Your gender-neutral nursery will be anything but boring
Gender-neutral baby gear, clothes, and accessories have become very accessible, and nurseries are no exception. Whether you’re going the neutral route because you’re skipping the ‘gender reveal‘, you want to be able to plan for hand-me-downs for future babies, or just because you like the hues, there are lots of options for a gender-neutral nursery. It can be a bit of a challenge to keep things neutral and cohesive. These decorating options are easy to mix and match, plus, it’s all absolutely adorable. Oh, and boho-loving moms? There are a ton of earthy colors in this collection that you’ll love. You can’t go wrong with these.
Pick bold patterns or muted prints, or pair a little of both for a unique and darling room your babe will be able to grow into. Another major plus to neutral spaces, right? Of course, you’ll want to add baby and family photos, plus their own touches as their personalities start to show. Here are a few of our favorite choices.
Passport 20" Kids Pendant Ceiling Light by Leanne Ford
This fun ceiling light is an adorable addition to any kiddo's room. Who wouldn't want a hot air balloon floating through their space? We know we do.
100% cotton sateen, this illustrated crib sheet from Rookie Humans is like creating a storybook in their nursery. If the moon isn't quite your style, check out their full collection of stunning crib sheets, too.
Aside from being so cool-looking, clear storage helps you find what you're looking for fast and fits into any decor (including your gender-neutral nursery) because, again, clear.
Goodnight Moon 3-Piece Celestial Nursery Crib Bedding Set
Lambs & Ivy
This sweet crib bedding set includes a quilt, fitted crib sheet, and a crib skirt. "You are my sun my moon and all of my stars" is embroidered on the soft moon. That covers every parents' sentiment, doesn't it?
We have a feeling you're going to want blackout curtains in the nursery. Afterall, between being able to darken the whole room on your terms, and keeping the temperature regulated, there's a good chance your little one will sleep better with them.
A super cute decorative nursery sign that's laser cut and engraved from birch and white eucalyptus wood. They're available in 3 different sizes, with 12 different frame finishes to choose from.'
Handmade details, cotton fleece, and yarn combine to create an artisanal feel that's totally gender-neutral, too. Stick with the giraffe, or add the antelope and lion, too.
We're actually very in love with all the clocks from Birch Lane, but Smokey the Owl is an easy fave. Made from baltic birch plywood that's ethically sourced & printed with non-toxic, water-based inks, too.
WallpaperMural.com makes absolutely beautiful wallpaper, and the Ava Neutral design warms up any nursery or kids room. It's comfy, cozy, and has just the right about of whimsy, too. That's right, we said whimsy.
The soft colors with a little extra punch make these prints a great way to add neutral hues to your little one's gender-neutral nursery. (Note: these are a digital download.)
This set of 3 receiving blankets in the 'Forest Theme' palette is not only pretty, it's hard to go wrong with soft and breathable organic cotton and bamboo fabrication. Plus, you can never have enough receiving blankets, right?
This sound machine has 30 looping white noise sounds and 12 nightlight colors, and although it comes in black and white, this wood finish makes it part of the decor.
Babies aren't always terribly interested in stuffed animals until they're a bit older, but we know you already have quite the collection. Store them in style with this macrame storage hammock, featuring a string of LED lights for a soft glow in a gender-neutral nursery.
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Who made pink and blue the only choices, anyway? Gender neutral baby clothes are trending
Whether you’ve opted to skip the gender reveal, pre-planning for hand-me-downs, or just prefer to skip the “girls” and “boys” styles, gender neutral baby clothes are a great way to go. Not only does it make mixing and matching seriously easy, but with so many brands offering neutral options, it also makes shopping seriously easy. Check out these cute versatile baby outfit options and get ready for baby dressing Easy Street.
This adorable 12 piece layette gift set features 6 bodysuits in 3 different sizes for each stage of baby's growth (0-3m, 3-6m, 6-9m). It also comes with a sweet milestone blanket and marker for photo ops. Grow-With-Me Milestone Layette Set ($69.99)—Buy Here!
This layette set has pretty much everything you need for your new babe, including linens for a gender-neutral nursery. 23 Piece Layette Set ($59.99)—Buy Here!
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.
Baby number two is Oscar Bennett Goldsmith, and he’s already going by a sweet nickname, Ozzie. He “arrived a little late but with much aplomb (and an easier/speedier delivery than his big brother, much to the delight of his parents),” reads her Instagram post. “Every adage is true: our hearts have doubled in size and the immediacy of the love is astounding. He is beyond words and we are so grateful for our family of four! 💓💓💓💓”
Moore likely mentioned the speedy birth of Ozzie since she was unable to have a medicated birth. The actress shared with TODAY that she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder and that her platelets are too low to receive an epidural for both her first and second pregnancy.
“It was awful. But I can do it one more time. I can climb that mountain again,” Moore said. “I wish medication was an option — just the idea of it being on the table is so nice. But we’ll just push forth like we did last time.”
Ozzie joins big brother, Gus, who Moore welcomed in February 2021. It was just in June that he helped the family announce that a new baby was on the way.
“One incredibly seminal chapter of my life just ended and the next one, as a mother of two, is about to start… and are we ever so deeply grateful and excited,” wrote Moore on her Instagram post. The caption accompanied a sweet photo of Gus sporting a “big brother” shirt.
The off-duty firefighter was actually involved in the accident herself, but stepped in to help a woman in need
Megan Warfield is both a career firefighter with Baltimore County and a Bowleys Quarters Volunteer Fire Rescue & Marine (BQVFRM) member, so she knows how to handle an emergency. But even the 30-year-old, who was nine months pregnant at the time, didn’t see herself being at the center of a vehicle collision.
Warfield, who had been serving in an administrative capacity as she progressed through her pregnancy, was involved in an accident as a passenger one afternoon. On a recent appearance on TODAY, she recounted the situation.
“I started to climb in there with her, but then I was like, ‘What are you doing? You’re nine months pregnant,’” Warfield she says. “I ended up holding onto her to keep her in place because I wasn’t sure of her injuries at the time.
Warfield stayed by the woman’s side until Squad 213 could arrive to help extricate her from the vehicle, according to the BQVFRM Facebook page. Once the paramedics arrived (one of which was Warfield’s paramedic boyfriend), the firefighter finally decided to head to Johns Hopkins Hospital to get checked out.
According to TODAY, the accident ended up inducing labor and turned Warfield’s baby transverse. “I don’t know how I did what I did because the cramping was so bad,” Warfield said. “I must’ve just been running on adrenaline.”
From there, it was less than 24 hours until Megan welcomed her baby girl, Charlotte. Born on Oct. 4, she joins big siblings Ellie and Jameson.
Bowleys Quarters Volunteer Fire Rescue & Marine took to Facebook to honor Warfield’s brave actions and said it best: “Since no good deed should go unrecognized, we wanted to highlight Megan’s heroic and selfess actions. Congratulations Momma Megan, Job Well Done”
It’s no surprise you’ve been doing some serious daydreaming about who, exactly, is in there. Before you dive into full-on baby shower planning mode, have some fun trying these at-home baby prediction tests to find out how to tell the gender of your baby. Can a wacky at-home prediction test tell you if you are having a boy or a girl? Well, you’ll have to try these tests to find out. (Regardless of the outcome, these incredible gender-neutral nurseries should have you covered.)
1. Carrying high? That's supposed to mean you'll have a girl, while a low rider means boy.
2. If your skin has that pregnancy glow, chances are you're having a boy, according to one old wives' tale. If you're breaking out, get ready for a girl.
3. Look at your breasts in the mirror. If your right breast is larger than your left, you're having a girl. If your left breast looks larger, it's a boy.
4. Consult a Chinese gender chart, which uses your age and the month you conceived to determine how to tell the gender of your baby.
5. Energetic fetuses are thought to be boys, while chill babes in utero are predicted to be girls.
6. Pee in a cup (you should be a pro at this by now after all those doctor's visits), and then mix in 1 tablespoon of Drano drain cleaner. If the color turns green, you'll have a girl. Blue means it's a boy. (Be careful with this one. Drano can be toxic, so wear gloves and a mask or have someone else do this experiment for you.)
7. At your next prenatal checkup, check out baby's head on the ultrasound. If it's square-shaped, then you're having a boy. If you see a rounder head, it's a girl.
8. Tie a ring on the end of a piece of string. Sit down and have someone hold the string over your belly. If the ring swings in a circle, you're having a girl. If it swings back and forth, it's a boy.
9. That dark line that runs from your pubic bone straight up the center of your belly (known as the linea nigra) is said to indicate baby's sex. If the line stops at your belly button, you're having a girl. If the line continues up to your ribs and chest, it's a boy.
10. The faster baby's heart rate is, the more likely you're having a girl. The slower the heart rate (below 140 beats per minute), the more likely you're having a boy.
11. If the skin on your hands is dry and chapped during pregnancy, you're more likely to be carrying a boy. Smooth skin means it'll be a girl.
12. If you're craving salty foods, then you're pregnant with a boy. Are you jonesin' for something sweet? Then it's a girl you're carrying.
iStock
13. Since you have to pee all the time anyway, pee in a cup one more time. Then drop in some baking soda. If it fizzes, then it's a boy; if it doesn't, it's a girl.
14. Here's another pee test: Boil a head of red cabbage in some water. Save the red cabbage water and mix it in a cup with your urine. If the water turns pink, it means a girl is on its way. If the water is purple, you're having a boy.
15. Next time you wake up in the morning (or from one of those much-needed pregnancy naps), check which side of your body you're sleeping on. Left side indicates boy, while right means girl.
16. This one is similar to the Chinese chart above. The Mayans take the mama's age at conception and add it to the year baby was conceived. If it's an odd number, the baby is a boy. Even means it's a girl.
17. If your morning sickness lasts beyond the first trimester, some people think you're carrying a girl. If your sickness subsides or you didn't have any to begin with (lucky you!), then it's a boy.
18. If your baby bump looks like a basketball, it could be you're having a boy. If your baby bump is more spread out across your waistline, then it's a girl.
While planning for your new arrival, there’s no better time to download the Tinybeans app. The secure platform allows you to share special moments with friends and family near and far and puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their littles.
If you have an ever-expanding baby bump or a friend with a babe due any day, get ready to wow everyone. From an art center to a bakery to a rustic-chic office space (really!), we found baby shower venues in Chicago that mom-to-be and her guests will remember forever. Scroll down to see all of our picks — and read our list of top to-dos with baby in Chicago — and start the prep!
This fully furnished 2,000-square-foot open studio space in the heart of Ravenswood accommodates up to 150 people. It features two private bathrooms, kitchenette and reasonably priced hourly rates. They’re uber accommodating with catering—use your own or select from their preferred vendors—and they offer decor and event planning services should you need a bit of assistance.
4437 N. Ravenswood, Ravenswood; 312-479-1390; Online: ravenswoodloft.com
You'll "ooh" and "aah" when you walk in—promise. Catalyst Ranch is a unique space with a variety of rooms. It’s super-versatile, fun, large but not cavernous, cozy, bright and cheerful. In other words: everything you want in a baby shower spot. Also, it's perfect for people coming from the 'burbs, as it’s right off of the Kennedy.
656 W. Randolph St., West Loop; 312-207-1710, Online: catalystranch.com
Yep, a baby shower in an office -- and one you'll always remember for it's flexibility and rustic-chic appeal. You can bring in your own food and drinks, so it's the most reasonably priced of the bunch. They have tables, chairs, a sofa lounge area, an outdoor terrace, a kitchen and an assistant to help with your bash. This private loft space is a great option for those who want room to roam and a creative vibe.
We'll let you in on a little southside secret: This is truly a gorgeous building that not enough people know about. On staff are wonderful party planners that pretty much do everything, including budgeting, working with your vendors, decorating and more. Parking is plentiful and there are several rooms within the space that will change the vibe of your event (including an art gallery with rotating exhibits — fun!). Plus, they have in-house bartenders.
This adorable café and bakery has excellent brunch and afternoon tea options, with food served family-style (perfect for a cozy gaggle of ladies). You can also feel good about booking as they provide homeless and at-risk youth with jobs.
3720 N. Lincoln Ave., Northcenter; 773-880-9910; Online: blue-sky-bakery.org
Big, bold and club-y like no other, Oakbrook's go-to has a whopping six private dining rooms. The menu choice is vast, with a wide variety of platters, stations, buffets and plated meals (think steaks, bacon-wrapped scallops and the like). This is definitely “the spot” if price is no object.
298 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook; 630-472-0600; Online: theclubhouse.com
If you're looking for bright and cheerful, this ray of sunshine in Bucktown is your spot. Total bonus that you can have an incredibly beautiful — and delicious — cake waiting for you when you arrive. They'll even help with the logistics of catering, decorations, setup and all those little tiny details that go into making an event memorable for mama-to-be.
1944 N. Damen Ave., Bucktown; 773-384-4418; Online: urbanicing.com
This loft-style brick building was designed to pay homage to the urban essence of Chicago with exposed wood beams, large windows and a brick focal wall. It's beautiful, fresh simplicity provides the perfect blank canvas for your party. And an upside for a city location, parking is ample and guest access is convenient.
1858 W. Grand Ave., Ukranian Village; 312-651-6619; Online: space1858.com
The Lytle House
Have a baby shower that oozes cool at this 2,800 square foot space that has free-flowing indoor-outdoor spaces separated by a full-glass garage door and featuring high ceilings, exposed brick, factory windows, original industrial features and green space. You can even color customize the interior and landscape lighting — perfect for a gender reveal, perhaps?
5517 N. Broadway, Edgewater; 872-228-5591; Online: thelytlehouse.com
Recently, actress and model Emily Ratjakowski made worldwide headlines when she penned an essay in Vogue about her decision to not know her baby’s gender until after the baby is born. Her decision isn’t unusual. A 2007 Gallup poll of over 1,000 parents found that 51% wanted to wait until their baby was born to find out the gender. Of course, that poll is from 2007.
While there’s no concrete data from more recently, the endless gender reveal parties, sonogram shots, and color-coded registries can make parents who don’t know feel lonely. The “to know or not to know” question can also bring up feelings for parents who have decided. Is it wrong to decorate the nursery pink for a girl or have a football-themed shower for a boy? The answer to that is no. Ultimately, knowing your child’s gender is just the first choice of what will be many choices in parenting. But being aware of gender—and how you discuss gender—can be done at any stage in your parenting journey. Being gender aware isn’t about looking down on princess movies or bypassing superhero costumes. It’s simply recognizing how gender affects the worldview of you and your child. Here, how to recognize and reframe it.
Understand Your Expectations
When you imagine a future child, you may see images in your head: A tutu-wearing toddler at her first dance class or a little boy kicking the soccer ball with his dad. Those images aren’t shameful or embarrassing—they’re rooted in your desires. Now, go deeper. What else is going on in the image. It might be the little girl falling in love with dance. It may be the little boy having a close relationship with his dad. The more you see the desires behind the picture, the more you can see that these scenarios can play out no matter who your child turns out to be.
Question the Generalizations
Boys love their mama! Girls are so emotionally mature. Whenever you hear a generalization, point it out. A gentle question of “Why is that,” will reframe the conversation toward their experiences—and will help remind anyone listening that a generalization is not based on reality, but more so from a previous experience. It may not change Aunt Frannie from ditching her “Great Aunts Know Best” observations—but it can be a way to redirect the conversation.
Think And. Not No
Sparkles are pretty. Superheroes are fun. Rethinking gender doesn’t mean skipping out on pink and frilly, or the blue and scary. Instead, it means mixing everything together. It means choosing what your child likes, being drawn to the onesies that make your heart sing, and realizing that your child is unique and different just because they are exactly who they are. Take “boys” hand-me-downs if you’re expecting a girl. Buy the truck set for your niece’s third birthday. Mixing and matching can bring out the best in clothes, toys, and your child’s distinctive personality.
Share by Example
So does that mean you should boycott gender reveal parties? Not at all! But you can gently share your perspective by offering gender-neutral cards and gifts, talk up the baby’s future in non-gendered terms, and remind people that there’s a whole rainbow of opportunity in between blue and pink icing.
Elizabeth Brunner is a San Francisco-based designer and the founder of StereoType, a gender-free, style-forward kids clothing brand that’s designed to celebrate individuality and freedom of self-expression by blending traditional ideas of boys’ and girls’ wear. StereoType combines style, design and comfort to inspire creativity, individuality and freedom of expression.
It’s been a roller coaster ride of emotions for Bode Miller, Morgan Miller and family over the last few years. The ride is headed on a high note, as the Millers announced they’ll be having a baby girl this morning!
She’s due in November and will join twin siblings Asher and Aksel, 18 months, plus brothers Easton, Nash and half siblings Nate and Dace. The Miller family experienced tragedy in 2018 with the drowning death of 19-month-old daughter Emeline. Before the reveal, Morgan Miller wrote on Instagram “Deep in my heart, I know I am hoping for a baby girl but as long as the baby is healthy, I know our hearts will be filled with so much love and joy.”
The Millers gathered with family on Sunday for a fiesta-themed gender reveal party and pink confetti filled the air. Bode Miller posted his own sweet photo to Instagram this morning, noting, “It’s a GIRL 🎀 We cannot wait to welcome another baby girl to our family in November.”
Considered the most successful male American Alpine skier of all time, Bode Miller won an Olympic gold medal and World Championship gold before retiring in 2017. He married professional volleyball player Morgan Beck in 2012 and the family is currently based in Big Sky Montana.
––Sarah Shebek
Featured image courtesy of Joe Seer / Shutterstock.com
Ronda Rousey and hubby Travis Browne are expecting! The former WWE wrestler and champion mixed martial artist announced the couple’s baby news in a sweet, ultrasound-packed YouTube video.
Rousey and Browne married in 2017—and in just a few short months the family of two will expand to three. The couple didn’t share their pregnancy news immediately. As it turns out, Rousey is already four months pregnant.
The YouTube clip kicks off with the couple seated on their couch. Rousey holds a pillow over belly, quickly lifting it away as she exclaims, “Pow! Four months pregnant!” The soon-to-be new mom goes on to add, “I’ve been pregnant since January.”
Along with the announcement, the couple shared several ultrasound videos of their growing baby….boy or girl? Even though the ultrasound images show the sex of the baby, the couple splashed the words, “Gender reveal to come” across the screen.
While they may not have given away their baby’s gender, Rousey and Browne did share their little girl or boy’s due date—Sep. 22.
It’s all about the baby for pop star Meghan Trainor. Trainor and her husband Daryl Sabara welcomed a baby boy on Feb, 8.
The couple posted sweet newborn pics of their new son, Riley, on Instagram this past Valentine’s Day. Trainor shared that Riley’s original due date was the 14th—but the sweet little guy made his grand debut almost one full week early.
Trainor and Sabara announced the pregnancy back in October with an excited IG post that read, “You all know how long I’ve wanted this!!!!” Shortly after, the celeb singer made a world-wide baby gender reveal on Kelly Clarkson’s daytime talk show.
The new mama’s IG baby birth announcement features super-sweet pics of Riley and a special Valentine’s message to hubby Sabara, “Thank you @darylsabara for the best Valentine’s gift ever!” Sabara also gushed about his baby joy, and gave some love to his wife, in his IG announcement post, “You are my forever Valentine and I’m so beyond grateful for you bringing our son into the world.”
Congrats go out to the couple and their first son!