Products That Give Back at Mommy + Me Boutique

Self-care won’t solve all of your problems, but it’s a necessary part of any long-term mommy survival game plan. Think about it this way: wouldn’t you like your kids to grow up with strategies in their back pocket for restoring calmness and snatching tiny bits of pleasure no matter what emotional state they’re in? The best way to teach them that is to lead by example.

Create a self care regimen involving products that satisfy you while feeling only a tiny bit over-indulgent. There’s no need to fill a whole drawer with self care products; perhaps only one shelf of your bathroom cabinet. The next time you want to stock up on something to indulge in, we recommend going organic. Beauty that hurts your health would be counterproductive, so why risk it? From foods to spa stuff, we’ll cover a few of our favorite organic self-care buys in this post.

1. Aromatic Bath Products

For many people, taking a shower or bath regularly is a primary stress-relief ritual. With organic bath-time self care products such as a gentle and fragrant body wash, artisanal bath bomb, or exfoliating scrub, you can upgrade your cleansing ritual to a moment of pleasure full of sensations and smells you love.

Hatched Boutique is home to bath products by Erbaviva, an all-ages organic skin care brand that relies on nature to create positive beauty and health results. Their products, which include stretch mark cream and nipple cream, are very thoughtful organic gift ideas for any new mother!

2. Aromatic Massage Oil or Lotion

Bath-time with self care products is a great way to start an afternoon of self-pampering. If you have time after you finish – on a weekend, for instance – it can be a good idea to follow up the bath with a brief massage using an aromatic emollient lotion or massage oil. That way, when you do step back into the fast-paced routine of daily life, that nice moisturized and perfumed feeling will keep you going strong!

3. Essential Oil Aromatherapy

Continuing on the theme of aromatic self care products, we highly recommend giving essential oils a try. Just go to a shop with lots of different kinds available and give them a round of sniffs until you find something you like! There are lots of ways to use them. You can roll them on your wrist or behind the ears as perfume; you can roll them onto your yoga mat to enhance your experience on the mat; or, you can use them with an air diffuser to keep the scents in the air longer.

Smells are something you can enjoy in most settings. Keep a little joy in your pocket with a small tube of essential oils. Are you more of a candle or incense person? Those are also great aromatic self care products!

4. Face mask

No self care regimen is complete without something specifically intended for your beautiful face. Depending on what your goals are for facial skincare, there are lots of organic face mask ingredients that can reach them including:

• Yogurt to lift surface cells
• Aloe vera to boost radiance
• Turmeric to reduce redness
• Egg white and lemon juice to reduce the appearance of pores
• Ground almonds to protect against pollution

Shop for an organic face mask containing these ingredients, or make your own using recipes found online! Creating and applying a face mask for your own mother would make a great personalized organic gift idea.

5. Juice or Smoothie

What you put into your body is even more important than what you put on its surface. Self care products are great to have, but whenever possible, you should also try to rejuvenate your insides with fresh, organic substances. When you’re busy (and especially if you’re a busy mom), it can be hard to stay in a health-oriented mindset. The right smoothie will provide you with some of the nutrients you need while also containing your favorite fruits and tasting delicious. It’ll also reacquaint you to the flavors of nature and leave you craving more of Mother Nature’s goodness. It would be impossible to oversell this one!

6. Something Comfy to Wear

Need a quick, effortless boost? Getting a wearable self care product – such as a comfortable new organic bathrobe, pair of slippers, silk kimono or hair turban – is a great way to feel more joyful even if you’re busy cleaning or doing errands. Make sure you have a “comfy but cute” outfit prepped for all those days when you want to spend minimal effort. Some days are meant for skinny jeans, but on some days only sweat pants or harem pants will do.

7. Organic Bedding

You sleep in your bed every day. Though you don’t consciously experience every moment of your sleep, you DO feel the effects of your sleep the next morning. Good bedding is a crucial self care product that also makes an excellent organic gift idea. To get the best night’s sleep possible, make sure you not only wash and replace your bed sheets as needed, but also that you prepare natural (or at least non-toxic) bed sheets for your bed. At Hatched Boutique, we offer organic blankets for your child to use. But don’t just treat baby; treat yourself, too! We hear silk pillowcases feel amazing and come with lots of health benefits.

Upgrade Your Parenting Routine with Hatched Boutique

Shopping organic has a lot of benefits, including creating a non-toxic living environment, supporting better farming practices, and surrounding yourself with items that feel more comfortable on the skin. Most of the self care products and baby clothes at Hatched Boutique are made from organic materials. That way, it’s easy for you to stock up on organic parenting supplies all in one place. We’ve also got amazing mommy products in stock. Check out our list of all the awesome premium brands we carry here!

When bringing baby home from the hospital, it’s important that he already has most of the clothes he needs for his first few days. Yes, there’s a little room for error, but you’ll have a much more comfortable time as a parent if you have all the basics ready so you can focus on your new arrival.

At Hatched Boutique, we’re huge proponents of the completely organic layette. It’s not that we want to shelter our kids from everything - there are plenty of toxins out in the world - but we do what we can. We work on creating a natural immediate environment. We stock our boutique full of cute, cuddly, and baby-safe layette options so that when you (or a new mother in your life) start creating your next layette, you can go organic if you choose. Check everything off your list with the products we outline in this article!

The Going-Home Outfit

For excited parents, the going-home outfit is one of the most important parts of the organic layette set. The hospital will provide you with all the clothing you need while there, but you’ll need to prepare your own clothes for baby to wear on the trip home. The best going-home outfit is not just cute but also foolproof. For instance, you need something that can accommodate the car seat straps and seatbelt. You’ll also need to prepare layers so that you’re ready for anything. Examples of newborn layette outfits to prepare include:

• A bodysuit with pants or leg warmers. We recommend: super soft Finn + Emma bodysuits;
• A one piece outfit. We recommend: one pieces by L’ovedbaby;
• A tiny button onesie, just in case. (In the NICU these are a go-to because of hospital equipment and monitoring wires.)
• A hat. We recommend: adorable hats by Copper Pearl;
• Footwear: We recommend Jericho shoes in 0-6 months;
• Receiving blankets to drape over the legs. We recommend: this India-made organic throw by Elliefunday.

When choosing the top or bodysuit for your organic going home layette, make sure that the neck of the outfit is easy to deal with. Babies have extremely delicate heads and it’s best not to jostle or touch that area too much. Always go for clothing with front buttons so that nothing has to be pulled on over the head. And be prepared for the unexpected--if things don’t go as smoothly as planned, you want baby to be as comfy as possible!

Other Layette Clothing

Babies need a lot of stuff! It’s a lot of fun to prepare their layette, but it can also be a chore. To cut down on expenses and work, try to get as much of your child’s layette needs ready with help from your baby shower guests. Your personal organic layette will be up to you to create, but here are some of the products that we’ve always found to be necessary in our experience:

• About 7 one pieces (long or short-sleeved, depending on the weather);
• About 7 onesies;
• About 6 pajamas (sleeping gowns or one pieces);
• About 5 pairs of socks;
• 2 or more hats;
• 5 or more burp cloths;
• 10 or more bibs.

Babies grow quickly. While your newborn organic layette is the most important thing to have right away, we also suggest that you prepare larger sizes ahead of time in preparation for those weeks when your child seems to be a different size every day.

Bedding Layette

Bedding is a crucial component to get right in order to prevent SIDS. Make certain you do your research to ensure that your bed and bedding are as baby-safe as possible!

• 2 swaddles. We recommend multi-purpose aden + anais swaddles;
• 4 or more receiving blankets;
• 2 or more fitted sheets for the crib mattress. We recommend Copper Pearl one-size-fits-all sheets.

Good organic layette bedding makes a difference. It is breathable, feels soft to the skin, and only gets softer with every wash. We carry bedding in a wide price range in all sorts of designs to help add comfort to your baby’s day and joy to yours.

Other Layette Supplies…

We won’t list all the newborn care supplies you need here – we’re sure you’ve done your own research for that. However, we will suggest that you go organic with certain items on your list, especially those items that come in close contact with skin. Consider going organic for:

• Cloth diapers
• Toys
• Teethers
• Towels
• Shampoo, body wash, lotion and diaper cream
• Baby oil
• Sunscreen

For all your organic layette skincare needs, we recommend products by Erbaviva. They are committed to using natural ingredients. In other words, you can pronounce all the ingredients in their products! Also check out organic skincare products catered for mommy’s use. Your new arrival isn’t the only one that needs some serious pampering after his arrival.

Shop Newborn Layette at Hatched Boutique

Your baby deserves the softest, safest welcome possible, so make sure he has that with help from high quality organic layette clothing, bedding, and other products! One great reason to buy organic clothing and bedding is because they are made to last. You can throw them carelessly into the wash again and again; you’ll be amazed at how well they continue to soothe baby and keep her clean.

We’d be happy to help you prepare for your layette in any way possible. Don’t hesitate to contact us! Get started on layette clothing shopping for your baby girl or boy today!

If you haven’t yet taken a mommy and me class with your little one, we highly recommend that you give it a try! It’s a great way to add variation to your child’s schedule, learn new skills, and get some bonding time while you’re at it. Creative classes can help awaken talents, while active classes help create a habit of exercise for your kids.

We’ve tried a number of classes with our kids, and mommy and me yoga is one of the class types that leaves us feeling satisfied after every single session. How can anyone say no to zen, especially as a parent? We find that not only does yoga work wonders for mommies with busy lifestyles, but it also teaches kids peace and other essential life skills. There are many other ways that yoga can benefit both you and your children. Continue reading to find out what some of them are!

1. Crucial Bonding Time

Our favorite part of going to mommy and me yoga is the bonding opportunity it creates. It’s hard to ever feel like you’re getting enough time with your little one during his first few years, and every experience counts.

Newborn Bonding

If your child is an infant, a lot of the poses in your mommy and me class will either involve looking at or touching your child. Your curious baby will enjoy watching and interacting with you in this relaxed environment. Some classes will even advise you on baby stretches you can do for your child.

Toddler Bonding

Mommy and me yoga can help you and your toddler bond through the shared experience of learning something new together. What makes it even greater is that yoga is all about moving your body in new ways, AKA play! During class, make sure to put the emphasis on fun and learning and not on perfection.

2. Health Benefits for Both

Yoga leads to increased strength, flexibility, and body awareness for those who practice it. Several other potential health benefits, including better digestion and respiration, are possible for both you and your child when you do mommy and me yoga. These benefits can be enjoyed even by beginner yogis, making it a truly irresistible form of exercise for kids and adults alike.

A Great “First Sport” to Try

As you may guess, the health benefits of yoga can easily translate to other physical activities. As your child grows and begins to pursue dance, soccer, or other sports, she will have a huge advantage thanks to her yoga background.

Postnatal Healing

There are many postnatal yoga classes out there specifically designed for mommies with newborns. These classes can help you ease the aches, tension, and physical weakness that are natural side effects of childbirth. You may be surprised by how much your body confidence and restfulness increase after your mommy and me yoga classes! Combine the relaxing effects with naturally aromatic postnatal skincare products for a holistic afternoon of healing.

3. Learn Mindfulness Together

Though your daily routines may look very different, both you and your little one experience stress in some form. Mindfulness – the practice of being aware of and accepting of your thoughts and your situation – can help.

During class, your instructor will teach you to breathe with intention and do asanas, or yoga poses, that take some focus. Breathing and focusing happen to be two skills that can help increase your mindfulness in times of stress! When you breathe with intention, you can step back from a stressful situation. When you focus on your body, you can remove yourself from all the external factors that are influencing your emotions. You and your child will easily be able to take the practice of mindfulness out of the mommy and me yoga studio and into the home classroom, and workplace.

4. Better Sleep for Both

A 2012 National Health Interview Survey reported that 55% of yogis surveyed were getting better sleep because of yoga. It’s no wonder: the relaxed pace of most yoga classes can help bring practitioners to a more restful state. The practice also decreases your cortisol levels, alleviates chronic pain, and quells the bustling activity in your mind.

Does your growing child often come to your bedroom at night to report that he can’t sleep? Instruct him to make note of some of the mommy and me yoga poses that make him feel sleepy, and to do those right before bed. The same goes for you!

Practice Staying Still

Most yoga classes end in savasana, or corpse pose. This pose helps you wind down from all the activity of before, and often results in a sleeping yogi or two! You or your child can repeat this pose at bedtime underneath a favorite blanket to get to sleep faster.

When you begin practicing yoga, you’ll learn that it’s far more than just a physical exercise for kids and adults. Sometimes, not moving is the point! When your child comes out of the mommy and me yoga class with a love of staying still, you’ll know that your efforts were worth it.

5. Socialize with Mommies and Babies

After having a baby, you may not get many chances for socialization. You spend lots of time parenting, and your choices are limited when it comes to personal activities. If you have an infant, she has to go wherever you go. If you have a toddler, she WANTS to go wherever you go. Even if you do have time for a social life, perhaps you’d like to get a chance to meet more parents to commiserate with.

A mommy and me yoga class allows you to make time for socialization while still keeping your little one happy. During and after class, you will be able to meet other parents, and your child will have the chance to mingle with kids her age. At a mommy and me class, everyone expects children to cry and make a fuss. You can feel confident knowing that no one’s judging you for having a noisy one on your hands.

Find Your Inner Peace… Together!

Few exercises are as perfect for all age groups as yoga, and a mommy and me yoga class is a great way to take advantage of this fact. Rather than aiming for 6-pack abs and weight loss, yoga equips you with tools that help you feel more peaceful and calm no matter what happens in life. Sure, you may want to add on higher intensity exercises for your kids later on, but yoga is a great place to start. Make an online search to look for classes in your area, then attend them with your child—or invite another parent and child to come along, too!

Hatched Boutique can help clothe your infant or toddler for all of her exercise needs, including for mommy and me yoga. Many of our cozy pajamas, for example, double as great activewear. Shop tops, bottoms, and one pieces for boys and girls and get free shipping on all orders $35 and more!

Fun is healthy, but is your baby staying healthy while having fun? Bright colors, cheerful noises, and exciting textures are all important things to look for in your baby’s soft toys, rattles, and books, but these things should all come secondary to safety.

At Hatched Boutique, our favorite kind of baby toy is one that is safe, adorable, and made from organic materials. While it’s possible for baby toys to be safe without being organic, we prefer this distinction because we like knowing that only all-natural substances are going into our little ones’ curious mouths. We also like knowing that our purchases are contributing to a healthy planet, not a depleted one.

Whether you’re going for organic or simply safe, shopping for a reliable soft toy or hard toy takes a little bit of care. That being said, it’s definitely doable! Just use our reliable checklist the next time you’re at the toy store or shopping online.

1. Does My Child Fit The Intended Age Range?

Most children’s toys come with a tag or sticker explaining their intended age range. Manufacturers make these estimates by assessing what age a child must be to use the toy safely. Toys with small parts, for example, won’t generally be marketed towards children under three years of age. Don’t just rely on these labels, though! They’re just a guideline. Make sure to take your child’s actual playing habits into account.

2. Is It Non-Toxic?

Soft toys and plastic toys alike can potentially contain toxic substances. Common plastics such as PVC often contains heavy metals, phthalates, and other substances that interfere with normal development and cause cancer. The same goes for common fabric dyes including Azo dye. For a more sustainable and baby-safe alternative, we recommend choosing toys made from G.O.T.S certified organic fabrics or sustainably-sourced wood or bamboo. They’re safer and they’re just as colorful and stimulating to play with.

3. Could My Child Swallow The Toy Or Its Parts?

Safe baby toy use involves constant adult supervision, but it would be impossible for you to control everything your little one tries to do with her favorite soft toy or plastic toy. A newborn baby WILL taste, chew on, or even try to eat her toys. As a rule of thumb, make sure that the toy is bigger than your child’s mouth. If it’s a stuffed toy, check the eyes, ears, tails, and limbs to make sure they are sewn well and extremely difficult to tug off. Be especially wary of small magnets, which could repel and attract inside a child’s body and cause injury. Also, be wary about small parts that are hidden inside the toy.

4. Is It Too Heavy For Baby?

While you want your baby’s soft toys and hard toys to be too big to swallow, you also don’t want them to be so heavy that they’d hurt her if they fell over. This point applies especially to hard toys and play gyms, which have bigger frames. Make sure that play gyms are made from lightweight materials such as wood or hollow plastic, and make sure that there’s a solid base structure holding everything up. At Hatched Boutique, we prefer versatile minimalist play gyms made from untreated wood with detachable, loveable animal friends included.

5. Is There A Strangulation Risk?

A soft toy doesn’t have to have that much string attached to pose a strangulation hazard. Be wary about ribbons, yarns, strings or cords attached to any of your child’s toys, including baby mobiles that your child might be able to reach. Of course, many stuffed animals have tails attached. Most of them won’t be a worry – the strings you should be cautious about are those 12 inches or longer.

6. Is The Toy In Good Condition?

If you’re a parent who prefers the eco-friendly and small business option when shopping for yourself, you may also be interested in sourcing hand-me-down toys or locally handmade toys, especially soft toys, for your child. While these objects are often perfectly safe baby toys, this depends on the quality of craftsmanship and degree of wear. Use an especially critical eye when evaluating the conditions of these toys to make sure that there are no detachable parts or questionable materials in sight (or hidden inside!).

Browse The Hatched Boutique Collection

From natural latex toys painted with food-grade dyes to 100% organic hypoallergenic soft toys, our toy box is filled with high-quality baby toys that we curated for optimum safety and play value. If you’re looking for something to delight your own baby or an exciting gift for a baby shower, you’re in good hands. Visit the collection today and get free shipping on any order $35 or over!

Most of today’s young’uns are getting less outdoor time than their parents did when they were little. While this isn’t necessarily a problem, it does mean that you, the parent or caretaker, will need to take extra steps to encourage your child to get off of the screen and into the great outdoors. There are many benefits to wholesome outdoor toddler activities, including Vitamin D exposure, exercise, and the chance to appreciate nature. Pair substantial outdoor time with a non-toxic (preferably organic) indoor environment to make sure that your child is safely raised and holistically developed.

In this outdoorsy blog post, we’ll suggest a few nature trips to take with your toddler, complete with handy tips on what to wear and bring. Even if you live in an urban environment, chances are that one of these locations will be a short drive away from you. And if not, we made sure to include a few alternative field trip ideas so that you and your toddler don’t miss out on outdoor activities this season.

Apple Orchard

Toddlers love to learn about where common objects come from, and this absolutely applies to the fruit they eat! An apple orchard trip is a great way to enjoy the sights, smells and slight chill of the fall season while also getting some exercise and family time in. Assign your little one the task of picking out the juiciest apples she can reach, and she won’t disappoint you. When you get home, it’s your turn to get to work: whip out the family apple pie recipe or find a delightful new apple recipe to put those sweet fruits to good use. Apple-picking is a toddler activity that will easily turn into a yearly tradition for the entire family.

What To Wear & Bring

Always dress appropriately for outdoor activities, bringing layers when appropriate. Consider bringing:

• Overalls or other rugged clothes
• Rain boots, if rain or mud is expected
• Raincoats, if rain is expected
• A box, sack or wagon for all those apples

Similar Trip Ideas

• Pumpkin patches
• Berry farms
• Family-friendly farms
• Farmer’s markets

National Park

Instilling your child with a love of national parks and nature preserves at a young age is a great way to set him up for a life of physical fitness and closeness with nature. National parks are full of activities that both toddlers and adults can enjoy, making them another great field trip idea for the whole family.

Look for child-friendly programs and sights such as child-oriented talks, easy but beautiful hikes, wildlife viewing ops, and exciting geological formations. It’s always a good idea for your child to bring a friend to keep boredom at bay. Prepare to take lots of breaks for resting and noticing things big and small!

What to Wear & Bring

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Jackets or hoodies, if chilly weather or high altitudes are expected
• Hats to protect from the chill and sun
• Plenty of water and trail snacks
• A camera for animal and plant sightings
• A park map to help locate the toddler activities

Similar Trip Ideas

• Your local park
• Zoos and aquariums

Botanical Garden

Botanical gardens and arboretums, especially those equipped for children’s education, are full of opportunities for family fun and discovery. Yes, you will have the chance to view plants and flowers with unique characteristics and backgrounds, but that’s not all - many botanical gardens will also offer an intimate look into how plants are sown and grown. Some of them will even offer bug- or bird-viewing activities that allow your toddler to get up close and personal with her tiny neighbors. Don’t be surprised if your child leaves the botanical garden with a newfound passion for gardening or birdwatching!

What To Wear & Bring

• Hats to keep UV rays at bay
• A camera to document interesting plants and animals
• Water and snacks
• A packed lunch to eat after all that walking

Similar Trip Ideas

• Butterfly sanctuaries
• Natural history museums
• Tree nurseries
• Garden stores
• Your own backyard!

Your Great Adventure Is Waiting!

With a little research and planning, a beautiful outdoor trip can easily be on your family’s horizon. Take your toddler on plenty of outdoor activities from a young age and you’ll be less likely to have a TV-hugger on your hands.

We hope this post has inspired you with a few field trip ideas that appeal to you and your moppet! The next step is to make sure that your little one is properly dressed for your plans. Browse the tabs above to shop all the clothing, hats, sunglasses and more that your child needs to stay safe and cozy on your next outing!

Organic Skincare trend has taken off do the toxic ingredients that are absorbed through skin in most products we use today. EPA has acknowledged that babies and children are 10 times more vulnerable to carcinogenic chemicals than adults. Below you will see a list of toxic ingredients to avoid when buying skincare products for your entire family.

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Hatched Boutique came into fruition to fulfill a purpose and passion for quality children’s clothing and accessories, while providing gifts for mommies too. Our unique products are environmentally friendly while offering a bit of whimsy to your hatchlings ever growing needs. Shopping with Hatched, you are also giving back to many organizations that our brands support.

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