best of baby :: bath time

1.  Skip Hop Stacking Duncks.  Adorable, brightly colored bath toys that double as rinse cups.  Stack up neatly for storage, dishwasher safe, and BPA, Phthalate and PVC free.

2.  Under the Nile Organic Sherpa Washcloths.  I've tried 4 other brands of organic cotton washcloths and these are by far the best.  Super soft and not too thin or too thick.  Work great in the bath, on the changing table, or in the diaper bag.

3.  Puj Spout Cover.  There is really nothing special about this spout cover, but it's my favorite option because a) it's pretty adorable and b) it's not as exciting to look at as some of the other ones out there which means M leaves it alone.  It's also soft, mildew-resistant, and it does it's job.

4.  OG Baby Tubby Rubby.  This was my favorite baby wash when M was a newborn, during those early stages when you're afraid to put any products on their skin.  This soapless cleanser is made up of a loose mixture of oats, calendula, lavender and chamomile that soothes and calms dry or irritated skin.  Scoop a bit of the mixture into the included muslin bag and submerge in warm bath water: you now have a soft, squishy wash bag that can be used on baby's delicate skin, and you don't even have to rinse her off.    

5.  Green Sprouts Stacking Cups.  These BPA, PVC, Nitrosamine and Phthalate free bath toys were so popular in the bathtub that they have made their way into the playroom and diaper bag - they have to be one of M's absolute favorite toys to stack, bang together and, of course, chew on.

6.  4 Moms Infant Tub.  We tried the Puj Tub initially but it was quite the disaster (to each his own though, I have friends who swear by it).  We quickly switched to the brilliant 4 Moms tub, which M loved (or, at least, didn't hate).  The tub is designed so that clean water runs in and dirty water filters out - a good thing in the beginning when small babies are prone to use the tub as a potty.  It's pretty bulky so storage may pose a problem, but it fit perfectly in our kitchen sink and then later, worked well in our bathtub.  Now that M is taking "big girl baths"  it currently has taken on the role of "bath toy storage", so this thing just does not quit. 

7.  Boon Bath Tub Appliqués.  Aside from blueberries and puppies, these are probably M's favorite things in the world. Designed to float in the water and stick on wet bathtub walls, these tub appliqués also do pretty well on dry land: they can be found on the changing table, in the car and in every room of our house.  If M has one in each hand, she's a happy camper.  And, like all other Boon products, they are BPA, Phthalate and PVC free.

8.  Snuggle Dry Organic Apron Baby Towel.  This towel is ingenious.  Expensive, but ingenious.  It's apron design makes it incredibly easy to lift baby from the tub using both hands, not to mention incredibly safer.  It's generous size completely covers even a one year old baby, something the Aden and Anais towels can no longer do, and it is highly absorbent and oh-so-soft.  

9.  Skip Hop Moby Bath Kneeler and Elbow Rest.  These are pretty self-explanatory, but I will say that they are absolutely vital to bath time.

10.  Hevea Natural Rubber Bath Toys.  Another favorite bath toy that has made the move to the playroom.  These duck, frog and fish toys are made of 100% natural rubber latex and are free of PVC, BPA, phthalates and synthetic coloring.  There are no holes for water to get in (I'm looking at you, Sophie*), and the soft, squishy texture makes them perfect for teething.   

11.  Under the Nile Organic Hooded Bath Towel.  These organic cotton hooded bath towels are much thicker and more absorbent than the Aden and Anais and Kate Quinn hooded towels, plus I'm partial to the simple design (or lack of).

12.  California Baby Eczema Wash, Shea Moisture Extra Mild Baby Wash and Sweetsation Therapy Orange Dreamsicle Organic Baby Shampoo and Body Wash.  I've tried a lot of non-toxic and organic baby washes, and these three are by far my favorites.  All 3 smell amazing even though they are free from synthetic fragrances: ingredients like calendula and oatmeal, shea and cocoa butter and sweet orange essential oil and vanilla make baby smell good enough to eat.  The California Baby is great for irritated skin (and you can't beat the ease of the pump dispenser), the Shea Moisture is ultra sensitive and gluten free, and the Sweetsation Therapy is organic, nourishing and smells like an orange popsicle. 

*a word of warning: it appears that the popular Sophie the Giraffe Bath Toy is made of PVC.  As a fan of the natural rubber teether versions, i am pretty disappointed that Vulli would use this toxic material to make a toy for babies who can't keep things out of their mouths.  not only is the toy made out of PVC, it is also poorly designed and holds water inside which leads to mold and mildew.  please do not buy!

best of baby :: changing table

As they say, it’s a dirty job but somebody’s got to do it.  Here are my top picks for changing tables and accessories that will help make the task stink a little less.  

1. Giggle Better Basics Harper Changing Table.  As I was approaching the end of my pregnancy, the thought of walking up the stairs to the 2nd floor nursery for every diaper change sounded like far too much work.  That might just be called laziness, but we decided to purchase a changing table for downstairs nonetheless.  Since this table would be going in a highly visible living area, we wanted something a little less “nursery” that would blend in with our other furniture.  The Harper changing table was just that, and has been one of our most valuable baby purchases.  It’s sturdy with a simple design, offers plenty of room for storage baskets yet doesn't take up too much space, is constructed from eco-conscious materials, and can be used later as a bookshelf or for toys.

2.  Ferm Living Olivia Music Mobile.  Installing this mobile on the wall above the changing table was one of the best ideas we ever had. For a good 6 months M was mesmerized by its black and white pattern and beautiful sounds.  It’s also beautiful for adults to look at as well, which is an added bonus. 

3.  RH Baby and Child Dresser Toppers.  RH Baby makes an assortment of beautiful toppers that turn any dresser into a changing table.  Technically they make them for their dressers, but I purchased one for a vintage dresser I already owned and it was a perfect match.  There are so many styles and finishes to choose from, chances are they have one that will work with your dresser too.   

4.  RH Baby, Satsuma Designs and Oeuf Changing Pad Covers.  All of these changing pad covers are made from super soft organic materials that feel luxurious against baby’s sensitive skin.  They also all wash up beautifully.

5.  Naturpedic and Oeuf Changing Pads.  I have one of each and I can’t decide which I like best.  Both are eco-friendly, wetproof, perfectly soft-yet-firm and have optional safety straps.  I believe the Naturpedic changing pad is a little more non-toxic, if that’s possible, but the Oeuf is half the price.  As my husband would say, six of one, a half dozen of the other…    

6.  TL Care Organic Cotton Sheet Saver.  Using these waterproof pads on top of the changing pad cover means you don’t have to wash the cover as much, and these come off for the wash a whole lot easier.

7.  Ubbi Diaper Pail.  The absolute BEST diaper pail on the market.  To be fair, I didn't try any others, but why would I when I found a stylish, well-constructed pail that actually contains odors without the use of deodorizers?  (Disclaimer: this diaper pail contains odors when the lid is closed.  When you open the lid to toss in a diaper or remove the trash bag, yes, you will be reminded that this is, in fact, a container of dirty diapers.  This diaper pail is not magical, after all.)  Initially, I was concerned about the lack of foot pedal, but the lid on the Ubbi is actually quite easy to open and close with one hand, and this lid design definitely keeps odors to a minimum.  The stainless steel material holds up well and means no odor-absorbing plastic is involved. The Ubbi comes in a plethora of colors to match any décor but I’m partial to the ivory.  In case you were wondering.     

8.  The Honest Company.  I can’t say enough good things about the Honest Company (And no, I am not getting paid to say them.  Though I should be).  Having all of our diapers, wipes, and cleaning supplies delivered right to our front door whenever we need them is a godsend.  Not to mention, all of those diapers, wipes and cleaning supplies are reasonably priced and work amazingly well, are better for our health and the environment, and come in the kind of beautiful packaging that I am a sucker for.  The wipes are phenomenal, the diapers the best I’ve tried, and the hand sanitizer something our changing table and diaper bag cannot survive without.       

9.  Diaper Creams.  If you’re looking for an organic, non-toxic diaper cream, Honest Healing Balm and OG Baby Barrier Balm are the bomb. (sorry)  If you need a zinc oxide based diaper cream, Badger is a great non-nano, organic option but beware – it does stain.  Sweetsation Therapy (one of my favorite brands for both adult and baby bath and skincare products – stay tuned for reviews) offers a non-nano zinc formula in a handy (but hands-free) stick form that smells nice and is great for the diaper bag.    

best of baby :: sleep

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Friends and family know me as the queen of research.  Before I buy anything, I like to read reviews, conduct an extensive google image search and compare my options.  I've done my fair share of research on baby products, and after much cajoling from said friends and family I would like to pay it forward to all the new parents out there in my Best of Baby series.  It was hard to pick my first post topic but I figured I might as well start with what all of us parents are obsessed with these days: sleep.

1.     Hanna Andersson Organic Sleeper.  Take my word for it: a zipper, when you’re stumbling around bleary eyed during a 3am diaper change, beats snaps any day (er, night).  These sleepers make my best of list not only for ease of outfit changes, but also because the super soft organic cotton is the perfect medium weight, and because they don’t have feet – it takes a bit longer for a baby to outgrow them and they transition easily from sleep to playtime for a crawling/standing baby who may be held back by slippery feet.  The orginals from Hanna Andersson are adorable but the collaboration with Serena and Lily offers some amazing prints such as punch-colored zebras and strawberry stripes paired with aqua collars and cuffs.

2.  Snuggle Me Cushion.  The only problem I had with this cushion is that I didn’t discover it until M was 3 months old.  I had previously searched for a co-sleeper made from less toxic materials and had come up empty, but when we realized that M loved sleeping in our bed I revived the search.  Thank goodness I did, because that’s when I discovered this lifesaver: a cozy co-sleeper pillow with sides that, when baby is laid on top of pillow, gently hug in and comfort baby.  The ingenious design also helps prevent baby from rolling or turning over and therefore keeps them safely on their back, and also provides a firm barrier between parents and baby for co-sleeping.  M felt so secure in this pillow that this became her favorite place to sleep and it even helped her to start sleeping through the night.  Need I say more?  (Just keep in mind that it is recommended that the cushion not be placed in the crib and that an infant never be left unattended in the cushion)

3.  Alma Bloom Mini Crib.  Probably our most highly debated baby-product issue was that of where will M sleep during the months prior to moving into her “big girl” crib in her nursery upstairs?  We looked at multiple cradles, bassinets and playards but none were precisely what we were looking for.  We needed something that would fit next to our bed but also be portable enough to transition into the living room if needed.  The playards were too cumbersome to meet our needs and the cradles and bassinets were too impractical - we were hoping for something that could be used longer than three months.  Enter the Alma Bloom Mini Crib – much smaller than a standard crib but just as sturdy, and even folds for storage when not in use.  The crib is made of solid birch with low VOC baby-safe finishes in a variety of modern colors and has several mattress options available, my favorite being the Coco Mat organic cotton mini mattress.  The Alma Mini is incredibly functional: it can be used from newborn to 12 months; and, casters allow the crib to be moved easily from room to room. 

4.  Natural Mat Organic Mattress Protector.  In the organic-and-waterproof-yet-breathable mattress protector category, this one takes the cake.  It’s made with two layers of soft organic flannelette with a non-toxic, breathable waterproof membrane sandwiched in between.  Instead of this protector being styled like a fitted sheet, it is simply a flat topper with elastic bands on each corner that attach securely to the mattress.  I feel that this contributes to it’s breathability aspect as it lets the sides of the mattress breathe. 

5.  Dohm White Noise Machine.  I know, I know, we aren’t supposed to use white noise machines anymore.  But this one is really not that loud, I swear!  The Dohm only has two settings: perfect amount of soothing white noise and just a little bit quieter soothing white noise (at least that’s what I call them).  Plus, if you put it across the room and not right next to baby’s eardrums I think everyone will be okay.  Oh, and this particular model was selected as the Official Sound Conditioner of the National Sleep Foundation.  So, there you go.  I told you it was okay.          

6.  Under the Nile Organic Cotton Sheets.  Let’s just say if they made them in King-sized I would buy them in a heartbeat. 

7.  mamaRoo Baby Swing.  Our baby ADORED this thing.  Before I discovered the Snuggle Me Cushion, this futuristic-looking contraption was how I was able to get some much-needed shut-eye.  It has five different motions that move up and down and side to side like parents do when comforting their babies.  It also takes up far less space than traditional swings and can be tucked away at a moment’s notice, though you might not want to because I promise, it’s quite the conversation starter.  M has long outgrown the mamaRoo but she still plays with the plush balls from the mobile.  Definitely worth the investment.      

8.  Castleware Organic Sleepsacks.  If you’re in need of a sleepsack, look no farther.  These from Castleware are luxuriously soft and lightweight enough to be worn year round, though a velour option is available for cooler climates.  Made of eco-friendly organic cotton (not treated with flame retardents) and constructed to zip from top to bottom to ensure your little Houdini can’t break free and won’t be bothered by the zipper.  The quality of these American-made garments is unmatched, and the customer service through both UrthChild and the Castleware website itself is outstanding.

9.  Miracle Blanket.  We tried them all and this one wins, hands down.  There is a bit of a learning curve, but once you figure it out this is the only swaddle blanket you will use: it is almost impossible for baby to break free.  And, keeping baby swaddled and comforted = longer sleep.  Also, there is no annoying Velcro that will inevitably snag your favorite sweater or muslin blanket. 

10. Kate Quinn Organic Infant Sacque.  M lived in these gowns for the first 6 months of her life, either worn under the miracle blanket, over a onesie and pants, or on it’s own for playtime.  These are the only gowns I found that were long enough to cover her feet – every other brand was very oddly too short and boxy.  The gown style makes late night diaper changes a breeze, the open neckline with snaps makes wardrobe changes easier on baby, the organic cotton is super soft and the prints can’t be beat.    

11. Savvy Rest Organic Crib Mattress.  I felt a bit like Goldilocks while crib mattress shopping.  I purchased 3 different mattresses but none were quite right: The first mattress I received was defective; the second would not fit in our standard crib because of an oddly sized (and loose?!!) mattress cover.  I looked at Naturpedic but was concerned about breathability, and Coco Mat, which is fantastic, but doesn’t transition into toddlerhood.  I finally landed on the organic mattress from Savvy Rest and yes, this one was just right.  Constructed of a solid 5” layer of natural Dunlop latex surrounded by a thick, quilted organic cotton casing.  It’s non-toxic, beautifully made, and can handle the weight of a toddler.  As an added bonus, I was able to test out the mattress and purchase it from local purveyor Austin Natural Mattress, which made the process even easier.

Bonus...

12.  Allison Coleman, sleep guru.  Talk about a lifesaver.  Probably the best thing we did was hire a nighttime Doula to spend a couple of nights at our house for the first few months.  We had no idea how to take care of an infant but we did know that we wouldn’t be getting any sleep.  Allison walked through our door and brought a little bit of sanity with her.  I truly believe that she is why M became such a good sleeper early on so we are forever grateful.  

easter basket: candy alternatives

Don’t get me wrong; I have nothing against hollow chocolate bunnies and Cadbury Crème Eggs (let’s be honest, I think I was borderline addicted to Cadbury Crème Eggs by age 6).  All I’m saying is that maybe we could find a few candy alternatives for the Easter basket that encourage imagination and recreation as opposed to sugar highs and stomachaches.  Below are 21 basket-stuffers that will last far longer than bunny-shaped marshmallows, and since Easter is fast approaching several of them are available with two day shipping for my fellow Amazon Prime-mates.  Clockwise from top left:

1.   Oeuf long-sleeve bunny tee

2.  Tane carrot rattle

3.  Manny and Simon bunny push toy

4.  Blahblah Kids wooly the sheep doll

5.  Finn + Emma rattle

6.  Zubkey wooden eggs color matching game

7.  Under the Nile bunny blanket friend

8.  Egg chalk 

9.  Reusable snack pouch

10. Guess How Much I love you (soft baby book version) 

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11.  Atelier Atsuyo Et Akiko lapin cotton crew tee 

12.  Deuz mini maracas wooden rattles

13.  Under the Nile carrot toy  

14.  Grimm's Spiel and Holz "little flower" wooden puzzle stacker

15.  Bunny Pacifier Clip

16.  Easter egg crayons

17.  JJ Rabbit cuppie

18.  32 Ways to Dress a Bunny by Wee Gallery

19.  Beeswax crayons

20.  Plan Toys egg percussion set

21.  Hazel Village bird rattle 

keepsake baby books

There are A LOT of tacky baby memory books out there, something I learned while searching for one right before M’s arrival.  Trying to find a baby book without cartoon animals, bows and childlike bubble fonts is no easy task.  Here are four finds with modern designs, subdued colors and clean layouts (clockwise from top):

1.  Velvet Raptor Photo Album: I still haven’t come to terms with spending $170 on a blank photo album but when I do, this is the one I’ll be buying.  This isn’t really a baby book, but it would make an unbelievably gorgeous heirloom photo album so I had to include it.  In colors like tourmaline, sea green and avocado, these rich velvet albums deserve to be displayed front and center… so it’s a good thing the brand also makes ridiculously cool Ghost and Milk slipcases for protecting and displaying your album on a bookcase or on a coffee table as a piece of art.

2.  Yasmeen Ismail Baby Journal: I know I said no cartoon animals but these are totally different.  Illustrator and British Animation Award-winner Yasmeen Ismail combines vibrant watercolors, fun journal entries and small envelopes in which to place mementos such as sonograms, a lock of hair or a token picked up during baby’s first outing to create a wonderfully whimsical baby book.

3.  Welcome, Baby! Keepsake Book: a very Anthropologie/Rifle Paper Company-esque keepsake album that chronicles baby’s life from baby shower to first birthday, with spots to jot down even the tiniest details from favorite songs to first giggles.  This book contains a great amount of space to record memories and milestones and is fantastic for provoking thought and reflection.    

4.  Binth Baby Book: this handcrafted, clothbound book records memories all the way through the third year and comes complete with its own keepsake box.  A modern design and gorgeous woodland illustrations in gender-neutral colors make this the perfect shower gift for that design-minded friend who is anti-gender reveal.      

back this: diaper bag-packs

After spending more time than I’d care to admit searching for the ultimate diaper bag, I was positive I had picked the perfect one.  10 months later and here I am, toting around diapers and applesauce squeeze pouches in my own purse and shoving diaper bag essentials in a $9 BAGGU tote while my beautiful, overpriced diaper bag sits untouched in the backseat.  Said beautiful, overpriced diaper bag is unfortunately heavy and too cumbersome to be practical: it puts strain on my already overworked shoulders and neck, is awkward to carry while also holding a baby and is too large to fit in the shopping basket of our new stroller.  Solution?  The backpack.  Thank goodness backpacks are on trend right now because not only are they such a sensible solution to the diaper bag, they are also stylish enough to double as a purse.  Here are a few favorites that, in my opinion, are ideal: 

1. LeSportsac Voyager Backpack

2. Marc Jacobs Pretty Nylon Knapsack

3. MSGM Floral Backpack

4. BAGGU Sailor Stripe Backpack

5. Pendleton Multnomah Backpack (tip: i found mine on Amazon for almost $200 less)

6. Stela 9 Shiva Backpack

7. Rebecca Minkoff MAB Backpack

8. Herschel Supply Pop Quiz Backpack

(Actual branded diaper bag backpacks do exist, I just find this bunch far more chic.)