize papers as they come in. Keep this in a central location (such as the family desk) and purge it regularly (such as monthly).

I recommend getting a stackable one to help make it easier and so it will take up less space.

I put any incoming papers that are “Keepers” into this sorter to help make it easier to organize, keeping everything in one place. Tip: photograph everything as it goes onto this sorter so that you have a backup!

Accordion Folders

My kids each have an expandable file folder with their “personal stuff” for these kinds of papers. It’s fun for them and easy to use – and you can get really cute ones!

They take up very little space, and if needed, you can have one for each year, storing them upright like you would books.

Sturdy File Boxes

If you really end up with a lot, you can go for boxes. This is fabulous for those who like to save loads of art projects in addition to paperwork. Use file folders to organize it and place things where they belong as they come in, keeping things from piling up.

This could be art projects they did at school, certificates for things like perfect attendance, and more. Limit each kid’s things to one bin, and at the end of their school journey, they will be able to decide what they want to keep and what to discard.

I recommend going through them during the first few weeks of summer after the school year is done to downsize these bins for long-term storage.

Scrapbook boxes can work fabulously as well, with a lower capacity.

Hanging File Folders

Put some hanging file folders in your file boxes to categorize each type of thing you’re keeping. This could be essays, report cards, etc. If you are trying to keep quantity down, you can use a single file folder per grade to further limit how much of each item you keep. At the end of the year, whittle the whole collection down to the one file folder which goes into a central box.

These folders keep things from getting ruined or buried in the box where no one will find them.

Labels

Did I mention that labeling is a must? That goes for storage too, not just for your kids’ systems!

You’ll want to have a good and sturdy label that will stand the test of time. You can print your child’s name, grade (if you have one box for each grade), and anything else you might want to include. This will make organizing your bins easier and is great if you have more than one kid. At a glance, both you and your kids can easily find the bins and add to them whenever they need to.

Got any other tips for organizing kids’ papers? Comment below!

The post Tips & Tricks for Organizing Kids’ Papers & Projects appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

This big sibling journal was designed as a memory book for my own kids to make to celebrate their new baby brother! If you want more ideas, check out my favorite big sibling gifts for kids of all ages! This post contains affiliate links.

I’m excited to be launching something new: a big sibling journal! Now, what’s so cool about this one?

It’s simple: I created what I wanted for my own kids, ages seven and ten, for when Baby Jay was born. So it’s mom-created and designed, as a big sibling gift from the new baby.

Of course, my big kids know it’s not really FROM the baby, but they get a kick out of the idea!

Inside the big sibling journal

So what makes this big sibling journal and memory book so cool and unique? The answer is simple: it is designed to help the big sibling appreciate the baby – from baby’s name to their new “standing” in the family, it’s a relationship-building journal, that encourages minimal writing but doesn’t require too much.

There is space for photos and drawings, and even letter writing! There’s room for creativity – but it doesn’t require too much of it.

And there’s though in every detail! Backgrounds of pages can be colored in, but because there are accent colors, they are decorative without being colored. And each relevant prompt has a space to write baby’s name, so that the big sibling can get used to it and start connecting.

And yes, it’s gender neutral too!

The big sibling journal is designed as a “next level” big sibling book, for the child who is too old for a “yay, I’m a big sister” or “favorite character has a new baby” book. It’s tailor made for my own kids who are ages 7 and 10 but appropriate for early writers (or younger if an adult will write it) through age twelve.

I’ve made it available as both a digital download and a printed journal and I’ll include the advantages of each below.

Here’s a quick rundown of all the included pages:

Prompt Pages

Prompt pages follow a basic format. You have a prompt, with a space to write baby’s name, a space for photo(s) or drawings related to the prompt, and a place to “answer” the prompt.

Your child has enough space to write a few sentences, but it won’t look too empty if they choose to write just a few words.

Some prompts include (please do not plagiarize!):

• How I felt when [name] was born
• My favorite thing about [name]
• Why [name] is an important part of our family
• My favorite thing to do with [name]
• Something I look forward to when [name] grows up
• What your name [name] means to me
• How we prepared for [name]’s arrival
• What makes me unique in my bigger family

Bonus Pages

To complete the book, I included some additional pages. I wanted there to be more for the big sibling but without there being endless prompts.

First of all, the printable version does come with a front and back cover so that you can assemble it book report style or bind it. Even the cover has a space to put baby’s name!

Other pages:

• “This journal belongs to”
• A page for the giver to write a note to the big sibling
• Letter writing pages for big sibling to write letters to the baby for when they grown up (repeated a few times in the print version, and print as many as you’d like if using the printable)
• “Our favorite moments” pages with spaces for drawings and photos.
• An inspiring quote page about siblings.

You also have a guide for the adult gifting it and a guide for the kid using it.

Tips for gifting a big sibling memory book kit

You can, of course, just gift it as is, but here are my tips!

Assembling the digital version as a printed gift

One of the “perks” of buying the digital version is that you can gift it to multiple people with one purchase! You can also print pages as needed and customize it to your needs – leaving out any pages you don’t like, printing multiples of the ones you want more of…

So if you have multiple kids who are in the correct age range and will be big siblings (I have two) or if you’re a grandparent, aunt/uncle, or nanny with multiple kids who you’ll be giving this to as time goes on, you may prefer the printable version.

You can also assemble it into a much nicer, more substantial journal, depending how you do it.

Some ideas for gifting it:

Laminate the front and back cover with 5ml (stiff) laminating sheets and spiral bind it.

Use a report cover to assemble it.

Get a half-inch binder with cover pockets. You can assemble the interior by punching holes in the pages, but it’s much nicer to put it in sheet protectors.

Bundling the print or digital version as a gift basket

To give my kids a more complete set, I included the following:

• Washi tape (for taping in photos)
• Gel pens
• Spare paper for their KidiZoom PrintCam cameras.

And yes, if your kid doesn’t have one yet, and you’ll anyway be gifting something nicer to go along with it, that’s a fabulous option. If your tween has a smartphone already, you can gift a Sprocket printer or spare paper to go with it…

Get the big sibling journal

Ready to treat your kids?

Get the digital version

Get the printable version! Your purchase allows you to use it for personal gifting use for as many recipients as you’d like (but not for selling).

It’s an instant digital download, and will be sent to your inbox as soon as you complete your purchase.

Get the print version

Want the big sibling journal ready to gift (or bundle)? Get it on Amazon – and don’t forget to leave your five star review!

The post Big Sibling Journal & Memory Book appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

These big sibling gifts from the new baby are fabulous hospital take-homes for the new big brother or sister! You’ll also want to check out the best baby products on a dime. This post contains affiliate links.

If your family will be welcoming a new one soon, you may be thinking non-stop about the big sister or brother, and what they’re going to think about the new invader/playmate… And we’ve got a few tricks up our sleeves.

One tip that many parents employ is to give big sibling gifts from the new baby. Of course, if your children are old enough, they’ll realize it’s not actually from the baby. But it’s a fabulous way to create a positive first impression.

In this post:

• Big Sibling Gifts from the New Baby
• Big Sibling Gifts for Toddlers
• Big Sibling Gifts for Ages 3-6 (Preschool)
• Big Sibling Gifts for Ages 7-10 (School Age)

We like to give the older sibling(s) gifts in the hospital. However, when A was born, the siblings were unable to visit the hospital. So we “brought them back” from the hospital – as if A bought it from them at the hospital!

You can simply leave the gifts hidden in the trunk of your car and gift it that way.

Big Sibling Gifts from the New Baby

This list of big sibling gifts from the new baby is organized by age group. There’s definitely some overlap, and you’ll find it best to skim through other sections as well, however I did want you to be able to sort through it a bit more easily.

You’ll also find that some big sibling gifts from the new baby are directly related and some are simply nice, highly entertaining gifts to give at this stage.

Big Sibling Gifts for Toddlers

This is the trickiest age since they don’t really understand what’s going on – other than now mama’s not only mine. Of course, a gift alone won’t do the job but that’s what this is about. It’s a small part of creating the first positive association.

It also serves to pre-empt the fact that the new baby will be getting lots of new things. (On that note: I highly recommend adding items for the big sibling to your registry too!

A baby doll and gear

Go all-in with bottles and strollers, clothing and diapers for your child’s new baby doll. This helps show the nurturing aspect and will help the big sibling feel involved.

A toy camera

My children actually chose a camera rattle for A before she was born – and then ended up stealing it all the time for themselves! They see all the grown-ups taking photos of the baby and can “help” too. For the toddler stage, I recommend getting a toy camera that’s non-functional but that they can pretend with.

An Activity Subscription

The cool thing about gifting a subscription is that it keeps giving. And often, sibling jealousy gets worse as baby gets older starts doing things.

A monthly activity subscription covers a few bases: it entertains, it’s something special in the mail from baby, and the newness of it can last longer. For under 3 get Panda Crate (featuring toys and activity cards – learn more here) preschoolers (age 3-4) get Koala Crate, for ages 5-8 get Kiwi Crate, and other ages, get the line closest to their age/interest.

A personalized book

It’s all about making them feeling special, and there’s nothing quite like a personalized book to do the trick! M (age 8) still loves the one he got at age 2.5 when he first became a big brother. There are even special sibling versions you can opt for. But if you’re opting to name the baby after birth, any personalized book will make them feel special.

4 in 1 Trike or Stroller Wagon

If baby is going to take over your toddler’s gear, it’s best to wean him or her before the birth. But if it’s too late, or you can’t for whatever reason, you can also upgrade to something fun and cool such as a trike or wagon.

Make sure it’s something you’re willing to push as well!

Personalized Family Finger Puppets

While not a perfect portrait, this set of family-inspired finger puppets is not only a fabulous dramatic play toy, it’s also a great way for a toddler through preschool-aged big sibling to learn more about their new family structure, and to come to terms with their new position in the family through play.

Since it’s an Etsy seller, you can likely request any customization you’d like, including different family sizes. Here’s another fun option – this one is felt.

Big Sibling Gifts for Ages 3-6 (Preschool)

At the preschool age, a lot of how they act will depend on how attached they are to the parents. They can get jealous at this stage but it’s likely not as brutal. They can be involved more in baby’s care.

The big sibling gift from baby is still a fabulous bonding tool and a great way to preempt any hard feelings, especially if their position as the youngest is being usurped.

Playmobil Maternity Ward

This incredible new set from Playmobil is simply perfect for a newly minted big sibling to learn all about where mom is staying and baby care basics – perfect for ages 4-10! And in true Playmobil fashion, the attention to detail is incredible.

It’s perfect for kids who are a bit beyond the doll stage, or aren’t that into dolls, which tend to be the classic new baby gift. In fact, it’s just so much more engaging!

It includes tiny baby bottles and rattles, a mother, a nurse, and a swaddled baby, a bassinet and a baby scale and so much more. The bottles even have a baby warmer and the baby care table has a sweet little mobile!

This can be combined with other hospital themed sets to make a full hospital, or just play with it as a standalone toy.

A Kid’s Camera

For this age group, a camera that actually takes photos but is designed for kids is perfect. The KidiZoom Printcam can even print them out using thermal paper – so it costs pennies. It does come with games too, which will involve screen time but will also grant the new mom some sanity.

And it allows them to get involved with early memory-making for the kids. And you can even get them an album to go along!

A Big Sibling Kit

There’s nothing quite like unboxing a fun package, and this one is designed for big siblings! It’s got a few low key activities that double as entertainment, in the big sibling theme.

An Educational Tablet

Even if you’re the kind of parent that keeps screen time to a minimum, it was created for a reason. And if there’s any time it’s appropriate it’s as a postpartum sanity saver… So why not choose one that’s full of preschool games and activities, and turn it into a gift from baby? And it can still be limited to specific times.

Matching Big Brother or Sister Shirts

When A was born, I made Big Brother shirts for the boys and a Little Sister shirt for her. I also made M, the oldest, a “promoted to biggest brother” shirt and Y a “promoted to big brother” shirt. They were old enough to understand it – and young enough to still appreciate it. It helped form a kinship. If you’re a crafter, it’ll be fun to make with your Cricut.

If not, you can get them made up by an Etsy seller.

Building toys

In the coming days, it’s going to be a big blessing whenever your preschooler is highly engaged by a toy that is educational and productive. Screen time can’t happen all the time! Building toys such as Magformers or age-appropriate LEGO are timeless, classic hits.

Big Sibling Gifts for Ages 7-10 (School Age)

Jealousy is less of an issue at this stage, however giving a gift from baby is still a great tool to connect them to the new family member. They can be more helpful at this age, and rewarding them in advance for the new responsibilities they may face is a great approach to making this whole new experience exciting.

You can find more ideas in my list of best birthday gifts for 8 year old boys (and girls too, of course).

Low End Real Digital Camera

Again, your child will likely see everyone with cameras in baby’s face, so why not establish their position as one of the big ones by getting them a real camera? You can get them a photo album to go with it as well, so that they can keep memories of their time with their new sibling.

A Journal

And finally, my favorite gift – especially for older siblings: A big sibling journal for them to mark down memories, paste photos and more! It’s the perfect length, and attainable, fillable for kids who don’t love to write too. It’s full of meaningful things to jot down. It’s perfectly pairable with one of the camera options!

Pair it with some washi tape for pasting photos, some spare photo paper, some gel pens, or anything else that’s fabulous for journaling.

A more humorous and mature big/little sibling shirt

While your grade schooler might be a bit beyond the “big sister/brother” shirt stage, something like this “Did we just become best friends?” shirt can be quite adorable – especially when gifted by the baby!

Jewelry

A bit more mature than clothing, a pretty big sibling bracelet can be a super fun way to get an older sibling involved and feeling great about these changes.

A Comfy Beanbag Chair

When A was born, M really, really wanted to hold her. But he didn’t quite have the experience, so it was all sitting, pre-positioned holding only. Having a special cuddle zone where the big sibling can hold baby can be really special. And which 7-10 year old wouldn’t love a new comfy bean bag chair as a reading spot regardless?

You can include a fun note from baby as well, about how they hope they’ll spend lots of moments together.

A new watch

I feel like I’ve asked my son a zillion times while nursing the baby “what time is it?” Even though I wear a watch… It is a sweet gift regardless but also has a tie-in, making it a fabulous big sibling gift from the new baby.

A new hobby

A great way to occupy a school-aged child and a fabulous way to boost a healthy self-esteem, a hobby is a really great gift. This needs to be catered to the child. Get a new set of art markers for an artist, purchase a beginner jewelry making kit for the aspiring fashionista. More hobbies that can be gifted as beginner kits: polymer clay, STEM or model building kits, science experiment sets, cross-stitch, and more.

It can also be related to the baby – such as a Cricut Joy beginner set to allow them to make your thank you cards, custom bodysuits, or milestone blocks. Or, go for something like Annie’s Kit Club.

There are so many possibilities for big sibling gifts from the new baby – starting with their favorite things to do, and on to unique ideas that are big-sibling themed.

Whatever you get, remember that your child wants to know that you’re still there for them, and the small, low-energy things you do will make the biggest impact. Read them a book. Watch a movie together – their choice. Ask how their day was. Let them choose (takeout) dinner…

What are your favorite big sibling gifts from the new baby? Comment below!

The post Big Sibling Gifts from the New Baby appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

Enjoy these free printable stroller cards to help you while out and about with your kids! I hope my mom-to-mom tips for going out with kids of different ages helps you too. This post is sponsored by Ergobaby.

The joys of welcoming a new baby brings with it new adjustments, and one that was unique was going out with Y and Princess A together. Y is young enough to wander off, still needs help with buckling in, and is needy. Princess is, well, a baby.

Today I’m going to share with you a fantastic stroller that has really made “out and about” easier, along with some of my best tips for balancing going out with multiple young children. And finally, I illustrated some sweet stroller cards that I’m offering as a free printable!

What are stroller cards, you ask?

It’s kind of like a picture book, only in card format. It’s designed to be attached to the stroller so that you don’t lose it. This set is kind of like a scavenger hunt as well, with pictures of things you might see when out and about. And I’m going to share with you below why they are so awesome.

The Ergobaby Metro+ Stroller

Here’s the deal: When heading out with multiple kids, you need something you can handle on your own, but is super comfy, has space to toss things into the bottom, and doesn’t occupy your entire trunk. I know this because dealing with bulky strollers was really getting to me, until I tried this this one.

The Ergobaby Metro+ Stroller does all this. That means that Princess A can nap, while I focus on Y. It’s easy to take in and out with one hand, meaning I can hold Y’s hand while setting things up for A. The adjustable handlebar makes it comfortable for me. And the generous basket can hold all the snacks…

We took Princess A and Y out for a test walk the other day. A had fun in her new stroller, in her own words “lalalalal laaaa!” That’s singing in her world. She then proceeded to get cozy and in went the thumb. The soft, plush padding is absolutely my favorite stroller feature – it’s the most comfortable ultra-compact stroller. And the leg rest is adjustable. That means that combined with the flat recline A can really relax. Having a comfortable baby means that she’s content, and our trips out are so much more pleasant!

We are fortunate enough to live in a corner of New York City that has plenty of nature, and we love just walking around our neighborhood. I’m using this as a new everywhere stroller, even for local walks.

On that note, I need to mention that the stroll was so smooth. Those little wheels pack a powerful punch without taking over my car (or my tiny entry closet).

Survival Tips for Out ‘n About with Multiple Children

The past eight months have definitely been an adjustment, so I wanted to share some tips I’ve learned.

• Snacks are everything – Bring all the snacks. Bring three times what you think you’ll need. Don’t just bring snacks for your older kids! Bring energizing snacks for yourself as well. And if baby is of snacking age, bring for him or her as well.

• Comfort is also everything – Comfort for me means I have more energy. Comfort for my baby means she’s more likely to stay in the stroller. The Ergobaby Metro+ Stroller has a soft, plush padded cushioned seat, perfect for naps on-the-go. And an adjustable handlebar is more ergonomic for me.

• You’ll always need a free hand – That means that you’ll want to keep things as single-handed as possible. When going out with multiple kids, I always bring a diaper bag that has a comfortable shoulder strap, or a backpack, and I try to keep it from becoming too heavy. If it’s too heavy, I place it on the bottom of the stroller. The Ergobaby Metro+ Stroller’s single-handed fold means I can keep one hand free for Y or for holding Princess A.

• Have a system: Over time, we developed a system. I stop the car, open the doors (hooray for minivans and power doors!), set up the stroller, put in baby, wheel around to other door, let out the older sibling to hold on to the stroller. Sometimes Y does NOT cooperate with my best laid out plans. In that case, I tell him to hold onto the door handle OR to hold my hand as I set up the stroller.

• Speak in positives: Instead of telling your child “don’t run away”, tell your child what he or she SHOULD do. For example, telling a child to hold onto a specific spot of the stroller, or, as mentioned above, the door handle, can be very effective.

• Entertainment: If you’re running your own errands with kids (as opposed to going to the park or doing kid-friendly outings) they can get bored. These free printable stroller cards make perfect on-the-go entertainment. Y enjoyed finding the things pictured on the cards. He also named the images out loud for A.

• Enlist help: Children are more likely to cooperate if they feel helpful. I use this trick for M, who is seven. I put him in charge of things and he feels big and responsible. Y sometimes follows suit and helps as well.

Print and assemble the stroller cards

As promised, I created a set of stroller cards for you to download for free and print for yourself! I digitally illustrated these special for this post, with pictures of things you might find while out and about.

The idea is to entertain, and to take advantage of having multiple children to teach baby some language. Indeed, Y called out the images to A while out and about on our walks. The template features curved edges and I laminated it to make it more baby friendly.

I glued the cards back to back. You have twenty images so that makes ten cards. That is a lot – you can even do five cards (with ten images) and it’ll be highly entertaining.

I laminated them using 5 mil laminating sheets for durability and attached it to a toy tether, which you buy or DIY. It’s designed to work similarly to a board book that’s attached to the stroller so that you don’t have to keep track of it.

To download: enter your email address in the form below and submit. Your download will arrive in your inbox. By submitting your email address you’re consenting to receive email updates from me and me only. I will not share your information with anyone.

If you have any issues or need help, please reach out to me at menucha@momsandcrafters.com

 

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What are your favorite features of the Ergobaby Metro+ Stroller? Got any questions about it or tips for moms out and about with multiple children? Comment below!

This post is sponsored by Ergobaby.

The post Free Printable Stroller Cards & the Ergobaby Metro+ Stroller appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

I initially decided to share this information after struggling to potty train M and sarcastically posting on Facebook that I think I’m gonna share how NOT to potty train a kid. Or rather, “how to potty train your 3.5 year old in 5 months”. But then a few friends chimed in that they could really use realistic advice. You know, “learn from your mistakes” kind of advice.

Thousands have read this advice. Now, four and a half years later and two years after potty training my second son, I decided it’s time to update this advice with my new experiences. So here goes…

• How I eventually realized I was making potty training mistakes:
• 6 Common Potty Training Mistakes You’re Probably Making:
• Potty Training Mistakes #1: Not being consistent
• Potty Training Mistakes #2: Using disposable training pants
• Potty Training Mistakes #3: Using a potty seat or potty ring
• Potty Training Mistakes #4: Turning it into a power struggle
• Potty Training Mistakes #5: Starting too soon
• Potty Training Mistakes #6: Using only reward charts
• When your potty training mistakes are getting to you…

I was frustrated to say the least.

I read up on my advice.

I tried and tried.

Nothing was working.

My son was three years old plus some. We had tried before the baby was born. We had tried in the summer. And now the pressure was on – his preschool wanted him out of diapers, and he was the only one left.

I thought that the peer pressure – all his friends wear underwear – would help.

I thought that getting a BLUE potty seat would do the job and excite him.

I even thought (knew?) that going commando may help.

But something was obviously not working.

How I eventually realized I was making potty training mistakes:

After abandoning the advice I read online, after five months of trying, after making every mistake possible, M was finally fully trained. He was (is) even ready to night train! (Update: he night trained very soon after).

I took the opportunity to think back and reflect on what exactly I was doing wrong!

Here’s the thing: you’ll read all sorts of advice, amazing tips, and cool strategies for easy potty training two-year-olds over the weekend. And it may work for some.

Potty training is an individual formula – and that is one of the first and most critical potty training mistakes that many moms make!

So why am I writing this list?

Call it a “potty training troubleshooting guide”. Go through it. Figure out if that’s what’s holding your child back.

Oh, yeah, one more thing.

You are still an amazing mother if your child is NOT potty trained by three years. You are doing a great job! Potty training is not easy, but you’ve got this.

So, while I was joking about writing a blog post on “How to potty train your 3.5 year old in five months”, I decided to go forth and share some common mistakes that I made, and the solutions and ways around them.

6 Common Potty Training Mistakes You’re Probably Making:

Potty Training Mistakes #1: Not being consistent

You can’t potty train over the weekend if you’re not going to head straight into the week with the same agenda.

Potty training is really habit forming, so if you take a break, you’re interrupting the whole pattern. Even more so, your toddler probably won’t understand why or when he or she gets to wear diapers sometimes and not others.

BE CONSISTENT.

We wanted to send M to preschool fully trained and realized his teachers probably did NOT want to clean up his accidents.  But this was interrupting the whole flow. I was so frustrated that he was perfect on the weekends but during the week, when we’d change into underwear after school, he’d consistently have accidents.

Eventually I realized that this may be an issue.

When we eventually realized this, I took him to his preschool, brought him to the toilet a few times, and almost overnight he was fully trained. We traveled with him in underwear at that point – a two plus hour road trip! (Having a travel potty for backup definitely helped.)

But let’s backtrack a few steps in this process and go onto the next common potty training mistakes.

Potty Training Mistakes #2: Using disposable training pants

Here’s what you need to know about disposable training pants:

1. They feel just like diapers
2. They don’t hold a poop

When we felt like M was staying dry on the weekends, we sent him to preschool with his training pants. Well, he pooped straight up his back. I had to come in to clean him up. He was screaming the entire time.

Did I mention that it was pouring rain that day? That I didn’t have a car? And that I was wearing his little brother while doing all this? I got sick afterwards.

Training pants are great for when you don’t EXPECT your child to use it, but you want it as a backup. This applies to a FULLY TRAINED child who has already formed his toilet-going habits, and is used to going to the bathroom when he needs. We use it now during nap time, and it’s great for long road trips too. We also use it for night training once we have a few dry nights with a diaper, to make it easier for the child to go to the bathroom if they do need it.

A possible alternative if you feel you need it (which I have not tried, by the way, so I’m not vouching for it) is cloth training pants. These are pretty much underwear with extra padding, so there’s less to clean up if there’s an accident.

So why didn’t M just go to the bathroom that day if he had mostly formed this habit? Yeah, about that…

Potty Training Mistakes #3: Using a potty seat or potty ring

We didn’t have space for a potty seat (though I was drooling over some adorable ones) so I just went straight to a ring that sits on the seat. All went without hitch, until that fateful day mentioned above.

We learned the hard way that when your child gets used to a potty ring, you’re stuck. She will now be afraid of every toilet without a potty ring.

M was terrified of his school toilet. He is a very skinny boy, and he really can’t sit straight on the seat. Except that he can. He just needed to learn how to hold himself up with his hands. By now he doesn’t even need to.

In case you’re wondering, yes, he does sometimes try doing it standing, but that doesn’t work in all circumstances (note the blowout I had to clean above).

After our training pants episode, when I realized that he was afraid, I offered his teacher (who is an experienced mother herself) our spare potty ring. She did not want to start with it, and encouraged us to teach him to go without.

We literally had to train him from scratch. And he did not choose a good day for that.

So, while in some circumstances a potty ring can be a great transitional step, if you’re having trouble training your child, you might want to evaluate your own situation. If your child is in a place regularly with a toilet that does NOT have a ring, you’ll want to skip that step.

If M can do without, you child definitely can!

And here’s where I provide an update with Y: we made the same mistake twice. He has a more adaptable and social personality so he was easier to retrain, but yep, we had to retrain him to go without the potty ring again!

Potty Training Mistakes #4: Turning it into a power struggle

Once things don’t go straight and clean from the start, you head into power struggle zone.

I was actually aware of this from the start, so it was not the cause of most of our issues, but we did experience this some. There were two things that I tried to do consistently that helped us avoid the struggle (meaning, when I slacked on them, that’s when the power struggle set in.)

1. Step back- To some extent, potty training is hands-on. You need to stand behind your child and be there for him.  But we were guilty sometimes of asking him every second of the day if he needed to go. Your child needs to learn how to go on his own. Gently reminding a few times, at the very beginning of your training, is enough.

The biggest learning experience for your child is his accidents. Your child will naturally feel bad about it and want to do better.

Potty training will need to be an independent experience, this is a basic skill your child will need to be fully trained outside of the home as well.

2. Give choices – Do the words “I don’t WANNA wear underwear, I wanna diaper!” sound familiar? This is the sound of the initial excitement of the patterns on the underwear wearing off.

Giving a choice puts your child in control – even if both of the choices are exactly what you’re telling him to do…

“Do you want the Elmo underwear or the airplane one?” simply works better than “We’re wearing underwear, not a diaper”. You can even give your child the option of going bare-bottomed or wearing underwear. It’s surprisingly age appropriate.

Potty Training Mistakes #5: Starting too soon

Another thing we did wrong, way before all of the above incidents, was trying before the baby was born? M sat on the toilet and had no idea what to do. We tried a number of times.

Make sure that your child is really ready before you try to train. Here are some guidelines you can follow, since clearly I’m not an expert on this. Some people have told me that potty training in three days did work when they tried again later on, so if your child is very young you may want to try again later.

Potty Training Mistakes #6: Using only reward charts

Reward charts make a great incentive for potty training, however, at least in the beginning, you want an immediate incentive as well. Unless your child is thrilled with the concept of placing a sticker on a piece of paper, she is simply too young to understand the concept of future rewards.

Aim for immediate gratification.

All who know me know good and well how I feel about junk food. However, M has eaten so many chocolate chips and had so many lollies (our earlier poop treats), I no longer recognize myself and my parenting principles.

But hey! He’s trained…

Bigger prizes (read: new toys) were given as follows:

• First successful pee
• First successful poop
• First full day dry and clean
• First full day at preschool dry and clean
• Subsequent potty training charts that were used for smaller incentives.

Yes, I DID do charts as well. I used them for bigger prizes and to track our success. At first I gave him one sticker every time he TRIED to make in the toilet. We used another at the end to mark ten days totally dry – and after that we were good to go.

Charts were a HUGE part of our potty training system. They were, however, part of a system. I finally decided to share that system with you:

I can’t reshare this post without first sharing with you an essential tip we gained from training Y, our second child.

The best way to train is to let your child go bare-bottomed. Ever dealt with the frustration of your child peeing in the underwear the moment you give up after trying to sit on the potty for an hour?

Babies learn to hold things in when they’re uncovered, when you’re changing them, and let it out when they’re covered with their diapers. When you potty train, they need to reverse this. If your child is bare bottomed, eventually they’ll need to let go.

But Y did not want to go bare bottomed. He felt naked.

The solution ended up being putting on him his big brother’s shirts. Longer t-shirts helped him feel covered but not TOO covered. So if you’re having this issue, especially with boys who aren’t wearing dresses and skirts, it’s worth a shot!

When your potty training mistakes are getting to you…

Remember the following:

1. Potty training is extremely hard. Mom friends have told me it’s the worst part of parenting. That might sound extreme, and maybe it is, but regardless, it’s hard enough to make moms say that.
2. You’re not alone. Most moms are announcing things they are proud of. They’re not broadcasting that their 3+ year old is now trained. They’re not announcing their potty training mistakes, because they’re not proud of them. Most bloggers who offer you tips are only doing so when they feel successful at it. Not when they struggled as well. But dare I say that the majority of moms struggle?
3. The job you are doing potty training your child is NOT  a measuring tape for how good a mother you are. How much  you love your children, how much effort you invest in them, how much you care when things get difficult. If you’re read until here, you clearly care.
4. Finally, when you’ve successfully trained your child reward yourself. You deserve it.

Do you know of any common potty training mistakes to add to the list? Do you have any other tips to offer struggling moms? Comment below – and be nice 😉 !!

The post Common Potty Training Mistakes appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

I originally published this post when M was a baby, in 2014, and it was one of the first posts on my fledgling blog that was read by many. As a woman with a voice, with a following, I measure my words carefully, as I am required to do.

That’s why, with my third child now six months old, with much more experience gained, I feel the need to re-approach this article.

There’s also something the kids’ pediatrician said the other day, during Princess A’s six month well visit. He asked about my blog, how it’s going, if it’s still going strong. And he said “you can really help people”. And I realize that’s true – and that carries with it a responsibility.

So while I try to keep things here more lighthearted, I’m going to approach a subject that is the cause of so much angst for so many moms: breastfeeding.

I don’t know why it’s like that. I think that most mothers want to do whatever they can to give their kids only the best, at whatever cost. And we sometimes ask ourselves: what cost is worth it? Breastfeeding is such a sensitive subject, and yet, I feel the need to discuss this.

Before I share actual breastfeeding tips, I need to share my experience and my history with breastfeeding.

My breastfeeding story

All three of my children started out receiving formula and transitioned to breastfeeding.

I will repeat.

All three of my children transitioned from BOTTLE to BREAST.

I say this because it’s critical for moms to understand that bottle feeding in the first few days is not a breastfeeding death sentence.

I will also say that with my third child, I had the maturity to understand that there was a point where the correct decision might have been to stop breastfeeding, as the extreme pain had a serious impact on my mental health. I remind mothers out there: mental health is real health.

However, I didn’t know what to do with all that milk so I continued trying…

M’s delivery was extremely traumatic. He was too weak and lethargic to latch. We had to wake him for feedings – he wouldn’t cry at all. We bottle fed him, and, starting with a nipple shield, eventually transitioned him. He was also jaundiced, and so we followed medical advice and gave him formula.

I still attempted to breastfeed him, and so, while all feeding (bottle and breast) was touch-and-go, he was breastfed for fifteen months.

Y had low blood sugar when he was born. The hospital encouraged bottles, however he didn’t really take them.

Every time they checked, his numbers were still low, and he had tremors. They really pushed me to give bottles (I wasn’t resistant to it – he just wasn’t taking them nicely). Eventually they offered me an ultimatum: next time they check, if his numbers are still low, he’s going straight to the NICU. So make sure he takes that bottle.

And make sure I did. He drank two ounces, and tested well the next time. We continued to bottle feed until I really had enough milk. We then transitioned smoothly, again, using a nipple shield as a tool, and eventually weaning him from that. Had I not bottle fed him initially, he could have suffered seizures and worse.

At one point, I had thrush, and again, in hindsight maybe I should have quit due to how it impacted my mental health, but I didn’t. He breastfed until nine months old, when my supply dwindled. He was sick a lot, and each time he didn’t eat nicely, causing my supply to decrease further.

Princess A just needed more. For her first 24 hours, she was fine with whatever I had, but then she cluster fed through the entire night, still crying, until I was crying to the hospital staff to give me a bottle for her…

My milk didn’t come in until close to a week after she was born. Had I not insisted on giving her formula, she could have dehydrated or worse!

I did try breastfeeding throughout, giving her a bottle only after breast, but giving her that bottle after every feed. I won’t go through every nightmare with her, as that’s a subject for another time, but eventually she did transition to breast, and, at six months, she is my best breastfeeder.

I share these stories only to encourage those of you who are actively seeking out breastfeeding tips not to take extreme measures and to understand that formula is a lifesaving invention.

However, since you want to give breastfeeding a good go, I am happy to share some tried and true mom-to-mom breastfeeding tips.

These tips go in order of my struggles, with some of them targeted toward any problems you might have. They are also designed to help you make it easier on yourself, so that you’re more likely to stick to it.

I started off with newborn issues, such as latching and a weak suck, and went on to tummy problems, and restlessness. I dealt with thrush, vasospasm, nipple confusion, and more.

One thing I must note: the main thing is that your baby is fed! If you feel like your baby is not gaining weight, always discuss your concerns with the pediatrician. The end goal is a fed baby, not a breastfed baby – remember that! Fed is Best is a fantastic resource for baby feeding education. They are pro breastfeeding and pro formula feeding and that is not a contradiction.

Is breastfeeding for you?

Again, I cannot responsibly share breastfeeding tips before addressing that it’s simply not the only way to be a fantastic mother. I also can’t answer that question for you. You need to be honest with yourself, at every point of your journey. You need to discuss concerns with your pediatrician, with your partner, and if you can with a mentor who truly cares for you.

You are not, in any way, an inferior mother if you don’t breastfeed – even if it’s not because you can’t.

You are not “taking the easy way out”. It’s a pain in the butt to prepare bottles.

Parenting is never easy.

Choose what’s best for your baby and family, and discuss all your feeding decisions with your pediatrician.

These breastfeeding tips are for moms who have decided to breastfeed, have a good supply of milk, and are struggling to make that connection.

Another point: it helps to have a connection with a mental health professional who is a good match for you.

Breastfeeding Tips For the Early Days

1. Seek advice but adapt it to your needs

I’ve gotten advice in all forms. Some was from loved ones, some from experts. Even some of the expert advice was simply not tailored to me.

You know yourself best, and sometimes what an expert might tell you simply might not apply to you,  especially when you hear contradictory advice. You’ll need to choose which to follow according to your needs.

When I first tried to nurse, I held my baby in the most natural position for me. The nurses and lactation consultants who were helping me at the time told me that I should hold my baby a different way – it’ll help us get started.

I was endlessly frustrated, as the different position felt awkward and still wasn’t working. I kept trying this failing technique until another nurse came by and told me that that second position is great for larger women, but for a small women like myself, I should try the original position.

So sometimes following your gut actually works.

2. Try a Nipple Shield

This advice is a perfect example of the point above. Many will say it’s a great tool for breastfeeding. Many people have told me that it takes away from the natural feel and dynamic of breastfeeding. When we live in a world where moms are not only required to breastfeed, but to do it in the “perfect way” – without the use of fantastic tools – we are failing these new moms.

I was handed a Medela nipple shield while trying to get M to latch. While it did not solve the issue of a weak suck, it took us over the hurdle of latching. I can say with confidence that if not for that, I would not have been able to nurse him. This took us through multiple breastfeeding issues with Y as well.

When Princess A was a baby the hospital lactation consultant was extremely disparaging toward nipple shields. I believe that’s why I suffered so much pain later in the game, as I found it to help provide a “buffer” with nipple confusion.

I highly recommend it for babies with latching issues. It did make breastfeeding less convenient, and weaning is a process. We did successfully wean both boys from the shield by three months.

3. Don’t Let them Discourage You!

Sometimes, people will sincerely tell you things like “it should be easy”or, “breastfeeding should come naturally.” I’ve also gotten,  “infants will make their way to the breast on their own.”

Any number other things that may have been true for them might only be true for you in your dreams. Try to filter out these comments. You know your own struggle. Anyone who’s been through it knows it.

It’s not as easy as they make it out to be. Validating your struggles is critical to your own mental health, and can empower you to do it.

4. Let them Encourage You!

While you’re filtering out the unhelpful comments, make sure you absorb the helpful ones. Don’t just absorb them – let them lift you up!

I had the never ending support of my mother and my husband, plus some other friends and family members, who stood by me, helping me out. My mother celebrated every milestone – whether it was a breastfeed a day, or completely weaning him from the nipple shield.

 I was on a hot bus with M, who was screaming, and we were stuck in traffic. A group of women sitting next to me insisted on holding up blankets for me so that I can breastfeed more comfortably. These little things kept me going.
 

Breastfeeding Tips for the Transitioning Stage

5. Appreciate that it’s a process that doesn’t happen overnight

The first few days postpartum tend to pass in a blur. Personally, I felt out of control then. I had a difficult birth, and was so focused on my pain, anything that happened was very passive. So, despite my best intentions, for the first few days, baby hardly got a drop of breast milk.

But I knew I wanted to nurse. And so, I gradually started switching out a feeding at a time. Breastfeeding can be exhausting, and when you’ve started on bottles, making the switch can be challenging.

With M, at first I did one breastfeeding a day. Then we went to every third feeding, then every other, and then a few weeks in, he was getting a formula bottle a night. Eventually I started pumping for his nighttime feedings, as I still wanted the extra sleep that having a “Daddy feed” gave me. (I highly recommend a good breast pump if you are transitioning! I have this one and love it.)

6. Give Yourself Privacy

In the days when I was first struggling to get the right position, and later when the crying stage kicked in, I found that having absolute privacy was a must. We see all those breastfeeding advocates who seem to just whip out the nips with no concerns, but, especially in those first days, some of us are simply more private. There’s no shame in that!

Trying to struggle under a blanket, or even just trying to be somewhat discreet can only complicate manners. Giving myself space really helped; whether it was simply requesting that those in the room leave, or not look, or going into the privacy of my own bedroom. It also took off the pressure in a MAJOR way.

Eventually, baby and I gained the skills to be able to breastfeed under a swaddle blanket. Nursing tops will really help later in the game as well.

Breastfeeding Tips for the Screaming Baby

7. Try to Make Tummy Feel Good 

In the days when M would go hysterical at every feeding, we eventually decided that it was tummy issues. That was affirmed when it stopped happening regularly soon after the three month mark (which is when many will say the typical newborn stomach aches go away).

I helped sooth it while feeding which did calm him a little (it’s all the small things combined that made a difference.)

I held him slightly upright – so his legs were lower than his head. I also pushed his legs up to his tummy, which helped release gas and soothe the tummy.

8. Rock Baby if Things Get Desperate

I know, its hard enough to nurse without having to rock your baby. But when nothing else worked, sometimes actually standing and swaying while feeding helped. Yes, it was exhausting. Sometimes we even gave a bottle when he needed this – that way Daddy can help. (You can pump, of course, if you’re exclusively breastfeeding).

I did not have a rocking chair. I wish I had one at the time. I HIGHLY recommend this, as it can solve this one issue. Sitting and rocking the baby can provide the movement that is key to soothing. With A I had one and it was really a game changer.

9. Keep Pumped Milk Handy

While many associate pumping milk with having others feed the baby, it’s a great tool in general to maintain breastfeeding. When baby seemed impossible to feed, yet was hysterically hungry, we sometimes managed to “force” in an ounce or two from a bottle that helped calm him down, so that he can actually breastfeed.

Another advantage to pumping: it’ll help keep up your milk supply, even if you’re missing a feeding here and there. I did not have an easy time with pumping, so I did it at the time of the missed feeding. This helped with letdown (I was missing nursing the baby), plus, my supply was at its best then.

Tip: Use an electric pump for missed feedings. A manual breast pump can become very tiring. Also, it gave me a repetitive stress injury (tendinitis), which affected my general ability to care for my baby (I couldn’t lift him!)

You don’t need a double pump, especially if you’re only pumping once or twice a day. Relax with a movie or book, don’t rush the process, and try to enjoy it. However, if you find it stressful, a double pump does the work twice as fast when used with a pumping bra.

Another lifesaver I only had with A – the inexpensive Haakaa pump! When I say not to use a manual pump, I am not talking about this. This lifesaver is not only much more ergonomic to use as an actual pump, it also serves as a milk catcher while breastfeeding the other side. If I use it for the first two feeds of the day, I get a whole “free” bottle of breast milk! One of the best breastfeeding tips that is truly a game changer is to use the Haakaa pump to build up your stash.

10. DON’T STRESS!!!

Do you find that whenever someone yells at you not to be so stressed out, the stress starts mounting? Yup, I’ve got the same issue. And it doesn’t take much to stress me out. But I definitely saw a connection between my stress levels and baby’s willingness to nurse. Babies can sense a mother’s stress levels and it can cause problems.

Right before our big move from Jerusalem to New York, my baby had one of his hysteria phases. As  you can imagine, that was just what I didn’t need. Of course my stress levels were skyrocketing then. Very soon after the move – possibly the first feeding – that phase ended.

While I can probably write a whole new post on ways to minimize stress, I’ll simply try to offer a few small tips:

First, don’t sit and worry about whether baby will or won’t agree to eat. Try to put yourself in a frame of mind that’s focused only on providing for him, and leave baby’s end up to him.

Also, distraction can help when things are rough. Read a little. Listen to calming music. Don’t put all your focus and worries on feeding. You can start the relaxation process before you start feeding as well.

Breastfeeding Tips for Specific issues

11. Distraction – remove distractions and give something to keep baby focused

My baby was active from the start. By the start, I mean about sixteen weeks into my pregnancy when I started feeling movement. Since then he’s been constantly in motion. To this day, he sometimes finds it hard to relax for a meal.

My almost foolproof solution is to bring his favorite lovie or toy to the feeding. I touch the soft blanket to his cheek and he right away relaxes. Throughout the feeding, I snuggle him with blanket or doll and he almost always stays put.

This helps even more if you remove distractions.

That seems to be the obvious answer when that’s the issue, but sometimes it’s hard to find exactly what it is. I’ve found that a dark room helps. Having Daddy in the room doesn’t.

So we close the door, make the room dark, and sometimes even give him something he likes to hold – such as a book, or my glasses. This helps him focus  on that one thing, and makes him more ready to nurse. (Update: at seven, M is still easily distracted!)

12. Diagnose Pain

Breastfeeding can be painful and I think that’s what gets many moms to give up on it. And no mom should have to breastfeed through excruciating pain.

However, diagnosing the pain can make a world of a difference, especially if, like me, you are struggling to stop. With Y my pain was caused by thrush, and fixing that helped. With A, nipple vasospasm was the cause. Treating it was as simple as keeping it warm and taking supplements.

A doctor can often prescribe an APNO ointment which targets a few problems at once.

A few tools that helped me breastfeed

I’m summarizing the top tools, although I did mention some of these above. Some of these made all the difference.

1. Nipple shield – saved my breastfeeding by M and Y
2. Haakaa pump – saves milk without much effort
3. Lanolin – I used a few tubes in A’s first months
4. Thick cloth nursing pads – these helped keep me warm when I had vasospasm (I used them with disposable pads as I had this issue when I was too leaky for the cloth alone)
5. APNO – you’ll need a doctor to prescribe this

M nursed until he weaned himself at the age of 15 months. It’s simply mind-boggling, considering the issues we dealt with.

Gosh, breastfeeding is tough. Kudos to all the moms who have done it, and to all the moms who knew when the right time was to stop…

You’re doing great mama!

Did these tips help you? Share your own breastfeeding tips in the comments below!

The post 12 Mom to Mom Breastfeeding Tips appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

First time mom or third timer, there is an overwhelming amount of “brilliant baby gadgets” out there that can be overwhelming.
But there are some devices that are so brilliant, that many people wish they’d have known about these best baby products by their previous babies. Or maybe they didn’t exist then…
Either way, the goal of this post is to share with you those “most-used items”, the ones that both me and other parents felt made parenting easier at moments we really needed it.

This post focuses on the more affordable items that are no-brainer, easy buys. All of these can be purchased for under $25/piece, so even if you can’t swing it now, it’s worth an add to the registry. I hope to tackle which luxury items another time.

Update: I now also published a list of luxury baby gear that are worth the splurge – also all mom-to-mom recs of which items were most used and worth it!

These also make a fantastic “parenting savior” gift basket, and fantastic affordable gift ideas for the mom who has everything!

They are perfect for gifting to people without registries, treating yourself, or adding to a baby shower gift. These are the best baby products, that moms really used to the max and got good value out of.

Many of these best baby products are items that I purchased myself for the “third baby who doesn’t need anything”. I’m relatively frugal, but some things are worth the spend. That’s what this list is about.

These gift ideas for the mom who has everything are sorted by price category – $10 and under, and $25 and under. However, prices are variable. I put it in the lowest category you can buy it, however many typically come in assortment packs or with accessories, in upgraded versions and brands. So if your budget is a little higher, just shop accordingly!

Note: all prices are estimates and are subject to change. Please check updated price before purchasing.

Best Baby Products under $10:

At under $10 these gift ideas for the mom who has everything is perfect for splurging on yourself

My favorite tried-and-true baby products

Want some tried and true ideas? These were all purchased for my 3 babies, and have become essential must-haves!

1. Formula dispenser – $4+

Formula feeding – even occasionally?! I discovered this with my second baby and got a second one to have handy with my third. This brilliant little container has three sections for pre-measured formula. It’s designed to toss into your diaper bag and just pour right into the bottle – no clumsy measuring when you’re on the go.

This is so much better than other pre-measuring solutions because the opening is just the right size, so you don’t make a mess and you can get out the whole portion. You can also get single-section versions that, again, have the right size opening. With M I used Ziploc bags and it was a mess!

Now, with Princess A, I got another so I can have one at home and one in the diaper bag. While she only gets the occasional formula feed, it’s still worth having, so when my husband wakes up at night to feed her, or I am giving her a bottle on the go, prep is quick and easy. We also pair it with a bottle that’s filled with pre-measured water.

2. Oxiclean – $7+

This might not quite be specifically a baby product, but it’s saved many a baby outfit! Baby blowouts happen and Oxiclean powder is a fantastic way to treat it. Put it in the wash for clothing that you’re washing immediately. If the stain sat a little, soak it. I’ve literally had poop soaked bodysuits sitting in an inch of water with Oxiclean, came back two hours later, to find it completely gone.

3. Muslin Swaddle Blanket – $8+:

My sister in law bought me one of these very large muslin swaddles for my first, and I learned to use it as a swaddle.
With subsequent children it became essential for me to have a few handy. I use it for:

• Discreet breastfeeding. It’s breathable, and I can go under it completely in the front seat of my car, with guests around, etc, while I get her going. Then I can tuck it around her, exposing her face but covering myself.
• Covering her stroller while out and about, as some measure of germ protection and to protect from the hustle and bustle
• As an extra layer to tuck around her when out in the cold
• As photo background. It has enough to it to crinkle up in places for a natural look.

4. Baby Banana Magical Unicorn Toothbrush

Tooth brushing is all about building good habits, and so why not start when baby is little? Baby Banana has been making silicone baby toothbrushes that soothe the gums for a while. M had one when he was little) and now A just loves her Magical Unicorn version!

Gifts other moms recommend under $10

Because my knowledge of baby products is limited to what I’VE experienced, I’ve asked other moms what those “little genius parenting stuff” THEY tried and can’t live without are.

Here are some that were consistently recommended:

5. Diaper Cream Applicator – applying diaper rash ointment is kinda icky! This applicator makes spreading it much more pleasant.

6. Dr. Browns formula pitcher – to feed baby clumpy formula or to shake it and give baby gas? Dr Brown’s formula pitcher mixes up to 32 oz (4×8 oz bottles) at a time, clump free, without making bubbles.

7. Self feeder – fantastic for first-time eaters, a self-feeder can be a sanity saver!

Best baby products under $25

Still at a very affordable price range, these best baby products all cost under $25 and are worth every last penny!

My favorite innovative, convenient baby products

Once again, these are the ones that I personally own and love, and would buy again and again in a blink.

8. Haakaa pump – $16+
This clever little device is a manual pump, but not like the nightmarish ones you might have tried. It uses suction to attach to the breast hands-free, and you squeeze the bulb to extract milk. This is something that either didn’t exist or didn’t know about with my first two but when I saw it while expecting Princess A I knew I had to have it.

Here’s what’s so amazing about it:

• It’s really easy to operate as opposed to other manual pumps, where the direction of the pump is awkward. I also don’t get repetitive stress injuries with the Haakaa like I did with regular manual pumps.
• It’s so cheap! But the quality is fantastic.
• It’s one piece to clean quickly with a bottle brush.
• It’s small enough to toss into a diaper bag for some quick relief if you’re bottle feeding while out and about
• And the best part, the reason I got it: you can attach it to the other side while nursing to collect extra letdown. It does pull some out with the suction but mostly it catches the “extra” milk. Using it during the first 2-3 feedings of the day gets me an easy bottle with almost no extra effort! It’s hands free as it stays on on its own using suction.

The only downside is that if you don’t get it on in the right position it can be a bit painful. But otherwise, moms swear by it. I purchased it because of the recommendation of other moms and I’m passing that message along

9. Goumi Baby Booties – $18

I tried getting “good socks” that don’t fall off. They still fall off (unless you put them over the ends of the pants, which only works sometimes.)
I tried many brands of booties. Some don’t stay on. Some are too bulky. Some are odd shapes. The Goumi booties style is the only one that worked for me consistently. They close around the ankle, providing a reliable stay-on fit, a must for winter babies!

There ARE a few other brands in similar styles that worked. I hope to share a comparison post one day since I tried so many brands – and it does end up adding up. But meanwhile here’s a quick summary in order of preference:

• Goumi – the best in quality and fit per my tests
• Zutano – I like that this snaps, but it ran very small (and others that I ordered with it worked) so I returned it. I used this with Y and they were fantastic.
• Burts Bees – this one snaps too and I’d like it even more than the Goumi. The only drawback is that it’s bulky around the ankle. But we use this and love it too.
• Hudson Baby and Luvable Friends– a more affordable option, but I’ve only found it in fleece and quilted. I don’t love the bulk for everyday indoor use. They work so I have them as spares.
• Sawimlgy, Timatego, HsdsBebe, etc – there are many that look like they’re modeled after the Zutano brand but are much cheaper. They’re all similar and probably created by the same manufacturer. I ordered these and they’re very wide, awkwardly thick and I very much do not recommend them.
  

Goumi mitts are also highly recommended as a stay-on option for baby mittens.

10. Snotsucker – $15+

Okay, it’s gross but it totally works. Put the end in baby’s nose, suck on the other end, and you’ll get that nostril clear in one shot. You can get it with saline (recommended as it softens those boogies and makes them easier to get out.) Don’t worry, there’s a filter between you and snot and it comes nowhere near you.
Y’s pulmonologist recommended him when postnasal drip was causing asthma attacks. It works like a charm – no more try after try with the bulb syringe.

11. Velcro Swaddles – starting at $20/3

Forget wrapping even the awesome huge swaddle blankets linked above around your baby. We use those for everything BUT swaddling.

Swaddling baby the right way can make mom’s night, which really sets the tone for the day too. If baby sleeps well, mom sleeps well.

To swaddle baby, we use “pre-wrapped” swaddles. For Y, we loved the Ollie Swaddle. For A we mostly used this style, but also love the Halo Swaddle sleepsacks.

Other moms swear by these swaddles:

• Love to Dream swaddle – Sometimes baby seems to want their hands up while swaddled. This swaddles allow babies to sleep in the preferred self-soothing hands up position, while still swaddling them enough to prevent the startle reflex. They have a transition version too.
• Sleepea – These are made by the famous makers of the incredible (and expensive) Snoo bassinet – but much more affordable! A single zip that promotes healthy hip development and is designed by a pediatrician. Features include breathable mesh to prevent overheating, an inner band that prevents baby from wiggling out, 2 way zipper for diaper changes, and even a quiet Velcro so baby doesn’t wake from the loud sound.

Other moms recommended best baby stuff

12. Bath Kneeler and Elbow Pads – Get rid of bath time aches with this super cool comfort tool!

13. VAVA lamp – you need something easy for night feeds. This night light has touch controls on top so you don’t need to find the switch. Features: timer (for use as a kids’ night light when you’re done with night time feeds), light temperature controls, rechargeable battery.

14. Happiest Baby on the Block – This book from the maker of the Snoo bassinet and the Sleepea swaddles above is a fantastic resource for better sleep for mom and baby.

15. Diaper clutch – an easy, more portable alternative to a diaper bag, this is also fantastic for keeping around the house for quick changes outside of baby’s nursery. Get one that can hold basic changing supplies.

What are your best baby products you couldn’t live without? Is there something so brilliant you’d love to share – or do you have feedback on any of the above? Comment below!

The post The Best Baby Products on a dime! appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

Princess A is here and is the highlight of all that we’ve been through this year. Whew!

When we first broke the news to the boys during very turbulent times, we explained how things will work when it’s time for the baby to be born – that the baby is born at the hospital, where Mommy stays for a couple of days.

Y was very worried. “Who will keep us safe?” We told them that they’ll be staying with their aunt and uncle. Since I tend to give birth a little early, I packed a big sibling suitcase a month in advance, so that Y can see that all his things were prepared.

But I sneaked a few “extras” in.

I wanted to share with you today a few tips for packing a big sibling suitcase for their stay with a relative while you give birth. Some are absolutely necessary, some are “good to have”. I don’t necessarily recommend packing light, since having creature comforts during a difficult time for kids can make a big difference.

What you’ll pack will also depend on the age and stage of the child. I tried to include these variables.

And finally, at the end of the post, you’ll find a free printable packing list for big brothers and sisters (they’re the same – just two different designs, and one says “big brother” one says “big sister…)

It has extra space to add your own items in and serves as an easy starting point, complete with a “last minute” list of things that you’ll need up until you leave. You’ll want to pack those on the way out. You can cut off this portion after you’ve packed.

What to pack for the big siblings when mom & dad go to the hospital to give birth:

When parents need to go to the hospital, they need to know what to pack for their children to keep them entertained and busy throughout their stay with a sitter. If you are not sure what to pack and bring along with you for your children, check out this list of must-have items that will indeed come in handy. There is a good chance that you will spend at least three days in the hospital after giving birth, including the day that you are in labor (in 2020 it may be only two days). Therefore, it is best to pack a bag full of items for your kids to last for those three days.

Day 1

Outfits

If your child is picky with clothing, make sure to choose something that they’ll wear willingly. Keep in mind weather variations if you’re dealing with Spring or Fall. You might want to include two options, or just toss in some layers, such as hoodies. And if you’re dealing with a young child, you’ll want to include a spare outfit for each day. For older kids, just one spare works.

Diapers and wipes – or undies!

Bring as many diapers as you think you might need for your toddler. It is better to pack extra than to run out. As a parent, you may know how often your child typically needs to have their diaper changed, so add a few diapers to that number just to be on the safe side.

For a recently toilet-trained child, you may want to include a potty seat, and you’ll want to include lots of spare underwear, as well as a wet bag to put them into.

Older kids can just come with one spare pair – just in case!

Drawing Pad With Pencils and Crayons… and other activities

If your child will be staying somewhere that’s not totally kid-friendly, pack things to keep them busy. Including new, fresh items will really catch their attention. I recommend scouring the Dollar Tree, Target’s Bullseye Playground, and local discount stores for cool ideas. You can see some of the small activities I packed for our plane rides here – many of there are also perfect for your child’s stay with a relative.

Even something as simple as a new drawing pad, pencils, and crayons can keep kids entertained. You can get your children to draw pictures of their new sibling or the entire family with the new baby included. It is a stress-free activity that keeps the kids entertained. As a bonus, you get to keep the beautiful artwork and hang it up in your home.

Kid-Friendly Snacks

Pack plenty of kid-friendly snacks. Granola bars (I get these allergy-friendly Kosher ones), fruit snacks (we live on these fruit leathers), crackers, and apple sauce pouches are all great options. Pack the snacks that you know your children will enjoy, to make things easier on them and their sitter. They will get bored and hungry during their visit, and they may be thrown off kilter a little, so it is best to be prepared with some familiar snacks.

Day 2

Big Sibling T-Shirt

Since you’re packing an outfit for every day, you might as well pack something that will allow your kids to own their new status!

Get your children excited by having them wear big sibling t-shirts. These shirts are perfect for the children to wear when the new baby arrives because it lets them know that they have been promoted to big brother or big sister.

I made these shirts for the boys using my Cricut Joy. I use my Cricut machines (the Maker too) more than ever with the arrival of our princess – if you want to give yourself a baby gift it’s the perfect one! The design was created by Cricut and I modified one to make a biggEST brother shirt for M.

You can also find some pretty cool big sibling shirt designs on Etsy.

Busy Bags

You can never have too many activities packed for your kids! There are lots of things that you can put in the busy bags, including puppets, mini coloring books, and sticker books. Paint by Sticker books are perfect for older kids.

Sandwiches, frozen foods, favorite sandwich bread:

Pack your children’s favorite sandwiches – or the sandwich bread they prefer – for them to eat while they stay with a relative. Keep in mind that the person they are staying by might not have the right bread for your picky kids, and if one of your kids has a food allergy, you may need to be even more specific. We grabbed a loaf of the one bread the kids eat on a whim and it was a lifesaver.

We also put some frozen pizza bagels into our relative’s freezer in advance. While my sister in law knows how to cook for our kids, it’s a good idea to make things a little easier, offer a food your kids are familiar with, and it’s essential if you’re sending your kids to someone who is not used to cooking for them.

Books:

You can choose big sibling books or other meaningful books! They are a great idea because they are very entertaining, slim to pack, and very useful after too! You can never have too many books….

Here are some we packed in their bags or love for this purpose:

• To the Moon and Back for You
• The World Needs More Purple People
• Little Critters – the New Baby
• 15 Things Not to do with a Baby
• The Berenstain Bears’ New Baby

Day 3

Going Home Outfit

The first meeting with a big sibling is a fantastic photo opp. You may want to plan in advance to coordinate outfits with the baby – either with big sibling shirts, or something dressier.

I made these matching sibling shirts for the kids using my Cricut Maker too.

Baby Doll or similar:

When Y was born, we got M a baby doll. When Princess A was born, I knew exactly what my kids do with dolls (they throw them around). Instead, I put a Pound Puppy Newborn that I got in my Sweet Suite swag box. Y loved it – it has a diaper that comes off, it’s cozy (Y loves cozy things) and it’s soft so it won’t injure anyone when thrown around.

Whatever you choose to do, this is a fantastic way to include your older child in the nurturing process – without involving an actual vulnerable human.

More to consider adding to your big sibling packing list:

Bathing suit for baths:

If your kids are too little to shower themselves, but too big to be bathed by someone other than parents, you can pack a bathing suit. Teach them in advance how to clean underneath it and let the relative know the plan. We talk about personal safety all the time with our kids and it would be a shame to give conflicting messages.

Kids actually do NOT need to bathe every day, and they’ll be fine skipping the bath too. This is a good idea if you really don’t want to skip it. You can also pack the toiletries that they’re familiar with in travel sizes, especially if they are sensitive to some toiletries.

Comfort items – blankies, etc.

Don’t forget that blankie if you know what’s good for you! Seriously!

Again, this time more than ever, having the comforts they’re familiar with is so important.

Personal hygiene items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc.

This is a last-minute item too, unless you get a spare set (something you might want to consider).

Medications with written instructions:

Don’t forget: inhalers, epi-pens, daily allergy meds, or whatever it is your child needs. If your child carries an epi-pen, I recommend an advance training session, or at least including the trainer pen and requesting that they give it a try as soon as possible. Don’t forget the FARE allergy care plan if you have a copy. Medications should really be discussed in advance, but just in case, include a written instruction sheet as well.

Outerwear and shoes:

If it’s cold out, you’ll want to have outerwear on your last minute list. Shoes should be written down as well. You might find yourself pulling kids out of bed in a hurry to rush to the hospital (ask me how I know….) Since kids are safest in their car seats without coats, you’ll want to make sure you don’t forget them. And if you’re carrying sleeping kids out, you can easily forget those shoes.

A final consideration: leave booster or car seats with the relative in case they need to go out (we even considered leaving the minivan but ended up just leaving car seats). Make sure they know how to get into your house (leave a house key and/or any codes they need) just in case.

Pack the right clothes, food, diapers, and activities for your children when leaving them with a relative so that you can go and give birth in peace. By doing so, you can make sure your children have food to eat, comfortable clothes to wear, and plenty of activities to keep them entertained. Leaving them with the things they are familiar with can help ease the transition.

Download the free printable big sibling packing list here

You’ll get a ZIP folder with two separate PDF files: one for big sisters and one for big brothers. Find instructions for unzipping here if you don’t know how to do this.

 

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What do you include on your big sibling packing list? Comment below! And make sure you check out the best baby products that are sanity-saving solutions I wish I’d known about sooner! They are all under $25, some even under $10

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