Mess-Free Play for Traveling with Kids

One of the biggest things we put a lot of thought into when traveling with our kids is what to pack to keep the kids entertained. No matter their age, toys are a must for kids. Whenever we take a road trip, it’s easier because we can bring more…but during our recent flight in April, I had to rethink what to bring based on getting through security and having minimal space.

It was trickier, but we did it. You may have to get more creative with what you bring, but there are still plenty of mess-free toy options to keep the kids happy! Here’s my top list of our favorite mess-free toys for traveling!

Moldable Clay

My son loves playing with magnetic sand, Play-Doh, and molding clay. While the sand is his favorite, I knew we could travel with it because of the mess. So we opted to bring our moldable clay. He can still build and shape it, but it doesn’t crumble and leave a giant mess everywhere.

Magnetic Toys

Magnetic puzzles, books, or character story boards are another great option for kids who want to play with multiple pieces, but you don’t want to constantly be losing them. I’ve also heard of someone who took a cookie sheet pan to have her kids play with magnets on so they didn’t fall.

Window Cling-On Decals

There are so many great reusable sticker/window cling-on options these days. I’ve even gotten some at the dollar store. You could get some books or just the window cling-on decals/stickers, and the kids can play with them on car windows and/or airplane windows.

Fidget Toys

The current obsession with little fidget toys like the spinners, poppers, etc. is another great option to keep your kids entertained and in one spot, mess-free.

Writing Tablets

Probably our favorite mess-free toy options are the erasable writing tablets. Both of my kids love drawing and coloring and could do it all day. These tablets are great because they can draw and erase and draw again over and over. You can also play games on them like tic-tac-toe, hangman, etc. So many options for ways to use them. No more crayon or marker mess. My kids used these on every flight and layover we had during our trip in April. We don’t go on a trip without them!

I hope these tips help to keep your little ones entertained during long travels and keep you sane with no messes! Do you have any other mess-free play ideas for traveling that I didn’t mention? Let me know in the comments below!

8 Benefits of Baby Wearing

I have always loved baby wearing. With my daughter, I just liked having her close, but as I had more kids, it became more essential so that I could get stuff done and still spend quality time with each of my kids. My youngest has been my biggest baby-wearing fan–he is obsessed!

Baby wearing is popular for many reasons. And there are different reasons why you may choose to do it. It is good for a baby’s physical and mental development and health in many ways…some that I only recently learned. So I wanted to share what I have learned with you. These are my top reasons why baby wearing can benefit not only your baby but also you!

Being Hands-Free

The biggest reason for me when it comes to baby wearing is having your hands free! If you have a baby who is clingy, or older children that need your help, having your hands free to do other tasks is a huge plus! My littlest guy takes a regular morning nap in the carrier while I clean and get stuff done around the house.

Bonding

Baby wearing builds that bond with your baby. You can easily talk or sing to your baby. You get extra snuggles, and they get the extra time with you even when you are busy.

Security for Baby

Your baby will feel more secure and safe when snug against you in a baby carrier. Think about it: they are snug against you for 9 months and are used to hearing your voice and heartbeat. Being able to do that again after they are born into the world brings an added security for them.

Peace of Mind for Mom

Along with security for the baby, baby wearing also gives mom peace of mind. When I have a newborn, I am more anxious and constantly checking if they are breathing. Baby wearing gives me a sense of relief because I can easily check if the baby is breathing when they are on my chest.

Out of Reach for Others

Baby wearing is great if you want to keep strangers or people from trying to touch/hold the baby when out and about. With my youngest, I wear him in a carrier often, especially when I don’t want people touching or spreading germs to him. You can easily cover baby and/or move away if people get too close to baby.

Reflux & Gas Relief

Baby wearing is also known to help babies with reflux, gas, and colic relief. Being in the upright position helps baby get burps out easier, which helps prevent gas buildup in the belly.

Regulate Functions

Holding baby close helps them regulate their breathing, temperature, and heart rate. Studies have also shown babies who are routinely carried cry less and are generally happier.

Can Help with Breastfeeding

If you are a breastfeeding mom, baby wearing can help with that in a couple of ways. The hormones released when moms hold their babies close trigger milk release (let-down). Having that close physical contact with your baby can help with milk production and help you learn your baby’s hunger cues up close. Women who baby wear are twice as likely to successfully breastfeed.

The ease of use when it comes to baby wearing should be enough to convince you to give it a try. Baby wearing when I travel is a lifesaver for me–especially when flying! What is your biggest reason to baby wear? Let me know in the comments below!

How to Prepare Your Body for Labor

Labor and delivery is a very exciting time, but it can also be a very stressful and overwhelming time. It is true what they say: “you don’t know what you don’t know”, meaning you can’t fully prepare or know what to expect until you’ve been through it. And while you can never 100% prepare or know what will happen (because anything can happen), there are ways to help prepare your body for it ahead of time.

With my first pregnancy, I tried to read and research different ways to help prepare my body for labor early on. I wanted to do my best to be ready for the task of birthing a child. While every person and pregnancy is different, these are the things I still do every pregnancy that I think contribute to a smoother delivery for me.

Exercise

The biggest one for me is exercise. Just moving your body can be a huge help! It doesn’t have to be anything too crazy either. Squats and lunges are great for helping your body prepare for birth. Swimming is great for exercise and alleviating the weight of your body. Even just walking is good for you. My personal go-to is yoga. It is more relaxed but still gets the job done. It’s easy to modify when needed to accommodate your growing belly, and you can do pregnancy/labor specific routines too. In all three of my pregnancies, I walked/chased kids around and did yoga regularly.

Hydration

It might not seem important, but anyone who has ever been pregnant knows hydration is very important during pregnancy. Staying hydrated helps both mom and baby and can help prevent preterm labor. I carry around a water bottle all day. If you need help drinking more water, try out a bottle that has time stamps on it to make sure you are drinking it throughout the day based on the times. Another of my favorites is to simply add cucumbers or fruit to the water for when you want something with taste.

Red Raspberry Leaf Tea

In my research for labor prep, I came across red raspberry leaf tea. I love tea, so it was an easy thing for me to try with my first. Studies have shown drinking red raspberry leaf tea during pregnancy can help make labor faster and reduce complications and interventions during birth. I personally have drunk it for all 3 of my pregnancies. I start taking it in the third trimester (1 cup a day until 32 weeks, and then I increase it to 2 cups a day). If you are unsure or have any questions, ask your doctor about it.

Yoga Ball

Another thing I take up in my 3rd trimester is my yoga ball exercises. I try to sit and do hip circles, slight bouncing, rocking back and forth, etc., a little bit every day. It will not make you go into labor, but it will help your body prepare for labor, and it is also good to help the baby get into the optimal head-down birthing position.

Bonus Tips:

Two other tips I have heard can help (but I have personally never tried) are perineal massages to help prevent tearing and also eating dates at the end of pregnancy.

With my first two babies, I had 2nd-degree and then 1st-degree tearing. With my 3rd, I didn’t tear at all, and he was my biggest baby. These are the methods I used to help prepare my body each time. Just keep in mind every person and pregnancy is different. There is no guarantee of an easy and tear-free childbirth. But my philosophy is that it doesn’t hurt, and anything is better than nothing when it comes to labor prep! If you have any other suggestions that I didn’t mention above, comment below!