September was National Baby Safety Month…and as the month came to a close, we had countless safety articles worth sharing from some of our favorite sites.  So, in honor of keeping our kids safe, we’d like to let you in on these must-reads!

:: Second-Hand Baby Gear

This year’s main focus of National Baby Safety Month was on second-hand baby gear.  Did you know that second-hand gear may pose serious safety risks for your child? Not knowing the history of a product’s use, new safety standards, and missing parts are just a few reasons why being selective when using second-hand baby gear is so important. Some items are best to borrow/buy, and others are recommended NOT to use second-hand when it comes to equipping baby.

For a list of these items, and more information on the topic, check out the SheKnows.com article, Take Another Look at Second Hand Baby Gear here.

:: Baby-Proofing

Different homes require different levels of baby-proofing. However, the folks over at Parenting.com have compiled a great list of universal must-have baby proofing items. See their article, Baby Proofing Must Haves here.

:: Safety Checklist

Looking for a comprehensive safety checklist when kid-proofing your home? Check out Baby Center's all-inclusive list here.

:: Safety Plan

Family Corner has provided a wonderful 30-day plan for tightening up your safety belts in and around the house. Highlighting a wide range of safety issues, following this plan will result in a safer environment for your baby. Take a look at their 30-day Calendar of Tips here.

:: Unexpected Dangers

Dangers are hidden in numerous baby items that many of us consider harmless. We recommend looking at Stroller Traffic’s article, 10 Expected Dangers for Babies here.

:: Car Seat Safety

Wanting to better understand the reasoning behing car seat expirations?  Read our previous blog post, What’s the Big Deal? Do Car Seats Really Expire? here.

If you don’t already know about Red Tricycle…let us fill you in on this awesome (and free) online newsletter.  We especially love Red Tricycle’s main goal, which is to help parents have more fun with their kids.  They offer an amazing variety of cool things to see, eat, make, and do with your kids.  You can choose from six major cities (more coming soon) and get up-to-date information on cool things to do in that city, or get up to speed on great general topics.  We particularly love their “Food” section, where you can find great restaurants where kids eat free, establishments that cater to allergies and gluten free diets, as well as recommended family restaurants.  Find endless family friendly vacation ideas in their travel section, or browse other great ideas and guides in their “Fun Stuff” and “Things to Do” sections. Red Tricycle is a favorite newsletter among busy moms not only for great ideas on things to do, but also for reviews of exceptional products.

Once a year, they let their readers call the shots for their Totally Awesome Awards.  With a large variety of categories, Red Tricycle sets out to find the best of the best, recommended by real moms all around the country.  If you love Red Tricycle and love Oilo…then please nominate us in the Red Tricycle’s Totally Awesome Awards 2012.  Visit here to enter us into the following categories:

Décor Category:

:: Bedazzling Bedding

Pictured: 3-Piece Crib Set-Cobblestone-Taupe 

:: Wonderful Wall Art and Accessories

Pictured: Stacked Animal Wall Art- Taupe

:: Snuggiest Blankets and Comforters

Pictured: Play Blanket- Modern Berries- Spring Green

Style Category:

:: Baby Shower Gifts

:: Charming Clothes for Girls

Pictured: 3-Piece Layette Set- Newborn Pink

:: Adorable Duds for Little Dudes

Pictured: 3-Piece Layette Set- Baby Boy Blue

Gear Category

:: Must- Have Travel Accessories

Pictured: Car Seat Canopy- Cobblestone-Taupe

:: Neatest Newborn Stuff

Pictured: Changing Pad Cover and Topper- Blush

Thank you for your nominations!!

Giving a useful baby gift that has originality and thoughtfulness can take some serious time and thought.  One idea we suggest is building a gift set around a singular concept or theme.  Doing this not only yields a creative and cohesive gift, but also leaves the recipient ultra-prepared and organized when it comes to that aspect of caring for baby.   Piecing together multiple items for a gift set can also be a really fun way to personalize a gift as you cater to registries, personal taste, and the overall need of new parents. 

Below you will find several ideas for practical and original baby gift sets… and depending on your price point, you can pick a couple of the items to pair together or give a mega-gift with all of the suggested items.  These gift sets are particularly handy to keep in mind as they can be found fairly easily, and can be kept gender neutral or made gender specific.

:: BEDTIME BUNDLE

 - Pajamas, Gowns, or Sleep Sacks

- Bedtime Baby Wash & Bedtime Baby Lotions

- Classic Baby Board Books

- Reference Book(s) About Sleeping Habits in Babies

* We love...

Hannah Anderson Pajamas & Johnson’s Bedtime Bath/Lotion

:: PICTURE PERFECT PRESENT

- Assortment of Frames for Nursery/House

- Credit for a Picture Session with a Favorite Photographer

- Baby Book

- Monthly Milestone Stickers

* We Love...

Picky Sticky Monthly Baby Stickers  

:: LAUNDRY NUTS AND BOLTS

- Baby Detergent

- Stain Removal Agents

- Infant Clothes Hangers

- Clothes Hamper

- Drying Rack

* We Love...

Dreft Baby Detergent & Maileg Animal Wooden Hangers

:: TEETHING TREASURES

 - Assortment of Teething Toys

 - Infant Pain Relieve

 - Teething Tablets

 - Teething Bibs

* We Love...

Vulli Teething Toys & Zo-Li Gummy Stick Gum Massagers &  Homeopathic Teething Tablets

:: FEEDING FUNDAMENTALS

- Bibs

- Bowls/Spoons

- Rice Cereal

- High Chair or Baby Seat

- Sippy Cups

- Baby Food Blender

* We Love...

Oxo Tot Feeding Products & Baby Brezza One-Step Baby Food Maker

:: SOOTHING SECRETS

- Baby Sling

- Assortment of Binkies

-  Swaddling Blankets

- Layette Set

- Crib Soother (Lights and Music) 

* We Love...

Oilo 3-Piece Layette Set & Fisher-Price Waterfall Peek-a Boo Soother

 :: NITTY-GRITTY CHANGING NECESSITIES

- Diapers

- Wipes

- Diaper Rash Ointment

- Changing Pad/Changing Pad Covers

- Diaper Pail

- Changing Mat                                   

* We Love...

Oilo Changing Pad Cover and Extra Toppers & Skip Hop Pronto Portable Changing Station Mat

It only takes a quick second on the internet and you will find that there are endless theories and methods when it comes to potty training.  Overwhelming and intimidating, taking the plunge to potty train your child can be rough on a parent and child! If there is anything we have learned about potty training, it’s that: every child is different & every parent is different.  You may have to experiment to decide which method is right for you and your child, so we suggest being open to your plan changing…be willing to adjust to unpredictable behaviors…and try not to put too much unnecessary pressure on yourself and your child.

We have also found that a universal key to potty training that everyone can benefit from is to BE PREPARED.   You never know when your toddler may be ready to jump on the potty training train, and a teaching opportunity may present itself when you least expect it.  So, if you feel like potty training may be around the near corner…we recommend preparing a few staples to have on hand so that you’ll be ready to concentrate your efforts on your learning child instead of on making a mad dash to the nearest store.

Here are our Essentials Items for Potty Training:

:: Underwear

Kind of a no brainer…but we recommend buying more than you think you’ll need.  Stock up on lots of underwear that your child will find cool and exciting to wear. 

:: Easy On/Off Pants

You’re going to want to make sure you have a hefty supply of elastic waist pants/shorts that your child can pull on and off quickly by themselves.  Again, you may be surprised how many you blast through in those first hours of training- so equip yourself with more than you think you’ll need.

:: Clean Up Supplies

Add plastic gloves, bleach, paper towels, and flushable wipes to your next shopping list, and you’ll be sure to be thankful you have them around when the potty training begins.  For those soiled pieces of clothing…hand wash in 1 TBSP of chlorine bleach per every gallon of hot water, and then throw in the your next load of laundry.

:: Potty Chair/Potty Seat

There are a lot of great options out there when it comes to finding a kid-size potty.  You can find stand-alone potty chairs—easy to move around, less intimidating than the regular toilet, and just your child’s size.  You can also find soft potty seats that fit right on you regular toilet—these take up less space than a freestanding chair, can be effective with children who want to imitate their parents/siblings, and require little/no cleanup.  We suggest investing in a convertible potty that includes both so that you can follow your child’s lead as to what they learn best with.   We recommend the Kiddyloo Toilet Seat and the Arm & Hammer 3-in-1 Potty Seat by Munchkin. 

 :: Training Underwear

It’s not a bad idea to have a few pairs of disposable underwear (like Pull Ups) on hand, even if initially you feel like you’d rather not use them.  You never know when, at the last late-night minute, you may decide to use them for naps/bedtime in the beginning stages of training. 

:: Teaching Materials

There is a plethora of teaching materials out there when it comes to teaching your child about using the potty.  We recommend picking up a couple of books or movies for your child to learn from and relate to throughout the process.  We recommend the Once Upon a Potty Books and DVD for Boy and Girl, as well as Elmo’s Potty Time DVD. 

One of our favorite potty-themed books is Time to Pee by Mo Willems. 

Also, you may want to take a minute to browse some of the great apps available to help you through potty training.  The Pull Ups iGo Potty app can be set to remind your child to go to the potty at regular intervals, and also has games, songs, and sticker charts to help motivate your child.

:: Waterproof Protectors

In addition to extra bed sheets, we suggest having some waterproof mattress protectors on hand.  Also, there are other great protective products to help you through the transition of becoming fully potty trained.  The Summer Infant Piddle Pad is a great solution for protecting your child’s car seat when you’re on the go. 

:: Step Stool

If you don’t already have one in the bathroom for your child, you’ll want to grab a step stool for them to use for reaching the potty, as well as for washing their hands.  We love the Ikea Forsiktig Children’s Stool…it’s the perfect stool for the perfect (cheap) price!

:: Incentives

Incentives and motivators are not a one-size-fits-all aspect of potty training.  This is one aspect where knowing your own child will have to come into play.  Choosing treats, toys, or incentive charts that cater to your child’s individual interests and learning styles can provide just the boost you might need to hit the ground running with your potty training goals.  Generally speaking, however, we recommend having three different groups of prizes that can be rewarded when your child reaches small milestones, medium milestones, as well as large ones. 

:: Patience 

Take a deep breath, and have confidence in yourself as a parent during this time.  Remember that accidents happen to every child, and that you are not alone in this potty training circus! Your child will get it…they all do at some point!