7 Baby Shower Gift Ideas

Baby showers are much anticipated fun events for expectant moms. It's exciting having to plan the party and meet up with equally excited friends. And then there are baby shower gifts and wishlists. With all the baby gadgets and gears out in the market, it isn't so difficult choosing baby shower gifts nowadays. All we need is a little shopping guide. Here are some baby shower gift ideas from Parenting.com that will surely make moms and babies smile with gratitude.

1.Baby booties

These shoes are beautifully crafted (leather soles and soft uppers in 75 different styles), making the Pediped Originals the perfect pick for the 0-24 month set. They’re designed to support growing feet and protect them when they take those first, tentative steps. ($19-$42,)

2.New-mom note cards

She can pick out baby announcements, moving cards, thank-you notes or holiday greetings from the fabulous selection at TinyPrints.com. The styles are sure to please every taste (classic, vintage, contemporary) and the customer service and photo advice can’t be beat. (Gift Cards from $10,)

3.Sleep tight

The safest crib is one that’s completely bare—no pillows, blankets or stuffed toys—so a Halo SleepSack is the smart, cozy choice for those cool nights. This product is also backed by First Candle/SIDS Alliance, which awarded it the #1 Safe Sleep Product gold seal. ($19.99, babiesrus.com)

4.Wild thing

This delightful bouncy seat has it all, from sweet music and blinking lights to busy spinners and a couple of amusing jungle friends—a monkey and a toucan. Your babe will nestle in safe and snug with the three-point restraint and comfy pad for her head and shoulders. ($57, amazon.com)

5.Tummy time

The joy of a play mat hath no end: vivid colors, a dangling monkey toy, teether, wind chime and a soft quilt below come together to create a mini play haven for tots. The pad is machine washable and the whole thing folds up easily, so you’ll will be happy, too. ($63.99, amazon.com)

6.Safe riding

The top of the line Graco My Ride fits rear-facing newborns up to 40 pounds and then converts for a forward-facing toddler up to 65 pounds. The 5-point harness keeps baby secure and it’s been extensively tested to withstand a crash, so you know this seat’s a winner. ($159.99, babiesrus.com)

7.Chic bag

The stylish Studio diaper bag from Skip Hop has two insulated pockets for baby food and bottles, 12 other spots for keys, phone and wallet and comes in appealing grown-up colors, including black, chocolate brown and champagne. ($89, skiphop.com)

Babble's Top 10 Mommy Bloggers of 2011

Babble.com loves mommy blogs that's why choosing the top 100 blogs at the end of each year is always a special event for both the Babble team and the mommy blogger nominees. From 100, I narrowed down the list to 10. Here are the best mommy bloggers of 2011 according to Babble.com. Do check out these super mommy blogs.

1. Rebecca Woolf of GIRL'S GONE CHILD

2. Jenny Lawson of THE BLOGESS

3. Catherine Connors of HER BAD MOTHER

4. Heather Armstrong of DOOCE

5. Alice Bradley of FINSLIPPY

6. Katherine Stone of POSTPARTUM PROGRESS

7. Monica Bielanko of THE GIRL WHO

8. Ree Drummond of THE PIONEER WOMAN

9. Amy Corbett Storch of AMALAH

10. Kate Inglis of SWEET SALTY

10 Things to Consider When Buying Toddler Shoes

Before babies could actually pull themselves up and walk, socks will do just fine when protecting their little feet but as babies become more mobile, more active and enter the toddler phase, their feet may need more sturdy protection to help them balance more which is crucial to walking. For some moms, shoe buying for toddlers may be a bit mind-boggling to say the least. Here are some useful tips from the experts to consider when choosing for the perfect pair:

1. Soft or hard?. Skip the soft soles when your toddler starts to maneuver around to prevent slips and falls. To minimize accidents, you might as well settle on rubber soles that provide the necessary traction when walking.

2. Sneakers or Boots? According to Steven G. Tillet, DPM, a foot and ankle specialist, sneakers are better than boots because they don't constrain the feet thus paving the way for proper feet development. Sneakers also generally ensure a good fit because they're made out of canvas and pliable leather.

3. Cheap or Expensive? Children's feet grow unexpectedly out of nowhere especially on growth spurts, so you might as well settle for inexpensive shoes especially for first-time walkers that they can easily outgrow. The most important thing to consider is that they're comfortable and are a good fit and not the price.

4. Open-toed or Closed?  Joanne Cox, MD, associate chief of general pediatrics at Children's Hospital in Boston says that among the two types, open-toed shoes offer less protection than closed ones. Even shoes like Crocs are not preferrable for kids below two because kids could trip on them when they're first starting to walk. So it's better to hold off on these shoe types until they're older.

5. New or Used?  Sometimes it might me tempting to use hand-me-down shoes from  friends or family for the sake of saving, but in this case, it is much better to buy new ones that mold to your child's feet rather than another child's to prevent unwanted blisters.

6. When it comes to shoe fittings, the front of the shoe, the back and the width are three key areas that you should focus on when buying shoes for your toddler.

7. Toddlers need new pairs of shoes and a new sizing every two to four months. So resist the urge to buy dozens of shoes that your child may not be able to wear. Just stick to the basics. Your toddler most probably needs  two pairs of shoes or three at most: Play shoes and dress-up shoes.

8. Let your kid wear socks when trying on shoes. Because in general, we want our children to wear socks with their shoes to prevent chafing and other feet pains.

9. Each shoe shopping trip should be treated as a first. So, it's best to be as meticulous when choosing the perfect shoes because every brand is different.

10. Finally, when shoe shopping, ask your little one to walk around in them. See if it looks comfortable and fit well.

Goodluck in shoe shopping!!