From the ideal seats on the airplane to what to bring along with you, these tips will make flying a breeze (or at least, not a nightmare)

Repeat after me: Getaways with young kids are not a vacation, they’re a trip. Now that you’ve set the right expectations, check out these baby travel hacks that will make your trip a little less work and a lot more enjoyable for you and everyone else involved. Whether you’re flying with a baby or taking a road trip, these are the keys to a good getaway.

photo: iStock

1. Plan activities.
For older babies who are active and staying up for longer stretches, plan simple activities to pass the time and keep them engaged. One idea: Bring a water bottle filled with pom-poms for your little one to take out and put back in. You can also bring interactive books to hold your babe’s attention.

2. Ship diapers and wipes to your destination.
You have enough stuff to squeeze into suitcases. Use a service like Amazon to send diapers and wipes ahead of time to your destination, whether it’s grandma’s for the holidays or somewhere tropical. If you’re staying at a hotel, ask them if they’ll accept deliveries prior to your arrival.

3. Nurse or feed your baby during takeoff.
This is an important one. To help your little one deal with pressure changes in the cabin during takeoff (and landing!) that could make them uncomfortable, nurse or give your baby a bottle at that time. The sucking distracts your child and alleviates much of the discomfort.

4. Request a portable crib in your hotel reservation.
Most hotels will offer a portable crib at no extra cost. Request it in your reservation, so you can make other arrangements if the hotel informs you they can’t provide it. Pro tip: Bring your own crib sheets with you. They won’t take up much space in your luggage and will be soft and smell familiar to help your child drift off to sleep in their new location.

photo: iStock

5. Baby-wear to keep hands free.
Definitely bring your baby carrier or wrap. This frees up your hands for carrying luggage and other important items, like handing your ID and boarding pass to TSA. Plus, being close to you will likely keep your baby calm and happy in unfamiliar, sometimes stressful, environments. If you’re traveling by car, keep your wrap on or your carrier easily accessible, like on the floor right by baby’s carseat, so it’s quick and easy to put on at every stop.

6. Wear a badge to hold your ID, ticket, and baby’s birth certificate.
You know those clear name-card badge holders they distribute at conferences, with a lanyard? Use one of those to hold your license, boarding pass, and baby’s birth certificate. No digging through your purse or running the risk of it falling out of your pocket. Simple, accessible, and no fuss.

7. Simplify the car seat situation.
If you’re flying, you can usually check your car seat at the ticketing desk for no charge (call ahead to confirm with your airline). Make sure they put a plastic bag over it (you can also purchase a sturdy bag for your car seat online). Or, if you want to eliminate the hassle of bringing it with you, arrange to include a car seat in your rental car. If you’re taking ride-sharing services, check their app to see if they offer cars with car seats in that area.

8. Pack odor-blocking diaper sacks.
A blow-out at 30,000 feet or in the middle of the desert with no trashcan in sight doesn’t have to be a total disaster. Pack Arm & Hammer diaper dispenser bags or even just plastic grocery bags to mask the smell of the dirty diaper. Nobody wants to lug a stinky diaper around or assault others’ noses, but at least this will make it a little more pleasant.

9. Pack a baby essentials kit.
Keep a pacifier, wipes, sanitizing wipes, and other essentials easily accessible, in your purse or diaper bag. This goes for flights and road trips. When there’s a mess or a howling baby, you’ll want to access these items as quickly as possible.

photo: iStock

10. Bring snacks—for baby and you.
Pack simple, low-mess snacks for your baby, like puffs or pouches. And it’s important for you to stay fed as well. Pack protein-filled snacks to keep you energized during your travels and a decadent treat as well. If drama ensues, you’re going to want the good stuff to help you through it.

11. Keep extra clothes in your carry-on bag.
Keep an extra outfit for baby and a shirt for you in your carry-on or diaper bag for air and car travel. The goal is to keep it easily accessible so when a blowout, spit-up, or other potentially outfit-ruining scenarios happen, you can solve it without having to wait for landing and checked baggage retrieval.

12. Think location, location, location for the hotel room.
When you book your hotel room, ask for it to be away from the elevators, pool, and vending/ice machines. While you can’t control if the hotel room is perfectly noise-free, choosing your room carefully will help make it a quiet space.

photo: iStock

13. Pack a sound machine to help baby sleep.
Increase the quiet factor in your room by bringing a small, portable sound machine with you to mask noise from other rooms. Don’t want to haul something else with you? Download free white noise or wave sounds to play from your phone or tablet.

14. Do a thorough check of the hotel and car before leaving.
Before checking out or returning the rental car, look under beds, under seats, the trunk, and glove compartment, because something will likely be left there. And always double-check that your baby’s favorite lovey and stuffie is with you at every transition and location change.

Make sure to capture all the travel moments—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.

Keep your little one in good spirits right through New Year’s Eve with these relative wrangling, calendar managing, baby prioritizing tips

The holidays can be a magical time, especially when there’s a brand-new little one to share in all the sparkly joy. But when too many seasonal happenings pile up on top of baby duties, your stress levels can get dialed up to 11, making the magic feel more like madness. To help you pull off the perfect balancing act of keeping your sanity and making precious new memories, we came up with a list of do’s and don’ts for your baby’s first Christmas.

1. Do take lots of pictures. You’ll delight in looking back at the shots of your bundled-up little one exploring their first snow day or banging away with their first dreidel.

2. Don’t feel pressure to make a big holiday meal from scratch. Unless you adore cooking and wait months for the chance to roast a turkey, this may be the year to order a pre-made meal or host a festive potluck.

3. Do respect your baby’s schedule. If your little one has settled into a routine, staying up late for too many nights can lead to joy-smashing meltdowns. Whenever it’s possible, keep up with nap and bedtime routines, and you and your little one will be well-rested and ready for holiday adventures.

4. Do take advantage of all the relatives’ love. If Aunt Jeannie wants to hold the baby for a few hours, it’ll give you the perfect opportunity to shower or take a walk. For many modern parents living far away from extended family, the holidays are the only time to have a village of support, so make the most of it!

5. Don’t be afraid to say no. If you’re too tired to go to midnight mass or attend however many holiday parties, skip it. Feel free to make liberal use of your awesome excuse: I just had a baby. The holidays are no fun if nerves are frayed and little ones are wailing, so throw out the rules and preserve a little space for rest.

6. Do take time to fit in something special to you, whether it’s driving around to see holiday lights or devouring gingerbread men. If you have the energy, you can start a family tradition, like reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas by candlelight, but keep it low-key. You have many more holidays in your future to create new traditions with your wee one!

7. Do bring a carefully selected bunch of baby necessities along if you’re traveling, like a favorite blanket and beloved pacifier. Ask the grandparents to have all the other essentials ready when you arrive, like diapers in the right size, so you can settle right in and get to celebrating. As for how to handle flying with a baby, check out our helpful tips here.

8. Don’t feel compelled to take a long trip. If your little one is only a few weeks old, or you’re exhausted from balancing work and new mama-hood, celebrate your baby’s first Christmas at home. Keeping it low-key means instead of risking being snowed in at an airport with a newborn—you can schedule a family visit for another time with less pressure and less risk of airplane delays.

9. Don’t blow your budget on expensive gifts. Babies don’t need a ton of shiny new toys to unwrap–most are just as happy with an empty box and a classic wooden rattle. On the other hand, if you still need a few choice pieces of baby gear, like a jogging stroller, the holidays can be a perfect time to ask Santa to slip a little something under the tree for you both.

10. Do take walks in a winter wonderland. Bundle up and get outside. With a few extra layers, babies can marvel at the sparkling snow. Plus, a little fresh air keeps the cabin fever away.

11. Do remember that while this may be your baby’s first Christmas, it’s not the only holiday. You’ll have many years to introduce your kiddo to pumpkin pie and sleigh rides. Keep it simple and focus on what’s meaningful and what brings you and your family joy.

Make sure to capture all the memories—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.

Teething has turned your sweet baby into a drooling, clingy, cranky mess, and none of your go-to remedies seem to be working. You’re giving them all the extra cuddles (the best treatment for most baby drama), extra boob or bottles, you panic-ordered the iconic banana teether toothbrush, and you’re now best friends with Sophie La Girafe, but your little one is still a disaster. Luckily, there are so many other ways to help soothe a teething baby. Try these teething tips to ease your babe’s discomfort fast—and don’t forget to keep wiping that waterfall of drool pouring out of their mouths! (The last thing you need is irritated skin on top of teething pain.)

iStock

1. Rub baby’s gums. After washing your hands, give your baby a gentle gum massage. The pressure from your fingers will counter the pressure of the teeth breaking through. It will feel good and offer your little one some relief from sore, swollen gums.

2. Refrigerate a pacifier. Chilling a pacifier makes it even more soothing by lightly numbing gums to dull the pain.

3. Wear baby-safe teething necklaces. Teething necklaces (jewelry for mom with chewable silicone pieces) give your child an easy-to-grab item to gnaw on when you're holding them. Just don't put any jewelry (e.g. amber necklaces) on your baby—these are choking and strangulation hazards

iStock

4. Try a mesh feeder. Freezing some fruits in a mesh feeder can be a lifesaver for cranky kids and their equally cranky parents. Not only does it chill and soothe sore gums, but your baby or toddler will be occupied for a solid chunk of time before they get through all that frozen goodness.

5. Make milk/formula popsicles. Some babies and toddlers refuse to eat while teething, mostly out of discomfort. Popsicles keep your little one fed and hydrated while soothing those gums. Use silicone popsicle forms to make them, and fill with breastmilk or formula. When eating, slip a bib on your babe or place them on a washable towel or blanket since popsicles can get messy.

6. Wear your baby as much as possible. Strap your clingy child into a structured carrier or wrap, facing inward. They'll feel comfort from being close to you, and you can still get things done. Win-win.

iStock

7. Freeze a wet, textured washcloth. Moisten a textured washcloth, wring it dry, and place in the freezer before giving it to your baby. Terrycloth or a ribbed texture will offer added relief by creating friction as baby gnaws on it.

8. Refrigerate a small spoon. A spoon is something your child can hold on their own, chew on, push against their gums, and even play with to distract themselves from teething pain. Keep a few spoons in the fridge so you always have one at the ready. Those new teeth can really sneak up on you.

9. Serve chilled purees. Chill pureed foods prior to feeding your baby so the food is cool on their gums. It will feel nice and may encourage your child to eat more.

iStock

10. Become a chew toy. Wash your hands in cold water and then offer a chilled pinky for your child to gum on. You can also show your child how to gum on their own fingers, to help them self-soothe.

11. Give your child a foot massage. Studies in reflexology have identified connections between toes and the head and teeth. Gently massage your child’s toes for comfort and a distraction from their pain.

Make sure to capture all the pics of those adorable new teeth—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.

Set your baby up for a good night’s sleep with these helpful tips for establishing a bedtime routine you’ll both enjoy.

If baby ain’t sleeping, ain’t nobody sleeping. To set the whole family up for a better night’s rest, implement a bedtime routine. A consistent routine is soothing and helps your child understand what’s coming next. Read on for tips on how to create a calming daily ritual that will send baby to bed without all the fuss(iness).

photo: Tim Bish via Unsplash

Benefits of a Bedtime Routine

A consistent bedtime routine signals to your baby’s brain that it’s time to go to sleep. The predictable pattern and timing can ease your baby into a calm state that allows them to fall asleep more easily. It’s great bonding time and may even help with the sleep regressions that are a normal part of baby development. Once you’ve established a routine, it can also help other people put baby down when you won’t be there for bedtime.

What Age to Start

A good age to start is once your baby begins to show a pattern of sleeping and wakefulness. This can occur as early as 6 to 8 weeks old and as late as 4 months of age. Before 6 weeks, it’s not likely that your newborn will have any kind of established sleep schedule for a set bedtime. If you’ve missed these windows, it’s beneficial for a baby of any age to have a bedtime routine, so get started now.

photo: fujikama via Pixabay

Which Bedtime Is Best

The first thing you want to consider when picking a bedtime is baby’s schedule. Look for signs of sleepiness, like fussiness, yawning and sucking on fingers or a pacifier. Notice what time these signs appear and figure on beginning your routine 30 to 60 minutes before that so baby doesn’t get overtired during the routine. You’ll also want to consider your family’s schedule, taking into account when everyone is home from work or school and when you typically eat dinner. Generally, that means starting between 6 and 8 p.m.

Consistency Is Key

The best bedtime routines are short, simple and most of all consistent, lasting from between 20 minutes to an hour at the most. The most important thing is to make it a true routine, so that it’s the same every night and occurs at the same time. Ideally, it’ll happen in the same location as well, like in the room with baby’s crib. If you expect to have differences in sleep locations, make sure whatever you include in the routine can travel with you.

What to Include

Keep it simple and relaxing. You can include a bath if baby gets one every night. Next, a massage with lotion—like Burt’s Bees Baby Nourishing Lotion—and then a fresh diaper, pajamas, and a swaddle or wearable blanket. Cuddle your little one while you sing a quiet song or look at a short book. Dim the lights to continue the calming vibe. Nursing or bottle feeding is helpful for lasting fullness before bed. Any quiet activity that gets baby ready for bed and relaxes them works, as long as it doesn’t put them fully to sleep.

Related: Check out these other natural lotions and other skincare products for babies.

photo: Marie Despeyroux via Unsplash

Putting Baby to Bed

You’ll want to put your child to bed drowsy but not asleep. That will give them the chance to learn how to self-soothe and fall asleep on their own. Ambient noise can help with this as well as drown out any other household noises while they settle down. Try the Sleep Sheep from Cloud B that attaches directly to the crib. You can give them a gentle rub before quietly slipping out of the room.

Related: Check out these other white noise and sound machines for kids.

When to Adjust

You may need to tweak your timing and activities until you get into a good groove, but avoid big changes at first to let your little one get used to the routine. It’s also likely that adjustments will need to be made as your infant grows and develops. Any change in the daytime or non-bedtime night activities, like eliminating a nap or dropping a feeding, may call for a change in the bedtime routine. If baby seems fussy, it may signal that it’s time to move bedtime earlier. A true routine takes time to work, but with consistency and little persistence, it should pay off with better sleep for baby and you.

It’s some-bunny’s first Easter and we’ve got the basket stuffers to make it memorable

Another “first” is around the corner! There’s nothing better than watching your baby experience their first, well, anything. From their first laugh to the first time they pet a dog and everything in between, we moms love firsts. Holidays are definitely some of the most exciting firsts to celebrate, so with Easter coming up next month, it’s time to start planning. Those giggly photo ops don’t just happen, and filling your baby’s first Easter basket with goodies to make them smile big is a must!

Of course, whether you’re Team Candy or not, chocolate bunnies aren’t exactly the best thing for your little-little ones. We put together a list of the best first Easter basket ideas that are candy-free but still oh-so-sweet! There are cuddly stuffies, adorable toys, comfy Easter-pic-ready outfits they can get to hopping in (if they’re ready for that sort of thing, that is). Get ready to pack their baskets with the best baby-friendly Easter surprises, and don’t forget to post those precious moments to your Tinybeans App! Your family and friends are gonna want to Peep these pics!

Loulou Lollipop Silicon Bunny Teether

LouLou Lollipop

With two tasty food-grade-silicone ears to nibble on and a soft handle to grab onto, there's a lot for babies to love about this soothing teether!

Loulou Lollipop Silicon Bunny Teether ($10.00)—Buy Now

Baby GUND Lena Lamb Soft Baby Booties with Rattle

GUND

These GUND baby booties will look adorable while keeping your newborn's toes warm and cozy. The fluffy lambs (size 0-3 months) attach with hook and loop fasteners and have a gentle rattle inside to entrance your little one! Machine washable.

Baby GUND Lena Lamb Soft Baby Booties with Rattle ($15.48)—Buy Now!

Piano Xylophone & Shaker Set

KiwiCo

KiwiCo created this adorable baby piano/xylophone for little hands! Big keys and egg shakers mean they'll learn to love music early and have so much fun doing it, long after Easter!

Piano Xylophone & Shaker Set ($54.95)—Buy Now!

Copper Pearl Gender-Neutral Baby Bandana Bibs

Copper Pearl

Copper Pearl is known for luxurious fabrics with darling designs, and this set of 4 bibs is no exception! They're made of 100% cotton on the front to absorb drool and 100% fleece on the back that keeps babies dry and feels soft against the skin. 

Copper Pearl Gender-Neutral Baby Bandana Bibs ($21.95)—Buy Now!

Stride Rite Surf Sneaker Sandal

Stride Rite

If you've got a walker, these soft and stretchy sandals are going to be your go-to for the warmer months! It comes in Silver Rainbow and Grey Camo.

Stride Rite Surf Sneaker Sandal ($56.00)—Buy Now

Little Naturalists: Beatrix Potter Wrote Stories (BabyLit) Board book

Amazon

Best known for her children's book The Tale of Peter Rabbit, English author Beatrix Potter wrote 23 children's stories and was a talented artist. In this sweet rhyming board book, we learn about her love for animals and how she left more than 4,000 acres to the National Trust! Beatrix Potter Wrote Stories is part of Gibbs Smith's Little Naturalists book series, which includes children's books on other famous naturalists, including Jane Goodall, John James Audobon, George Washington Carver, Wangari Maathai and more.

Little Naturalists: Beatrix Potter Wrote Stories (BabyLit) Board book ($7.19)—Buy Now!

Chillin With My Peeps Easter Bunny Viscose Bamboo Pajama Convertible Footie Romper

Maisonette

Just because they can't eat them doesn't mean they can't sport these sweet Peeps-inspired PJ's!

Chillin With My Peeps Easter Bunny Viscose Bamboo Pajama Convertible Footie Romper ($38.00)—Buy Now!

Flip Easter Egg Plush

Pottery Barn Kids

Here's a clever way to add another surprise to Easter: flip this fuzzy egg inside out and surprise! Out comes a fuzzy baby chick or a bunny.

Flip Easter Egg Plush ($39.00)—Buy Now!

Baby & Toddler Brim Sun Protection Hat UPF 50+

Green Sprouts

This adorable wide-brim hat provides full sun protection and stays on thanks to a tie chin strap. It has UPF 50+ sun protection and keeps baby cool with lightweight, quick-dry material and a wicking liner that pulls moisture away from baby's head! The adjustable toggle customizes the size for your baby's head and grows with them. Available in 0-6 months, 9-18 months and 2T-4T and in lots of cute colors and patterns.

Baby & Toddler Brim Sun Protection Hat UPF 50+ ($12.51+)—Buy Now!

HABA Musical Eggs

Maisonette

Jingle, twitter, rattle, and more with these Musical Eggs! Beech wood eggs, brightly-colored, and each filled with a different sound that babies won't be able to get enough of (plus they're great for little hands!).

HABA Musical Eggs ($34.99)—Buy Now!

Baby Tinkle Crinkle Activity Plush Bunny

GUND

This plush bunny from GUND's Tinkle Crinkle line is both a soft, snuggly companion and a sensory toy with colors and textures to explore! There's a flower-shaped, nubby teether for chewing and a ring on top to hang this bunny from a car seat or stroller for outings.

Baby Tinkle Crinkle Activity Plush Bunny ($20.00)—Buy Now!

Wrist & Foot Rattle Set

Amazon

Babies love learning about their own hands and feet, and this set is a great way to keep them entertained with every move they make!

Wrist & Foot Rattle Set ($15.95)—Buy Now!

Babiators Polarized Flower, Rose Gold Mirrored Lens in Peachy Keen

Maisonette

Get ready for the sunny, summery days ahead with a pair of baby sunglasses, like these from Babiators. With UV400 lenses that offer 100% UVA and UVB protection, they'll protect baby's eyes from the sun's rays. And the flexible frames and shatter-resistant lenses resist breakage. Available in a variety of colors and styles (even heart shaped!), you can also purchase a silicone strap to keep your child from taking them off!

Babiators Polarized Flower, Rose Gold Mirrored Lens in Peachy Keen ($38.00)—Buy Now!

E is for Easter Book

Amazon

In Babylit's alphabet primer E Is for Easter, your little will learn the ABCs while enjoying fun, vintage-inspired drawings that celebrate Easter and spring, from Easter egg hunts to the beauty of spring flowers!

E is for Easter Book ($7.29)—Buy Now!

Infantino Lil' Nibbles Textured Silicone Teether

Infantino

For babies who love to chew, pop this Easter-appropriate silicone teether from Infantino into their Easter basket!

 Infantino Lil' Nibbles Textured Silicone Teether ($4.99)—Buy Now!

TOMY Toomies Hide & Squeak Easter Eggs

Toomies

These Tomy Hide & Squeak Eggs will stay a favorite long after Easter is over! Younger babies will love to pull off the shells to reveal the colorful eggs underneath (and to give these toys a good chew). Older babies can match the colors of the shells and eggs, push on the egg to hear it squeak, and sort the eggs into the right spot in the egg carton. Each has a unique shape on the bottom and fits only in one spot of the carton.

TOMY Toomies Hide & Squeak Easter Eggs ($12.20)—Buy Now!

My 1st Easter Basket Plush Playset

GUND

Soft and sweet, this basket is filled with an age-appropriate plush set of four holiday-themed toys from GUND: a carrot crinkle toy, a squeaky egg, a chick rattle and a bunny that makes sounds!

My 1st Easter Basket Plush Playset ($24.80)—Buy Now!

Slumberkins Honey Bear Snuggler & Board Book

Slumberkins

Slumberkins are designed to not only soothe and comfort little ones, but to help them develop social and emotional skills early!

Slumberkins Honey Bear Snuggler & Board Book ($52.00)—Buy Now

Soft Stacking Blocks Ring Stacker

Mini Tudou

This stacking toy grows with your kiddos; from little tiny chewers to older stackers who are learning all about shapes!

Soft Stacking Blocks Ring Stacker ($13.99)—Buy Now!

SKYFIELD Carrot Harvest Game

SKYFIELD

A Montessori-inspired shape sorting toy that'll be fun long after Peter Cottontail heads back down the Bunny Trail!

SKYFIELD Carrot Harvest Game ($18.99)—Buy Now!

Peter Rabbit Gift Set

KIDS PREFERRED

A Beatrix Potter plush, rattle, and teether that could even become a keepsake!

Peter Rabbit Gift Set ($21.50)—Buy Now!

Crochet Bunny Egg Toys, Set Of 3

Maisonette

Handmade in Armenia, these bunnies can easily go from toy to decor, so you may want to snag more than one set!

Crochet Bunny Egg Toys, Set Of 3 ($36.00)—Buy Now!

The Petit Artiste Gift Set

Manhattan Toy

This minimalist-designed set from Manhattan Toy was created for little ones from newborns to toddlers! It includes a cute bunny, soft book, and unfinished all-natural wood teething ring.

The Petit Artiste Gift Set ($36.00)—Buy Now!

Emerson and Friends Snuggle Bunny Easter Cotton Onesie Gift Set

Emerson and Friends

We love everything Peeps-inspired, and this darling set is perfect for wiggly babies!

Emerson & Friends Snuggle Bunny Easter Cotton Onesie Gift Set ($39.00)—Buy Now!

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.

All images courtesy of retailers.

These baby shadow box ideas are simple to make

A newborn shadow box is a beautiful way to display baby treasures like the hospital ID bracelet, birth announcement, going-home outfit, and first teeny hat. A baby shadow box is quick to DIY (just three steps!) and makes a special addition to your nursery. You’ll never forget the details of the amazing day you met your babe.

Step 1: Gather Your Keepsakes

Taking Care of Monkey Business

First, decide what to display. You could include a sonogram, baby's first photo, hospital ID bracelet, hospital hat, first socks or booties, baby's going-home outfit, the first pacifier, birth announcement, tiny footprints, crib shoes, or a piece of a beloved swaddling blanket. We love what Alli from Taking Care of Monkey Business included in hers (see above).

Related: 7 Pro Tips for Taking Monthly Baby Photos You’ll Want to Share

Step 2: Buy the Supplies

Or So She Says

Head to your favorite craft store (or open Amazon) to pick up items for your keepsake shadow box. First, you'll need the shadow box itself. We like the Studio Decor 4-Way Adjustable Shadow Box because it's flexible in depth so it can accommodate larger items like crib shoes or lovies. It's also sized well for this project at 12 inches square. 

You may also want to include small wooden letters for your baby's initials. To add color or a pattern, use scrapbooking paper for your background.

And finally, you'll need something to hold your keepsakes in place inside the shadow box. Try a few pretty pearlized pins or mini clothespins so you don't have to cover your keepsakes in glue. Visit the Or So She Says blog to see how Aimee put her shadow boxes together.

Make sure to capture all the giggles—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.

Mushie & Co. has recalled its FRIGG Silicone Pacifiers because of over 200 reports—including outside the US—of the nipple detaching from its base, posing a choking hazard. FRIGG silicone pacifiers came in two designs: Classic and Daisy, and the recall applies to around 333,725 pacifiers in every color.

So check your diaper bags and car consoles and anywhere else you might have a paci hanging out, because this is no bueno. If you find a FRIGG Silicone Pacifier, stop using it (obviously), then cut the nipple from the base of the pacifier and send a photo of both the detached silicone nipple and the base to Mushie & Co for a refund.

Then toss it. And leave it. And don’t go back to retrieve it.

—Shelley Massey

 

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Recall Alert: Honda Recalls Several Models Due to Child Seat Defects

 

Photo: via Lauren Shapiro Mandel

I gave birth to my daughter on a Monday. That Friday, my mom died.

My daughter was five days old. I got a call from my Dad mid-morning, who said he was nearby and wanted to come over for a few minutes. He lived 40 minutes away. He never just happened to be nearby.

I hung up the phone, waddled to the bathroom to take care of my postpartum self, and hustled back down the hallway just as my Dad was walking through the door of our condo. He looked up but didn’t smile.

“Mom died today,” he said, offering no additional details, leaving an opening for me to say something. Anything.

But I didn’t say anything. I released a strong breath, then looked over at my baby in my husband’s arms on the couch. He was dangling a bottle of formula over the armrest, burp cloth draped over his chest, staring back at me, waiting for my reaction to news that was stunning but also a long time coming.

My mom suffered her first brain bleed when I was 10 years old. When my mom’s brain bled for the second time, I was 12, and this time she stayed in the hospital for more than four months, followed by an extensive stay in a rehab facility. When she finally came home, she wasn’t who she had always been. My mom died that summer in the hospital, though the doctors told us she had made a miraculous recovery. 

Traumatic brain injuries have a way of taking someone away while leaving them right next to you. I saw my mom next to me, in her wheelchair, slurred speech, sad eyes. But it wasn’t her at all. The person I knew, the person I needed, she no longer existed. She had become her illness. 

I lost her when I was 12, but it wasn’t until I was 33 and a new mom that I felt the finality of that loss. All those years of mourning and coping and managing, I thought those years would prepare me for this moment. But I was surprised to learn that no amount of loss can prepare you for death. 

When it was time for the funeral, my husband drove slowly into the cemetery. I had one hand near my newborn’s mouth, holding her pacifier in place, while the other hand covered my own mouth to control my tears. Sitting in the back seat of the car, staring down at my daughter, my mind was racing, replaying years of grief all at once and all over again. 

But this was a new type of grief that shook me that day in the car, and for months after. I was no longer just a daughter grieving the loss of her mother, but a mother grappling with the possibility that my daughter could one day face a similar fate. For the first time since she got sick, I saw myself in my mom. 

As my daughter’s first birthday approached, so did the anniversary of my mom’s death. That week was both happy and sad and also confusing. Of course, this week will occur every year in the years to come, and I will have to find a productive way to spend this time. I hope to be able to do that soon.

But until then, I will mark both events separately, as they are. The anniversary of my mom’s death will honor the woman I lost and then lost again. My daughter’s birthday will celebrate the beautiful, spirited, feisty little girl I brought into this world. 

And together, these events will be a reminder of who I am because of them both.

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Lauren Shapiro Mandel
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Lauren Mandel is the daughter of Daniel Shapiro, author of the book “The Thin Ledge.” In the book Shapiro recounts his family’s difficulties with his wife's sudden but long-term illness and the family's caregiving struggle. Lauren serves as a chair for the Brain Research Foundation, in honor of her mom.

I learned a lot about baby sleep after my first was born. Lucky for us, he was an amazing sleeper! We got into a great sleep routine very quickly and not long after a girlfriend of mine welcomed a sweet new baby into the world too! Except her baby wasn’t sleeping. She asked me what she could do to help her baby self soothe?

I thought long and hard about all the different tactics we tried. All the ways we had prepared his sleep environment to help him sleep through the night. That’s when I realized, there were three solid steps we took to help your baby self-soothe for better sleep, here’s what they are:

1. We always put our baby to bed drowsy, but awake. This can be confusing, but it’s a crucial step toward allowing your baby the chance to fall asleep independently without any sleep associations tied in. What I mean by sleep association is, for example, let’s say you put your baby to sleep with their pacifier. Eventually, the pacifier falls out. Many babies then wake once their comfort item is taken away from them. Since they need that comfort item to go to sleep, they will struggle to put themselves back to sleep and cry until it’s returned to them. The pacifier is only one example of a sleep association.

Other common examples include:

  • Rocking baby to sleep

  • Feeding baby to sleep 

  • Falling asleep in a baby carrier

It might be challenging at first and don’t worry if your baby doesn’t get the hang of it right away, but give your baby 2-3 minutes to try and put themselves to sleep.

This can be done by feeding the baby their bottle or nursing the baby while they’re awake. Proceed to burp your baby and gently rock until they are calm and look sleepy. Once your baby is calm and quiet, place them down in their sleep spot on their back. 

Quietly walk out of the room and give them time to try and fall asleep.

If your baby doesn’t succeed right away, that’s ok. Simply repeat the process until they do. 

Plus, we can all agree that us sleep-deprived moms need sleep. Feeding baby to sleep or letting them sleep in their carrier while running errands won’t make or break your progress from time to time either.

2. Set up a safe sleeping environment for your baby. The other big thing we did was we made sure our son’s sleep space was 100% safe and calm. This looked like keeping the room completely dark, using a white noise machine to mimic what life was like in the womb, placing him down on his back while sleeping, keeping him in a baby sleep sack, and making sure there were no loose toys or items surrounding him in his crib or sleeping space.

Let’s break these down a little more to understand their benefits.

  • Keeping the room completely dark: The biggest reason for darkening a baby’s room is to help them learn the difference between day and nighttime sleep. As newborns, babies aren’t able to consolidate their sleep routine until they reach that 4-5 month mark. That’s why it’s important when they’re younger to build that healthy foundation to help them start to learn the difference between daylight (getting outside when the sun is out) vs. nighttime (keeping the rooms dark to promote sleep).

  • Using a white noise machine: Using a white noise machine (or turning a bedroom fan on) is nice because it can help drown out outside noises that may startle your baby awake and it can help mimic those slushing and swashing sounds they heard in utero.

  • Placing your baby down on back: You’ve seen the term “back is best”. Prior to learning how to roll, if you place baby on their stomachs and they end up getting short of breath or shoving their face into their mattress, they have a significantly higher risk of suffocating because they aren’t strong enough to move themselves out of that position.

  • Using a sleep sack or swaddle: Using a swaddle or sleep sack can simply help your baby feel warm and secure. Imagine that snug little amniotic sac they’ve been living in for so long and now it’s just gone. It may be a trick to find the right one for your baby, but when you do, it’ll be glorious!

  • Removing toys and loose objects in their sleep area: Because young babies aren’t strong enough to move themself out of harm’s way, it’s always best to eliminate any risk of choking or suffocation.

3. Pay attention to baby’s sleepy cues and start a sleep routine. One of the hardest things to do in the early days is to know exactly when your baby needs to sleep. It seems like one minute they’re sleeping and the next they’re ready to eat. As your baby gets older, you can start to pick up on their sleep cues which will help you get them down to sleep before they become overstimulated and unable to self soothe at all.

For my son, he would always start rubbing his eyes and looking around the room. That was his first sleepy cue I began to notice.

When I’d miss his cues, he’d start to become fussy, agitated, would bring his hands to his face, and ONLY want to nurse—he would refuse a bottle each time he got too overstimulated.

Other baby sleep cues might also look like:

  • Yawning

  • Rubbing face

  • Rubbing their eyes

  • Crying

  • Grunting/Whining​

  • Pulling ears, hair, or face

Now that you know my three steps to help baby self soothe themselves to sleep, I hope you can be well on your way to a much needed night’s rest!

 

Karissa is a mom to two young boys and a blogger of Mom After Baby. Karissa believes ALL moms are capable of life beyond motherhood and is passionate about providing informative & educational content to new, expecting, and postpartum moms.