CoolBabyGear

Your 1970’s vintage placemat didn’t teach you anything other than how lovely earth-tone stripes can be. The First Signs Placemat from Mocobabies ($10), on the other hand, teaches you sign language for every stage of dinner, from first course to the milk course to dessert. And it’s all done in retro-hip style that you’ll totally love. Your placemat sucked. Learn something useful with your kids and First Signs Placemat.

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Think of it as a high chair for regular chairs. The Grow Up ($59) nestles into any big-boy (or big-girl) chair and brings them up to your level at the table. It fits children from newborn to 4 years old, so it’s never too early or too late for them to eat with you. And how important is inclusion to them? You don’t want them to be social lepers like you were, right? Well, let them Grow Up!

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Ever have one of those arguments where your little brother tried to grub your food and you were all like “Yo, this is MY plate!” and he was all like “I don’t see your name on it!”? You should’ve had Personalized Ceramics. ($118) This 3-piece set comes monogrammed for easy identification. And yeah, it comes in three beautiful colors and is all dishwasher and microwave safe. But really it’s about marking your territory. Oh, sorry: marking your child’s territory.

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Okay, we’re not suggesting a baby bottle fight. But you could have one with Weego Glass Baby Bottles. ($18, or $61 for 4) These 9 Oz. glass bottles are sleeved in 100% non-toxic silicone for environmental friendliness and no-smash toughness. The whole thing is BPA-free, and there are six colors to choose from. Smash…er…drink away with impunity.

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You’ve got one on your sport-bottle of water. Get one for baby, too! The Baby Safe Cap ($5.99) is the ultimate no-mess flip-top for baby’s bottle. Snap it on any standard-sized baby bottle: the top flips away from baby, out of her way. And it’s brightly colored…y’know, so you can find it. Go ahead and flip your lid.

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Talk about a convertible! The Built NY Lunch Tote ($20) is both lunch box and placemat. It’s also refrigerator and oven, with two insulated compartments that keep hot and cold for up to four hours. Neoprene rubber provides ultimate stretchability, and you can store it flat or roll it up. Machine washable (not with lunch inside, however), and ready to go whenever you are. Lunch just got a lot more convenient.

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It’s like a bungee cord for bottles. The Toy Wrangler & Mini ($14.99) keeps control in baby’s hands. Use one or all three of these colorful cords to keep bottles and toys securely attached to stroller or high chair. It doesn’t mean you can stop paying attention, but it does mean you probably won’t get hit with a flying bottle. It’s the little things in life.

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Okay, your baby really shouldn’t be saddled up to the bar. But with the Tavo High Chair ($345), they’ll practically have their own bar stool. This sleek, cushy chair pushes right up to the table for some serious milk drankin’ with friends. Solid maple base, upholstered easy-wipe bonded leather and T-bar means total comfort and classic basement bar style. Set ‘em up and break out the Velcro darts.

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Tired of feeding baby with a turkey baster because you can’t find the bottle? Those days are over, with the Splash Bottle Drying Rack from Skip Hop. ($28) This is a duh item – once you have it, you’ll wonder what took you so long. All bottles, nipples and other feeding hoozywhatsits dry on one dedicated rack that’s small enough to fit comfortably on any counter. In one place, so you can find everything. Did we mention that? Duh?

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You can’t afford to fly anymore, so put down that airplane spoon and pick up some Construction Machine Cutlery. ($18.49) Boys love dumptrucks, bulldozers and front loaders anyway, so your odds of getting him to eat are greatly increased with this set. The cool thing is each utensil functions perfectly well as a toy. Did you ever think you’d encourage your kids to play with their food? With this set you have to!

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