child

The NY Times personal shopper pointed out that a toy caddy of some kind would be a good addition to a kids' room after Christmas so that there will be someplace to keep all of their holiday goodies. Shelves seem a little too functional to inspire kids to use them on their own, but the BB2 Toy Caddy they recommended nicely bridges the gap between toy and storage unit. Made of natural, finished wood and measuring 23" high x 15" wide, the caddy can be used as a chair or toy cart, which just might be enough to motivate child to use it for storage, rather than just leaving everything for you to put away. But if that's a little too optimistic, at least you're getting a cute, multi-tasking piece of furniture in the bargain. Price: $250.

If you're not going to splurge on a solid gold rocking horse for the kids this year, a more affordable alternative would be the Playsam Rocking Horse. The Scandinavian-designed horse is wood, but is finished in a satiny black lacquer that will make any child think that s/he has just gotten her own little Black Beauty. It's aimed at ages 1-5 and measures 33.5" x 13.5". The only downside is that your child might want to get a "real" pony at some point after this - which is significantly more expensive than a wooden one. Price: $225.

The Keinu Rocker isn't the only chair that updates the classic rocking chair, but it is probably one of the most modern in its use of materials in addition to updating the design to some degree. The Mod Rocker, on the other hand, uses a traditional material with an entirely new design. It is also kid-sized. The rocker is wide and low, made of bent plywood - from sustainably grown forests - with a maple veneer. It won Honorable Mention in 2006 I.D. Magazine's Annual Design Review and measures 16.25w x 22.25d x 18.75"h. Price: $320.

Apparently, some of the residents of David's village in Malawi were shocked to hear of the amount she spent and noted that such an amount "could have paid for 10,000 chickens and 500 goats, or 10 mud huts."

How old were you when you got your first car? This could be baby's first Bentley. From the Bentley Collection, the toy is just the thing to get a kid on the right road to appreciating a quality vehicle. Called Blower the Bentley, the soft and squeezable car has removable wheels for making "bedside repairs." We suspect that they could be used for other things, too, such as throwing at older siblings, though we recommend trying to keep Blower in one piece for a smoother ride. Price: £16.98 ($32).

If you have a nice set of dishes, though luxury consumers tend to prefer basic tableware, you might not want your kids eating off of it, especially if they are very young. Not only could they have an accident, dropping a plate or bowl, but working with a knife and fork that are too large for their small hands can be quite difficult. The Kid's Stuff Complete Dining Set from Alfredo Haberli is kid sized and much more refined than those cartoon-covered plastic dish sets that are often given to children. It includes a plastic tray, porcelain bowl & plate, glass, a four piece flatware set, wooden cutting board and spreader and everything is sized to the proportions of a child, with wide grips that are easy to hold. The cutting board is designed to encourage children to cut up their own food, rather than waiting for an adult to do it for them. Price: $150.

Cotton Monkey Bedding is a line of linens made from 100% certified organic cotton, grown without any pesticides or chemicals, and is finished with wool batting that is not treated with formaldehyde or bleach and is antimicrobial. Only non-toxic dyes are used. The result of all this is that the bedding is ultra-soft and as safe as can be for a baby's sensitive skin. They make sheets, quilts, crib bumpers and throw blankets, and you can mix and match the various patterns they offer. A full Cotton Monkey set, which will outfit a crib completely, is $704.

The word "luxury" is not often found in conjunction with "diaper bag" but the Luxe Diaper Bag from Fleurville manages to combine the two with ease. The bag is practical and surprisingly attractive, made from waterproofed leather in black, pink or blue, with three exterior pockets and an adjustable shoulder strap. Inside, the bag is loaded with an insulated bottle holder, wipe case and changing cloth, so your gear will be coordinated, as well as conveniently put together. Will it replace designer bags as a must-have fall purse? Unlikely, but at least it makes carrying baby supplies as stylish as it can get. Price: $375.

[via Babygadget]

With the advent of a screening process that allows couples to screen for various traits, including gender, of their babies, some fertility clinics are seeing an upswing in foreign clients. This is because the US does not have as strict regulations as some other countries over embryo selection and allows doctors the freedom to select for gender - a desirable thing for many couples considering children. In other countries, such as Australia, screenings are permitted only for genetically inherited diseases, so a couple that wants a girl can come to the US and, with the help of a doctor here, can get one.

Doctors say that the bulk of their clients come from Canada, where girls are very popular, and China, where boys are in demand, though potential parents come from New Zealand to Austria, too. The procedure costs about $20,000.

Not all clinics offer this sort of service and many doctors and legislators oppose what they say amounts to "amounts to medical tourism for designer babies " Other doctors simply say that they are serving the marketplace and fulfilling a need.

But is it ok to turn a potential parent into a consumer who is on the lookout for only a specific type of child?