You’d think that with a vast selection of toys at our disposal, it would be easier to find some toys your baby would actually play with! 

There’s no doubt, buying toys for babies is hard. There are so many factors at play: age, mental development,  personality types, safety concerns, and, of course, cost. 

So, don’t feel bad if you’re feeling a little out of your game. When my daughter was a baby I wasted so much money on toys she didn’t even look twice at. My goal is to help you avoid that situation altogether. 

In this post, we’re going to talk about the best toys for babies under 1 and list out a few infant toys to avoid (because trust me, that’s just as important!). These toys are pretty awesome because not only are they entertaining, but they are also great tools to improve your baby’s development. 

A little skeptical?

Don’t worry. I’ll walk you through exactly how they help your baby too. That way, once you reach the end of this post, you’ll feel pretty confident that you’re buying the best baby toys for your little one.

One last thing: Since we’re so close to Black Friday, I thought you might like a little help organizing your upcoming purchases. If you’re planning on buying the bulk of your infant toys on Black Friday, definitely download your copy of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday Shopping Planner. It can definitely save your sanity as well as your money!

RELATED POSTS:

• Having a Baby on a Budget…Without Going Broke
• The Best Baby Items to Buy on Black Friday
• How to Save More Money at Amazon’s Black Friday

What Are the Best Toys for Infant Development?

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase from one of the links I will make a small commission at no charge to you. I only recommend what I trust. Blunders in Babyland does not diagnose, treat, or give out any professional advice for any medical conditions

As adults, our motor and sensory functions are fully developed. I think we take for granted just how fresh and new everything is to babies.

Take a hairbrush, for example. We pick up a hairbrush, run it through our hair, look over the finished product, and go on our way.

A baby, on the other hand, might grasp that hair brush, become amazed that her fingers can actually hold it, revel at its texture and the bristles coming out of it, wonder how it would feel in her mouth or think about what to do with it. If she manages to swipe the hairbrush across her head, she’ll be absolutely wowed by that new sensation, and then become ridiculously excited about the sound it makes when it hits the floor after she figures out how to let go of it.

Everything is new to babies. Everything is wonderful.

So, when you’re searching for infant toys, remember to slow down and try to get into your baby’s brain a little. What things naturally hold his interest? What overstimulates him (for the toys to avoid).

This is just a rough guideline, but here are a few things you want to consider when buying the best baby toys:

• Sensory: You want to stimulate your baby’s senses, especially sight and touch.
• Safety: This is probably basic knowledge, but it’s worth mentioning. As your baby grows, you’ll find that he will put everything in his mouth. Make sure toys aren’t choke hazards and that the material is kid-friendly (containing no harsh chemicals).
• Cost Effective: Don’t feel bad for buying an inexpensive toy or going resale.
• Developmentally Appropriate: Buying a rattle for your 9 month old just isn’t going to cut it. Likewise, buying a baby laptop for a 3 month old is going to be overwhelming. Don’t worry, I’ll help you figure out what’s right for your baby.

Baby Toys to Avoid

Before we dive into the best baby toys of 2019, we should really take a moment to discuss what shouldn’t be on your shopping list.

In 2017, Amazon’s sold over $650 million dollars worth of infant toys. Parents are spending a lot of money on toys for their babies and, honestly, it doesn’t always pay off. Many toys are marketed to parents as tools that are necessary to boost their baby’s mental or physical development. So, loving parents jump in and are disappointed by the results.

I really want to help you avoid this situation so you can use your hard-earned money on worthwhile investments.

Now, the toys below are not the worst things ever. Having said that, most won’t do your baby any favors developmentally, are expensive, and are typically WILDLY popular (so everyone is probably telling you to buy them). 

My goal is to help you decide what toys are appropriate for your kid. So, take the next bit of information with a grain of salt and keep it in mind while you’re toy shopping.  

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Erin | Mom + Baby Blogger (@raising.babies.confidently) on Oct 18, 2019 at 4:56am PDT

Toys with Bright, Flashing Lights

You’ve probably already heard that electronic toys are not good for babies. However, I don’t think the problem is that the toy is electric,  so much as it contains components that may be detrimental for your baby. 

Let’s start with bright lights. 

Remember that your baby is taking in a lot of new information at once. Toys with bright lights force your baby to adjust to not only colors, shapes, and light at the same time, but also changing elements as well. 

Bright, flashing lights on electronic toys can very quickly lead to overstimulation.

If you’re totally new to the concept of overstimulation, it’s a sensory overload that causes your baby to disconnect, become very fussy, and can even temporarily ruin his sleep.

Aside from this, bright lights really don’t have any developmental benefits.

Loud Toys

Babies are extremely susceptible to hearing damage.

That’s not a worry-wart, new mom fear either. A baby’s ear canal is under-developed and much narrower than an adult’s. So, any loud noise that might be damaging to an adult, is doubly so for an infant.

We are actually suffering from a child hearing loss epidemic right now. Research indicates that children are suffering from permanent hearing loss due to household items, including toys. What’s more concerning, The Sight and Hearing Association found out that the most damaging toys were actually infant toys!

All that to say, when you’re shopping for toys, try putting it next to your ear. Babies love putting their heads next to toys (which increases the decibels entering their ear canal and their risk). If the toy is overwhelmingly loud for your ears, it’s not a good fit for your baby.

Also keep in mind that loud toys can cause overstimulation.

Hand-held Devices

At this age, babies need tactile stimulation and parental interaction. Several studies have found that any screen time (ANY) is not only unbeneficial to a baby’s language and mental development, but can actually be detrimental until about 18 months. At this point, up to an hour of screen time is considered okay.

For some of us, this isn’t easy to hear. I mean, I get it. You have multiple kids, you’re running around the house just trying to get dinner ready, and the television keeps your kids somewhat occupied.

Life happens. This advice isn’t meant to mom-shame. Just keep in mind that, for now, hand-held devices or any screen time is not a good use of your money and won’t do your baby any favors.

Toys Containing BPA 

BPA is becoming a serious concern, especially with infant toys when the damage could be long-term and very dangerous. 

Let’s back up.

BPA stands for bisphenol A. It’s a chemical that is used to create resins and plastics. It’s found in basically everything now. Water-bottles, cups, food containers…everything. Even infant toys.

Scientists have linked BPA with hormonal and neurological problems, child obesity, and even cancer.

Many, many infant toys are now BPA-FREE (manufacturers almost always post this on the packaging). The biggest culprits you’ll want to look for are household goods you let your baby play with (such as water bottles) and cheap toys. 

Once again, this guideline isn’t meant to scare you or make you think that toys containing BPA are awful. Simply keep this in mind and try to keep objects with BPA out of your baby’s mouth. 

Saucer or Mobile Bouncers

Baby bouncer/saucers/walkers are wildly popular. In fact, that’s my baby in the picture above. I used the bouncer to keep my daughter entertained while I showered, cooked, or cleaned. 

Having said that, research has also found that extended use of these toys can actually lead to hip dysplasia and can hinder your baby’s ability to learn how to walk. If you decide to use a baby saucer, just try to limit your baby’s use. 

The Best Baby Toys: Before You Buy, Consider DIY

When you’re looking at the best toys for babies, you’ll find the best results with the simple objects that stimulate their curiosity. 

That’s why some of the best, most stimulating toys you can try are actually household items. When your baby sees you “playing” with these items, that naturally piques his curiosity. Also, unlike toys that have a specific function, your baby can explore household items and exercise her creativity.

Obviously, when you use household items as toys, make sure they are age-appropriate and safe. Here are just a few items you can try:

• Tissue paper
• Pots and Pans
• Laundry Basket
• Pillows
• Baby wipes container (put a washcloths inside and you’re good to go!)
• Measuring Cups/Drinking Cups
• Kitchen Utensils

Alternatively, if you’re extra crafty, you can try making your own toys, like in the video below.

Best Baby Toys for 0-6 Months

Okay, so let’s talk age-appropriate toys you can buy. 

One of my favorite baby development books of all time is the Wonder Weeks. The  Wonder Weeks, explains your baby’s current developments and activities you can try to help him along (if you don’t have this book and their app, you NEED to. It explains so much!). 

The Wonder Weeks says that, during your baby’s first 3-4 months, he probably won’t be too interested in toys. After all, the world is completely new. He’s probably more interested in just getting adjusted to to that. 

After the 4 month mark, your baby will probably show some more interest. Look for toys that gently stimulate his developing senses, especially sight, taste, and basic motor skills. Focus on patterns, gentle noises, and interesting textures. 

Your baby is still pretty young, so you’ll want to take it slow. A simple toy goes a long way.

Soft Books

Babies love soft books. They love the texture, bright patterns, and while they still can’t flip pages yet, they love grabbing on to the pages and gnawing on them. It also familiarizes babies with the concept of reading. 

Sensory Balls

Following the same concept, sensory balls are one of the best baby toys you can buy. Not only does  it help your baby explore his sense of touch, but it can help him understand cause and effect (he drops the ball, it bounces), and shapes. 

Any ball that has a decent amount of texture, large enough that it won’t be a choke hazard, and made from BPA-materials will do.

The Boppy Pillow

If you’re a breastfeeding mama, I hope you have a boppy in your home. It is truly one of the best investments you can make. 

Not only is the boppy a must-have for breastfeeding, but it’s an awesome tool to assist with tummy time, sitting up, and even a few playtime activities.

Activity Mats

An activity mat will probably be your baby’s first real toy.

Not only will it provide a safe, clean surface for your baby to practice tummy time, but its usually loaded with dangling goodies for your baby to play with. Don’t worry about getting one that has a net to “keep your baby in.” Most likely by the time your baby can roll and crawl, he’ll be over activity mats anyway.

Note: Activity mats are another great item you can check your local resale shop for!

Rattles

Rattles are honestly a staple of babyhood and there’s a reason why! Babies are completely fascinated by the sound they make, plus the right rattle can be a perfect teether. 

This particular rattle really checks off all the boxes. It’s cheap, has a clear case so your baby can watch the pebbles toss around, BPA-free, and makes a perfect teether. 

Floor Mirror

You really can’t go wrong with a mirror. It’s just completely fascinating! Your baby has no clue that the other cutie-pie he’s seeing is actually him. 

The only suggestion I can make is to get a non-breakable one, just in case. 

Two-Handed Teethers or Grasping Toys

Somewhere between 2-4 months, your baby will realize that he can control his hands. When this exciting time hits, two-handed toys will completely fascinate him. 

Selecting grasping toys is pretty easy; you’re following the same concept as rattles here. You want it to make gentle noises, be bright and colorful or somehow visually engaging, and safe for baby to gnaw on.

Best Baby Toys for 6-12 Months

By this point, your baby has pivoted from a primarily internal focus to exploring the world around him. Not only that, but he’s probably mobile! You’ll want to find toys or objects that stimulate these new skills. 

Toys at this age should be a little more complex, but still not overwhelming. And most of all, these toys should stimulate maximum interaction–your baby’s and yours. Let your baby explore, but interact and comment on his discoveries.

Push Button Toys 

Push button toys help teach cause and effect. The concept is similar to a baby cell phone or laptop (when baby pushes the button, it lights up), but a push button toy is more engaging because it has physical results (like a puppy popping up out of nowhere).

Building Blocks

In my opinion, this is one of the best baby toys you could ever buy. Early on, your baby will be fascinated with simply stacking the blocks (she may not be able to interlock them yet) or moving them from one container to another. 

As she grows, they can be multifunctional educational tools. In fact, I purchased some baby building blocks around 6 months and now we are using them to build cool structures, learn about colors and numbers. 

Touch and Feel Books

So, touch and feel books kind of offer the same concept as soft books, but on a whole other level.

Touch and feel books usually depicts animals with life-like fur or other textures. At this point, your baby may have enough control over his little fingers to actually turn the pages. These books improve vocabulary, language skills, and offer a unique bonding experience for you both. In fact, my daughter (now 2) and I read feely books together almost every day. They are well worth the investment. 

Note: I bought a few feely books on Amazon, but I scored the best deals at my local Goodwill and consignment sales. 

Activity Cube

If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution, get yourself an activity cube. I love activity cubes because they can teach your baby so many different skills and really grow with your baby. Activity cubes typically focus on tactile sensations, creating noises, and helping your baby explore different cause and effect scenarios. 

Having said that, I do have a couple gripes about activity cubes: 1. They can be very expensive. If you happen to be reading this near Black Friday, you might catch one for a great price. Usually, though, they can be pricey. And 2, most activity cubes are stationary. For the adventurous mobile baby, this can translate to boredom real quick.

Water Toys

Honestly, water toys are kind of a necessity. When your baby starts taking baths, the water and your enthusiasm will be enough to entertain him. Soon though, he’ll want to explore. 

Water toys help him experiment with the texture and movement of water and how objects interact with water (such as floating vs sinking). You don’t have to get fancy here, just focus on toys that allow him to experiment with these elements, such as cups, strainers, squirters, fans, and boats. 

If your baby is young, you might also try bath finger puppets. They will really appreciate the texture and colors!

Musical Toys

Miniature musical instruments can help improve your baby’s motor functions, hand-eye coordination,  and sound recognition. Plus it can bring out the virtuoso in just about any baby.

Anything that makes cool noises (pianos, xylephones, tamberines, chimes) are a good fit for babies as long as they are made from safe materials, not a choke hazard, and aren’t too loud. 

I absolutely love this slide out xylophone set because it’s ridiculously multipurpose, well-made, and allows your baby to experiment with sound without having to worry about his ear drums bursting.

Puzzles

Okay, full disclosure, I have a love-hate relationship with baby puzzles and this is why: if used correctly (and selected wisely), a baby puzzle can be one of the best baby toys you purchase. If not, it can be a total waste of money.

I am not a fan of basic alphabet puzzles. They are difficult for babies to use and babies grow bored of them quickly. I do, however, like the puzzles that include bulkier objects that either include a letter or number and a helpful picture (like the one pictured above). Right now, these puzzles will help your baby explore his hand-eye coordination skills and help with shape recognition. Later, it can be a powerful tool to teach your toddler the alphabet or his numbers.

Push and Pull Toys

Remember how I said that walkers can be one of those dangerous toys you should avoid? Well, they can also be a really fun toy as well, if you find the right one. We bought my daughter this walker when she was around 11 months and she still uses it to this day (I think it’s the perfect combination of an interactive and electronic toy). 

I would only recommend these toys if your baby is already walking or if you’re nearby and available to assist. 

In Conclusion: Buy the Best Baby Toys for Your Baby’s Unique Interests

Okay! Hopefully now you’re feeling pretty confident with your selection of toys. You know the best toys for 0-3 months and the best baby toys for 6-12 months. Most of all, you know why you need to focus on these toys and how important it is to cater to your baby’s rapidly expanding development. 

Once again, while these toys are awesome and will definitely keep your baby entertained, keep in mind that interaction with you is the best developmental tool. So, verbalize what he’s doing. “Oh, when you push this button a kitty comes out!” and encourage him to explore how he wants to, not necessarily how the toy is supposed to be used.

Did you like the toys on this list? Is there a specific toy you’ve been thinking about purchasing but aren’t quite too sure about? Let me know below!

Don’t forget! Black Friday is coming up. This sale can make or break your wallet. I highly suggest reading my articles below and downloading your free Black Friday Shopping Planner to ensure that you actually get the best deals 😉

Have fun!

RELATED POSTS:

• Having a Baby on a Budget…Without Going Broke
• The Best Baby Items to Buy on Black Friday
• 5 Simple Hacks to Save More Money at Amazon’s Black Friday

We all know that baby stuff isn’t cheap. Cribs, strollers, baby clothes, diapers (all the diapers)… Is it any surprise that the average American spends over 200,000 on their kid before their 18th birthday?

As a new or expecting parent, you know how critical Black Friday is. It’s he sales event that can either leave you glowing from all of the money you just saved or flat broke.

Becoming a parent completely revolutionized the way that I shopped Black Friday and I can’t wait to share these tips with you.

You’re about to learn what baby items to buy on Black Friday, which purchases you should stay the heck away from, and key ways you can save more money (and even make money) on your purchases.

To help you organize your purchases, I’m also including a handy Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping planner. This should help you keep track of all your necessary purchases. You can grab it below.

Alright, mama! Let’s start saving some money!

RELATED POSTS: 

• How to Have a Baby on a Budget…Without Going Broke
• Best Deals on Amazon for Baby and Kids
• 10 Baby Essentials You Didn’t Know You Needed

3 Things You Need to Know Before Shopping Black Friday

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase from one of the links I will make a small commission at no charge to you. I only recommend what I trust. Blunders in Babyland does not diagnose, treat, or give out any professional advice for any medical conditions

Saving money is one of my favorite past times. Maybe it’s because I grew up dirt poor, maybe it’s because I worked retail for 5 years and I despise sales tactics. In any case, I’ll happily spend a half hour researching ways to save on a single, small purchase. 

If you’re like me and desperately want to buy more and spend less, there are a few things you should know before we dive into the best baby items to buy on Black Friday.

Make a List and Stick to It

Going Black Friday shopping unprepared is like going to the grocery store without a grocery list. You end up meandering around the store and purchasing whatever looks good. If you don’t make a list and budget for your purchases, you will spend more money than you want to. 

If you have the budget, focus on the products you need now and 6 months in the future (in about 6 months you’ll see more major sales).

If you’re a new or expecting mom, you should consider what baby or maternity items you will need in the near future. For example, if you’re in your second trimester, now’s the time to buy maternity clothes or snag that crib for a great price.

If you’re having/raising a baby on a budget and not sure what items you need, check out my free baby on a budget planner. It lists off the items you need for pregnancy, postpartum, and for you baby. Plus it comes with some handy budgeting worksheets and trackers I think you’ll love.

RELATED POST: The Baby on a Budget Planner

Sign Up for Newsletters and Memberships Now

Once you’ve figured out what you need, you should position yourself to get the best deals. Sign up for your main targets’ newsletter. Newsletters will undoubtedly send you exclusive coupons for Black Friday. 

If you’re planning on participating in Amazon’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday events, now is the time to take advantage of their 30-day Amazon Prime trial so you receive free shipping and exclusive discounts.

If at all possible, don’t wait until the week of Black Friday. Many retailers are offering pre-Black Friday sales (Amazon included) to encourage more sales.

Be Wary of “Good Deals”

Otherwise known as the retail trap! 

The retail trap is the reason why you see $5 movie bins or $2 cases of lip balm right next to the checkout. Black Friday is lined with amazing deals that will tempt you and make you spend more than you would’ve. That’s why preparing a list is so important!

You should also watch out for expensive brand-name items that are steeply discounted.

For example, if you were thinking about purchasing a high-quality, off-brand baby carrier for $40, but you see an Ergo Baby carrier that’s $50 off (but still $150), you might be tempted to spend a little extra simply because it’s a good deal.

If your goal is to purchase name brand items for a good price, then by all means, take advantage of these sales. BUT, if you want the least expensive products, try to resist these tactics.

Where to Shop

Almost every store has some kind of deal on Black Friday. My top list of stores is below. I’ve been following these stores because I’ve seen the best baby items to buy on Black Friday and they usually offer top-quality products for the best price.

Having said that, don’t forget to think outside the box. Resale stores also have massive sales on Black Friday. If you’re good with buying used baby gear or clothes, definitely check out your local Once Upon a Child or consignment stores.

My Top Stores for the Best Baby Items to Buy on Black Friday:

• Amazon (Black Friday and Cyber Monday)
• Baby Earth (A baby gear website that features premier brands like Stokke and Hauck)
• Buy Buy Baby *
• Carter’s *
• Kohl’s 
• Walmart
• Target
• Shutterfly (if you’re planning on making baby announcements, holiday greeting cards, or baby shower invitations)
• Old Navy * (a must if you’re pregnant! They have great deals on baby clothes as well)

*You may be able to shop exclusively online

SHORT ON TIME? PIN IT!

Best Baby Items to Buy on Black Friday

1 Car Seats

Black Friday usually means you can save between 20-40% off on car seats. This is one of the best baby items to buy on Black Friday, so definitely make sure you do your research on your prospective models beforehand.

My favorite places for shopping car seats include Buy Buy Baby (during sales), Walmart, Amazon, and sometimes Target.  If during your research you find a specific model you’re interested, it wouldn’t hurt to check the manufacturer’s website as well.

Chicco, Britax, Graco, typically have the best discounts during Black Friday. Maxi Cosi will most likely have sales too, but I’ve only seen their carseats discounted at 15% OFF.

Check back later for great car seat deals!

2 Strollers

Since we’re dealing with the same manufacturers, this concept really applies to strollers as well.

Having said that, if you don’t care about name-brand strollers, you can find jaw-dropping deals at Amazon. In fact, as I’m writing this, I’ve already seen $99 strollers thanks to Amazon’s Holi-Deals campaign. 

The best Amazon deals usually come in the form of Lightning Deals and they are usually gone within minutes. 

(If you have no idea what I’m talking about, head on over to my post about Amazon’s Black Friday event so you can learn how you can take advantage of Lightning Deals).

RELATED POST: 5 Simple Hacks to Save More Money at Amazon’s Black Friday Event

Stay tuned for great stroller deals!

3 Baby Carriers

Once again, Amazon usually offers the best deals on off-brand products.

However, brands like Lillebaby and Ergobaby carriers offer great deals on their website and sometimes at brick and mortar locations like Target or Buy Buy Baby. On Amazon though, I’ve seen them as much as 75% off.

Visit Later for Awesome Baby Carrier Deals

4 Clothes (Resale and New)

On Black Friday, Carter’s usually offers storewide 50% off plus incredible deals on booties, socks, small items like that. Generally, you can expect the same from Buy Buy Baby. 

But if you think these prices are cheap, you need to check out your local resale shops. Gently-used baby clothes are usually discounted 25-50% off retail prices. During Black Friday sales, retail shops usually offer an additional discount or BOGO deals. 

5 Diapers

Black Friday is the perfect day to stockpile diapers. Pampers has already announced 30% off Pampers Swaddlers Diapers. I’ve seen a few diaper deals in-store, but so far Amazon holds the best deals, especially when you’re an Amazon Family member and you combine offers with their monthly subscription services.

6 Baby Accessories

If you’ve been thinking about changing diaper bags or snagging a stroller organizer, Black Friday is definitely the day to do it. My favorite places to shop include Buy Buy Baby and Amazon. Amazon offers accessories from smaller, upstart brands that offer the steepest discounts. 

For example, Baby Charm, the only stroller bag I use (which has effectively replaced my need for a bulky diaper bag), is planning on having a 50% off sale on their diaper bag. I’ve never seen this bag marked down so low and I can’t recommend it enough. 

Upcoming Baby Accessory Deals

Baby Charm Stroller Organizer: 50% OFF!

7 Baby Video Monitors and Baby Movement Monitors

Baby video monitors are one of the best baby items to buy on Black Friday, however, you could also spend a lot of money here if you’re not careful.

Every year, Amazon offers very, very inexpensive baby monitors. So, if your goal is to buy the cheapest baby monitor on the market, that’s the place to go. However, not all baby monitors are created alike. Beware of off-brands that may or may not be reliable. 

Typically, the bigger brands also offer discounts. 

Check Back Later for More Baby Video Monitor Deals

8 Cribs

Expect the best prices on cribs, aside from clearance events. Wayfair, Amazon, Target, Buy Buy Baby, and Walmart are my favorite places to shop for cribs on Black Friday. 

9 Resale Toys 

In 2017, Amazon sold over $650 million in infant toys alone. It’s no secret that parents love buying their babies toys. Many parents think they need to purchase toys to encourage developmental learning. Or they feel bad that they don’t know what the heck to buy their baby, so they buy anything that looks cool.

 The thing is, unless you have a specific item that you’re looking for, you really need to be careful about buying infant toys on Black Friday. Your budget can disappear in a heartbeat. 

To save money (and avoid shiney object syndrome), check out your resale shops. Most resale shops offer discounts on their toys (between 20-30%), which can rival even Amazon’s Lightning Deals. 

10 Swings

Fisher Price and Graco are notorious for having incredible deals during Black Friday events. Last year, Amazon and Buy Buy Baby were the clear winners.

Stay tuned for more Baby Swing Deals!

Final Tip: You Can EARN Money on Black Friday and Cyber Monday

What if I told you that you can EARN money on Black Friday? This hack is so easy and it literally takes seconds of your time.

When you’re Black Friday shopping, you’ve got to use Ebates or Ibotta.Any purchases you make with these apps can earn real cashback.

Sign up for Rakuten (Ebates)

Rakuten is an online affiliate of a lot of retailers. When you use their link to make your online purchases, Rakuten makes a commission off your sale (at no charge to you). Then, they give you a portion of that commission back via cashback. That’s real cashback, by the way. As in, they send it to your PayPal account where you can do whatever you want with it.

If you’re shopping mostly in-store, you can link your debit or credit card to your Rakuten wallet. Then, when you make qualifying in-store purchases, you’re still able to earn cashback.

I know what you’re wondering: how much do you earn?

Rakuten typically ranges from 1-12% cashback, but it really depends on the retailer and item you purchase. Still, on Black Friday, that can add up fast. I’ve earned well over $100 from Rakuten without even thinking about it.

You can sign up for Rakuten here and receive $10 cashback. 

Ibotta

If you’re shopping in-store, Ibotta may have some good deals for you. Basically, once you make qualifying in-store purchases, you scan your receipt into the Ibotta app. Ibotta then provides your shopping information to retailers for market research. Then, they give you cashback for qualifying items.

It’s pretty easy to earn money with Ibotta because the cashback is pretty generous and there are several qualifying items. I also love that you can sync your membership cards so Ibotta can automatically detect your purchases.

If you’re shopping online, Ibotta is similar to Rakuten. You simply log into the app, find your retailer, click the link (which redirects you to the retailer’s website) and you make your purchases as usual.

When I signed up, I earned a $20 bonus credit. Definitely worth it! To join, just click here!

Stay Tuned for More Black Friday Baby Deals of 2019

As we draw nearer to the sales, I’ll update this page with the best baby items to buy on Black Friday. In the meantime, I hope this post has given you somewhat of a game plan.

Definitely bookmark or pin this page. You’ll need it later!

By reading this post, you’re already ensuring that you find the best deals. If you need a little help organizing, don’t forget to download your copy of the Black Friday Shopping Planner.

If you happen to be a pro at this whole Black Friday shopping thing, I would love to hear from you. What are some of your favorite tips? Did you find these tips helpful? Let me know below!

RELATED POSTS: 

• Baby on a Budget: How to Have a Baby When You’re Broke
• 5 Simple Hacks to Save More Money at Amazon’s Black Friday Sale
• 10 Must-Have Baby Essentials You Didn’t Know You Needed

Christmas is just around the corner, and if you’re a new mom, this holiday takes on a completely new light. After all, it’s your baby’s first Christmas! Everything is new, exciting, and completely Instagram-worthy.

For my daughter’s first Christmas, I really wanted to give her something special. We had plenty of toys (not that she used them), and I felt like her first Christmas present should be more meaningful than something we’d simply toss aside in a couple months.

Since you’re reading this, I’m guessing you feel the same way.

In this post, we’re going to look at the sweetest, most meaningful baby’s first christmas gift ideas. And these aren’t just any Christmas gifts! These are the kind of keepsakes your baby will keep forever and cherish always.

RELATED POSTS:

• What to Do When Your Baby Has the Flu
• 20 Meaningful Christmas Traditions to Start with Your Baby

10 Memorable Gift Ideas to Celebrate Baby First Christmas

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase from one of the links I will make a small commission at no charge to you. Blunders in Babyland does not diagnose, treat, or give out any professional advice for any medical conditions.

Snow Globe

Look, I know snow globes are a bit of a cliche, but there’s a reason so many people love them! When you flip a snow globe over and watch that glitter descend to the bottom, there’s no cozier feeling in this world. 

Buying your baby a snow globe to commemorate his first Christmas is a great idea. Babies love watching snow globes (obviously supervised) and when you buy one with a tune, you can make it a part of his bedtime routine.

You also have so many options to choose from. The snow globe pictured above is from Amazon, but if you really want to get into personalized options, Etsy is the perfect place to shop.

Baby’s First Christmas Book

Did you know that you can buy your baby a personalized Christmas book? Not only is this one of my favorite Christmas gifts for babies, but it’s such an amazing tradition to start. You can go for a Christmas book that is specifically designed for first Christmases, or you can purchase one that you can read year after year.

Lovie

Your baby may not be able to sleep with his lovie now, but it’s still a great time to find him one. A lovie isn’t any old toy you’ll take to the Goodwill when your baby outgrows it. This is something she will always keep carefully tucked away in a memory box.

Personally, I love lovies that are personalized, like this one from Amazon.

Custom Rocking Chair

For my daughter’s first Christmas, she was gifted a rocking chair. Obviously, she wasn’t able to use it for quite some time, but it’s now a gift that she loves and plays with regularly. 

Rocking chairs are another one of those baby’s first Christmas gift ideas that last for a lifetime! It’s just impossible to give it up. Plus, when your baby outgrows her rocking chair, she can use it for her tea parties!

Onesie

Buying a simple onesie that says “My First Christmas” is pretty much a rite of motherhood. And you know what, when you’re searching endlessly for Christmas gifts for babies under 1 year, there is nothing wrong with going basic!

A few of my favorite places to search for these onesies include Amazon, Etsy, and Carter’s.

Ornament

This is another one of those traditional baby’s first christmas presents you don’t want to miss. Every single year your baby will see his ornament. In fact, he may even pass it on to his kids later.

If you love personalized, we purchased a beautiful customized wooden snowflake ornament for my daughter’s first Christmas on Etsy. It was less than $20, and it’s still absolutely stunning.

SHORT ON TIME? PIN IT!

Time Capsule

You’ve heard of time capsules, right? Some parents start a time capsule for their baby’s first birthday, and then have their child open it on their 18th birthday. 

So, going off that idea, what if you created a time capsule to commemorate his first Christmas? It could include his first ornament, little baby mittens, a ticket to his first light show, etc. This is definitely one of the more unique baby’s first Christmas gift ideas out there, but it has the potential to be so precious that you may want to consider it! 

A Christmas Outfit

I’m sure I don’t have to pull your arm to consider this Christmas gift! Christmas outfits are perfect for baby’s first Christmas Eve service, family photos, and of course, Christmas dinners with the fam. As much as I love Amazon, my go-to place for buying the absolute cutest baby outfits is definitely Etsy. You will go nuts once you start searching.

Stocking

If you choose the right stocking, there’s a pretty good chance your baby will use it well into adulthood and even after he becomes a parent himself. If that’s your ultimate goal, I would purchase a full-sized stocking with his name embroidered on it. Alternatively, you could buy a baby stocking like this one, and keep it around as a simple baby’s first Christmas gift.

Christmas Countdown

This is another one of those Christmas gifts for babies that translates into a timeless family tradition. A Christmas countdown calendar is usually wooden centerpiece that your baby can play with as he grows. Some families choose an advent calendar, while others celebrate the 12 days of Christmas.

Alright! Those are my baby’s first Christmas gift ideas! Is anything sticking out to you? Honestly, sometimes choosing a gift for a baby can be a little perplexing. My advice is to stay away from toys and really focus on finding gifts that celebrate his first Christmas. That way, you won’t have to worry if your baby “likes it” or if you’ll be throwing it away in a couple weeks when he outgrows it.

Now that you hopefully have a few gift ideas in mind, I hope you’ll check out our post, 20 Christmas Traditions to Start with Your Baby. These ideas go beyond seeing Christmas lights or Santa. They’re the stuff memories are made of!

The CDC estimates that as many as 12.5% of children suffer from hearing loss from excessive noise.

I don’t know about you, but I think that’s a startling statistic. Most of the time, hearing loss is a gradual decline that just sneaks up on us. It often begins in infancy, when baby’s ears are most susceptible to loud noises.

That’s why protecting your baby’s ears from loud noises now is essential.

If you’re reading this article, you probably have a noisy event coming up and you want to make sure that your baby is completely covered. Below we’re going to talk all about infant hearing protection, including how to protect your baby’s hearing in loud noise events and the best baby noise protection to use. Even more important, we’re also going to discuss the startling considerations you need to make during everyday life.

The thing is, while parents realize that some form of noise protection is essential during loud events, it’s the household hazards that can sneak up and affect your baby’s hearing the most. Let’s dive in!

September is Baby Safety Month! Here are some other baby safety and medical posts you might like:

• The Benefits of Skin-to-Skin for Newborns
• How to Find the Perfect Pediatrician
• Our 5 Favorite (and Safest) Infant Car Seats for Under $300
• The Levana Oma Sense Review: How This Baby Movement Monitor + How It Compares to the Competition

Infant Hearing Protection: How to Protect Your Baby’s Ears Against Loud Noises

This post is sponsored by FridayBaby. It may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase from one of the links I will make a small commission at no charge to you. Blunders in Babyland does not diagnose, treat, or give out any professional advice for any medical conditions.

Infant Hearing Loss from Excessive Noise

Our babies are much more sensitive to noise than we are. The problem lies their physiology. Their ear canals are much smaller than ours, so sound creates greater pressure. When a baby’s ears are subjected to the constant pressure of loud noises, his hair cells (responsible for carrying noise vibrations) can die over time.

Loud noises can also permanently damage the nerves that carries sound to his brain.

How Loud is Too Loud?

First of all, what is uncomfortable for you is doubly so for your baby.

 Normal conversations measure at about 60 decibels. Generally, experts recommend limiting your baby’s noise exposure to under 70 decibels. 80 decibels is okay for short periods, but it can be harmful to your baby if he’s exposed continuously.

In fact, some experts think that anything over 85 decibels can cause damage after just 15 minutes.

Before we dive into infant hearing protection, let’s check out some real-world applications. 

Here are the most common excessive noises your baby is exposed to:

• Fireworks (150 decibels within 3 feet)
• Parades (Sirens, horns, etc 130 decibels)
• Concerts ( Approx. 110 decibels)
• Airplane (Up to 105 decibels, cruising 85)
• Loud Music or Television (Ranges, up to  about 110 decibels)
• Engines (Motorcycles – 90 decibels)
• Toys (Ranges, up to about 100 decibels)
• Household appliances (Washing machine, 90 decibels)
• Lawn mower (90 decibels)

Are you going through that list cringing? I know I did! Toys, lawn mowers, vacuum cleaners…these are the items I use in my own home weekly and I never once suspected that they could put my toddler in danger.

John Hopkins Children’s Hospital states that some of the most common household appliances adolescents are exposed to are blenders, hair dryers, and lawn mowers.

SHORT ON TIME? PIN IT!

Toys

We all know that loud toys can be grating on the nerves, but not many of us suspect that they can be genuinely harmful as well. The Sight and Hearing Association publishes a list of the noisiest toys every year. 

Do you know what toy made the top of 2018’s? 

Not a drum set or karaoke machine, but an infant toy, the Sing Alphabet Zoo by LeapFrog. Now, the Sing Alphabet Zoo is actually a really cool toy, but it also tested at 102dB when placed next to a baby’s ear.

If you look at our list above, that’s almost as louder than a passing motorcycle.

I’m not sharing this information to scare you away from noise-making toys, but simply to raise awareness that some, can in fact, be harmful to your baby’s hearing over time.

How to Tell if A Noise is Too Loud: The Shout Test

I don’t know about you, but I’m a little rusty measuring decibels with my mind. 

A good trick to use is the Shout Test. Basically, whenever you’re unable to hold a regular conversation, that’s a good indication that the sound level is too high for your baby.

The Best Baby Noise Protection Methods

So, now we know about the hidden hazards our baby is exposed to. Let’s get into some actual techniques and products we can use for infant hearing protection. Prevention and limited exposure is a given, so let’s dive into the most popular method.

Baby Earmuffs

Concerts, planes, fireworks, even plane rides, can all damage your baby’s hearing (and terrify them too).

Protecting your baby’s ears from loud noises with earmuffs is a great strategy. Just plan on tossing a pair into your diaper bag whenever you go to something big.

But don’t stop there! Purchasing a good pair of baby headphones will protect him for your household hazards as well. If you run your vacuum and your baby starts wailing, that could be an indication that you need to whip out the ear muffs.

Not all infant ear protection is created equal. You need to look for earmuffs with a noise reduction rating (NRR) of at least 22, but preferably around 30. 

Fit and adjustability is also an important consideration. Earmuffs should fit just right; too loose and it won’t protect your baby’s ears properly, too tight and the pressure can be damaging. 

If you’re looking for recommendations, I love the FridayBaby Noise Cancelling Headphones. They are highly adjustable (they fit babies from 0-24 months), have a 5-year warranty, and are designed for a 31 decibel rating. 

Plus, I have a 10% off coupon code ( ERINBIBL )!

Distance

Distance actually makes a huge impact on how your baby detects noise. The closer your baby is to a sound, the more pressure and damage his ears are subjected to.

Above we talked about toys being one of the most unexpected hazards for babies. It’s not necessarily that infant toys are overwhelmingly loud. Babies tend to hold these toys close to their faces, increasing their exposure. For example, the Sing Alphabet Zoo is rated at 100 decibels when placed next to a baby’s ear, and only 85 decibels when 10 inches apart.

Test the toys your baby plays with. If your baby holds his favorite ambulance next to his ears, try placing it next to yours. If it doesn’t pass the Shout Test, you’ll need to either move the toy to a safer distance or turn the sound off.

When you’re going to loud events, try to be conscientious of your location. If your baby is watching a fireworks show, experts recommend keeping your baby at least 20 meters away from the blast. The same goes for concerts, sirens, anything that measures high.

Use Decibel Measure App

Which brings us to the next method of infant hearing protection: technology.

Even if you use the Shout Test, gauging the sound level of an object is difficult. For example, if you’re going to a concert, where the noise levels fluctuate frequently, using the Shout Test is almost impossible. Even at home, when you’re enjoying a good movie, it’s easy to lose track of how high the noise level is. 

Downloading a decibel measure app can take out a lot of the guesswork. I like to use my decibel app when we’re watching a movie in our media room–a confined space with multiple speakers. I try to keep the sound level below about 70, that way if there’s a loud moment, my daughter’s ears will be perfectly safe.  

Signs Your Baby’s Hearing May Be Damaged

Unfortunately, many parents (myself included) don’t learn of these guidelines until their baby has been exposed to harmful loud noises. If you’re concerned that your baby’s hearing may be impaired, there are signs of infant hearing impairment that you can look for.

Typically, hearing loss is a gradual decline. So, if you notice these signs, all is not lost. However, it’s important that you recognize these signs so you can meet with your pediatrician.

Signs Before 6 Months:

• Baby doesn’t startle at loud noises
• Won’t turn after you say her name (only reacts to sight)
• Doesn’t turn toward sounds

After 1 Year:

• Hasn’t started to repeat words
• Will not obey simple commands
• Will not respond to whispers

Hearing loss can be a gradual decline that takes any parent by surprise. By making small accommodations to protect your baby’s ears from loud noises, you’re making great leaps to prevent years of complications. 

Using earmuffs, keeping a safe distance from loud noises, and measuring decibels to confirm your suspicions can make a world of difference.

The last, best advice I can give you is to trust your baby’s cues. Loud noises hurt. If your baby is crying during a loud noise, that can be a good indication that it’s just too much for him (even if it’s tolerable for you).

Now that you know about infant hearing protection, it’s time to spread the word! Raising awareness can help other parents end this silent epidemic. Share this post with your friends or comment below about your experiences to help our other moms. 

RELATED POSTS:

• The Benefits of Skin-to-Skin for Newborns
• How to Find the Perfect Pediatrician
• Our 5 Favorite (and Safest) Infant Car Seats for Under $300
• The Levana Oma Sense Review: How This Baby Movement Monitor + How It Compares to the Competition

No parent should lose sleep worrying about SIDS.

Yet, a recent study indicated that new parents lose as much as 44 days of sleep during the first year of their baby’s life. I don’t know about you, but that insomnia definitely wasn’t just because of a crying baby. The thought that I could be saying goodnight to my baby for the last time kept me up many nights. 

I desperately wanted to buy a baby breathing monitor, but the device that everyone ranted and raved about was well out of my budget. So, I just watched the rise and fall of her chest and prayed for the best.

How about you? Have you lost sleep worrying about your baby’s health? Is your budget keeping you from finding peace of mind?

If you’re reading about baby breathing monitors, I’m willing to bet that you’re a concerned parent looking for a safe solution for your little one. In this post, we’re going to talk about the Levana Oma Sense Baby Movement Monitor. Parents are turning to this device as an affordable alternative to popular baby breathing monitors like the Owlet Sock or the Snuza Hero.

If you’re totally new to this device, don’t worry. In this Oma Sense review, I’m going to go over exactly what it is, how it works, how well it works, and most importantly, how it compares to other breathing monitors like the Owlet Sock and the Snuza Hero. 

From one concerned parent to another, my ultimate goal is to help you decide which monitor is best for your little one. Let’s get started!

Levana Oma Sense Review: At-a-Glance

This post is sponsored by Levana. It may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase from one of the links I will make a small commission at no charge to you. Blunders in Babyland does not diagnose, treat, or give out any professional advice for any medical conditions.

Use Code BABYLAND20 to Save $20 on the Oma Sense!

What is the Oma Sense by Levana

Just in case you’re new to Blunders in Babyland, you should know that one of my passions is writing thorough reviews for baby gear. As a first-time mom, I understand how challenging it can be to find baby gear that you actually trust. So, whenever I come across a product or company that I think is top-notch, I love giving them a review. 

When Levana approached me about their new Oma Sense Baby Movement Monitor, I was delighted. I’ve tried out baby breathing monitors before, but those devices were dependent on WiFi and, therefore, not always reliable.

Levana’s Oma Sense is a self-contained device that clips on to the front of your baby’s diaper, pants, or button-up footies. Its primary function is to monitor your baby’s breathing movement, or simply the rise and fall of his diaphragm. If the Oma Sense can’t detect your baby’s breathing movements after 15 seconds, it’ll set off an alarm and produce gentle vibrations. 5 seconds later, if the device still doesn’t detect movement, it will produce a very loud alarm to alert you of the situation. 

Levana

Before we dive into the functionality and features of the device, I think you should at least become familiar with Levana. 

Founded by Raj Jain, Levana is a Canadian-based company that has been producing baby monitors since 2001. They were actually the first company to manufacture a color-screen baby monitor in North America. 

Talk about innovation!

The company also has unique qualities that should provide some peace of mind for you, including a minimum 12-month manufacturer’s warranty, lifetime monitor support, and a solid 30-day refund policy. Also, keep in mind that if you purchase the Oma Sense from Levana’s website, your warranty actually extends to 2 years. Talk about peace of mind!

How It Works

I love the premise of the Oma Sense. It’s new parent budget-friendly, doesn’t depend on sketchy internet for functionality, and it has the patented Wake-Up Technology (more on that in a minute). 

But, the real question is, does it actually work?

Since Lil’ C is now a spunky toddler, I joined forces with my mommy friend who conveniently just gave birth. We’ve tested the device for 7 days and nights at the time I’m writing this review. We’re very excited to share our findings. 

Installation and Ease-of-Use

Set-Up 

To set up the Oma Sense, you simply place one of the two batteries it comes with (plus side up!) into the proper spot. 

The button on the left is “on”, the button on the right is “off”. Once you turn the device on, the blue indicator light will flash once and give a little vibration. Once you hook the device onto your baby, this blue indicator light will flash every 30 seconds so you’ll know that it is detecting your baby’s movement. 

Placement

Proper placement of the device is essential. During our entire testing period, we had zero false alarms. I believe that’s because my mama carefully placed the device correctly with every use. 

The Oma Sense must clip on either a diaper, pants, or button-up pajamas (basically anything that allows the device to stay just under your baby’s belly button). For the purpose of this Oma Sense review, I must tell you that the device is only meant to accurately read your baby’s movements when he is lying flat on his back.

Having said that, my tester did clip the device onto her son’s little bum when he laid on his stomach and it accurately detected his movement. So, that’s some food for thought, but once again, the device is only guaranteed to work when properly placed on a baby in the back position. 

Design and Comfort

Design and Materials

I was a little apprehensive when viewing pictures of the Oma Sense on Levana’s website. The device looked a little bulky and I wondered how comfortable it would actually be for babies.

If you’re wondering the same, let me reassure you: it’s actually compact! 

The Oma Sense is very thin and very, very lightweight. My fingers are kind of stumpy, but hopefully the picture above gives you a good idea of exactly how small the device is. 

The Oma Sense also feels extremely durable. It’s made of hospital-grade materials, so this isn’t necessarily surprising.

Comfort

When I asked my tester how her baby liked the device, her report was very positive. Her son didn’t seem to notice it at all and had no kinds of rashes or reactions.

The one-handed clip design is also an extremely convenient feature. It’s so easy to remove the Oma Sense with one hand (if you’re not sure why a one-handed design is important, you’re probably not a parent yet!) and it’s also extremely stable. During our testing time, it never slipped off.

Device Care

So, how do you maintain the Oma Sense? 

It’s extremely easy, actually. Simply wipe it off with a damp washcloth (using only mild soap, no harsh chemicals) or a baby wipe. The Oma Sense is only splash-resistant, so it shouldn’t be submerged at any point. 

Unlike the Snuza Hero, there isn’t a little silicone guard installed on the tip, so you don’t have to worry about any caked dirt under the edges.

SHORT ON TIME? PIN THIS POST!

Functionality

The beauty of this device is its simplicity. The Oma Sense monitors your baby’s breathing movements and, when it can’t feel any, it sets off an alarm for you and baby. In the meantime, a blue indicator light flashes every 30 seconds to show you that the device is working and detecting your baby’s movements.

“I love that the light blinks because I can look at the video monitor and I can actually see it working.”

Legitimate Alerts

We really wanted to test out this WakeUp Technology Levana mentioned. Some experts believe that SIDS may stem from a baby simply “forgetting” to breathe during deep sleep. The WakeUp Technology stimulates your baby when this happens and, ideally, kickstarts his breathing pattern again.* 

During our testing period, my tester was able to stimulate this function. True to Levana’s promise, the Oma Sense produced an alarm and vibrations after 15 seconds of no movement. After another 5 seconds, the device went ballistic and produced a loud alarm. 

The first alarm was not atrociously loud, which is a relief. So, even if the device does have a false alarm, it won’t wake the entire house. The second alarm, meant to alert the parents, is VERY loud. I actually tested this alarm out myself by holding my breath and can attest to this.

This is actually one feature of the Oma Sense that I really appreciate over other baby breathing monitors. You can actually test out the device yourself, which increases your peace of mind.

*I should note that Levana does not and cannot claim that this device prevents SIDS.

“I did get the alarm to go off so I could hear it. The first one that startles the baby is not loud, but the actual alarm is AMAZINGLY loud. It’s also loud enough to hear through the baby monitor.”

False Alarms

If you’re anything like me, your main concern with a baby movement monitor is false alarms. The last thing you want to deal with after you’ve finally convinced your baby to go to sleep, is a head-splitting false alarm. During my research of the device, I did find that a couple users that complained of a false alarm. However, during our entire 7-day testing period, we didn’t have a single one. I’m not sure what the story is behind those negative reviews, but I’m willing to bet that placement may have been the issue.

Battery Life

I’m sure this is your next biggest concern: how long does the battery last? 

The downside to avoiding dangerous cords is that you become dependent on batteries. Having to worry about the device dying when your baby is sleeping is a real concern, so we made sure to keep an eye on the battery usage while testing.

The device runs off a Panasonic 3V battery. Ideally, this battery will last for 30 days, but it really depends on your usage.

For this Oma Sense review, my tester turned off the device after every use. We still haven’t received a low battery indication. When it comes time to replace the battery, you can use the spare Levana provided.

I think this is where the Oma Sense could improve though. In the future, I would love to see it equipped with a rechargeable battery or possibly have an additional indicator that represents how much battery life is left.

How Does the Oma Sense Compare to Its Competitors?

OMA SENSE	SNUZA HERO	OWLET SOCK 2
Detects Breathing Movement: YES	Detects Breathing Movement: YES	Detects Breathing Movement: YES
Detects Heart Rate: NO	Detects Heart Rate: NO	Detects Heart Rate: YES
Detects Oxygen Levels: NO	Detects Oxygen Levels: NO	Detects Oxygen Levels: YES
Skin Required: NO	Skin Required: YES	Skin Required: YES
Wifi Required: NO	Wifi Required: NO	Wifi Required: YES
Price: $	Price: $	Price: $$$
Age Requirements: Up to 6 months	Age Requirements: Up to 6 months	Age Requirements: Up to 12 months

Hopefully, by now you have a decent idea of what to expect from the Oma Sense.

But how does it compare to the competition? 

As a new parent, you might be having difficulty choosing which baby breathing monitor to buy. That’s completely understandable! There are so many to choose from and the differences are very, very subtle. 

I would say that the Oma Sense’s main competitors are the Owlet Sock 2 and the Snuza Hero. Both devices monitor your baby’s breathing movements and both are manufactured from reputable companies. Let’s dig in to some of the differences!

The Owlet Sock 2

The Owlet Sock 2 is comprised of three components: the sock that wraps around your baby’s foot, the base that reads the signal from the sock, and your phone. In addition to breathing movement, the Owlet also detects your baby’s oxygen levels and heart rate via pulse oximetry. 

The Owlet Sock 2 requires WiFi in order to access your baby’s breathing data and receive notifications, while the base relies on bluetooth frequencies to communicate with the sock. 

All of these features come with a hefty price. Right now, the Owlet Sock 2 is listed at $299.

The Snuza Hero 

The Snuza Hero is the most comparable competitor to the Oma Sense. Like the Oma Sense, the Snuza Hero clips onto your baby’s diaper or pants, and monitors his breathing movement. When the Snuza does not detect movement after 15 seconds, it vibrates and lets out a little tone. 5 seconds later, it will emit an alert for the parents. 

There are a few key differences between the Snuza Hero and Levana’s Oma Sense.

First, you’ll notice the difference in size and shape. The Snuza Hero is oblong, with a silicone tip, while the Oma Sense is closer to a circle and flat. Personally, I favor the Oma Sense’s shape, simply because it doesn’t touch the baby as much. Because the Snuza Hero requires constant contact with baby’s tummy, some parents have complained about rashes or sores developing over time.

The Snuza Hero’s clip design is also different from the Oma Sense’s. Parents seem to have two main issues with the plastic clip design. The first, and most popular, is that the clip fails to latch correctly to the baby’s diaper, resulting in shifting and even falling off. This can lead to several irritating false alarms. Secondly, some parents have noticed that the clip’s plastic edges are jagged, resulting in skin irritation.

Aside from design differences, the Snuza Hero boasts a couple additional features, such as an audible tick, a separate alarm for less than 8 breaths a minute, and the ability to blink with every breath.

The Snuza Hero is manufactured in South Africa, whereas the Oma Sense was created and built in Canada. 

The Snuza Hero is considered the Oma Sense’s direct competitor and is priced slightly lower before you factor in my $20 coupon code.

The Oma Sense by Levana Review: Is the Oma Sense Right for You?

Who the Oma Sense is Best For

If you’re a new parent on a budget and you desperately want some peace of mind, the Oma Sense is perfect for you. It will accurately read your baby’s breath movement and may even help prevent terrible situations.

The Oma Sense is also perfect for parents that have sketchy internet and are even a little leery about letting these frequencies surround their baby.

Who the Oma Sense Isn’t For

You’ll notice that my tester and I have very little negative comments in this review. That’s because the Oma Sense is supposed to do one thing and it does it very well. 

Still, it’s not for everyone. 

If you think you meet any of the criteria below, then please keep searching. You won’t be happy with the Oma Sense and you’ll be mad at me for recommending it.

• You’re a techy: The Oma Sense does not offer a phone app or any data at all. It’s completely self-contained.
• Your baby is older than 6 months: It will not read properly on a mobile child.
• Tummy sleepers or side sleepers: While my tester did get the Oma Sense to work when her baby was on her tummy, this does dramatically increase the likelihood of false alarms.
• You bed-share: The device may pick up your movement, rendering it useless.

My Final Thoughts on Levana’s Oma Sense

Before you purchase the Oma Sense (or any baby monitor, for that matter), try to take a good, hard look at the features that matter the most to you. If your main concern is finding a reliable baby movement monitor, I can’t recommend the Oma Sense enough. 

My tester and I were very impressed with the Oma Sense’s capabilities. We’d recommend it to any parents looking for a straight-forward baby movement monitor, especially those with a limited budget. 

So, are you ready to purchase the Oma Sense? You can snag your own by clicking this link and use my code BABYLAND20, to save $20!

In the meantime, I really hope this review helps you understand some of the Oma Sense’s features and how it compares to the competition. If you have any experience with the Oma Sense, Owlet Sock, or the Snuza, I know our readers would love to hear from you! Let us know your thoughts and questions in the comments below.

Good luck and get some rest!

There’s no doubt, the meet and greet with your potential pediatrician is an important appointment. During this time, you’ll be assessing everything that makes your doctor a viable candidate: his philosophies, qualifications, staff, location, and even his personality. 

There’s a lot of factors to consider when you’re looking for a pediatrician, so coming prepared is the best move you can make. 

In last week’s post, we talked about how to find a pediatrician, including the most important factors to consider during your search and how to find one in your network. I also launched a free medical binder printables to help streamline the process (you can download that below).

In this post, we’re going to take a deeper look into the interview process, namely what questions to ask a pediatrician, what questions to ask before the meet and greet, and how you can inevitably choose the best candidate.

Speaking as a first time parent who’s been exactly in your shoes, let me reassure you: by interviewing your pediatrician you are saving yourself a lot of grief. While there may not be a perfect pediatrician, there is an excellent one waiting for your family. 

And guess what? You’re already on the right path to finding her.

RELATED POSTS: 

• How to Choose A Pediatrician Perfect for Your Baby
• The Ultimate Breastfeeding Class by Milkology Review (The Only Online Breastfeeding Class I Recommend!)
• How Skin-to-Skin Can Boost Your Newborn’s Development

The Best Questions to Ask a Pediatrician at an Interview

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase from one of the links I will make a small commission at no charge to you. I only recommend what I trust. Blunders in Babyland does not diagnose, treat, or give out any professional advice for any medical conditions.

What is a Pediatrician 

If you’ve made it to the interview process, I’m willing to bet that you’re already familiar with what a pediatrician is. Having said that, before you walk into the interview, it’s important to note that you can actually choose three different types of practitioners to serve as your child’s primary care provider. 

Pediatricians

The first, and most common, is an actual pediatrician. Pediatricians are doctors that specialize in infant, adolescent, and teenager care. They will have the most experience with child-related illnesses and injuries. Ideally, they’ll have the best bedside manner as well.

Family Doctor

Family doctors focus on all age groups and possess a very diverse knowledge-base. Choosing a family doctor can be extremely convenient (less paperwork and you can schedule your checkups together), but they are less focused on children by default. When choosing a family doctor, you will want to make sure that he actually takes on young, new patients.

Nurse Practitioner

You can choose a pediatric nurse practitioner (or even an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner). Like pediatricians, pediatric nurse practitioners focus solely on infants, adolescents, and teenagers. They are qualified to perform most functions of family doctors or pediatricians, but may need to consult for complex conditions or illnesses.

Personally, I had a pediatric nurse practitioner and I loved her. I enjoyed the personal care she gave my daughter and she was very knowledgeable. 

When to Interview Pediatrician

If You’re Pregnant

If you’re expecting a new bundle of joy, the best time frame seems to be between 28-34 weeks. That gives you enough time to schedule a meet-and-greet with your top three professionals, if necessary, and avoid any early delivery scenarios. 

If You Have a Newborn

If you’re the proud new parent of a newborn, you need to find a pediatrician ASAP. It’s very important to meet with your baby’s pediatrician about a week after he is released from the hospital to check his growth.

Signs You Should Find a New Pediatrician

Now, let’s say you’ve been going to the same family doctor for years, but you’re not really getting the vibe that he is the best choice for your child. Don’t second-guess yourself.  Here are a few signs that you need to look for a new pediatrician:

• Doctor dismisses your concerns
• High wait times, long wait lists
• Unfriendly staff
• Inconvenient hours or location
• Doctor doesn’t seem to keep up with current practices
• He makes your child uncomfortable (this is different than stranger danger!)
• He disagrees with your philosophies in a disrespectful way.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Erin | Mom + Baby Blogger (@raising.babies.confidently) on Aug 15, 2019 at 7:31pm PDT

How to Find a Pediatrician

If you haven’t already asked your friends, family, and OB-GYN for recommendations, that should be your first move. Word of mouth is seriously valuable as long as you ensure that the pediatrician is still taking clients and is covered under your insurance network. Alternatively, you can use your insurance company’s “Find a Doctor” tool or the AAP’s search tool.

What to Look for in a Pediatrician

One last thing to consider before we get into what questions to ask a pediatrician: what exactly to look for in a pediatrician. We go over how to find a pediatrician and what exactly to look for in much more detail in this post, The Ultimate Guide to Finding the Perfect Pediatrician, but here’s some of the basics:

Convenience

Sometimes, it’s worth the 45 minutes drive for a great pediatrician. However, generally speaking, you’ll want to find one nearby. 

You should also check the practice’s availability, including their regular hours of operation, available nurse lines, and after-hours consultations. During the first 3 years of your baby’s life, you’ll visit the doctor a minimum of nine times (and trust me, this is the minimum).

Friendliness and Professionalism

Your doctor doesn’t have to be outrageously outgoing, but you should at least feel comfortable with him. If he’s not overly friendly, at least make sure that he’s courteous and listens to your concerns.

A pediatrician’s level of professionalism often trickles down to his staff. If the staff is rude over the phone or in person, you may want to consider a different pediatrician. 

Credentials and Services

Though not required, it is helpful to find an ABP or AAFP board-certified physician. This certification goes above and beyond the minimum requirements of practicing medicine, and ensures that your pediatrician is informed. 

If your child has a special condition, make sure that your pediatrician is not only trained, but experienced in that field.
Also, you may want to look at the services offered at the practice, such as same-day sick appointments, walk-ins, what tests are offered, and any special requirements needed for your child. 

Medical coverage and/or Payment System

You don’t want to break the bank every time you visit the doctor’s office. Make sure that your candidates are a part of your insurance network before making the interview with the pediatrician.

If you don’t have an insurance plan, ask the staff about their payment plan options or any uninsured patient discounts.

Philosophy and personality

At the heart of it all, the interview questions for a pediatrician should determine how well you jive together. If you don’t get along with your pediatrician or have zero commonality, you’ll both be miserable. 

Make sure you feel comfortable expressing your concerns and opinions with your pediatrician. Even if he doesn’t agree, he should listen and respectfully say his peace. However, if you disagree on several important issues (for example, your doctor pushes formula when you’ve decided to breastfeed), it may be time to move on.

Questions to Ask Before Interviewing Pediatrician

You will want to do your homework before you even set up the interview. A parent-pediatrician relationship should be one of mutual respect. Pediatricians are very busy, so figuring out the minute details beforehand will show her that you’re respectful of her time. 

Before the interview, you should know:

• Office hours ( you may need to ask the pediatrician about after-hours care or consultations)
• How they handle billing and insurance
• Doctor’s credentials, including any disciplinary actions (Google {State} medical disciplinary actions). Most of the time, your doctor’s credentials can be found on Vitals.com, Healthgrades.com, or her healthcare network’s website. 

Hey, Mama. Are you pregnant and on a budget? Don’t let that keep you from taking a childbirth course! I highly recommend checking out the Birth It Up Online Class from Mommy Labor Nurse. Whether you’re planning on giving birth naturally or with an epidural, you can learn everything you need to know for under $40! Check it out!

How to Set up the Meet and Greet 

I highly recommend calling the office to set up the meet and greet, rather than using any online appointment system. When you think about it, this is the first time you’ll get a gauge on the office staff. It’s an important call!

Stumped on what to say?

Simply explain that your are a parent/future parent and you’re interested in setting up a consultation to get to the know the pediatrician. Most of the time, the staff is completely understand. However, if they balk at the idea of a meet-and-greet or claim that you need to set up a first patient visit, you may want to keep looking.

Keep in mind that most offices do charge for this consultation, which may or may not be covered under your insurance policy. 

Personally, I would set up three interviews. You may not attend all three, but if the first interview is a flop, you won’t be scrambling to schedule another one. Most of the time, the office will let you cancel with 24 hours notice.

The Best Questions to Ask a Pediatrician at a Meet and Greet

Okay, you’ve made it this far!

 Now it’s time to get into the good stuff: questions to ask a pediatrician at a meet and greet. Some of these questions are pretty straight-forward, but there are a few that have a little more nuance.

1. Tell me about your practice. 

This is an open-ended question designed to gauge what’s most important to your pediatrician and get a feel for his personality. Don’t try to fill the silence, let him talk about his practice and what matters most to him.

2. If you’re unavailable, who can I see or talk to about my child’s illness?

Urgent care clinics are expensive and you have no idea what you’re walking into. You want to make sure that if your pediatrician is on vacation for two weeks, you can take your child to someone that your pediatrician trusts.

3. Does your practice provide after-hours consulting? 

It’s 2AM and your baby has a raging fever. Should you take him to the ER or wait it out until morning? 

An after-hours nurse line or consultation line can answer that question fairly quickly. If your pediatrician doesn’t have this service, you should ask how long it will be before you can expect a call-back. 

4. Do you offer walk-ins or same-day sick appointments?

Most practices offer same-day appointments for infants or children with acute illnesses. Double-check this fact before making your decision. If the clinic doesn’t offer that service, they should refer you to a good nearby walk-in clinic. 

5. What’s your philosophy on {vaccines, infant antibiotics, circumcision, baby weaning, breastfeeding, sleep training, etc}.

Hands down, one of the most important questions to ask a pediatrician: what’s your opinion on…

Don’t go crazy here, but do focus on the controversial issues that are most important to you. 

If you’re looking for extreme and disrespectful opinions. For example, if your doctor is adamantly against sleep training and criticizes you for practicing it, this is an indication you should move on. However, if he states his opinion professionally and respectfully, you may not have any issues.

You really need to use your discretion here. Your pediatrician will be your greatest ally and source of information for a long time. 

6. Why did you choose pediatrics?

When I first became a mom, I saw another blogger recommend this question. I chickened out of asking it because it felt a little too personal. Now, I wish I had. 

The answer to this question is an excellent indication of how committed this pediatrician is to her practice and how passionate she will be with your child.

7. Are your imaging or testing centers in our network as well?

Ideally, the practice will be able to do x-rays, urine samples, and blood tests in-house. However, if this isn’t the case, it’s a good idea to check out the locations the pediatrician requires you to use. 

8. Do you have children?

Just like question 6, this is one of the more awkward questions to ask a pediatrician.

The point isn’t necessarily that your doctor has children of his own and is qualified to make diagnoses of children. You’re just trying to get a gauge on his personality and passion. Try to ask it as organically as possible.

9. Do you have any experience with {insert your baby’s special circumstances}.

If your child has special needs, you want to make sure that you find the professional most qualified to care for them. This is a non-negotiable. 

10. If pregnant, ask the newborn checkup at the hospital. 

If your doctor isn’t able to provide this service, most of the time it’s not a deal-breaker. Many hospitals have pediatricians on-call that can perform this checkup. However, do make sure that you can bring your baby in within 5 days of leaving the hospital.

SHORT ON TIME? PIN IT FOR LATER!

Questions to Ask Yourself

Cleanliness

Does the facility offer sanitation stations? Are the parking lots, rooms, and lobbies well-kept? What about the play area? Your kid will spend a lot of time in those play areas, sharing germs with other children. Make sure that the facility is up to snuff.

Friendliness

Look at the supporting staff. Were the nurses and office admin friendly? Did they get you in on time? Don’t forget that this place seriously affects your child as well. If the vibe is cold and unfriendly, your child may pick up on it. 

Knowledge

On paper, many doctors share the same qualifications. However, that doesn’t mean they share the same experiences. How did your doctor do answering your questions? Was he confident and informative or did he balk at the interview process? 

Also consider if he seemed up-to-date on his practices.

Comfort

How comfortable did you feel asking these questions? Did you feel rushed? If you were respectful of the doctor’s time, you should not have felt pressured. Mostly, you want to feel heard. If your doctor seemed bored, unresponsive, or belittling, this is probably not a good fit.

Don’t Forget the Purpose of the Meet and Greet

Are you noticing a common theme here?

The interview isn’t so much for assessing the pediatrician’s professional qualifications but making sure she’s a great fit for you. On paper, most pediatricians can do the job, but you want to do more than find a qualified pediatrician. You want to find the best one for your family, right?

That requires some of the box questions that dive into who your doctor is as a person and a professional.

What Are Some of Your Favorite Questions to Ask a Pediatrician?

I sincerely hope this list helps your interview with a pediatrician go smoothly. This is an important decision, but that doesn’t mean it has to be a big deal. You’ve got this! 

If you haven’t already checked out my post on How to Find a Perfect Pediatrician and downloaded your FREE Baby Medical Binder Printables, please do! I think it’ll really make the process so much easier. 

And, if you’re reading through this and you have a few of your own questions you’d like to add, I’d love to hear from you! Let’s support each other!

Good luck!

RELATED POSTS:

• How to Choose A Pediatrician Perfect for Your Baby
• The Ultimate Breastfeeding Class by Milkology Review (The Only Online Breastfeeding Class I Recommend!)
• How Skin-to-Skin Can Boost Your Newborn’s Development