family blog

  There is nothing more stressful than being stuck in traffic while your baby screams in the back seat. You can’t see them. You don’t know if they dropped their pacifier, if the sun is in their eyes, or if they are just bored. You find yourself dangerously turning your head to check on them. The Safety Upgrade : The Mirror. You need a Shatterproof Back Seat Mirror . It straps to the headrest of the back seat. For You: You can see your baby’s face in your rearview mirror. You know instantly if they are asleep or just fussy. For Them: Babies love looking at faces. Seeing themselves (and you) in the mirror is entertaining and calms them down. The Comfort Upgrade: The Shade Car windows are not designed for babies. The sun hits them directly in the face, which wakes them up. Get a Static Cling Sun Shade . Avoid the ones with hard suction cups (which can become projectiles in a crash). The "static cling" ones just stick to the glass like magic and block 98% of UV rays.

  You have the diapers. You have the wipes. You have the spare outfit. You think you are ready to leave the house. But experienced parents know that the "standard checklist" isn't enough for a real emergency. Here are the 3 items I learned to carry the hard way. 1. The "Wet Bag." When your baby has a blowout (and they will) or spits up all over their onesie, where do you put the dirty clothes? If you put them in a plastic grocery bag, the smell leaks. If you put them loose in the bag, everything gets ruined. Get a Cloth "Wet Bag." These are waterproof, zippered pouches (often used for cloth diapers). They seal in moisture and smell completely. You can throw the dirty clothes in, zip it up, and deal with it when you get home. 2. Dog Poop Bags Yes, really. Sometimes you are at a park or a friend's house where you can't just throw a dirty diaper in the main trash can. Small dog waste bags are perfect for sealing up a diaper before you toss it, c...

  Let’s face it: taking a baby to a restaurant feels less like a "night out" and more like a tactical military operation. You spend the whole time apologizing to the waiter, picking up forks, and praying your child doesn't scream during the appetizer. But after a few disasters, I realized I didn't need to stop going out. I just needed the right gear. If you want to actually enjoy your meal (while it’s still hot), you need a "Restaurant Survival Kit." Keep these three items in your diaper bag at all times, and you’ll be ready for anything. 1. The "Clean Surface" Hack ( Stick-on Placemats ) Restaurant tables are… questionable. And babies love to eat directly off the table. The solution is a Stick-on Disposable Placemat . These are genius. They have sticky strips on the back so you can adhere them directly to the restaurant table. Germ Protection: Your baby eats off a clean surface, not one that was wiped with a dirty rag. Cleanup: When the meal is...

  Buying the car seat is only step one. Using it correctly is step two—and statistics show that nearly 50% of car seats are installed incorrectly or misused. A loose car seat cannot protect your child in a crash. Here is a 30-second safety check you should do every time you buckle them in. 1. The Chest Clip Placement The plastic clip that connects the straps should always be at armpit level . The Mistake: Leaving it down near the belly button. The Risk: In a crash, a low clip can cause the child to be ejected from the top of the seat. If it's too high (neck level), it can hurt their neck. Armpit level is the only safe spot. 2. The "Pinch Test." How tight should the straps be? The Test: Once buckled, try to pinch the strap webbing at the child's shoulder with your thumb and pointer finger. Pass: If your fingers slide off and you can't grab any fabric, it is tight enough. Fail: If you can pinch a fold of fabric, it is too loose. Tighten it immediately. 3. No Wi...