Though they can’t talk, walk or sit, newborns have been the inspiration for many new products. We’ve sifted through a bundle of these new creations, and here are our favorites — all invented by (of course) mothers!
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Burp Catcher. These ingenious burp cloths have a built-in pocket to catch spit-up… a gross job but somebody’s gotta do it (and it might as well not be you). |
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Swaddleaze. Moms of yesteryear were masters at wrapping their little bundles up tightly in blanket burritos, but my kicking newborn was much more skilled at getting out of the bundle then I was at putting her in. Thank heavens for this simple swaddler. With a zipper and some velcro, you’ll quickly have your baby wrapped up snug and comfy … now you can get some sleep. |
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Baby Silk Swabs. A squirmy baby, a bottle of alcohol, and a tiny cotton swab… sounds like a recipe for disaster. Taking good care of that new belly button is a snap with these cool new swabs. Simply snap-and-squeeze to release the pre-loaded alchohol into the swab, and you’re set. |
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Animal Print Blankie. Plan ahead… if your little one is going to become attached to something (insisting on carrying it around everywhere you go) why not have it be one of these custom-made, ultra-chic blankies. |
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SkipHop Saddle Bag. If only your stroller had a pocket to stash away baby’s binky, bottle, book, toy, etc. Your wish has been granted. The diaper bag divas at SkipHop now offer these clever snap-anywhere pouches. $36 at skiphop.com. |
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New for Baby. This clothing line is designed just for infants with special attention to all the important details. Made from luxe cotton, the jumpers, bodysuits, pants and blankets are tagless and itch free. Plus we just adore the simple and modern prints. $6-26 at newforbaby.com. |
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Peanut Shell. Giving a new mama two hands free is truly invaluable. Even better, these baby carriers are simple to use — no complicated rings or buckles — and they come in a stylish array of lush fabrics (we love the baby-soft microfleece). $44-68 at goo-ga.com. |
– Bettijo B. Hirschi
When They Tell You “It Get’s Better,” They’re Lying.
tod•dle (t d l v.
- To walk with short, unsteady steps.
- To walk leisurely; stroll.
- To terrorize one’s parent or guardian by zipping from one area of the house to another with lightning speed, leaving a trail of destruction and ankle-sprain-inducing small toys in one’s wake.
I like to have a take-home message for every article that appears in this column. Today’s take-home message for parents of toddlers is “Quit while you’re ahead.” Start the day off by taking all of your Tupperware lids and scattering them about your kitchen floor. Then leave a trail of tampons and cotton balls from the bathroom to everywhere else in the house. Also, pull the cat’s hair, dump out the toy box, take the phone off the hook and then hide it from yourself, and reconfigure all of your Tivo settings, never to figure them out again. You are now one step ahead of your toddler.
I’m sitting here at my computer listening to my 16-month-old cry in the next room. I put him to bed, you see, but he took it to mean we were playing that game again, the one in which he throws every toy or stuffed animal out of his crib one by one, and I pick them all up and return them to him, and then he lies down, ready for bed. Tonight he did not want to stop the game, so I simply returned the items to the crib, kissed him goodnight, and left the room. It’s been about five minutes since I last went into his room to try and quiet him down one last time. And I mean it, it’s the last time, because I. Am. Pooped.
My son is a toddler, and I am his exhausted Mommy. read more
Every contestant on Miss America wants “World Peace,” and while that would be nice, if you ask any group of moms they would probably say, “More Sleep.” Between a crying child, restless bed mate, and trips to the bathroom, most moms are left pining for enough shuteye.
Although we can’t get up with the baby for you, we have researched some tips that should help you get a better night’s sleep. Experts suggest that a consistent nighttime routine is not just good for little ones, but also helpful for adults. Try some of the ideas below to help you make the most of your bedtime. read more
This is a Stick Up! Are boring white walls or drab decor robbing you of your sense of style? Freshen things up with stickers — no we don’t mean the gold star or scratch-n-sniff kind — there is an emerging trend of grown-up wall decals that add quick style with the ease of, well, a sticker.
We’ve tested out a variety of these products to come up with this collection of favorite, fool-proof decorations. You’ll be surprised at the transformation you can make in a single naptime. No hammers or handymen are required, so we’re sure you’ll want to steal these looks.
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Wonderful Graffiti. Forget the mess and frustration of stencils and paint, you can get perfect lettering with these custom-made vinyl transfers. The application process is simple: press it on, peel off the backing, and stand back and admire your work. The letters are washable and durable, but for the apartment dwellers or commitment shy, they are also easily removable. Prices vary by size. wonderfulgraffiti.com |
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Wallter Wall Art. These 3D wall decals remind us of artist’s sculpture. Made from lightweight wood, they are primed white and ready to paint (spray paint works best). The no-fuss installation: peel and stick. Choose from a handful of cool shapes; we picked the circles because they’re easiest to work with — all sides are up and no leveling is required. Prices start at $42. 2modern.com. |
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Wall Candy. Choose from a cool collection of colorful stickers in a variety of shapes and sizes. These stickers have a reusable adhesive (think Post-It notes) so you can easily remove and rearrange your designs. Prices vary. wallcandyarts.com |
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Modernseed Freckles. Make your own modern art by arranging these clever white circles on a colored wall. They work equally well on a door or window. These wall stickers can also be easily removed and reused. |
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Wall Bands. Most of us shudder at the thought of wall paper, but these pre-pasted wall borders are easy to install and remove. (Really!) With all the fears associated with traditional wall paper eliminated, you can freely enjoy the clever colors and designs of these user-friendly wall bands. Available for $59 at twenty2.net. |
– Bettijo B. Hirschi
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