In Style And In The Know

Welcome to TheShoppingMama.com, THE source for all the unique and fabulous things you want and need for your little ones but don’t have time to find yourself. I admit it – I’m an online shopping addict. I absolutely love to find (and buy) things for my children. My life was very different before I married and had kids, as was my use of the Internet. Once you have a couple kids in tow the joy of leisurely shopping at brick and mortar stores disappears. Now, I find myself surfing shopping sites and perusing Pinterest in between reading stories and changing diapers. And honestly, it is a little bit addicting. So I decided to put my addiction to good use by sharing my favorite online shops and goodies on The Shopping Mama blog.

For Baby

Becoming a mama changes everything, and not least of all your shopping habits. Now diaper bags, cloth diapers, cloth diaper pails, organic baby formula, baby monitors, bottle warmers, bottles for breastfed babies, pacifiers for breastfed babies, outdoor baby swings, baby pillows for flat heads, booster seats for tables, hair ties for babies, car seats, and other baby-related items are the things that catch your eye when you go out to shop.

And it isn’t just items specifically for babies – other things from towels to vehicles are now judged through the lens of how they will work with the baby. Most moms find after bringing their new baby home that many of the items and furnishings around their home aren’t really designed with babies in mind. For example, you may need a crib mattress, portable cribs, baby walking shoes, and toddler bed rails. That means you probably need more baby-friendly stuff.

If that sounds like you, the good news is that you aren’t the first mom to experience this. Many others have gone before you, and leaning from their triumphs and mistakes is an excellent way to avoid missteps of your own.

We do our best to boil down that wisdom into specific shopping advice, to help you get the baby items you need. In our reviews of baby-related items (like these lists of baby carriers for hiking and inflatable baby water mats) we try to include tips and shortcuts that will help you adapt to a new baby in your life as quickly as possible.

For Kids

As any mom knows, shopping for kids doesn’t just mean shopping for toys like toddler flashlights. Once your kids are past the baby stage, shopping for objects for them becomes a race against changing clothing sizes, favorite colors, and of course, making sure your kids have everything they need to start school. From backpacks and children’s clothes to swimsuits, bedding, towels and yes, toys (like kids basketball hoop, inflatable water slides, bikes for 2 year olds, play kitchens, or a trampoline for kids), we know making sure you pick out what’s best for your kids is your top priority. But reading through hundreds of reviews to find out what’s best for them can be time-consuming, which is why we’ve picked out some of the top kid friendly, mom approved products out there for you.

Whether you’re preparing for your family vacation with car seats, hiking gear, and sleeping bags or are looking to outfit your bathrooms with organic, child-safe soaps, shampoos, and more, we have dozens of videos and conveniently ranked lists to help take the stress out of shopping, so you can spend more time with your kids and less time chasing them around a store. We even have musical toy reviews (like drum sets for kids and toddler drum sets). Plus, our lists come with plenty of advice for moms with kids of all ages, whether you’re fighting the troublesome twos, are looking for gummy vitamins, or are about to take a dive into the world of puberty for the first time, we’ve got your back. For example, getting a fitness tracker for kids will help you make sure they are getting enough physical activity. Trust us, you’ve got this, super mama.

Educational Toys

Toys are important for the development of your child’s intellect. Give you kids a head start with some of these great educational toys:

For Mom

Let’s be real, when was the last time you bought something for yourself? Kids can become the center of our world the minute they’re born, but sometimes it’s important to think about shopping for yourself. Now, we don’t just mean stocking up on plenty of comfortable pants and a new streaming subscription. We’ve picked out some of the best mom-centered items on the market (like a breast pump or organic prenatal vitamins, or beauty items like a flat iron for fine hair or a hair dryer for thick hair), so you can shop with confidence knowing you’re not going to buy another dud nursing bra, baby carrier, or diaper bag. We’ve also included plenty of goods to help you prepare for becoming a mom, from comfortable pillows that make the second and third trimester a breeze (see our review of pregnancy pillows), to maternity clothes that will have you ready to run a fashion show.

Taking care of kids can be messy, which is why we look for the most durable (and easily cleanable) clothing options out there. After all, who has time to throw another outfit in the wash when you’re getting them out the door for the day? We also look at creative storage solutions – like vacuum storage bags – to help you manage all the clutter.We also have plenty of fun items to remind you that it’s okay to take some time for yourself, from sleep masks and “World’s Greatest Mom” mugs to sweaters that you’ll never want to take off, or to blender for smoothies with ice. So embrace the awesomeness of being a mama, and remember you deserve to treat yourself. To help regain that pre-baby body we have some reviews of postpartum girdles and waist trainers.

Gear

Anyone who has had kids knows that leaving the house is like gearing up for battle. That’s why we’ve put together the most family-friendly and lifesaving gear out there to make raising kids a little less chaotic. From travel system strollers, umbrella strollers for travel, and travel potty seats for toddlers to baby gates and monitors to car seats, bike seats, toddler step stools, carriers, nursery night lights, and even commuter electric scooters, we’ve sorted through the hundreds of options out there so you can pick from your favorites without ending up on the 12th page of Amazon. We think parenting gear should make your life easier, not more complicated, which is why we have plenty of videos on how to set up a car seat, or how to choose the right baby gate.

We also have gear to make being a parent that much less stressful, like a foot massager and door safety clips. We know sometimes it can be hard to stay on top of your kids, especially if you have more than one, which is why we took the stress out of shopping for parenting gear. So take a look through some of our reviews (like these ones on strollers for jogging, and baby walkers) where we break down the basics so you can be a smarter shopper even after you leave our site. Rest assured, once you look through our selection you’ll never have to head out of the house under prepared again.