When the weather gets warmer, it’s the perfect opportunity to get outside with your kids and go for a walk! Walking is great way to reduce your carbon footprint, be active and get some fresh air! If accessible, walk to the grocery store for your next haul, or take a stroll to your neighborhood park. Walking with your kids is also a fun way to have quality conversations while exercising.
Check out these ideas on our ABCs of Earth Pinterest board:
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Preparing your child’s nursery can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to equipping their crib. When researching, you see companies offering not just mattresses, but toppers, waterproof pads, changing pads, etc. Especially if you are purchasing a waterproof mattress, things can get confusing when figuring out what you actually need and what is just a nice addition.
The biggest question we see when it comes to accessories for a waterproof crib mattress is, “Should I also purchase a waterproof protector pad?”
While it is not required for you to add a waterproof protector pad, we certainly recommend it. In fact, we recommend buying two! But why?
Adding a waterproof pad on top of the mattress is one of best ways to prevent bacteria from getting on the mattress. Without the topper, “occurrences” such as urine, drool, etc. will cause the sheet that is directly on the mattress to get damp and possibly cause bacteria. A waterproof protector pad is a smart extra barrier for messy babies.
Without the pad, if an accident happens, you will need to wipe down the mattress with antibacterial soap and water after every occurrence to keep your child’s sleeping surface healthy and to avoid set-in stains. Imagine waking up to a fussing baby to have to clean...it’s never fun. And clearly, it isn’t the most effective use of precious time you could be sleeping. If you choose to use a Breeze waterproof pad as well, after a nighttime accident you can simply throw the pad in the wash and head back to bed!
When it comes to adult sheets, many of us keep a spare set in case we spill and need to wash the first set. With the same logic, if you buy two pads, you won’t have to worry about bacteria on the mattress if your child happens to have another accident while you are washing the first pad. It’s a great, affordable investment.
Have more questions about our waterproof crib mattress or waterproof pad? Ask us in the comments!
For more and more working parents, work-life balance is becoming even more desirable. You don’t want meetings to take precedence over soccer games and you don’t want to pause playtime to answer an email. In the same accord, you don’t want your work to suffer either.
It is possible to not only work and parent, but also succeed at both! We spoke to three of our very own working parents to see how they manage maintaining success in their career and still enjoy quality time with their children.
You are a parent. Your kids are the most important thing to you. So even as a working parent, you want to be there for every practice and event. Don’t hold yourself to that standard because not even stay-at-home parents do. To lessen the load, don’t be afraid to be picky about what you attend.
If you follow this advice, you won’t have to constantly worry about leaving work on time, and you will still be there for the occasions that count.
Since mornings are no doubt chaotic and daytime is out of the question since you are working, after work is your best bet for getting your kids bags all assembled and their lunches packed. As a working parent, this may be your time to focus on the kids, but don’t forget to prepare yourself as well so you aren’t scrambling at work the next day.
“Pack your own lunch the night before, too! I can get focused on making sure the kids needs are taken care of that I neglect myself. When you’re packing kids lunches, don’t forget yours as well,” Hilary T. says.
No matter where you work, it’s bound to be stressful at points. That’s why when you have time with your kids, you don’t want that to carry on during these moments. When you find time outside of work to enjoy the zoo with your kids or take them shopping, try to set aside just a few minutes beforehand to pack a bag.
“Pre-planning is important. Have food and things ready for kids anywhere you are going to go,” Arin S. says.
This way, the time you get with your kids is fun and relaxed versus stressed and chaotic.
As a working parent, time with your little ones is precious. Even when with them, however, it’s normal to get stressed about work. To truly balance parenthood and career, you need to take active steps to be fully in the moment for both.
“I don’t use my phone while I’m playing with them unless it’s to take a cute picture. We also have dinner together every night,” Jaime R. says.
And as Jaime went on to explain, sometimes these little moments are worth a change in schedule...even if it means going in to work a little later than you had hoped.
How do you balance family life and being a working parent? Let us know in the comments!
There is absolutely nothing more important than the wellbeing of your baby. Because of this you have a lot of companies promising you the best in health, the best in non-toxic, the best in safety. But how do you know what products are truly designed to protect your child and what companies are just trying to upsell you with exaggerated claims?
Looking for certifications is your best bet for finding out if a company is actually producing organic or non-toxic products. At Lullaby Earth we make sure unbiased, credible organizations certify our product to the most stringent non-toxic standards, including MADE SAFE.
America’s first nontoxic seal for everyday products. MADE SAFE began when the founders realized that the products their families use day in and day out are often made with unsafe ingredients for both parents and children. Because of this, MADE SAFE only certifies products that are made without ingredients or materials that cause human health harm and do not release harmful vapors, gases or by-products.
Specifically, any product that is MADE SAFE certified protects us from the following:
-Behavioral toxins
-Carcinogens
-Developmental toxins
-Endocrine disruptors
-Fire retardants
-Heavy metals
-Neurotoxins
-High-risk pesticides
-Reproductive toxins
-Toxic solvents
-Harmful VOCs
See our Made Safe Certification.
A non-profit organization that provides America’s first comprehensive health-focused certification, MADE SAFE does more than just certify, however. They also take extra steps to help individuals and companies make better choices. Such as:
1. Make it easy to find and buy non-toxic products
2. Give companies a roadmap for making safe products
3. Help retailers select non-harmful products.
Have more questions about MADE SAFE? Ask us in the comments!
Summer has ended and school is back in session.
Soon your schedules will be filled with drop-offs, pick-ups, after school clubs, homework, and more. While this time of year can be stressful, it can also be the perfect time to try new things. Since your child is already preparing for new challenges, new friends, and new classes, why not add new foods to the list? And while we’re at it, let’s make it new healthier foods! We’ve created a list of our 15 favorite healthier snack foods.
Ready, set, snack!
Transitions are challenging, regardless of age or situation. They can be even more difficult when the one making the transition is too young to understand the need for the change. You are a parent of a toddler now, which means your life is filled with changes and growth, and sometimes it feels overwhelming.
One of the changes you and your little one will soon face is the transition from a crib to a toddler bed. We know there are questions that come with the change, and we want to tackle a few of them.
Please remember to always consult your child’s pediatrician before transitioning them to a toddler bed.
Unlike many other toddler transitions, there isn’t an exact “right” time to make the toddler bed change— but there are several safety factors that are important to consider. The general rule is to make the transition before your child is able to climb out of the crib because that can lead to injuries. Typically, toddlers are able to climb out of the crib when they reach 35-37 inches, and most parents choose to make the transition between ages 2-3.
Some parents postpone the transition until ages 3-4 to prevent middle-of-the-night waking and wandering. If you choose to wait, here are a few tips to keep your child safe:
Lower the mattress to the floor.This prevents your child from climbing and falling.
Turn the crib around. Be sure the side with the higher bars faces outward. This makes it more difficult for children to escape.
Baby-proof the surrounding areas. One of the most common issues parents face during this time is wandering. When children are able to climb out of the crib, they will. Make sure their room and the surrounding rooms are safe, just in case.
Unfortunately, there is no way to guarantee an easy toddler bed transition, but there are a few strategies you can try!
Make it a big deal. Kids are always in a rush to grow up, aren’t they? Use that to your advantage. Play up the fact that this is a step toward your child becoming a “big kid,” and they will be more motivated to make it work.
Emphasize independence. As kids get older, they crave independence and responsibility. Explain the importance of changing beds by stressing the fact that you trust them to be more independent. It’s also a good idea to include your child as you set up a sleep schedule and create bedtime rules. Work together to figure out a time to go to bed. Ask your child which activity they want to do before falling asleep (reading, talking, etc.). When children feel like they are part of the decision-making, they are more likely to cooperate for a positive result.
Get excited! Kids often feed off enthusiasm—if you’re excited, they will be excited! Take your child to the store to pick out new sheets and blankets for his/her new big kid bed.
With the help of these tips and tricks, tackling the toddler bed transition can be fun and simple!
Transitioning from home life to school life for the first time can be challenging for both parent and child. With every new chapter comes new adjustments, right?
Let’s get your child ready for school success with 5 simple ways to prepare them for the journey ahead.
One of the most important adjustments children must make is staying on schedule. Weeks before the first day of school, create a schedule with your child. Include a wake-up time, chore time, lunch time, nap time, play time, bed time, etc. The earlier they get used to a schedule, the easier time they will have with time management at school.
While in school, your child will be experiencing all new things. New people, new personalities, and new challenges. By taking them out to new places beforehand, you can slowly expose them to new scenes, behaviors, and people. It’s a fun, subtle way to teach them how to interact in new surroundings.
Not only will this help you keep the house clean, but it also teaches children about responsibility and accountability—two very important aspects of thriving in the classroom!
We know you’re going to miss them when they’re at school, and you want to spend as much time with them as possible while you can. But it’s important to get them ready for spending time away from you. Ask relatives to take them to lunch alone. Get grandparents involved, if possible. Set up playdates. Do anything you can to help them feel confident in their independence!
Starting this journey can be scary for children, but excitement is contagious. Tell your child about your favorite school moments. Talk about your favorite teacher. Make a big deal about shopping for backpacks, lunch boxes, and school supplies. If you show them how exciting this time is, they will reciprocate the feeling.
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