After Your Baby Is Born

From your baby's 'birth' day to their 'first birthday'... here's what you need to know! Moms who've been in your shoes are sharing their own honest reviews of baby products, fun things you can do with a baby during their first year, important things to know about postpartum care for mom -- even tips for losing weight after pregnancy. You'll also find tips for introducing pets, baby sleep issues, feeding baby, breastfeeding dilemmas, babyproofing, choosing car seats, potty training, must-have diaper bag items, babywearing tips, flying on a plane with a baby... and more!

A Mom’s Tips For Flying Solo With A Toddler On Your Lap Or In A Car Seat For The First Time

See the most important things I’ve learned after flying solo with an infant for the first time. Tips to help you with checking in, getting through security, passing time in airports during layovers, boarding the plane, flying with a toddler in a car seat (after scoring an extra seat), and flying with a toddler on your lap (if they’re under age 2 and the flight is full). Here are 16 things I would do differently if I could do it all over again…

Toddler Ride On Toy Car Review: My 1-Year-Old Loves The Step 2 Whisper Ride On Push Car Stroller… And So Do I!

Here’s my review of the Step 2 Whisper ride on push car with pros & cons. I use it as a stroller a lot — because it keeps my toddler contained and entertained whenever we have to wait in line somewhere. I also use it in our yard a lot — it’s a great way to get him outside when I don’t want him getting down and dirty (like when I’m doing yard work).

Mom & Baby’s Keekaroo High Chair Review: See Why The Keekaroo Height Right High Chair With Tray Is The Best High Chair Ever!

We used a Bumbo multi seat as a high chair for about 8 months, but at 14 months of age, I think it’s time for a more sturdy high chair. I decided to try the Keekaroo Height Right high chair after doing a good deal of research on the Stokke Tripp Trapp high chair. The Keekaroo is a great substitute for the Stokke high chair because — much like the Stokke — your baby simply cannot outgrow a Keekaroo high chair… and it’s much more affordable! We especially like the look and the sturdiness of the Keekaroo. See all the other reasons we love our Keekaroo Height Right high chair…

Flying With A Baby? Here’s What I’ve Learned While Preparing For My Baby’s First Airplane Ride (…An International Flight To Canada!)

I’m in the process of preparing for my baby’s first plane ride. See everything that we’re packing, how I plan to handle the layovers and connecting flights with a baby, some handy gadgets and travel necessities that I’ve discovered and will be using on this trip, and tips for other moms who are planning their very first flight with a baby.

Mom & Baby Review The Fisher Price Crawl Around Car With 3 ‘Smart Stages’ Levels Of Play

My baby really likes his Fisher Price Crawl Around Car! It keeps him busy for 15-20 minute intervals at a time. As a full time work at home mom, having your baby distracted for even a few minutes of “baby free time” always feels like a win! This is a Smart Stages Crawl Around Car with 3 different levels of activity that will grow with your baby. See our video review — including our favorite features on the Fisher Price Laugh And Learn Crawl Around Car (and 1 negative).

Car Travel With Baby: One Mom’s Simple Tips For Traveling With A Toddler In The Car

My baby is 1 year old — which means he can finally ride in a forward facing car seat. We chose the Britax convertible car seat — because of its high safety rating. See what traveling with a toddler in the car is like for our family. My best baby travel tips for your next road trip with a toddler… from entertaining DVD movies in the car to the best snacks & sippy cups for toddler car trips.

Alternative Vaccine Schedules vs. The CDC’s Immunization Schedule: How To Find Vaccine-Friendly Pediatricians

As a first time mother, I question everything when it comes to the wellness and safety of my baby. Right away, we were faced with the dilemma of getting newborn vaccines while in the hospital after delivery – the Hepatitis B shot, and the Vitamin K shot. Then, the CDC’s immunization schedule for children says to give 6 vaccinations at 2 months of age. I’ve done my research and decided to follow an alternative vaccine schedule instead of the CDC’s baby vaccination chart. See why, and if this is the right decision for your family — or not.

Baby Led Weaning Foods To Start With + One Mom’s Helpful Tips Before Getting Started With BLW

I had planned to make my own baby food once I started introducing solid foods to my exclusively breastfed baby. But when my baby was 8 months old, I decided to try baby led weaning instead — and now I can’t imagine introducing solid foods any other way! Here are the benefits of BLW, the best baby led weaning foods to start with, and my tips for moms before starting baby led weaning.

How To Make Homemade Baby Food Quickly & Easily: 10 Helpful Tips For Making Baby Food At Home Yourself

See how homemade baby food compares to store-bought baby food, the advantages of making baby food yourself, how you’ll save money making homemade baby food at home, how to puree/store/freeze/thaw baby food, and how to make your own healthy baby food recipes quickly & easily. Plus 10 tips
to ensure that your homemade baby food is safe, healthy… and tasty!

Our Elimination Communication Potty Training Update: The Pros & Cons Of Practicing EC & How It’s Working For Us

I’ve been practicing Elimination Communication potty training (with a diaper backup) since my baby was 13 weeks of age. In 1 month he will be a year old, and we are still committed to becoming diaper free. I’ve learned a few things about EC since I first started it — so I thought I’d share the following with others who are considering it: How I’m encouraging my baby to go potty at specific times, What my baby’s potty signals are, What my baby’s diaper-free times are like, The benefits of EC and why I’m sticking with it, The challenges of EC and how I’m working through them.

Wondering How To Take A Shower With Your Baby To Save Time? Here’s How I Do It

Wondering if you can take a shower with your baby to save time? The answer is yes! Here’s how I shower with my baby, plus my best tips to make the process of bathing your baby even easier.

Mom And Baby Review The Trilingual Baby Einstein Discovering Music Activity Table

My baby is now 10 months old and pulling himself to stand while holding onto furniture. The Baby Einstein Discovering Music activity table gives him a way to play while standing. See what makes this baby activity table unique and why he likes it so much. Plus, our video review of this Baby Einstein activity table.

One Mom’s Clever Tips & Tricks For Toddler Proofing Your House Once Baby Starts To Crawl

My baby has started crawling and pulling himself up to stand — which means it’s time for us to toddler proof the entire house! I have a few clever tricks for toddler proofing your home, plus a list of my favorite child proof products to protect your curious toddler — including child proof locks for drawers, cabinets, and other doors (like refrigerators, toilets, trash cans, etc).

Baby & Mom Review The Zany Zoo Activity Cube – A Large Wooden Activity Cube For Toddlers

My 8 month old isn’t interested in baby toys much anymore. So in an effort to keep him engaged and entertained, I decided to give the Zany Zoo Activity Cube a try. Here’s everything I love about this large wooden activity cube, and the 1 thing I don’t. See why I think it’s a great gift for a 1-year-old.

My Review Of The Moby Wrap Classic: First Impressions Of This Babywearing Wrap + Pros And Cons Of The Moby Baby Wrap

Babywearing wraps are the best! I would rather wear my baby than carry him. Here’s my review of the Moby Wrap Classic — what I love about it (…and a few things I don’t), plus how to wrap the Moby Classic for 4 different babywearing carry positions.

Baltic Amber Teething Necklace Review: My Baby’s Got 5 Teeth & Has Never Had A Fever Since Wearing A Baltic Teething Necklace

Many parents swear by the Baltic Amber teething necklace. As a first time mom, not knowing what to expect, it appears the Baltic Amber necklace is working because he teethes with very little fussing AND he has never once had a fever! Here’s how a Baltic teething necklace works, plus some things you should know before trying an Amber necklace with your baby.

Bumbo Baby Seat Review: See How The Bumbo Multi Seat Grows With Your Baby And Serves Many Purposes!

As a new mom, I look for baby items to serve multiple uses. That’s why I love the Bumbo Multi Seat. Not only can it be used as a floor seat and a high chair, but it can also be used on other flat surfaces — like the dining room table while I’m working there! The Bumbo baby seat easily converts from a floor seat to a booster seat — maximizing its use for as long as baby will fit in it! Here’s my detailed review, plus a video so you can ‘see’ what I’m talking about.

What’s In Your Diaper Bag? Here’s What’s In My Diaper Tote For A 7-Month-Old Baby

What’s in your baby’s diaper tote? I believe these 20 or so items are a well rounded assortment of baby items that make the most sense to take with you wherever baby goes — while keeping it minimal. See what I keep inside my Skip Hop Grand Central Diaper Bag…

Free Baby Books: How To Start Building Your Child’s Library From Birth For Free

It’s never too early to read to your baby. I started reading everything out loud when I was pregnant. I continued reading to my newborn while I was breastfeeding. By 3 months, my baby was fully engaged whenever I was reading a book to him. Here’s how I built my baby’s reading library

Baby Potty Training: A First Time Mom’s Experience Going Diaper Free At 13 Weeks – How Elimination Communication Works

Exploring baby potty training? Have you heard about Elimination Communication? It’s a simpler way to do baby potty training) which focuses on being diaper free at a younger age. We started when our little boy was 13 weeks old. With EC, the diaper is used as a “back-up” instead of a permanent, wearable toilet.

See Why I Chose Placenta Encapsulation After The Birth Of My Baby – The Benefits Of Eating Placenta

Here’s how and why I consumed my placenta (in the form of capsules, like supplements) after the birth of my son. Most of the benefits of eating placenta have to do with bonding with the infant and shrinking the uterus back to normal size. But I was mostly interested in the direct benefits in the recovery after birth.

5 Things To Look For When Buying A Newborn Car Seat + Infant Car Seat Safety Tips From The Experts

If you’re pregnant and confused about how to buy newborn car seats (as most first-time parents are), these tips will come in handy! Whether you decide to buy a used or new newborn car seat, here’s what you need to know about the proper fit, recline angle, and which direction baby’s carseat should face.