Tired of hearing the same old songs on your toddler's play things? Trade them in for this year's batch of cool new toys we found at the recent 2010 Toy Fair for the 2-and-under set, available now or later this year.

1. Baby Genius Swivel 'N Sounds Phone: No, it's not just another toy cell phone. The Swivel 'N Sounds Phone is a camera phone that lights up and makes a realistic camera sound when your tyke snaps faux photos. But the coolest feature of all? Mommy or Daddy can record a message on the phone for baby to listen to again and again -- and again and again. Ages 18 months and up, $8, at Walmart stores.
2. Fisher-Price Follow Me Thomas: Thomas celebrates his 65th birthday this year! For little train enthusiasts (who don't understand that trains aren't for eating) comes this toddler-friendly train. Point the light from the lantern and Fisher-Price's Follow Me Thomas will chase it -- wherever it goes. Ages 2 and up, $44.99, available in August.

When their children reach school age, many parents of twins wrestle with the decision to separate the siblings or put them in the same classroom. But according to recent research, when it comes to grades, it doesn't matter.

In a study that appeared in the January 2010 Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Amsterdam researchers looked at 2,003 pairs of identical and fraternal twins. Most of the children (72 percent) were in the same class as their sibling; 19 percent were separated; and another 9 percent "partly" shared a classroom. At age 12, the students took a standardized test, and there was no significant difference in test scores between the three groups.

The researchers say parents, teachers and the children themselves should make the decision about whether or not to separate.

Related: Twins and Triplets

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of death for babies ages 1 month to 1 year old. The causes of SIDS are still not fully understood, and while the Back to Sleep campaign has eliminated many deaths, SIDS is still a worry for new parents.

Now, researchers from Children's Hospital Boston say the brain chemical serotonin may be to blame. Serotonin is partly responsible for regulating breathing, blood pressure, heart rate and other involuntary actions as we sleep. According to the researchers, low levels of serotonin may put a baby at risk of SIDS. Normally, serotonin helps babies wake up when they have breathing problems in their sleep, so they can turn their heads and breathe in fresh air. But babies with low serotonin levels may never wake.

Sure, the teeny tiny bikinis and baby Uggs are cute and make great shower gifts, but what do you really need when your little one comes home?

The exact number of burp cloths, towels and other linens needed really depends on how often you want to do laundry -- and how often your baby pees, pukes or poops on himself. But this list of must-haves should get you through the early months -- unless you're having multiples. Then you'll need at least double the numbers listed here:

Bath

• 3-4 hooded towels
• 4-5 washcloths

Ami and Brian Bunch, of Tucson, Ariz., are the proud parents of 10-month-old triplets who are currently sporting head-shaping helmets 23 hours a day, according to a story in the Arizona Daily Star. That's because Colton, Ethan and Hunter have plagiocephaly, or flattened head syndrome. The condition is more common than ever, and recent research in the journal Pediatrics says the main reason is that babies are sleeping on their backs.

But it's also more common in multiples.

"Simply having more children in the womb creates crowding and puts more pressure on the infants' head," study co-author Brian Verrelli, Ph.D., a human population geneticist in the School of Life Sciences at Arizona State University, tells ParentDish in an e-mail. Verrelli's co-author is Jessica Joganic, an undergraduate student at ASU.

At the most crucial moments in a newborn's life, mothers wonder if making connections with others in the NICU is the right thing to do.

For nine months, moms-to-be wonder what baby will look like, who she will take after and what she'll grow up to be. And once that little one finally enters the world, we spend those first few days in the hospital staring at, holding, kissing and simply loving our child.

But when your baby ends up in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), that instant bonding is delayed: Baby is whisked off to be poked, prodded, tested and monitored -- for days, weeks or months. If you're lucky, you can hold and feed your newborn, but many moms can't even do that, as the baby is hooked up to lifesaving monitors and equipment.

Welcome, baby! Your little one should make his appearance any day now, and you're likely desperate to meet him! Enjoy every minute.

What's happening to baby: At birth, he'll weigh between 6 ¾ and 10 pounds and will be between 19 and 21 inches long, though, of course, every baby is different. Several months after birth, the soft spots on his skull will begin to harden.

What's happening to Mom: You're probably anxious, excited and ready to meet the little person growing inside of you. Try to be patient if you go past your due date -- you'll have the rest of your life to spend time with your baby.

Pregnancy: Week 40

Related: The Final Days of Pregnancy, Labor, Delivery and Postpartum Period

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Once your baby arrives, you'll have little time for cooking, so consider freezing a few make-ahead meals, like lasagna and casseroles. Later, you'll be glad you did.

What's happening to baby: Baby weighs anywhere from 6 ½ to 8 pounds and is 18 to 20 1/2 inches long. The fat her body is developing will help her regulate her body temperature outside the womb.

What's happening to Mom: You're likely seeing your doctor weekly now, and pelvic exams will help him or her determine baby's position and whether (or how much) your cervix is dilated.

Related: Labor, Delivery and Postpartum Period, Pregnancy: Your Third Trimester

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It's time for final preparations: If you haven't packed your hospital bag yet, do it now. Make sure you have a car seat ready to bring baby home from the hospital and give your partner a list of people to call and e-mail once baby arrives.

What's happening to baby: These last few weeks, baby is mainly just gaining weight and her brain and lungs are still maturing. By now, she may weigh up to 7 ½ pounds.

What's happening to Mom: In these last few weeks, you're likely still experiencing back pain, sleeping fewer hours than ever and dealing with swelling, mainly in your feet.

Pregnancy: Week 39

Related: When Labor Strikes: What You REALLY Need at the Hospital, Labor and Delivery - the Journey To Birth

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This week, your baby is officially full-term. You made it! Of course, it's best for him to stay where he is until he's ready, and in some cases, that may mean another four weeks.

What's happening to baby: He's now weighing in at around 7 pounds. If he's in breech position, your doctor may be able to turn him around so he's in the head down position.

What's happening to Mom: You probably won't gain much more weight after this week. In the next few weeks, you may lose your mucus plug, which blocks the cervix throughout your pregnancy, keeping your baby safe from bacteria. You may not even notice when you pass the mucus plug, but it means your cervix is beginning to dilate, a process that can take hours, days or weeks.

Pregnancy: Week 38

Related: Labor and Delivery: What You Need To Know

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