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SWIM STROKE OF GENIUS
Have a budding little fish still learning to stay afloat? Grab some Schlori Swim-Cushions, PVC-free swim aids that are made of a durable fiber that stands up to chlorine, saltwater and thermal water. There are no plugs or vents that can be easily damaged; how the air stays in is a company secret, but it works. Perhaps best of all, the German import cushions put the body in a natural position for swimming and allow for range of motion so your mermaid-in-training can practice proper form and still say above water.
($28, www.peaceloveorganicearth.com)
SOCK IT TO ME
Say bye-bye to children’s socks that are constantly falling down—Rock-a-Thigh Baby socks keep little gams covered, from the tips of their toes to the tops of their thighs, making these a diaper bag must-have that are comfier and more convenient than tights. Designed by a mother of four young girls, the socks are made from an environmentally friendly sustainable cotton blend and are available in sizes ranging from 0 to 6 months through 4, with plans to expand to bigger sizes in the future. With no-skid grips on the soles and ribbed panels that keep the leg wear in place, kids can run, dance and play, all without slipping and sliding. Footastic bonus: The socks are made in the USA and the shipping is free!
($14, www.rockathighbaby.com)
WALK THIS WAY
Now that spring’s in full bloom and the skies are blue (for the most part), it’s a great time to get outside and enjoy the fresh air and flowers. For the toddler who’s able to walk along while you push his or her younger sibling in the stroller, the tag*a*long gives your mini walker something to hold onto and gives you peace of mind. The handle, in bright colors like lemon and tangerine, requires no tools and attaches to most strollers, plus it’s BPA-free, making it a good stand-in for moms who only have so many hands.
($9.99, www.tagalongkids.com)
IT’S IN THE BAG
Looking for a reusable alternative to sandwich and snack bags? ReUsies have you covered. Perfect for camp, beach days, picnics and, of course, lunchboxes, each bag is lined with leak-resistant nylon (that’s BPA-, lead and phthalate-free) and secured with a Velcro closure. The sandwich size fits a regular-sized sandwich or a bagel, while the snack size is good for apple slices, crackers, pretzels and more. Plus, they’re just cute—with dozens of patterns to choose from, even the pickiest child will find a suitable style.
($6.95 to $8.95, www.reusies.com)
WHEN BAD SPIT HAPPENS TO GOOD BABIES
Gastroesophageal reflux (GER), aka spitting up, isn’t uncommon in babies, given that they have immature digestive systems. Many fewer infants experience discomfort and other complications due to reflux, known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). But whether you’re dealing with GER, GERD or just a small fry who likes to wiggle when he eats, you’ll appreciate the Hug-a-Bib baby bib, which uses a unique design to guarantee that it’ll stay put (allow us to repeat: stay put!) when spit-up happens. Parents can accessorize with the Clippy Cloth, an oversized, padded burp cloth that attaches to clothing at the shoulder to keep Baby’s head comfy and Mom or Dad’s clothes dry.
($14.99, Hug-a-Bib and Clippy Cloth, www.hugabib.com)
ITCHY AND SCRATCHY
Poor babies—not only do they have to deal with navigating a world totally foreign to them, rely on someone else for all their basic needs, and try to communicate everything they’re feeling in the limited language of crying, but many of them also deal with a big bummer: cradle cap (that condition that causes dry, flaky patches on babies’ scalps). To soothe their pretty little heads, try the Bean-B-Clean, a scalp massaging brush that successfully fights cradle cap, developed by grandparents who wanted a solution to their grandchild’s crusty noggin. Infants may still have to cry to get what they want, but at least they won’t be crying over an itchy scalp.
TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME
Get your kids revved up for summer with these baseball-style tees from Choochi Baby, makers of one-of-a-kind, handcrafted gift items. Each tee can be personalized with a letter; you get to pick the fabric design from an array of fun, summer-inspired prints like flip-flops, flowers and rainbow clouds for the girls; airplanes, baseballs and patriotic-colored stars for the boys. They’ll be pleased as punch to run around showing off their style and touting a letter from their name for all to see. Score one run for the mom who scoops one of these tees up!
($18 to $22, www.choochibaby.com)
SNUGGLE TIME
What’s better than a soft blanket with a sassy print? Kids will love cozying up in these blankies, designed by a young woman who furthered her fashion IQ at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising after getting a bachelor’s degree at a traditional college. The zebra and jaguar prints are totally chic, and with three sizes (security blanket, baby blanket and stroller blanket), you’re sure to find a perfect fit for your tiny tot to curl up in the lap of luxury. What’s that, you say? You’d like one, too? You’re in luck, because Jenna Lee Baby also has Mommy Blankets, which come in paisley prints and are just as cushy as their kid counterparts.
($32 to $95, www.jennaleebaby.com)
PICTURE THIS
Documenting Baby’s growth at 1 month, 2 months, 3 months and on is a wonderful photographic keepsake and shows clearly just how fast they grow (really, really fast!). Many moms write out their child’s age on a sign for these photo ops, which is fine and dandy, but when your little one gets a little less little … well, good luck keeping the sign upright and out of Baby’s mouth. Your solution is the stickers from Picky Sticky, which adhere to onesies and shirts and look like an iron-on transfer. They come in fun fonts and colors and at a totally reasonable price—that’s a photo-op grand slam.
($14.99, www.pickysticky.com)
A VISION IN PURPLE
When it comes to kids’ clothes, cute matters—and as we’re increasingly learning, so does the material. That’s because a baby’s skin is 60 percent thinner than the skin of an adult, making little ones more susceptible to absorbing potentially dangerous chemicals used to produce clothing. That’s where Bungalow BeBe comes in—they make adorable duds, all without any fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides or chemicals. Take, for example, the Eva Spin Dress, which lets little girls be pretty in purple, with just the right amount of ruffles, as well as the right amount of toxins (that would be none).
($26.99, Eva Spin Dress, www.bungalowbebe.com)
