Expecting parents are always inundated with information but right now it is harder than ever to know who to trust. Below please find a list of trusted online resources and sources of expert information: Sources for coronavirus related information for pregnancy: March of Dimes Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) American Pregnancy Association Twiniversity … Continue reading “10 Trusted Resources for Expecting Parents During Quarantine”
My goal with the services we provide at BabyNav has always been to remove as much stress as possible for expecting parents so they can focus on a happy and healthy pregnancy. I can not imagine a time where this could be more important than right now! This time of year is typically the busiest … Continue reading “FREE Registry or Gear Consultations During Quarantine”
Choosing the gear that you will add to your baby registry can be a fun and exciting process but realizing the amount of baby gear available can become quickly overwhelming. This checklist will make sure that you have all the essentials that you need without all the other stuff you don’t. Take this list with … Continue reading “Must Have Registry List (Free Printable)”
Congratulations! This is a very exciting time in your life but we also know it can get a little (okay a LOT) overwhelming. In the months ahead you may start to feel like there is a never ending list of decisions to make and things to do. Please print and use the below check-list as … Continue reading “Expecting Parent Checklist (Free Printable)”
Memorial Day is just around the corner which means a lot of us will be hitting the roads to visit friends and family. While you may be worried about a road trip with your baby if you have the right gear in place and your car ready to go ahead of time you can ensure … Continue reading “6 Tips for a Happy Road Trip with Baby”
When I first met Kelly and heard her story and inspiration behind Devi Ma I was so intrigued. Devi Ma Yoga is so much more than yoga classes and Kelly brings so much experience and wisdom to each of the classes she teaches. I love the approach and flexibility that expecting and new parents can … Continue reading “Tuesday Introduction: Devi Ma Yoga”
This Tuesday Introduction is a little different because I have been lucky enough to know Jenn for something like 15 years. I have long admired her work at JennV Photography and think the photos she takes can become real treasures for families. Jenn is super talented and her work stands out amongst the crowded market … Continue reading “Tuesday Introduction: JennV Photography”
In the last ten years we have learned about a lot of childbirth classes and new parent classes and mom groups but none of them as smart and useful for new families as The Parent Collective! Jessica Hill co-founded this resource for parents after her own positive experiences in the U.K. We were lucky enough … Continue reading “Tuesday Introduction: The Parent Collective”
Having an organized nursery where you can see everything, access everything you need without digging and are able to quickly grab exactly what you need can make a really big difference in your day taking care of baby. Unfortunately, custom closets can be really expensive and not always an option when you are already in … Continue reading “One Nursery Closet Three Ways”
It seems like every year the holiday season starts earlier and earlier and I for one am not complaining. I absolutely love this time of year but there is no denying my to-do list gets extra long about right now. As a mom the one holiday task that I have learned you can never start … Continue reading “6 Tips to Make Baby’s 1st Holiday Card Splendiferous”
One of the stages that I can remember being most confused and concerned about when my oldest son (who is now 10) was a baby was transitioning to solid food. I was so unsure how to start, when to start, what gear I needed to start and what exactly I should be feeding him. The … Continue reading “Moving to Solids”
This week in Las Vegas is the ABC Kids Expo 2018 which is the chance for juvenile brands to showcase their latest and greatest products. This is also the chance for retailers, the general baby gear community and baby gear nerds like me to see what will be coming out later this year and in … Continue reading “News from ABC Kids Expo 2018…Baby Gear Coming Soon!”
October 1 – 7th, 2018 is International Baby Wearing which is a week-long opportunity to celebrate, promote and advocate for the many benefits of baby wearing. From slings, to wraps to soft-structured carriers there are products at all price points and fashions that make baby wearing work for all types of families. You can grab one of … Continue reading “Ergobaby Cool Air Mesh Omni 360 Review”
Congratulations, your baby has arrived and mommyhood has taken you by the reigns. You have so much to focus on that getting dressed should be the least of your worries! Here are a four simple tips to help as you start to dress your ever changing postpartum body: Be sure you’re wearing the right size … Continue reading “4 Steps to Dressing Your Body Post Baby”
This last weekend was the New York Baby Show which is the largest show for new and expecting parents in the country and of course we had to go check it out. Whether they were testing out strollers on the stroller track, listening to one of the expert seminars or just checking out all the … Continue reading “Top 5 Picks From The New York Baby Show”
COMING SOON! The 2018 New York Baby Show, on May 19 & 20 at Pier 94 will once again be the largest show for new and expectant parents in the country. Not just because it is in my backyard, this show is one of my favorite all year and I hope to see lots of you … Continue reading “New York Baby Show 2018 Ticket Giveaway”
You’re pregnant! Congratulations and welcome to this amazing next chapter of your life. As your baby grows, so do you and getting dressed can become frustrating, to say the least. That uncomfortable stage where it’s not yet an obvious baby bump and potentially just some extra weight around the waistline can leave you feeling frumpy, … Continue reading “Top 3 Expert Baby Bump Styling Tips”
On St. Patrick’s Day we are all a little bit Irish! We have selected our favorite green gear to make sure you and baby are safe from pinches. And as a bonus we found all these on Amazon and they are all available with Prime so you can be sure they will arrive on time! … Continue reading “Best St. Patrick’s Day Baby Gear (and some for mom too)”
Safety is always a priority but over the month of September it gets extra attention because it is Baby Safety Month. Baby gear and making sure parents know how to use baby gear safely is a real passion for me but safety doesn’t end there. There are a lot less glamorous things to talk about … Continue reading “Stylish (and Still Safe) Baby Proofing Products”
For the baby of the family, it can be an adjustment when a new baby is going to be joining the family. Confusion, jealousy, and even some acting out can be normal when you bring a new member into the family but with some planning, you can make it easier. Tell your toddler a couple … Continue reading “5 Tips For Helping Your Toddler Prepare For a New Baby”
Choosing the gear that you will add to your baby registry can be a fun and exciting process but realizing the amount of baby gear available can become quickly overwhelming. While you want to make sure you have all the essentials you also don’t want to end up with a bunch of stuff that you … Continue reading “Baby Products New Parents DO NOT Need”
Tomorrow (actually it starts tonight at 9pm EST) is like Christmas in July…it is Amazon Prime day! First and foremost, in order to take advantage of the amazing deals that will be happening during this 30 hours of deals you have to be an Amazon Prime member. You can even just start with a 30-day … Continue reading “Amazon Prime Day 2017 – Deals on Maternity and Baby Products”
Did you know that weekly (okay…so recently I missed some weeks but I really try weekly) we are uploading video gear reviews over on YouTube? Check out our 5 most recent videos below and then subscribe over at YouTube so you don’t miss any more! Then, be sure to check back each Wednesday for our latest baby … Continue reading “5 Latest and Greatest Baby Gear Videos”
Pregnancy can zap energy from you leaving you wondering how you will make it through the day let alone finish everything on your to-do list. Add the fact that many of us have to make a major cut in our caffeine intake during pregnancy and the struggle gets worse. The good news is that you … Continue reading “6 Ways to Find Energy During Pregnancy”
I have been so, so excited to get this going and it is now LIVE! Over the last 6 years there have been so many times where I have spoken with people that just felt stuck or really confused on one area of their registry. They couldn’t decide between a few strollers or they couldn’t … Continue reading “Your Questions. Our Expert Answers.”
In the world of baby gear there are a few products that seem to have a cult like following and the Ollie Swaddle is definitely one of those. Take one look at their Instagram account (@theollieworld) full of amazingly cute swaddled babies or read their 5 star reviews and you will see what I mean. … Continue reading “It’s Ollie’s World”
We were so excited to get Covered Goods, the original four-in-one nursing cover in our hands to test out. The review is in and we are big fans. Check out our video and you will even get a little sneak of our very cute little tester, Theodore. Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel … Continue reading “Covered Goods Multi Use Nursing Cover”
“These are a few of my favorite things….” It is that time of year so we have teamed up with some of my favorite brands to bring you my favorite things giveaway. Check out the below 14 handpicked baby gear essentials and must haves and then learn how to enter to win all these products … Continue reading “A Few of My Favorite Things”
We’re celebrating sleep safety for infants and children with a special giveaway with our friends over at Swanling Innovations! One lucky winner will receive a Swanling Slumber Sleeper™ and a 2-hour BabyNav gift certificate for a phone/Skype consultation! It’s so easy to enter…all you have to do is fill out the form below with your information! … Continue reading “Swanling Innovations Giveaway”
This year the timing worked out really well that I have been able to take advantage of some great Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals (and whatever those two days in-between are called) to do some personal shopping for clients. I know my clients appreciate being able to save on gear so I thought I would share … Continue reading “Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals”
Today Hasbro is celebrating National Play-Doh day (there is now officially a day for everything!). I have had a long love, hate relationship with Play-Doh because while I think it is a great sensory toys for little ones and a fun building toy for bigger kids I was constantly worried it would go into my kids … Continue reading “Simple, Safe DIY Playdough Recipe”
We love, love when new baby gear comes out and we get to play with it! And for us, this one hit it out of the park. The DockATot is a multifunctional lounger that comes in two sizes and can be used for lounging, relaxing, sleeping (supervised), playing, tummy time or just hanging out. There … Continue reading “DockATot Review”
As Mother’s Day approaches I have been thinking a lot about being a Mom and reading lots of parenting articles but today I just need to stand up for Moms everywhere…every Mom. I have read one too many articles lately that have slammed Moms for their use of Pinterest or their perfect parties or their perfect whatever….there is … Continue reading “Be the best mom you can be – that is it!”
Since the ABC Kids Expo last Fall it seems that Bugaboo has been non-stop sharing news of exciting new products, upgrades to their current gear and/or awesome collaborations. The day has come to be able to get your hands on the most exciting pieces that have yet to be released! Check out each of them below: … Continue reading “Big News from Bugaboo”
Car seats are simply not that easy to install but now thanks to the Clicktight technology by Britax installing a car seat is a whole lot easier! Check out our video review of the 2015 Britax Frontier Harness to Booster Clicktight. (Please ignore that look on my face…I swear I love this seat but you can’t … Continue reading “Britax Frontier Harness to Booster CLICKTIGHT”
Based on the fact that you are reading this on a baby planning site I know you are probably thinking that the answer to the above question is obviously “yes” but I would say the answer is “maybe not”. Wait, there is more! There are some people that truly need the extra care and support but … Continue reading “Do I really need a baby planner?”
If there is one thing that there is no shortage of when it comes to maternity and baby products that is books! There are books from every angle and on just about every topic you can imagine but there aren’t a lot of books that give a comprehensive yet concise overview of common medical issues … Continue reading “Dr. Carey’s Baby Care Review & Giveaway”
When my son starting dripping drool down his chin at 4 months old I thought it was cute but when he was over a year old and I was still changing shirts and bibs all day it wasn’t so cute anymore. The neck of his onesie was often wet and many of our bibs irritated the back … Continue reading “Cheekie Charlie Intro & Giveaway”
As soon as I met Stephanie, founder of Rivertown Mamas, I knew I was meeting someone that was an enthusiastic and caring resource for expecting and new moms. Her knowledge and passion for providing education and unique classes (including a reflective writing course for moms to capture their journey) combine to make a destination where moms are … Continue reading “Tuesday Introduction: Rivertown Mamas”
On April 14, 2013 I was at home preparing to head to Boston for a marathon. It wasn’t the same marathon that thousands of people had trained for and would be running the next day but a marathon hospital stay for our 3 year old son. For three years we had seen amazing physicians in … Continue reading “Thank you Boston”
The Mom Conference is going to be super fun and super educational! And, better yet, it’s ONLINE and FREE from April 7 – April 14, 2014! Desi Ward, host of The Mom Conference and creator of The Unconventional Kitchen, created this educational and entertaining event because no mom is perfect. That’s why we must share our strengths! … Continue reading “The Mom Conference (and its FREE)”
I was delighted to recently attend the official launch party for the new LATCH bottle and mBaby apparel line by Munchkin and hosted by Momtrends. It was a fun event full of moms, moms-to-be and super cute baby models! In the midst of learning about these great new products by Munchkin there was a positive and candid … Continue reading “LATCH & mBaby Launch”
We are excited to be back with our Tuesday Introduction series and this one is an important one! Brett Solomon is a dad, writer of all things automobile related and founder of Strapped In Car Seat Safety where he offers Child Passenger Safety Lessons, car seat checks and installations. Based in Woodbury, NY Brett will also make house calls for … Continue reading “Tuesday Introduction: Strapped In Car Seat Safety”
MamaViews is an awesome free online review site for expecting parents looking to find a doula, baby nurse, lactation consultant and/or childbirth class. This is truly invaluable resource for any parent looking to hire these services because you get to hear from real moms and learn from their experiences. If you are thinking about hiring … Continue reading “MamaViews”
1. Chewbeads Perry Necklace $36.50 – These beautiful silicone beads are actually a BPA and phthalates free necklace and sensory tool made for Mom and baby. What new mom wouldn’t want to look great and have something that makes baby happy too? 2. Lulu lemon $98 and up – Good yoga pants can be a new … Continue reading “Holiday Shopping Guide: For the New Mom”
1. Gap Cozy Scarf $29.95 – Not even shoes are a guarantee to fit during pregnancy but a scarf is. This colorblock cozy scarf might also just be the thing to spice up a maternity wardrobe for your favorite expecting mom. 2. Isabella Oliver Belted Wrap Maternity Jacket $209.00 – It doesn’t matter at what stage … Continue reading “Holiday Shopping Guide: For the Expecting Mother”
You understand your company’s maternity leave policy, have saved your vacation days and marked your due date on everyone’s calendar but then what? Here are seven tips to ensure you are fully prepared to head out on your maternity leave: Be ready at 37 weeks. Set this as your goal to have your projects transitioned, … Continue reading “7 Tips to Prepare for Maternity Leave”
We were so excited to recently announce that BabyNav Baby Planners was added to the Project Nursery vendor guide! This list is a carefully curated shopping guide of the best businesses catering to parents, babies and toddlers, nationwide. You can check out our listing here and while you are there make sure to look around to get … Continue reading “Project Nursery Vendor Guide Giveaway”
One of the things that most new parents get really excited about is decorating the nursery in preparation for bringing the baby home. Unfortunately, once you start to learn of the products that can actually be dangerous for a newborn, it can become easy to be discouraged about executing your vision or nervous about creating … Continue reading “Nursery Picks For Your Peace of Mind”
With Labor Day quickly approaching I wanted to share my tips for traveling with baby over these last few weeks of summer! Don’t hold back from traveling with baby this summer because you are concerned about all the gear you need to bring. The summer months offer an endless possibility of places to head to for … Continue reading “Summer Travel Tips”
It is an amazing thing that after childbirth most women will tell you that they quickly forget how painful it was (thank you hormones). But for many women there are other labor reminders that can stick around for a long time…especially when you try to work out, laugh hard or sneeze (seriously)! And for some women … Continue reading “Dear Kate (an undies review)”
I am super excited to announce that BabyNav is a finalist for the Red Tricycle Totally Awesome Awards for the second year in a row! Last year we ended up in the top 10 but I would love to see BabyNav Baby Planners at the top of the list this year! I would really appreciate it if … Continue reading “2013 Red Tricycle Totally Awesome Awards”
Choosing a stroller is one the biggest things I hear expecting parents struggle with. And for reason. There are so many brands, categories, and features that it is very hard to know what is going to be right for your family. That is why I am really excited to be back as a contributing author for … Continue reading “2013 Multiplicity Gear Guide”
I am so pleased to be able to introduce you to a fantastic company that I am proud to call a partner to BabyNav! MommiesFirst is a subscription box service that starts providing customized and personalized care packages as early as 3 months in a woman’s pregnancy. We love the idea that an expecting mom can start to receive items … Continue reading “Tuesday Introduction: MommiesFirst”
I spend a lot of time researching and playing with all kinds of baby gear and baby products but there is one area that I don’t often pay too much attention and that is pregnancy journals and baby books. The reason I never spent much time in that category is that they all felt the same … Continue reading “Tuesday Introduction: From Pea to Pumpkin (and a Giveaway!)”
We first told you about Tortle when we came back from the ABC Kids Expo excited to have discovered this awesome little beanie! We have since met so many babies that have required therapy or worse, a helmet that we decided to get more info about the Tortle. It is scary to learn that one million babies … Continue reading “Preventing Flathead Syndrome with Tortle (and a GIVEAWAY)”
I am proud to share that BabyNav is taking a little part in something amazing being organized by my dear friend Jordon at Georgia Grace. Georgia Grace is sold through trunk representatives and one of those, Mary, has been on a long road with her adoptive daughter and her congenital heart defect. Most recently Ivy … Continue reading “the Ivy Joy benefit”
By now, you know that I am a BIG fan of mom-owned businesses but I get super excited when I see a mom with an idea that goes after it and succeeds. CityGrips is a product that seems so simple but can make a big difference in how you view your stroller. Whether you are … Continue reading “Tuesday Introduction: City Grips (and a GIVEAWAY)”
Recently I totally had one of those “why didn’t I think of that” moments when I was introduced to Diaper Dabbler! Started by a working mom of two, Diaper Dabbler is truly a one of a kind solution that helps parents answer the question of which diaper is best for their baby. As a baby planner, I spend … Continue reading ““More Trial – Less Error” with Diaper Dabbler”
As much as we are always on the hunt for new and innovative baby gear, there are a handful of brands that never leave the top of our list of trusted products to recommend for moms and dads. Thanks to their commitment to safety, research and education, Britax has always been my go to brand for car … Continue reading “Britax Registry Rewards (and a GIVEAWAY!)”
The ABC Kids Expo is the 2nd largest juvenile product showcase in the world with showcases by more than 3,000 exhibitors. Walking the show floor feels like you are navigating miles of baby gear and as overwhelming as that may seem to some, to me it is my baby gear nerd heaven. Last month, I was able to spend three days in … Continue reading “BabyNav Favs from ABC”
If you don’t already know, Red Tricycle is a great online resource for busy parents to find localized info on the best places to eat, shop, do or play. Their goal is to “help parents have more fun with their kids”. This is the 2nd year Red Tricycle is presenting the Totally Awesome Awards and we are so proud … Continue reading “Red Tricycle Totally Awesome Awards”
As I was preparing for Twin A’s pre-op appointment tomorrow, I realized I have not been fulfilling my promise to keep you up to date on our comings and goings! Normally at this time of year I am happy to see Summer leave and Fall start to arrive but this year is really different. I had had the best summer that I can … Continue reading “This Time It’s Personal: OUR Summer”
I love Tuesday Introductions and this one in particular I am SO excited and SO proud to be sharing with you! The term Super Mom is one that I don’t use a lot because I think most days most moms could be wearing a cape. However, my friend Jordon defines Super Mom. Jordon is the talented and creative … Continue reading “Tuesday Introduction: Georgia Grace”
There is one topic when it comes to infants that always brings tons of conversation, questions, and let’s face it, desperation and that is SLEEP! We decided to reach out to an expert on the topic to see how she helps families get more sleep. Meet Dana Parsons owner of Sheep at Night and certified sleep consultant! After getting some tips … Continue reading “Tuesday Introduction: Sheep at Night”
Necessity is the mother of invention! I don’t think anyone understands this saying as well as a M.O.M. (Mother of Multiples)! A M.O.M. learns to take two pieces of gear that are not made to go together such as a Boppy pillow and a bouncy seat, add a receiving blanket (or 6) and suddenly have … Continue reading “Baby Gear: Table for Two Please!”
For many moms keeping up with all the info available on pregnancy, babies, kids, camps, schools, great weekend activities, classes and anything else you can think of is exhausting. Sometimes we just want to play with our kids and enjoy the fleeting moments that we have but the social demands of today often make us … Continue reading “Tuesday Introduction: EssentialMom”
Sometimes you just see something and a light goes off that it is being done right. That was exactly how I felt when I first saw photos by Cristina Coco! Cristina is a natural light photographer working in Westchester and Fairfield Counties and she has created some amazing shots using the natural landscape we are … Continue reading “Tuesday Introduction: Cristina Coco Photography”
I don’t know about you but picking paint colors is not one of my talents. This was never more evident than when I picked out the paint color for our first nursery. Like most new moms, I dreamed of our baby blissfully sleeping in his unique, beautiful and perfectly designed room. Instead I ended up … Continue reading “Tuesday Introduction: DalaBABY”
I am excited to introduce you to a friend of mine, Jennifer Levinson, who owns Family Care Doulas! I know your first question may be “what is a doula?” (a little hint: it comes from the Greek word meaning “mother’s helper”). But not to worry as Jennifer answers that for us as well as gives … Continue reading “Tuesday Introduction: Family Care Doulas”
In case you missed yesterday’s Facebook post, I am SO thrilled to be featured as a contributing author for the Spring Issue of Multiplicity magazine. Multiplicity is a publication for families of multiples that includes content on subjects related to beauty, pregnancy, parenting, culture, education, health, nutrition, shopping, savings, etc. Even if you don’t have … Continue reading “This time it’s personal – Multiplicity Magazine!”
Walk the aisles of any baby store and you will be surprised how much baby gear has changed in recent years. Gone are the days when everything had one function and the design was an after-thought that wasn’t given much thought beyond two options – for a boy or for a girl. It seems like … Continue reading “Baby Gear: Fashion meets Function”
The nursery is stocked and organized, the layette has all been washed, the car seat is installed, your bag is packed…and you have 3 weeks left before your due date. Instead of watching the clock go by, check out this list of 7 to-dos to pass the time! 1. Start your baby book! There are … Continue reading “7 Things While You Wait”
I am happy to report that we have made it through the holidays and through two stomach bugs and we are still happily in cloth diapers. (Okay…so we are in cloth diapers part time but I have a perfectly good explanation!) I really started on this adventure with the idea that I wanted to fully … Continue reading “Adventures in Diapering Part#2”
My oldest son wore Pampers and we loved them and never thought twice about it. My twins came along when he was only 19 months old and it was like Pampers in newborn size had just always been sitting there waiting for their arrival. We still loved them but when I started to get a … Continue reading “Adventures in Diapering Part #1”
No, not the dark. The Grocery Store! The grocery store is actually a great family outing and can be a fun learning experience for babies and toddlers. Heading to the grocery can even be a good choice for the first few outings for a new baby. Make sure you have a packed diaper bag, a … Continue reading “Don’t be afraid of…”
Do you find yourself driving home each night wondering what you are going to make for dinner? Or do you spend Saturdays staring at meat defrost knowing you are going to end up with take out again? Or my favorite, do you attempt to throw some unplanned meal together in 20 minutes and get aggravated … Continue reading “Meal Planning Made Easy”
BabyNav?áis back and getting settled after our visit to the ABC Kids Expo and we must say we were impressed! So many products that are?ágoing to be?áavailable soon are going to do what exactly our moms have been asking for – combining fashion with function!?áWe spent a lot of time playing with car seats and … Continue reading “Wow – we’re impressed!”
We are so thrilled to be in Westchester helping some amazing families get organized and fully prepared for the arrival of their baby (or should we say babies in some cases) but now we are?áheaded out on a road trip. BabyNav will be?ápacking up for the weekend and?ágoing?áto the bluegrass state for the ABC Kids … Continue reading “BabyNav goes on a road trip!”