baby books + journals Archives

These inclusive baby books are made for LGBTQ parents, single parents, adoptive parents — hey, parents who fit into all three groups!

Spoiler alert: LGBTQ parents want to track babies’ milestones too. Seems like kind of an obvious statement in 2020, but so few baby memory books fit that need. In fact, it can be pretty hard to find baby books that don’t still offer prompts like “how...

A toddler memory book: Perfect for those of us who, uh, never did our actual baby books.

by Lexi Petronis | Kids

Make no mistake, your baby will always be your baby, no matter how old they are. But if you’ve kind of missed your window to put together a baby book (hey, we’re busy and sleep-deprived in those early days!) or you want to keep tracking milestones past...

Chinese Year of the Dog baby gifts: These adorable doggie-themed baby gifts are best in show.

by Caroline Siegrist | Baby

If you happen to be anticipating a new baby this year — whether your own or a friend’s — you’re in luck. Because February 16 marks the of Chinese New Year and the official start of the Year of the Dog, which means you can celebrate...

The baby book that will have you wanting to make a baby book.

by Ellyn Exley Dvorkin | Baby

Like most new parents I know, you’re probably wanting to keep a baby book to capture all those firsts: first smile, baby steps, first blurbs (trust me, they’re blurbs not words). But if you’re as harried a first-time mother as I am, you may soon discover...

6 simple tips for making a baby book when you’re a busy new parent. You can do it!

by Liz Gumbinner | Baby

One of the biggest mom guilt woes (or badges if you’re a proud Type B Mom) is the lack of a completed baby book. We hear it from so many readers over the years, and I get it! Even the best-laid plans can go south once there’s a real, live baby with needs...

10 sweet first Easter gifts for the new baby in your life

by Kate Etue | Baby, Kid Fashion, Toys + Playthings

If the new spring season also means a new baby in your family, don’t miss these 10 sweet first Easter gifts we’ve found at some of our favorite indie shops and makers this year. From keepsake ornaments to baby wraps so cute you won’t be able to...

When words aren’t enough: A goodbye to Amy Krouse Rosenthal

by Liz Gumbinner | Baby, Books for Kids, Thinking : Parent

It’s always a strange and complex feeling to feel the loss of someone you’ve never actually met, but that’s just what I feel right now, learning of today’s passing of author and mom of three, Amy Krouse Rosenthal. This is one woman who...

10 of the best, thoughtful gifts for newly adoptive parents and their kids

by Kate Etue | Baby, Fashion, Kid Fashion

As a newly adoptive parent, I’ve received a lot of generous adoption gifts from friends and family that celebrate our daughter’s culture and heritage, and speak volumes about the fact that she came into our family in a way very different from our other...

My holiday gift wish list: 5 splurge items I’d love for my baby! (Any family members listening?)

by Caroline Siegrist | Baby, Holiday Picks

I tend to be a pragmatist when it comes to buying baby gear. I want great, smart products that won’t break the bank, so you won’t find me shopping for a diamond-encrusted baby rattle or a WiFi-enabled wipes warmer (is that even a thing?) anytime soon. But...

9 terrific baby gift ideas to help baby (and mom) get more sleep | Baby Registry Essentials Guide

by Kristen Chase | Baby, Family Travel

If there’s one thing we know that every new mom needs, it’s sleep. Lots of it. Lots and lots of it. So what better baby shower gift to consider than one aimed at getting her just what she needs? We are so excited to put together tons of recommendations in...

Hi! We’re Kristen + Liz!

Kristen Chase + Liz Gumbinner of Cool Mom Picks

We started Cool Mom Picks in 2006 to help make life cooler, more meaningful, and more fun for parents of all kinds.

Trivia: It was called Cool Mom Sh*t for the first two days. (Yeah, we rethought that.)

We had no idea our site would grow to become a major lifestyle network, that we'd end up sharing our finds with the TODAY Show and Martha Stewart, that we'd be able to make a real difference for so many small businesses and women-run companies, or that we'd end up with an incredible community of the coolest readers on the planet. (If we do say so ourselves).

We did.

And we still love what we do every single day.

We're so glad you're here.