Finally, we can start traveling again! If you have a baby, you know how much gear you need to make your trip as smooth as possible—if you have a teething baby, you have an extra challenge. Well—challenge accepted because we have the perfect #MomHack for on-the-go families with cranky babies: Camilia Teething Drops! Read on for five reasons why these sore-gum soothing drops are going to be the best thing you’ve discovered all summer.
Camilia comes in pre-measured liquid doses, so you don’t need to stress about mixing or measuring. They’re so tiny they can even fit in your pocket, which makes them ideal on the go (hello, plane travel!). Just twist the plastic top and squeeze Camilia into your baby’s mouth and goodbye cranky pants!
2. Mess-Free (& Hygienic!)
The small amount of liquid in each dose is quickly absorbed so no sticky mess. Unlike other teething products, you don’t need to rub it on their gums using your finger or an applicator—just open the vial, squeeze the clear, tasteless liquid into the baby’s mouth, toss the plastic vial in recycling and done!
Nothing artificial—just what works to relieve painful gums, irritability, and minor digestive upsets sometimes associated with teething.* Camilia Teething Drops are made with plant-based active ingredients like chamomile for teething pain relief. And they’re free of benzocaine, preservatives, flavors and sugars.
Camilia has been soothing babies for 25 years and is a Mom’s Choice Awards winner and recipient of the Moms Meet seal of approval. Camilia Teething Liquid Doses are made by Boiron, world leader in homeopathic medicines, so you can rest assured these are the real deal.
Once you start offering your baby water at the 6-month mark, you can use a sippy cup, 360 cup or straw cup instead of a bottle. While sippy spouts (especially soft ones) are often easier for transitioning away from a bottle, many doctors also recommend straw cups as they help with speech and oral development. You’ll probably end up trying a few to find a favorite, but with our help, maybe you’ll nail it on the first try.
Kid can drink from any part of this 360-edge drinking cup, topped in soft silicone. New drinkers grip the two handles and guide the cup to their mouths. Detach the handles when your child has the hang of grasping the tumbler instead. With only two parts and a transparent cup and rim, it's easy to clean. Pop on the hygienic cover to keep it clean when not in use.
These 9-ounce insulated tumblers keep drinks cool and limit messes thanks to a spill-proof valve. The soft spout is easy for toddlers to drink from and gentle on teething gums. They're dishwasher-safe and free of BPA, BPS and phthalates. And the bright colors guarantee they won't get lost in the bottom of your diaper bag.
So many smart features turn this cup into a training system, helping your child learn to use a straw and drink from an open cup. The kid-size cup is made from no-slip silicone and angled on the inside for a more even flow of liquid. It has a weighted base with bumps to keep the cup from falling over. The straw also features small bumps to decrease tongue suckling and promote rounding the lips, and the curve in the straw promotes lip and jaw closure. Flip the straw upside down for more advanced sipping, and then move on to the open cup.
This compact cup is perfect for baby’s first attempts at sipping like a big kid. They’ll love the soft spout that reminds them of a bottle's nipple and handles they can easily grip. You'll love that leaking is minimal and it comes with a flip top to keep it clean when you toss it in the diaper bag or stroller.
If you prefer a hard spout style, this 7-ounce cup is a good choice. The mouthpiece is specifically designed to help protect gums and the palate while babies are teething. It's insulated so it keeps beverages colder longer. And you can even freeze liquids in the cup, which is perfect for extended trips.
Little ones can drink three different ways with the adaptable 1-2-3 Sip! from Miniware. Start your baby out with the silicone straw insert, then level up to the non-drip spouted lid (just the right size for tots), and, finally, graduate to the open cup. The easy-on-the-eyes cup is made out of plant-based bamboo fiber and vegetable starch material and has major minimalist appeal.
Once your baby has some practice drinking from a smaller cup, we love this stainless steel option that’s completely free of plastic. The 11-ounce bottle keeps beverages cool, and an outer sleeve (available in 6 colors) means little hands won't freeze while holding it. Another awesome feature: Many standard nipples and sippy spouts also fit on the cup, so you can ease the transition and offer milk as well.
Once your baby has mastered a soft-spout, it’s on to straw cups! The flexible, weighted straw on this 9-ounce cup means that babes can sip from any angle. The attached lid is super convenient when you’re on-the-go, and the cup even comes with its own brush to keep things clean.
The Lollacup can make the learning-to-drink process easier thanks to a weighted straw that helps draw water, or even a smoothie, up and into the tube no matter which way the cup is tilted. The materials are all BPA-free, BPS-free, and phthalate-free for super-safe sipping. And the cup "chick" wins major points for being so adorable and coming in seven cool colors.
Here's another plastic-free cup with tons of drinking options. It's made out of glass and has an outer plastic shield with handles and a non-slip, shock-absorbing base to prevent breakage. The cup comes with a silicone straw, but you can purchase additional tops with soft and hard spouts for versatile sipping.
This clever set helps babies transition from the bottle and then to drinking from a cup without a top. First, introduce the sippy with the hard top and handles. Later, ditch the handles and switch the lid to one that functions pretty much like a regular cup. A special insert with perforated edges will control the flow of water, to everyone's relief! Once your child has the hang of that, remove the insert and your big kid can drink from a grown-up cup.
Here's a great option for learning to drink from a spout- and straw-free cup. This trainer cup allows kids to tip and drink from any side (as they would from a regular cup), and it magically seals when they stop drinking. Another plus: You don't have to clean small straws and valve parts. What’s more, Munchkin has made a new line of “Wild Love” cups featuring threatened species like the polar bar and African elephant to support animal welfare efforts.
As the first company to offer a BPA-free baby bottle, Thinkbaby knows how important safe sipping is for families with young children. The offerings now include the ultra-safe Thinkster of Steel, which can transform a stainless cup from a baby bottle to a sippy to a straw cup with the simple twist of a cap. We love the straw option with a cross-cut design that means no messy spills. And, even better, a portion of the purchase price can go toward a charity such as Save the Whales.
Fill your child’s Easiflow 360 with something to sip on, and you’ll be thrilled to see them drinking out of a “big kid” cup. The spout-free design is great for learning how to drink out of a cup and is good for oral development. The single-piece valve is simple to clean and the cup comes in 7-ounce (with handles) and 8-ounce (without handles) options and in single cups or packs of two.
Ready to quit cleaning up spilled milk? Thought so! Here’s a cup that simply won’t dump over, even when toys and elbows knock into it left and right. The base sticks to any smooth surface, but the cup easily lifts when pulled upward for drinking.
Are you looking for a new way to entertain your kiddo’s and adult guests at the same dinner table? Now you can deck out your dinner table in a Disney glam—with Corelle’s Minnie Mouse line of products! This cute collection features everything Disney need to make a stylish setting statement and so much more.
Corelle’s new Minnie Minnie dishware and Pyrex containers have high style, in a sweetly adorable way.
Like other Corelle products, the Disney Minnie Mouse line of dishware is triple-layer strong. The lightweight plates are ultra-hygienic, non-porous and made from easy-to-clean glass that won't crack or chip easily.
The new collection includes a four-piece set of 6.75-inch appetizer plates ($28) and a full 12-piece dinnerware set ($80). The dinnerware set includes four dinner plates, four appetizer plates and four soup/cereal bowls.
Along with the Corelle dish sets, you can also nab new Minnie Mouse themed Pyrex decorated storage bowls from the brand's website. The four-cup Minnie Mouse storage bowls are part of the Disney Pyrex collection, and include secure lids. Fan faves also include the eight-piece set ($40), a blue Minnie Mouse Forever Young Pyrex dish ($10) and the yellow Minnie Mouse Live It Up (also $10) option.
Once your baby is old enough to sit upright without assistance, a travel seat should be on your list of must-have gear. Portable high chairs and booster seats are space-savers in your home, hygienic options for eating out, and convenient for outings. Whether you’re headed to a restaurant, grandma’s house, or a picnic in the park, these travel seats will keep your little one safe and comfortable.
Contours Explore 2 Stage Portable Booster Seat and Diaper Bag
Contours
This portable booster seat has a secret: It doubles as a diaper bag! The bag, which can be worn as a backpack or shoulder bag, has seven pockets to keep you organized and two protective feet so you can store it upright. The booster seat is water-repellent and machine-washable, and it features a three-point safety harness and slip-resistant grips.
This versatile travel seat can be used in three ways: As a chair booster seat that attaches to most chairs, the three-point harness and anti-slip, non-marking feet means your child sits securely and you don't damage the chair. As a floor chair with a tray, your baby has a place to play where they can sit upright. Remove the tray and harness and your toddler has a cozy seat just their size. The chair has three height positions to grow with your child. At only 6 pounds and with a compact fold and carrying strap, it's easy to store in a car and bring with you on your outings.
For a sturdy yet lightweight booster or chair option, try the My Chair Portable Booster Seat from Regalo. It’s great for indoor or outdoor use as it can be strapped to a dining chair or used on its own on the ground. The tray is detachable, making for even more versatility, and the waterproof nylon seat is easy to clean. Weighing in at just 3 lb. and with its own carry bag, you can grab it and head out for a meal on the go.
For a stylish alternative to the high chairs offered at restaurants, try the Fast Table Chair for children 6 months to 36 months. It features simple and lightweight twist-tight couplings that click onto most table types, no dining chair required. Designed to be scratch free on table surfaces, it’s a nice space-saver for home as well. It includes a carry bag, comes in a variety of bold solids, and offers a dining tray as an add-on.
At only 5 lb., the Pug Booster is a versatile choice. This booster can stand alone or strap on to a chair and comes in its own carry case. It’s all one piece, so no assembly necessary. The straps have a five-point harness and the clear vinyl tray easily wipes clean. The open leg area is spacious enough to accommodate older toddlers. Bring it on vacation, camping or to indoor parties.
Baby Delight Go With Me Venture Deluxe Portable Chair
Baby Delight
For the family that loves the great outdoors, this is the perfect chair for babyhood all the way up to big kid status. The removable five-point harness secures young babies who can’t completely support themselves sitting. The chair adjusts configurations for toddlers with a weight limit of 75 lb. There are three leg options for sitting, supported standing, or open for toddlers. The snack tray and sun canopy are both removable, and the fabric is stain- and mold-resistant. The chair folds up to fit in the included carry bag.
This is an affordable booster seat for use in a dining chair. If you want a sturdy seat that will last well into the toddler years, this is the one for you. It has an upper weight limit of 50 lb. and both the tray and legs adjust to three different positions. The tray can be removed so older toddlers can sit right at the table. The travel-friendly design comes in three colors and folds up to be carried with the included straps.
For ultimate portability and ease of use, the Easy Seat is an affordable option for when you want your baby or toddler to sit right at the table with you. The fabric seat slips over the top of a dining chair and requires just one click to secure it in place. A five-point safety harness with reinforced stitches secures your little one at the table in the home or at a restaurant. It’s machine-washable, folds up small enough to fit in a diaper bag, and includes its own carry bag.
This high chair pops open and folds compactly so you can use it at home, outdoors or for travel and other adventures. Use the included carrying bag and you're ready to go. The legs are tall enough for baby to sit at table height, or you can use the included hard plastic tray as a table. The tray is removable and can be cleaned in the dishwasher, and the fabric chair is machine-washable. There's also a removable wet/dry bag for utensils, wipes, snacks or bibs.
This inflatable booster is a foldable, affordable and portable seat for babies ages 9 months and up. It self-inflates with a pull-out valve to a full-size booster that straps onto most dining chairs and can support toddlers up to 50 lb. At the end of the meal, simply press out the air and fold it back up into its self-contained carrier with handles.
The award-winning Lobster portable high chair gets its name from the rubber grip “lobster claws” that secure it to almost any table or bench top. It’s a good space-saver at home and a hygienic choice for eating out. It includes a dishwasher-safe tray that offers an extra layer between baby and table surfaces. The four-point harness has padded shoulder straps and the seat is deep and padded, offering your little one safety, comfort and support.
Just when you think you have this baby thing under control…the teething starts. Those little chompers can be painful coming in and options for relief are limited for little ones. We’ve got your back with a solid #momhack to ease your baby’s discomfort and, hopefully, give you a bit more sleep.
Teething has more symptoms than sleep-deprived parents and cranky babies, like gum pain and minor digestive disorders. Camilia® is your one-stop teething shop and safely handles all teething symptoms for babies one month and older. Read on for the five reasons why Camilia Teething Liquid Doses are the help you need now.
With Camilia Teething Liquid Doses, forget about fussing with syringes or searching for little dosing cups at 2 a.m. (we’ve been there). Snap off one single dose, twist to open and squeeze the pre-measured treatment directly into your baby’s mouth. This tiny amount (0.034 fl oz to be exact) of liquid does the rest. It’s tasteless and clear in color, so no mess. It’s fool-proof, even in the middle of the night.
These single-use capsules make Camilia Teething Liquid Doses sterile and hygienic, plus ideal for families with multiple teethers. Pop some in your diaper bag or pocket, these small but mighty doses are perfect on the go.
2. Natural
Unlike traditional pain medication, Camilia Teething Liquid Doses are water-based and made with plant-based active ingredients, including chamomile, and are free of benzocaine, flavors, dyes, lactose, sugar and artificial sweeteners—all of that stuff you don’t want. The self-contained individual doses eliminate the need for a preservative, so none of those either!
It’s like they thought of everything! Because there’s no numbing agent, there’s no risk of numbing the baby’s gag reflex or latch ability. With no numbing, Camilia Teething Liquid Doses also won’t mask symptoms that could be a sign of a more serious health problem. You don’t need to know your baby’s weight for dosing or struggle to rub medicine onto your baby’s sore gums, plus their plastic applicator is BPA-free.
Let’s face—periods aren’t going anywhere. This was something I realized as I laid in bed one evening with my period and caught sight of the wings from my pad. Although this extra layer offered the protection I needed during that time of the month, this non-discreet quality did not seem very modern in this day in
age and annoyed me. “Why can’t we have more stylish yet functional protection?” I thought to myself. This moment opened my eyes to the lack of modern menstrual products for young girls and women.
As a mother, I know how important it is to have a menstrual care option that is safe, easy to use and helps celebrate a young girl’s growth. Discussing menstruation as a monumental rite-of-passage and making her first-period experience as positive as possible influences how a young girl views menstruation. While this conversation is an important introduction to puberty, the topic still remains taboo for many families. After helping my own daughter navigate the ups and downs of her first period, I was disappointed with the lack of options to provide her and decided enough was enough.
In August 2015, I figured we’d destigmatize and eliminate the negativity surrounding the monthly experience, and the rest is history. The notion of stylish and functional period protection, although an initial thought, turned into hundreds of samples to see what worked. Who knew that millions of other women felt the same way? Samples turned into PantyProp, and PantyProp into Ruby Love—a period protection brand offering leak-proof apparel that equips young girls and women with the tools they need to manage their period while destigmatizing menstruation so that period days can be just like any other day.
With my daughter and a world of prepubescent young ladies to follow, I knew that it was also important to deliver a positive message and influence surrounding periods. This inspired our mission and led to the launch of our First Period Kit that is filled with informative, hygienic and fun items that celebrate a girl’s growth through puberty and helps prepare for her first period. The whole idea is to normalize periods, making it less embarrassing and more of an accepted, and even celebrated, the rite of passage that all girls go through while encouraging families to have conversations about puberty in a fun way.
It is our hope that breaking down menstrual taboos allows families to have open dialogues about puberty, which will help bring them closer together while empowering young girls. Whether it be through education, hosting a ‘period party’ for your daughter, openly talking about puberty, or exploring the now growing number of period protection alternatives, we can accomplish that together. Regular menstrual periods in the years between puberty and menopause are a sign that your body is working normally, and there is nothing negative about that!
Crystal Etienne is a wife, businesswoman, and mother to two amazing kids. As Founder & CEO of Ruby Love, Crystal seeks to continue revolutionizing the Femtech industry with the unifying message that periods should never stop women from doing, being and going.
Between the mountain of baby socks, toddler tee’s and towels, parenting has morphed laundry from a mere to chore into something rivaling an Ironman triathlon. While the 30,000 onesies you registered for mean you can go at least a few days in between washing your kiddo’s clothes, what about your own bed sheets?
Long gone are those not-so-neat-freak college dorm days when you would go weeks (or sadly, months) before washing your sheets. Now that you’re an actual adult, and responsible for tiny humans of your own, you want a totally hygienic home––and that means washing your sheets regularly.
While you know going for months in between sheet washing sessions just isn’t okay, you’re still not entirely sure how often to clean your bed linens. Along with the 30,000 to 40,000 skin cells you shed daily (and the hungry little dust mites that follow), your sheets are subject to everything from sweat to drool. Beyond the usual sheet-dirtying suspects, if you sleep naked you may end up with dried fecal matter on your sheets.
Then there are pet parents. Your playful pup can bring a host of not-so-welcome contaminants into your bed. Obviously, if your furry friend tracks half the backyard into your bed, you’ll need to wash the sheets ASAP. The same goes for toddler vomit, baby spit-up and all the other fluids your kiddo gets on the sheets.
So how often do your sheets need to make it into the to-do laundry pile? While there’s no 100 percent magic number, once a week is typically necessary to keep you and your family clean.
We’ve all seen her on Instagram: she’s the mom who does it all. Her hair is curled, she drinks green smoothies and her kids all wear coordinated-but-not-matching outfits. And her house? Oh, that place is also perfect. Everything magically stays white in spite of the kids running around. It’s shabby chic and it stays that way all day long.
And then, there’s me.
I always pictured myself becoming the mom I described above, the one whose house looked great no matter how many kids she added to her brood. But, now that I’ve actually become a mom, I’ve realized that’s not my aesthetic at all. At. All.
Instead, I’m going with a “lived-in” vibe from now until my kids go to college. Here’s why.
I Have a Lot Going On
You might have heard, but, just in case you haven’t, I’m going to let you in on a little secret—moms are busy. Whether you have an infant or a preschooler or both, there’s just a lot to do. During the first month of my baby’s life, I was feeding her a dozen times a day. That will taper off, but the other responsibilities—everything from playing to changing diapers to cleaning spit-up to rocking my baby to sleep—will continue to be there.
Then, of course, there are the non-baby things I have to do. My preschooler keeps me running around like crazy. When I can finally get both girls down for a nap, I spend those hours working. Did I mention that I also work in this very lived-in home? The last thing on my list is to decorate my Pennsylvania home. And we all know what happens to the last thing on the to-do list—it never gets done. And I’m okay with my house being imperfect for now.
There’s No Use in Perfection
My baby is currently immobile. In a few months she’ll be old enough for tummy time and then I can look forward to her crawling, walking and wreaking havoc house-wide just like my older girl does while I’m trying to work. If I had a perfect home, the future of two little girls running around would only damage all of that carefully curated cuteness.
Let’s face it—kids are messy. They throw up, they have accidents, they spill their sippy cups. They grab markers and draw on every surface. Crumbs fall out of their mouths and into crevasses that the vacuum may or may not be able to reach. Sure, I can learn how to remove stains from my sofa, but how many times can a beautiful piece of furniture withstand that type of trauma? In my opinion, I’m better off with the basics so I can worry less about what will happen to it throughout the next 18 or so years.
I Don’t Need the Stress
Another big thing that comes with motherhood is stress. It’s not a problem that affects only moms—according to a 2017 Gallup poll, 79 percent of Americans said they felt stress sometimes or frequently throughout the day. So, there are a lot of us who experience this on a regular basis, considering more than 325 million people live in this country.
But, of course, once I gave birth to my first girl, my stress multiplied. I now have to worry not only about myself and her but also about the helpless little human in my charge. Is she crying weirdly? What does it mean? Does she have a fever? Is she still breathing in the middle of the night? These are all thoughts that race through my mind all day long and I am doing all I can to assuage them by reminding myself we’re all okay.
With this in mind, I know that my lived-in house is the perfect place for me to raise my children. I don’t feel like I need the added stress of maintaining an aesthetically pleasing design scheme. Plus, I’d worry about my girls damaging the furniture and accessories I had so thoughtfully chosen for each room. Like—to every mom with a glass coffee table—how do you not have a panic attack every day? I don’t think I want to spend my time stressing over decor when I’m already anxious enough about the responsibilities of motherhood.
I Kind of Like It Anyway
Finally—and maybe most importantly—I like the way my imperfect house looks. It might not be Instagram-worthy, but my home is the first place where my husband and I lived post-wedding. It’s where I stared in complete shock at a positive pregnancy test. And it’s where I very carefully carried both my girls through the front door for the first time. In other words, it’s special to me, no matter how it looks.
I’d like to think my lived-in vibe welcomes everyone into our home and tells them they can relax here. We’re proud of our place and we keep it clean in the hygienic way, but we also don’t care if things get a little bit messy. And, as a mom and a woman who works from home, I know that they will—so I’m just going to stick with my chill decorating style until my girls are old enough to handle a little glam.
Jennifer Landis is a mom, wife, freelance writer, and blogger. She enjoys long naps on the couch, sneaking spoonfuls of peanut butter when her kid's not looking, and binge watching Doctor Who while her kid's asleep. She really does like her kid, though, she promises. Find her on Twitter @JenniferELandis.
Finally, after enduring all of the drooling and crankiness of teething, Baby’s first tooth is here! Now what? If you haven’t started brushing yet, now is the time. Lucky for your little, there’s a brand new toothbrush you’ve gotta have: FOREO’s ISSA mikro.
Why Does Baby Need a Power Toothbrush?
The ISSA mikra electric toothbrush is designed just for kids ages 0 to 4. And why should a child that young have a power toothbrush? Until you’ve tried it, you might not understand how tough it can be to throughly brush a baby’s teeth. With this brush, you’ll know that every second you can get a brush in his little mouth, this brush is doing the most thorough job possible. The soft silicone bristles and sonic vibrations work together to gently and safely clean your baby’s teeth. And if that’s not enough, the sheer novelty of having a buzzing brush may peak your baby’s interest in dental care, which can sometimes be quite a feat.
Teething Relief
Even before your little one’s first tooth sprouts, he’ll probably love this brush. The sonic power provides gentle vibrations that’ll soothe your little ones gums and the soft material provides relief during teething from the first tooth all the way through those pesky canines and molars.
Talk About Clean
The one-piece design is made from safe silicone that’s BPA-free and phthalate-free. Silicone also happens to be bacteria-resistant and 10,000 times more hygienic than nylon, which typically makes up a toothbrush’s bristles. Makes sense for something you’re sticking in your baby’s mouth a few times a day, right?
Available for pre-order on Indiegogo.com, $89, shipping this month.
Does your baby love or hate getting his teeth brushed? Tell us about your routine in a Comment.
