Baby Sleep Training Blog

Baby Tripp Trapp Chair Review and Accessories

June 29, 2012 by getbabytosleep Leave a Comment

The Tripp Trapp Chair is one of the most unique baby products I’ve ever seen. Made by Norwegian company Stokke, it evolves from a secure high chair for infants to an ergonomic seat for adults. The seat and footrest that adjust to hold a child at least 6 months old, and a 5-point harness holds your little one securely in place.
Contents:
Tripp Trapp High Chair
Baby Set Accessory
Tripp Trapp Cushion
Play Tray
5 Reasons to Buy the Tripp Trapp

Tripp Trapp High Chair

Although the Tripp Trapp will support a 300-pound adult, it’s most popular as a high chair for infants 6 months of age and older. It’s certified by the Juvenile Product Manufacturers Association (JPMA), an organization dedicated to ensuring safety in baby products. There are lots of benefits to the Stokke as compared to other high chairs — solid wood construction, ergonomic design, great adjustability — that I’ll cover in detail.

Solid Wood Construction

You see a lot of baby products these days made from cheap, flimsy materials. They look good initially, but don’t hold up over time and just aren’t up to the abuse that a baby or toddler can hand out. Baby furniture often seems made of particle board these days. I hate that.

The Tripp Trapp chair has no such problems – it’s constructed of cultivated beechwood to be strong and durable. A five-point harness (rather than a lap belt) holds the child firmly in place — that’s the same kind of restraint you find in most infant car seats. The H-shaped base has a smaller footprint than most high chairs, but offers a secure and stable foundation.

Ergonomic Chair Design

The Tripp Trapp allows your child to sit in a natural position for maximum comfort. The adjustable footrest can be moved so that their little feet rest flat, as if on the floor. You can adjust both the height and the depth of the chair, so that your little one can sit comfortably and close to the table. This not only helps them reach things, but reduces the gap between child and table into which food, silverware, plates, and other items often fall. Ultimately, it makes for a cleaner floor and lets your child interact better with everyone at the table.

Stokke Baby Set

Adjustable From Baby to Toddler

Your child can start using the Tripp Trapp at around 6 months. You’ll want to wait until he or she can sit up with assistance. At that age, he or she might be more comfortable if you get the Tripp Trapp Baby Set pictured at left.

What’s nice about the Tripp Trapp’s ergonomic design is that it will help your baby develop the muscles and posture to sit up independently. And, by bringing your baby to the table with the rest of the family, he or she will be really encouraged to do so.

You can resize the chair as your little one grows from infant to toddler – the seat and footrest have six different adjustment settings. When your child gets older, you can remove the harness and extended glider. It will even seat an adult up to 300 pounds!

A Stylish and Convenient Chair

The Tripp Trapp is more than ergonomic and solidly built: it looks cool, too! And the floor footprint is smaller than most high chairs, which is a nice benefit if you’ve ever whacked your toe on the broad metal base of one. The fact that it can adjust to suit a toddler or older child is especially nice, because you won’t have to store it or sell it.

Because of the design and solid wood construction, this chair is easy to wipe clean. I can’t stress how important that is once your baby starts eating solid food at the table. The harness can be removed and is machine-washable, too. All in all, this is one of the best high chair options out there. Go pick one out! You’ve got 11 colors to choose from.

Stokke Cushion

Tripp Trapp Cushion

As ergonomic and supportive as the Tripp Trapp may be, it’s still wood. Let’s be honest: your baby is used to soft Boppy cushions, strollers, crib mattresses, and the like. He or she might not tolerate a hard sitting surface for very long. For this reason, there’s a Stokke chair cushion, available in brown or pink, that fits the Tripp Trapp chair. The benefits:

Attaches easily to the Tripp Trapp, with or without the baby set.
Padded to make the chair more comfortable and extend sitting time
Helps keep your baby from sliding around on the smooth surface
100% polyester filling and waxy coating that makes it water-resistant
Easy to clean and great to look at!

Tray by PlayTrayUSA

Tripp Trapp Tray

It’s wonderful to be able to pull your baby right up to the table in the Tripp Trapp. Even so, toddlers tend to be messy eaters. They also, as I’ve recently learned, enjoy pushing foods away if they’re full or don’t like them or are just feeling crabby. You can help contain some of the mest with a tray for the Tripp Trapp made by PlayTray USA. Here are a few reasons that this is the #3 bestselling high chair accessory on Amazon.com:

It’s easy to mount on the Tripp Trapp: slips on the sides of the chair
Has a transparent, non-scratch surface. Perfect for eating, drawing, or playing
Features a ridged edge to keep spilled liquids from falling on the floor.
Safe and easy to clean.

Five Reasons to Buy A Tripp Trapp

In summary, this is one of the most flexible and ergonomic seating options for your little one. Here are five reasons you might like to buy one (or two, if you have twins).

Solid, quality construction. The solid wood construction means it will last longer, clean more easily, and be more durable than other high chairs.
Ergonomic support. It’s designed to support the feet and keep your baby’s spine straight. The more comfortable they are, the longer they’ll tolerate it.
Safety certified. JPMA certifies this chair, and it has a 5-point harness to keep your little one secure.
Sharp to look at. This will be a conversation-starter for anyone who comes to visit. It’s from Norway – how could it not be?
Available in 11 colors. Cherry, walnut, dark blue, green, black, and a bunch more. You can find the one that perfectly matches your dining room.

Best of all, the Tripp Trapp is on sale at Amazon for around $200 with free returns.

Baby Summer Survival Guide

May 31, 2012 by getbabytosleep 1 Comment

Summer time brings about a lot of challenges for new parents. The heat, the longer daylight hours, the noise around the neighborhood – all kinds of things that can disrupt a baby’s normal sleep schedule. Plus, there are barbecues and birthday parties and all kinds of activities that will have you realizing just how much gear your little one requires for a single day. Here are some tips for keeping your baby cool, comfortable, and healthy during the hot summer months.
Contents:
New Baby Sleep Problems
Baby Car Comfort
Outdoor Activities for Babies

New Baby Sleep Problems

The hot summer months make baby sleep training even more challenging. Days are longer, hotter, and noisier, all of which make getting your baby down for naps and to sleep at night that much harder. And you’re probably thinking about taking your baby on a trip, which can be even more disruptive to sleep schedules. Here are some tips:

Light-proof your baby’s room. It should be totally dark in there, with the possible exception of a night light. Use room-darkening shades and heavy curtains if possible.
Use soft music or white noise to block out noises. Lawnmowers, barking dogs, kids at play, and other sources of noise are big problems for getting and keeping your baby asleep. See our soother & sound machine guide for some good options.
If you’re going to travel, bring a comfortable and safe place for baby to sleep. See our travel crib reviews for some of the latest portable cribs and bassinets, some of which even fit into a backpack!
Stick to your early bedtime. It’s so, so easy to let your baby stay up later because hey, it’s light outside! Tempting as that is, you have to stay consistent to reap the benefits of an early bedtime.

Maintaining your baby’s good sleep habits in summer time means more rest for the both of you, and that translates to a healthier, happier summer all around. See our article on 3 Keys to Summer Sleep.

Baby Car Comfort

Keeping your baby comfortable in the car is essential in the summer time, for both comfort and safety reasons. I think it breaks down to three things:

Get the car cool in advance. The inside of a car in the summer sun might be over 100 degrees. And putting a baby into a hot black car seat will make him or her wail, I promise you. So make sure that 5-10 minutes before taking your little one out, you roll down the windows and open doors to let out the hot air, and then turn on the A/C.
Block out the sun. One problem we’ve often encountered in summer months is sunlight shining right in a baby’s face. This seems to happen most often with rear-facing car seats (in case you hadn’t heard, they now recommend rear-facing until 2 years of age). Babies have sensitive eyes and they don’t like this one bit! Invest in at least one car window shade for each side and set them up before you leave. You’ll be glad for it.
Bring plenty of snacks for long car rides. Once your baby is old enough to feed himself “finger foods”, these become an essential item for long (or even short) car trips. The soft cereal-like puffs made by baby food manufacturers are ideal for this, as are Cheerios, yogurt bites, and other small, easy-to-chew foods.
Pack lots of toys and entertainment. The unfortunate part of rear-facing car seats is that the view never changes for your baby. So you’ll want to pack lots of toys, baby books, stuffed animals, and other sources of entertainment for the car ride. A literal bucket of toys is probably just enough, because they’ll mostly be discarded out of reach onto the floor of the car.


A car seat sunshade can be stretched over your baby’s car seat (while it’s empty) to reflect out heat and keep the seat cool.	Having car window shades to block out the sunlight is essential, especially for rear-facing car seats in the morning or afternoon. And they’re much classier than the old receiving-blanket-over-the-dry-cleaning-hook.	A backseat organizer is a great way to prep for your road trip – load it with toys, snacks, pacifiers, wipes, and everything you might need.

These car snack catchers are ideal for airtight storage of finger foods – cheerios, puffs, raisins, or other snacks – that you can offer your toddler in case of a meltdown.	And of course, you can expect that most of those finger foods will end up in places other than your little one’s mouth. Here’s a great idea: a dual-layer car seat mat that protects your car from the mess that babies bring with them.	If you plan to bring breastmilk or other liquids for your baby, keeping it cool in the summertime can be harder. Thermos makes a leakproof food jar that’s stainless steel and well-insulated for this task.

Keeping your baby comfortable and entertained in the car makes the difference between a pleasant road trip and a nightmare.

Outdoor Activities for Baby

Summer brings new hazards for when you bring your baby outside. Wasn’t it wonderful in springtime, when the weather wasn’t too hot, the bugs hadn’t come out, and things wouldn’t melt in the car? Summer is a great time to let your baby play outdoors, but here are some tips to keep everyone safe.

Bring plenty of sun protection. Your goal should generally be to keep baby out of the sun, in addition to a good baby sunscreen. Canopies, shades, bonnets, hats, and clothing are the best UV protection.
Invest in multiple strollers. Some days an umbrella stroller tossed in the trunk will do. For rougher terrain, though, you’ll probably want something sturdier. See our Pram & Stroller Reviews for some great suggestions.
Pack a quilt or blanket for a soft play area. It’s tempting to let your babies play in the grass, but you might recall from your own childhood that doing so tends to make your skin itch afterward. Plus, there are bugs and sticks and other things that your baby might bump against or try to eat.
Protect from bugs! Especially mosquitoes, which will likely be especially bad this year in the U.S. due to a mild winter. You can check with your pediatrician about bug spray, but I really like the non-chemical solution of protective mesh netting that you can put around the stroller, car seat, or baby carrier.
Get a baby carrier. Baby Bjorn, Chicco, and other companies make nice front-loading or backpack carriers that are ideal for toting your little one around. See our baby carrier reviews for some recommendations.


A stroller fan can be clipped to the stroller and offer a little cool air, especially if you’re stuck somewhere outside and it’s hot and stuffy.	Always keep a fold-up picnic blanket in the car that you can grab in case so that everyone has somewhere soft and clean to sit. It’s also great for letting your little one get some tummy time or play on the sans grass stains.	I really like bug-proof stroller netting for the stroller, car seat, or baby bouncer. It keeps the bugs away, blocks a little bit of sun, and has the added bonus of protecting against over-touchy strangers.

Protect your baby’s perfect skin from sunburns and bug bites! Someday they’ll thank you for it. Now, get out there and enjoy the summer! Your baby will only be this little once.

What To Read Next

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Best Crib Mobiles reviews musical, black/white, and organic crib mobiles.	Travel Crib Reviews covers light-weight, ultra-portable bassinets and cribs for traveling.	Wireless Baby Monitors are a great way to keep a close eye on baby.	Baby Swing Reviews compares bestselling portable and free-standing baby swings.

Portable Travel Crib Reviews

April 29, 2012 by getbabytosleep 2 Comments

If you plan to take your baby on a road trip or vacation, you’re about to realize just how much essential baby gear you’ll need on a day-to-day basis. One of the most important items is something for the baby to sleep in, ideally a portable bassinet or travel crib.

We’ve done the research to find and compile these portable travel crib reviews to help you find one that’s right for your baby. If you’re looking for something more permanent (to keep at the lakehouse or grandparents’ place), see our mini crib reviews.
Contents:
Features to Look for in Travel Cribs
Travel Crib Reviews
Fitted Sheet for Travel Cribs

Features to look for in travel cribs

There are a few key features that I like to see in a good travel crib – these are the absolute essentials for something that (1) I plan to travel in a car or airplane with, and (2) would be suitable for my baby to sleep in.

1	Compact size for travel. Obviously you need something smaller than a full-size crib for travel, but even the standard pack-N-play is large and heavy for a single person to tote around. The smaller and more compact a travel is when folded, the better.
2	Safe and sturdy. It’s amazing how much baby gear I see that’s for sale in spite of clear safety issues. Anything that a baby sleeps in should be designed to allow air flow and have no choking/suffocation/overheating hazards. It also needs to be sturdy enough not to collapse when your baby is in it.
3	Space-saving when set up. When you’re traveling outside of the home, space is usually at a premium. Note just in the car or airplane, but in a hotel room or beach cabin or whatever. Your baby probably doesn’t need a full-size crib just to sleep for a few days, and you want something that won’t hog the whole room.
4	Lightweight and easy to carry. What I hate about most pack-N-plays is that they’re both heavy and unwieldy, with a single cloth handle that’s supposed to “conveniently” let me carry the thing by its midsection. Toting one of those through the airport is going to be a nightmare. Instead, I’m looking for something that can fit inside a suitcase or has a convenient, well-designed carrying case.

Travel Crib Reviews

	Graco Travel Lite Crib with Stages
	Reviews:
	Size:	23.2 x 33.5 x 32.2 inches ; 19.1 pounds
	Features:	Height-adjustable bassinet with two levels Converts easily into a play yard Weighs less than 20 pounds Includes canopy and mobile
	Travel Crib Review: The Graco Travel Lite crib with stages is similar to a pack-N-play option with two important differences. First, its space-saving design makes it 20% smaller than your typical play yard. Second, it includes a bassinet with two height adjustments, to accommodate your growing newborn. There’s also a canopy to help block out the light, which is important when traveling (especially when you’re sharing a room). This travel crib also folds with the push of a button (visible on the side in the photo at left) into a compact, travel-friendly size. The quilted mattress pad keeps baby comfy and cozy when in the play yard. Overall this is a nice and travel-friendly option for your baby.

	Kushies Easy Fold Baby Bed
	Reviews:
	Size:	33″ x 22″ x 8.5″, 2.3 pounds
	Features:	Fits in a standard suitcase when folded UV protective fabric keeps baby safe from the sun Canopy with loops to hang toys
	Travel Crib Review: The Kushies Easy Fold Baby Bed is a compact, folding baby bed that’s perfect for traveling. Made of a lightweight, UV-protective fabric, it folds easily and weighs less than four pounds. I really like the protective netting, which makes this the perfect option for taking your baby outdoors to picnics, the beach, a little league game, or wherever there could be biting bugs or over-curious strangers.

	Phil & Ted’s Nest Compact Baby Bed
	Reviews:
	Size:	30.3 x 15 x 13 inches ; 4.4 pounds
	Features:	Contoured and vented base with firm mattress Mesh cover top for indoor/outdoor use Roomy gear bag included
	Travel Crib Review: The Phil & Ted’s Nest is another great option for traveling, overnights with the grandparents, or a nap at the park or beach. This is not just a sleeper: One side is spacious storage bag and the other side unzips a pop-up bassinet. So, you can stash some baby gear, clothes, blankets, or other essentials in the storage section. It also accommodates a fitted sheet (sold separately). The product description states that this will fit into an overhead compartment of an airplane. While this might be true, you won’t get the chance to find out because it exceeds the carry-on size allowance, so most airports in the US won’t let you carry it on.

	BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light 2
	Reviews:
	Size:	45 x 31.5 x 25.5 inches; 11 pounds
	Features:	Set up and ready to use in one simple movement. Compact and lightweight design (11 lbs) Waterproof, breathable mattress cover is machine washable New leg mechanism for easier take-down
	Travel Crib Review: The Babybjorn Travel Lite 2 is a new and improved version of their bestselling travel crib, with an improved leg mechanism that makes take-down even faster. This travel crib has a uniquely compact design that features a base with slanting edges. This means the crib stands firmly and doesn’t wobble, even if little ones are standing up or if older siblings are leaning against it. The see-through net fabric side panels let you keep an eye on the baby while he’s playing or sleeping. It also comes with a removable, waterproof cover, which helps protect against leaky diapers. You can buy a Baby Bjorn Fitted Sheet that will keep this travel crib soft and cozy for your baby.

	Gocrib Portable Baby Travel Crib
	Reviews:
	Size:	27″ x 39″ x 25″ inflated, 11 pounds uninflated
	Features:	Inflates to standard-size play yard with insulating mattress Anti-Puncture materials maximize strength, stiffness, and prevent leaks. Curved sidewalls eliminate hard edges and corners to prevent unintended bonks and bumps. Breathable ClearView Mesh allows for full airflow and an unobstructed view of baby
	Travel Crib Review: I saved one of the best for last: the GoCrib by Guava Family. This standard size, ultra-portable travel crib packs into a lightweight backpack for ultimate freedom. Set up is fast and simple with the included dual-action pump that inflates the crib in less than a minute. There’s a pressure gauge that tells you when the crib is ready to use. Once inflated, it’s the size of a regular play yard, with a nice zipper-down side to let you do some tummy time. Don’t think of this as a cheap blow-up crib. Just the opposite, the GoCrib is a rigid inflatable structure that creates a strong and safe environment for your baby anywhere you go. When it’s time to pack up, the valves lock open to make deflation a snap. And then it stuffs into a backpack like a sleeping bag would. The backpack is small enough to carry on, so you don’t have to worry about the airlines losing or damaging it.

Fitted Sheet for Travel Cribs

If you get the Graco, Baby Bjorn, or GoCrib travel crib, don’t forget to buy a fitted sheet. You can get the brand for most of these, but the Jersey Knit Porta-Crib Sheet by American Baby Company offers a nice alternative. These 100% cotton sheets are machine-washable, come in 5 different colors, and fit all standard size 24W x 38L porta/mini-crib pads.

Newborn Baby Carrier Reviews

April 22, 2012 by getbabytosleep Leave a Comment

When you’re running errands, taking a walk, or meeting up with friends, a newborn baby carrier can be incredibly useful. There are a lot of choices for these: carriers that hold the baby in front, backpack carriers, and carriers that you tote along.

We made the mistake (with our first daughter) of buying a cheap baby carrier at a discount store. It looked great, but was completely useless. Therefore I set out to find some better options. I hope you’ll find these newborn baby carrier reviews helpful!
Contents:
Soft Baby Wraps
Baby K’tan Carriers
Baby Bjorn Carriers
ErgoBaby Carriers
Baby Backpack Carriers

Soft Wrap Carriers

Soft wrap carriers are a unique option for snuggling your little one against you in a stylish, soft, hands-free body wrap. These are lightweight and less expensive, and generally more useful for newborns than older babies.

	Moby Wrap Soft Baby Carrier
	Reviews:
	Features:	Unique, intimate way to hold your newborn Wide piece of fabric to wrap around shoulders Distributes weight evenly between shoulders and back For newborns up to 35 pounds
	Baby Carrier Review: A new and wildly popular approach to baby carriers, the Moby Wrap Baby Carrier includes a wide piece of fabric (100% cotton) that wraps around your back and shoulders. This distributes the weight evenly while keeping your baby warm and cozy against you. It’s a great way to bond with your little one while simultaneously freeing up your hands to get a few things done. This carrier is very comfortable and easy to wear – I like that it has no buckles, straps, or other confusing gadgets that are hard to figure out. You just wrap it around your baby and yourself. There’s even a breathable stretch of fabric you can use to help support your newborn’s head. You get two free hands and an ergonomic way to carry your baby’s weight. Your little one gets to bask in your warmth and listen to your heartbeat. It’s a win-win! Choose from 12 different colors at Amazon

Baby K’tan Carrier

Here’s a sling-style carrier that offers six different carrying positions, while blending the comfort of a baby wrap with the comfort of sling-type models.

	Baby K’tan Baby Carrier
	Reviews:
	Features:	Over 6 positions from preemie to preschool (35 lbs.) 100% natural cotton double Sling design No wrapping, no hardware, rests comfortably on both shoulders Machine washable and dryer safe
	Baby Carrier Review: The Baby K’tan Baby Carrier is an innovative 100% natural soft cotton baby carrier that is an ideal blend of a sling, wrap and carrier, providing the positions and benefits of all three. The Baby K’tan has six different carrying positions, letting you tote your little one around from birth to 3 years of age. One position even lets you privately nurse your baby. The Baby Kt’an is lightweight and compact like a sling, yet goes over both shoulders to evenly distribute baby’s weight like a structured carrier. What I like about this carrier is that it’s ready-to-wear, with NO buckles, snaps, rings or hardware. Instead, the double-loop design makes it easy to put on and take off, while providing excellent support and privacy for nursing mothers.

BABYBJÖRN Newborn Carriers

The Baby Bjorn is perhaps the best-known traditional baby carrier: well-made, secure, supportive, and top of the line. These are the best of the best when it comes to baby carriers.

	BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier Synergy
	Reviews:
	Features:	Breathable mesh fabric efficiently reduces heat and moisture Enhanced lumbar panel provides maximum support for the lower back Comfortable, wide shoulder straps distribute baby’s weight evenly Carrier front can be removed completely to lay down a sleeping baby Folds compactly into a convenient pouch attached inside the carrier
	Baby Carrier Review: The BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier Synergy (Black) is perhaps the best-known baby carrier, offering the ultimate in comfort for carrying your baby while keeping your hands free. Designed for Extra Comfort The Synergy model is made of airy, breathable mesh fabric and has enhanced lumbar support. This system is designed to let you carry heavier babies for longer periods of time while keeping your hands free for other tasks and giving your lower back extra support. Made of Safe, Comfortable, Non-toxic Materials All fabrics and materials used in BABYBJÖRN Baby Carriers that come into contact with baby’s skin meet international safety standards for textiles, and contain no health-hazardous substances. This means that during your baby’s teething phase, you can allow your baby to nibble or suck on the fabric without worry. For your baby’s comfort, the airy, mesh material feels soft to baby’s cheeks and won’t irritate sensitive skin. And, for your convenience, it is machine washable and dries quickly.

	BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier Air
	Reviews:
	Features:	One-of-a-kind mesh material that releases heat and moisture Great for keeping mom and baby cool, especially in summer Wide padded shoulder straps Sliding buckle to accommodate your growing baby
	Baby Carrier Review: The BABYBJÖRN Baby Air Carrier is a lighter-weight version that’s perfect for hot summer months or warmer climates. It’s constructed with a unique mesh material (designed specifically for Baby Bjorn) that wicks away heat and moisture, letting you and your baby stay cool and comfortable. The light, airy mesh is super-soft, so your baby will snuggle quite comfortably against it. This carrier also opens all the way in the front so that you can slide out your sleeping baby without waking him or her. The wide straps are designed to distribute the weight evenly across your back and shoulders. There’s also an adjustable head support. You’ll probably want your newborn to face against you in the carrier, but you can also turn an older baby around so that he or she can see out. This is a nice feature, because the older they are, the more entertainment (and sadly, less snuggling) they often seem to need.

ERGObaby Newborn Carriers

ERGObaby is really giving Baby Bjorn a run for their money. These carriers are designed for ergonomic support of the parent while carrying the baby’s weight. They have both an original model and an organic materials carrier.

	ERGObaby Original Baby Carrier
	Reviews:
	Features:	Made of 14 ounce cotton canvas 400 threads per inch cotton poplin lining and hood 100% cotton batting in body of carrier to soften edges Sleeping hood adjusts in length to growth of baby
	Baby Carrier Review: The ERGO Baby Carrier is currently the #2 selling carrier on Amazon. ergonomic design supports a correct sitting position for the newborn’s hip, pelvis and spine growth. High-density foam filling in the shoulder straps and waist belt help make it comfortable for mom and dad, too. The buckles are by National Molding and tested up to 235 pounds, though if your baby weighs that much, you have other problems. I like that the sleeping hood adjusts so that you can keep using this as your baby grows – one of the saddest days is when your baby’s just too big for the carrier. There are several color options; the black/camel model is shown, but it also comes in cranberry, grey, and “sport black” (solid black with cool white stitching).

	ERGObaby Organic Baby Carrier
	Reviews:
	Features:	100% organic cotton and sateen materials Padded shoulder straps and a waist belt Machine wash cold with mild detergent on gentle cycle Baby’s legs are supported in a natural sitting position
	Baby Carrier Review: If you prefer to buy organic, then I have a baby carrier for you. This carrier has all the advantages of the ERGO Baby Original Carrier, with the added benefit of being crafted from 100% organic cotton and sateen materials. Like the original model, it provides ergonomic support for your newborn’s hips, pelvis, and spine while keeping the parent comfortable with high-density foam padded straps. The advantage of this design is that it puts all of the weight on your hips, rather than your shoulders or lower back. It’s also easier to put on and take off than some of the other carriers, without requiring long strap adjustments. Even though it’s made of cotton (organic cotton at that), you can machine-wash this carrier in cold water on the gentle cycle. The Highland Green color is shown; it’s also available in Desert Yellow and Navy Blue. Save 19% and get free shipping from Amazon

Baby Backpack Carriers

Last but not least, I just had to review my favorite backpack baby carrier. These are truly hands-free, and they let your baby look at you, smell you, even reach out and touch you at all time. The real advantage to backpack style carriers is in how they distribute the weight: rather than pulling your shoulders forward, they pull your shoulders back (less weight on the lower back).

	Chicco Smart Support Backpack
	Reviews:
	Features:	Ergonomic backrest Distributes baby’s weight evenly Standard bag / carry-all belt bag included Hood with rain cover
	Baby Carrier Review: This Italian-designed backpack has a height adjustable seat to give your newborn the perfect ride. Energy-absorbing lumbar cushions and padded mesh shoulder straps help you keep cool and comfortable. The frame is made of aluminum, so it’s sturdy but lightweight. There’s a kickstand to keep the whole thing stable while you load or unload your baby. What I like about this baby carrier backpack is that it includes a water-resistant canopy, sun visor, and ventilated, zip-off rain cover. This will protect your baby from the rain, sun, and wind while providing some ventilation to keep you both comfortable. And the frame is specially designed to distribute your baby’s weight, to minimize the strain on your back and shoulders. Right now save 25% and get free shipping at Amazon

Benefits of Breast Feeding

April 16, 2012 by getbabytosleep Leave a Comment

Breast feeding is one of the most important advantages you can give your baby from day one. Well, from day two or three, to be accurate (breast milk doesn’t usually come in right away).

All three of our children were breastfed for at least 6 months. I’m a huge proponent of breast feeding, and in this article, I’ll tell you why.

Contents:
Benefits of Breast Feeding
Breast Feeding Tips
When and How to Stop Breast Feeding

Benefits of Breast Feeding

There are many, many reasons that you should breast feed your baby, but here are some of the most important benefits:

Breast milk is the best food for babies. Not only is it naturally made, but it’s completely digestible and contains every nutrient that your baby needs to be healthy.
Breast feeding promotes natural immunity. When you breast feed your baby, you provide him with macrophages and lymphocytes, two kinds of immune system cells that fight infections and produce antibodies.
Mother and baby bond while breast feeding. There is no denying that the act of breast feeding itself provides some special bonding time between mom and baby. You’ll become known as “she who provides food” and with babies, that’s the most important person in the world.
The convenience of breast feeding. Breast milk is always at the right temperature, usually available, and generally doesn’t require a bottle. You can breast feed a baby almost anywhere (though investing in a nursing cover is a good idea for when you’re out in public). There’s no prep time, which makes it especially convenient at night. You can let a newborn sleep in a mini crib or bassinet in your room to help with those overnight feedings.
Breast feeding saves money. Yes, you’ll eat more while breast feeding, but the cost of adult food is nothing next to the cost of infant formula. Even if you buy in bulk and avoid the fancy easy-digestion or all-organic formulas, that stuff, you’ll save $40-60 per month at a minimum by breast feeding.
Reduce the risk of breast cancer. Breast feeding has been associated with a slightly reduced risk of breast cancer, particularly when continued for 1-2 years after your baby is born.

Breast Feeding Tips

Medela Pump in Style

Breast feeding may come naturally to you, especially if you’ve done it before. Here are a few tips to help you find success:

Be patient. Breast milk usually comes in 2-3 days after the baby has been born. Until then, you’ll get the nutrient-rich but volume poor colostrum, which doesn’t amount to much. Still, it’s important to keep trying several times a day – the contact and sucking from your baby will stimulate your body and speed things along.
Invest in a good breast pump. A breast pump is helpful for getting started nursing, and for stockpiling milk when it comes in (you’ll probably be making more than your newborn can eat at first). You can get entry-level breast pumps for around $100. You can get the hand pumps for even cheaper, but those are a joke. You’ll want a quality double pump like the Medela Pump In Style, which we’ve used for all three kids. If it helps you with breast feeding, this thing will pay for itself.
On a related note, stockpile breast milk whenever you can. In the first month or two, you’ll probably have a surplus of milk. You can pump it into Medela storage bottles and freeze it for any time that you’ll be away from your baby or he’s hungrier than usual.
Make a schedule and stick to it. You can nurse the baby whenever, but sticking to a 3-hour or 4-hour schedule will help with milk production; it lets your baby drink all of the milk and tells your body to keep replenishing it. You can, and should, pump what your baby doesn’t drink. Keeping a regular schedule is also good for establishing baby sleep patterns, which will pay off huge when your baby starts sleeping longer.

When and How to Stop Breast Feeding

Experts will tell you to nurse your baby as long as you can, for 1-2 years if possible. Realistically, I think that nursing the first 12 months is a good goal. If you can do more than that, great! That’s more time to enjoy the benefits above. By 12 months, though, a few factors will probably make you ready to stop breast feeding:

Can’t keep up. Your baby’s appetite will grow as he does. Eventually, he or she will need more than you can produce between feedings, and this may cause some frustration.
Baby is teething. Your baby will start getting teeth sometime between the age of 6-9 months. This adds a real “ouch” factor to breast feeding, especially when they have teeth on the top and bottom. For more on this, see what to do when your baby is teething.
Baby fights nursing. This has happened to us – the boys just suddenly wouldn’t nurse even when they were hungry. It might have to do with hormonal changes in the body, but when your baby just refuses to drink, the nursing period may be over.

When you decide to stop nursing, there’s no special trick. You stop cold-turkey and expect a day or two of discomfort. And then it’s over, and things should return to normal for you.

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Learn about the benefits and bestsellers of baby sleep sacks and sleeping bags.	Projection Night Lights keep your baby entertained while in the crib and help soothe him back to sleep.	Best Baby Pacifiers has our recommendations for newborns, older babies, and teething infants.	Visit our sleep training section for strategies and tips for teaching your baby to sleep through the night.

Five Essential Baby Sleep Habits

April 2, 2012 by getbabytosleep Leave a Comment

Teaching a baby to sleep through the night requires establishing healthy sleep habits around the clock. Here, we’ll go through five essential baby sleep habits that help babies sleep through the night consistently.

1. Establishing a bedtime routine

The first essential habit is establishing a bedtime routine for your baby. This is the set of steps you’ll go through every night with your baby, starting with dinner and ending with the baby in bed. Setting a routine and sticking to it won’t always be easy, but it teaches your baby that there’s a series of events each night that lead up to bedtime.

The bath-bottle-bed routine is a popular one because it works so well: the warm comfort of the bath gets baby ready for a bottle, and the full belly afterward makes them drowsy. It’s a series of physical cues that prepares your baby for the long sleep. We extend our bedtime routine a bit further with a few minutes of reading to baby, a pacifier, and their favorite blankies.

The downside to a routine is that it can monotonous and take a bit more time than you’d like, but the upside is that a good routine has baby falling asleep on his or her own, the second you put them into the crib.

2. Setting an early bedtime

One of the most surprising sleep habits that makes a huge impact is setting an early bedtime for baby. This seems counter-intuitive, right? Put your baby to bed earlier, and you think he or she would wake up earlier, too. Not so. It turns out that most babies are ready for sleep rather early in the evening. It’s the parents’ routine that keeps them up longer than necessary.

By watching your baby for the first signs of drowsiness and putting him or her to bed as soon as they appear, you may find that an early bedtime has them sleeping more soundly and for a lot longer.

3. Putting baby to sleep in the crib

If your baby already sleeps in the crib every time, congratulations. You already have this important habit established. If instead you’re one of the many parents whose baby sleeps better in the swing or the parents’ bed, or while being held, you have something to work on. Getting a baby to sleep in the crib when that’s not the norm tends to get more difficult by the day.

Start making this transition right away, because having a baby sleep regularly in his or her own bed will make a world of difference for sleep training. It frees up some of your time, too, so that you can do things you haven’t done nearly enough since your little one was born. Like laundry, or showering.

4. Dressing baby for sleep

As parents, we sometimes find ourselves cutting corners. A lack of time, a house full of chores, and sheer exhaustion will do that to you. One area you shouldn’t skimp on is dressing the baby for bed. A good diaper is important for keeping your baby as dry as possible overnight. After that, a comfy set of pajamas to keep them warm. Finally, you should swaddle your baby or put them in a sleep sack or sleeping bag to mimic the snug security of the womb.

5. Offering a pacifier

The last habit may be one of the easiest, and that’s getting your baby to take a pacifier. Most of us have no trouble with this, but I hear occasionally from parents whose baby refuses one. I’m puzzled by this, since those same babies drink readily from bottles tipped with a nipple-shaped piece of rubber. I wonder if instead it’s a matter of finding the right pacifier for your baby.

My boys, for example, won’t take any of the cute Sesame Street pacifiers that we got at showers. Instead, they only take the MAM low-profile pacifiers. See our review of the best baby pacifiers to find one that your baby will love, and then make it part of the bedtime routine. This not only gives your baby a comfort when you put them to bed, but it’s useful for nighttime soothing as well.

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Get Baby to Sleep in the Crib

April 1, 2012 by getbabytosleep 3 Comments

One problem many parents struggle with is getting their baby to sleep in the crib. Some babies become accustomed to a bassinet in the parents’ room during those first few months of round-the-clock feedings. Others just refuse to sleep anywhere but the baby swing or a parent’s arms. Or a car seat in a moving car.

There are lots of habits that we can get into when trying to coax baby to fall asleep. If you’re in this situation, don’t feel bad about it, because (1) you’re not alone, and (2) this is a problem that can be solved. In this article we’ll talk about how you can get your baby to sleep in the crib.

Contents:
Why Should Babies Sleep in A Crib?
Reasons Baby Won’t Sleep in Crib
Tip #1: Start Right Away
Tip #2. Make the Crib Cozy and Inviting for Your Baby
Tip #3: Put Baby in Swaddler or Sleep Sack
Tip #4: When Your Baby Cries
Tip #5: Try A Mini Crib or Bassinet

Why Should Babies Sleep in A Crib?

Sleeping in the crib offers a lot of benefits to your baby, and to you (the parents) as well.

Safety. A crib with a fitted, firm mattress and no loose bedding is the safest place for your baby to sleep. This isn’t just my opinion, it’s the position of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Sleep habits. When your baby takes to sleeping in a crib, it becomes comfortable to him or her. In fact, being put in the crib signals your baby that it’s time to go to sleep. Done right, this part of sleep training will come to help your baby fall asleep faster and more consistently.
Convenience. This benefit is for you, the parents, because odds are that if your baby doesn’t sleep in the crib, you’re the one paying the price. Maybe you have to lug baby’s favorite swing around. Maybe you have to hold him or let her share the bed. In any case, you’ll get some freedom back when your baby starts sleeping in the crib.
Being green. You already have a crib, right? If you never get your baby to sleep in it, that’s a wasted piece of furniture that probably will serve no real purpose in your child’s future. Cribs are meant to be slept in! Do the planet a solid and make sure that wood didn’t go to waste.

The crib might be one of the most stylish and versatile pieces of baby furniture that you buy. See our review of 4-in-1 convertible cribs for some great options that convert to toddler and full-size beds.

Reasons Baby Won’t Sleep in Crib

So, your baby won’t sleep in the crib. Why do you think that is? I know many parents who’ve struggled with this issue, and based on my conversations with them, it often comes down to one of a few causes.

The Routine. Maybe you got into the habit of rocking the baby to sleep in your arms, but when you go to put the baby down, he or she wakes up and cries. Or your baby can’t sleep without the rocking motion of the swing.
The Flat Surface. Some babies seem to have trouble sleeping on flat surface. This may be due to mild reflux, in which case, elevating the head of the mattress slightly could help.
The Abandonment. Sometimes babies just don’t want to be alone. Given the choice, don’t you think a baby would prefer sleeping in a bed snuggled between mom and dad, rather than a crib all by himself? If both parents work, then overnights are the one time that a baby can have you both nearby.

If your baby won’t sleep in the crib and you think it’s for another reason, please let me know, and I’ll add it to this section. Now let’s talk about the steps you can take to get your baby to sleep in the crib.

Start Right Away

The earlier you can train your baby to sleep in the crib, the better. We started on the day we came home from the hospital. You probably have a list of great reasons for putting it off, but you need to start working on it now. This is the kind of habit that only gets worse as your baby grows, because they’re stronger, louder, and more stubborn about certain things. They also can move around and get an arm or leg stuck in the bars, which generally causes a tantrum.

Plus, the longer sleeping in the crib is not the norm, the more ingrained that habit becomes to your baby. It’s a harder habit to break as time goes on.

Finally, you should work on getting your baby to the crib now as a part of general sleep training. You’ll find it easier to establish healthy sleep habits and keep a regular nap schedule. Even better, you might find that your baby (once trained) sleeps longer and more soundly in the crib. All of these are good reasons to begin sooner rather than later.

Make the Crib Cozy and Inviting for Your Baby

A crib can be a barren place. At first it seems ten times as large as is necessary for your baby. This transition will take your baby out of his or her comfort zone, so you’ll want to make the crib as appealing as possible. Use a crib soother or sound machine to provide some comforting background noise; this has the additional benefit of drowning out the cacaphony of older siblings, televisions, and barking dogs that rule some houses. I highly recommend the Graco Sound Machine for this task, but for more options, see our review of soothers and sound machines.

Another good source of white noise is a portable fan. This has the added benefit of circulating the air around the room.

You should make the nursery as dark as possible when it’s time for bed. This may require thick curtains and a room-darkening shade for the window. Most babies, like most adults, seem to sleep better in total darkness. One exception that might make your baby happier in the crib is a projection night light. These clever devices project constellations or little cartoon scenes on the ceiling while playing music for a specified amount of time (usually 15-20 minutes). See our guide to Choosing A Night Light for Baby.

Put Baby in Swaddler or Sleep Sack

One way to make your baby feel snug and safe in the crib is to swaddle him or her. You can swaddle your baby with a light-weight blanket such as the very popular Aden + Anais blankets. Or, you can pick up a velcro swaddler, one of the best baby inventions ever.

At some point, your baby may outgrow the swaddler or start kicking out of it. At this point, you can transition to a baby sleep sack or sleeping bag. These are essentially “wearable blankets” that allow the arms and legs to move freely. They do seem to make it more difficult for the baby to roll over, and help prevent them from getting their legs stuck between the bars.

When Your Baby Cries

Getting baby to sleep in the crib, like much of sleep training, will likely make your baby unhappy. Prepare yourself for some crying. I’m not an advocate of the full-on cry-it-out method. Instead, we took the advice of our pediatrician: Let your baby cry for 10-15 minutes. After that, go in quickly to reinsert the pacifier and tuck the blanket back around him or her. Then wait another 10-15 minutes, and repeat. Don’t linger in the room, don’t pick the baby up, just soothe quickly and go back out.

This will be hard for you to do, but it may be necessary to get this to work. Plan to do this for a couple of hours until your baby tires out and falls asleep. It may take a few nights of this, but you can do it. And there’s no lasting harm in letting your baby cry; don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!

Try A Mini Crib or Bassinet

If your baby is accustomed to sleeping in your bed or room, this solution might work better for you. You can get a bassinet or mini crib and keep it next to your bed. This is especially useful if your newborn wakes up to eat in the middle of the night. It’s safer, though, because your baby has his own little space to sleep in. And it makes them more comfortable sleeping in a crib, for when you make the transition to their own room. See our mini crib reviews for recommendations of the best mini cribs and bassinets.

Getting ready to take your baby on a trip? Don’t forget to pack something for your baby to sleep in. See our portable travel crib reviews for some options in light-weight, travel-friendly cribs and bassinets.

Transition to the Crib

My last piece of advice is this: don’t go cold-turkey. Start making the transition one night out of three, then every other night. This gives your baby some time to adjust, and lets both parents and babies recover a little bit on off nights. During the day, you can alternate naps (one in the crib, one wherever they’re most comfortable). Work your way up gradually to 100% crib over the course of one to two weeks.

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Baby sleep problems takes you through the most common sleep issues and how to address them.	Our video monitor reviews compare the latest cutting-edge wireless color video baby monitors.	Visit our sleep training section for strategies and tips for teaching your baby to sleep through the night.	Check out our reviews of Essential baby gear for helping babies sleep at night.

If and when you got your baby to sleep in the crib, and have some advice, please offer it in the comments section below!

Cute Baby Pajamas for Sleeping

March 31, 2012 by getbabytosleep Leave a Comment

A good, comfy set of pajamas is one easy trick for helping your baby fall asleep and stay asleep through the night. We’ve collected our favorite cute pajamas for baby girls and sleeper sets for baby boys here.

Baby Girl Pajamas

Our favorite baby girl pajamas have cute flower patterns, prints, or little animals on them.


Carter’s Flowers & Butterfly SleepwearThis 3-pc. sleepwear set features a short sleeve top with a butterfly on the front, plaid shorts and pull on pants with elastic waist & a floral print. 100% Polyester and machine-washable.Now on sale for $14.00	Damask Print Three-Piece Gown SetThis set with gown, hat, and sleep socks is 100% cotton and machine washable. The sleeves fold over your baby’s hands to prevent scratching.Get Free Shipping and Free Returns	Mud Pie Little Princess Footed Infant SleeperThis footed sleeper has an adorable black and white striped grosgrain ribbon ruffle around the neck, sleeves, and snap enclosures.Get $2 off and Free Shipping

Carter’s 3-pc. Cats Sleepwear SetThis set is for kitty cat lovers, with a short-sleeve T-shirt, polka dot pull-on shorts, and all-over cat print, elastic waist pajama pants. These are 100% polyester and machine washable.On sale for $14.00	Zutano Print FootieThese cute footie pajamas with owl print are from the Itzy Bitzy line of Zutano, a husband-and-wife operation based in the foothills of Vermont.Now $25.00 with free shipping and free returns.	Carter’s 3-pc. Zebra Sleepwear SetThis 3-piece set includes a short sleeve top, polka dot shorts with ruffle hem, and pull on pants with elastic waist & zebra stripes.From $19.99 to $28.00

Baby Boy Pajamas

It’s so fun shopping for baby boy pajamas. We like the cute pajamas with tool belts, safari animals, or frogs. And the baby baseball pajamas are just in time for spring training!


Mud Pie Newborn Toolbox SleeperFor your little handyman – this long-sleeve cotton pajama set has a suede tool belt applique.Buy it here and get free shipping	Mud Pie Boathouse Baby Crab SleeperHow cute is this long sleeved, 100% cotton sleeper with crab appliqué!? It features inner leg snap and back closures.Save $6.50 (25%) by ordering here.	Newborn Safari Giraffe Sleeper FootieThis cute Mud Pie giraffe pajama set is a cotton-spandex blend that’s machine-washable and has inner leg snaps.Get $3 off the Giraffe Sleeper

Little Me Frog FootieThis adorable frog footie is multi stripe with brown, light green and white stripes and frog appliques on the front. Look at those little froggy feet!Buy it now for $9.99-$12.95.	Mud Pie Newborn Baseball SleeperHow cute for your baseball fan in training! Long-sleeved and 100% cotton. Comes with hanger.Right now there’s only 1 left!	Mud Pie Newborn Safari Monkey SleeperThis is another poly-cotton blend, machine washable. I love the contrasting geometric patterns.Starting at $29.99

The baseball sleeper and safari sleepers are all from Mud Pie. Visit Amazon’s Mud Pie Store for their full line of cute pajama sets and clothes.

Six Tips for Starting Baby on Solid Food

March 27, 2012 by getbabytosleep Leave a Comment

At some point around the age of six months, usually at around the time that your baby can sit while supported by you or a pillow, your pediatrician will tell you to start offering some solid food. This will be an entertaining and fabulously messy experience for you and your baby.

Done right, however, you’ll find that solid foods keep babies happy for longer, especially at night. Indeed, once your baby starts taking solid food you should notice them sleeping for longer.

Starting babies on solid food, however, can be difficult. At first they simply have no idea what you’re doing to them. It may take weeks of practice until your baby has the hang of it.

Six Tips for Solid Food

Here are six tips to get you started.

1	Master the baby cereal first. Baby cereal is a perfect consistency for starting your baby on solid food. It sticks nicely to the spoon and generally doesn’t stain. Most baby foods, especially fruits and vegetables, are drippy and often do stain. Go with cereal until your baby makes some progress.
2	Prepare in advance for huge messes. You know the adorable lightweight bibs that you got at your baby shower? The ones with cute little animals or that say “Mommy’s little muffin”? Put those away; they’re useless today. You need a wide, thick, solid bib that you can securely attach around your baby’s neck. Waterproof terrycloth bibs are good for this. Have napkins or paper towels on standby, too. Lots of them.
3	One food at a time. Our pediatrician recommended that we start with one food for three days before moving on to the next. This helps you determine if your baby has a reaction to anything. You’ll probably start with vegetable baby food (carrots, sweet potatoes, or peas) or fruits. Some your baby will like, others perhaps not. Don’t be afraid to try a wide variety of foods, even if they don’t seem appetizing to you.
4	Thicken with cereal. Certain kinds of baby foods are very runny: carrots, sweet potatoes, and applesauce, for example. You can thicken these by adding a half teaspoon or so of single-grain rice cereal or organic oatmeal cereal. Doing so will make it stick better to the spoon, and seems to make the food last for longer.
5	Try the Boon Spoon. This is a plastic spoon that you fill with baby food for a single serving. By squeezing it, you can refill the spoon with food after each bite. It’s a cleaner and handy way to feed your baby; with twins, I’ve even used two at once. Another nice feature is that you can put a cap on the spoon tip, converting a filled spoon into a portable baby food container. They come in 8 different colors and are currently 20% off at Amazon.
6	Make your own baby food. There are many varieties of baby food, most of which are made from standard table foods that are pureed and sometimes watered down. You might even notice that many “fruit” baby foods described as pears, berries, or other things are made almost entirely of applesauce. Thus, if you’d like to save some money or are running low on baby food, try blending up your own from fruits or vegetables, or pick up a few jars of applesauce. See our article on the best baby food grinders for making your own baby food.

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When Do You Give Baby Cereal?

March 19, 2012 by getbabytosleep Leave a Comment

Many parents are eager to begin feeding their babies cereal. Often, they try to give it before the baby is ready, with disappointing results. In this article, we talk about when your baby is ready to try cereal, how to introduce it, and which baby cereals are best.

Contents:
When To Give A Baby Cereal
Single-grain cereal
Mixed-grain cereal
How to Introduce Cereal to Your Baby
The Best Baby Cereals
Best Single-grain Cereal
Best Organic Cereal
Best Cereal-Fruit Mixes

When To Give A Baby Cereal

At the newborn stage, babies can’t eat cereal or other solid foods because they’re unable to move food to the back of the mouth to swallow (that’s why they need a nipple and not a straw). As he or she grows, your baby will develop the physical capacity to begin eating cereal from a spoon. Your baby’s pediatrician should tell you when to start offering cereal, but here are the general signs that your baby is ready for it.

When To Give Single-Grain Cereal

Your baby may be ready for single-grain cereal when he or she:

Is 4-6 months old (adjusted age), meaning that your original due date was 4-6 months ago. Usually it’s closer to 6 months.
Can sit up with support from a high chair, pillow, Bumbo or Bebepod.
Holds his or her head up without help.
Shows interest in solid food, either by grabbing at your plate or opening his or her mouth when a spoon is offered.

Of course, you should also have the approval of your baby’s pediatrician.

When to Give Mixed-Grain Cereal

After a couple of months with single grain cereal, you can also give “mixed” or multi-grain cereal. Usually this is when your baby:

Is 6-8 months old and eats single-grain cereal daily.
Can sit independently without need of support.
Shows excitement when food is presented (that’s from Gerber).

The mixed-grain cereal tends to be a bit heavier. You don’t have to give it instead of single-grain cereal; you can offer both at different times. Mixed-grain cereal is great for thickening running baby foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, and most fruits. Single-grain rice cereal is very fine-grained, which is ideal if you spike some cereal into the nighttime bottle.

How to Introduce Cereal to Your Baby

If you think your baby is ready and you have the green light from the pediatrician, here are some tips for introducing your baby to cereal, based on some research and my own experience. Your baby’s first cereal should be a single-grain cereal. Most parents start with single-grain rice cereal because it’s very fine-grained and seems less likely to cause gagging.

	1. Start giving cereal once a day in the morning.This is generally when your baby is both hungry and well-rested, both of which will help you succeed. Once he or she gets the hang of it, you may want to give your baby cereal in the evening to help him or her sleep longer at night.
	2. Mix 1 teaspoon of cereal to 4-5 teaspoons of breast milk or formula.This gives the cereal a familiar taste that your baby is less likely to reject. The resulting mixture will be thin and runny (messy) so bring out the best bib you have, and think about putting your baby in a high chair or baby seat that has a plastic tray.
	3. Have a bottle ready.All new experiences aside, your baby will probably grow tired or frustrated and just want a bottle. It’s better to try the cereal before the bottle, so that they’re hungrier and so that you have something to soothe him or her with afterward.
	4. Use a small, soft-tipped spoon.You’ll understand why once you try it. Even the most dextrous of parents may struggle in hitting the moving target of a baby’s mouth. Also, you only want to offer a little bit at a time to reduce gagging. The Gerber soft-bite infant spoons are ideal for this.
	5. Be patient and expect to fail.At first, your baby will probably have no idea what’s going on or how to handle the cereal. About 90% of the cereal will end up on the bib, the tray, the floor, and you. It will probably takes weeks of practice until your baby gets it, at which point only around 10% of the cereal will end up all over the place.

As you make progress in giving your baby cereal, you may branch out to try other kinds. I recommend single-grain oat cereal next; it has a very different texture and your baby may like the taste better than rice cereal.

Which Baby Cereals Are Best?

There are a lot of baby cereals out there. You can usually find a few options at your local grocery store. Don’t buy too much at once! Once you find a cereal that your baby likes, however, you might wish to buy in bulk since your baby will be eating it for 6 months or more, and baby cereal keeps very well.

For certain cereals, you can sign up on Amazon Subscribe N Save to have them delivered free on a regular basis. You get 15% off the Amazon price but there’s no commitment, so I really take advantage of this for diapers, cereal, and other baby staples.

Best Single-Grain Baby Cereal

Gerber Single-Grain Rice Cereal
Gerber makes a quality single-grain rice cereal for babies that should probably be the first one you try. You should be able to find this in your local grocery store. Buy a box and see if your baby likes it. If so, you can mix it with breast milk, formula, pureed baby food, or even water.Gerber rice cereal is gentle because it’s made with single, natural grains that are easy to digest and its smooth, fine texture is developmentally appropriate for your baby’s first solid food.The easily-digestible, fine-grain texture of rice cereal makes it ideal to add to the nighttime bottle as well, which often gets a baby to sleep longer. Yes, most pediatricians frown on this, and most parents do it anyway. Just make sure to try spoon-feeding in the daytime so that your baby learns to eat that way.

Gerber Single-Grain Oatmeal Cereal
Gerber’s single grain oatmeal cereal is what I’d recommend you try next, either after success with the rice cereal (to introduce some variety) or if your baby rejects the rice cereal (to offer a different taste).The texture of oatmeal cereal is different and slightly coarser.All of my babies loved it, particularly when mixed with a vegetable or fruit. Their favorite cereal mix-ins were carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, and apples. They also like it plain, either with water or formula.Make sure that you add enough liquid, though; this cereal will gag your baby if it’s too dry.I don’t recommend the oatmeal as a mix-in for the nightly bottle, because it seems to clog even level-3 nipples.You should be able to find Gerber Single Grain Oatmeal cereal in your supermarket or grocery store in the baby food section.

Best Organic Baby Cereal

HAPPYBELLIES Organic Brown Rice Cereal
The bestselling organic baby cereal on Amazon is from the HappyBellies line of HappyBaby. This whole-grain cereal has a lot to like:

Enriched with DHA for brain and eye development, plus iron, vitamins, and minerals that are essential for the baby’s growth
100% natural ingredients, no pesticides, no chemical fertilizers, no genetic modifications, and no preservatives
Ships in Certified Frustration-Free Packaging
Completely vegan and contains no dairy, soy, gluten, or wheat ingredients

Vitamins and minerals: ascorbic acid, calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, reduced iron, alpha tocopheryl acetate, thiamine hydrochloride, riboflavin, niacinamide, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, cyanocobalamin, zinc oxide
Probiotics: l. acidophilus, bifidislactis, l. bulgaricus, l. casei, streptococcus thermophilus, and l. rhamnosus.

Earth’s Best Organic Whole Grain Oatmeal Cereal
The best-reviewed organic oatmeal cereal on Amazon is made by Earth’s Best, which has a complete line of organic baby foods. Their organic oatmeal features:

Made from organic wheat flour, organic evaporated cane juice, and organic cinnamon
Certified organic and Kosher; non GMO; no trans fat; 20% RDA of iron, zinc, thiamin, and folic acid per serving
Made from ingredients grown on U.S. organic family-run farms

Ingredients
Organic Whole Oat Flour, Organic Rolled Oats, Tocopherols (Vitamin E), Alpha Amylase (Enzyme), Electrolytic Iron.

Best Baby Cereal Mixes

Earth’s Best Organic Rice Cereal with Apples
This extremely popular mix combines the whole grain organic rice cereal with apples for a naturally sweet and tasty cereal. Your baby might prefer this over plain rice cereal, because the apples give a little flavor to it.Earth’s Best organic cereals are grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides, or genetic engineering. There’s no definitive evidence that these things are harmful to humans, but the less man-made chemicals going into your baby, the better.

USDA certified organic
Made from whole grains
No added salt or sugar
Kosher certified

Earth's Best organic Baby Oatmeal Cereal

Earth’s Best Organic Oatmeal Cereal with Bananas
Another popular mix combines the Earth’s Best organic oatmeal whole grain cereal with bananas for a tasty mix. The banana flavor doesn’t always mix well with other baby foods, but many infants seem to like it plain.Again, these organic cereals are grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides, or genetic engineering.

USDA certified organic
Made from whole grains
No added salt or sugar
Kosher certified

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Solid Wood Construction

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Adjustable From Baby to Toddler

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BABYBJÖRN Newborn Carriers

Baby Carrier Review:

Baby Carrier Review:

ERGObaby Newborn Carriers

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Baby Carrier Review:

Baby Backpack Carriers

Baby Carrier Review:

Benefits of Breast Feeding

Breast Feeding Tips

When and How to Stop Breast Feeding

What To Read Next

1. Establishing a bedtime routine

2. Setting an early bedtime

3. Putting baby to sleep in the crib

4. Dressing baby for sleep

5. Offering a pacifier

What To Read Next

Why Should Babies Sleep in A Crib?

Reasons Baby Won’t Sleep in Crib

Start Right Away

Make the Crib Cozy and Inviting for Your Baby

Put Baby in Swaddler or Sleep Sack

When Your Baby Cries

Try A Mini Crib or Bassinet

Transition to the Crib

What To Read Next

Baby Girl Pajamas

Baby Boy Pajamas

Six Tips for Solid Food

What To Read Next

When To Give A Baby Cereal

When To Give Single-Grain Cereal

When to Give Mixed-Grain Cereal

How to Introduce Cereal to Your Baby

Which Baby Cereals Are Best?

Best Single-Grain Baby Cereal

Best Organic Baby Cereal

Best Baby Cereal Mixes