Laptop Lunch Box

Another must have if you have a child in daycare is the Laptop Lunches bento-style lunchbox. I am kinda crazy about what my daughter eats. I am not strict to the point where she can't have the occasional cookie or piece of cake but I don't want her to become a kid who only eats mac n' cheese (although she does love her Annie's). This bento-style lunch box makes it almost fun to pack her lunch every morning. Everyday she gets a good mix of fruit, veggies, some grains and usually a cheese stick. I occasionally throw in a fruit snack or some other treat. On most days the lunch box comes home empty but if it doesn't I can figure out what food she didn't like and try something different the next day.

I must admit that their website is quite horrific. I did a Google shopping search and found a single lunchbox through another online store. I bought it without the bag as we just toss it in her regular diaper bag. Oh and another great thing is the boxes are BPA-free.

Mabel's Labels

This is one of those products that I just have to share with every mom. I wish I had known about Mabel's Labels 15 months ago when my daughter first started daycare as we would have lost significantly fewer bottles, shoes and sippy cups. Not only are they cute, but they work. You can put them on your kid's plastic belongings, throw them in the dishwasher, the microwave, probably even a volcano and they will stay put. We bought the mini labels and the shoe stickers and now I am thinking of getting some labels for around the house. Easy ordering system and shipping was fast.

Recycled Toys

I don't know what it is but my daughter loves toys that are at least 10 years old and previously used by another family member. I could buy her a brand new toy and she will pass it over but if a relative brings her an old toy that is chipped, stained or simply worn out she will not put it down. Were toys made better back then or is it the Velveteen Rabbit syndrome?

A few of her favorites are a radio shaped music box from Fisher Price that plays somewhere over the rainbow. I think this may have belonged to my brother who is now 25. She is fascinated and frustrated by the Tupperware Shape-O which I believe was actually mine. She also loves the Johnson and Johnson Stack and Fit School which I was unable to find an image of. I think I will be buying all of her future presents by searching for "vintage toys" on ebay.

Baby Bjorn Soft Bib

This bib by Bjorn is brilliant. Anytime my delightful daughter decides to spit out her food or misses her mouth entirely, the food is caught in the bib instead of falling to the floor or getting caught in her seat. It helps to keep my house cleaner and it is easy to clean. No need to waster water washing multiple cloth bibs every week, this is the only bib you need.

Peltor Kids Earmuffs

When I saw this image of Apple Martin I thought it was adorable. But then it got me thinking about the headset she was wearing as I knew that my husband and I would want to take our daughter to a concert at least once during her young life. I discovered that these "earmuffs" are made by Peltor, the leader in hearing protection products. They were a bit hard to locate here in the US but I finally found a retailer online, Envirosafety, and ordered a pair for my daughter, in pink.

While I wouldn't call these essential for all parents they are a necessity if you plan to expose your child to any loud environments. We have used them multiple times already and my daughter is only 10 months old. She went to her first indoor concert, a recital for my brother, at 6 months and loved the music and vibrations. I didn't realize just how much noise was being blocked until I took them off during a quiet piece in the concert and she started crying when everyone clapped. We also took her to an outdoor concert, stood right near the speakers and she fell asleep in my arms. Beyond concerts we have used them at the fireworks, an airshow and during a parade. They let enough noise in so that your child can enjoy the experience without damaging her ears.

Baby Food Processors

If you own a regular food processor, a stand or hand-held blender then you absolutely do not need a baby food processor. And if you don't own any of the above, then buy a blender. In two months time your baby will be moving on to finger foods and you can use it to make margaritas. Baby food specific processors are a waste of money and will quickly end up in the back of your cupboard collecting dust.

KidCo Faucet Cover

Don't even think of buying one of those gigantic plastic animal themed faucet covers. All they will do is attract your kid's attention which is exactly what you don't want. Fortunately I found the KidCo Bath Spout Cover before I was able to purchase a hard plastic frog cover. My daughter takes a bath every night and has never once gone near the faucet. It isn't shiny and doesn't look like a toy so she could care less about it. Perfect!