Inside ToteSavvy

Hello Lovelies! If you're reading this we're pretty confident you recently had baby #2 (or 3 or 4!) and are overwhelmed with the idea of adding even more stuff to your diaper bag. Packing for one can be a challenge, but something you quickly master. Packing for two? That's a whole new ball game!  With ToteSavvy you can easily and effectively pack necessities for both of your babes without feeling like you're carrying the whole nursery along with you. As a veteran mom, you probably realize packing light is a true asset!   Here's what's inside our ToteSavvy for a newborn baby and cruisin' toddler: (3) size 4 diapers (3) size 1 diapers wet wipes (1) toddler clean outfit (1) newborn clean outfit Green Sprouts sippy cup Ubbi snack container  Motherlove nipple cream – must have if breastfeeding! Solly Baby swaddle Teether toy Mama & Little teething bracelets Babo lip balm     The list may seem light, and it is! We've paired down the essentials you'll need when out and about with two under two. Your newborn baby won't need much more than diapers, wipes, a spare outfit and maybe a blanket. If you're breastfeeding you can pack your favorite nipple cream and breastmilk pads. If you're bottle feeding, an extra bottle or two can be packed inside ToteSavvy's insulated pocket.        We like to use the extra large Velcro pocket for spare clothing. It's large enough to fit multiple outfits, and easy to reach in and access.      Your toddler may need a bit more than your newborn, but not so much to overload your handbag. Every toddler we know is snack-happy to don't forget to pack his or her favorite snack!      When on-the-go with your babes we highly recommend the Solly Baby wrap. Their super soft Lenzing Modal wraps are perfect for holding your newborn close, while chasing after an energetic toddler. We love Solly because their wraps are made in the U.S. and $1 from every wrap purchased helps make a safe birth for a mother around the world.     

 T-shirt by Ezra + Eli   With Father's Day around the corner, we thought it was the perfect time to highlight how a real dad (of twins!) utilizes ToteSavvy when out and about with his crew.  Now packing for two generally means double the diaper bag essentials, but with the right packing strategy and the right organizer (ToteSavvy!) you can easily pack a dad bag without carrying the entire nursery along with you.      Let's start with the packing list:  2 Green Sprouts straw sippy cups (P.s. We LOVE these cups!) 1 Innobaby snack tower filled with fruits, veggies and crackers 2 puree pouches 2 Grovia Hybrid Diaper shells  4 disposable Grovia BioSoaker pads Babo diaper rash cream (it's cloth diaper safe!) 1 package of wet wipes 2 clean outfits 1 Acure Baby's Day Out kit– includes sunscreen, boo-boo stick, and bug repellant   We love using Grovia's Hybrid Cloth Diaper with disposable inserts when on-the-go. The disposable BioSoaker pads make it very easy to swap out a new one when baby is wet. After returning home you can easily switch back to your cloth inserts which snap right into the shell!  Two extra shells are packing inside this ToteSavvy along with 4 BioSoaker inserts on top. The shells may not be needed, but are great to have just in case!  Next to the diaper shells and pads are our favorite wet wipes from Honest Co. We recommend packing a full package a wipes just in case you run into a sticky situation.    The adorable trio by Acure fits perfectly inside one of ToteSavvy's small pockets. It's always a great idea to be prepared for sun or outdoor fun so be sure to include these inside your diaper bag.  In the second small pocket fits two applesauce puree pouches– a quick and easy snack while on-the-go!    We were recently introduced to the Innobaby stackable snack tower and completely fell in love with it. We like being able to see each snack with it's clear walls and that each compartment snaps on an off with ease. It's also the perfect size for our insulated pocket!    Don't forget the extra set of clothes and a beverage! Two Green Sprouts straw cups fit perfectly inside ToteSavvy's x-large pocket. In between the cups and snack tower is room for two extra sets of clothing. Insider tip: Roll clothing for a better fit inside ToteSavvy's pockets.      ToteSavvy's flat pocket is the perfect place to house these disposable placemats. A must-have item when eating out with baby!        This dad bag is fully packed and ready to go!   

 

 

  Traveling around the holidays is NOT a zen experience. From delayed flights to overcrowded airports, holiday travel tends to put a damper on the beginning and end of your vacation. Because it's not a reasonable solution to forego traveling all together, we're offering some tips to help keep you cool, calm and collected.    Pack Smart Know your destination and activities planned for your trip. If you're traveling to a tropical location you can get by on a few dresses, shorts, swimwear and sun accessories. Try not to overpack. You'll want to take the least amount of suitcases possible.  If your destination calls for packing extra layers, be smart about your outfits. Utilize the same components for numerous ensembles. My general rule of thumb is to pack 3-4 tops per bottom. You can create 7-10 outfits out of only a few key pieces. To mix it up, pack smaller accessories (like jewelry and scarves) to distinguish each look.  Don't Overpack Activities for Toddler or Baby  Though it may sound appealing to pack the entire playroom for your flight, opt for smaller (and compact) toys that have a variety of features. For babies I love packing a teether that's also a fun shape (like Sophie the Giraffe) and a colorful book that makes crunching noises. Toddlers do well with books (think light and thin paperbacks) and a small magnetic play set. This is great for travel because the magnets keep the pieces from flying all over. We love Tegu because they're suitable for ages 1+. Organization Is Key to Keeping Yourself Together Your handbag will become your arsenal of tools for the trip so make sure it's impeccably organized with ToteSavvy. You'll want every item within reach and easily accessible. If you're traveling with a baby or small child, it's a good idea to pack their essentials in your handbag. This way you can be confident nothing will be left behind or lost.    

  I was elated when my daughter first expressed interest in potty training. "This is the end of diapers!" I thought to myself. I had already been reading about potty training and had a great strategy at home. It wasn't until the potty training coincided with our daily routine that I realized, we won't always be home and within 15 steps of a toilet! How would I handle our potty training strategy outside of our house? And more importantly, what would I need to bring with me to ensure I didn't end up with a pee soaked (or worse!) toddler at Target??  After a little trial and error, I put together the perfect diaper bag packing list for being out-and-about with my toddler while potty training. Some of you may be asking, "can't you potty train in one weekend?". The answer is simple. All children are different. Some may kick the diaper habit in 48 hours, while others take a lot longer. Some may even show interest, yet resist actually moving away from diapers for months. If this sounds like your little one, be prepared with potty training essentials at all times :) The Perfected Potty Training Packing List: Pull ups or training underwear (x2) - Instead of packing diapers, you will now be packing training underwear or pull ups. I suggest packing a few pairs in your diaper bag to ensure you always have a spare pair on hand.  Wet wipes - While toilet paper is available in all restrooms, you'll want wet wipes just in case the accident is a dreaded poop.  Full change of clothing - Pack a full outfit instead of just the bottoms. If your little one does have an accident, they may feel more comfortable completely changing rather than only one piece of clothing.  Hand sanitizer - This is a must for me! Hand sanitizer can be easier to use in some restrooms. You never know how equipped a restroom will be until it's too late.  Reward snack - While slightly controversial, I find my toddler is motivated by a small reward. If she makes it through our outing without having an accident, I'm happy to offer one of her favorite snacks as a treat.  Sippy cup with water - I always have a sippy cup with water in my diaper bag. Hydration is very important and I can't expect my daughter to use the potty if she doesn't have to go! Now for the organization part. I, of course, organize everything inside my ToteSavvy. It's a great handbag organizer because it holds everything I need, while keeping each item easily accessible. Being made from a water repellant nylon fabric, the entire insert is essentially a "wet bag". It even boasts a large exterior pocket marketed as a "dirty pocket" for soiled clothing or diapers. This comes in VERY handy when you're looking for a place to stash those pee-soaked clothes! Check out ToteSavvy here, and see how I organize it below.