Joyce Slaton

A few years ago, you probably had full reign over your baby s Halloween costume . But now, they’re older and full of opinions, particularly when it comes to what they wear on Halloween. (And that opinion will likely change a dozen or so times before October 31.) To help you on your quest in finding the perfect outfit for their trick-or-treating adventures this year, we’ve rounded up the best kids’ Halloween costumes that cover a wide range of interests and themes. For 2023, many kids will likely…

Getting your baby to move from bottle to cup can be a slow, sometimes stressful process. One thing that can make the transition a little easier is a sippy cup. More appropriately known as a training cup, sippy cups help your child develop the motor skills needed to grasp and drink from a cup independently. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends starting the bottle-to-cup transition process around 6 to 9 months, adding that children should be able to drink from an open cup by the age…

As your baby grows stronger and more capable, these toys for 3- to 6-month-olds encourage new skills and fun.

These toys for 6- to 9-month-olds fascinate babies and encourage physical, emotional, and social milestones.

The best maternity swimwear keeps you comfortable in and out of the water. These maternity swimsuits have been vetted by BabyCenter moms and editors.

When the temperature soars, playing in the pool is the ideal activity. And pool toys only make this activity more enjoyable. The options are endless: squirty ones, floaty ones, sinking ones, ones that move on their own, nets, games, gems, and balls. That’s just to name a few that encourage children to play with parents, each other, and sometimes by themselves. That said, whenever water and young children mix, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that an adult supervises carefully…

Whether they’re scooping it with buckets or feeling it splash against their hands, kids get a lot of joy from water play. And water tables are a great, relatively mess-free way to enhance this type of sensory play. Water tables are free-standing plastic or wooden structures that hold water for children to play with under adult supervision. The simplest water tables have a basin and not much else, while more elaborate models have spinners and funnels that keep water moving, add-on toys like squir…

Taking your baby outdoors for exercise and fresh air is an important part of parenting, and a joyful one too. But fun in the sun brings the risk of burns and skin damage, so sunscreen is essential for outdoor activities. The best baby sunscreens protect your baby from both visible and invisible UV damage, are easy to apply, stay on well, and don’t irritate your baby’s skin, eyes, or nose. Experts recommend putting sunscreen on your child on both sunny and cloudy days: the American Academy of Ped…

Even if you were already a leggings devotee pre-pregnancy, chances are your adoration has only grown along with your bump. After all, the best maternity leggings are stretchy and comfy, not to mention versatile enough to wear on the couch or out to dinner. Though you might be able to get by with your regular leggings for a while, most of the time, a dedicated pair of maternity leggings will eventually win out. They’re designed to provide more room for your bump (while still fitting snugly everyw…

Find the best summer maternity dresses for every day or an occasion, whether you’re headed to work, a baby shower, or a wedding.

Between 9 and 12 months, babies are working on some truly major developments, so expecting big changes is a good plan. According to Lisa Lohiser, Ed.D., Manager Early Childhood Development Research at the Fisher-Price Play Lab, babies this age are starting to master crawling, cruising, and even walking around their environment. “Once babies are on the move, they want to be on the move all the time,” Lohiser says. “Toys that help develop gross motor skills like crawling, cruising, and walking are…

Even though babies aren’t old enough to hit the streets in search of candy, that doesn t mean they have to miss out on the Halloween fun. Mark the special occasion with one of these adorable baby Halloween costumes to turn your little bundle into the cutest pumpkin in the patch, a not-so-ferocious little lion, or your favorite movie character. For Halloween 2023, expect to see plenty of classic baby costumes, like fuzzy animals or cute jack-o-lanterns, as well as beloved characters from The Incr…

If there s one thing any parent craves, it s sleep. Not only for themselves, but for their child as well. Because when your child sleeps well, your lives together run much more smoothly. And when they don’t, well, the less said about that the better. So when the time comes for your child to graduate from the crib or toddler bed to a big-kid bed, you’ll want to find a twin mattress for kids that helps them sleep comfortably all night, every night. There s good news, though: When you re ready to m…

Dry skin, irritated skin, rough or flaky baby skin? Solve these problems and more with the BabyCenter Love It award winners for Best Baby Lotion.

A good play yard can serve your family well, providing a safe, easily portable place for your baby to sleep and play. Also known as playards and Pack ’n Plays (a name trademarked by Graco), play yards can be bare-bones or fancy, with built-in storage for baby supplies, bassinets, and changing stations. And because play yards tend to take up less space than cribs, many parents use them for room sharing, which the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends for at least the first six months of…

One of the most traditional of all baby gifts is a baby blanket, because it’s both a practical item and a symbol of the comfort and care loved ones hope to offer new babies. Baby blankets are sometimes passed down through generations, and may be the first thing parents reach for when comforting a fussy baby. Baby blankets can serve as a warm layer, a weather shield, and a protective cover for the ground. But it’s important to note that blankets should not be used for baby sleep, according to the…

Care for your baby hands-free with these sturdy and reliable baby carriers.

Keep your baby cozy for naps and nighttime sleep with these sleep sacks and wearable blankets that are safe, warm, and can even help babies snooze longer.

If you feed your baby formula and buy powder in large cans or tubs, you already know that these sizable containers aren’t convenient to carry with you. They’re easy enough to use when they’re sitting on your kitchen counter, but if you hope to feed your baby away from home you need a different solution. Enter the formula dispenser. These small and inexpensive containers, usually made of plastic, easily fit into a diaper bag and allow you to pre-measure formula powder. They generally hold enough…

You may think a toddler backpack is a waste of money. After all, your preschooler doesn’t have books, binders, and homework galore. But they do have some items they bring back and forth, like lunch, a change of clothes, and the occasional art project. Having a backpack that properly fits your child allows them to tote items around while also building their independence. ,Of course, some preschoolers might be tempted to fill their backpack to the brim, especially if they want to imitate an older…