Hot Stuff

Luxuriously soft, muslin is the ideal fabric to use on delicate baby skin. All aden + anais products are available in fashion forward prints and can also be used as a nursing cover, stroller cover or burp cloth. Found locally at Spoiled Boutique, or visit www.adenandanais.com. 3 pack - $40

Snoogle by Leachco is a full-body solution for expectant moms that replaces the arsenal of pillows you otherwise have to use to get comfy. It supports your back and tummy while propping up your head to aid in breathing and to prevent heartburn. After baby is born, it’s just right for nursing. Visit www.leachco.com. $57.95

Rockabye Baby! transforms timeless rock songs into beautiful instrumental lullabies. Guitars and drums are traded for soothing mellotrons, vibraphones and bells. Choose from 30 different albums, featuring the songs of classic to contemporary rock artists, including The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Green Day, Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, The Cure and many more. Moms and dads enjoy the songs as much as their little cradle rockers. www.rockabyebabymusic.com. $16.98

Ideal for travel or slumber parties, the 40010 AeroBed for Kids easily inflates in under one minute and deflates in less than 15 seconds. Along with a sleep surface of 50 x 25 inches, the bed offers a 4-inch raised safety edge to keep children from rolling off. Includes AC pump and a decorative, washable mattress cover. Available through Grainger, Sears or visit www.aerobed.com. $89.99-$104

The Mimicking Monkey’s unique dual track voiceover option allows you to record a soothing message to your child and help ease separation anxiety. Read Mimicking Monkey’s storybook and listen to beautiful sounds as your child slowly drifts away into a peaceful slumber. Found locally at Spoiled Boutique and Cribs, Cradles & Things, or visit www.cloudb.com. $34.95

Award-winning, pediatrician-approved bébéPOD Flex Plus is an excellent first infant seat for feeding, play and travel. With its dual-strap system, the bébéPOD converts from a floor seat to a chair-mounted seat in a snap. Perfect at home, at restaurants and for visiting family. Found locally at Cribs, Cradles & Things, or visit www.princelionheart.com. $59.99

BornFree leak-proof BPA-free bottles are designed to reduce the vacuum build-up inside bottles that often lead to gas, spit-up and painful colic. The free flow silicone air valve breathes together with your feeding baby and starts a steady flow of liquid only when your baby suckles, just like breastfeeding. Found locally at the Natural Pantry and the Baby Depot, or visit www.newbornfree.com. $24.99-$34.99

The Sili Squeeze, the Sili Company’s first-born product, is not a bottle. It’s a spill-proof reusable squeeze that lets your tot enjoy delicious blends of freshly pureed food, in addition to ready-made favorites like yogurt and applesauce, while on the go. Found locally at Sweet Adeline’s or visit www.thesilico.com. $11.25-$12.75

The Best Homemade Baby Food on the Planet is the single most comprehensive baby food book available today. Written by two highly respected food and nutrition experts, the book contains more than 200 delicious, wholesome and natural baby food recipes along with guidance that takes the guesswork out of cooking for baby. It’s a must-have for moms, dads and grandparents alike. Visit www.homemadebabyfood.net. $21.99

Breastfeeding moms know that whether you’re pumping or nursing, every ounce is precious. The Milkies Milk Saver collects leaked milk and can be slipped into the bra without being detected. The milk is stored in its reservoir rather than wasted into a pad or bra. Found locally at Cribs, Cradles & Things, or visit www.mymilkies.com. $27.95

The flexible grass blades of the Lawn Countertop and Drying Rack by Boon, Inc. will hold all your just-washed baby accessories (and whatever else you want). The “grass” easily lifts out so you can drain the water and it’s dishwasher-safe. Plus it’s like having a fairway next to your kitchen sink. Minus the gophers and golfers. Visit www.booninc.com. $17.99

My Brest Friend might just be the answer to all your breastfeeding needs. It features a wrap-around design, a firm flat cushion that keeps baby from rolling, an adjustable, silent-release strap that fits moms or dads comfortably and unlatches (without waking baby), an arm and elbow rest, and a convenient pocket that keeps important items within reach. Found locally at the Nursing Boutique at Providence Maternity Center, or visit www.mybrestfriend.com. $51

Don’t let the “whole grain” in this snack fool you! The delicious and nutritious Popumz crisps are packed with protein for power, fiber to fill them up and fortified with 100mg of Omega-3 DHA for brain function. Available in three decadent flavors: chocolate, vanilla and caramel. Designed by America’s Pediatrician, Dr. Sears. www.drsearsfamilyessentials.com. $26.99

Who has time to clean a bib after every use? The innovative design of Bébé au Lait’s Reversible Double Bib provides four clean surfaces, making it easy to cover up baby’s mess from the last feeding. Double-sided magnets make the bib easy to put on even the squirmiest of tots. Found locally at Cribs, Cradles & Things and Spoiled Boutique, or visit www.bebeaulait.com. $16

Even if your closet is stacked with blankets, trust us, you need one more. Tuffo’s water-resistant outdoor blanket is perfect for a fall picnic or trip to the park. The oversized blanket is the ideal size for your baby or toddler to play with all her friends. For a list of statewide retailers, visit www.tuffo.com. $39.95

Any mom who’s missed an important phone call because her cell phone was buried at the bottom of her stroller will love the new texthook. The portable smartphone holder attaches easily to any stroller, bike or shopping cart, and allows you to chat or text while you push. Alaska Baby & Child readers can get 15 percent off by entering the promo code ALASKA15 during checkout. Visit www.thetexthook.com. $25.99

Create a custom handbag, such as a diaper bag, from your loved one’s military fatigues at Militaryhandbag.com. The company was built upon the belief that their handbags would serve as a personal, constant reminder of loved ones that have just returned from active duty, are presently serving overseas, or have sacrificed their lives serving our country. Don’t know anyone serving in the military? Select a handbag or accessory made from a donated uniform. Visit www.militaryhandbag.com. $20-$85

The smaller, 2-hoop design of KidCo’s PeaPod Lite is great for outdoors because of its UV protection and wind screens. The zippered panel allows parents quick and easy access to baby from virtually any angle. The slick, easy to fold design makes it ideal for storage and use anytime. Found locally at Cribs, Cradles & Things, or visit www.kidco.com. $49.99

The B-Ready stroller from Britax is possibly the most versatile set of baby wheels on the market. Configurable in 14 positions, this stroller is able to accommodate almost any child combination including twins, infant and toddler, preschooler and toddler. Versatile configurations include two car seats, a car seat and a second seat, a bassinet, and options to face the parent or the world. Full suspension makes for a smooth ride and the adjustable top handles make sure mom and dad are comfortable while they push. Found locally at Babies “R” Us, or visit www.britaxusa.com. $499.99

The portable Pronto! changing station kit ensures that baby is always clean, dry and happy, and that mom and dad are always prepared. Drop it in any bag, strap it to your wrist or clip it to your stroller and you’re good to go. Found locally at Sweet Adeline’s, or visit www.skiphop.com. $30

Teach My Toddler, the award-winning all-in-one learning system, has 17 teaching tools to help toddlers master the basics: alphabet, numbers, shapes and colors. Each section is fully coordinated with a total of five puzzles, four board books, four posters and four sets of flashcards, all in one portable carrying case. Visit www.teach-my.com. $49.99

Say good-bye to harsh, smelly chemicals and hello to Piggy Paint. It’s specially formulated from natural ingredients and dries to a hard, durable finish. The water-based nail polish is non-toxic and odorless and dries in about a minute. Found locally at Over the Rainbow Toys, or visit www.piggypaint.com. $7-$8.99

The soft, weighted Zoo Bookends are a sweet addition to any nursery or playroom décor. These adorable animals with friendly faces and textured details store your little one’s storybook in style. Found locally at Sweet Adeline’s. www.skiphop.com. $35

Aqualina is making a splash in the Groovy Girls mermaid pool. Gorgeous fabrics and exceptional details make this sea beauty sparkle. She has lovely long blue tresses and a versatile tail“fin” that slips on and off over legs and feet – taking Aqualina from sea to shore in no time. Found locally at Over the Rainbow Toys and Juneau’s Imagination Station, or visit www.manhattantoy.com. $20

PhotoLabels are the first ever personalized photo labels on the market. Fully microwave- and dishwasher-safe, the labels will not fade or blur from use. Great for bottles, sippy cups, food containers, sports equipment, camp stuff, day care/play group items and lots more. www.inchbug.com. $11.95 per 16-pack

The Deluxe Santa Letter Package includes a letter from Santa on gold parchment paper, the option to add a birch ornament (Made in Alaska), a custom designed “Good (Boys/Girls) Certificate” (with option to personalize), North Pole snowflakes, a Christmas sticker and each letter is enclosed in an exclusive Christmas mailing tube. Found locally at Santa’s Letters and Gifts. $15-$25

Babies are fascinated by mirrors and themselves. The soft-constructed Whoozit Mirror, winner of the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Seal Award, promotes self-discovery with its vivid colors and 3D characters that crinkle for added fun, visual stimulation, and tactile exploration. Found locally at Over the Rainbow Toys and Juneau’s Imagination Station, or visit www.manhattantoy.com. $22

Celebrate the uniqueness of your child with the high-quality personalized book, Who Loves Me? Written in melodious rhyme, with colorful, whimsical illustrations, Who Loves Me? builds self-esteem while engaging children through age 5 into the storyline. The book names family members or friends who love the child, and encourages the child to reach to the sky when asked how much each one of them loves him or her. Visit www.iseeme.com. $24.95

Hot Wheels ZipBin Ramp It Up unzips from a tote into a city scene with two ramps. Discover crisscrossing roads, bridges, tunnels, and jumps. Fold the jumps so that cars go veering off course, into each other, and through the winding map. The bin easily stores 25 cars. Includes an authentic Hot Wheels car. Hit the road! $16.95 Go to store.zipbin.com/home/index/6686.0 and receive 10 percent off your next ZipBin product purchase (Redemption Code: ZIP31311). Offer expires Dec. 31, 2011.

The apartment-sized Wheely Bug by Prince Lionheart is a riding toy measuring only 15” long, is easy to clean and resistant to the inevitable “little accidents.” Available in lady bug, bee, cow, mouse, pig and tiger patterns, and sized larger for preschoolers. Found locally at Kiddywinks and at Cribs, Cradles & Things, or visit www.princelionheart.com. $59.99

A Birth Day Box from Bloomers Baby is a terrific way to celebrate the new arrival. Each box includes a 100-percent baby rib cotton hat with adjustable top knot, a long sleeve lap tee with footprint insignia on back, and a luxe diaper cover lined in cozy flannel. Found locally at Spoiled Boutique, or visit www.bloomersbaby.com. $68

Robeez soft sole shoes are perfect for pre-walkers and toddlers. With a non-slip design, they stay on and help keep little ones from tripping or sliding. Soft and comfy, they are also great to use in the winter as house shoes. Found locally at Picture This and the Providence Medical Center Gift Store, or visit www.robeez.com. $29.95-$34

The unique Muddy Buddy waterproof coveralls from Tuffo offer toddlers full-body coverage and protection from the rain and elements. Dual front zippers are ideal for quick, on-the-go changes, and a generous fit allows for layering of clothing and easy movement. Includes a handy waterproof bag for travel. For a list of statewide retailers, visit www.tuffo.com. $32.95

Who says “pregnant” and “sexy” are mutually exclusive terms? Belabumbum’s lingerie line is as lovely and sleek as it is cool and comfy – both during and after pregnancy (nursing-friendly, too). Found locally at Blush Boutique and Spoiled Boutique, or visit www.belabumbum.com. $68-$83

The first-ever post-partum compression wrap, Belly Bandit helps you regain your pre-pregnancy figure, restore your physical health and renew your self-confidence. They’re designed to flatten the uterus and lose inches, while offering support and comfort for normal physical concerns. Found locally at Cribs, Cradles & Things and Spoiled Boutique, or visit www.bellybandit.com. $45.95

Legruffles are a great way to protect a tiny dancer’s legs from the cold, to show off that beautiful set of bloomers or to match perfectly with pettiskirts. Comes in a wide selection of solids and stripes with various trims, including a cute cha-cha with ball fringe and stylish vintage lace. For a list of local retailers, visit www.huggalugsusa.com. $12.50-$17.50