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Sensory Play Ideas for Babies and Toddlers to Try

Sensory play is any activity that engages a child's senses through touch, sight, sound, smell, or movement. For babies, that looks like textured grasping toys, crinkle fabrics, and supervised water play. For toddlers, it grows into puzzles, painting, open-ended fabric play, and pretend play. Most of these use things you already have at home, and the toys worth buying are the simple ones made from safe, natural materials.

A Parent's Guide to Dressing Kids for Special Occasions

Good kids holiday clothes look dressy enough for photos and feel soft enough to wear all day. Reach for organic cotton, bamboo, and velvet in sizes newborn through 10, then restyle the same pieces with tights, cardigans, and a few festive accessories. Shop by early October, since the special occasion sizes sell out first.

What Jellycat Am I? Find the Match for You or Your Child

The best way to find the perfect plush companion for you or your child is to match it to something that is already loved. A toy matched to a child's real interest gets carried everywhere, packed for trips, and eventually handed down, while plush toys picked at random tend to sit untouched on a shelf. The Natural Baby Company carries a wide Jellycat selection so every child can find their perfect match. 

What Is a Layette? A Guide to Baby's First Wardrobe

 A layette is a baby's first wardrobe, meaning the full set of clothing and basic care items a newborn needs during the first few months. It usually includes gowns, footies, sleepers, swaddle blankets, and sleep bags. Most parents put one together before the due date.

How to Choose a Pacifier for a Newborn

A good newborn pacifier is made from safe, natural material, has a nipple shape that feels close to nursing, and includes a well-designed shield with ventilation holes. Natural rubber latex is the go-to natural choice for babies 0-6 months. Look for a one-piece design, check the fit against your baby's mouth, and run a quick pull test before each use to keep things safe.

Cloth Diapers for Beginners: How to Get Started

Cloth diapers are a reusable alternative to disposables, and getting started comes down to three things: picking a system that fits your routine, building a small collection, and setting up a simple wash schedule. Beginner-friendly brands like Kanga Care make the switch easier with adjustable, one-size designs. Plan for around two dozen diapers, a few cloth inserts, a wet bag, and a diaper pail, and you have almost everything you need.

Hands-On Craft Ideas for Kids: Simple Projects for Every Age

The best craft ideas for kids use supplies you already have and leave room for a child to make choices. Paper plates, pipe cleaners, pom poms, popsicle sticks, and construction paper cover most projects, and a basic supply list runs under twenty dollars. Younger kids do well with big shapes and sticky steps, while older kids can handle cutting, weaving, and multi-part builds. The point is the doing, not the finished product.

How to Transition Out of a Swaddle: Timing, Signs, and What Comes Next

Most babies move out of the swaddle somewhere around 3-4 months, though timing varies a lot. Two different situations decide your approach. If your baby has not shown signs of trying to roll, you introduce a slower transition period by freeing one arm and then both. Once those attempts start, stop all arm-restricting swaddling right away and move to a properly fitted, non-weighted sleep sack that leaves both arms free. The American Academy of Pediatrics draws that line at rolling attempts, not at a completed roll.

Silicone vs. Glass Baby Bottles: How to Pick the Right One for Your Baby

Glass gives you the cleanest feeding surface and holds up to years of heat and washing. Silicone is lighter and far less likely to crack when it hits the floor. Neither one sheds the plastic particles that come off a plastic bottle under repeated heating. Most families choose based on who does the feeding and how far the bottle travels.

Back-to-School Outfits & Essentials for Kids

A back-to-school wardrobe that works starts with a few mix-and-match basics in soft, natural fabrics. Add a well-made lunchbox and backpack, and your child is set for the first day and every school day after. Buying high-quality pieces that hold up through the school year saves you from mid-season replacements.

When to Start Bathing Babies Daily and What to Use

Most newborns do not need a daily bath. Two or three baths a week keeps a baby clean without drying out their delicate skin. Stick with sponge baths until the umbilical cord stump heals, then move to a small tub. Many families begin a daily bath later, often around six months, once a baby is more active, and a bath becomes part of the bedtime routine. Warm water, a soft washcloth, and plain water or a gentle baby wash are all you really need.

How to Dress Baby for Sleep and Keep Them Comfortable All Night

Dress your baby in one more layer than you would wear to feel comfortable in the same room. Keep the nursery at a comfortable temperature, skip loose blankets, and use a properly sized sleep sack. Pick soft, breathable sleepwear in fabrics like cotton or bamboo-derived viscose, then adjust layers as the weather shifts. To check if your little one is warm enough, feel the chest or the back of the neck rather than the hands.

Prepping for a Beach Day with Your Baby

A good beach day with a baby comes down to shade, sun protection, and a few smart extras. Pack a beach tent or umbrella, a mineral-based sunscreen for babies six months and older, a swim diaper, a sun hat, and a rash guard. Add plenty of dry clothes, beach towels, water, and simple beach toys. Plan around nap time and aim for the morning or late afternoon to skip the strongest direct sunlight. With the right baby beach gear in your bag, the whole family can relax and enjoy the water.

Best Gifts for a First Birthday

The best first birthday gifts for a one-year-old include open-ended play wooden toys, soft plush companions, battery-free musical instruments, board books, and ride-on toys. When these options are made from safe, non-toxic materials that support development, your gift grows with your child through the toddler years.

Learning Activities For Toddlers

The best toddler learning activities combine hands-on exploration with open-ended play. Top picks include sensory bins, pretend play, water play, art and creativity projects, puzzles, and outdoor movement games that build fine motor skills, cognitive development, and social skills through everyday fun.

Cleaning Baby Toys 101: Why Material Matters More Than Method
The Short Answer: The safest way to clean baby toys depends on what they are made of. Wooden toys do best with a damp cloth and mild dish soap, plush toys can usually go through a gentle cycle in the...
The 10 Best Toddler Toys for Learning, Play, and Growing

The best toddler toys support learning through play without sacrificing safety or quality. Top picks include Grimm's rainbow stackers, wooden shape sorters, play kitchens, balance bikes, and plush toys. Look for open-ended, non-toxic options made from natural materials that build fine motor skills, imaginative play, and cognitive development as your child grows.

Games to Play at Baby Showers: Ideas for Every Guest List

The best baby shower games keep guests engaged, spark laughter, and make the event memorable for everyone in the room. Top picks include baby shower bingo, nursery rhyme trivia, the dirty diaper game, and celebrity baby name match. A mix of classic and unique games works best, and with a few simple supplies prepared ahead of time, any size shower can run smoothly from the first game to the last.

Diaper Bag Essentials For Your Day Out

 A well-packed diaper bag should include diapers, baby wipes, a portable changing pad, diaper cream, a wet bag for dirty diapers, at least one extra outfit, a burp cloth, feeding supplies, hand sanitizer, and a small toy or pacifier to keep your baby comfortable on the go.

5 Toys That Promote Baby Development

Playtime is how your child learns about the world. From the earliest months through the toddler years, the objects they interact with shape cognitive growth, physical development, and social skills. A well-chosen toy does more than entertain. It meets your child where they are developmentally and grows with them. Rather than overwhelming electronic options, thoughtfully selected toys invite children to create, explore, and problem-solve on their own terms. At The Natural Baby Company, every toy we carry is ethically sourced, safe for little hands, and built to last well beyond one childhood.

What to Register For When Having a Baby

Building a baby registry is one of the most exciting parts of preparing for a new arrival — and one of the most overwhelming. The options are endless, the opinions are loud, and the pressure to get it "right" can feel like a part-time job. But it doesn't have to be complicated. A well-built registry isn't about quantity; it's about choosing safe, natural, and ethically sourced products that genuinely serve your family through the early days and beyond.