Joyce Slaton

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…

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…

If you’re looking for the right retailer to host your baby registry, here are our favorites, with information on completion discounts, welcome boxes, returns,…

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…

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…

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…

If you have a child who goes to school, daycare, or camp, they most likely need a backpack. Even if they’re not toting textbooks and papers galore yet, they likely have lunch, a water bottle, and a change of clothes to bring back and forth. There are many styles of backpacks, which can make choosing one a daunting task. There are mid-sized bags made to hold books, papers, and a packed lunch, and rolling backpacks that can handle all that plus gear for afterschool activities like sports. There ar…