My friends thought I was nuts a few years ago when, tired of bulb-syringing my baby’s nose, I insisted I wanted a miniature vacuum to do the job. After she had outgrown the bulb syringe, I started seeing this product advertised. Although it isn’t exactly what I had imagined, it is pretty close. This battery-operated aspirator claims to provide just the right amount of suction to safely clear a clogged nose. I had forgotten about it until recently when baby #3’s nose started running constantly. I’m not sure how much I trust it to do what it claims, but for $25, I might take a chance. The bulb syringe and I don’t get along very well. You can check it out for yourself at Amazon.com.

In my experience, potty training isn’t something you can bribe your child into. I’ve tried, of course, but even a gorgeous set of furniture for her doll house wasn’t enough to get my then almost three year old motivated. Then, out of the blue, it was done. That said, there are some ways to stack the deck in your favor, and books and DVDs are one of them. Once Upon a Potty is the series that I had for my oldest daughter, who was much less resistant. The illustrations are fun, and the video is simple and to the point. A cute stuffed doll is also now available. It won’t miraculously train the child who like my daughter, expresses a preference for diapers (I can’t tell you how many times we heard “I want to change it!”), but it certainly promotes awareness of the body and pottying. You can pick up these products at OneStepAhead.com. The book retails for $6.95; the DVD for $16.95; and the doll is $19.95.

Here is a great BPA-free bottle for kids on the go. We bought a few of these for our kids to take to day camp last year and they have survived quite well. They have a very sleek look and are easy to clean. The bite valve may be a little tricky for the youngest users, but it really does help stop leaks. You can purchase this child-friendly .5 liter size for $11 at evergreencanteen.com. Larger sizes are also available.

I have to confess that I’m not the most zaelous bather of my children. In the summer, however, you just can’t get away with too much space between baths. Even reluctant bathers, however, are sure to enjoy these fantastic soapsicles from Bath & Body Works. Available in all kinds of fun colors, they area perfect summer treat. Although the usual retail is $7, they are currently on sale 2 for $10. You can purchase them in stores or at BathAndBodyWorks.com.

As vegetarians, we struggle to find gelatin-free vitamins for our kids. I was so excited when I discovered these ones from Rhino. My kids take them willingly, and they actually taste pretty good. I know this because they were the only vitamins I could handle during the height of morning sickness. Each bottle is roughly a month’s supply. You can purchase one for $9.99 at VeganStore.com. CVS drugstores also carry a store-brand that is similar, all-vegetarian, and a little cheaper.

Parents with a sense of humor will enjoy this “Mute Button” pacifier by Personal Pacifiers. My first two daughters would never use binkies, and I was always secretly jealous of the mute button effect. Now that our youngest is binky-addicted, I know that it is a mixed blessing. This silly binky is a reminder to take it all with a grain of salt and a smile. You can purchase one for $5.99 at trendyremedy.com. The company makes other fun pacifiers as well.

Bibs and Match is a unique, fashionable, safe, and practical idea for baby clothing. They make drool bib and onesie sets that are safer for baby than traditional bibs. The bibs snap directly onto the onesie, preventing strangulation and making changes easy. The bibs won’t rotate to the back and also have side snaps to prevent suffocation. The winner of 2008 iParenting Media Awards, Bibs and Match are also CPSIA compliant. They are made of 100% soft spun cotton using 100% non toxic water based ink. I particularly like this 3 piece boxed set, which features two bibs and one onesie. This would make a great gift for new parents. You can view all of the company’s offerings at BibsandMatch.com, where this set is available in sizes from 3-6 months to 9-12 months and sells for $30.

Like many children, my son has sensitive skin. I’ve learned to buy laundry detergents free of chemicals and dyes, but sometimes, his clothes still bother his skin. That’s why I was anxious to try Cottonique’s line of allergy-free clothing for babies, toddlers and children. I decided to sample their boys’ underwear, as they lie right next to a child’s skin. The first thing I noticed about the boys’ briefs was that they were just that - brief. They were styled more like a bikini than the traditional briefs that I’m used to seeing. But once I touched them, they were the softest underwear I’d ever felt.  The rough edges are sewn on the outside, not the inside, so as to avoid irritating the skin. The reason the underwear is so soft, according to the company, is that it’s made from 100% natural cotton, dye and chemical free, and pH balanced. This accounts for its off-white color. The clothing is also latex-free and spandex-free.

The only thing I didn’t like about the underwear was that they fit rather snugly - a notice that accompanied them in the box said that this was because they are not treated with flame-retardant chemicals, so they must fit snugly. My son said they were so comfortable he didn’t even remember he was wearing them. Time will tell if they hold up in the washer and dryer, or if they shrink too much to fit him. All in all, I’m very pleased with this Cottonique product. You can view all of their apparel at Cottonique.com, where the boys’ underwear I tried sells for $17.75 for a pack of three.

It’s amazing how many products you begin to accumulate in the medicine chest as soon as you have kids. That’s one of the reasons I like this multipurpose Derma-E Tea Tree and E Antiseptic Creme. With its pleasant tea tree oil scent, this cream calms skin without overwhelming the nose. You can use it on dry irritated skin, burns, diaper rash, you name it. It is easy to apply and isn’t greasy. Its eco-friendly formula is safe for use on kids of any age. You can purchase a 4 oz jar for $7.49 at LuckyVitamin.com.

I bought one of these fun teethers when my middle daughter was an infant, and my six month old is now enjoying it. This bright yellow ball is easy for little hands to manipulate, and when it makes it into her mouth, the little nubs soothe her gums. This, along with Sophie the Giraffe, is her favorite teething toy these days. Best of all, this one is very affordable. You can purchase one on sale for $5.25 at amazon.com.

No matter how vigilant we are with the bug repellent, we always end up with some bites. My current choice for relief is Hyland’s homeopathic Bug Bite Ointment. I have always liked the Hyland’s brand, and I feel very safe using this on even the youngest members of our family. It comes in an easy to apply, pleasant-smelling stick. It fits easily in a pocket, purse, or backpack. My daughter takes one in her bag for day camp each day and it really works out well.You can purchase one for $8.99 at drugstore.com.

My baby is cutting her first teeth, and it isn’t pretty. I think we’re getting less sleep than we did in the earliest newborn days. I’ve been looking for a homeopathic remedy that doesn’t contain belladonna. I finally found one–NatraBio’s Children’s Teething Relief Liquid. This natural remedy comes in a bottle with a dropper, which I find much easier to use than gel. You just put a few drops under the tongue. I can’t say it is a miracle cure, but I’d like to think it is helping some. I paid almost $8 for a bottle, but then found it for only $4.98 at vitacost.com.

Epicuren Baby Diaper Spray is a high-end diaper rash treatment/barrier. The product makes use of 25% zinc oxide in addition to aromatic oils. The spray formula makes it easy to apply. Anyone who has ever used super-thick creams can appreciate this feature. The Anne Geddes photo on the bottle is pretty cute, too. You can purchase a bottle for $19.50 at luxurybabynursery.com. While you are there, you can check out the rest of the line as well.

This is one of the cutest, most practical items I’ve seen in a while. The Newborn Noonie, designed by Lala’s Pequenos, is a swaddler that makes your newborn more comfy and cozy. Handmade of 100% cotton and lined with soft minky, the Newborn Noonie measures 30″ long x 15″ wide. It has two coordinating fabric buttons to make swaddling easier. Lala’s Pequenos also sells a line of organic Noonies. To view the entire collection, go to the etsy site at etsy.com: seller: lalaspequenos, where this Bubble Gum Newborn Noonie sells for $45.

Fawn and Finch makes handmade pacifier holders designed to make life easier for both mom and baby. I wish pacifier clips had been popular when my son was little - would have saved a lot of crying and shrieking for the pacifier by baby and frantically running to wash off the dirty, dropped pacifier by mom or dad! These handcrafted pacifier holders are really cute, and come in a variety of styles. I particularly like this one - Monster Mania. With its teal blue and chartreuse green colors, it works for a boy or a girl. Measuring 6.75″ x 3/4″, you can purchase this pacifier holder for $9.00 and view the entire line at FawnandFinch.com.