A: Good question! Short of buying two identical toys so sharing doesn’t become an issue, your best solution is to go with toys the twins can enjoy together. One fun solution is musical instruments. They’re a big hit at this age and they’re even more fun when you have someone else to play with! This is also an age where kids are really starting to have fun in the bath, so bath toys make great gifts as well. Here are a few giggle favorites:

Mini Orchestra (http://www.giggle.com/p/25866/Mini-Orchestra.aspx?s=1&keyword=musical+toys)

Maracito (http://www.giggle.com/p/25860/Maracito.aspx?s=1&keyword=music)

Bath Goods (http://www.giggle.com/p/18203/c/561/cl/602/Bath-Goods.aspx)

Bath Squirters- Sea Creatures (http://www.giggle.com/p/15755/c/561/cl/602/Bath-Squirters---Sea-Creatures.aspx

A: Your daughter is now beginning to understand cause-and-effect, so the Giraffe Stacker (http://www.giggle.com/p/21705/c/692/cl/909/Giraffe-Stacker-Organic-Cotton.aspx) is a great toy to start with. This super soft toy will help develop motor skills, and since it’s organic, you don’t have to worry if it ends up in her mouth! We also love the DwellStudio Soft Blocks (http://www.giggle.com/p/24913/DwellStudio-Soft-Blocks-set-of-6.aspx?s=1&keyword=blocks). They’re a fantastic first set of blocks since they don’t have any sharp corners, and they make a sweet jingle sound!

A: Actually, yes. It’s important that any plush or cloth toy you choose be machine washable to avoid allergens. (All of ours are machine washable, by the way.) If a toy can’t be wiped down or machine washed, it’s going to get dirty and possibly be a source of dust mites. In addition to plush toys' role in ensuring you maintain a healthy nursery, plush can also be selected based on their developmental value. Tactile development is a key sensory development for newborns, infants and young children. The more varied the texture is (nosier, rough, soft, prickly, smoothe, etc) the more developmentally stimulating the toy can be to a young child. And of course, soft and sweet is among the most popular of "soothing" options for babies and children - where "lovies" are as likely to be a stuffed friend as a favorite blankie.

A: Our advice is to steer clear of most concerns by picking teethers that are organic (made from and with organic dyes) or as natural materials as you can find. For the "rubbery-like" feeling teethers, our pick are teethers by Natursutten. Their teethers are free of BPA, phthalates, and chemical softeners. They can also be chilled in the refrigerator, which makes them soothing to sore gums (but remember, no freezing or boiling which can crack/open teethers!). Not sold on the "rubbery-like" options and willing to go all fabric, soft organic cloth that can be machined washed is an easy alternative. Just like their counterparts, they also can be chilled in the refrigerator for added soothing. Stick to these suggestions and you can rest a little easier -- but remember, just as many non-teethers will end up in your baby's mouth during this stage so add caution to the decor, clothing, toys and other items you keep in easy reach.