If I had a dime for every time I heard about a kid product that claims to “grow with your child,” I’d be a self-made millionaire. So when a product lives up to its name, it warrants a bit of praise. Hats off then to the HiLo Chair, one seat that’s worth saving. Not only is this kids’ chair nice to look at, but it works wonders in the kitchen. It starts out as standard high chair with tray, but because it has a dual-height adjustment, you can flip the chair upside down and, at the push of a button, the chair locks into place at its new height/size. That means you can count on using this sturdy chair from mushy peas on up to big-kid eating. And if you love the appropriately-named, culinary-inspired colors the HiLo Chair comes in, including blueberry, asparagus, portabello and even chocolate, you’ll consider this chair a welcome addition to your family’s kitchen. Getting the kids to eat their veggies? Sorry, you’re on your own there…

In a Nutshell: Feeding time gets fashionable with a high chair that converts to a child seat faster than you can boil water for spaghetti. Bon appetit!

My husband wouldn’t be caught dead sporting a diaper bag; it’s enough that he remembers to grab a sippy cup when heading out the door with the kids (I don’t expect miracles, you know…). But if he were to acquiesce and tote a bag, it would most certainly be an Alpha Sherpa. Call it the Cadillac (insert favorite sports car here) of diaper bags, this model truly has it all. The cooler component has ample, protective pockets for storing bottles and cold snacks (yup, even his Pepsi One). Technology-savvy dads will relish the storage sections designated for a laptop, MP3 player and any other “daddy gear” they must have at their disposal. Not forgetting the purpose of this bag, the Alpha Sherpa has plenty of extras for your “other” baby, including a pacifier clip, toy loops and a spacious changing pad. Sorry, Dad, that’s something you just can’t sacrifice.

In a Nutshell: Let your hubby think he’s not toting an actual diaper bag with this hip model. Save your arguments for more important stuff, like who left the toilet lid up again…

I was never a Girl Scout myself, but I’ve heard enough Boy Scout stories from my husband to have the “be prepared” motto firmly etched in my brain. It’s one adage that is fitting for motherhood, at least in my experience. While I’m finally realizing that you can’t possibly foresee accident waiting to happen–it only took me 6 years!–it does help to do all you can in advance. That goes from welcoming a new baby, to planning a kids’ birthday party and all the moments in between. And getting around town with a baby? That’s one daily “adventure” that begs to be simplified, and the new B-READY modular stroller is one that fits the bill. At first glance, this stroller may appear to be like many of the others on the market, but a closer look under the hood proves otherwise. Sure it has all the basics you’re looking for: a 5-point harness system, adjustable recline, sun canopy,etc. But what stroller do you know accommodates a bassinet, a single car seat or even a baby with an older child in 14 possible configurations? Its sheer versatility and ease of use captivated me.  Just check out the YouTube video for yourself. The stroller will be available in July, followed by a new umbrella stroller and a three-wheel model in the fall. Start dropping hints now…

In a Nutshell: You can’t be 100% ready for every curve ball that motherhood throws your way. But with the B-READY stroller, getting to and from anywhere with your baby in tow can be an uneventful trip.

How many times have you heard the phrase, “Better to be safe than sorry?” The words never ring more than true than when you’re traveling and you’re at the mercy of others who are, shall we say, “interested” in your stuff. Grab Guard is one device worth having if you’re extra concerned about keeping your belongings secure. Think of it as a miniature padlock for your backpack, purse..even a diaper bag. Remember fumbling with your high school locker? This simple device makes up for all those frustrating moments. Simply select a two-digit combination, punch in the numbers, pull the lock and you have access to your all your personal items. Did we mention that this doesn’t look like your old school lock either? The Grab Guard comes in  a variety of colors, including lime green which my daughter loves it. Hey, with the “G” right on the lock, let her think it stands for Gucci. Yes, safety can be fashionable, too.

In a Nutshell: You can never be too careful. You’ll thank yourself later for taking this extra step.

Since any mom knows that baby products don’t come cheaply, it helps to take advantage of every coupon, giveaway and contest you can get your hands on. Three reputable baby brands, Baby Blanket Music, Kushies and Natural Mat, have teamed up to offer some lucky moms new products from their lines of kids’ CDs, crib linens and layette.  To enter to win the Sweet Dreams Contest, just click on the hyperlink. Note that you must become a fan of Natural Mat on Facebook, and the contest ends on May 31.

In a Nutshell: Like  the saying goes, “you gotta be in it to win it.” And who knows? This just may be your lucky day!

Sometimes, a diaper bag needs to double as an overnight tote. Imagine the scenario: Your hubby just got you tickets to the ballet for Mother’s Day and Grandma–bless her heart–has offered to take your little one for the night. Once you begin packing everything she’ll need, it’s not long before you realize you are quickly running out of room. Rather than pack a separate bag for all that extra stuff, opt for Kushies Boho Diaper Bag, which has more pockets than a pair of overalls! There’s no way you can misplace that beloved binky now. We appreciate the padded changing pad that tucks right inside without taking up too much space and the two bottle pockets on the side that are perfect for the last-minute mad dash out the door (“Oh, I know I’m forgetting something…)

In a Nutshell: Diaper bags that do double duty as an overnight bag? Amen to that. With this much room and a stylish print to boot, you’ll be able to hang on this long after your little one’s been potty-trained.

Fess up: just how many baby gear items do you lug around from your house, to Grandma’s and back home again? If you had the ability to fold up any of them and fit them into your diaper bag, you’d be in heaven…okay, well maybe your back would ache a little less. Snazzy Baby has the right idea with My Baby’s Own Deluxe Travel Chair, a portable high chair that can strap your little one in for mealtime, and when she’s finished eating, you fold into its own handy pouch and slip right into your bag. No fuss, no muss–and no slumped shoulders for you.

In a Nutshell: Just because you’re already weighed down with a stroller and an Exersaucer doesn’t mean you can’t lighten your load. This ultra thin seat won’t take up too much space and it’ll give your child a secure spot for her–and your–dining pleasure.

As the saying goes, good things come in small packages. And when you’re talking about kids’ lunchboxes, the less bulky, the better (and the less likely to stuff them with junk food). With two new, sleek choices that are both sturdy and stylish, brown bags are no longer necessary. The yubo Lunch Box (left) will not only please kids, but moms, too. It’s dishwasher-safe, so any spills or “accidents in transit” (think overturned yogurt cups and jelly sandwiches gone haywire) are a non-issue. Because you can change the faceplates or personalize your own, kids never tire of the look. It’s worth investing in the deluxe yubo, which comes with three reusable food containers (does it feel like you can should take stock in Ziplocs?) and an slim ice box to keep everything cool. Now that’s cool.

For an equally hip, environmentally-friendly lunch box, check out LunchBots, a futuristic model that is small on space but not on practicality. The stainless steel container has two compartments for packing snacks and small entrees. The no-nonsense design makes it a great choice for kids as well as grown-ups.

In a Nutshell: There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but with these carrying solutions, there’s no excuse not to bring your meals to school or work anymore.

We’re always on the lookout for stylish ways to get around town with little ones. The new line of from BabyPlanet is one to road-test, especially now that the warm weather is here. Take your pick from any of the three new additions to the Endangered Species collection–the Giant Panda, the Lemur Frog and the Monarch Butterfly. And then there’s the two timi & leslie branded models, inspired by their ultra chic diaper bag collection. No matter which style you pick, you’ll appreciate standout features like the ergonomically designed handles that are easy to grip and the flip-out sun visor that works in a pinch when that bright glare can be a bit too much. If you opt for the timi & leslie line, you’ll be able to coordinate your stroller with one of their matching diaper bags. How’s that for for being a hip mom?

In a Nutshell: With this wide range of fashionable, easy-fold strollers, strolling with your babe is like a walk in the park.

Ready to get super-close to your baby? There are two new soft carriers on the market that will make you want to scoop her up and snuggle her inside one of them. Living up to its name, the FreeHand Baby Carrier (left) distinguishes itself from other carriers by the fact that you can position your baby however you’d like–facing in or out, wearing her on your frontside or back–without the need for any inserts, straps or adjustments. How is that possible? The carrier has built-in crossover support, so you can wear your baby in any position and she’ll be able to fit securely (that means no floppy heads, especially for little babes). If you have a toddler who will still happily ride in a carrier (lucky you!), you’ll want to check out the BabyBjorn Comfort Carrier (below) which features an adjustable, ergonomic waist belt that distributes your child’s weight across your hips. It’s designed to fit a child up to age 2 or 31 lbs., so you can enjoy snuggling close even longer now.

In a Nutshell: Savor those oh-too-fleeting moments of bonding with your baby with these soft carriers. The FreeHand Baby Carrier will be in stores sometime this month, while the BabyBjorn Comfort Carrier will be available in April.