Babies are so fantastic: they’re adorable, resilient, and don’t require much. But that leaves loved ones in a bit of a predicament: what exactly do you get for someone who has a baby? You could always go the Target gift card route, but if you’re old-school like me you like for the parents to have something to really “open.” Plus it’s so much more fun to shop for a baby! Here are my suggestions for the best creative gifts for babies: they’re original, they’re useful, and I can promise you that they will be appreciated! Continue reading
Category: Reviews (Page 4 of 7)
Parents need reviews. Honest, quality reviews which are unbiased and built on experience and research. Throw in some great photos and references, and you’re good to go!
Real Simple Mama takes pride in not being a “sellout”: what I mean is, I’m really particular when it comes to working with brands. I refuse almost every offer I receive in regards to free gear and gimmicks in exchange for reviews and exposure, because I don’t ever want to be pressured to be dishonest with my readers.
I include reviews from all aspects of parenting, consisting of: diapers and diaper gear, breastfeeding and pumping supplies, babywearing carriers and accessories, baby safety gear, baby led weaning and feeding products, toys and books, furniture and equipment, and even products for parents!
So rest assured, all reviews on Real Simple Mama are unbiased and fair. I’ll always give you lots of photos, what I like the best and what I don’t like about every product, and other suggestions that I have. Because if you’re like me, you want to read a review from someone who doesn’t have a ton of money to waste on crap that’s not quality, nor do you want to take someone’s advice when they’re being paid by the company they’re reviewing!
I am proud to help you find the products which will help you and your family.
If you’d like to see me do a review on something specific, feel free to contact me!
When we found out we were expecting a second child, I was ecstatic! But I also wanted a way to bond with my son, my one and only, before his little sister arrived. I’d read that it would help the oldest child adapt to the idea of having a sibling if they “gifted” something to the baby, and it sounded like a beautiful thing to do. We found the perfect thing: the sweetest sibling gift, made with love. Continue reading
Books can be great gifts for children! But there are so freaking many to choose from, how do you know that you’re getting a quality book? There are some books whose titles are household standards, and those are obvious choices for growing your child’s library. But some of my favorite picks for kids are actually hidden gems: not-so-well-known books which are fantastic in their own way. Here are my family’s choices for the best children’s books, though you may not have heard of some of them!
I’ve got categories for authors, babies and toddlers, preschoolers and elementary kids, classics, and even a section for young readers’ first books!
Here are all of my favorites, as a teacher and a mom. Happy reading!
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What should you really get for a newborn? While stores and media try to convince us that there are hundreds of things you just gotta have, the truth is that a baby’s needs are quite simple, and easily met.
Here’s an AP mom’s perspective on the only items you truly should have, either for your own baby or as a gift for new parents. Continue reading
Ahh, cloth diapering. I love it so. It seems crazy, but I really do enjoy using fluff to diaper my daughter. It’s fun, simple, and is saving us boatloads.
Out of the various types of cloth, our favorite combo is the prefold and cover. (If you’d like a rundown of various options, I did an intro to CD you can read here). But just like everything else, different brands have given us varying experiences! Here’s a sampling of the diaper covers out there, with my honest unbiased opinion of each (and of course, photos!). Continue reading
Babywearing can really be a lifesaver: your child is content, you can get work done with your hands free, they can nap, you can even breastfeed discreetly. It is a win-win-win! But what happens when your baby grows? Sometimes wraps and slings are not as comfortable as your child gets bigger. Or if you do something more active like a hike, a soft carrier is not always as practical.
Cue the ErgoBaby. Continue reading
Congratulations! You’re having a baby. How exciting!!!! I’m sure that everyone is flooding your mind’s inbox with tons of ideas and suggestions of stuff you just GOTTA have for you and the baby. While I have my own opinions of those things and what you really do (and don’t) need, this is not that post. I am teaching you what underrated – sometimes random – items you should add to your registry, or get for yourself before your baby arrives. These things are meant to make your life easier so that you can rest and admire that gorgeous little squish you grew! Read on for my list of the most underrated items for new moms! Continue reading
My kid has had an iPad hand-me-down since he was about one and a half. My husband and I agreed that Kiddo could have limited technology usage, provided that it was educational and interactive. Now our son is three, and we continue to find new and exciting apps to keep him engaged and exploring. We got the Kidloland full app a few months ago, and our son is still entertained. Here’s my honest review of the Kidloland app for toddlers – plus a video of Kiddo playing! Continue reading
So there’s this thing, called the Frogg Togg Chilly Pad, and I read online that it can help parents stay cool when babywearing. I live in Texas (and it’s H-O-T here, y’all) so I thought I’d try it out! But did it rise to the hype I’d found online? Read on for my honest review, plus a demo video!
With our family vacation looming nearer, I got more and more anxious about having such a long drive with two littles. I have a sensitive, active three-year-old; I also have a feisty, demanding nine-month-old who breastfeeds. We have a road trip ahead of us, and I did not want to turn it into an excursion full of stops and screaming.
Read on for my best suggestions and gear when going on a road trip with kids! Continue reading
