Shop Smarter

Our company mission is to take the stress and guesswork out of shopping for babies and children. That's why we conduct all the research, product testing, and comparative shopping for you. If it's in our catalog and website, it's a top-performer. Here are more buying guides and parenting tips to help you with your shopping decisions.

Safety Matters

Crib Safety: What the Experts Say: Baby will spend more time in the crib in anywhere else…make sure your crib meets current safety standards!
How to Childproof Your Home: Your comprehensive, room-by-room guide.
Seven Easy Steps To Sun Protection: Start building healthy sunning habits now.
Fire Safety: What every parent should know.
Ah-Choo! How To Treat Your Baby's Cold: You can't prevent colds, but there are simple things you can do to make your baby more comfortable.
Theme Park Safety Tips: Keep kids safe at the amusement park (and fairs and carnivals, too)!

What Every Parent Should Know About SIDS: …and what you can do to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Safety Starts in Your Own Backyard: Make your backyard a safe place to play.
Pool Safety: 13 Steps to a Safer Backyard Pool.
Traveling with Kids: Our Top Safety Tips
Head-to-Toe Winter Dressing Tips: Secrets to Warm, Wrestle-proof Cold Weather Dressing
Halloween Safety Tips: Tips for safe and happy Trick-or-Treating.
Costume Safety: How to Safety-Proof Your Child's Costume

Developing Life Skills

How to Balance Breastfeeding & Work: You don't have to give up breastfeeding because you're returning to work.
Playdate Power: Secrets of Successful Playdates: Help your child develop important social skills and build first friendships!
How to Make the Most of Your One-on-One Playtime: Parent/child playtime is more than fun…it plays an important role in your child's development!
How to Encourage Solo Play: Does your toddler know how to entertain himself?
Tips for Stress-free Potty Training: When your child is physically and emotionally ready.
Let's Pretend! The Magical Benefits of Role Play: Role play helps kids develop social skills, language skills...even thinking skills!
Improving Your Child's Hand-Eye Coordination: From penmanship to tying a shoelace, hand-eye coordination is a highly important skill.
A Balancing Act: Helping Kids Build Better Balance: From riding a bike to kicking a ball, balance plays a key role in so many activities.
Life Skills 101: Teaching Kids Responsibility: Being responsible is much more than a skill -- it's an attitude.
Life Skills 101: Teaching Kids to Manage Money: It's never too soon to begin teaching your child "dollars and sense."
How You Can Help Your Bed-Wetting Child: If your child is a bed-wetter, there's one thing you both should know: he or she is not alone.
10 Ways to Beat the Morning Rush: 10 simple ways to make mornings more manageable.

7 Steps to a Neat Backseat: How to give your ride an instant, clutter–free makeover—and keep it that way!
10 Ways to Help Your Child Eat Healthier: Lay the foundation for a healthy lifestyle.
Gentle Dental: Keeping Kids' Smiles Healthy And Bright: Tips on practicing good preventive dental care.
Singin' the Bath-Time Blues?: 9 Ways to Turn Your Little "Bath-Loather" into a "Bath-Lover!"
Easing the Transition to the "Big Kid" Bathtub: Make the big move easier with these parent-approved strategies!
Bon Appetit: Tips for Dining Out with Baby: Dining out with baby can be a delicious experience. All it takes is a little preparation.
Tips for Flying with Children: Make your child's flight a smooth and enjoyable ride.
15 Ways to Soothe a Fussy Baby: Find out why newborns cry...and learn how to calm your irate infant.
Oh, No...Teething Woes: Has your happy-go-lucky infant suddenly been transformed into one cranky, crabby baby?
Thumbsucking: Too Much of a Good Thing?: Thumbsucking--thumbs up or thumbs down? How to stop thumbsucking.
Planning Your Family Vacation: Traveling with Kids: Planning complete? Get ready to relax and enjoy your special time together!
Bedtime Rituals: Stress-free Ways to Get Kids to Bed: End the bedtime battles once and for all!
How to Make Baby's First Christmas Merry: Too many jingle bells? Too much Fa-La-La? The key to a happy first holiday is knowing when it?s enough.

Choosing the Right Product

How to Buy a Baby High Chair: Not all baby high chairs are created equal. Let us teach you how to spot a winner.
How to Buy a Diaper Bag: Your diaper bag will be your constant companion for years. Find how to pick a true performer.
How To Buy a Stroller: Overwhelmed by stroller shopping? Find out which type fits your needs.
How To Choose the Best Baby Toys: By choosing the best baby toys at the right age, you can accelerate your baby's development.
How to Choose -- and Use -- a Car Seat: 80% of parents buy the wrong car seat or use it incorrectly. Keep your precious passenger safe!
Problem Solvers Product Index: Find fast solutions to common parenting problems!
How to Buy a Costume Online: Buying a Costume Online Needn't Be Scary

Choosing Toys for Kids with Disabilities: Understanding the AblePlay™ Rating System can help you choose toys all kids can benefit from and enjoy.
How to Choose the Right Safety Gates: Parents now have more gating choices than ever--in terms of size, style, and operation
How To Choose A Mobile: A well-designed mobile will soothe, entertain and stimulate sensory development!
Toy Shopping Guide for Baby: For Baby Newborns to Age 3
Toy Shopping Guide for Kids: For Kids Ages 3 and up
How To Choose a Breast Pump: Planning to breastfeed? You'll need a good breast pump! Learn how to choose the right one for you.
Think Outside the Toy Box: Solutions to Kid Clutter: Easy, inventive ways to organize your child's room.

Buying guides & parenting tips