Real Mom Reviews
BabyLit Books by Jennifer Adams and Alison Oliver
Classical music is no longer the only way to give your baby a little dose of culture! Introduce baby to timeless characters such as Dracula, Alice in Wonderland and Romeo and Juliet with Babylit’s classic literature board book collection! Don’t worry, they’re age appropriate and adorable. The latest releases, Moby Dick, Sense & Sensibility and Wuthering Heights are current favorites in our home. $9.99, www.BabyLit.com
Waiting in Wonder by Catherine Claire Larson
It may seem like pregnancy lasts forever—but in hindsight, those months fly by! I try to record little details about pregnancy that I fear I will forget once baby (and sleep deprivation) arrives. This sweet devotional journal offers 36 weeks of Scriptures to read, plus journaling space to record a mom-to-be’s thoughts, prayers and dreams for her growing baby. After baby’s birth, the completed book will become a treasured keepsake. $16.99, www.ThomasNelson.com
Violin Lullabies
Make music a part of baby’s bedtime routine with this soothing collection of lullabies composed by a wide assortment of artists from Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, Belgium, Russia, France, Norway, Finland, Spain, Great Britain and the United States. Featuring simple piano and violin arrangements, this album by violinist Rachel Barton Pine is a beautiful addition to baby’s music library. $14.30, www.Amazon.com
Sticky Bellies
Mark baby’s growth before and after he/she leaves your belly with these fun sticker collections. Just pop one of these stickers on mom’s pregnant belly (starting at 12 weeks) or on baby’s clothing throughout the first 24 months of life to create a fun photo series that will definitely be share-worthy! $14.00/set, www.StickyBellies.com
Aden + Anais Easy Swaddle
As newborns, both of my kids slept infinitely better when swaddled! There are a lot of different swaddle wraps on the market, and this is one of my favorites. The muslin fabric is light and breathable (so you can use it even in the summer without worrying that baby will overheat), and it has a set of snaps at the shoulders to further ensure that newborn reflexes don’t startle baby awake. $24.95, www.AdenAndAnais.com
Snack Trap
Summertime means lots of outdoor fun—and you can keep little tummies happy while on the go with a perfectly-sized snack holder kids can hold themselves! The Snack Trap keeps snacks from being thrown all over the family vehicle or the grass at the park. Toddlers can see their food through the patent-pending lid design, which encourages self-feeding and independence. We love the stainless steel version! $5.99, www.snacktrap.com
BabyGanics Pure Mineral Sunscreen
No one can resist a cute baby in a swimsuit and sunhat, but a sunburned child will definitely throw off your family’s summer adventuring. BabyGanics’ special sunscreen formula is free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, nano-particles and fragrances—so I feel a lot better using it on my little one’s sensitive skin! Bonus: it’s available in single-use tubes that fit in the tiniest diaper bag pocket. $10.99 for a 4-oz tube, Babies R Us.
Julie McKinley is a stay-at-home mom of a 2-year-old son and infant daughter. Keeping up with her kids is a full-time job, so she is always on the lookout for innovative baby products that make life a little easier! In between snuggles and diaper changes, she blogs at www.DirectorJewels.com.