Positively Organic is a clothing company specializing in bright, fun, mix-and-match basics grounded in a commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. Their products are made of organic cotton, dyed with eco-friendly dies, and certified Fair Trade.

Amazon currently has many of their products on sale, marked anywhere from 5%-60% off. Most of their products go up to at least a size 12-18 months, with many also including toddler sizes. These Earthline LS Snow Bodysuits are marked 42% for $15 and come in three bold colors. Yoga Pants are also on sale for $18, 18% off the regular price and in eight different colors - boyish, girlish, and gender-neutral too!

Positively Organic has a lot of great eco-friendly items for baby, and the seriously discounted prices on a high-end brand of baby clothing are definitely worth checking out! - Jenn

Registering for the real basics

A friend recently asked me what to register for. Now, my list of recommended items is probably more bare-bones than most, so I am likely to neglect things other people would want. So I thought I’d review some baby registry lists I found online to see what I thought of them. My assessments of six lists from leading parenting websites and retailers are below.

Good lists

Parents.com: I was impressed by this list. Sure, the quantities are off (8 pairs of socks? We had two, and we had a winter baby, and that was enough) and some things are not truly necessary (like a crib bumper, which is not recommended because of small increase in SIDS risk) but really, it is a good list. [Link]

Babyfit.com: A nicely organized, non-overwhelming list. Some things were a little odd (belly casting kit?) but most things were practical and safe. [Link]

Decent lists

Giggle.com: A good list. Again, too many of some things (seriously, how is a stroller blanket different from a crib blanket?) but not overwhelming and not very materialistic. [Link]

Target: Target’s Newborn and 0-3 month lists are comprehensive - overspendy but a good start to whittle down from. For instance, you do not need a diaper stacker, diaper disposal system, or diaper disposal refills, in my opinion. But that is your decision. And according to roughly 95% of the internet community, you can skip the wipes warmer. I know I did. [Link]

Bad lists

Baby/Toys R Us: Totally insane and overwhelming, this page would have made me cry. Unless you love to shop (and thus spend money), avoid. [Link]

Walmart.com: Whoa. Do not follow this list. Far too long, lots of unnecessary things, and at least one thing that is unsafe (sleep positioners). Finally, they completely lost me at “elbow cushion” for the bath list. Are they serious? I did not know such a thing existed. I think the "elbow cushion" of choice for 99.9% of moms is called a "towel." [Link] - Leigh G.

My addiction extends beyond my closet to include the closet my little ones share. Inside you will find a variety of shoes, from $5 Croc knock-offs to pricier pairs. And while I’m all for budget-friendly shoes because of the speed at which my younger children grow out of them, I also understand and believe in the importance of high-quality, comfortable shoes for those precious little feet. Rileyroos are the perfect fit.

Sure, Rileyroos are super stylish, soft and lightweight but more importantly they are designed to imitate barefoot walking, the best way for little ones to learn how to walk. Their uppers are crafted of soft leather or suede and have a flexible leather or suede sole (I’m a big fan of the flexible sole) with rubber padding to protect little feet.

One of my favorite features of Rileyroos was something I didn’t even notice the first time I saw their product line: the sole curls above the toes. Why? Apparently it provides better leverage as children go from sitting to crawling and eventually to walking. Their shoes also have a padded leather collar, leather lining for greater breatheability and a Velcro closure for easy on-and-off and a snug fit.

You won’t find all these features in my son’s fake camo Crocs; hence the $5 price tag. Don’t get me wrong, those shoes do have their place (most often poolside), but to keep my little ones’ feet healthy as they toddle around, I’ll invest in something like Rileyroos. You can view and purchase many of their styles for around $30 on Amazon.com. - Emily H.

I have something you expectant mothers out there might want to think about, and that our experienced readers may wish to weigh in on. I'm not talking about breast vs. bottle, cosleeping vs. cribs, or babywearing vs. Bumbo. This one's easy to argue about without any hurt feelings: Snaps vs. Velcro and Velcro wanna-be's. This important choice will face you whenever making personal or gift purchases for babies, so listen up as I offer an objective assessment of the relative benefits and drawbacks. Velcro vs. Snaps, let's get it on!

Velcro

Pro: Quick to apply; good for lights-off or can’t-find-my-glasses application; infinitely adjustable
Con:Loud when undoing (think napping baby… rrrrip!); gets clogged with lint; poor positioning can accidentally cause abrasions on baby’s skin (especially for diaper covers); destroys other clothing in the wash by sticking to it (bras and undies, mostly) if you forget to stick it to itself; wears out over time

Snaps

Pro: Quieter; very sturdy; safe with other laundry; no lint issue; non-abrasive; lasts longer
Con: Sometimes tough to bumble around in the dark to get shut, especially for guys with bigger, clumsier fingers; occasionally will rip through the clothing if poorly manufactured; less adjustable than Velcro

My take? Always opt for snaps for cloth diapering items, things the baby sleeps in, and things that end up in the wash constantly. But in my house that means everything.

How about you? Do you thank the inventor gods for Velcro, or are you snap-happy when it comes to diapers, diaper covers, and onesies? - Leigh G.

If you're on the top half of the globe, colder weather is here to stay for a while. If you've got a crawler, these toddler leg warmers are going to come in really handy. You get the ease of changing a diaper on a kid wearing shorts or a skirt, but their legs remain cozy and warm.

Tired of your kids constantly growing out of every single piece of clothing after only a few wearings? These leggings stretch and grow along with your child to extend their useful life. I love it!

$8 from Crawler Covers & More. - Erika