Most useful things for your baby and toddler

First thing first...

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Carter's Bodysuit-Onesies for girls or for boys: Actually I got great mileage out of these. Carter's bodysuit offer the best quality for the price that I have found so far. I bought white and colorful onesies and she wore every single day. I don't know how many times I washed them but they are still in one piece and they still fit very well. Other brands that I tried deformed just after couple of washes. You may not believe but she even wore her 12mos size onesies till couple months ago (2 years old) and she is not petite.

Gerber Organic Footed Sleep n' Play: Sleep n'Play Suits are the other most used item on my list. They are easy to put on and take off for diaper changes. They are comfy and the one-piece solution to make day and night easier on mom. Always make sure they are 100% cotton.

Robeez Infant/Toddler Slip on :They keep the little footsies warm and they are incredibly cute. They are easy to slip-on and they stay-on with an elastic ankle band. Textured suede soles prevent slipping. These are the best choice in footwear for your child's developing feet.

Crocks: If they get wet, they don't slip, and they dry quickly. Her feet don't sweat in them and they are comfy! She wears them all the time. Great selection of colors. She has Mammoth Clog Crocks as well and it kept her little feet so warm all winter.

You can find other kids shoes at endless.com (owned by Amazon.com). They are offering free overnight shipping, free return shipping and 100% price guarantee.

Klean Kanteen:She really likes this sippy cup. It is fun, safe, non-leaching, and toxin-free, zero BPA. It is the safe alternative to plastic sippy cups. High-quality food grade 304 L.N. stainless steel. It is durable, lightweight, reusable and 100% recyclable. No inner lining, clean tasting. Wide mouth fits ice cubes. Dishwasher friendly. Klean Kanteens are made from #304 stainless steel, the material of choice in the food processing, dairy, and brewery industries.

Sigg: This cup is not meant for the dishwasher. It is great for lunches or backpacks, no glass to shatter or plastic lining to transfer taste. I use this one for juice and water and Klean Kanteen for milk since it fits with Avent sippy ends.
If you would like to read more information about BPA (a nasty chemical found in most plastic baby bottles) click here.

Bouncers : It is a lifesaver. It is easy to move room to room. But the one I bought for my daughter didn't last for so long, she outgrowed it so fast. But, I heard BabyBjörn Baby Sitter is great for children up to 24 months and can be adjusted to three different positions for sleeping, resting, and playing.

Maclaren Techno XLR: Ok, you have many options when it comes to strolers. But I personally chose Maclaren. With its high-tech, aeronautical-quality aluminum frame, the sturdy, convenient, and handsome Techno XLR grows with your baby from infancy to 65 lbs. With a wider seat than most stroller models, it's comfortable for larger and/or older kids. Thoughtful features include removable head support for younger children, an easy compact fold, and a reclining seat. Plus, it accommodates many models of infant car seats.

Well of course the other useful/must have gear is the car seat: I have written about car seats, you can read it at Best Toddler Car Seats. I bought my daughter a Britax Marathon. Ok, It is pricey, but if you can afford it, a car seat is one of those kid items that you shouldn't try to save money on. I feel that my child is safe when in this seat.

Children's Books: Books, books and lots of books...You know the benefits of reading books to children:
. Helps to develop the bond between you and your child.
. Builds your child's vocabulary
. Helps your child learn the connection between the written and printed word. Entices your child into an exciting world of learning and entertainment
. Helps your child absorb great amounts of information about the world and how it works, especially if you lead her into discussing over it.
. Develops her listening skills.
. Helps your child develop a taste for literature.

When it comes to toys, I think you need to look for what best suits your kids personality. There are lots of great toys which offer different skill improvements. I listed only two simple but big hit toys for my daughter here:

Hasbro Ball Popper: She wasn't even 1 year old when I bought this one for her. At first she got a little bit scared, to many things was going on. But eventually she got use to it and started to play with it. This was a toy that got lots of attention from other kids, too.

Baby Doll Stroller If you would like to buy a present for a toddler especially for a girl, you can't go wrong with this one. This is a toy that my daughter will fight over any day. She loves to push it around all day long. You may be surprised but even little boys like it. My friend told me that someone brought this as a birthday present and among all the gifts this one was the one all the kids were after.

Strawberry Shortcake: Ok, I don't let her watch TV often since she is so young. But some times, especially when traveling overseas, a few DVD's and a portable DVD player really come in handy. She likes to watch Strawberry Shortcake DVD's, but you might find some other character's serials here.

Never forget the sun damage. Always protect your kid from excessive sun exposure. Read my other article about Sun Protection For Kids. I personally chose non chemical sun blockers. You can read about physical sunscreens here.

California Baby Products: I use California Baby sun block stick, lotion, shampoo and body wash. There are other great brands on the market, also.