Accessories

No matter how careful we are or how prepared we are as parents we just can’t forsee every circumstance or situation. Being able to “see” that our baby is safe and secure can go a long way to peace of mind. The BébéSounds LCD Flat Panel Color Video & Sound Monitor could really help.

Usually we have our newborns in the bassinet or crib right next to our own bed. But when they’re transitioning to their own space this is a good way to feel secure - for the child too. They might have some anxieties about sleeping away from parents also.

Both camera and screen may be wall-mounted. The flat color screen measures 5.5″.  It can connect to your TV or VCR. The BébéSounds LCD Flat Panel Color Video & Sound Monitor is 900 Mhz, with a 400 ft transmission range. A/C adaptors are included, and it also works on 6 “AA” batteries (sold separately). You can buy one for $189.35 at OneStepAhead.com.

“At Little Marmara, we believe in simple things. That we should treat the environment as we would treat ourselves. That nothing should go next to our children’s beautiful skin that we would not place next to our own. That clothing for little people can and should be as artful and well made as clothing for big people. And that at no point from the cotton fields to our customers should the earth or any of its inhabitants suffer in the slightest for our cause.”

I included the site’s mission statment because it speaks of the thought and caring that is apparent in their organic products. One good example is this Yastk (Pillow/Bag) which they suggest can be used as a naptime companion for daycare, extended day pre-school, and kindergarten.

Personal items from home are so important to children at naptime. Children in daycare have a little more to deal with then stay-at-home children. Whenever we can make any part of their day a little less stressful we should definitely do it. A pillow is a small thing but it fits snugly in a child’s place.

The Little Marmara Yastk (Pillow/Bag) measures 11.75″ x 10.5″. Made from 100% organic Turkish cotton and low-impact dyes, it comes in Moss, Natural, and Eggplant. You can purchase one of these unique and thoughtful pillows for $28.00 at LittleMarmara.com.

These Fairies in the Garden Alphabet Wall Cards are reproduced from Melissa Sweet’s watercolor illustrations onto heavy laminated stock. I can think of several ways to display these beautiful reproductions. They’d be lovely as a wall border or around the frame of a doorway or window to brighten your little girl’s bedroom. You might even frame and hang them as separate pictures or display along a shelf or molding.

Each card measures 8″x10″. A set of 26 costs $25.50  at HannaAndersson.com.

One of my favorite products for my younger daughter was a gorgeous cable knit bunting from Ralph Lauren.  Ours is very similar to this one, although we didn’t opt for the added luxury of cashmere.  The great thing about a bunting is that it is cozy and snug in cool weather.  The downsides are that they cannot be used in a car seat or most strollers/baby carriers.  I enjoyed using our with either the bassinet attachment for our stroller or a sling.

The Ralph Lauren Cashmere Cable Bunting is absolutely top of the line.  Made from fine cashmere, it is as soft as it is adorable.  The look is simple and classic, but your baby will be absolutely pampered.  The hood adds and extra layer of comfort and warmth for little heads.  The bunting is available in blue, pink, or cream.  You can purchase one on sale for $187.50 at RalphLauren.com.

If organic is worth doing once, it’s worth doing all the way. The Naturepedic Organic Changing Pad Set includes a Changing Pad, Bassinet Pad, Bassinet Pad (Oval), and Portacrib Pad.

There are many advantages to using these organic pads. The organic cotton cover has a clear 100% polyethlene food-grade waterproof coating. It’s non-allergernic and easy to clean. Keep a set at home or give a set as a baby shower gift.

Pick up a set for $79.00 at PiccoliniOnline.com.

This is a good item to have handy when your baby drops or throws his pacifier. I never know what to do with it right away. With these quilted Pacifier Holders by Petunia Petunia, you can store the pacifier until you have a chance to rinse it.

These pockets can also be used for cell phones. One for pocket for mommy’s phone and one pocket for baby’s pacifier — how much more organized could you be?

Petunia Petunia Pacifier Pockets come in your choice of Crimson, Navy or Tangerine and cost $16.00 at PiccoliniOnline.com.

I can think of a couple of ways off the top of my head for sharing your little “heartthrob” via the Summer Infant Deluxe Prenatal Heart Listening System. Not only can you listen to your baby’s wonderful heartbeat, you can also record it.  Once the heartbeat is recorded you can download it to your home computer and attach it to an email announcing your due date. When the baby is born and you start downloading all those digital pics to your computer, you’ll have a very unique soundtrack for baby’s first slide show.

But best of all, you have a personal way of connecting with baby in the womb. Just think, you could hear his/her little heartbeat each night before you go to sleep. How comforting that would be. It’s priced at $24.99 (sale) at Amazon.com.

Most car seats are so bulky even if they’re lightweight, making for an awkward time trying to secure the seat and keeping a hold of your children at the same time. Just going on a routine outing to the park can become a hassle. You must take time to pack the stroller, then secure the car seat. While you’re busy doing all of this, how can you keep aware of your surroundings? With the Christmas shopping season just ahead of us, all the time a mother must take to do these things can leave her feeling very vulnerable.

This Dakota Backless Booster Seat is for older children (33-100lbs), but it takes time and attention to get our older children situated in their car seats too. With a weight under 4 lbs and compact design, this ultra-comfy booster seat with help you spend less time struggling and have everyone safely secure in less time.

This booster seat has a machine washable cover and sells for $29.95 at OneStepAhead.com.

A fire could start suddenly in your home from faulty electrical wiring or a wall heater without any warning. This Kovenex Child Safety Blanket is made from high-tech Basofil fiber that effectively blocks heat and flames.

It would be a good idea is to have one of these fire blankets in each bedroom, under your child’s bed for quick access in an emergency. Go through a dry-run fire drill with your kids - they’ll think its fun and you’ll have a little more peace of mind (I say “a little” because we moms never stop worrying!).

You can purchase the Kovenex Child Safety Blanket for $69.95 at OneStepAhead.com.

Now, this is an item for a mother to love! My daughter’s closet is stuffed with stuffed animals. Every time I get around to cleaning out her closet I ask her to choose just her favorites to keep, but somehow we’re still stuck with stuff.

The Trio Animal Storage Bag is a practical and fun way to store all those friends. You just zip them into each of the compartments and use it for a play area.

You can purchase one for $99.99 at PiccoliniOnline.com.

I always think it is fun to have a cute piece of luggage for each of my kids.  I also think it helps them be more responsible for their things when we travel.  This adorable rolling suitcase from Room Seven is sure to be a favorite for any little girl.

The outside of the case is made from a shiny red vinyl with polka dots.  That in itself is awfully cute, but the added touch of the silly little kitty makes it irresistible.  It is cute enough that it can be disguised as a gift, even though it also benefits the parent.  The vinyl material is easy to clean with a damp cloth.

Right now this suitcase is available only for pre-orders.  It is expected to ship sometime in August or September.  If you want one, however, the time to buy one is now.  This brands tends to sell out quickly, and this is a very cute item.  You can order one for $198.95 at thesillywagon.com.

The Safety 1st Baby’s Deluxe Grooming Collection is an organized way to keep all of your baby’s grooming essentials, not just for travel but also on baby’s dresser/changing table. If you remember to put things back after you use them, you know where they are when you need them. Sounds like common sense but most of us really have to work at it. But once you get into the habit of putting things back where they belong, and this little case has a place for everything, you’ll be a much saner mommy.

Also known as the Hospital’s Choice, this kit includes: 1 nail clipper, 8 emery boards, no scratch mittens, toddler brush and comb, cradle cap comb, toddler toothbrush, and an infant gum massager, all in a convenient travel case. It’s appropriate for use from birth on up.

This neat little kit is priced at $39.99 at Amazon.com.

The only reason I never used one of these “wearable blankets” when my children were babies is that I just didn’t know about them.  If you’ve never tried the Halo SleepSack™ Wearable Blanket, I’d suggest you do.

First of all, it carries the recommendation seal from First Candle/SIDS Alliance abd it’s made from flame resistant polyester - so it’s safe for baby to wear! Secondly, this soft microfleece garment is trimmed in silky satin, zips downward (safely away from baby’s fingers) and comes in Soft Sky Blue and Pale Peony.

The Halo SleepSack™ Wearable Blanket comes in sizes NB (5-10lbs), S(10-18lbs), M(16-24lbs) and L(22-28lbs) and costs $33.50 at HannaAndersson.com.

Rumored to be among the baby gifts Nicole Kidman received for her new daughter, moccasins from Nowali are as practical as they are sweet.  Made from a cotton blend knit upper with a suede sole, these shoes are toasty for little feet and skid resistant to help keep new walkers safe.  They are also machine washable, so you don’t need to worry about keeping them spotless.

These cute little shoes are available in pink, blue, and ivory, and and sizes from 6-18 months.  The company also makes a wide range of other fun moccasins for little feet.  You can purchase a pair for $28 from MilkShop.com.

Preggers n’ Proud tees have appeared on Vh1’s Hot Mama show, The Today Show, E! News, TLC’s Baby Story, Bringing Home Baby, and Jon And Kate Plus 8.

I’m sure any mother would agree that Men Who Change Diapers Rule! This T-Shirt celebrates men who are proud to be dads. A man who values his family is a treasure to his wife and children. I’d vote for a man who changes diapers!

This daddy-tee is available in sizes M-XXL for $26.50 at BellamariBabyBoutique.com.