At 19 months old, my daughter has the appetite of a fully grown adult. She eagerly downs adult-sized plates of nutritious foods without complaint. How? I owe it all to baby-led weaning (also known as BLW). My husband and I don’t make a habit of spoon-feeding our child, and we’ve never bought baby food. From the beginning, she’s eaten what we eat—all on her own—within reason. Before I get into baby-led weaning and why I think it’s the savior of picky eaters everywhere, let me stress that BLW is a decision you should make after talking with your pediatrician. It may or may not be a suitable introduction to solid foods for your child.
So what exactly is baby-led weaning?
Typically babies start eating solid foods around 4-6 months by being spoon-fed purees. Slowly, they build up to chunkier foods until they graduate to solids. Babies learn to swallow food first and chew later.
With baby-led weaning, babies start no earlier than six months with soft solid foods cut into finger-length spears. Think watermelon, avocado, bananas, cooked veggies, or stewed meat.
Babies are allowed to experiment—i.e., play—with what they eat. Manipulating food teaches them how to deal with different tastes and textures, and how to bite or mash food into swallowable pieces.
Is BLW healthy?
Yes! The onus is on families eating well-balanced meals and sharing those meals with their children.
There are a few things to keep in mind though:
Foods need to be low in salt and sugar, and as with any infant under one, no honey.
While it can take babies a while—up to a few weeks—to swallow anything, they receive the nutrients they need via formula or breastmilk.
Parents can incorporate a mix of BLW and purees, but we opted to stick to a strict BLW and breastmilk diet.
My husband and I took an online infant safety class before our daughter’s first meal. But that’s a safe move regardless of how you choose to feed your child.
Now I don’t want to get into the ins and outs of BLW—you can read up on it here— but I want you to know it’s been one of our favorite parenting decisions.
Why was BLW one of our best decisions ever?
It’s made our daughter more independent. From day one BLW babies eat on their own. The method asks that you don’t spoon-feed your child—ever. (Though some people are more strict than others and we’ve had a few occasions where we’ve been more lenient).
BLW babies are expected to be in charge of their food journey. My daughter chooses what she wants to eat and how much of it—within the options that are in front of her. The implications of that set kids up for a life-long positive relationship with food. If she doesn’t want to eat that much one day? Fine. She’ll more than make up for it the next day.
Today, our friends, family, and her daycare teacher repeatedly tell us how good of an eater she is. And it’s true—we’ve avoided a picky eater which we think is due to her being in control of what she eats from the beginning. My child is happily entertained with whatever you place in front of her. That means veggies, fruit, seafood—you name it.
I think that is because BLW kids are allowed (and encouraged) to experience their food. Because they’re eating on their own, it gives babies a chance to pick up their food, mash it, touch it, look at it, and eventually eat it.
What this encourages (aside from making a mess) is for kids to play with different textures, shapes, tastes, and colors.
But it also allows kids to experience food in the same form we eat it as adults. I don’t eat pureed carrots, or meat, or any mixture thereof. But I do eat solid carrots and meats. BLW allows kids to observe, touch, and taste whole foods the way they will encounter them as they get older.
Fussy eaters often complain about the differences in texture or taste. BLW nips that in the bud by having babies encounter those differences from the get-go.
The Result? We Have Stress-Free Meal Times
Because my daughter devours whatever we give her and because we don’t have to spoon-feed her, mealtimes are family time. There’s no need to feed the baby first and then eat once she’s gone to bed. The three of us get to enjoy our meals at the same time. And as babies learn through observation, BLW has helped our daughter be a part of a daily, communal family dinner.
The Unexpected Part? It Saves Time & Money
Here are the oh-so-fantastic list of things that we appreciate now:
No extra meal prep
No need to bring food when we eat out
No need to buy baby food
To a certain extent, it lets us live like we don’t have a baby. We enjoy our meals, we still eat out, and we eat a healthy, grown-up diet.
I Can’t Imagine Doing It Any Other Way
BLW has made my daughter into the little devourer of food that she is. I’m proud to see her happily munching away at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I’m relieved we can take her virtually anywhere and know she’ll be fine. But my favorite part? Sitting down as a family to a very normal, calm meal.
BLW has changed my whole outlook on getting kids started eating. It boosters a love for a healthy, varied diet while getting kids acquainted with food on their own terms.
Yes, it’s a personal decision, but I’m proud to say baby-led weaning has been a winning choice for our family.
I'm a New Yorker, married to a Texan, living in Spain, and enjoying the mash of cultures that keep us laughing every day. We have a too-smart-for-her-own-good toddler who's already more bilingual than we are. I'm also a teacher and creator of Bilingually Yours, a blog for Spanish teachers and bilingual families.
Find a gentle baby shampoo, body wash, baby lotion, and more with this A-to-Z guide to natural skin care products for babies and toddlers. From skin-soothing, eczema-healing products and cradle cap shampoos to luxuriously scented body lotions and bubble baths, read on for the bathing and after-bath products each brand offers, yucky ingredients they’re formulated without, and more reasons why they’re worth checking out.
Aveeno Baby What they offer: The Daily Care line features baby wash & shampoo, body lotion, conditioning shampoo. The Eczema Therapy line features nighttime balm, moisturizing wash, moisturizing cream and bath treatment. The Baby Soothing Relief line features creamy wash and moisturizing cream. The Baby Calming Comfort line features calming comfort bath and body lotion. Formulated without: parabens, phthalates; some products are fragrance-free Why check them out: With different lines of hypoallergenic baby skincare products, you’re likely to find a regimen that soothes your baby’s dry or irritated skin.
Babo Botanicals What they offer: baby shampoo & wash, hydrating stick, healing ointment, baby wash foam, body lotion, conditioner, face & body wipes, face cream, calming shampoo, bubble bath & wash Formulated without: parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, dairy, soy, gluten or high-allergy nut oils. Why check them out: The products are tested to ensure they’re non-irritating and hypoallergenic. They contain ingredients rich in vitamins and antioxidants to soothe and comfort sensitive skin.
Baby Bum What they offer: shampoo & wash, bubble bath, lotion, coconut balm, calendula cream Formulated without: parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde donors, dyes, sulfates, silicones, glycol, retinyl palmitate, triclosan, talc, gluten, synthetic fragrances Why check them out: The line contains therapeutic and moisturizing ingredients including sea minerals, monoi coconut oil, aloe and cocoa butter to hydrate sensitive baby skin. Some products also come in fragrance-free versions.
Baby Dove What they offer: baby shampoo, baby conditioner, detangling cream, body wash, soap bars, body lotion, body cream, baby oil, Formulated without: All Dove products are formulated without phthalates, lyral, triclosan, triclocarban, retinyl palmitate, coal tar, octanoate, hydroquinone, cyclic silicone D4. The company is phasing out parabens, lilial, formaldehyde and formaldehyde donors from their products. Why check them out: The products are affordable and easy to find, and the line features collections for melanin-rich skin, curl nourishment hair products, eczema-prone skin and more.
Babyganics What they offer: protective ointment, shampoo + body wash, moisturizing cream wash, bubble bath, vapor bubble bath, baby lotion, eczema care skin protectant cream. In the tots line, they have shampoo + conditioner (for both straight and curly hair) and a detangling spray Formulated without: parabens, sulfates, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, dyes, cortisone, steroids, mineral oil, petrolatum Why check them out: The Babyganics website is transparent about the company's rigorous testing process before products are released, and the company continues to test and improve formulas based on new scientific research.
BEB Organic What they offer: shampoo & body wash, probiotic serum, protective balm, face & body oil, face & body cream Formulated without: synthetic dyes & fragrances, mineral oil, petroleum, BPA, phthalates, phenoxyethanol, soy, dairy, palm oil, gluten, wheat Why check them out: Safe for even preemies' sensitive skin, this premium, all-natural baby skincare line is cruelty-free and packed with natural and certified-organic ingredients. It was previously only available in hospitals and birthing centers.
Bella B
Bella B Naturals What they offer: bubble bath, hair & body wash, cradle cap shampoo, hair detangler, conditioner, moisturizing lotion Formulated without: parabens, animal by-products, petrolatum, lanolin, harsh chemicals Why check them out: This broad line of baby products is formulated with flower extracts and moisturizing ingredients such as aloe vera, avocado and shea.
Bubbsi What they offer: shampoo & wash, body cream, body balm, conditioner (to be released March 2021) Formulated without: Parabens, phthalates, sulfates, mineral oils, dyes, synthetic fragrance, common natural irritants and allergens, nearly 1,400 ingredients currently banned in EU cosmetics Why check them out: Organic coconut oil is the lead ingredient in Bubbsi’s moisturizing skincare products, which come in super cute silicone bottles shaped like animals. Save money by refilling with the value-size refills sold on the site.
Burts Bees What they offer: baby shampoo & wash, bubble bath, body lotion, buttermilk soap, baby oil, multipurpose ointment Formulated without: phthalates, parabens, petrolatum, SLS Why check them out: A trusted name in natural skincare, the Burt’s Bees line of baby products is packed full of good-for-you ingredients such as cocoa butter, royal jelly and aloe.
California Baby What they offer: shampoo & body wash, conditioner, hair detangler, bubble bath Formulated without: petroleum contaminants, synthetic fragrances, parabens, SLS, sulfates, dyes, formaldehyde carriers, phthalates, gluten, oat, soy, dairy, nuts (some products contain coconut) Why check them out: Shop by scent, skin issue or allergy concern to find your favorite bath products from this extensive line. Founded in 1995, this woman-owned brand is committed to safe baby products, even growing its own calendula on a certified organic farm in Santa Barbara.
CeraVe What they offer: body wash & shampoo, moisturizing cream, moisturizing lotion, healing ointment Formulated without: parabens, sulfates, phthalates, fragrance Why check them out: CeraVe contains three types of ceramides, which are lipids that help restore the skin’s barrier and retain moisture, and hydrating hyaluronic acid.
Dapple Baby What they offer: shampoo & body wash, bubble bath, body lotion Formulated without: parabens, sulfates, phthalates, mineral oil, synthetic dyes & fragrances, SLS, MEA, DEA or TEA Why check them out: You may know Dapple Baby for its amazing bottle & dish soap, and its bath products are just as good. The bath products use plant-based formulas, with plant-derived ingredients and essential oils, and a prebiotic botanical blend for gentle cleansing and moisturizing.
Dr. Bronner’s
Dr. Bronner’s What they offer: castile liquid soap, castile bar soap, body balm Formulated without: synthetic preservatives, petrochemical detergents, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, fragrance, foaming agents Why check them out: The fragrance-free baby line from family favorite Dr. Bronner’s contains organic and fair-trade ingredients such as coconut, olive, hemp and jojoba oils for safe and effective cleaning and moisturizing.
Earth Mama Organics What they offer: body lotion, face balm, baby wash, baby oil Formulated without: artificial fragrance, artificial preservatives, antibacterial chemicals, phthalates, parabens, sulfates Why check them out: The calendula plant, known for being anti-inflammatory and mild for sensitive baby skin and hair, is the key ingredient in this line, which features scented and unscented products.
EllaOla What they offer: shampoo & body wash, baby lotion, massage oil Formulated without: parabens, pthalates, sulfates, oxybenzone, steroids, synthetic fragrances, PEGs, dyes, formaldehyde releasers, propylene glycol Why check them out: This science-based, plant-based skincare brand was created with the help of an advisory board including experts in dermatology, pediatrics and parenting.
EO Products: Everyone for Every Body What they offer: kids soap (3 in 1 shampoo, body wash and bubble bath), body lotion Formulated without: parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, artificial colors and dyes, sodium lauryl sulfate, aluminum, propylene glycol, polysorbates Why check them out: The kids line (and all EO Products) is made from non-GMO ingredients and infused with pure essential oils, making the scents fresh and kid-friendly. EWG Verified, the products are manufactured in-house in a zero-waste Northern California facility. The extra large 32 ounce easy-pump size and 3 in 1 soaps make this an affordable pick both parents and kids will love.
Era Organics What they offer: baby wash, baby balm, body lotion Formulated without: parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, SLS, dyes, fragrance, gluten, harsh chemicals Why check them out: Era Organics’ products are cruelty-free and filled with food-grade nutrients.
Evereden What they offer: shampoo & body wash, moisturizing lotion Formulated without: parabens, phthalates, sulfates, synthetic fragrance, cocamidopropyl betaine, coca midopropyl hydroxysultaine, phenoxyethanol, the 1,400 ingredients prohibited in the EU Why check them out: Created by Ivy League-educated dermatologists, the line is filled with plant-based ingredients from around the world that have a top rating on Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Database.
Exederm Skincare What they offer: eczema wash, eczema lotion, eczema cream Formulated without: parabens, phthalates, SLS, lanolin, propylene glycol, colors or dyes, cocamidopropyl betaine, fragrance Why check them out: The line is devoted to dry, sensitive skin and soothing skin irritated by eczema or dermatitis. Each product has earned the Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association.
Fairy Tales Hair Care What they offer: shampoo, conditioner and styling products Formulated without: parabens, sulfates, toxic chemicals, dairy, gluten, nuts Why check them out: They have an array of products from non-toxic lice treatment, to hydration for curls to summer sun protection, so there’s something perfect for every hair type and circumstance.
Hello Bello What they offer: shampoo & body wash, baby lotion, bubble bath Formulated without: sulfates, SLS and SLES, synthetic fragrances, phthalates, parabens, formaldehyde donors, phenoxyethanol, petrolatum, mineral oil, PEGs, MEA, DEA, TEA and common allergens such as gluten, peanut and dairy Why check them out: Cofounded by actors and married parents Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard, Hello Bello offers premium-quality, eco-friendly products at budget-friendly prices, thanks to an exclusive partnership with Walmart.
Healthybaby What they offer: organic cotton diapers, shampoo & bodywash, eco-friendly laundry and cleaning products Formulated without: parabens, phthalates, fragrances, optical brighteners and chlorine Why check them out: Healthybaby was developed for healthy brains and boasts plant-based ingredients for baby’s skin along with food-grade quality standards. Healthybaby’s mantra is “fewer, better things” meaning they focus on reducing waste and clutter and ensure that their products are safe and of high quality.
The Honest Company What they offer: shampoo & body wash, face & body lotion, conditioner, bubble bath, conditioning detangler, all-purpose balm, body oil, bar soap, balm and body wash for eczema-prone skin Formulated without: sulfates, parabens, SLS, silicones, harsh chemicals, synthetic fragrances, formaldehyde carriers, MEA, DEA or TEA, PEGs, ethoxylates Why check them out: Honest’s baby bath products come in four scents (orange vanilla, lavender, apricot and fragrance free), and you can save by buying bundles of products in a customizable subscription.
Li’l Goat’s What they offer: goat’s milk soap, shampoo & body wash, body lotion, baby wipes, diaper rash ointment Formulated without: parabens, sulfates, phthalates Why check them out: Goat’s milk is ultra-moisturizing and gentle on sensitive skin. It naturally contains essential nutrients and vitamins A, B2, B3, B6, B12, and E. Li’l Goat’s collects fresh milk from farmers in Quebec and doesn’t test its finished product on animals.
Live Clean What they offer: shampoo & body wash, body cream, body lotion, non-petroleum jelly, tearless shampoo & wash Formulated without: SLS, phthalates, silicones, petrolatum, parabens, DEA, phosphates, dyes Why check them out: The makers of this line of plant- and water-based ingredients source local organic ingredients and use recyclable packaging for their natural skin care products.
L’Occitane What they offer: foaming cream, moisturizing milk cream, massage balm, fragrance water Formulated without: phenoxyethanol, parabens, phthalates or silicones Why check them out: The Shea Baby Care collection launched May 2019 and is just as luxe as their adult Shea line. 87% of the ingredients in this collection are naturally derived and tested under pediatric supervision and while the products include a fragrance they are hypoallergenic and formulated free of allergens.
MADE OF What they offer: baby shampoo & body wash, body lotion Formulated without: GMOs, soy or other derivatives, nuts and related allergens, phthalates, parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, dyes, pesticides, BPA, chlorine, artificial ingredients, gluten Why check them out: The brand promises transparency into their products, formulas and factories, including independent test results of the line. Everything they make is certified to NSF Organic standard, an international certification. They’re also EWG Verified, Gluten Free and Vegan Certified.
Mill Creek Botanicals What they offer: baby wash, conditioning shampoo, body lotion, calendula cream Formulated without: parabens, sulfates, gluten, artificial preservatives, sodium chloride, MEA, DEA, dyes, fragrance Why check them out: The products in this line include soothing witch hazel, aloe vera and calendula.
MiniOrganics What they offer: baby wash, cleansing bar, moisturizer, jojoba oil Formulated without: genetically modified ingredients, petrochemicals, sulfates, parabens, pesticide residues, artificial fragrances, triclosan/chlorophenol, lanolin, nuts or nut oils Why check them out: Many skincare products call themselves organic or natural, but Mini Organics’ line is Certified Organic, meaning each ingredient must be grown, processed, produced and stored without pesticides, fertilizers and synthetic chemicals. The production process is audited by an independent third party to ensure products conform to strict international standards.
Mustela
Mustela What they offer: Four product lines of body lotion, emollient cream, emollient balm, cradle cap cream, shampoo, bubble bath, cleansing milk, cleansing gel, cleaning cream, bath oil, face cream Formulated without: parabens, phthalates, phenoxyethanol, ammonium lauryl sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, cyclotetrasiloxane, p-Phenylenediamine or related compounds, BHA, benzophenone, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, triclosan, alcohol Why check them out: Mustela has conducted continued research in dermatology for more than 60 years; the company partners with dermatology, maternity and childcare professionals to further its skin expertise. The line features products for normal, dry, eczema-prone and very sensitive baby skin.
Noodle and Boo What they offer: bar soap, body wash, shampoo, hair polish, body lotion, bubble bath hair & body wash, baby balm, ointment, cream rinse Formulated without: parabens, phthalates, sulfates, PPGs, dye, GMOs, triclosan, formaldehyde donors, BPA, essential oils Why check them out: This line specializes in bath products for children with eczema and sensitive skin. The company donates a portion of profits to children’s charities.
Peach Not Plastic What they offer: shampoo and conditioner bars, facial cleansing bars, deodorant, 2-in-1 shampoo + body bars, hand + body bars Formulated without: parabens, phthalates, SLS, SLES, silicones and artificial colorants Why check them out: Vegan and cruelty-free natural skin care products, made with 100% natural fragrances, packaging features interactive games printed on the inside of cartons for a fun way to reuse
Pipette What they offer: shampoo + body wash, baby oil, baby balm, baby lotion, eczema lotion Formulated without: mineral oil, oxybenzone, sulfates, polyethylene glycol, parabens, formaldehyde releasers, phthalates, talc, retinyl palmitate, synthetic fragrance Why check them out: Pipette’s products feature squalane, a version of squalene that restores skin’s natural balance. This deeply hydrating ingredient is derived from sustainably harvested Brazilian sugarcane.
Pleni Naturals What they offer: hair & body wash, baby balm, baby oil Formulated without: parabens, sulfates, phthalates, synthetic fragrances or other harmful chemicals Why check them out: Cute, cartoony packaging shows off the organic fruit and vegetable ingredients in this line of natural skin care products, from apple & broccoli body wash to a berry and olive baby balm.
Puracy What they offer: shampoo & body wash, bubble bath, body lotion Formulated without: harsh chemicals, petroleum, animal-based ingredients Why check them out: The line was created by a team of Ph.D. chemists, using plant- and natural mineral-based ingredients. To save money on your purchases, buy sets of Puracy’s products or sign up for a recurring subscription.
Shea Moisture What they offer: bar soap, ointment, body lotion, shampoo, body wash Formulated without: parabens, mineral oil, formaldehyde, phthalates, DEA, propylene, petroleum Why check them out: The products from this family-owned company are ethically traded, sustainably produced and contain certified organic, natural and fair-trade ingredients.
TriDerma What they offer: cleansing gel, moisturizer, eczema itch and dryness healing cream Formulated without: fragrance, parabens, cortisone, steroids, sulfates, mineral oil, petrolatum, phthalates Why check them out: Founded more than 25 years ago, Triderma’s products are based in a healing aloe vera complex.
VIVAIODAYS What they offer: face & body lotion, balm gel, cleansing water, body wash & shampoo, leave-in conditioner and detangler Formulated without: gluten, animal ingredients, animal-derived ingredients, BPA, dibutyl phthalates, BHA, heavy metals (lead, cadmium), chemical fertilizers and pesticides Why check them out: The ingredients for the products in this line are inspired by centuries-old remedies from around the world, from conditioning tsubaki oil in the leave-in conditioner & detangler (inspired by Japan) to nourishing apricot oil in the face & body lotion (inspired by India). The line is rated COSMOS ORGANIC, the European equivalent of USDA certification. For each product sold, the company funds educational initiatives around the world.
Wash with Water What they offer: shampoo & body wash, body lotion, hair detangling spray, balm, bubble bath, eczema cream, foam cleanser Formulated without: petrochemicals, phthalates, sulfates, GMOs, PPGs, synthetic colors, formaldehyde donors, TEA, DEA, silicones, PEGS, dairy, egg, oat, lactoperoxidase, citrus seed extract, triclosan, synthetic dyes Why check them out: The products in this line are made in small batches, tested by a third-party independent laboratory and packaged in eco-conscious containers.
Weleda What they offer: shampoo & body wash, bar soap, body lotion, face cream, baby oil Formulated without: parabens, chemical preservatives, preservatives, SLS, synthetic fragrances, phthalates, GMOs Why check them out: Founded in 1921, Weleda creates natural skin care products produced using sustainable production processes and environmentally friendly practices. Its baby products feature calendula and mallow, both known for their soothing properties.
Zoe Organics What they offer: baby bath tea, baby oil, body wash, balm, body cream Formulated without: synthetic chemicals, fragrances, dyes, parabens, surfactants, phthalates, GMOs, fillers, gluten Why check them out: The organic line prides itself on combining luxury and wellness with social responsibility.
Zoey Naturals What they offer: body wash, body lotion, body butter, body oil Formulated without: parabens, sulfates, phthalates Why check them out: Created by a skincare pioneer for his baby daughter, this line is free of harsh chemicals, made only with gentle fragrances and made in the USA.
Make sure to capture all pics of your cleaned and creamed little cutie—and share them with your family and friends near and far—with the Tinybeans app. The secure platform puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their kids.
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Diapers, check! Formula, check! Sanity? TBD! When you’re traveling with a baby, it’s anyone’s guess how “relaxing” your much-needed vacation is going to be. But there is something you can do to up your chances of a blissful babymoon: Stay at a resort with baby care! Whether that means a hotel that gives you a full-time “Vacation Nanny” (it’s a thing!) or a resort with a kids club that’ll take the under-two set, staying at a hotel with dedicated baby care will help you get the rest and relaxation you deserve.
This dreamy resort on Fiji’s second-largest island welcomes you with a foot massage and the most friendly staff we’ve ever met. Traditional thatched-roof bures are where you’ll stay during your visit and you can choose from ones that offer a separate room for the kids or a single large room where your whole family can spread out. The on-staff marine biologist presents an impressive program to teach you all about the creatures who inhabit the turquoise waters offshore and there are daily cultural activities that teach you about the Fijian people. Venture out on daily snorkeling or kayaking excursions, or take lessons to become scuba certified during your stay so you can explore the deeper waters.
Baby-Friendly Perks: The resort’s Bula Club is truly the star of their offerings. One-on-one nanny care is provided to babies aged 5 and under from 8 am-6:30 pm. Kids 6-12 have an assigned buddy group of up to five kids that they can stay with during the same hours. Care during the dinner hours is offered in your bure until 9 pm. All of this care is included with your stay and it is highly flexible to support each family’s needs.
The massive Bula Club facility is just a short walk from the reception area and features a dedicated area where little ones can nap, kitchen facilities, water play areas, a playground, sports courts, and so much more. An amazing bond is formed between the caregivers and visiting children, and families regularly return to the property and request the same nannies and buddies year after year. We even witnessed a few tears shared between kids and their buddies when leaving the resort!
Grown-Up Amenities: Spend your days lounging by the pool or book a Koko Rapture massage where you are massaged with fermented cacao paste and wrapped in banana leaves. The property also offers a number of special activities that can be booked at additional cost like a visit to the nearby chocolate farm or a brunch at the property’s private island. Definitely go on the waterfall hike; it’s gorgeous!
What's better than a tropical beach vacation? A tropical beach vacation with a nanny to take care of your kids. At Jamaica's Franklyn D Resort and Spa, a private "Vacation Nanny" is included with the cost of your stay. That means if any time of day (between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.) your kids need someone to keep them company—i.e. any time you want some time for yourself to enjoy the spa, beach, pool, or explore the nearby town of Runaway Bay—there's a nanny for that! The resort describes the Vacation Nanny as "your family’s vacation assistant who is happy to take care of your family's every need." Um... Yes, please! Want some family time? When your nanny isn't helping you with the kids, she can tidy your suite, wash dishes, do laundry and restock the fridge.
Baby-Friendly Perks: As if the nanny thing wasn't really all you ever wanted, the resort also has a kids club (with its own bunny petting farm!), game room, beach, pool, and waterslide to entertain your littles. As for lugging your baby supplies—Don't! Cribs and bath supplies can be provided, as well as kid-friendly meals.
Grown-Up Amenities: The all-inclusive nature of this place means that all meals, drinks, and snacks are included, as are activities including glass-bottom boat tours, booze cruises, biking, water sports, and snorkeling.
Located in the heart of Baa Atoll on a secluded reef island with idyllic ocean views, powder-soft white sand, and unique marine biodiversity, Vakkaru Maldives is a timeless resort sanctuary. The resort features 113 luxury villas and suites, five restaurants, two bars, a wine cellar, and an over-the-water spa.
Baby-Friendly Perks: The property has a Parrotfish Club where children under the age of 3 can participate with a parent or babysitter. Guests can hire a team member for $30 per hour to take care of a toddler and they have their own little room and bed to take a nap in. Highlights of the club include yoga, mat weaving, kite making, a treasure hunt, an origami class, coconut making, henna tattoos, and much more.
Grown-up Perks: You're in relaxation mode when you visit this property but if you want to have a more active day, there are tons of options. Enjoy scuba diving with PADI-accredited instructors, snorkel with hawksbill turtles, or spend the day deep-sea fishing.
This all-inclusive Caribbean island paradise has everything a family needs, with 21 restaurants, 15 bars, 10 pools (including a 45,000-square-foot waterpark!), and a 12-mile beach that'll make you want to be barefoot for days. As is the case in all Beaches Resorts (there are three of them), expect appearances from Sesame Street characters, as well as a bevy of activities for kids of all ages, including water sports, tennis, biking, swim-up soda bars, and a kids camp.
Baby-Friendly Perks: The Kids Camp program at Beaches Turks & Caicos is open every day, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with an infant program (for the 0-2 set), a toddler program (ages 3-4), a navigators program (ages 5-7), an adventurers program (ages 8-10), a tweens program (ages 11-14), and a teen program (ages 15-17). As for the infant program, it offers luxurious, climate-controlled nurseries filled with cribs, strollers, high chairs, rocking chairs, and everything your little one could ever need. Meanwhile, those older sibs can enjoy the Junior Golf Club, Kids scuba program, Pirates Island waterpark, Sesame Street Caribbean Adventure (where kids do crafts, cooking, and activities with the Sesame Street gang), and the XBOX Play Lounge.
Grown-Up Amenities: While you're not out enjoying the expansive white sand beaches (voted the "World's Best Beach" by TripAdvisor), how about kayaking, paddle boarding, or scuba diving in those clear turquoise waters? Or, grab a beach cruiser and explore the resort's five unique villages, each of which have its own theme. Did we mention it's all-inclusive? That means all meals, drinks (including beer and liquor), most activities, nightly entertainment, kids camps, fitness activities—even taxes, tips, and gratuities!—are included.
Martinhal's flagship resort is located within a protected natural park directly on its own beach inSagres—an area known to be the most south-westerly point of Europe and one of the Algarve's best-kept secrets. Sagres is a charming unspoiled beach town surrounded by dramatic coastal scenery, lighthouses, and the best beaches in Portugal. Idyllic for families and multi-generational groups, the resort combines hotel suites and villas.There are37 stylishly designed hotel rooms, including Beach Suites, in addition to 155 villas with their own kitchens, living rooms, washer/dryer amenities, and many featuring their own private swimming pool and gardens.
Baby-Friendly Perks: Parents with infants will love the seamless 'Baby Concierge' service that allows them to take a step back in family travel planning and leave the hassle to the welcoming Martinhal staff. Everything is handled from being able to pre-book baby equipment: potties, thermometers, socket protectors, door protectors, baby baths, bottle warmers, safety gates, changing mats and more, free of charge. For parents checking into any Martinhal Resort with babies - The Baby Concierge proactively sets up the room in advance with a few core items without you even having to ask such as a bottle sterilizer, hypoallergenic dishwasher liquid, whole milk in the fridge, baby bowls and silverware, a crib with sheets/bedding all prepared, and a highchair. They also give you a little welcome pack featuring a stuffed toy of the fox mascot of Martinhal and more.
Grown-Up Amenities: Parents can unwind at the Finisterra Spa, take advantage of the excellent windsurfing conditions, or spend the day hiking around the area's gorgeous coastline.
A true and authentic beach getaway, Sandos Playacar is situated in a private gated community just a short bike ride from the heart of Playa del Carmen. With white sand beaches and enchanting turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, this all-inclusive resort ensures that each guest, no matter their age, can enjoy activities from sun up to sun down.
Baby-Friendly Perks: Family-friendly and accommodating to parents with kids of all ages (no matter how young!), Playacar offers individualized and after-hours care for babies and kids, with their private babysitting service that can be arranged with the concierge with just a 24-hour notice for an additional fee. The resort is also home to an incredible Kids Club with 2 children’s pools, a puppet theater, a playground area, a tree clubhouse, crafts, sports, and more, which operates from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. For older kids who want a cool place to hang out (parent-free!), Playacar also offers a Teen Club for 13 to 17-year-olds, complete with arcade games, a mocktail bar, a dance floor, and more.
Grown-Up Amenities: For the grown-ups in the group, Sandos Playacar offers an adults-only section, a full-service 22-cabin spa, a professional-grade stage that has played host to world-renowned musicians for nightly shows, amazing ocean-front pools, beach access, and so much more. It is also home to 16+ restaurants and bars, offering a huge variety of food and beverage experiences that range from international cuisine and gourmet dining to beach snacks, buffets, swim-up bars, and more. Not to mention its 10 bars and cocktail experiences, all of which are included under the all-inclusive guest package.
Set on a white sand beach facing the Andaman Sea, this family-friendly beach resort offers guests an idyllic setting in one of the most picturesque places on Earth. Located just 20 minutes from Phuket International Airport, guests look out onto the beautiful Phang Nga from accommodations that are second to none in this part of the world. These range from lofts all the way up to five-bedroom beachfront villas. Luxurious accommodations are accompanied by innovative Thai cuisine and a rejuvenating spa.
Baby-Friendly Perks:The Explorer's Club and Aleenta Phuket-Phang Nga Resort & Spa was designed to offer youngsters the perfect place to learn, play, and explore. The ‘Learn and Discover’ program offers a variety of fun, age-appropriate educational activities for children aged from six months up to five years that will help develop toddlers’ simple communication and friendship skills, such as blowing bubbles, finger paint art, and clay modeling. A professional nanny service is also available (with extra cost) for parents looking to relax and enjoy time together.
Grown-up Amenities: For family adventures to remember and to learn more about the destination itself, bicycles are available to explore the ancient temples, hidden waterfalls, and local markets of Phang Nga. Movie nights also allow parents to experience the resort’s fine dining while children enjoy the latest cinema hits.
Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France offers spacious suites, many with two bedrooms, interconnected and with their own private swimming pools. Parents can rest assured that everything their baby needs will be available when they arrive including highchairs, baby cots, changing tables, and bottle warmers. The property's culinary team is on hand to create purees or specific dishes catered to the children’s dietary requirements, while local favorites make an appearance on the a la carte menu, including mahi-mahi with rice and exotic fruits. As a memento from the Maison, each family will receive a personalized embroidered sleep suit to take home with them.
Baby-Friendly Perks: The property offers a Baby Bonding experience (for an additional fee) that includes a baby body massage by an expert therapist to promote relaxation and bonding through skin-to-skin interaction, with a private session for the therapist to help parents learn the safest technique for massaging their own baby. Mothers can also receive a New Mother Ritual, a calming and soothing massage. For budding water babies, the program includes the baby's first swimming lesson with guidance for safe and fun-filled water activities. Plus, Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France offers Aqua-Osteopathy for babies, a unique and gentle therapy treatment performed in warm water.
Grown-Up Amenities: Parents can enjoy face and body treatments at the esteemed Cheval Blanc Spa and then relax by the ocean for a meal of local delicacies.
With its varied roster of included activities—and established kids clubs to entertain littles of all ages—Club Med has been bringing family entertainment to the beach vacation since 1967. And this huge Dominican coast resort is no exception.
Baby-Friendly Perks: Punta Cana is one of a selection of Club Meds with a dedicated “Baby Club” (offered at an extra charge), which means babies 4 to 23 months will be pampered by a team of baby-whisperers all day long (there’s night care as well if you need it). To make sure babies are safe and learning at their own pace, the Baby Club is split into walkers and non-walkers, with equipment, books, and early-learning toys suited to the age. And, the resort will also provide all the gear you need, including a baby bathtub, bottle warmer, changing table, crib, and stroller—all of which will be waiting for you in your room on arrival (you just have to give advance notice).
Meanwhile, if you’ve got older kids, they’ll be having adventures to remember, with flying trapeze classes, arts and crafts sessions, tennis lessons, games and tournaments, nightly performances (one of which will be starring them!), archery, playgrounds, and pools.
Grown-Up Amenities: The fun’s not limited to the littles! Grown-ups can partake in one of the more than 60 included activities, including paddle boarding, kayaking, sailing, snorkeling, beach volleyball, crafts, archery, pool aerobics, flying trapeze, and nightly entertainment. Want to relax? Enjoy a cocktail by the pool, a massage by the beach, or a fine meal in one of three restaurants. And, let’s not forget, this is the tropics! There are plenty of beaches and warm, crystal-clear waters to explore in and around the resort.
As the only private beach resort in Los Cabos, this elegant 57-room seaside resort has luxury down to a science—but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t care about the well-being of its youngest guests. The hotel treats babies and toddlers with the same world-class service as it does its grown-up guests, and will provide everything from full-size cribs and bassinets, baby monitors, sleep machines, bottle warmers, baby bath supplies, and toiletries—as well as extras like stuffed animals and a handcrafted Mexican gifts at turndown.
Baby-Friendly Perks: This resort with baby care works with local agencies to provide bilingual nannies trained in first aid and CPR (for an extra fee). Older kids (ages 4-11) can enjoy a roster of included activities—from beach play and yoga to ice cream making and piñata parties—at the kids club.
Grown-Up Amenities: Enjoy excursions into the Sea of Cortez, with experiences that include deep sea fishing (and the kitchen will cook your catch when you get back!), yacht cruises, and whale watching. Or stay on land and try a tequila tasting, curated wellness experience, private cooking class, or horseback ride on the beach.
If the winter blues are making you long for sunny days and warmer weather, a Jamaican vacation won't disappoint! Warm all year round and dry in the winter months of December through May, Jamaica is the perfect destination for winter or spring break, with the all-inclusive Grand Palladium offering enough amenities for babies and kids to make the trip a breeze for families of all ages.
Perks for Babies: For toddlers 1 to 3, there's a kids club open every day from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. where kids can play and learn while parents rest easy knowing they'll be called if anyone needs a cuddle. For little swimmers, there's a waterpark offering slides, shallow entries, a lazy river, and sprinklers. Babysitting can be arranged for infants under 1.
Grown-Up Amenities: With four huge pools (one with a swim-up bar!), be prepared to lounge poolside with pina coladas while your littles play the day away—or relax on the protected beach with turquoise waters lapping at the sand. And, all food and drinks are included, so indulging is A-OK! Want to escape your escape? The resort is strategically placed between Jamaica's two most popular towns, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, so you can find local restaurants, stores, and attractions within minutes. Back at the resort, included amenities include kayaking, snorkeling, windsurfing, fitness classes, nightly entertainment, tennis, and mini golf.
Snow more your style? Families will love this ski-centric family club, which makes sure lessons, lift tickets, and ski rentals—plus flights, transportation from the airport, meals, accommodations, kids programming, and childcare—are included in the cost of your stay. Don’t worry about bringing baby gear, either: Club Med will provide a baby bathtub, bottle warmer, changing table, crib stroller—and many other extras you might need. These are all the reasons it’s at the top of our list of best resorts with baby care.
Perks for Babies: Babies as young as 4 months old can spend the day at Baby Club Med, a specialized environment just for little snow bunnies, where babies are grouped in either “walker” or “non-walker” groups so that the play is appropriate for their developmental stage. Sensory play and music are the name of the game here—including letting kiddos out into the cold (carried by caregivers) to experience the wonder of snow first-hand. If you’ve got older kids, drop them off at the kids club, where kids as young as 4 can sign up for ski lessons.
Grown-Up Amenities: The best part about this club is that you can drop off your kids and hop straight onto the slopes of the Massif de Charlevoix ski area (it’s a ski-in, ski-out location!), with majestic slopeside views of the St. Lawrence river. New to skiing? No problem! Lessons are included in the cost of your stay! When you’re all skied out, there are other winter sports including snowshoeing and dog sledding.
This gorgeous beachfront boutique resort is the only Dominican Republic hotel to get a stamp of approval from Relais & Châteaux, an elite association of luxury hotels around the world. But luxury doesn't have to mean kids aren't welcome. They definitely are! Parents can relax by the infinity pool or bask in the warm, tropical breezes while kids play in the free kids club, splash in the pool (supervised by lifeguards), play on the playground, or enjoy the private beach in the company of sitters.
Perks for Babies: For $325, you can get the VIBabies Package will provide your baby or toddler with baby supplies (including a portable crib, toys, a changing table, bottle warmer, play table, playpen, baby monitor, baby bathtub, snacks & juices, and beach accessories), plus two hours of private babysitting per stay. Kids also eat free from the kids' menu. Additional babysitting can be provided for a fee.
For older kiddos (ages 4-12), there's a kids club located on an artificial lagoon, with a massive replica tree house equipped with a mini spa for kid manicures, pedicures, and hairstyling—as well as a video gaming area, mini kitchen, mini buffet area, bathrooms, and a central area for play and storytelling. Private babysitting is also offered for an extra charge on request. There are also a ton of toys for kids to use freely, including water pistols, kayaks, body boards, sports balls, assorted floaters, floating hammocks, and board games.
Grown-Up Amenities: With the resort's luxurious junior suites offering a walk-in closet and a private pool and patio, you may not want to leave your room! But if you do, you'll be able to choose from a plethora of goodies, from an 18-hole golf course and luxury spa to horseback riding, three restaurants, and two bars. The resort can also arrange private day trips, including helicopter and private jet excursions to see the area's beaches, tropical forests, and turquoise waters from the sky.
Resort with Baby Care in Greece: Sani Beach Resort
Sani Resort
Voted the "Best Family Hotel in Europe," Sani Beach offers a baby club that'll keep your tots entertained and safe while you enjoy the turquoise waters and seaside luxury of this sprawling Mediterranean resort. Need supplies? The resort will provide upscale wooden cribs, bedding, hangers, a night light, mosquito net, bed rails, video monitors, feeding and bathing supplies, toiletries, and potty training items.
Baby-Friendly Perks: Worried about your jet lag? Take advantage of a complimentary session at Carol Mae Consulting, where you’ll learn how to adjust your children’s sleep and routine to make the most of your stay. Parents seeking a little solo time can drop their babies off at the baby club, which has three sessions daily for babies as young as 4 months (with a three-to-one ratio of adult to baby); meanwhile, private nannies and nighttime babysitters are available for an extra charge. There's also a fenced-off sandy area on the beach where qualified staff can watch your baby on the beach for up to 30 minutes while you pop into the sea (you don't even need advance notice for this!). Baby swimming lessons are available, too, if you think now's the time to get your tot treading.
And, don't worry about bringing jars of baby food on the plane; Sani hotel chefs will prepare delicious homemade baby food from fresh local ingredients—with dishes like sea bass puree, Mediterranean vegetable puree, and fruity puree on the menu. All of the hotel's restaurants also have toddler and kid menus.
Grown-Up Amenities: Set sail on a complimentary morning or sunset cruise, relax on one of the resort's seven beaches, take a complimentary yoga class on the sand, or enjoy any of the resort's 40 restaurants and bars that offer Greek traditional cuisine and Michelin star dining. Want to stay active? There's archery, paddle boarding, beach sports, tennis, a treetop ropes course in the adjacent forest, and nature walks.
If having kids hasn’t dulled your sense of adventure (because, really, why should it?), a trip to this pristine 37,000-acre ranch may be right up your alley. You'll spend your days giddying up through vast valleys, fly-fishing rushing waters, lassoing cattle (!), or just gazing up at the endless starry skies while your little ones snuggle beside you.
Baby-Friendly Perks: While this resort doesn’t have a dedicated baby club, it does have on-site nanny service available for when you want to have a romantic dinner at the resort’s upscale restaurant, enjoy the spa, or head out to the great outdoors, baby-free. For kids 3-12, the resort’s Kids Adventure Club (available for an additional fee) will take little cowboys and cowgirls on daylong adventures into the wilderness to try things like archery, geocaching, go-karting, pony rides, snow tubing, and sapphire hunting.
Grown-Up Amenities: Horseback riding, hiking, and exploring the sweeping wilderness is the big draw for most Paws Up-bound travelers (plus the fact that it’s super fun for kids of all ages!). In the winter, enjoy sleigh rides, dog sledding, and snowmobile rides—plus horseback riding in the snow. Warmer months will have you riding your horse through rushing rivers as well as trying a treetop ropes course, mountain biking, kayaking, paddle boarding, jet skiing, and fishing. At the end of the day, enjoy delicious “rustic ranch” cuisine made with local ingredients, then get cozy in the elegant accommodations (which include everything from upscale safari tents to luxury homes and a secluded three-story tree house that will make you want to go Swiss Family Robinson forever).
If a high-end vacation experience is what you're after (and can afford), the Bluefields Bay Villas offer everything you might want, from your own personal butler to a private villa big enough to host even large families. If the mesmerizing blue-green waters, fine white sand beaches, and gourmet Caribbean cuisine don't seriously tempt you, the all-day nanny service might!
Baby-Friendly Perks: Up to nine hours a day of private child care is included in your stay. And, with villas spaced so far apart that you won't see a neighbor nearby, your kids can giggle, babble, and cry as loud as they want. As for supplies, the resort can provide any baby furniture (crib, high chair, bath, etc.) you need, as well as prepare fresh baby food for your little foodie.
Grown-Up Amenities: Butler service, nannies, private chefs, a personal concierge, and your own private house—this place will make you feel like royalty If you feel the need to leave your villa (one of which has its own private island and beach!), you'll have access to sea kayaks, sailboats, Hydrobikes, standup paddle boards, snorkel gear, a tennis court, and staffed seaside lounging areas. After a long day of relaxing, go home to your pristinely kept villa and enjoy a freshly prepared meal in the privacy of your own dining room.
If you like the idea of someone tending to all your baby’s needs, this luxury all-inclusive resort is at your (baby’s) service. Upon check-in, a dedicated “Baby Concierge” will help you secure any gear or meals or nanny services—including whatever you don’t want to drag from home (like a crib, stroller, baby tub and toiletries, bottle brush and sterilizer, pacifier, or pool floaties). Gourmet baby purées are prepared by executive chef Guillaume Morance, and all rooms have a kitchen that includes a coffee maker, microwave, cooktop, and full-size fridge, so you’ll feel at home right away. All that, and you’ll be vacationing in a white sand paradise, where the Yucatan jungle meets the Caribbean sea.
Baby-Friendly Perks: Want to throw your baby a first birthday party any grown-up would swoon over? Try the “Mi Premier Fiesta” package, complete with authentic piñatas. There’s also a “Baby’s First Haircut” package if you want your baby’s tresses to be trimmed for the occasion. Got older kids? There’s an on-site Kids Club for kids 4-12, with things like water balloon fights, stone painting, board games, and a mini disco to keep everyone happy and busy.
Grown-Up Amenities: Park yourself by the pool, where you can get food and drinks delivered all day long. Another goodie: Room service is available (and included!) 24 hours a day, so when you need that glass of wine at the end of a long day at the beach, don’t be afraid to order it. This is an all-inclusive resort, after all, which means 24-hr suite service, top-shelf beverages, and all taxes and gratuities, plus Heavenly Beds, jacuzzi tubs, and private terraces with plunge pools. There’s even a 10-course tasting menu paired with wine. . . .all included!
Read Tinybean’s in-depth review of the Granda Velas’ sister hotel in the Puerto Vallarta here.
For a Real Splurge: Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica
Four Seasons
Who says having a baby slows you down? For parents who want more than just the typical beach vacation (and who don't mind paying thousands of dollars for a few days in the lap of luxury), this 2,300-acre Costa Rican jungle-seaside resort will take good care of little explorers while you traipse through the forest, zip-line over treetops, or surf the waves.
Baby-Friendly Perks: No need to carry a pack-n-play or a highchair through customs; the Four Seasons will provide all the baby basics, including a crib, high chairs, and bath amenities. And while your baby will be happy sitting on the beach in your arms, the hotel has its own staff available for babysitting (for an extra charge) for those times when you want to go out and explore all the surrounding rainforest has to offer (babysitting requests need to be made in advance). Older kids can meet kids from around the world at the kids club and teen center, where they'll have organized adventures of their own, including guided nature hikes or surf lessons taught by members of the Costa Rican National Surf Team.
Grown-Up Amenities: Book a spa treatment at the award-winning spa, take a zipline tour over the jungle, paddle through the mangroves, or try a monkey safari! The water more your thing? Don a snorkel or a scuba suit and explore the coral reefs off the coast, which are teeming with life and known as one of the best diving and snorkeling spots in the world.
A quiet refuge from the crowds that sells anything you forgot at the hotel? Yes, please.
As any parent who’s done it knows, so much planning and money go into a Disney Parks visit, and throwing a baby into the mix makes things that much more complicated. Not only do you have to lug all their gear, extra clothes, food, diapers, a stroller, and so on, but what do you do if you forget something back at the hotel? That’s where the Disney magic comes in.
A lesser-known attraction at Disney Parks (but arguably one of the best!) is their amazing Baby Care Centers—fully staffed lounges that are just what you need after a day of juggling toddlers and long lines. These large, fully equipped spaces offer a quiet, air-conditioned place to feed and change your baby away from the crowds. If you forgot your baby food or ran out of diapers, you can also buy backups of anything you could need.
Here’s everything Disney Baby Care Centers offer:
Nursing room with rocking chairs
Changing room with tables
Toddler-size toilets (for Guests under 42” tall)
Feeding area with highchairs
Kitchen with sink, bottle warmers, filtered water dispenser, and microwave (select use only)
Vending machine or shop offering formula, baby food, juice, diapers, wipes, sunscreen, pacifiers, and over-the-counter medication
Main room with seating and Disney cartoons playing on the TV
The best news of all? It’s totally free to use the Baby Care Centers when you visit Disney. You’ll find them in Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World as well as in both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure at the California park. Just search “baby care” on the My Disney Experience app.
Not only were we surprised by how roomy and clean this space is, but it had so many handy items for sale, including period products and deodorant for teens and parents.
One commenter replied that the kid-sized toilets were super helpful when they visited with potty-training toddlers and another explained that the pacifiers were a life-saver when they forgot their baby’s soother at home. They’re also a place where lost children are cared for by cast members until they’re reunited with their families.
In a pinch, you can find changing stations at other bathrooms in the park, but they can’t sell you that pack of wipes you lost along the way—and they certainly won’t give you that same magical feeling.
If you’ve been putting off the day when you clear the clutter from your kids’ room, it’s time to take action. Tackle your kids’ bedroom or playroom—the spaces that require daily work to keep clean—with a real plan of attack. We asked the experts to weigh in and offer tips on how to clear the clutter and keep things organized (for real). From prepping for the big day to what you need to toss out, here’s our guide on how to clean out your kids’ room.
How to Prep for the Day You Clear the Clutter
1. Make a plan.
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A good way to start is to identify what you want to accomplish while cleaning. Are there a lot of old toys that can be given away to a friend or sold at a garage sale? Does your kid need more space for books? Write down the tasks you want to tackle, and you’ll feel better about the job.
2. Start where you are. It’s the secret motivational boost for what can feel like a daunting task. As contributor Jennifer Landis recommends, any spring-cleaning project should start with one room, and look—you’ve got your kid’s room already picked out. Whether you tackle an all-purpose bedroom or have a designated playroom, grab your “to keep,” “to donate,” and “to toss” bags, and get going!
3. Move out. If it’s been a while since you’ve vacuumed under that epic fort in the corner, it’s time to move things around—or at least to the middle of the room. It’s not only the best way to clean out nooks and crannies, but you’ll be more mindful of what you bring back in.
All those little plastic toys your kids get while cruising the petite party circuit? If it hasn’t found a place of honor in your kid’s play rotation yet, toss it.
2. The last of the baby gear.
Do you still have a nursing pillow in the closet? How about an activity gym or a Bumbo seat? If you’re done adding to your family, it may finally be time to pass these on to newer mamas or donate to those in need. And upcycle! Add flair to formula or diaper wipe containers for extra storage or paint those baby food containers for a color wheel crayon organizing system. Check out more clever ways to upcycle old baby gear.
3. Anything broken. No matter what project you’ve undertaken, little feels better than being on a roll, so start with easy toss-ables, such as anything broken. That play purse that lost its handle. Those three missing parts that don’t add up to anything. Crayon stubs you know you’ll never melt into little DIY gifts. Clear all that clutter and enjoy the immediate breathing room.
4. Stuffies that aren’t lovies. We’ll admit it, this one is going to be a battle, but if your little hoarder is old enough to rise to the task without suddenly growing inseparable from each stuffie you attempt to discard, then this presents a wonderful opportunity to donate those in good condition.
5. Too-tiny clothes and shoes. Kids grow fast in the early years. Before we know it, the pants are too short and the shoes are tight. Take honest stock of what your kid wears (oftentimes it’s a few favorite outfits), and purge what’s outgrown, stained, or simply not your kid’s style. You can even go the capsule wardrobe route, check out our tips on how to make it happen here.
6. Odd socks.
It’s a mystery as to where they all go, but we do know that socks love to disappear. Accept the fact that, for some reason, they’re gone, and toss the solo sock. You’ll have more space in your drawers and it’ll make laundry day much more pleasant.
7. The endless piles of paper. Royal crowns from birthdays gone by? Notebooks long ago scribbled in? Coloring books of yesteryear? How about all those school Valentines or party favors? Take a quick flip through for anything indicative of early artistic genius, then recycle, recycle, recycle.
8. Outdated wall decor Have you changed your preschooler’s wall art since you set up the nursery? Every few years, it’s nice to switch things up. If you’re still planning to add to your family, put the sweet baby giraffe print in storage with the Rock ‘n’ Play, and update the walls. Etsy has thousands of affordable printables, or you can clear wall space for an educational mural from Wallsauce. Here are other great ways to design a kids’ room that grows with them.
9. Ripped, broken books and board books (if your kids are beyond the baby stage). Like little bodies outgrow clothes, big minds and imaginations outgrow books. If your bookworm’s shelves are bursting, it’s time to save a few sentimental titles and donate the rest.
How to Keep It Clean After You Clear the Clutter
1. Pick up regularly.
Now that most of the hard work is over, save time in the future by going through this clean-up process regularly, especially after birthdays and holidays, as NEAT Method recommends. Read on for other great pro tips and secrets to organizing success from moms.
2. Don’t micromanage the small stuff.
Toys and parts often migrate under the couch, appear underfoot, and end up right on your last nerve. While these Shopkins and snap-ins may be tiny, they need a big home. Rather than spend time every day re-assigning them to individual containers, consider one big bin or this fun Swoop Bag, which also works wonders for LEGO, train sets, and play food. The best part? Clean-up is a cinch, even for mini-mess makers.
3. Don’t go overboard on storage. It’s a little counterintuitive, but hear us out. We are all for stylish, sensible ways to organize—and storage solutions are certainly keys to a clean room—but any additional containers are bound to fill up. Work with what you have to minimize excess—the answer isn’t always to store it.
4. Save the sentimental stuff. Parents, we are one of the biggest reasons it’s so hard to clear out what our kids have outgrown—physically and developmentally. It’s emotional! We remember when he walked off to his first day of kindergarten in that sweatshirt or that toy dinosaur she carried everywhere for a year. Select choice pieces for cool and surprising ways to repurpose the sentimental stuff.
5. Upcycle “new” toys. With everything streamlined, the last thing you or your budget want to do is rush to fill it up with new stuff. The next time the kids beg for the latest, get creative! Sand-filled juice boxes make for awesome stacking blocks and corks morph into stamps. There are loads of great reasons why you should be upcycling anyway.
6. Use the “out of sight, out of mind” method. Have a place to stash the toys they haven’t played with in a while and give yourself a time limit. If the time has passed and no one has asked for it, you can donate or toss it. Get more on how to make this work here.
7. Let (some) clutter go. At the end of the day, it’s a kid’s room. It should look like a kid lives, plays, and imagines there, which means extra stuff is sometimes just part of the fun, messy wonder of it all. So relax, and remember that the next time clutter accumulates.
The best baby feeding supplies for mitigating messes
When it comes to finding the best baby feeding supplies, there’s absolutely no shortage of options. Whether it’s your first little one or your newest addition, feeding gear is always evolving. Of course, that’s a good thing, but it can leave you feeling a little overwhelmed with choices. But you have us, so you can relax and let us handle the hard part.
Most of us would agree that the best options have a few key features. We’re looking for suction-bottom plates and bowls (babies are mighty flingy as far as bowls and plates go), high-quality baby-safe materials, soft-on-the-gums utensils, and weighted sippy cups (because of that flingy thing again). A lot of feeding supplies are created with food-grade silicone, since it’s soft, but we also found stainless steel and bamboo options for those of us looking to skip the plastic. There are even options that also keep your comfort in mind. From bibs to bowls to snack containers, these are some seriously clever products for feeding your little one. Check out our list of the best baby feeding supplies below.
Best Utensils: Baby Spoons & Forks
Avanchy Bamboo Baby Spoons
Avanchy on Amazon
Shorter handles and wider scoops make these perfect for babies just starting out all the way to the toddler stage. Multiple colors and set options are available, too.
Made in Denmark, these aesthetic toddler and baby utensils are as pretty as they are functional. They're so simple that they're easy for little ones to hang onto while they learn their way around solid foods. They come in lots of soft colors, too.
These chunky little baby spoons and forks are ideal for little grips. The shape helps them hang onto their utensils and the kiddo-friendly colors (there are lots of them!) help to keep them engaged.
Munchkin baby spoons are a parent favorite: gentle on baby's gums, ergonomically shaped, and long enough to reach the bottom of those food jars. What's not to love?
Created by moms who just get it, these curved spoons are great for littles learning to feed themselves. They help develop motor skills without exhausting their wrist, shoulders, or elbows with overly complicated movements. Available in 2 sets of different colors.
The best baby feeding supplies let you say goodbye to flying baby bowls. The suction cup bottom keeps these securely in place, while the quick-release tab makes it easy for you to clean up when mealtime is over.
Suction bottoms are a theme here, of course, but the WeeSprout plates offer a divided design and matching lids for on-the-go carrying, leftovers, and meal prep. Lots of color combos are available, too.
Trying to avoid plastic? This bamboo and stainless steel bowl set from Avanchy is a great way to go. The bundle includes both bowls and a lid for easy transport or leftovers. Several colors are available, too.
You probably already know ezpz, and this beauty doesn't just include a suction bottom, but it also has a built-in placemat to majorly mitigate spills. Available in 4 colors.
Warm up baby food by steaming over a saucepan or steamer with this bowl. And don't worry—the bowl itself doesn't get hot as it steams, either, so it won't get overheated.
These snack cups are soft and collapsible, with an interchangeable snack cup or straw sip lid. Plus the secure snack lid keeps goodies contained and is perfect for little hands.
As far as baby snack containers go, this isn't just one that keeps the Cheerios from flying out. With a straw, storage lid, and snack dispenser lid, you can use it for everything from Goldfish to soup to smoothies and beyond. Lots of cute color combinations are available, too.
Oh, mushie and their soft colors that we just can't get enough of. The double handles are super helpful for little ones, too. Tons of color options with this one.
The rounded sides of the plate make it easy for scooping and containing food, and this set also includes a stable cup for learning to drink, and easy-to-hold utensils. It comes in 4 colors.
The best baby feeding supplies are multi-functional, and Busy Baby agrees. This bundle includes Busy Baby's best sellers: Mat (original size) with 4 Tethers, Mini Mat, Teether & Training Spoon, Bungee Bib & Utensils, Bottle Bungee, and Toy Bungee. Not only are they excellent feeding tools, but the bungees keep toys, utensils, and more from falling on the floor.
The Lalo First Bites set is one of the most popular out there. It includes utensils, bib, 4oz cup, suction plate and bowl and is available in 5 colors.
Designed for babies 4+ months, the MICHEF set comes complete with 2 baby food feeders with 3 different sized replacement silicone sacs, baby spoons, and a bowl with masher.
Cover them alllllll the way up with these best selling long sleeve bibs. There's a good chance they'll still find a way to drip something somewhere, but this set mitigates the possibility. Lots of colors are available.
Looking for serious bib coverage? Look no further. This one is designed to cover your babe and their highchair, plus its machine washable. Multiple color options, too.
Fabric bibs are classic for a reason: these waterproof fabric bibs are soft and strong and include a crumb-catcher pocket. Machine wash them over and over. Plus, they come in lots of adorable colors and prints.
We're really into this apron style bib with little arm holes that are totally tug-proof. The sweet colors and prints are a major selling point here, too.
Learning is is the name of the game when it comes to baby water cups, and this one is designed by pediatric experts. The weighted base prevents tip-overs and your little one can see inside the cup to know what's in it and how much is left (which is a big deal when they're learning to drink for themselves). 5 colors available.
Made of Tritan that's clear as glass yet strong as stainless steel, the Evorie Sippy Cup is an award-winning cup with a straw that allows babies to drink from an angle while minimizing extra air that can lead to tummy upsets. Multiple colors and designs are available.
The weighted straw idea is brilliant, honestly. It lets your little one drink from any angle or position and keeps spills and leaks to a minimum. There are 7 colors available.
All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.
Nutritious, prepared meals directly to your home? Yes, please! These meal delivery services make it easy
Meal delivery is a parent’s best friend, especially this time of year. You can put in as much or as little effort as you’d like and still get dinner that’s mostly homemade on your table (or your lap—let’s be honest!). It’s 2023 and we’re working a lot smarter (and far less hard). We asked the country’s savviest moms to dish on the best meal delivery services so you can find one that’s right for you.
Did we mention most deliver throughout the United States? They’ve figured out how to pack, ship, and deliver your goodies so even when they travel across the country, they can still show up at your door like you swung by the grocery store yourself (which is definitely something we’re trying to cut down on here). Read on for amazing meal planning ideas so you can cut down on the time in the kitchen and spend more time where it counts: with your family.
Bite-Sized Finger Foods for Little Ones Learning to Self-Feed: Nurture Life
Nurture Life
Why we love it: If you're tired of yogurt drops and dinosaur nuggets, Nurture Life is the meal delivery service designed just for babies and toddlers (though the food's good enough for mom and dad, too).
What makes it unique: Choose from four categories when placing your order: Kid's Meals, Finger Foods, Mighty Bites Snacks, and Smoothies. The kid's meals include tried-and-true favorites like chicken and mac, as well as ones they know are winners with picky eaters like penne bolognese. Finger foods are ideal for little ones who have just progressed beyond purees as they are soft enough to mash, small enough to prevent choking, and easy to pick up. Get your kids hooked on their Mighty Bites Snacks since they look like the cookies cookies but are full of good-for-you ingredients.
For a Service That Actually Grows with Your Kids: Little Spoon
Little Spoon
Why we love it: You may know Little Spoon for their direct-to-consumer organic baby food. Good news for parents out of the baby food stage: they also offer Plates—meals for toddlers and big kids. Plates are healthy and nutritious, heat-and-eat meals made with the quality ingredients Little Spoon is known for. Plates has lots of different kiddo-approved recipes with a focus on seasonal, local, and organic ingredients. Dishes include Spaghetti and Turkey Meatballs, Chicken Teriyaki, Chicken Pot Stickers, and Cauli Croquettes. And, of course, they still offer Babyblends Organic Baby Food.
What makes it unique: Baby food, finger food, big kid meals, snacks—what can't Little Spoon do? From their Babyblends Organic Baby Food, to Biteables Early Finger Food, to Plates Toddler + Kids Meals, to Lunchers Build-and-Eat Meals, to Smoothies Organic Pouches, to Snacks for a junk-free snacktime, Little Spoon grows with your little ones from 6+ months and beyond. It's also perfect for families with multiple kiddos.
What's the deal? Get 50% off your your first order (up to $40) with code NYE50
If You're Looking for Groceries That Turn into Meals: Hungryroot
Hungryroot
Why we love it: Hungryroot is the all-in-one grocery and recipe service. Browse their grocery aisles + their entire recipe catalog (that puts your groceries to delicious use). There are hundreds to choose from, and most of them cook up in as little as 10 minutes. But you're always in control. Take Hungryroot's suggestions, or choose exactly what you want, same as you do when you're grocery shopping at the store.
What makes it unique: Start by taking the Hungryroot quiz and telling them about yourself (your goals, how many people you're feeding, dietary needs, what you and your family like to eat for dinner). They'll create a cart filled with suggested groceries and recipes that fit your needs. Go ahead and check out, or edit your cart to create a box that works perfectly for you. All of it comes straight to your door.
What's the deal? 30% off + a free gift in every delivery for a limited time.
For Parents Who Want to Expose Little Ones to Big Flavors: Tiny Organics
Tiny Organics
Why we love it: We all want to raise adventurous eaters, but few of us have time to add bold or new dishes to the rotation. Tiny Organics steps in to help make it happen, with the goal of introducing your tot to their 100 first flavors before the age of 2. Their organic, plant-based finger-food blends are just right for littles perfecting their pincer grasp, whether they’re chomping on Coconut Curry, a Baby Burrito Bowl, or a Bananas Foster Breakfast Bowl.
What it costs: 12 meals every one, two, or four weeks/ $4-6 per meal; 24 meals every one, two, or four weeks/ $4.66 per meal.
What makes it unique: This stuff is serious brain food. Tiny Organics is a member of the Food and Nutrition Innovation Council at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, and all meals were created with input from a team of neonatal nutritionists (as well as a chef).
What's the deal? Save $20 when you opt for the 24-pack of meals.
If You Want All Sustainable Ingredients: Sunbasket
Sun Basket
Why we love it: Sunbasket focuses on organic, sustainably sourced ingredients. All meal kit recipes are approved by in-house dietitians to comply with USDA dietary guidelines, and meals are typically between 500 and 800 calories. It offers a good variety for people on specific diets including those following paleo, vegetarian, and gluten-free meal plans. All you need is salt, pepper, and oil—the kit provides the rest, plus step-by-step instructions (and most meals take less than 30 minutes to prepare and cook). You can select two to four recipes per week to feed two to four people. You can also mix and match across meal categories, ensuring there’s something for everyone at your table, whether it’s Spicy Kung Pao Chicken with Cashews and Black Rice or Pappardelle with Pork Sausage, Brussels Sprouts, and Feta.
What makes it unique? Sunbasket ensures their packaging is almost completely recyclable and sources only humanely raised meat. If you like to support companies who “do good always,” Sunbasket could be your jam.
What’s the deal? $90 off across 4 boxes plus free shipping.
Why we love it:HelloFresh’s meal kits help you make tasty, satisfying food that’s simple without being boring. Some home cooks find their meals among the least intimidating of all meal delivery services, and dishes like Miso Peach Pork Chops or Eggplant and Creamy Tuscan Spaghetti and Meatballs are just enough out of the ordinary to be interesting without requiring a heroic effort on your part.
What makes it unique? Their back-to-school snack and meal bundles are here to save you from your school lunch rut. The snacks and bundles start as low as $3.99 and are available in HelloFresh’s recently launched HelloFresh Market.
What’s the deal? Up to $200 off and free breakfast for life when you subscribe.
Why we love it: This cook-at-home food delivery service partnered with Martha Stewart is here to help harried families discover their inner Martha. The menu features 29 choices every week and the website tags meals as family-friendly, vegan, vegetarian, and other categories. Favorites include Sheet Pan Fish Tacos and Cheesy Butternut Squash Gnocchi. The website provides big, colorful step-by-step photos for careless cooks and kids who want to help.
Why we love it: Purple Carrot’s recipes are entirely plant-based, and their team chooses meals for you, eliminating the need for you to log in by a certain date to make your own choices. Plus, they put an innovative spin on plant-based meals with dishes like Spicy Mango Tempeh with Roasted Broccoli Flatbreads with Cashew Cheese and Arugula.
What makes it unique? Don't want to cook? They have prepared meals as well!
Why We Love It: Parents rave that Gobble is the fastest and tastiest meal delivery service out there. They feature DIY dinner kits that cook in three steps and under 15 minutes (many of them in one pan). Gobble takes the prep work out by providing pre-cooked sauces, grains, pasta, pre-chopped ingredients, and/or pre-sliced vegetables and meat. It's currently available in all of the continental US except Montana.
What Makes It Unique: Watching your weight? There are also 15-minute lean and clean recipes that are 600 calories or less, low carb, and feature lean proteins and no filler grains.
Why we love it: Blue Apron pioneered the concept of sending a week’s worth of meals to your doorstep in an effort to get more people cooking by removing many hassles of meal prep. Their years of experience mean they know what they’re doing and their large size also means they’re able to take some innovative, high-tech steps to shape how food is grown, harvested, and distributed.
What makes it unique? With a decade of deliveries, Blue Apron is pretty much a sure bet for delicious meals with stellar instructions. And you might just up your cooking game while you're at it!
What’s the deal? Up to 25 free meals across 6 orders plus free shipping on the first order.
For Parents Making Specific Eating Choices: Green Chef
Green Chef
Why we love it: Whatever dietary choices you’re making at home, Green Chef has a plan for you. Meal plans include Keto, Vegetarian, Quick & Easy, Protein-Packed, Mediterranean, and Gluten Free. Plus, it’s easy to whip up the meals after a busy day because each recipe and kit bag are color-coded, so you’ll know what to grab from the fridge.
Why it’s unique: Besides offering such a diverse range of dietary preferences, it was the first and only Keto-approved meal delivery service. And, the meals come with one-of-a-kind sauces that add diverse flavors to the meals.
What's the deal? Get $250 off and free shipping on the first box.
Why we love it: With lots of tasty meal choices and customization options, Home Chef meal delivery service appeals to busy moms and picky eaters alike. Choose from meal kits like Pork and Guacamole Tostadas, Gouda Truffle Fondue Beef Burgers, or Chile Lime Butter Mahi-Mahi. You pick the serving size, meal frequency, and your family’s eating style (omnivore, meat eaters, pescatarian, etc.). We like that Home Chef specifies how long each meal kit will take to make and that you can specify if you are calorie- or carb-conscious.
What makes it unique? With meal options, delivery-day options, and the ability to add on meals, cooked proteins, and treats like smoothies and fresh fruit, Home Chef is a winner for new moms. Menus are set five weeks in advance so you can plan out your meals for weeks at a time.
What’s the deal? $30 off your first order and $10 off your second.
Why we love it: How about 100 percent plant-based, organic, non-GMO, chef-prepared entrees, soups, and juices that just show up at your front door whenever you want them to? Then look no further than Veestro.
There are no, zero, zilch animal products of any kind here, ever! Chick'n Nuggets with chipotle dipping sauce complete with veganaise will do the trick every time for your kiddos and no one will miss the meat. Veestro food is available a la carte and they also carry a surprisingly delicious weight loss menu plan. As with most vegetarian cuisine: most meals have nuts in them so be careful with a nut allergy, but all meals are completely dairy-free and don't contain other allergens.
Why we love it: Yumble has kid friendly cuisine down to a science. The New York-based company (which now ships nationwide) specializes in ready-to-pack lunches that kids won't trade in the cafeteria. PB&J croissants, mac and cheese, pizza—the stuff they usually ask for that we don't always have time to whip up and pack—delivered ready to grab-and-go.
What makes it unique: Complete your lunch by selecting 2 sides from Yumble's range of fruit or veggie inspired options, and don't forget to add a snack. Oh, and did we mention there's no refrigeration required? How easy is that?
Why we love it: Long for the microwave dinners of the old days—without the "Guess That Meat" flavor of your high school cafeteria? Freshology—also called Diet To Go—delivers chef-prepared meals, ready to reheat and eat. Freshology drops tasty, calorie-controlled, already-prepared dishes (breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and snacks) onto your doorstep. They’re all about helping you discover nutritious and affordable meals that’ll help you lose weight or support your healthy lifestyle.
What makes it unique: There's a variety of menus, including Keto-friendly, vegetarian, and diabetes-friendly. This gives “heat and eat” a whole new meaning.
Why we love it: Tovala is perfect for the non-chef or new mama because it literally requires one minute of prep and no cutting or chopping. Order your meals (or even shop like normal), then use the signature Smart Oven to completely cook your meal to perfection. Meals cook in 20 minutes or less and you can choose from tons of options, with 14 new items being added every week.
What makes it unique: No other meal delivery services offer the ability to cook on their own! The Tovala Smart Oven allows you to scan meal cards or regular grocery store codes and then cooks each item accordingly. Currently, you can scan more than 750 grocery items from brands like Annie's, Pillsbury, and Dr. Praeger's, and use it to steam, toast, bake, and broil.
What's the deal? Save $200 during their Holiday Sale.
For Plant-Based Meals That Actually Taste Great: Splendid Spoon
Splendid Spoon
Why we love it: Splendid Spoon’s meals and smoothies come ready to eat (absolutely no meal prep here!). Their delicious plant-based meals are a great opportunity to integrate more plants into your diet without the hassle of recipe research or multiple trips to the store. Everything on their menu is vegan, gluten-free, and GMO-free, and tastes 100 percent delicious.
What parents are saying: You won’t be bored with Splendid Spoon’s variety. They offer a rotating menu of 40+ ready-to-eat smoothies, soups, and grain bowls. Meals are customizable and we love that they’re delivered cold to your door (read: if you’re at the office or out and aren’t home to accept delivery, the package won’t spoil right away). While there’s no dedicated kids’ menu, the meals and smoothies are kid-friendly. You may even get your kids to try a new flavor combo!
What's the Deal? First-time subscribers receive $105 off their first three boxes
Why we love it: HelloFresh’s latest meal delivery service is one of the newest and most affordable on the market and offers simple meals with wholesome ingredients that are totally appealing to families. Choose from 26 different recipes that change every week and include offerings like herb-crusted parmesan chicken, chicken, bacon, and gouda sandwiches, and sweet-soy glazed meatballs. If you're looking for something specific, they divide the meals into categories: spicy, vegetarian, family friendly, and customer favorites. There's even an option to choose add-ons like garlic bread, Caesar salad, and white cheddar mac and cheese.
What parents are saying: While there’s no dedicated kids’ menu, each meal (chicken sausage soup with couscous, dijon butter steak, and linguine Italiano are examples) is very kid friendly.
What's the deal? You can click on the "mystery box" to unlock a deal, and meals start at $5, so overall, it's a winner
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.
Party favors that don’t end up in the trash are a huge win in our book
If you want to take your kid’s birthday party from fun to fantastic, the secret ingredient is creative party favor ideas for kids that won’t get tossed aside. Whether your little one digs sports, crafts, or princesses, there’s something just right for your celebration. We’ve found 21 amazing party favors for kids that are sure to put a smile on your guests’ faces. These affordable ideas include easy DIY options and a few that even double as party activities. Just add a birthday cake, and you’ll be ready to party in no time!
Bubble gum lovers will pop over these mini bubble gum dispensers. The tiny treat holders add a bright touch to any festivities and can be customized with gumballs that match your party decorations. Minted Julep will tell you how to make your own sweet rainbow-colored favors.
Personalized Sand Buckets
Canva
You can never have enough sand buckets, especially in the summer months! This is one of the easiest party favor ideas for kids we've seen because it only requires a few colorful buckets, a market, and, if you're feeling up to it, sunglasses, a shovel, or any other warm-weather accessories.
Complete your camping party with a to-go bag of s'mores ingredients, like mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, and graham crackers. Spotted at Catch My Party, this delicious snack bag adds a yummy touch to post-party goodbyes. Plus, snack bags like these make for an affordable kids' party favor option.
We love party favors that double as a party activity—and they're even better when they rely on stuff that you already have around the house. These affordable, fun cup and ball game party favors use paper towel rolls or toilet paper tubes that can be customized by your party guests. Check out all the step-by-step directions at Hello Wonderful.
You'll win big points with this printable party favor box. Perfect for sports-loving kids, this treat box can be customized with your favorite take-home treat. Just add candy, gum, or bouncy balls. She shoots she scores!
Pass out a squeaky clean favor with these DIY Tattoo Soap Bars that are a solid choice for good, clean fun. This easy party favor can be customized with your kids' favorite temporary tattoos. Slide over to Gluesticks to learn how you can make your own.
Seed packets like these eco-friendly favors are perfect for garden-themed parties or tea parties. You can pick up a batch of flower seeds for under a dollar each, and add your own custom labels. Grow on!
Nothing could be sweeter than a pastel mouse filled with your guests' favorite candies. These adorable felt mice are perfect take-home gifts for an animal lovers party. Find out all the DIY tips at Minted Julep.
Send your guests home with a stack of sweets. These eye-catching candy kabobs are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Head on over to Catch My Party to find out how to make your own, and don't miss the money-saving DIY tips! Bonus: there might be a little candy leftover to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Kids love to color, so send guests home with these adorable coloring pages from Something Turquoise. Cleverly packaged with a set of crayons and a sturdy coloring surface, head over to the blog for the free printable and assembly instructions.
These LEGO Minifig snowglobes from Mini Eco are double the fun. They're a party activity and favor in one! Your master builders can put together a tiny scene with a few bricks and a Minifigure. Then you can follow Minieco's instructions and turn their creations into a winter wonderland.
We heart these DIY crayons from My Frugal Adventures. Save broken or worn down crayon pieces and fill a heart-shaped mold with the colors of your choice. Make solid hearts or mix colors together to create swirling designs.
How does your garden grow? With ballpoint pens and faux flowers! These adorable pens are so easy to make, Musings From a Stay at Home Mom turned this craft into a project for the whole family. Pair with a fun notepad or place them in a bouquet by the door for guests to take as they leave the party.
Charlotte’s Web, Harold and the Purple Crayon, the Olivia series, and more. Whether you decide to personalize a custom book or choose one of the classics, books make great favors and welcome additions to your guest’s libraries.
Guests will burst with excitement over these bubbly favors. Upcycled baby food jars topped with figurines that reflect the party theme make this idea easy and customizable. Pop over to A Bubbly Life for the how-to and a bubble solution recipe.
This favor from Momtastic breaks the mold. Packaged in personalized containers, this edible play dough is super easy to make and fun to play with. What a delicious idea!
Get ready to boogie with a mix of your tiny dancer’s favorite tunes. Choose a selection of kid-friendly hits and create your own labels for a playlist guests will be listening to on repeat. Head over to Catch My Party to see all the celebratory details.
Earning an A for creativity, Rachel at Maison de Pax created personalized chalkboards for each guest at her son’s birthday party using pre-cut letters and chalkboard paint. Colorful chalk wrapped in twine were the perfect finishing touch.
We adore this bright idea from By Wilma. Ordinary sunglasses get a high-fashion makeover with a little cardboard, glue and creativity. Get the camera ready! These shades make for adorable photo ops.
Custom capes are a super favor idea! Plan a little extra crafting time, and find instructions to make a custom set for your superheroes-in-training here. Psst! It’s not as hard as you think to make a few capes for your superhero and her sidekicks.
Cast a spell on your party princesses with these affordable wands. We love that Aesthetic Nest's wands are both easy to make and full of magic. They make the perfect finishing touch for Frozen superfans.
—with additional reporting by Taylor Clifton and Lauren Hill
For a family adventure that you won’t soon forget, head to Istanbul, Turkey—the only city that straddles both Europe and Asia. Welcoming locals, mouth-watering meze and the soothing call to prayer heard throughout the day will give you and the kids a glimpse into a culture unlike any other. With a currency exchange in our favor and free hotel rooms when you take advantage of Turkish Airlines’ stopover service, you have the makings of your next epic family destination. Read on for all you can expect in Istanbul!
Explore
One of the best reasons to visit Istanbul is to expose your children to cultures outside of our own. As you walk through the streets of Istanbul, you will hear the call to prayer—the bellowing voices of the muezzin will be heard from speakers atop the minarets around the city five times a day. Plan a visit to the most famous mosque in Istanbul, the Sultanahmet Camii or “Blue Mosque.” This magnificent structure was built in the 1600s and is still used as a place of worship today.
Visitors are welcome to visit during non-prayer times and tour the structure. You can see the 21,043 blue tiles that line the walls for which the mosque got its common name. Women must cover their heads with a head scarf (available to borrow for free at the entrance) and all guests must wear appropriate clothing and remove their shoes upon entering.
Another religious tradition unique to this area of the world is the Mevlevi Sema Ceremony, better known as the Whirling Dervishes. You can witness this dance and musical ceremony at Hodjapasha and other theaters throughout the city (note: children under six are not allowed due the solemness of the religious ceremony).
Visitors to the Hagia Sophia Museum in Istanbul will be surprised to see the juxtaposition of Christianity and Muslim history with Byzantine mosaics and Ottoman calligraphy on the walls. Built in the 6th century as the Hagia Sophia or Church of the Holy Spirit, it was converted to a mosque in the 15th century after the Ottoman conquest of Istanbul. It became a museum in 1935 and welcomes thousands of visitors each year.
Just a short walk from the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia is Topkapi Palace, a residence for the Ottoman sultans beginning in the 1400s. Kids will especially enjoy visiting the palace museum and touring the living quarters of the sultans’ families. Here you can view the arms and armor that was used during this time period and see how the palace kitchens functioned (think massive cauldrons to serve hundreds of people).
A visit to Istanbul is not complete without a Bosphorus tour. This body of water separates the Asian side of Istanbul from the European side and connects the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. Opt for a night cruise to view the castles, bridges and mosques of the city all lit up.
photo: Miniaturk
Want a view of the city like no other? Bring the kids to Miniaturk, a museum with 1/25 replicas of many of the famous landmarks in Istanbul and other parts of Turkey. Kids will love feeling like giants and it will make for some great photo opps!
Shopping
The Grand Bazaar is one of the largest covered bazaars in the world selling every sort of evil eye pendant and keychain you could imagine. Head to the leather section to purchase a jacket or leather belt and then admire the gorgeously-colored mosaic chandeliers and lamps. You can purchase Turkish tea supplies and pottery to bring home with you. Costumes and magic lamp trinkets are popular with the younger visitors.
The nearby Spice Market is a feast for the senses with bins of colorful spices, olives, cheese and sweets on every aisle. Purchase authentic Turkisk coffee and tea to bring a sip of Istanbul home with you.
Food in Istanbul
You will not go hungry on a trip to Istanbul, that’s for sure. Every corner seems to be dotted with a food cart selling grilled corn on the cob and roasted chestnuts. Find a stand that sells Turkish ice cream and you will be in for a sweet treat as well as a hilarious performance. A cup of fresh-squeezed pomegranate juice will be just the afternoon pick-me-up that you need to tackle another museum. Kids will enjoy the sesame-crusted simit, a bread similar to a crunchy bagel.
Restaurant meals typically start with a generous portion of meze—cold offerings including hummus, stuffed grape leaves, roasted eggplant and flat bread. Entrees are typically roasted meats with lamb and beef dominating the options.
Perhaps the most recognizable Turkish food that would appeal to kids is pide. This flatbread is filled with meat, cheese or vegetables and resembles an oval-shaped pizza. Another kid favorite is kofte—a flattened, grilled meatball that is perfect with rice.
If you find an establishment that offers manti, do not pass it up. Most closely related to a ravioli, this dumpling is typically topped with cold plain yogurt and a tomato sauce.
As spice level can often be an issue for visitors to Istanbul, request a glass of Ayran to go with your meal. This Turkish yogurt drink tastes like a slightly-salty plain yogurt and soothes the stomach after a big meal.
Desserts are serious business in Istanbul with baklava and Turkish delight being offered on every street corner. Hazer Baba is a well-known purveyor of Turkish delights at the Spice Market as their products are made with honey instead of sugar. Pistachio and pomegranate are popular flavors. You can get your Turkish delight coated in coconut, chocolate or dried rose flowers among many other options.
Turkish coffee and tea are an element of every meal. Tea is served from an ornate two-tiered kettle where the brewed tea is added to the glass first, followed by water to dilute the tea to your preferred strength. Turkish coffee most resembles espresso in its strength. It is tradition to read the coffee grounds from inside your cup after you finish to see your fortune!
photo: Turkish Airlines
Traveling to Istanbul
Turkish Airlines offers direct flights to Istanbul from nine U.S. gateways (SFO, LAX, JFK, Houston, Atlanta, Washington, Boston and Miami) making your trip there that much easier. Even the youngest flyers are given special treatment on Turkish Airlines from diaper kits for infants (contains wipes, changing mat, bibs, diaper cream and even breast pads for nursing mamas). Baby food can be requested when booking your flight. Infant seat belts and bassinets are also available.
Older kids will get a kick out of the wooden in-flight toys that are offered by Turkish Arilines. These eco-friendly playthings are made for children ages 3 through 12 and address environmental issues such as endangered species to teach kids about the world around them through play. There are also tons of kids’ movies and games available in the in-flight entertainment system (bonus: kids can request smaller-sized headphones if needed).
Everyone who flies Turkish Airlines will be impressed by the in-flight food service prepared by (literal) flying chefs! Taste the flavors of Turkey and enjoy a Turkish tea and baklava to end your meal.
Free Hotel Nights with Turkish Airlines’ Stopover Service
With Turkish Airlines servicing the most countries of any airline, it’s possible that you’ll have the opportunity to stopover in Istanbul on your way to another destination. Take advantage of the expanded Turkish Airlines’ stopover service and explore the city before you continue on with your journey.
The stopover service will provide one free night in a four-star hotel for economy passengers and two free nights in a five-star hotel for business class passengers when you stop in Istanbul on your way to Africa, Eastern Europe, Balkans, Southern Europe, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Russia, Iran or Kazakhstan. Use your time to see the cultural sites, cruise on the Bosphorus and shop in the Grand Bazaar. You can find the full details on this program here.
Note: This trip was paid for by Turkish Airlines but all opinions belong to the writer.
It’s all about the little things when it comes to flying with a baby
You want to go places, but let’s face it: Your little bundle of joy may not be so joyous 15,000 feet up. Never fear, there’s no need to put off travel! Whether you’re trying to figure out where to sit on the plane or what you need to bring in your carry-on, we’ve compiled everything you need to know about flying with a baby to make your family’s jet-setting experience a little less bumpy. And if you’re looking for destination inspiration, check out our top spots to visit before the kids grow up.
First Things First: At What Age Can Your Baby Fly?
You may be ready to show off your new addition to long-distance relatives, but pediatricians recommend waiting until your baby is at least three months old—or had their first set of shots—before traveling by plane. Even though airplane air is filtered before it is recirculated, it is still a closed cabin full of people, and that might pose a challenge for brand-new immune systems. That said, common sense precautions are what doctors advise once babies are old enough to fly.
"In general, I think flying is relatively safe," said Los Angeles pediatrician Elle Raker. "I’d prefer everyone else was still masking, but unfortunately, that’s changed." Raker recommends maintaining social distancing when traveling, if possible, and keeping your hands and nearby surfaces clean while aboard the plane. That means sanitize, sanitize, sanitize! (Pssst: These airplane tray covers are super-convenient for keeping little fingers safe from dirty airplane trays!)
Booking Your Flight: The Best Time and Day to Fly with a Baby
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The flight you choose—what time and what day—can make all the difference when you've got a pint-sized plane partner. So follow these guidelines to set yourself up for smooth travels:
Book your flight for a Tuesday or Wednesday According to Airadvisor.com, flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays are almost always cheaper and less filled than flights that bookend weekends or on Saturdays and Sundays. This means you'll have a better chance of having an empty seat next to you (which is like winning the lottery when it comes to flying with the fam).
Fly direct—or choose a long layover Ear pain tends to be worse on takeoff and landing—so minimize these painful times for your baby by choosing a direct flight! Flying direct also minimizes the number of dirty airport floors your little explorer will want to crawl all over. If you can't bear the thought of 17 hours on an airplane, try to book a layover that allows you to spend the night (or two!) in your layover city rather than just waiting at the airport. This gives you and your brood a chance to recoup and explore a new city. That's what Mommy travel blogger Carrie Bradley, former flight attendant and founder of FlyingWithABaby, advises. "I prefer breaking up the journey just so everybody can get some rest," Bradley said. "We like to take like 48 hours and make it a mini vacation."
Pick a morning flight Regardless of your baby's sleep schedule, Travel & Leisure says morning flights are the only flights you should book since they are the least likely to be delayed or canceled. Early morning flights are usually less bumpy, which means more time letting your little one out of the car seat to explore the cabin (a must for new walkers). If that isn't possible, and you've got a by-the-clock napper, book a flight that coincides with nap time.
Where to Sit On the Plane when Flying with a Baby
Laura Green
Where you sit on the plane matters! If you're able to choose your seats for the flight, here are some things to consider:
If it's an option, get a bassinet seat (located at the bulkhead seats) Got a baby under six months? Many long-haul or international flights offer travel bassinets that clip into the wall of the bulkhead seats. These can be lifesavers for harried parents (and exhausted infants). To score these seats, you'll need to book your seats super early. The rules vary by airline, but most bassinets are only available for infants under the age of one and less than 25 pounds. For details on where your chosen airline stands, check out this comprehensive list of bassinet seats on 50+ airlines.
Book a window and aisle seat and hope for an empty row Middle seats are always the last to be picked on a plane, so reserving a window and aisle ups the chances that you'll get all three seats to yourself (Note: You can even do this if you're flying with a family of four; just book two windows/aisle seats). You can always switch if someone does book that seat between you.
Don't put your baby in the aisle seat Passengers in the aisle are in the line of fire should luggage fall from the overhead bins during a flight (this happens more than you'd think, with an estimated 4,500 travelers hit by falling airplane luggage each year). These seats can also be risky for little ones who may get their fingers or feet pinched by carts coming through the aisles. Babies and children are safest in the middle or window seats.
Don't sit right next to the bathrooms, but don't sit too far away, either! Sitting too close to the bathroom means your sleeping baby may be startled awake by the crowd noise after mealtimes (when most people go to the bathrooms). But don't sit too far from one, either; you want to be able to dash to the changing table when blowouts strike.
Seats over the wing are the least turbulent If you are worried about turbulence, a seat near the wings will offer the smoothest ride. This makes a difference when you're trying to aim a little spoon into your finicky baby's mouth during feeding time.
Airport security lines aren't fun for anyone, but they're extra stressful when you're contending with wandering toddlers or fussy infants. Here are some tips to help you prepare for (or avoid!) the wait:
Formula & breast milk are allowed on your carry-on Nursing and pumping mamas, relax! According to TSA press secretary Carter Langston, you can bring your breast milk through the security lines—even if the baby is not with you at the time (such as if you're away on business and want to bring that "liquid gold" home for your baby). This is because the TSA considers formula and breastmilk "medically necessary liquids," which are allowed in carry-on baggage in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces (that's the limit on other, non-medically necessary liquids). As of July 2022, the TSA also updated its guidelines online to add that ice packs, freezer packs, gel ice packs, and similar items required to cool medically necessary liquids are also allowed through security.
Baby food is OK Food pouches and jars of baby food are also considered medically necessary, so they're also exempt from the 3.4 ounces rules.
It's easy to get TSA approved If you think getting TSA PreCheck status is a difficult process, we're here to tell you it's not! A quick online application and an in-person interview are all you need to do to get what is essentially a "fast pass" through the security lines. Even better, as long as your littles are under 13, they can whisk through security with you without needing their own TSA approval! Apply for the pass here: tsa.gov/precheck.
Kids don't have to take off their shoes If your kids are under 12, they don't have to remove their shoes when going through security.
Ask if there's a TSA Family screening line Many large airports have a special security line for families. The signage may not be obvious, so ask a security representative to direct you if you're not sure.
Take your baby out of her stroller or car seat This is another reason to keep your baby awake until you get aboard the plane. Babies must be carried through security (though they can be carried on you in a sling) with strollers and car seats going through the X-ray machine separately. (Strollers that don't fit through the X-ray machine will have to be inspected manually.)
Children under 18 don't need a passport or ID to fly in the United States—but they DO need a passport to fly internationally To apply for a passport, go to travel.state.gov to download the forms. And don't wait! According to the U.S. Passport Office, it takes 10-13 weeks to process a new passport and "expedited" passports take 4-6 weeks. You must bring your documents to your local passport office (you can't mail them in), and both parents need to be present (or have a notarized form saying why they're not).
Ultimate Supply List for Flying with a Baby
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Packing for a flight with babies and toddlers requires a LOT of prep work. Wipes? Check! Diapers? Check! Sanity? TBD. Here's a checklist of things to put in your carry-on when flying with a baby:
The Essentials:
Baby carrier/ sling - Even if you brought a stroller through the airport, a carrier is a great way to go hands-free in the airplane while your little one snoozes. Many a mom has strapped that baby to their bellies even when making a restroom trip. Trust us: you'll be happy to have your hands.
Pacifiers/comfort items - If your baby uses a pacifier, bring at least four of them on the plane (they WILL be dropped).
Breast milk, formula, baby food - Most airlines won't provide special meals for babies, so be sure you bring everything your baby will need for the flight (and extras in case there are any delays or if you're stuck on the tarmac).
Feeding supplies - Bibs, spoons, bottles, bowls (these bowls that stick to surfaces work great with the tray table)
Finger foods - Never underestimate the power of food to keep your baby busy. Light finger foods like puffs or teething crackers are great because they can keep on nibbling without getting too full.
Wipes - Separate from the wipes you'll put in your changing kit, an extra pack of wipes is essential for all those other times you'll be cleaning up your baby (and yourself).
Changing items - Diapers, wipes, changing pad. Bring double the number of diapers and wipes that your baby usually uses in the period you expect to be traveling. Tip: Keep all changing items in a separate bag (Ziploc bags work great) so you can easily grab them from your carry-on and dash to the bathroom.
Pull-ups, if your baby can stand - These make diaper changes way easier since you don't have to lay your toddler down on that tiny table in the tiny airplane bathroom.
Toys - For younger babies, rattles, teething toys, and other sensory toys will keep your baby entertained for short spurts; older kids may want books, dolls, or puppets.
Clips to keep toys/pacifiers from falling - If your baby is anything like every baby ever, they'll be tossing said comfort item overboard shortly after they get a hold of it. Toy clips like these are an easy fix.
Baby pain relief/medications - Bring a small "emergency bag" stocked with liquid baby pain relief (Tylenol for babies of any age; Advil for babies over six months), gas drops, and any medications your baby may need.
Burp cloths
Nursing pillow (we recommend the My Brest Friend) - This may be cumbersome to carry around, but it can work as a comfy bed for your baby post-feed (and you can pass the sleeping baby to your partner easily when your baby is asleep on the pillow) It also has an attached cup-holder for when Mom or Dad gets thirsty, too.
Sanitizing wipes/ tray covers - Your baby—and especially your toddler—will want to touch everything their little fingers can reach. So be sure to bring plenty of wipes and wipe down all nearby surfaces. For the trays, disposable tray covers are great, too.
Muslin cloth - These are great for covering babies when they're sleeping or as a nursing cover. They're also nice to cover the baby's head if they are getting overstimulated by the busy surroundings.
Blankets - One for comfort and warmth and another for the floor at the airport.
Extra clothes for baby AND parents (because blowouts happen!) - Choose clothes that are easy to take on and off (no buttons!) and bring layers for when the cabin swings from cold to hot and vice-versa.
Ziploc bags for wet/soiled clothes.
Car seat (and car seat stroller for the airport)- If you are buying your baby a seat (recommended, but not mandatory), bring your car seat so your baby has a comfortable, familiar place to nap. This also helps to get your baby (and your stuff) comfortably around the airport. You can gate-check the stroller part when you get on the plane, and it'll be ready for you when you step off.
Note: The American Academy of Pediatrics says the safest way for your baby to fly is in an FAA-approved car seat or airplane harness device approved for your child's age and size installed with the airplane's seat belt. Booster seats cannot be used on airplanes.
Gadgets Worth Buying (but not necessary)
Wraparound headphones - Older babies and toddlers will love being able to hear songs or stories with these wraparound fleece headphones that won't easily slide off and also keep your baby's head warm.
Lap baby - Carrie Bradley of Flyingwithababy.com called this "a really useful product for babies of all ages." It works like a seat belt to keep babies over three months secure on your lap so you can be hands-free and baby can be comfortable.
The Flyaway travel bed - This L-shaped inflatable mattress lets toddlers lie flat and sleep aboard the plane. It also works to fill the floor space so that items your toddler is playing with don't plunge into the abyss of the airplane floor. For a less-expensive option, these inflatable footrest pillows do the same thing.
Travel play tray - This tray attaches to the airplane tray table and has raised edges to keep small toys from sliding off the tray (it also covers that dirty tray table). It's also useful for toddlers who like to play with crayons or other small items.
Airline Perks You Should Know About When Flying with a Baby
Sure, flying with a baby can be a challenge—but it's not all a drag! Some airlines offer special perks to families traveling with babies and toddlers, including:
Baby and toddler meals Most airlines offer a kids' meal that you can order ahead of time, but only a few airlines (mostly international) will serve a specialized baby or toddler meal. These usually consist of jarred baby food or meals that are soft and easy to chew. Qantas, Air France, Emirates, Eva Air, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, and Singapore Airlines are some of the airlines that offer this, according to this article from Flyingwithababy.
Bassinet seats As mentioned above, many long-haul flights offer bassinets (mostly suitable for babies under one) that can clip into the bulkhead wall. These seats usually cost more, since they're in the bulkhead row, but are worth it for parents of finicky little sleepers.
Priority boarding for families When you hear that announcement that "families with young children are welcome to board," grab your roller suitcases and go! Getting all those essential carry-on items in position is crucial, especially if you'll have stuff in the overhead compartments that you'll need to access mid-flight. If you're worried about your antsy toddlers, traveling mommy blogger Samantha Brown recommends having one parent stay in the terminal with the kids while the other boards with the stuff. That way, the littles can run around, then get on the plane after getting all their wiggles out.
Free toys and activity kits You read that right—free toys! According to Conde Nast Traveler, Lufthansa, Emirates, Nippon Airways, British Airways, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Etihad, and Japan Airlines are among those who give out free kits for tiny passengers. These kits can include everything from stuffed animals and stickers to play dough and puzzles. Just ask the flight attendant when you board.
Worst-Case Scenarios: What To Do If…
Your baby may be all smiles at the airport, but what do you do if everything changes mid-air?
Ear pain If your baby is crying and tugging at her ears—or if the crying started just as the plane took off—it could be an earache. Give your baby a pain reliever that's safe for their age—Tylenol (acetaminophen) is safe at any age; Advil (ibuprofen) is safe for babies over six months. You can also ask the flight attendant for a cup of warm water and a washcloth; holding a warm, moist towel against the baby's ear may help relieve the pain. Also, keep your baby sucking or chewing since this can help equalize ear pressure.
*The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against giving Benadryl to children ages two and under unless it is directed by their doctors.
Vomiting If your child vomits while on the plane, the protocol is the same as if you were on land: give sips of breastmilk or formula (or water) to prevent dehydration. You can also ask the flight attendants for some washcloths to put on your child (and you) to keep the clothing changes and seat mess to a minimum. Thankfully, children under two rarely get motion sickness, so your chances that a bumpy flight will lead to a troubled tummy are small.
Teething Liquid pain relievers can help, as well as teething toys.
Nonstop crying If no amount of peekaboo, feeding, or rocking can ease your baby's cries, all you can do is try to relax. "Make sure you stay calm," says mommy blogger Jennifer Durban in this Howcast video. "If you're stressed out, your baby will be stressed out, so try your best to relax." She also suggested getting up and walking around the cabin. "It's amazing how fascinating a bathroom can be to a little one."
Remember: Flying with a Baby Is Only Temporary
You've packed. You've prepped. You've fed, rocked, and cuddled. Still, when it comes to air travel, it's anyone's guess how your new little human will react to the experience. So what do you do if nothing "works" and your baby is that baby, the one who cries the whole flight?
"I try to tell other parents you may think everybody is looking at you—and you may feel these eyes peering—but they’re not," said Bradley, who has taken her two young daughters on international flights since they were both infants. "You just relax and do your thing, and remember that it will end. It's not forever. Just concentrate on your family."
Bradley said it's also important to remember that it's not the kids who generally cause the most problems on board. "Sure, kids cry and it can be irritating—I get that," she said. "But it’s mostly fully grown adults we’ve had bigger problems with."
And she said it's OK for parents to ask the flight attendants for help. "Even if the flight crew aren’t parents, they can help. It’s what they do," she said, adding that, as a flight attendant, she held many a baby when the parents just needed a break to use the bathroom or have a bite to eat. "I would always tell parents, 'I'm happy to hold your baby.'"
