When it comes to gifting baby, the opportunities are endless. Layette, plush toys, books and freshly baked dinner are always winners, but these tried and true presents will make a new mom swoon and will most likely never make the "donate" stack or the garbage bag.
Be proud of your roots! Mom and dad picked their home for a reason. Now celebrate it! Today's talented designers are customizing blankets, clothes, and more to show off your tot's hometown. Perfect for baby gifts and and birthday presents, the kid-friendly designs will have lil ones learning their way around a map long before they ever have a driver's license! Check them out!
My first go-to gift for any new mother is always a plush, organic, baby blanket. Regardless of how many blankets she's already been gifted, another baby blanket can never go amiss. When a blanket is organic, the cotton used to make it is free from pesticides, so it is nontoxic and safe for your little one. What's great about all of these luxurious blankets is that they can be used to swaddle your baby, to keep your him warm in his crib, and to cover your lil one while running errands. Here are a few of my favorite organic blankets!
Source: Thinkstock
Blankets and onesies are great, but what many new mamas want comes with buttons and lights. While the iPhone may be a sanity-saving device for parents, it isn't the only gadgety gift on their wish list. From a thermometer fit for the entire family to a monitor that records lil one's every move, check out this selection of 10 gadgets that will make geeky new parents swoon with delight!
Lots of moms like to think out loud, PatiBF is one of them. This is the latest post to her Baby Style blog.
These are probably the only things (besides diapers/wipes/butt cream) I used every day. Especially since I was lucky (or unlucky) that Sandra refused bottles and cared only for feeding straight from the source. I could almost do without anything else. These were my essentials!
Want to see more? Start following Baby Style. Or start your own OnSugar blog. It's easy, it's free, and we just might feature your content on our site!
There's something very traditional about a rocking toy in a lil one's nursery. Even if they're not big enough to ride it, the toy makes a perfect accent piece until it is put to use. For years wooden versions have added just a touch more charm to a traditional baby's room, but today they are anything but stodgy. We've rounded up five wooden rockers to suit any nursery style from classic to ultra-modern!
Clockwise from top left: Radio Flyer's Classic Wood Rocking Horse ($100), Cabinfield's Classic Rocking Airplane ($340), Italtrike's ABC Chocolate Rocking Horse ($78), Plan Toy's Arabian Rocking Horse ($63), J.I.P.'s Wooden Rocking Scooter Chair ($100).
Does the wedding rule apply to wee ones? Once baby debuts, how long does a person have to get their gift into the new bundle of joy's hands? Every so often, I buy an item for an infant and have to go back and purchase something else because they've outgrown it before I ever got the goody over to them. What guideline do you go by?
Bounce around! Following our introduction to Mamas and Papas strollers last month, we were excited to get our hands on the British import's adorably sleek Astro Magic Bouncer ($200). The bouncy seat can be used with MP3 players or one of four different entertainment packs ($30 each). With kick-activated light shows and three vibration settings, we were eager to put the chair to the test when the company sent us one to review.
Who is this product designed for? Though it says it is designed for newborns through 6 month olds, it seems more appropriate for infants of at least 4 months who can hold their heads steadily on their own.
Is it practical? The Astro Magic Bouncer isn't a necessity, but it is fun!. Larger than the standard bouncy seat, it is not as portable as its competitors which can easily be moved from room-to-room.
What sets it apart? The extra-large plush seat is like a luxurious easy chair for infants! Its positioning also places tots higher than other seats, allowing curious babies to see the world around them. Best of all, it connects to your iPod, allowing mama to choose the music her lil one listens to, while giving the wee ones the ability to make the music play by kicking their feet on an interactive kick pad. The seat's Toy Bar features a light show that mesmerized our lil tester.
What could be better? The size/portability could be better. It takes up a lot of room, does not fold for travel, and isn't very portable. The seat's height is not adjustable, making it hard to use with newborns. And while it is built with bells and whistles, it is rather pricey for a toy that will only last until a tot can sit up on his own (around six months).
Did it make baby happy? Yes, very happy! Our 5-month-old tester spent a good 30 minutes in the seat and was never bored. In fact, we felt the need to remove him before he did!
Would I buy it? Probably not. It isn't practical, it takes up a lot of room, and it is expensive. However, I wouldn't return it if someone gifted one to me! The Astro Magic Bouncer has awesome features that will entertain a baby, but the chair isn't a necessary addition to the nursery.
When picking the perfect baby shower gift, givers often go for something that will impress the mama-to-be and other shower guests. While a trendy stroller or designer duds may make other attendees swoon, a gift doesn't need to cost a fortune to make a big impact.
Choose a favorite children's book – be it a classic or simply one of your tot's favorite tomes – and writing a heartfelt inscription in the cover. The thoughtful gift can easily become a family heirloom and may pave the way for future birthday gifts that complete the collection of books by the same author.
