Owlet Smart Sock 2 Baby Monitor

We all know that tech devices can help simplify our lives. From something as easy as being able to take a picture on your cell phone to home devices that can tell us the weather with a touch of a button (or just simply by asking verbally). But tech can also help our kids out, too! In fact, Verizon helps make it easy for kids to get online safely with great tablets, smart watches and phones. And if you're worried about your kids' safety as they browse the web or play on their phone, Verizon helps cover that too! With plans that are catered toward families, smartphones that track your child's location and add restrictions like content filters, you can rest assured that your child's tech devices are safe for them to use.

The My Verizon and My Verizon Smart Family apps track your child's phone location and usage right from your very own device. It's a helpful way to stay on top of what your kid is doing on the web. The Smart Family app allows you to add up to 20 trusted contacts to your child's phone that they can reach whenever, regardless of restrictions. You can also limit how many texts are sent and received. Track how your kids are spending time online with the Web and App Activity feature and keep tabs on your child's location via a GPS locator. It also allows you to add content filters to block certain apps and websites. Parents will love that they have the ability to add usage limits and even pause the internet! Plus using the app is simple—just pair your device with your kid's device using the Smart Family companion app and you're ready to get started!

Below we explore the devices and plans that make Verizon one of the best wireless carriers for families!

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics Childhood Sleep Guidelines, infants should sleep between 12 to 16 hours, while growing toddlers should grab between 11 to 14 hours of shut-eye. That's why picking the perfect crib mattress is key for a good night (and naptime) slumber for your little lamb.

While there are several factors to consider when choosing a crib mattress and setting up a safe sleep environment for your child. Parents should select "a firm mattress that is made for the crib, meaning perfect in size with a tight-fitting sheet," suggests S. Daniel Ganjian, MD, a pediatrician at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California. "There should be no space between the mattress and the sides of the crib."

And other than a fitted sheet, there shouldn't be anything in the baby's bed, particularly during the first year. "The most common mistake that parents make is putting something in the crib besides a tightly swaddled baby," says Gina Posner, MD, a pediatrician at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA. "There should be no stuffed animals, no crib bumpers and no sleep positioners. Just make sure it is a new crib that is up to current standards."

Dr. Ganjian also advises against using an old crib and mattress. "Hand me downs used to be great, but now you really have to watch out for them, since many have been recalled or are dangerous because there is some subtle defect that you might not be aware of."

In celebration of Sleep Awareness Week, we've rounded up our top picks of comfy, crib mattresses with quality features to ensure that tired newborns and tots transitioning to a toddler bed sleep like babies so Mom and Dad can rest a whole lot easier.

If your little one is finally outgrowing baby toothbrushes, you may want to consider finding an electric toothbrush for toddlers. Electric toothbrushes can make brushing more fun and more convenient for kids. Plus, they have powerful heads that clean faster and more efficiently than manual toothbrushes. We talked to New York City's Leading Cosmetic Dentist, Dr. Lana Rozenberg, DDS, about the most important features to look for and rounded up the best, affordable products from brands like Oral-B, Colgate, Philips and more.

From stylish kids' shower curtains to smart bathroom storage ideas, there are tons of products out there to help you transform your child's bathroom into a clean, cute and organized space that's easy for everyone to navigate. Check out the most stylish bathroom accessories, toothbrush holders, step stools, bathroom rugs and more from retailers like World Market, Walmart and Amazon.

Open wide! Those baby teeth are beginning to break through which means your child may start feeling cranky thanks to teething pain. Parents should be on the lookout for the first signs to help soothe and pacify little ones. "First, it is important to understand the symptoms of teething. A low-grade fever (less than 101) may be a sign," says Danelle Fisher, MD, FAAP (Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics), Vice Chair of Pediatrics at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif. "Teething babies may have a clear runny nose or may have poop that is slightly more runny than usual and get a mild diaper rash. Also, your baby may be fussy or not eat as well. For any symptoms that are not mild or last longer than 24 hours, consult your pediatrician." To help alleviate your babe's irritating gum pain, we've rounded up the best teething toys to help ease the discomfort. Check out our top picks of chewy choices well worth biting into!

Target was a go-to for the trendiest Christmas toys last year, and you can expect even more of the same great Black Friday deals and Cyber Monday sales on kids' favorite brands in 2018. From Air Hogs to Peppa Pig and PAW Patrol playsets, it won't be hard to fulfill your child's wish list with a shopping trip to Target. Last year, Nintendo and LEGO were favorite toymakers for Target shoppers, and this year the virtual toy chest is loaded with options from Baby Alive, KumiKreator, Crate Creatures and more. Have a look through our favorite Christmas toys from Target below.

Fingerlings were one of the hottest toys last holiday season. In fact, they were so popular that Fingerlings Minis and even Fingerlings keychains soon followed. But this year, Fingerlings HUGS are at the top of every kid's wish list and one of the best Christmas toys of 2018. The adorable interactive plushies feature long arms that can wrap around your kid for a cuddle, and they also give kisses, giggle, repeat after your child and — whoops! — pass gas. The collection includes animals such as a unicorn and sloth, but we have to say that Fingerlings monkeys Boris and Bella might just be the cutest toys ever. While you'll likely find sweet Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals on these cute critters on toy store shelves across the country, there are even better deals — and exclusive animals! — available online at Amazon, Walmart and Target now. So, stop arguing with your little one about whether they're getting a real puppy or kitten, and tell them Santa might just deliver a monkey, sloth or unicorn pal instead! Shop the Fingerlings collection below.

Shhh...baby is asleep! Sound and white noise machines are a must-have for little ones and light sleepers. They're an excellent tool to help develop sleeping routines and provide soothing sounds while blocking loud noises to quietly calm your child. Backed by pediatricians and certified sleep specialists, the benefit of introducing a sound machine early on to your infant is to create a, "womb-like white noise that actually activates a calming reflex in the baby, which helps promote sleep," says Dr. Harvey Karp, founder of Happiest Baby and creator of the SNOO Smart Sleeper. "It also reduces waking from outside distractions like noises and lights and internal disturbances like gas and mild hunger."

When shopping for the best machine, parents should be on the lookout for a unit that blocks disturbing sounds, especially during naptime. "Sound machines help drown out the noise we can't control, this is especially important during the daytime when most outside noises occur (i.e. cars driving by, dogs barking etc)," observes Certified Child Sleep Consultant Susete Pinto. However, doctors and sleep professionals caution against keeping a loud sound machine near your sleeping baby. Always maintain the noise levels at 50 A-weighted decibels while never keeping the device too close to the crib. "I generally recommend a noise level similar to what a hair dryer or vacuum might produce," say Dr. Karp.

Sweet as a lullaby and the best method for blocking out boisterous household and outdoor noises, our top picks of sound machines will work to calm even the most restless little sleepers. Get ready to make some noise! Wait, on second thought, let's sound off on comforting white noises to soothe your sweet babe.

Oral hygiene is important, even for babies! Protect baby teeth, soothe sore gums and build healthy habits with a toothbrush designed specifically for baby. Whether you're looking for baby's first toothbrush, a convenient finger toothbrush for babies or you're ready for your infant to try their hand at holding a soft, safe toddler toothbrush, we've rounded up some of the best baby toothbrush choices to keep your little one smiling. Check out these great infant toothbrushes from stores like Amazon, Target and Walmart.

Still sorting out how to balance your new bun in the oven with an old workout routine? Well, the timing is perfect to put high-tech fitness trackers to the test to monitor safe prenatal exercises, heart rates and sleep patterns while staying healthy and fit for the next nine months (and beyond, of course!). New moms must keep moving for optimal well-being, suggests G. Thomas Ruiz, MD, OB/GYN Lead at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California. "We encourage expectant women to engage in exercise or physical activity on a regular basis throughout their pregnancy," he advises. "Women who are physically active during pregnancy tend to have smaller babies, which most women who are pushing out a kid don't mind." But what about the anxieties of pregnant moms who fear the harmful effects of radiation from such devices? "There has never been a study to demonstrate that background radiation from a cell phone or a Bluetooth device has had a deleterious effect on the outcome of pregnancy," says Dr. Ruiz. "There has been no data to determine it. We do ultrasounds on a regular basis, which is sending sound energy to the baby so we can do diagnostic work, and that is at a much higher level of energy than a cell phone. It's never been shown to demonstrate harmful effects towards the baby or the pregnancy. So moms can use their trackers to their heart's content." So stay strong and count on, Mama! From Fitbit to Bellabeat, here are are our best picks to keep new moms stepping out in style.