It's time for another installment of ParentPicks, a veritable gold mine of parental wisdom. Our sneaking suspicions were right - you DO have some fantastic baby picks up your sleeve!

Well, let's keep the good ideas flowing. This month's ParentPicks feature will be focused on the darling, yet obstinate toddler stage. Personally, I have been thrown blindly into the Terrible Two's Ring of Fire during the past month. (HOLD ME.) The only item that elicits a guaranteed smile from my outdoorsy dictator is his Kettler tricycle.

What about you, though? What product or item could you not live without during the toddler years? Your insightful responses will be compiled and presented in August for everyone to enjoy. Now, get to it! Parents all over the world will thank you!

A recent letter from the Vice President of Communications at Nike, which was perhaps inappropriately shared, has controversy brewing. Apparently, one Amanda Miller contacted one New York Times writer Joe Nocera in an attempt to pitch him some sort of stroller. Nike Communications is a public relations firm that sells expensive stuff. Joe, and everyone else who responded in the comments section of his blog about the letter, was offended, or at least annoyed. You see, Ms. Miller referred to children as accessories. This is nothing new--people have worn their babies since, well, since they've been having them. What we carry them in, as opposed to on us, has changed, but little else.

Oh, perhaps there was a time not so long ago when women didn't really leave the house and therefore, when with child (in or out of the womb) they didn't leave either, which meant no one really saw much of children until they were working age. But now, all that has changed. Now celebrities can be seen with their spawn doing whatever it is they do when they're not busy making the millions required to purchase the kind of stroller Ms. Miller is suggesting to the tune of $1,000.

Celebrities procreate--many of them doing so two at a time--and then they show them off to the world. The question is no longer what those celebrity moms are wearing, but what their babies are IN. That's right--out with Halston, and in with the Phil & Ted's chic stroller, and their new Traveller, which is actually just a playpen. Clearly Ms. Miller should be fired. Not for attempting to sell people stuff they don't need at a ridiculous price--after all, it's a PR firm, that's what they get paid to do!--but because Joe Nocera is clearly not her target audience. I can think about at least ten people, all of them women, who would eat up the letter from Ms. Miller and barely wash it down with an iced decaf skim latte before immediately setting out to purchase one. Did I mention I live in New York City? Joe Nocera? Clearly not interested.

Stroller pic by Ed Yourdon.

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As anyone with children knows, dirty diapers smell worse than anything in the entire world. No kidding, once my dog ate cat poo and then threw it up, and even that did not compare to what it smelled like when my son starting consuming solids on a regular basis.

To combat this, and to make life easier in general, the Diaper Genie was born. For those of you unfamiliar with this contraption, it's made out of plastic and has a bucket at the top in which you put the used diaper. You then pull a lever (depending on the model) and it removes the diaper from sight, locking it away in a waste bag for disposal later. Diaper Genies require actual Diaper Genie bags, however, that may be in short supply when you really need a new one.

I have something similar that one can use with any plastic bags. Right now we're using regular old garbage bags in there and it seems to be working out all right. Except for one thing: The unbelievable, undeniable smell that counts as some sort of bio-terrorism in my book (or at least should). Regardless of carrying the odor away in the immediate, once you pull the bag out of the Genie to change it the smell is upon you--it's like that line from Michael Jackson's Thriller where Vincent Price discusses "the funk of 40,000 years." The new Diaper Genies are supposed to be even better at whisking away the smell, but I haven't used one to know whether or not when you pull out the full bag the smell might kill you.

Do you use a disposal system, and, if so, does it really work?

Diaper pic by Photocapy.

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It seems like being a baby is a bit dangerous these days. On the heels of the Jardine crib recalls, The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced yet another one. This time, the recall is for about 1,200 2nd Nature Built to Grow Cribs. The cribs fail to meet federal standards for crib dimensions and when the mattress support is in the middle position, the space between the mattress and the crib could be too wide. No injuries have been reported, but this does pose an entrapment hazard to infants.

Made in Slovenia for Stanley Furniture Company Inc., of Stanleytown, Va., the cribs were sold in department and furniture stores nationwide from March 2006 through December 2007 for about $1,100 each.

The recall involves the full size 2nd Nature Built to Grow cribs, model number 353-14-220. Only those cribs with that model number and the following serial numbers are included in the recall:

353-14-220-L-01, 353-14-220-L-02, 353-14-220-L-03, 353-14-220-L-04, 353-14-220-L-05, 353-14-220-L-06, 353-14-220-L-07, 353-14-220-L-08, 353-14-220-L-101, and 353-14-220-L-103.

Both model and serial numbers can be found on the crib's headboard.

If you have one of the recalled cribs, you should immediately stop using it in the middle mattress setting. Adjust it to the low or high setting and contact Stanley Furniture to determine if your crib is subject to this recall. If it is, Stanley will provide a free placement crib headboard. You can reach Stanley Furniture by calling (888) 839-6822 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or by visiting their Web site.

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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced the recall of about 320,000 Jardine Cribs due to a strangulation hazard. The crib slats and spindles can break, creating a gap in which a baby's head could become entrapped. There have been 42 such incidents with four children suffering minor injuries.

The cribs were manufactured in China and Vietnam for Jardine Enterprises and sold at KidsWorld, Geoffrey Stores, Toys "R" Us, and Babies "R" Us stores nationwide, as well at babiesrus.com, from January 2002 through May 2008 for between $150 and $300. One model, the Mahogany Positano Lifetime Crib, sold for $450.

The recall involves 28 different model numbers in various styles and finishes. The entire list of recalled cribs and their model numbers can be found here. You can find the model number located on the inside bottom rail of the headboard or footboard of the crib.

If you have one of these cribs, you are advised to immediately stop using it and contact Jardine to receive a full credit toward the purchase of a new crib. For more information, you can reach Jardine by calling (800) 646-4106 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday and between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. ET Saturday. You can also visit their website.

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It's not unusual for expectant mothers to be given more than one baby shower in anticipation of a new arrival, which can quickly translate into more onesies or outfits than any one child could ever use.

One way to keep a clothing avalanche (and the resulting gift returns) to a minimum is to have a book shower instead. Rather than tradition baby items, attendees are asked to bring a children's book they enjoy to give the parents a head-start on building Baby's library. Not only are the expectant parents well-prepared for bedtime story requests and starting the lovely and educational habit of reading to their child, sharing a beloved book is much more personal and meaningful than ordering off a department story registry.

A nice touch to Baby Book Shower would be to include a bookplate with the invitation that guests could use to inscribe with a special message and affix to the inside cover of their gift.

Baby's extra friends or relatives might consider going in together to purchase a sturdy little bookshelf to neatly store all these literary treasures.

Remember how it came out that the bisphenol-A found in many baby bottles was, according to one study, was dangerous and linked to cancer, obesity, diabetes? Now a group of parents in Ohio have sued five companies, claiming that the manufacturers knew that bisphenol-A (BPA) was dangerous, but did not disclose that to consumers.

The American Chemistry Council, which represents chemical makers including those that manufacture BPA, says that there is nothing to worry about and that BPA is safe, even for babies. According to Stephen Russell, plastics director for the ACC, government studies "have been strong, uniform and clear, that at the levels to which consumers are exposed, BPA base materials do not pose a risk to consumers."

Wal-Mart, the largest retailer in the world, however, decided to pull all bottles containing BPA despite the government's and trade group's assurances that it was safe. Toys R Us has done the same. I don't know if BPA is safe for babies or not, but it seems to me that this is one area in which it's easy enough to play it safe.

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Stewi Griffin (of television's Family Guy) make want Gwen Stefani dead, but somehow I can't get enough of her. The singer and business woman, who has her own line of clothes, bags and perfume, is set to be mom to baby number two any day now, but she and husband rocker Gavin Rossdale don't know the sex.

Rather than choosing to find out, they are going the other way and keeping the suspense until the last minute. But, how to buy? How to decorate? How to have fun while you wait (outside of your reunion with No Doubt)? Not a problem. The rockers plan on having a Goth baby and painting the child's nursery black.

Rossdale is quoted as saying this to OK Magazine in regards to whether he was going pink or blue with the nursery. I'm sure Gwen,already mom to Kingston, was amused at the remark if anything. The whole thing is probably a joke, but I wouldn't put it past these two to actually follow through with it! I wonder what color Kingston's room is!

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We asked and you answered!

ParentDish readers are just filled with baby wisdom. And based on your comments, if only one tip should be stamped on our brains forever and ever, it should be to SWADDLE YOUR NEWBORN LIKE THERE'S NO TOMORROW.

Thank you for that pertinent information. (Personally, I'm in full agreement.)

However, swaddling devices weren't the only products mentioned. Take a gander at your ParentPicks Top Newborn Essentials.

I can't remember exactly what method I used to keep track of my girls' feedings when they were nursing. I've got vague recollections of a safety pin, and it's possible for one of them (probably my second, as I was a total wreck those early weeks), I think I just only snapped one button on my nursing bra instead of two to remind myself which side we were on. Not a perfect system, by any means.

That's why I think the person who invented the nursing bracelet is a genius. These handy bracelets not only help you remember on which side you last fed, but also how long your baby ate at their last feeding -- good information to have if you're feeding on demand.

Francesca over at DIYLife recently shared tips for making your own nursing bracelet. Creating your own version allows you to make something that suits your own personal style and would also make a thoughtful baby gift for a mom-to-be.

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To some women the thought of a "green" pregnancy conjures up images of nausea, vomiting and general discomfort. That's thankfully not what we're talking about here. As the green movement to save our environment continues to sweep the nation, check out these tips to see how you can make that bun, and your experience carrying it, as healthy and helpful to the environment your child will some day inherit.

In an article very humorously titled "What to inspect when you're expecting," writer Amy Linn Grist relays such ideas as using organic or all-natural shampoos and "prettying" products, and going organic whenever possible. True, organic can be more expensive, but I have to say from experience it's generally also a whole lot tastier. And when you're pregnant, taste counts for a lot! She also suggests shopping at second-hand and consignment stores for furnishings (and clothing). I've gotten a ton of cute, great baby clothes from such places for a fraction of the original cost. Kids outgrow clothes so quickly they hardly have time to mess them up!

The article also offers "five cent solutions" to the suggestions. Sure, it's easy to tell someone to only eat organic or to avoid Teflon, but how are regular folks supposed to be able to handle that--especially in this economy? Well, second-hand makes its appearance more than once. Reusing things, and taking care of what you have (so you can hopefully use it with the next baby, if there is one) is the easiest thing to do. Borrowing and swapping, as I do with a few pals, never hurts either. We're super-inclined to take care of the borrowed/swapped items since they belong to someone we know and love.

Maybe some of these tips are seemingly out of reach for your budget. Well, how about trying just one? Also consider the tip everyone can follow: Following the same rules we've all grown accustomed to hearing. Avoid cigarettes, alcohol, drugs and mega-caffeine (which, by the way, could save you enough money to get those organic products you've been eyeing!).

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Here at ParentDish, we are more than willing to tell you about new and exciting products for children and parents alike. Whether we stumble across an item on the web, hear about it from neighbors or have personal experience, chances are we will share the love with you all. That's what parents do, right?

Well, from the wealth of knowledge we gain from your daily comments, we have a sneaking suspicion that you have some fantastic baby picks up your sleeve. You know, the ones that made a huge difference in your daily parenting routine. That's why we are launching ParentPicks, a way for all of us to benefit from each other's parental wisdom. (Lord knows, I could use some.)

This month's ParentPicks feature will be focused on the teeny-tiny newborn stage. For me personally, I couldn't have made it through the first few months without The Miracle Blanket. That blanket kept my little houdini's arms safely at his sides and prevented him from whacking himself in the face and howling in the middle of the night. The first night I put it on, he slept an extra 2-3 hours. Talk about a sanity saver!

What about you, though? What newborn product or item could you not live without? Your insightful responses will be compiled and presented in June for everyone to enjoy. Now, get to it! Weary, sleep-deprived parents all over the world will thank you!

My next door neighbor is expecting a baby any day now, and my husband and I have been talking about things we can do to help them out. So far all we've come up with are casserole deliveries and an offer to have their older child come live with us temporarily (what? my kids love him and sometimes it's just easier to be down to one kid, especially in those early days). But I wanted to take her something else, something really gift-y, but since we already know that my friend is having a girl, she's maxed out on gifts, or so I thought.

And then I remembered the Diaper Cake. Specifically, I remembered the diaper cake that Chris Jordan created for Alpha Mom. What makes this diaper cake different? It's held together by a bottle of champagne. "Instead of playing the good girl, you could put a bottle of a scotch in there. Or whiskey. Or vodka. Well, you get the idea. Other guests might talk about you afterward in hushed tones, but in a few months the new parents will be thanking you. Especially if you have tucked a couple pair of earplugs in there too."

Chris has provided detailed instructions, with photos, to walk you through the assembly. I would suggest not using the newborn size diapers, but going up one size, so that the new mom and dad can actually USE them. You could also leave out the alcohol, if you chose, and support the whole cake with a rolled up blanket, but really, why?

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced the recall of about 74,000 Lil' Snugglers Children's Blankets due to some faulty sewing. The satin edge on the blanket can come loose and pose a strangulation hazard to young children. The manufacturer has received 18 reports of this happening with no injuries reported.

These blankets were made in China for Douglas Co., of Keene N.H. and sold at specialty stores nationwide and on the Web from April 2005 through December 2007 for about $12.

The blankets are 14 inches square with an animal head sewn in the middle and a one inch satin border around the edge. They were sold in 10 different styles, which are labeled with the following style numbers:

• 1327 Cream Lamb
• 1328 Cream/Tan Horse
• 1329 Green Frog
• 1330 Pink Horse
• 1331 Blue Bear
• 1332 Yellow Giraffe
• 1333 Tan Pup
• 1339 Yellow Duck
• 1341 Brown Monkey
• 1351 Pink Bear

The style numbers as well as the P.O. number can be found on a white tab sewn into the blankets behind the Douglas red label. Only blankets with a P.O. number of 1330 or below are included in this recall. Photos of all the recalled blanket styles can be found here.

If you have one of these blankets, you are advised to immediately take it away from your child and return it to Douglas for a free replacement blanket or credit toward another item of equal value. You can reach Douglas Co. by calling toll-free (800) 992-9002 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, by visiting their Web site, or by emailing them at linda@douglastoys.com.

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Never been through a pregnancy before? Or, feeling overwhelmed by what you know is about to happen with pregnancy number 2? Not sure what to do, or where to turn, and feeling stressed--which is what should not happen during pregnancy? Well, then perhaps a baby planner is just what you need.

Much like a wedding planner, who takes all your ideas, wishes and needs and makes them all happen without an ounce of stress to you on your other big day, a baby planner will take all the stress and fuss out of planning for a baby. While some parents regale in every bit of minutiae concerning the new love of their lives to be, some moms and dads just can't get it all done in a way that is both satisfactory and calming to them.

If you're in the latter category you may want to give Melissa Gould and Ellie Miller a call. Introduced to the web by PopSugar, Melissa and Ellie are both moms themselves who know from experience what it can be like to have to try and figure out EVERYTHING about child rearing in the nine (ten) months of pregnancy. They formed The Baby Planners. The business savvy gals also offer Grandparent packages, Adoption packages and Post-Partum packages. There's a fee attached, of course--$500 and up for the women's packages--but that fee may well be worth it to some.

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