Dear Boston Mamas: Awesome Backpacks
Today's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from @Rhoosting via Twitter:
Dear Christine, What are your recommendations for the best, hip backpacks for toddlers? I'm sure others would appreciate your thoughts, given that back to school season is upon us.
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Now that I have recovered from my 
Strollers and car seats are the bread and butter of gear for parents, and finding a system that is easy to use and offers features that benefit both baby and grownups -- while being in an affordable ballpark -- can be challenging. I subsequently was impressed to learn about 
Oh, bottles. How I wish I had introduced you earlier to Laurel (we didn't get around to it until she was three months old, by which point she was set in her nursing ways and refused other feeding options). And thus, to new mom friends, I recommend that bottles are introduced once baby has the hang of breastfeeding, in order to allow mom the occasional walk or haircut without panicking about baby's hunger level. Not surprisingly, I always recommend BPA-free plastic or glass bottles (
I love gifting my new (or not so new) mom friends with slings. They're one of those products that might not make traditional registry lists, but they proved essential in calming Laurel, and also allowed me to have my hands free and get a few things done while Laurel snoozed or cuddled happily against me. And when you're next in the market for a sling, consider 
Today, 
If you are -- like me -- a total commitment-phobe when it comes to childproofing (I opted to drive myself crazy being hypervigilant rather than installing anything with screws or adhesive), I've got a chic and sleek answer for you: 
One beautiful thing about graduating from early parenting -- during which time I toted way too much stuff in an enormous diaper bag -- was the return of handbag use. Only problem? Laurel and my stuff got jumbled together and swapping handbag contents always was a nuisance, with some critical item (usually hand sanitizer) forgotten. Solution? The 
I’ve always been a fan of the diaper bag that doesn’t look like a diaper bag, and if you share that aesthetic, you’ll no doubt dig the modern simplicity of 
When first tasked to buy baby gear, it can be challenging to navigate the options; in particular the tradeoff between investing in more expensive long term solutions vs. inexpensive short term solutions. I tend to gravitate towards the former, and am particularly drawn to items (e.g., our 
Sometimes when I buckle Laurel into her booster seat I stand amazed that my six siblings and I made it out of childhood (i.e., the pre-car seat regulation era) unscathed. And the technology and styling continues to evolve in cool ways, such as with 
Laurel starts kindergarten in a couple of weeks but I haven’t been sweating the preparations due to a minimalist approach on the material side (the emotional preparation is another story...). In my latest 
Though Laurel is a great walking buddy, sometimes I really miss our babywearing days. Not only did I treasure the ease and coziness of slinging Laurel, but our limitless loops around the block (it was the only sure-fire way to get her to settle) proved beneficial for both my body and soul. And the gorgeous slings by locally owned 
Given Laurel’s volume of clothing and my distaste for ironing, the fabulous no-iron clothing and shoe labels from 
Few baby tasks see as much action as diapering so why not have a changing pad that's easy on the parental eye while offering a comfy surface for baby? The 
I'm still a tad in denial that we've hit August, primarily because it means we’re marching ever closer to the school year and Laurel's first day of kindergarten. And whether your child is a newbie or a big kid, one way to commemorate the turn of the season is a fresh new lunch bag or backpack. 
Given frequency of use, plus the fact that I'm a tad obsessed with cute accessories, it’s no surprise that I think new moms well deserve pretty diaper bags. And if you’re looking to stash your baby gear in style, check out 
As adorable as baby fashion can be, one thing I love about gifting something other than baby clothing to new parents is the last and use factor; for example, babies drool and spit up (frequently) well beyond a 3-month onesie window, so something like 
No matter the season, babies find comfort in being swaddled, and I’ve 
I’m all for recycling baby gear, but the reality is that some of the high use, in-the-spit-up-zone items get rather tired in a hurry. Luckily, locally based 
I love gifting expectant friends with cuddly, comforting, and useful objects, and 
Today, 
Today, 
Today, Evadne shares a review of the 
Particularly in these trying economic times, it’s critical to get maximum bang for your buck, so what’s not to love about a versatile bag that can transition from diaper duty to, well, anything else duty for either or both parents? Such are 
If you’re like me, and periodically (accidentally) make off with another kid’s lunchbox at school pickup, check out 
Let’s face it, blankets offer nothing but love. They’re wonderful to snuggle under, and if you share my obsession for textiles, they can be beautiful, creatively crafted, and even tell a story. And if you’re looking for a pretty and practical blanket for a little one, check out 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
Tired of tripping over strollers in your foyer? Today, 
Got an eco-minded mama to gift this holiday season? The limited edition 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
Whenever I see Laurel’s stack of bland, misshapen, undersized receiving blankets, I wonder how we survived her swaddling months. It’s no wonder those busy feet kept busting out of her burrito, and I certainly would have enjoyed prettier patterns. Luckily, for moms looking to swaddle in style there’s 
This weekend’s deluge made two things clear: the childhood joy of puddle stomping is timeless, and your kid can stay out and stomp a whole lot longer with the right gear. And for the ultimate in cuteness and quality, check out 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
To be honest, as a kid, I always was more excited about back to school supplies than school itself, and something like the 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
Today, I’m thrilled to welcome new contributor 
If you want to instill good hygiene and helping habits in your child, a step stool is a must, making easier everything from hand washing to kitchen helping to reaching that box of crayons on the counter “all by self.” And today, 
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One byproduct of toting reusable grocery bags is that we - thankfully - are free of that landslide of plastic shopping bags in our pantry. But it also means we no longer have those bags for toting Laurel’s soggy swimsuits. No matter - far more stylish storage is available. 
Luxurious swaddle blankets are a treasure; they’re so pretty that they’ll likely be among the keepsake items you can’t bear to part with when baby outgrows swaddling, and they provide the comfort and cuddle that will help encourage precious hours of sleep. And today, 
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Sometimes it’s the little things that make baby care easier, and 
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And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners: 
Summer invariably makes me think about being very pregnant, then in a persistent state of swelter during Laurel’s infancy, during which she wanted to be swaddled, cuddled, and slung constantly but was prone to overheating. If only we had know about the awesome cotton muslin wraps by 
Today, 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
No matter the weather or time of day, babies need blankies. And to suit everything from cuddle to snooze to tummy time, check out 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
We're thrilled to announce that our fabulous new featured contest is in partnership with 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
Laurel and I loved babywearing, but as she outgrew various slings and packs, I was resigned to hoisting her on my hip, which led to exhausted arms and the loss of hands-free babywearing. If only I had known about the 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
Congrats to our very fabulous food and fitness writer 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners: 
When you’re on the go, sometimes you just want to carry a little piece of home with you. And you can do just that for baby thanks to the clever and cuddly 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners: 
Today, 
For those who love babywearing and birthday parties, tomorrow (Feb. 27, 10:30am – 12:30pm) the 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners: 
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And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners: 
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners: 
Weekend Reading: 
I've long been a fan of Lands’ End kid 
It’s amazing how donning quality fabrics can improve your posture and relax your breath, and those attributes come in particularly handy when you’re baby wearing. To inspire good form, check out 
I’m thrilled to welcome new guest contributor 
No matter your age, there’s something undeniably comforting about cozying up under a great blanket. And for a petite yet inclusive collection of cashmere/silk and – get this – bamboo blankets for all ages, check out 
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And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners (the few not on vacation today!):
Your little yogi or yogini deserves better than typical yoga mats made of PVC (a plastic material containing toxic additives). Luckily, 
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by Jessica Seinfeld, a cookbook to help get veggies into your kids (check back for our review in the coming weeks!). 
(shown). 
and 
handles), 
, and 
that are designed to prevent the growth of bacteria; the straw cup (shown) keeps drinks cool for up to 12 hours (from 
