This fleece baby sling in the black retro style is great for keeping your little one extra-warm when he or she is next to your body. It helps baby snuggle into your warmth and feel comfortable and cozy. This reversible sling is especially appropriate for newborns, as it tends to fit a bit more snugly (since it’s made of fleece). It comes in sizes from X-Small (20″-22″ long) to X-Large (29″-31″ long) and sells for $35 at Wallababy.com.

This is one of the cutest kids’ hats I’ve seen in a long time. Pickled Beets Kids Hats is a new company from Wisconsin. Founder Greta Johnson designs and hand-makes each stretchable fleece hat. I particularly like this Penguins hat. The polyester fleece repels water and provides warmth without weight. The hat has a hook and loop adjustable chin strap enclosure. Matching mittens are also available. The hat sells for $27 at PickledBeetsKidsHats.com, where you can also view the variety of other animal-themed hats available. A great idea for the upcoming winter season, or even for the holidays!

This Album di Famiglia Fleece Coat is definitely a splurge, but it has the kind of simple styling that I adore. Made in Italy, this great coat is perfect for both fall and winter. Its care instructions are as simple as its lines: just throw it in the washing machine. This great coat is available in sizes from 18-24 months up to 6-8 years. I have a feeling its long clean lines will look better on an older/taller child. You can purchase one for $180 at estella-nyc.com.

Here is a great option for toddlers who have outgrown traditional sleepsacks. Made by Halo, this Big Kid Fleece Sleepsack offers the comfort and warmth of traditional sleepsacks, eliminating the problems of blankets that get kicked off in the night. It also, however, has leg holes to allow mobile children to walk around while wearing it. When my infant starts walking, I might check this out, since I have been missing the ease of sleepsacks. You can purchase one for a very reasonable $22.99 at goores.com. Several color and design options are available for both boys and girls.

I for one will be glad to see an end to summer heat. As cooler weather rolls around, it will be time to start thinking about cozy jackets once again. This sweet fleece model from Mack & Co. is perfect for chilly fall days. Available in either pink or blue, it features a lively dot print and a peter pan collar. You can purchase one on sale at shop.nordstrom.com. Sizes from 2T-4T are $27.90, and sizes from 4-6X are $29.90.

The Babbaco Beep Beep Snuggle Fleece Car Seat Cover made me smile the moment I spotted it at BellyDanceBaby.com.  It is not only sure to make people feel happy (and ask questions) but it is handy as well, as it is equipped with pockets for diapers, keys, wallets, etc. The Babbaco folks had convenience and fun in mind with this design. However, I wouldn’t say they had economy in mind, as the price tag is a hefty $89. I’ve seen entire car seats for sale at that price before! However, designer doesn’t come cheap. If you’ve got the budget, why not have fun with your infant car seat?

Recently I discovered a company from Vancouver, BC that makes handmade ponchos. Named “Po Po’s,” a Chinese word translated as “Grandma’s,” the company was started in 2007 by Karen Stark. She began using different colors, fabric combinations, and so forth in creating unique styles of cute ponchos for babies and little children. They come in three sizes, accommodating kids from ages 3 to 6, in micro fleece or CVC fleece, trimmed in 100% cotton. Various styles are available at different times on PoPosPonchos.com, for $46 CDN (about $40 USD). Visit the site to check out these adorable ponchos.

Though there are only sizes 18-24 months left, the Fleece Lined Anorak for $26 at bodenusa.com is a good deal. It’s available in camouflage print and is lightweight for movement but warm enough for comfort. Buyer ratings are excellent and I know many an online mama-fan of Boden clothing. Just put it away for next year, if you’ve got a little one whose winter wardrobe needs some sprucing up.

Wal-Mart has issued a recall on its Buster Brown & Co. Cars Fleece Clog Children’s Shoes. Decorative wheels on the shoes can become loose, causing a possible choking hazard for children. These shoes are red, plastic clogs with fleece lining, designed to look like Lightning McQueen from the “Cars” movie. They were sold exclusively at Wal-Mart from September 2008 through March 2009. If you own these shoes, bring them back to Wal-Mart for a full refund.

I think hooded sweatshirts on boys are the cutest things going. The Me Too Baby Kadla Happy Dog Sherpa Fleece Hoodie Jacket is just the thing for any baby gift or to make that ideal ensemble for baby. The vivid colors and cute doggy on the front will work perfectly worn with jeans or cargo shorts and a white tee. It’s available for 0-3, 3-6, and 6-9 month babies. It’s a shame it doesn’t come in larger sizes, because 9-12 or 12-18 are sizes that seem to last the longest. Best of all, it’s on sale for 32 % off at $30 at PolkaDotPatch.com.

 
My son’s fluffy cloth diapered bum means that it is tougher to find pants that fit nicely. After doing some asking around, I found naartjie.com which had decent prices but not a lot of selection. I liked the $19.95 Gecko fleece pants, which came in several sizes (3-6M, 6-12M, 12-18M, 18-24M, and 2T) and neutral colors (cement, creek, and storm cloud.) They’re 100% cotton, equipped with lots of pockets for carrying all the stuff little guys pick up, and can be thrown in the machine for washing out all the dirt from playing hard.  

An option many moms swear by is the Wiggle Pants collection by Hanna Andersson. They’re less expensive and roomy in the bum, with specially sewn seams for wiggle room. Made in organic cotton (a lovely material I favor), they are only $16.50 at HannaAndersson.com. They come in all kinds of colors for boys or girls, including white, red, pink and blue.

There are so many things to think about when you’re having a baby and how to fit their bums in pants shouldn’t have to be one of them! Hopefully I’ve done some of the work for you; I think these two sites are a great place to start for your cloth-bottomed baby.
 

Every once in a while, I misjudge a product, or change my impression of it over time.  I have to say that the Kiddopotamus Swaddle Blanket is one such product.  I bought two of these when I was pregnant with my middle daughter three years ago.  I was terribly disappointed when I brought her home and couldn’t figure out how to make them work.  They didn’t seem intuitively easy to use, the Velcro seemed like a pain, and the smallest size was too big, so the edge was up in her face, which just seemed dangerous.  I gave up and packed the open one away.  I later gave the second one to a friend.

Fast forward three years and I find myself with a very fussy baby.  I pulled this out and decided to give it another try.  Although this baby was smaller at birth than the last, she is gaining weight pretty quickly, and at three weeks this is a pretty good fit.  I don’t have to worry about extra fabric being up near her face.  I also had no problem getting it on her and the Velcro worked just fine.  She is actually sleeping quite peacefully in it at this very moment.  I still wish that it weren’t made from a synthetic fiber, but all and all, I am quite glad I gave it another shot.  The company has since begun making a 100% organic cotton version which costs just a little bit more.

If you have small babies, you might not be able to use this product immediately after birth, but don’t rule it out completely.  You can purchase one for $9.99 at ToysRUs.com.  Several sizes and color choices are available.

As seen in Child Magazine, this Infant Fleece Bunting with Mongolian Faux Fur trim is sure to keep your child warm and comfortable. Made by Cyndy Love Designs, the hand openings fold closed for extra warmth. This looks like a good choice for those winter outings when you want to make sure your little one is all bundled up but you don’t want him to get overheated. Clothes that are designed with children’s needs and comforts in mind are a real gem. Visit  CyndyLoveDesigns.com to view this item, which is priced at $58 and available in newborn to 24 months sizes. It comes in Charcoal or Light Grey.

This Airplane Berber Fleece Pullover looks perfect for the cold weather. It’s made by Cyndy Love Designs from 100% polyester and is generously sized - which means it’s a very comfy fit. It looks especially roomy at the neck opening for easy on, easy off. Some kids get a little panicky when they’re trying to pull a sweatshirt or t-shirt over their head and it’s a little too snug. I like that this Pullover is designed with kids in mind.

Oh, and the little airplane on the front of the Pullover - it’s a real toy! It’s completely contained in the acrylic pouch. This just makes it more fun for kids. Visit CyndyLoveDesigns.com to view this item, priced at $45. It’s available in sizes infant to  8 and comes in Navy, Red, and Black.

I recently stumbled upon this unique vest in Parenting magazine and just had to read more about it. The Peekaru Original Vest is a new way to “wear” your baby. Different from a baby sling, the Peekaroo  is a fleece vest that fits over any traditional baby sling or wrap and provides extra warmth for both you and your baby. It is supposed to fit comfortably over all brands of baby carriers. It’s made of 85% recycled Polartec fleece, with each Peekaru vest saving 25 plastic bottles from heading to the landfill. It is also Okeo-tex Standard 100, so you know it’s eco-friendly. The vest comes in black, blue, gray, green, or lavender, and in sizes appropriate for mommies and daddies. This seems like a must-have winter accessory to me, if you have a baby that you routinely carry in a sling. It costs $79.95 at TogetherBe.com.