Before I had kids I wasn't a germaphobe, but now... look out. Taking my 3 boys into a public restroom is an anxiety-producing event where I find myself saying "Get off the floor!" "Don't touch that!" "You just washed your hands, stop playing with the garbage can!" and more while I scream on the inside.

So while your baby is still sweet and easier to contain, keep them clean and comfy. These pretty shopping cart covers are padded to protect floppy bodies from dents, plus no one will be able to chew on the filthy cart handlebar which hundreds of people have rubbed their germy hands all over. (Ack, it still grosses me out just remembering my kids doing that, and my youngest is now 4 years old!) They're also great for those times you end up in a restaurant which appears to have never cleaned their highchairs.

Even if you haven't become a germaphobe like me, these cart covers look very comfortable and might even encourage junior to fall asleep while you shop!

Peanut's Boutique has beautiful shopping cart covers for $45, and she'll include toy loops and lined pockets at no charge if you ask. - Erika

Infant and toddler shopping cart covers have become a must-have for germ-conscious parents - you know, those parents who still rinse their baby’s pacifier off when it drops on the floor? I have four children and haven’t rinsed a pacifier in months (only when it “drops” into another infant’s mouth); I didn’t think I would need for a shopping cart cover until the Ritzy Sitzy in Perfect 10 Paisley showed up on my doorstep.

Yes, shopping carts are filled with germs, but it’s all about strengthening the immune system, right? I didn’t want to take the time to strap in a cart cover before strapping in my baby, but when I discovered all of the Ritzy Sitzy’s features I was intrigued enough to give it a go.

The true "aha!" moment was when I read how it also fits high chairs, double shopping carts (think Costco) and park swings. Though not disgusted by shopping carts, the state of many a restaurant high chair has turned my stomach. We used the Ritzy Sitzy on my oldest daughter’s birthday when we hit a local restaurant for dinner. Since it was our first time using the Ritzy Sitzy, it took a minute to figure out how to strap it on, but once we did I was impressed with its extra padding, safety belt and extra toy loops and pockets.

Fortunately the Ritzy Sitzy is machine-washable, because our little girl enjoys her fries and always seems to hide a few in her high chair. We didn’t use the toy loops or pockets, but if I had an extra long mall trip planned I would stuff those pockets with snacks and attach her favorite fabric book and pacifier. Plus, I like variety and so the Ritzy Sitzy’s reversible design is an added bonus for me.

I can’t say I’m completely sold on the shopping cart cover thing; perhaps it’s due to their price and that fact that my first three children survived just fine without one. But I am a fan of the Ritzy Sitzy when it comes to high chairs and I always have ours at the ready in our van in case we brave a restaurant with kids in tow. It makes my dinner go down a little easier knowing my daughter isn’t enjoying someone else’s.

The Ritzy Sitzy comes in a wonderful variety of fabrics - good luck choosing just one! - and is available for around $68 from Amazon.com. - Emily H.

Though I have long been a Eucerin fan when it comes to soothing my baby’s dry, sensitive skin, I am learning that may not be the best option for her. Looking for something more organic and natural, I found Sweet Beauty Baby Balm. After reading its list of ingredients I’m anxious to try it!

Sweet Beauty Baby Balm soothes your baby’s dry, irritated skin with organic cocoa butter, a variety of natural oils and butters, and gentle extracts. This balm helps moisturize the skin and prevent future dryness and irritation. Plus it penetrates quickly into the skin, which is perfect for little ones who won’t hold still!

The list of ingredients is impressive--and yummy. Along with chamomile, zinc oxide and Vitamin E T-50, you’ll find cocoa butter, sweet cherry oil and extracts of marshmallow and raspberry. You can use Sweet Beauty Baby Balm on everything from parched lips to irritated bottoms - and that goes for adults too! You can purchase a jar of Sweet Beauty Baby Balm for $17 from SweetBeautySpa.com. - Emily H.

If you use a breast pump, you know that the parts need to be kept scrupulously clean. Sometimes, especially in an office setting, the cleaning routine is sort of awkward, kind of embarrassing, or just plain impossible without a decent sink and countertop. Here are two alternatives you might want to consider.

Calculate how many times you pump per day and buy two times that number of bottles and “horns” (for left and right sides, of course). That will let you pump and store milk without the washing routine - just take it all home at the end of the day and clean it there. Depending on your pump, there may be a valve that is much easier to clean before milk dries, but this part alone might be easy to take to the kitchen or bathroom for a quick rinse.

If you really don’t need that many bottles, you can save money and cleaning by pumping directly into the storage baggie. You can affix the clean baggy around and below the outlet for the milk using a standard clothespin, metal twist tie, or another strong clasping-type device. You’ll still need enough “horns” to last you through the day, but you’ll save money on bottles, do less cleaning, and even eliminate one potential source of contamination (stubborn bacteria clinging to the plastic bottle). - Leigh G.

Occasionally you'll run into something that is overpriced just because it is for babies. I am not talking about something that is uniquely useful or made safe for infants - I am talking about an almost identical thing for a different price. With a little forethought you might be able to spot these markups and save money. Here are a few examples of where this might happen.

Small “Tupperware” style containers in cute primary colors. Try the regular ones, which should come in sizes just as small, and save a dollar or two.

Washcloths. Why is a small pink one three times the cost of a normal white one? Compare them before you buy.

Soap. There are many inexpensive, scent-free, hypoallergenic soaps that might do just as well on your baby at a fraction of the cost of the fancy baby-labeled stuff.

Laundry detergent. Most, but admittedly not all, babies will do just fine with washing their clothes in the same load as the adult clothing, especially if you use a fragrance- and dye-free detergent.

Basically, just think for a minute about whether or not you use something just like the baby version, and then do a price comparison. Every once in a while you’ll be shocked at the markup.

What items have you seen that belong on this list? - Leigh G.