Little Teether Teething Blog

Unfortunately, teething is something that affects ALL babies. We WANT our babies to get their teeth, but the process can be so uncomfortable, can throw off our routines, affect our sleep at night, and cause our notoriously happy baby to be all sorts of grouchy! So these are three SIMPLE hacks that can make this process a little bit easier for everyone.

• Utilize the fridge. Most parents habitually put teething toys into the freezer. This actually ends up being too harsh for the baby to hold or to put in their mouth. The fridge is nice and cool and is actually a perfect temperature for our Silicone Teething Products -- both toys and necklaces. This hack also works great with a wet washcloth, which is another favorite for teething babies.

• Have products readily available and easy to clean. When your sweet baby turns into the crazy teething monster, you want to have access to a quick remedy. Let's be honest, our babies drop EVERYTHING on the floor. So it can be a pain to have to wash a plush teether once it falls on the floor of a restaurant or in a parking lot. When your kiddo is sad, you want something quick and available. All of our products are made from Food Grade Silicone. They can be washed with soap, in the dishwasher, or using sterilization bags. Silicone doesn't harbor bacteria and there is no area that you are unable to clean. Have these toys and necklaces scattered around your house, in your diaper bag, in your car, so you have quick access to one whenever your baby starts fussing.

• Teething Oil. We love to use Punpkin Butt but there are several products on the market. When there is a lot of drool, it is sometimes hard for the oil to stay put in the right spot in their mouth. I like to rub a little bit of the oil onto their favorite Little Teether (toy or necklace) and when they gnaw on it, the oil will hit just the right spot. 

I hope these hacks are helpful for you and your little teether! And remember, you're not alone -- all kids get teeth at some point! 

There are so many products on the market, targeting teething babies. It is one of the more difficult phases for parents to deal with, so moms and dads are always looking for products to help make the process easier. The difficulty is finding products that are safe and non-toxic. Here are 3 super easy, safe, affordable, and non-toxic options for teething remedies. 

• Breast Milk Popsicle: It's been referred to as the "Momsicle." Not only does this provide a sensory experience for baby, it is delicious and feels so soothing on their gums. The downside is that it can get messy, and that most people don't already have the molds to make popsicles. You can find them cheap at the grocery store or on amazon. And if you're already nursing, the breast milk is free! Follow the link to see instructions of how to make these popsicles. (Note: you can also use ice cube trays to make breast milk ice cubes and then put them into a mesh baby feeder.)

• Little Teether Toys and Necklaces: They're stylish, modern, affordable, completely safe, and easy to clean! You can't do better than these products. They are easy to stick in your diaper bag, stash around the house and in the car, cool off in the refrigerator, and keep around your neck. The toys and necklaces are loved by moms and babies and are quickly becoming the most desired teething products for the little teethers around the world. 

• Big Whole Refrigerated Carrot Sticks: You simply cannot get more simple or more affordable than this. The temperature off the refrigerator is perfect for teething gums. It isn't as harsh as the freezer but still provides the cool sensation to give the gums some relief. The big carrots are perfect for the tiny hands to hold onto and also introduce your little ones to vegetables! Win-win! 

We'd love to hear if you have other remedies that have worked well for your little teethers. Please comment below - we love hearing new ideas! 

First, we want to preface this by saying: you don't technically need any of these things. As moms or moms-to-be, we are literally bombarded with checklists and must-haves. I remember being 8 months pregnant and leaving one of the big box baby stores in tears because I was told I needed no fewer than 6 car seats.

At the end of the day, your baby needs a clean diaper and a milk supply. That said, having gone through two kids so far (#highfives), below is a round-up of items that made my life as a mom MUCH easier.

Anything essential we forgot? We'd love to hear - let us know in the comments below.

Sleep: Because this is literally the holy grail.

• Pack n' Play- There are a ton of options! We used and love the Guava Lotus for its super lightweight frame, ability to pack into a backpack for travel, and a bassinet conversion kit. 
• Bassinet- or somewhere for baby to sleep in the early months. With our recent addition, we tried out the Snuggle Me Organic and so far, so good. Safe sleep for infants is a hot topic, and one we don't claim to be experts on but instead are always researching and learning more about. From personal experience, this helps baby feel snug and secure, and eliminates the fear of them rolling over or a parent rolling over onto them (if placed in bed next to mom). Bonus points for being mobile and entirely organic.

Baby Monitor: You could probably research these until the end of time. So far, we've been really happy with this one. 

White Noise Machine: Again, there are tons of options. We've been happy with the cheapest version we could find on Amazon!

Crib: This is a given, and you can spend as much or as little as you want. If this is your first child and you're confident you'll have more, this can definitely be worth a higher investment. On the flip side, IKEA makes some fabulous minimalist, raw wood options as well. We're currently using and loving the Stokke Sleepi System for our smaller-sized nursery. (It's always a good idea to get two mattress pads, and at least two sets of crib sheets for those inevitable, middle-of-the-night blowouts/throw-ups/accidents. Some of our all-time favorites can be found on Etsy, from shops like Evie Baby and Little Anouk. 

Clothing: This tends to be the gift that friends and family LOVE to buy and gift, but it's worth hunting down a few items you absolutely love and add them to your registry. The options are endless but we are listing a few of our favorite small shops: 

• Leggings: The way we see it, why waste money on leggings that only last a few months before they're outgrown? Stock up on Bear & Bunny Co. grow-with-me leggings and shorties instead. 

• Adorable tees and onesies from Bebe Nourri.
• This one is for YOU, moms: Our favorite #momlife tee from River Babe Threads (a staple with leggings, for those days postpartum when it's a victory just getting out of the house!) 
• Socially conscious tees with messages we love, from Wire & Honey. 

Feeding: Whether you choose to breast or bottle feed, the items below will likely be in daily rotation!

• Bibs: From dribbles to drool to first foods, bibs are essential. Anchored Arrow makes some of our very favorites. 
• High Chair: We used and loved the Inglesina Table Chair, because it's tiny, it's portable, and it packs up between use. 
• Teething Necklace & toys: Our favorites (and some of the cutest, and most popular) come from Little Teether! 

• If you're breastfeeding:
• Breastfeeding Pillow: We use the Bobby without complaints. If you go this route, definitely check Etsy for adorable, unique, interchangeable covers to match your nursery. 
• Check out Aeroflow Breastpumps! Completely cost and hassle-free, they help navigate your insurance and provide you with a list of breast pumps covered by your insurance.
• Our friends at Marley's Monsters make the cutest, reusable nursing pads (because, let's face it, things get messy!)

• Ever heard of Nurselet? It's the handiest bracelet that helps remind you which side you last fed on, AND helps hold up your shirt while nursing. Such a smart and helpful mom hack. 

Keepsakes: Let's face it, you may never actually get around to filling out that baby book...and anyway, these options are WAY more fun!

• Milestone Blankets: You've probably seen these take Instagram by story, but we're totally smitten with the milestone blankets from Batz Kids.
• Birth Elephant: Display baby's birth stats with the most adorable embroidered stuffed lovey from Stitches By Natalie, made from baby's hospital blanket. Definitely a keepsake you'll have for years and years!

• Don't forget mom! These gorgeous name bracelets have our hearts, from Candy Couture Shop.

Transportation & Travel: Because trust us, eventually you'll leave the house again. 

• Car Seats: From newborn to convertible to booster, one again, options are endless. We had the best luck with our Chicco Keyfit 30 for rear-facing newborns, and the Diono Radian RXT for rear-facing, forward-facing and beyond (bonus: it's super narrow and takes up less space in a smaller car!)
• Baby Carrier: We couldn't love our Lillebaby Complete All Seasons any more! There are so many slings and wraps, and endless research to show the many benefits of baby wearing! (Plus, free hands to hold your coffee!)

Potty: Yep, it's inevitable. May as well embrace it.

• Changing pad + 2 covers: once again, a zillion adorable options on Etsy. Our favorites are made by Ivie Baby. 
• Diapers: This tends to be a very personal decision -- and for good reason! No two babies are alike, and only you know what you can handle. That said, if you're even remotely considering cloth diapers, check out our Cloth 101 to see how it might be easier than you think. 

Again, anything we missed? We'd love to hear which products made your transition to motherhood even easier - let us know in the comments below! Each mom and each baby is so different so there is no right or norm when it comes to this stuff. 

Written by Heather, of Bear & Bunny Co. --makers of the grow-with-me-leggins and shorties, handmade in the USA! Check them out and get more bang for your buck with the sizes that take baby through multiple ages and milestones: www.bearandbunnyco.com. 

I'm a sucker for Fall Decorations! Fall is one of my favorite seasons of all! Corn stalks, hay stacks, corn mazes, candy corn, apple cider, pumpkin bread, and a fall yummy scent in the air! I'm always on the look out for cute decor for my house and front porch. Here are some that I fell in love with! These are some ideas that are affordable and sure to bring Fall to your porch! 

1. A country Fall Themed Porch

source: ourvintagehomelove.blogspot.com

2. Cute Pumpkin Pallet

source: pinterest.com

3. Fall Harvest and Pumpkins

source: jeanierae.com

4. Pumpkin Crates

source: unknown

5. Golden Fall Porch

source: homestoriesatoz.com

I hope you were inspired by some of my favorite inspirations! Happy Fall Y'all! 

While everyone was gearing up for back to school with clothes, shoes, and school supplies, I was having major anxiety about what to pack in the school lunch box for my daughter. I'm pretty new to this whole school lunch box thing. We used to call it a "Brown Bag Lunch" back in my day. Why? You might ask! Well, because you literally packed it in a brown paper bag. Nowadays our kids are equipped with fancy Pottery Barn lunch boxes with their names embroidered on them and cool Bento storage boxes inside.

I'm a stay at home mom of three girls. With the exception of making sure things are natural or organic, I've placed minimum thought about what to feed my growing kids for lunch. My days are pretty hectic with the kids, and attempting to run my businesses. Now all I can think about is what the teachers will think about the snacks I pack, and more importantly, what other parents are packing in their kids' school lunches. Will all the kids have cute little Mickey Mouse shaped sandwiches, raw carrots, and raw celery? Will I be judged for packing one too many Oreos? 

For years before sending my daughter to school, my News Feed has been filled with mom friends posting their kid's school lunches. I've seen everything from sandwiches shaped like animals, to veggies made into a rainbow. There has been such a wide variety of what parents included in their kid's school lunch boxes.

It seemed to have been a silent lunch box war going on, involving who could pack the healthiest and most creative lunch box. Naturally, I felt inclined to join in. 

And so the lunch box war began in my head. I racked my brain about what to include. I struggled with several thoughts - how will I keep hot food hot and cold food cold? Do I use cookie cutters to make the sandwiches into shapes? What's the healthiest type of Juice Box? Suddenly, I realized I was turning this into such a bigger deal than it needed to be. I can do WHATEVER I want. There are no rules I need to follow or standards I need to live up to regarding what I feed my child. It is MY child after all. 

As stay-at-home moms, we tend to put so much pressure on ourselves. We compare ourselves to what other stay-at-home moms are doing. And sometimes we draw the conclusion that we aren't good enough or aren't doing it right. I have friends with four children that make motherhood look effortless, while I have friends with one that make it seem like they're in the trenches of WWIII. There is no right or wrong way to do this thing called motherhood. We don't have to prove to anyone that our job is tough. It is 24 hours long and 7 days a week of mostly non-stop chaos. We hold it all together without thought or hesitation. It's just what we do. And somehow I run a small business in between the madness of parenting. So the next time you find yourself having anxiety about something as simple as school lunches, remember this - you are enough, you are awesome, you know what's best, and you are doing an amazing job. And for me, I will continue to slay motherhood in my own way, one peanut butter jelly sandwich at a time. (Okay, maybe sunflower butter because the school is nut free). xoxo

*Instagram photos courtesy of @summjen & @barnes_n_noble - mom friends killing this thing called Motherhood.