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Pregnancy > Parenthood

  • While travel stroller system strollers sound a bit complex, this is actually something that is going to make your life way easier when you find the best fit for your family. It really just means a stroller and car seat duo. A travel system stroller is a stroller that is compatible with and usually includes… Keep Reading

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  • As babies grow from the infant stage to around 3 months old, parents should consider incorporating a baby play gym in their child’s daily routine. Using a baby play gym will help the baby grow and strive to reach important developmental milestones. Each of the baby play gyms on our top 10 list keeps your… Keep Reading

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  • Some of us have easy pregnancies that we breeze right through, others of us have pregnancies we’d rather not think about too much. The same thing goes for our journeys through labor, and again through postpartum. There is one thing we all have in common, though. The beautiful, hard, miraculous journey of pregnancy brings us… Keep Reading

    It Starts With Birth- The Pregnancy App You Need!

Gripe Water vs. Gas Drops [Is One Better Than the Other?]

If your baby is crying inconsolably, you may be wondering whether colic or gas could be the culprit. Both conditions cause otherwise healthy babies to cry incessantly, leaving many parents stressed out and scratching their heads about how to help their little one. Although there is no known cause for colic – and, thus, no tried and true remedy for all babies – parents often find success with two common remedies. Gripe water and gas drops are both commonly used by parents to treat their baby’s tummy ailments. But, is one preferred over the other? Let’s take a closer look at gripe water vs gas drops.

gripe water vs gas drops

Along with these remedies, we also recommend trying an anti-gas bottle and gentler formula if bottle feeding!

Gripe Water Basics

Gripe water is a type of over the counter alternative medicine. It is made of water and a mixture of herbs, which can vary based upon the manufacturer. Most commonly, however, gripe water contains dill seed oil and sodium bicarbonate. Dill seed is known to have a soothing effect on the stomach, and sodium bicarbonate is added to off-set stomach acid. Gripe water is typically alcohol-free and sugar-free, and its ingredients are designed to soothe a baby’s upset tummy.

Pros of Gripe Water vs Gas Drops

Since gripe water contains herbs known to have a warming and soothing effect, it can be effective in treating both gassy babies and colicky babies. In fact, many parents swear by it. It is easily accessible over the counter, is easy to use, and isn’t expensive.

Click here to purchase Gripe Water to soothe your little one!

Cons

As with many over the counter medications, too much gripe water can cause side effects. If a baby gets too much sodium bicarbonate, it can cause a condition called alkalosis. In this dangerous scenario, the blood loses its natural acidity and becomes base instead, causing symptoms such as vomiting, tremors, confusion, and numbness in the face, hands, and feet.

When stored improperly, gripe water can also grow bacteria and fungi. To avoid this, be sure to always store your bottle in a cool, dry location and do not use it once it is past the manufacturer’s expiration date. 

mom and baby

Gas Drops Basics

This over the counter liquid medicine contains the active ingredient simethicone. It breaks up large gas bubbles in the baby’s digestive system, creating smaller gas bubbles that are more easily passed instead. Gas drops can be dispensed directly into the baby’s mouth, or they can be mixed with formula or expressed breast milk.

Pros of Gas Drops vs Gripe Water

The American Academy of Pediatrics has labeled gas drops as safe even for newborn babies, and adverse side effects are very rare. They are proven effective in helping babies relieve their gas pains, and they can be used multiple times daily for recurrent gassiness in infants.

Click here to buy Gas Drops from the extremely popular brand Little Remedies.

Cons

Since there is no proven cause of colic, gas drops may not impact a baby’s crying. Additionally, they are unsafe for use in babies who are also taking thyroid medications, as they may cause a harmful drug interaction.

Deciding Which is Better for Your Baby: Gripe Water vs Gas Drops

gripe water vs gas drops

Parents who are faced with a crying baby are usually willing to try anything but wonder where to start. If you think your baby may have gas, give gas drops a try. Symptoms of gas in infants include a firm belly, drawing the legs up toward the abdomen repeatedly, and crying after feedings. If you’re observing these behaviors in your child, gas drops are probably the best place to start. However, things are not nearly as clear-cut with a colicky baby.

Since colic remains a bit of a medical mystery with no proven cause, there is also no proven remedy. Neither gripe water nor gas drops can be said to be effective, and colicky babies may exhibit a wide variety of symptoms. Sometimes, a colicky baby will mimic a gassy baby, pulling their legs up toward their abdomen as described above. In this case, gas drops may help to relieve some of a colicky baby’s discomfort.

However, many colicky babies respond better to soothing techniques like walking, swaying, back rubs, and singing. If your child seems to respond a bit to these or other types of soothing techniques when crying, gas is probably not the issue. Gripe water and its calming ingredients may be of more use for a crying baby in this scenario.

A Note About Medical Attention

While all babies cry and about twenty percent show signs of colic, you may not always be able to treat your baby’s discomfort on your own. Here are some things to watch for if you have a baby who cries incessantly:

  • A blue tint to the lips, which indicates baby is not getting enough oxygen
  • Crying that occurs after a fall or other injury and sounds different than your baby’s usual cry
  • Blood in baby’s stool, or a change in bowel movement habits
  • A temperature greater than 100.4 F (38 C)
  • Crying that is getting worse over time (louder, for longer periods)
  • If you feel helpless or overwhelmed while caring for your crying baby

In instances of any of the above symptoms, it’s important to seek medical attention. Sometimes, it may be that your baby is suffering from a food allergy, especially if your child is breastfed. A pediatrician can help you determine whether your child’s crying is normal or cause for concern.

Trusting Your Gut

As with many aspects of parenting, you’ll have friends and acquaintances ready and willing to tell you what worked best for their crying baby. Inevitably, some will swear gripe water is the answer while others sing the praises of gas drops. Keep in mind that every baby is different, and you know your child best. Trust your gut and try the remedy that makes the most sense to you first. You can always try the other if you don’t achieve the results you hoped for.

As you work to soothe your crying little one, do not despair. While it can be very trying at the moment, remind yourself that it won’t last forever. Even the most colicky babies tend to grow out of it around 3-4 months, but we hope gripe water or gas drops may provide just the remedy you need in the meantime.

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A Simple Toddler Schedule [For Smoother Days Ahead!]

The toddler stage is so much fun because it’s the time when kids are becoming more aware of themselves in the world, as well as more aware of other people and experiences. It’s also a time of exploring, trying new things, and exercising new-found independence. With so many stimuli impacting your toddler’s senses every day, however, it can also be a time of easy overwhelm, big emotions, and tantrums. Implementing a simple toddler schedule will help your little one feel more at ease and in control. 

Having a consistent schedule will mitigate stress and keep your days going smoothly. Many kids, especially at this age, thrive on the predictability and security a schedule provides. It’s common for parents to get frustrated when they can’t seem to keep their child on an “ideal” schedule. Try to come up with a realistic version that sets your youngster up for success.

While all kids are different and no single schedule will work for every child, below we’ll discuss a simple and easy toddler schedule. You can use it exactly as it’s written, or for inspiration, as you create a schedule personalized for your child.

toddler schedule

Sample Toddler Schedule

Digging into the Details

This is a very simple toddler schedule on its face, but there are a few hacks that can keep it effective each day.

7:00 am: Wakeup and Screen Time

toddler schedule

For parents with early risers, 7:00 am wakeup might seem like a pipe dream. However, there are a few methods you can use to help your child learn to stay in bed until 7:00. Even if they are quietly playing instead of sleeping, that’s a little extra time for you.

You can use a color-coded toddler alarm clock that will train your child to wait for either the alarm to sound or for the clock to change to green, which means it’s okay to get out of bed. Check out our full list of alarm clocks for kids here!

It may seem odd to make screen time the beginning of your daily routine, but many parents find that it helps keep children occupied while they make breakfast or otherwise get ready for the day. In addition, if you get the screen time out of the way first thing, you can avoid an entire day of your child begging for the television or the tablet.

8:00 am: Breakfast

Resist the urge to feed your toddler in front of the television, even if you know it would give you more uninterrupted time to get things done. Make it a habit to sit at the table and eat together, which gives more opportunities to practice table manners. This also means you as the parent will get a moment to sit and enjoy breakfast or your favorite cup of coffee or tea. Getting to actually eat breakfast might just become your favorite part of this toddler schedule!

8:30 am: Playtime

There’s nothing wrong with playing alongside your toddler. However, it’s also important for them to begin learning how to entertain themselves. Shoot for a mix of parental play and independent play, and keep things fresh by keeping toys on rotation. Store them in plastic tubs in the basement or garage and rotate them out each week so that your toddler feels like they’re getting something new to occupy their growing mind.

10:00 am: Snack

It can be difficult to get a picky toddler to eat healthy snacks, but filling them up with wholesome foods will typically improve their mood. Make it easier on yourself by prepping snacks ahead of time that your child can access on his own.

10:30 am: Outing

toddler schedule

It is super important that you schedule an activity that gives you and your toddler a change of scenery daily. It’s just nice for both of you to be able to leave the house! You can get in the car for a quick trip to the grocery store, post office, library, or local park, or simply head outside for a walk in the neighborhood when the weather allows.

Noon: Lunch

Many toddlers like to be involved in food preparation, so incorporate them when you can. In addition to eating at about the same time each day, use each lunchtime as an opportunity to sit at the table together and to practice self-feeding skills and manners.

If your toddler is on the younger side, try to provide a portion of food each day that requires the use of silverware. This is great for fine motor skill development! If your toddler is older, reinforce lessons like saying please and thank you, asking to be excused from the table, and clearing their own plate.

1:00 pm: Quiet Time

Quiet time is a very important part of your toddler’s schedule. It isn’t easy to get a toddler to slow down, but it can be helpful to get them settled a bit before nap. Coloring, reading or quietly playing are all common ways to lead into naptime.

1:30 pm: Naptime

If there’s anything you consistently stick to in your schedule, let it be naptime. Your toddler’s body will be conditioned to fall asleep at the same time each day, which will provide you with reliable toddler-free time every afternoon to accomplish things around the house or get some much-needed self-care time.

3:30 pm: Outdoor Time/Activity Time

outdoor play

If the weather allows for it, post-nap is a great time to get outside for more fresh air. It’s also a great time to provide your toddler with a planned activity, either inside or outside. It could be water play, painting, a nature walk. The possibilities are endless, and you can change them every day depending on your child’s interests.

5:30 pm: Dinner

When possible, repeat your lunch-time process. Allow your child to help with food prep, as well as continuing to practice table skills and manners.

6:30 pm: Playtime

Allow your child more independent playtime after dinner. Remember, toddlers do some of their best learning during unstructured playtime.

7:30 pm: Bath

Child sleep experts recommend scheduling out a bedtime routine, including a calming bath, to encourage your toddler to fall asleep more easily. With a toddler’s growing mind racing with all she learns each day, this can be a helpful step in getting both brain and body prepped for sleep. If your toddler fights bath time, try adding in activities like bathtub crayons to make things more interesting.

8:00 pm: Bedtime

toddler bedtime

There’s nothing more difficult than an over-tired toddler, so sticking to a consistent bedtime keeps both parent and child happier. Add your own routine, which could include reading stories or singing favorite songs, so that bedtime feels like a fun and special time for parent-child bonding.

When you’re just beginning to use a daily schedule for your toddler, there will undoubtedly be growing pains. Don’t worry if you can’t stick to it consistently in the first few weeks, but don’t give up! Toddlers thrive on consistency and security and many adults find they actually do, too.

If you are looking for tips & tricks from other mamas and experts, join our Rookie Moms Facebook Group!

5 Important Signs to Call Your Doctor When Pregnant

From stretch marks, leaky breasts, to literally growing a beard (yes, you can grow hair on your face!) it’s clear pregnancy can cause your body to do some WEIRD stuff. However, in this article, I am going to discuss some pregnancy complications you may have that you should ALWAYS, 100% of the time bring up to your doctor.

Signs to call your doctor when pregnant!

1) Bleeding

Vaginal bleeding is always scary during pregnancy. When you’ve gone months without a period, a drop of blood in the toilet can be quite nerve-wracking.

Some women do experience bleeding in the first trimester, as the baby implants to the uterine wall. This is usually described as very light spotting, many times happening even before you find out you are pregnant.

Causes for vaginal bleeding include:

  • Problems with the placenta, including a previa or an abruption: A placenta previa is when the placenta is implanted close to or fully covering the cervix. Typically, this is not harmful to the baby, unless the bleeding is excessive. A placental abruption is when the placenta detaches from the uterine wall, either partially or completely. A placental abruption is an emergency and is usually accompanied by constant jarring abdominal pain in the location of the abruption.
  • Miscarriage: Miscarriage is commonly accompanied by abdominal cramping, and heavy, bright red bleeding. The further along you are in your pregnancy, the more severe the cramping and heavier the bleeding will be.
  • Sexual intercourse: Sex is a very common reason for vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. The cervix is very vascular (lots of blood flows to it), and any sort of manipulation can cause it to bleed.
  • Abdominal trauma: External bodily trauma can cause vaginal bleeding, such as getting into a car accident or having a fall.
  • Ectopic pregnancy: An ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency and sometimes associated with vaginal bleeding. It is also associated with severe abdominal pain. This is when the embryo implants outside the uterus, commonly inside one of the fallopian tubes.
  • Preterm labor: Similarly to how your cervix can bleed a bit when you are in labor at term, preterm labor commonly causes bleeding as you have contractions and your cervix changes.
  • Uterine rupture: A uterine rupture is a very rare event, and would most likely happen to a woman who is in labor and has had a previous c-section. However, it can happen to anyone regardless of circumstance.
  • Infection: Sometimes bacterial infections of the vagina, uterine infections, or sexually transmitted diseases can cause some bleeding.

2) Abdominal pain

 

There is only one time you should have abdominal pain that is warranted during your pregnancy, and that is when you are in labor! Labor after 37 weeks to be exact. All other instances should be brought up to your doctor, as abdominal pain can signal many different problems. Most of these I’ve brought up above in the bleeding section, but some common reasons include:

  • Preterm labor
  • Miscarriage
  • Braxton-Hicks contractions
  • Placental abruption
  • Ectopic pregnancy
  • Infections
  • Uterine rupture
  • Constipation
  • Round ligament pain: The uterus is a muscle, and there are ligaments running alongside it on the front of your belly that stretch as your baby grows. Sometimes this stretching can be painful, and cause some discomfort during pregnancy. This will happen especially as you change positions. It’s important to note, round ligament pain is not at all harmful to baby.

3) Leaking

Amniotic fluid is the cushion that helps to protect baby during your pregnancy. It’s also important for baby’s lung maturity.

It’s common to have your water break spontaneously when you are in labor, however, sometimes it happens before you are term. This is what your OBGYN is concerned about if you report any vaginal leaking before week 37.

Sometimes vaginal infections can cause some increased discharge during pregnancy. Also, towards the end of your pregnancy, you may have an increase in this discharge as your body is preparing for labor.

Discharge is a different consistency than amniotic fluid, however. Amniotic fluid is usually in a much greater abundance, and much more watery than normal vaginal discharge.

If you think your water has broken at any time in your pregnancy, regardless of your gestational age, call your doctor. There are a number of tests that can be done to determine if you have or not.

4) A decrease in movement

When you are around 24 weeks pregnant, your doctor will talk to you about performing “fetal kick counts”. Fetal kick counts are an easy way to check to see if baby is doing ok!

Basically what you do is lie on your left side without any distractions, and pay attention to how your baby is moving.

You should do this at approximately the same time each day. I used to do it before I was drifting off to sleep at 8 am after a long night shift, because that’s when my baby liked to move the most!

You should count how many times baby moves, and how long it takes him/her to move. Any movement counts, from a small flutter to a huge kick. In order to “pass”, baby should move ten times in two hours. You can stop counting after baby has moved ten times. Sometimes babies move all ten times in the first minute! Sometimes it is closer to the two-hour mark. Either one is normal!

If baby does not move ten times in two hours, call your doctor. This can be a sign that baby is in distress. Think about when you feel sick and under the weather, you don’t like to move around, and you tend to like to stay in bed. This is the same reasoning behind why babies move less when they are stressed.

It is important to note that babies do have sleep cycles in the womb, and when babies are sleeping they don’t move as much. Babies tend to like to sleep when you are up moving around. This is why it’s important to do fetal kick counts when you are lying down, because this is when babies like to wake up!

5) Headache or blurry vision

When you go to your scheduled appointments, your doctor will always ask you if you have been having any headaches or blurry vision.

Headaches or blurry vision can be a sign of preeclampsia, a life-threatening pregnancy complication for you and baby.

Preeclampsia is more common towards the end of your pregnancy, but it may happen at any time after 20 weeks gestation. It is characterized by elevated blood pressures, swelling in your extremities, and protein in your urine. This is also the reason you must pee in a cup each time you go to the doctor!

Preeclampsia is dangerous for you because if your blood pressure is extremely high, it can cause you to have a seizure or a stroke. It is also very dangerous for the baby because as your blood pressure elevates, less blood flow and oxygen get to your placenta, which ultimately means less blood flow and oxygen for the baby.

I know I’ve said this a dozen times already, but PLEASE bring up any of these concerns to your doctor. Don’t rely on little ol’ me to diagnose your pregnancy complications. I am a nurse, but I’m not YOUR NURSE, nor am I a doc! My goal here is to educate. Please see my disclaimer. With that said, here’s to a safe and healthy pregnancy!

Happy Laboring!

About the Author:

THIS ARTICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MOMMYLABORNURSE.COM
*THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE, OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE. PLUS, ANOTHER DISCLOSURE PROBABLY WITH ANYTHING WE POST THAT SEEMS LIKE IT COULD BE CONSIDERED MEDICAL ADVICE.
*THIS POST IS FOR INFORMATION AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY. SHOULD YOU NEED MEDICAL ATTENTION PLEASE SEEK YOUR OWN MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.

50 Working Mom Quotes – Inspiring & Heart Warming

Working moms have a lot on their plates (especially nowadays) both working and all the duties that come along with motherhood. We thought it would be great to bring you some working mom quotes. They are inspiring and show their children how to chase their dreams. Here are some working mom quotes about the women who get the best of both worlds!  

50 Working Mom Quotes – Inspiring & Heart Warming

working mom

Our Favorites

Working Mom Quotes

1: “For me, being a mother made me a better professional, because coming home every night to my girls reminded me what I was working for. And being a professional made me a better mother, because by pursuing my dreams, I was modeling for my girls how to pursue their dreams.” – Michelle Obama

 

2: “There is no way to be a perfect mother, but a million ways to be a good one.” – Jill Churchill

 

3: “This struggle is real. The juggle is real. That’s why everyone should hire working mothers. They are put in crazy situations all the time and are forced to problem-solve. They are some of my most resourceful employees.” – Sara Blakely

 

4: “A happy mother is a good mother, and if work makes you hum, your whole family sings along.” – Sharon Meers and Joanna Strober

 

5: “There’s something really empowering about going, “Hell, I can do this! I can do this all!” That’s the wonderful thing about mothers, you can because you must, and you just do.” – Kate Winslet

 

6: “The obligation for working mothers is a very precise one: the feeling that one ought to work as if one did not have children, while raising one’s children as if one did not have a job.” – Annabel Crabb

 

7: “She never quite leaves her children at home, even when she doesn’t take them along. – Margaret Culkin Banning

 

8: “Being a working mom is not easy. You have to be willing to screw up at every level.” – Jami Gertz

 

9: “The phrase ‘working mother’ is redundant.” – Jane Sellman

 

10: “I think every working mom probably feels the same thing. You go through big chunks of time where you’re just thinking, ‘This is impossible—oh, this is impossible.’ And then you just keep going and keep going, and you sort of do the impossible.” – Tina Fey

Quotes About How Working Moms Do It

Working Mom Quotes

11: “You cannot do everything at once, so find people you trust to help you. And don’t be afraid to say no.” – Jane Seymour

 

12: “The worst thing that we can do as women is not stand up for each other, and this is something we can practice every day, no matter where we are and what we do — women sticking up for other women, choosing to protect and celebrate each other instead of competing or criticizing one another.” – Amal Clooney

 

13: “I think moms put a lot of pressure on ourselves trying to balance it all. It’s never going to be perfectly balanced – the sooner you know this, the sooner you can relieve some of the pressure you put on yourself.” – Denise Richards

 

14: “I’m learning to feel better about asking for help, whether it’s from family or hiring help. It’s not profound but I love my career and I don’t want to make myself feel bad about pursuing both. Just cutting myself some slack has been very helpful for me.” – Mindy Kaling

 

15: “Working mothers’ laughter comes hardest when our double life is revealed for what it is: a juggling act in which the balls can drop at any time, invariably on our own head.” – Allison Pearson

 

16: “Trying to do it all and expecting that it can be done exactly right is a recipe for disappointment. Perfection is the enemy.” – Sheryl Sandberg

 

17: “I see myself as mom first. I’m so lucky to have that role in life. The world can like me, hate me or fall apart around me and at least I wake up with my kids and I’m happy.” – Angelina Jolie

 

18: “You learned that if you’re tired enough, you can sleep sitting up. That the unendurable is perfectly endurable if you just take it a minute at a time, and when the alternative is no more minutes ever.” – Allison Pearson

 

19: “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” – St. Francis of Assisi

 

20: “The balancing act of motherhood and a career, and being a wife, is something that I don’t think I’ll ever perfect, but I love the challenge of it.” – Kerri Walsh Jennings

Quotes About Overcoming Mom Guilt

Ellen Degeneres

21: “You are not a bad mom because you go to work each day. Similarly, you are not a failure because you left your career altogether. Choices regarding work and family are personal – there is no one-size-fits-all method. Anyone who tells you otherwise is wrong.” – Candace Alnaji

 

22: “Get rid of the guilt. When you’re at one place, don’t feel bad that you’re not at work; when you’re at work, don’t feel bad that you’re not at home.” – Katie Couric

 

23: “It’s not wrong to be passionate about your career. When you love what you do, you bring that stimulation back to your family.” – Allison Pearson

 

24: “That is the motto women should constantly repeat over and over again. Good for her! Not for me.” – Amy Poehler

 

25: “Life is about balance. The good and the bad. The highs and the lows. The pina and the colada.” – Ellen DeGeneres

 

26: “The difference between successful people and others is how long they spend time feeling sorry for themselves.” – Barbara Corcoran

 

27: “If you think taking care of yourself is selfish, change your mind. If you don’t, you’re simply ducking your responsibilities.” – Ann Richards

 

28: “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” – Maya Angelou

 

29: “When I first became a mother I suffered from serious ‘half-ass’ shame. I felt like I was mediocre at everything. I felt so stretched and so distracted (and exhausted), I said ‘Yes’ way too often in an effort to prove that I could do it all. I’ve worked so hard over the past decade to move from “What will people think” to ‘I am enough.’” – Brene Brown

 

30: “The fastest way to break the cycle of perfectionism and become a fearless mother is to give up the idea of doing it perfectly – indeed to embrace uncertainty and imperfection.” – Arianna Huffington

Quotes About Parenting for Working Moms

mom and daughter

31: “It’s not difficult to take care of a child; it’s difficult to do anything else while taking care of a child.” – Julianne Moore

 

32: “Successful mothers are not the ones that never struggled. They are the ones that never give up, despite the struggles.” – Sharon Jaynes

 

33: “Any mother could perform the jobs of several air-traffic controllers with ease.” – Lisa Alther

 

34: “It’s all about finding the calm in the chaos.” – Donna Karan

 

35: “Your most valuable parenting skill is learning to manage yourself first.” – Dr. Laura Markham

 

36: “It’s not what you do for your children but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings.” – Ann Landers

 

37: “Motherhood has a very humanizing effect. Everything gets reduced to essentials.” – Meryl Streep

 

38: “It’s not easy being a mother. If it were easy, fathers would do it.” – Dorothy, “The Golden Girls”

 

39: “No mom can do it all on her own. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness! When you need help, ask for it! When you are asked for help, give it – and offer it, too. In asking for help we can get past these too-hard-on-ourselves moments and instead build community with family, friends, and neighbors. Help – given and received – can help you achieve that acceptance of non-perfection – and the outcome may be even better than your initial vision of ‘perfect.’” – Jen Klein

40: “The attitude you have as a parent is what your kids will learn from more than what you tell them. They don’t remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are.” – Jim Henson

Working Towards Your Dreams

Shonda Rhimes

41: “We should go after our dreams and not be apologetic about it, but it’s scary. Whether you want to work or not, you have to do what makes you a fuller person. You have to love yourself.” – Catherine Reitman

 

42: “If I’m pursuing my goals, my kids are seeing me at my best. I am filled up, I am happy, I am not feeling empty, depleted, and therefore resentful about the fact that I’m missing out. I don’t want them to feel like I’ve sacrificed, I don’t want them to feel that burden, I always remember that a happy working woman is a happy mother.” – Shonda Rhimes

 

43: “I want her to know something that I feel is important. I love work. I love her and I love work, and I want her to know work’s a good thing. It’s not something you’re dragged off to.” – Hoda Kotb

 

44: “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt

 

45: “The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” – Stephen Covey

 

46: “I’m a woman, of course I still have curves on me, and that’s ok. I had a baby and I’ve worked hard. And I don’t think women should have to feel that kind of pressure. I’ve done it really healthfully, and I took my time.” – Lily Aldridge

 

47: “Buckle up, and know that it’s going to be a tremendous amount of work, but embrace it.” – Tory Burch

 

48: “Women have to work much harder to make it in this world. It really pisses me off that women don’t get the same opportunities as men do, or money for that matter. Because lets face it, money gives men the power to run the show. It gives men the power to define our values and to define what’s sexy and what’s feminine and that’s bullshit. At the end of the day, it’s not about equal rights, it’s about how we think. We have to reshape our own perception of how we view ourselves.” – Beyoncé

 

49: “Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.” – Marie Curie

 

50: “Life happens. Our interests change. What matters to us can shift and evolve with circumstance, age, and growth. We need to honor that, be flexible, and be true to ourselves. Making changes in our careers and lives is just that – change. It doesn’t mean throwing anything away.” – Becca Carnahan

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RESOURCES

The 8 Best Travel System Strollers in 2020 for every type of Mom!

While travel stroller system strollers sound a bit complex, this is actually something that is going to make your life way easier when you find the best fit for your family. It really just means a stroller and car seat duo. A travel system stroller is a stroller that is compatible with and usually includes an infant car seat and the car seat base. This makes it easy to transfer the baby from the car to run errands with the stroller, and back again. In terms of safety, the travel system is set up so that your baby is sleeping in the proper position when you move the car seat to the stroller. 

We used a travel system stroller for each of our kids when they were infants. I have to say, it is totally worth it. It is so nice when you have a sleeping baby to easily transfer them to the stroller. All you have to do is get the car seat out of the car and pop it into the stroller where it will securely click in. We want to make finding the right fit for you as easy as possible, so we’ve broken down all the details. Let’s take a look!

Travel System Stroller

Travel system strollers have multiple components:

  • The stroller: where the car seat fits into the stroller and is removable so baby can ride as they grow
  • The car seat: typically this is an infant seat that fits into the stroller the same way it fits into the car seat base in the car
  • The base: this is a plastic insert that sits in the car to place the car seat into for proper safety and positioning
  • A bassinet: some, but not all, travel systems have a bassinet in the stroller for infants to ride before they’re big enough to sit in the stroller on their own

 

Why you want to find the best travel stroller system:

Travel system strollers are ideal because they give you easy mobility with a small infant. Your baby cannot sit in a regular stroller until they can sit up on their own. For most babies, this is around 5-7 months old. Until then they either need to be laid back completely flat, placed in a bassinet, or be in a car seat that is part of a travel stroller system. Of course, there is always the option to carry them or wear them but this ties up your hands and becomes super difficult as they put on those baby rolls.

The travel stroller system is one of the best options out there because you get everything you need for your newborn all in one. Then, as a bonus, you get to continue using the stroller even after they have long outgrown their rear-facing car seat.  

What to consider before purchasing

The Car Seat

When looking to purchase a travel system stroller there are a few things to consider first about the car seat. Most importantly, the car seat will be for rear-facing infants only. It will typically have a carrying handle, a visor, and obviously fit inside the stroller. You will probably need to purchase one of these anyways, and later purchase a convertible seat.  If you need some guidance on choosing the right car seat, we can help you out with that too!

As a new parent, you will inevitably be lugging around a baby car seat because new babies sleep all the time. Being able to place it into a stroller is the perfect solution. Your sore arms will thank us! This solution is what makes choosing a travel system stroller so difficult because you must consider both what you want in a car seat and what you want in a stroller. They are equally important and you definitely want these 2 items to be suited for your lifestyle. 

The Stroller

While the car seat is very age specific, the stroller typically can be used beyond the car seat age. This is something to consider because you may want to use the stroller after your baby has grown beyond the infant car seat. If you’re looking to buy just one stroller but don’t mind upgrading your car seat as needed a travel system stroller may be a good option. The components or specifics of the stroller should also be considered before finalizing your purchase.

Other stroller components to consider are:

  • Storage: Most have a basket for bottom storage but may also include an option to hang the diaper bag. For days when you will be out for a while, this storage becomes very important. 
  • Cupholders: Most come with cupholders, either in the handle or attached. You will want these for bottles, sippy cups, and the occasional coffee of yours that makes it out the door before cold. 
  • Flexibility or adjustable seating: Some seats can fold down, or carry two children at once. If you have other children or plan to, it is smart to look into attachment options for the system you choose, like standing boards.
  • Ease of travel: Consider how the stroller breaks down to travel with, the overall weight, and how easy it is to use. No matter how cool it is or what unique features are included, if you can’t easily use it there’s no reason to have it. Parenthood is hard enough! 

 

Best Travel System Strollers

The best travel system strollers have two main components, the car seat, and the stroller. Most systems discuss the stroller specifics as that’s the piece you will use longest, but you should also look into the car seat specifications before deciding on a system.

Chicco Bravo Trio Travel System – Best Bang for the Buck

The Chicco Bravo Trio includes the Key Fit 30 infant car seat, the base, and the Bravo stroller. This car seat is extremely popular and beloved by many parents who have used one. The stroller features a completely removable seat, making it very easy to pop the car seat right into the frame. When you put the seat back in it is converted to a traditional stroller.

As for ease, you can fold the stroller with one hand, there are auto positioning wheels, and it self-stands when in its compact position. From mom to mom, this self-standing thing is a pretty big deal. It means you can get your little one out, put them safely in the car, and then come back to put your stroller away at the very end without worrying about it sitting on the dirty ground. There’s also a parent tray on top with cupholders and storage space perfect for your phone. The travel stroller system really has it all! Take a look at the current price!

Weight & Age Restrictions: 50 lb rider weight limit

best travel stroller system

Evenflo Pivot Modular Travel System – Best for the on the Go Mom

The Evenflo Pivot Modular Travel System includes the Safemax infant car seat, the SafeMax base, and the Sibby stroller. First off, the car seat fits right in the stroller seat making it very easy to convert back and forth. The stroller is also very easy to fold and store, which is great. It has an oversized bottom basket for storage that is accessible from both the front and the rear.

If you have an older child already, this stroller system includes a ride-along board. It fits on the back allowing older kiddos to ride along. All around, this stroller is sleek and built for convenience. And I forgot to mention, every component is super lightweight! At this low price point, this is one of the best budget-buys you can make as a parent. Click here to learn more!

Weight & Age Restrictions: 4-35 lbs 

best travel stroller system

Safety 1st Smooth Ride Travel System – Best for the Mom on a Tight Budget

The Safety 1st Smooth Ride Travel Stroller System includes the onBoard 35 LT infant car seat with the base and compatible stroller. The QuickClick LATCH system secures the car seat to the stroller quickly and securely. You will find that the visor on the car seat along with the visor on the stroller provide great sun protection. Some other features I love are the super agile wheels, the 5 point harness on the stroller component, and the perfectly sized storage basket.

The entire system was designed with the priority of having lightweight components easy for travel. This being said, they made sure to create a stroller that is also easy to collapse with one hand. This is a great simple & complete travel system. Check it out here!

Weight & Age Restrictions: 50 lb rider weight limit, 35 lb car seat limit

Graco FastAction Fold Travel System – Best for the Mom who needs it to work and work easy

The Graco FastAction Fold system comes with a SnugRide Click Connect 30 car seat and a lightweight stroller. This is another extremely popular and highly rated car seat. As for the stroller, it stands out among competitors with its FastAction fold system that collapses the unit in a few seconds. Talk about taking ease to a new level! The stroller is light, collapses with one hand and stands on its own for storage.

This stroller was designed with older children in mind as well. The seat is adjustable and reclines for a comfortable ride. The extra large storage basket and parent tray with cup holders make this a great all-around travel stroller system. Check current pricing here!

Weight & Age Restrictions: 50 lb rider weight limit

Evenflo Pivot Xpand Modular Travel System – Best for the Traveling Mom

Don’t worry, the best travel system strollers are not just for moms of one! The Evenflo Pivot has a unique system that allows you to transport two children at once. The SafeMax car seat, base, toddler seat, and stroller frame are all included in the system. This stroller has a whopping 22 different configurations. This gives you the freedom to customize the stroller to your needs, with parent-facing options and a deep recline. It can be used as a single or double stroller and everything in between.

The extra large storage basket expands to give you two feet of storage. This is incredibly nice when you’ve got 2+ kids tagging along and need to bring all their gear. Amazingly, the stroller still folds into a compact size and the lightweight frame makes it easy to maneuver and travel with. Learn more and see pricing here.

Weight & Age Restrictions: Rear-facing 4-35 lbs, 55 lb rider weight limit

best travel stroller system

UPPAbaby Vista Travel System – Best for the Luxe Mama

If you are looking to splurge on the very best travel stroller system, you have to check out the UPPAbaby Vista.  The Vista stroller, which includes a bassinet, and a Mesa Infant Car Seat come together in this set. First of all, the stroller is just gorgeous and clearly made of high-end materials. I love this travel system as you will be getting a great stroller for the long run, and an easy to clip in & highly rated car seat.

The stroller can recline completely flat, which comes in handy with a small baby if you are going for a walk and don’t feel that the car seat is necessary. Not to mention the bassinet attachment that is perfect for newborns! The stroller also folds up with one easy step. Even better, the toddler seat can face forward and towards you. Make sure to check out all the beautiful colors this stroller comes in to find one that is uniquely you. Here is the current pricing!

Weight & Age Restrictions: up to 20 lbs or until infant can push up on hands and knees in the bassinet, up to 50 lbs in the stroller

Britax B-Free – Best for Safety

This system comes with the B-Safe Ultra Infant Car Seat and base, B-Free Stroller,  and adapters. The car seat has a steel frame and a shock absorbing base to provide your baby with maximum safety. The stroller has a three-wheel jogger design, which can be hard to find as a travel system. The handlebar is super easy to adjust along with the ability to fold the stroller with just one hand. Another big bonus is the amount of storage with the huge basket and 7 storage pockets! You will definitely be able to bring everything you need along with you. Check it out here!

Weight & Age Restrictions: up to 35 lbs in the car seat, up to 65 lbs in the stroller

Nuna Tavo 2019 – Best Overall

This luxury set comes with the multimode TAVO stroller, a PIPA Lite LX infant car seat, and a base. Nuna is all about clean lines and the ingenuity of Dutch design, which clearly carries over into this timeless stroller set. This set is very lightweight and folds up nearly flat for storage. This is a durable stroller that you will love using for many years. 

Getting the car seat in and out of the stroller is a breeze, so you won’t risk waking up your sweet babe. The canopy provides 50+ UPF sun protection, the seat is very easy to recline for those toddler years, and there is a good amount of storage underneath. Click here for current pricing!

Weight & Age Restrictions: 4–32 lbs and up to 32″ in the car seat, up to 65 lbs in the stroller

If you are still on the search for a stroller or car seat, you may also want to check out:

Best Convertible Car Seat- Top 10 for 2020

The Best Jogging Stroller on the Market Right Now!

Best Double Umbrella Stroller- A Look at the Top 8 for 2020

A travel system stroller is a stroller that is compatible with and usually includes an infant car seat and the car seat base. This makes it easy to transfer the baby from the car to run errands with the stroller, and back again. In terms of safety, the travel system is set up so that your baby is sleeping in the proper position when you move the car seat to the stroller. #stroller #infant #carseat #travel #travelsystem

Top 10 Best Baby Play Gyms of 2020 [Sensory & Fun!]

As babies grow from the infant stage to around 3 months old, parents should consider incorporating a baby play gym in their child’s daily routine. Using a baby play gym will help the baby grow and strive to reach important developmental milestones.

Each of the baby play gyms on our top 10 list keeps your child as the main priority. They are both easy to use when you’re at home and while traveling. Between the colors, interactive toys, and the grow-with-baby capabilities, these are the best baby play gyms to consider for your baby.

play mat

What is a baby play gym?

A baby play gym is a blanket-like surface that has an arch with toys hanging above. They are great to have because they make tummy time or floor time easy. They allow your baby to play on their back as well as on their front. The hanging toys give the baby something to look at, reach for, and interact with as they grow.

They vary in style. Some play gyms are colorful and have a range of themes while others are neutral. Most of the best baby play gyms are easy to move around the home. They have a compact design that makes them very portable.

How is a baby play gym useful?

A baby play gym is useful because it provides a dedicated space for your baby to play on the floor. Depending on the play gym you choose, the design gives babies plenty of safe space to lay on their front or back. This will also allow your baby to work on strengthening muscles, hand-eye coordination, and exploring their new skills.

You might be wondering how a baby play gym is better than just a blanket on the floor with toys. It actually is! They are specifically designed to help new babies work on developmental milestones like reaching, kicking, their eyesight, and motor skills. It also helps with learning to roll over and sit up. Baby play gyms have a very intentional design. They entice the baby to practice reaching, moving, and lifting their head as well as rolling. A blanket or other home item with toys is good for interaction but a baby play gym is very much a home gym for an infant. 

Top 10 Best Baby Play Gyms

Best Baby Play Gyms

This play gym by Lovevery has all neutral-tones and is super cute. It will fit in flawlessly wherever you set it up in your home. Best of all, it has five different development zones. The mat itself has flaps that reveal different activity centers and there’s even a portion that stands to provide black and white shapes for eye development. The arch has three hanging toys for interactive grabbing while laying or sitting. With a two minute setup and ability to turn the arch into a play tent, this is a great grow-with-me option as well.

play mat

This play gym by Baby Einstein is a great grow-with-me option. You can use the mat on its own for tummy time. Another cool feature is that the arches include one netted side for playing with balls and improving hand-eye coordination. There are three hanging toys as well as a set of ball pit balls. The sides of the mat also fold up to transform the space into the baby’s own personal ball pit. The whole unit easily folds up in a suitcase-style bag. Plus, the bottom mat is machine washable! 

Best Baby Play Gyms

Skip Hop offers a classic baby play gym with three soft colored themes, celestial with suns and clouds, treetop friends with leaves and birds, and grey trees with bright birds. Each theme offers the same two arches with removable plush themed toys and a padded mat. When you use the mat independently of the arches, this mat is perfect for tummy time and building muscle. The gym is easy to assemble but doesn’t have any travel or storage bag. This is a great standard option for having fun at home and working on developmental milestones.

play mat

This baby play gym is a Sesame Street-themed with fun colorful characters decorating the mat as well as hanging toys.  The mat and toys are perfect for tummy time, as you can remove the arches and play with each toy independently. Then, it can be put together for back, sitting up, and crawling fun. The mat folds in half using the arches as handles for easy transport whenever you’re moving the mat around.

Best Baby Play Gyms

Another neutral-colored option is this baby play gym with a black and white base and blue accents. The contrast of black and white provides visual stimulation while the blue adds a pop of neutral color. The arches are adjustable and include four hanging toys that also fit the black and white theme. This is a great option for your baby all the way from tummy time to crawling. Overall this is a great in-between from the standard play gym and the more modern neutral, as the colors suit most homes and still deliver all the fun.

Best Baby Play Gyms

A more modern take on the baby play gym is this wooden style, as the unit is a folding frame with a middle bar that wooden toys hang from. The color palette is completely neutral, making it perfect for any household. The design allows it to fold away quickly for easy storage. Babies can play on any blanket or mat under the arch, but there is also a seat to give younger babies some support. This baby play gym was designed to fit over loungers, rockers, and seats, which is perfect for growing with your child and stores easily between playtimes.

Best Baby Play Gyms

This is a great bright on-the-go baby play gym with a fun tropical theme. The colors are bright but relaxing with the floor mat shaped like a large leaf. The two arches support several plush toys like money, leaf, and bird, along with a mirror. These toys are removable and can be attached to the pillow included. The unit was designed with a “twist, fold, and go” layout which makes it easy to set up and break down as well as travel with.

Best Baby Play Gyms

Baby play gyms don’t have to be complex and colorful to be entertaining or educational, this one by B. Toys is a neutral clean wooden frame with pops of color and a comfortable play mat. The toys match the light blue of the frame with three hanging toys that can be removed and played with on the go. The playmat can also be used separately. With this baby play gym, most of the pieces have a dual purpose, making this a great option for minimalist families that want utilitarian toys that can last for years.

play mat

Many baby play gyms are great for the first year or two of your baby’s life, but this one takes it a step further and converts to an enclosed ball pit giving you a few more years of fun. The playmat is shaped like a turtle with two arches supporting colorful fish toys. These hanging toys match the under the sea theme and are also perfect for on the go play. When the baby is old enough to sit and play independently the whole unit supports added netting for ball pit fun. Arches can be removed for floor time or for ball pit play, giving you three completely different units all in one gym.

play mat

This last baby play gym is a little unique. It is an oval-shaped mat that converts from a seat to a floor mat. This is great for infants that are just starting to play as they can sit and enjoy the arch before they’re old enough to sit independently. The mat is the perfect size for tummy time as well as floor time and the toys are large enough to make play easy and fun. Another feature of this play gym is that it collapses in half to make transport and storage simple.

We hope this list helped you find the perfect fit that suits your baby’s needs while also matching your nursery or home decor. Many are designed to be easy to set up and take down as well as travel with, so your baby can always play with floor time, tummy time, or seated play wherever you are.

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