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| Is there a tough, cool diaper bag I can buy for my husband? —Kelly, Morristown, TN | ||
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Tough and cool are not always words you’d pair with a bag—until you’ve seen the Diaper Dude, that is. The line sports designs that are not only practical, but also stylish in a manly-meets-hipster way. I think any one of their carryalls makes for a great dad gift, even if you don’t have a baby. Every parent knows that kids of all ages need a ton of gear, and the Diaper Dude helps Daddy keep things organized and accessible. Check out these handsome styles (prices range from $60 to $135) or go to www.diaperdude.com to pick one up. |  |
| I’m pregnant and I am a germophobe. Help. Please. —Tracey, Milwaukee, WI | ||
| Well, first of all, your best defense against germs is to wash your hands—in regular soap and warm water for a good 30 seconds. Most doctors will tell you that the antibacterial lotions and soaps can actually be counterproductive, as their frequent use can make you immune to the germs. Hello, MRSA. Anyway, I understand how you feel. I was pregnant last winter and felt the compulsion to be as sterile as possible. So, because you can’t be living in a bubble, circa 1976 John Travolta cinema, and hand-washing might not be enough to ease your mind, you can protect yourself and your family with a Germ Guardian (www.guardiantechnologies.com), a room sanitizer that kills 99.9 percent of airborne germs, odors allergens and mold spores. Best of all: It sanitizes without chemicals by harnessing the power of naturally occurring UV-C light technology. Okay, I don’t fully get it, but who cares? The Germ Guardian comes in three varieties: the Germ Guardian UV-C Room Air Sanitizer is $199.99, the Germ Guardian UV-C Pluggable Air Sanitizer is $69.99 and the Germ Guardian UV-C Sanitizer Wand—how cool is it?—is $129.99. The latter can be passed over surfaces to kill germs like salmonella and staph within a minute of exposure, and it kills mold and bacteria. I don’t have the wand, but as I am typing this, I realize that I have to get it. With every depression of a key on this keyboard, I am growing increasingly more obsessed. Could this be the end of my taking-daughter-to-the-public-bathroom fears? Germless fingers crossed! |
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| I’m looking for BPA-free stroller toys. Can you suggest some? —Dawn, Kamloops, British Columbia |
 I was in Babies “R” Us the other day and, man, are there a lot of clingy, clangy, primary-colored baby toys out there! It’s not always so easy to know which ones are good (and by good, I mean safe) and which ones are junk.I am into Munchkin’s One Planet. One Future. line of nature-inspired toys. They’re BPA-free, serve as a great recognition tool for children and help foster a respect for nature in the early stages of development. (As a side note, Munchkin says that all of their bottles, pacifiers and teethers will be BPA-free by the end of 2008.) Nowadays, I think that there are too many worthy, enviro-friendly companies out there to waste your time and money with ones that aren’t. I buy Munchkin for three reasons: 1) The  toys are fun and appealing; 2) My baby likes them; and 3) The company is making a concerted effort to evolve with the times. You have to feel good about the money you are spending, especially when the future of your children is at stake. Yes, a stroller toy is a little thing, but every step toward advancing your consciousness and the global consciousness counts.Okay, let me get down from my soapbox. And now to answer your question specifically, the Dangly Buddy ($7.99, www.munchkin.com) is a big hit with my little man. Available in a giraffe or frog, the hanging toy has a retractable and vibrating neck, arms that see-saw and a body that rattles. It’s actually quite engaging. Clip it onto your stroller, diaper bag, car seat, crib or activity mat and watch your wee one howl with laughter—and feel better knowing that your hard-earned dollars are going to a company that puts kids first. |
