If you just had a baby, you’ll know how much products can benefit you if they’re deployed in the right way. There’s just something about having the correct family-raising tools at your disposal that makes all the difference.
What specifically do we recommend? Which tools are the most effective, and how can you leverage them? That’s what we’ve tried to compile in this post. We run through some of the everyday sanity-saving gadgets that you can use to completely transform your life and make being a parent so much easier.
Portable white noise machine
You’ll want to start with one of the simplest and most effective tools out there: the portable white noise machine. These emit white noise similar to the static on an old TV and have been proven in many studies to help babies and young children sleep and relax. White noise machines essentially confuse the brain by tricking it into thinking that there’s a real stimulus. At the same time, though, children’s brains get used to the sound, and it becomes a background noise that distracts them from other noises that might be in the environment, like cars passing outside or neighbours shouting next door. It’s an invaluable go-to option whenever you want your children to have a nap.
Silicone suction bowls
Silicone suction bowls might not be the first thing you think of when raising children, but they are incredibly helpful. Traditional bowls usually end up on the floor and get knocked off tables and high chairs easily. Silicon suction bowls have a suction pad on the bottom that helps them stay in place, especially when you pair them with plastic surfaces. They lock onto high chairs and have engineered high raised lips to prevent additional spillages from occurring.
Another nice thing about silicone bowls is that you can heat them in the microwave or even put them in the oven. Silicone is a rare material in the sense that it’s soft, but it’s also extremely resistant to high heat. It doesn’t generally burn, especially if you keep the temperature below 450°F.
Co-sleeper
A co-sleeper is another great invention, but what is a co-sleeper?
Essentially, it is a crib or a cot that you can place directly next to your bed. Don’t confuse it with co-sleeping, which is a general term for when parents have their baby nearby. A co-sleeper is a specific product like a bassinet that you can scoot right next to your bed so that there’s continuity between the bassinet mattress and your main mattress.
What’s nice about co-sleepers is that you don’t have to set up baby monitoring devices. You can literally have your baby with you right there in the room. You also get rid of the separation that comes with a conventional crib, and the end guards reduce the risk of you rolling over and hurting your baby.
Chalkboard milestone signs
Moving on slightly from some of the more practical purchases you might want to make, you could also look into getting chalkboard milestone signs. These are essentially letter boards or pre-framed chalkboards that are customised for things like height, weight, and current favourite things that you might want to update with your child over time. Chalkboard milestone boards replace the age-old practise of writing with indelible biro on painted walls. You don’t want that, so these are a great option to reduce mess.
Stitch numbered body suits
You might also want to look into getting stitch-numbered bodysuits. What on earth are these? Essentially, they’re white bodysuits pre-printed with the corresponding month number, so you don’t have to remember which outfit your child needs to wear at what time. You can simply pick the outfit that corresponds to their age.
This is also great if you’re planning on having multiple children. Once you have a series of stitch-numbered bodysuits, you can simply stagger them as new children come up in age.
Just remember not to tell them.
Electric nail file
What about getting an electric nail file? Electric nail files are a great option because they reduce the risk of clipping your child’s skin during grooming. At some point, you will have to cut their nails, but using conventional clippers is risky, especially if you have a child that moves around a lot. Electric nail files reduce this risk by using special technology that cuts down on sharp blades.
Automatic bottle washer and sterilizer
You could also look into getting an automatic bottle washer and steriliser. Think about how much time you spend every day on these tasks. It’s usually an enormous amount of your energy that goes into keeping everything clean: washing, scrubbing, soaking, and steaming.
The good news is that there are now automatic bottle washers and sterilisers that will do that job for you very quickly. All you do is load your dirty bottles or breast pump parts into the machine, push a button, and let it do the rest. Everything will come out squeaky clean, and you won’t have to worry about it again.
Blackout travel canopy
What if you are planning to travel with your baby or child? If you’ve ever tried to put them down for a nap in a bright room, you’ll know that they very rarely go to sleep. Fortunately, you can now get blackout travel canopies that act like slumber pods, allowing babies and young children to sleep at any time of the day, including during midday sunshine. These feature special materials that block out light while keeping babies cool with proper internal ventilation.
They’re also suitable for travel because they can fold down and only take up a small amount of space. It’s not like you’re trying to take a cot or crib with you.
Magnetic fastener footies
Lastly, you could look into getting magnetic fastener footies. Regular snap pyjamas are difficult to put on at 3 am, and zippers can bunch up or just stop working entirely. If you have magnetic fabric closures inside clothing, this whole task becomes much easier, especially after a diaper change.
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