JeJe Therapeutic Teether

While this intensely vibrating rubber ring ($13) resembles nothing so much as a marital aid, it is in fact designed to massage a teething baby's gums. As anyone with a teething baby knows, anything that gives even a shred of relief is worth having around. And this teether seemed to be a pleasant enough distraction for my five-month-old tester. It's easy to grip and has a nice, gnaw-able texture. (It also vibrates for seven minutes before shutting off, and so conveniently doubles as an egg timer.) The only problem: it's kind of heavy. In his urgency to get it to his mouth, my son occasionally whacked himself in the head with it — distracting him momentarily from his gum pain, but by no means alleviating it. — Ada Calhoun

BabyBeReady Pre-Packed Diaper Bag and Babysparewear Travel Packs

While the Boy Scouts hold the monopoly on "be prepared," it's not a bad motto for new parents. Sure, you can probably manage an outing with a few diapers stashed in a Ziploc bag, but with these much-more-stylish options, why bother?

For neophyte parents who panic at the thought of leaving the house, the BabyBeReady pre-packed diaper bag ($99) has got your back. Everything you'll need for a first outing is neatly zipped inside a durable carryall, which is a snap to keep clean (all bags are covered, inside and out, with PVC vinyl). The full arsenal includes a rattle/teether, bottle, pacifier and case, sun hat, travel wipes, onesie, bib, three diapers, a burp cloth and a changing pad. It's enough to make even an absolute beginner feel like a seasoned pro. Patterns range from conventionally cute to pleasantly modern, plus the requisite dad-friendly camouflage.

One of the less pleasant surprises of new parenting is the "poopsplosion"-- a mess that even a super-absorbent diaper can't contain. That's why most caregivers tote along a spare outfit, usually something generic and mismatched that get wadded up at the bottom of a diaper bag and forgotten until disaster strikes. Break the cycle with Babysparewear's sleek, modern outfits for trendy tots ($42). The zero-to-six-month spare kit includes two eye-catching tees and a coordinating pair of pants, but the best part is the packaging: each set is tucked into a handy plastic zip-pouch. With these comfy outfits at the ready, messy accidents finally have a plus side. — Nicole Feliciano

The Floor Nanny

In my house, we love floor pillows.  My children are constantly moving these big things around the house and making places to sit or play from them, so the Floor Nanny ($75) fit right in with us.  The square cutout in the center is perfect for keeping a rolling infant at bay, or in our case, providing a cozy nest for a toddler.  In fact, my youngest loves to crawl into it with a blanket, where he covers himself carefully, hangs his head over the edge and sighs with satisfaction.  My older children have gotten into the act as well, and the Floor Nanny has alternately been a boat, a house, a roof and the lead in several plays.  I love the retro polka dots, and the handles make it easy to sling around.  If you've got the space, this one's a keeper. — Karen Murphy

Kukunest Bedding

The designers of Kukunest artisan-crafted bedding ($35-$119), parents themselves, set out to create a line of children's bedding with a visually arresting aesthetic. The result is so hypnotic to my kids that I find myself believing all the hype about how they inspire creativity and imagination as well as a good night's sleep. As a bonus, the high-quality cotton is soft and snuggly and Oko-Tex certified (meaning free from harmful or allergenic chemicals). Of course, my kids just like "sleeping in the ocean with the jellyfish." — Stefania Pomponi Butler

Enchantmints Fairy Folding Boxes

Enchantmints, a magical toy company based in the heart of Northern California wine country, describes their products as having been designed according to the principles of "goodness, beauty and truth." That may be true, but as soon as my preschooler saw the Fairy Folding Boxes ($13 each), she fuh-reaked out. My daughter (a.k.a High Priestess of the Girly-Girls) ripped the package out of my hands, unsnapped the four folding boxes and exclaimed, "Look! There's a surprise in every box!" And sure enough, each petite box contained a different winged fairy encased in its own colorful satin bag. She spent the afternoon playing "house" with them. She chose "the prettiest one" for herself and the "other one" to be her sister.  I tried to interject something about which fairy was the smartest, most socially-just one, but really, I was just delighted that these weren't Polly Pockets.  The boxes are lovingly crafted, each with a different homey scene, and the fairy figurines have just enough colors and sparkles to entrance a preschooler for a rainy afternoon. — Stefania Pomponi Butler

PlajaPets Plush Pet Friends

You know how you keep two kids under the age of five occupied for a good long time while you cook dinner, grab a shower or sneak a peek at Babble? You give them PlajaPets Plush Pet Friends (3 for $53) to play with, that's how. PlajaPets are adorable stuffed toys with removable heads and tails that kids can mix, match and rearrange to make imaginative combinations of hybrid animals. My gals were quickly in hysterics making "fish-ducks" and headless creatures. The parts attach with magnets that are sewn into the animals themselves, so there are no parts to get lost or broken. PlajaPets have a quizzical, light-hearted (read: goofy) look, and are undeniably delightful. My daughters give them two tails up.— Stefania Pomponi Butler