Super Cool Baby Holiday Buying Guide 2009

I have really enjoyed writing for SuperCoolBaby this year. It's been great to write about products that I love and share them with other active parents. As we approach the holidays, here are a few items that might make their way onto your Holiday Shopping list and cheer up a new parent or entertain a little baby.

HELPING YOU HELP YOUR BABY

Shopping cart covers are a great example of how a parent invented product can become a must have for every new parent. You can't go into a supermarket these days without seeing more than a few little ones resting comfortably in a cart cover like this one by Caden Lane. They fit snugly in the cart and have 2 open slots in the back to pull the seat belt through. There's no sacrifice for safety here. CadenCart Cover1.jpg

You can protect your baby from germs outside, but it is also important to protect your baby from germs on the inside too. Doctor bills and days missed from work can all add up to even more stress when your little one is sick. Give a busy parent on your list this nursery sanitizer. In just 30 minutes, this sanitizer kills the germs that cause RSV, colds, flu, ear ache, diarrhea, and more. These days that's a feature everyone can appreciate.

While we are all busy trying to protect our little ones from germs, they are still growing and developing right before our eyes. It's important to provide them with the right tools to help them along. This includes items they can safely put in their mouth during teething. Sophie the Giraffe Teether is one of the most popular teethers on the market. It's not just because she's cute. She is BPA free which means less chemicals near your baby. There are plenty of places for little hands to hold on to and the spots are interesting for babies to look at. Here's a toy you'll be happy to hand over to your baby.

LIVE AND LEARN

Toys do more than just entertain a baby. They encourage development of motor skills and teach babies needed skills. The toys listed below are for children of all abilities. They encourage sensory development and motor skills, as well as teach cause and effect. Even the simplest toy can help a child expand their imagination. No moment is wasted when a baby plays with you.

This Baby Einstein introduces your baby to music and language three different ways. There is an instrument key mode, baby composer mode, and a counting mode. Your baby will delight in the sounds of this Count and Compose Piano. Your baby can even learn in three different languages: English, Spanish, and French. Who knows, you might be surprised when your baby requests juice in Spanish.

After three kids, I didn't think I could stand another toy in the house, but we got this one as a gift and it was a sure hit. Our baby loves the soft music and thinks it's hilarious when the balls come floating out of the tubes. When the music starts playing, he already giggles in anticipation of the balls coming out. It's so cute. This was definitely a great gift for a third baby. Check it out for yourself, Hasbro Playskool Busy Ball Popper.

It seems like there are always new toys like the Ball Popper on the market. But it just wouldn't seem right to talk about toys for the holidays, without highlighting a few classic favorites like the Fisher-Price Rock-A-Stack, Melissa & Doug Shape Sorting Cube, Schylling Sock Monkey, and Nest & Stack Buckets. These toys timeless toys prove that gifts don't have to expensive or load or brightly colored for a child to love them. They are simple but engaging and that is why they have stood the test of time. Generations of children have enjoyed them and they will continue to do so for years to come.

Don't Forget Mom and Dad

Are there new parents on your shopping list this season? A newborn in the house can be stressful and new parents often feel overwhelmed with the responsibilities that babies bring. Help them negotiate this new territory with the Wheel of Responsibility. This simple but useful tool will help minimize the debate about who really changed that last poopy diaper. And who knows, you might actually have a few laughs in the process.

Parents are often amazed at the very first picture taken of their baby: the sonogram. Now that picture can have a special place among all the other memorable moments in your life. These specially designed sonogram frames will not only showcase the image, but preserve the printout as well.

Remember the saying, "If mommy isn't happy, no one is happy?" Well, we all know it's true. Start your favorite new mom off right with a pampering set like this one from MamaMio. The kit includes a shower cream, a body lotion and a tummy rub.

GET GOING

If you need gifts for a baby on the go this season than you might want to check out the Graco MetroLite Stroller. It is lightweight at 19 pounds and still durable enough to hold a child up to 40 pounds. It is easily maneuverable like all Graco strollers and can be turned into a travel system when used with compatible Graco car seats. Safety features include a convertible 5 point harness that turns into a 3 point harness as your infant grows. A dedicated grandmother might want to buy you this gift.

If the Graco stroller sounds right for you, then you might want to purchase the compatible car seat as well. When you have a sleeping baby in the car, it is so much easier to move the whole car seat than risk waking a baby. The Graco SnugRide 32 Infant Car Seat is a great match to the stroller. There is also an easy to read indicator to let you know if the seat is installed correctly. That's a feature that will give any parent peace of mind.

Check your list for naughty or nice and give everyone a gift anyway. After all, who can say they are nice all year long. That's a pretty tough standard. I'm not sure I would pass.

November 22, 2009

Super Cool Baby Holiday Buying Guide 2009