Health and Safety

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.

One of my biggest regrets is that I have never used a growth chart for either of my daughters. I have all the measurements from their doctor’s check-ups, but I have never kept any formal record of their growth. I guess it isn’t too late to start, but I wish I would have done so earlier.

This growth chart from Oopsy daisy might be what I need to get started. I absolutely love the design and the fact that the chart is made from canvas rather than paper or plastic. The artwork is a reprint of a work by Jenny Kostecki, and the canvas retains the look and detail of the original.

The How Does My Garden Grow? Growth Chart comes with a ribbon for hanging and decorative nails. It is available with or without personalization. It would look great in a child’s bedroom, and would make an impressive gift. More masculine styles are also available.

If you are as impressed with this chart as I am, you can purchase one for $54 at BabyOliverBoutique.com.

Caring for baby’s gums and teeth is very important. Teething babies will benefit also from the gentle massaging of their gums.

The Gerber Tooth & Gum Cleanser helps to make the discipline of caring for baby’s gums and teeth a fun time for you and baby. It’s a little space of time when you can talk to your baby while you gently clean.

It’s never too early to teach our children dental hygiene. The benefits are priceless. You can purchase one of these for just $5.99 online at CookiesKids.com.

The best of both worlds: this children’s First Meals cookbook was written by a Cordon Bleu chef and mom, Annabel Karmel. It has over 200 EASY, healthy recipes for children.

I never depended on ready-made meals out of a box, from a can, or from the frozen section, for my children’s meals…these were more like last resorts. I’m sure with a little more planning and time sheduling I could have done better, as we all could! Having a treasure-trove of easy and healthy kids meals readily available would be a big help.

It includes meals for lunch boxes, dinners, yummy treats and tips for food allergies and picky eaters. This hardcover book is 192 pages and costs $19.95 at OneStepAhead.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.

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.

If your baby is teething, you know how important it is to have a safe teether around when you need it.  That is the idea behind these great necklaces from Smart Moms.  Already embraced by celebrity parents such as Denise Richards and Tori Spelling, these necklaces look great–you would never guess that the “stones” are actually cleverly-disguised teethers.

I really like the look of this gold metallic version, which will be released soon (its estimated release date is 9/22/08).  You can purchase one for a very reasonable $19.10 at smartmomjewelry.com.  Best of all the mom-founded company gives a portion of its profits to charity.

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.

The First Years Baby Healthcare Kit is a nifty little kit to keep at home or to toss into baby’s bag when you’re on the go. I like having everything together in this convenient zippered case. I can’t remember how many times I had to search the house for the aspirator.This will help to keep mom organized when she has one hundred and one things to do.

Included in the kit are: a baby care and wellness guide, medicine spoon, medicine dropper with travel cap, hospital style nasal aspirator, digital thermometer with case, and nail clippers.

You can purchase one on sale for $11.66 at Amazon.com.

My husband and I loved the idea of an easy-on sunscreen when we first heard about it through a TV ad. Of course, we grabbed a bottle of the kind we thought seemed best for our family the next time we were out shopping.

Coppertone Continuous Spray has proven to be easy to apply and effective. It’s not overly expensive, as sunscreens can be, and really takes the time out of slathering our son when he’s about to hit the beach or play outside. With easy instructions, and even a warning not to spray it on your face but to spray on your hands and then rub on the face, it’s a simple solution for the mom on the go with little time to mess around with squirting bottles and sticky stuff.

Happy moms (of children over 6 months) everywhere can get it for $9.99 at Drugstore.com.

If, like me, you worry about your children being exposed to dangerous UVA and UVB rays, but you aren’t crazy about applying and reapplying sunblock all day long, check out these great suits made by Sun Protection Zone.  Made from light-weight, breathable fabrics that are soft next to the skin, these garments provide an SPF rating of 100+, blocking 97.5% of UVA and UVB rays.  Although you will still need to apply sunscreen to exposed areas, you will greatly reduce the amount of time and mess involved.

Available in a number of attractive prints, these suits are very kid friendly.  I had no problem getting my two year old to wear hers.  She has taken to referring to it as her jacket, I guess because it has a zipper.  Moreover, she looks absolutely adorable in it, which I wasn’t completely expecting.  I had to take a lot of pictures the first time she wore it.

These suits are available in sizes 1T, 2T, 4, and 6.  The 1T and 2T suits have convenient snaps for diaper changes.  You can purchase one for $30 at sunprotectionzone.com.  Older children will enjoy the company’s rash guard shirts (available in both short and long sleeve styles) which provide the same level of sun protection.

Sometimes it’s difficult to understand that an infant would want to be bundled up in a swaddling blanket.But swaddling provides warmth and security for an infant. It can keep him from being disturbed by his own startle reflex. He just needs to feel something close to the tightness and security of the womb. If your an expectant mom, go online for instructions on swaddling or purchase a book on this ancient art.

These muslin swaddling wraps by Aden+Anais have stretch and breathability to help keep baby from becoming overheated. They are available in a variety of colors and patterns, and cost $44.00 per pack of 4 @ AdenAndAnais.com.

I have never been a big fan of the grooming tasks required for infants–especially when it comes to clipping and caring for little finger and toenails. This cute little set from Tweezerman, the Children’s Care Kit, promises to make the job a little easier.

The set comes with a nail clippers, a nail file, a nail brush, and stainless steel scissors. All of the products are designed to meet the special requirements of tiny fingers and toes. Moreover, they are awfully cute, featuring cool colors and fun patterns.

You can definitely buy a grooming set for less than the $30 that this set costs, but I don’t think I have ever seen a set that was quite this appealing. It would also make a great shower or new baby gift. You can purchase the set at Nordstrom.com.