Taking care of a baby is no stroll in the park. It only makes sense then to pick up a few things that may make chores a bit quicker and life a bit easier. You and your litle one deserve it.
By Heather Camlot
Taking care of a baby is no stroll in the park, although it may look that way to non-parents. In fact, the days are spent cleaning, laundering, rocking, cradling, warming, changing and feeding. And when baby finally falls asleep, you hope and pray it will be for the entire night. Nope, parenthood does not equate a charmed life.
So it only makes sense then to pick up a few things that may make chores a bit quicker and life a bit easier. Although they’re a far cry from having a full-time nanny, housekeeper or grandparent around, we hope these six items will allow you two-minutes of me-time. You deserve it.
Baby Brezza Prima Baby Food Maker
Made exclusively for Williams-Sonoma, the Baby Brezza Prima makes the chore of preparing healthy baby food into a simple one-touch task. Fill the 4-cup plastic bowl with vegetables, fruits, meat, fish or a combination thereof and let the machine do all the work, from defrosting to steaming, blending and warming, in just 15 minutes. That’s enough time for you to take a well-deserved (quick) shower or reply to email. Williams-Sonoma, $150.
In the next room? Halfway around the world? No matter where you are you can check in on your little one with this neat video camera that wirelessly connects to your iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad. Download the product app and set up the camera (or cameras) to stream video and audio through your local wireless network. The monitor will alert you to when there is motion or noise in the room and it can even record clips to a private YouTube account. Stem Innovation, $130.
Graco SweetSlumber Sound Machine
Although there’s no one-size-fits-all formula for getting baby to sleep, music does at the very least have the ability to calm. The SweetSlumber sound machine comes with 12 soothing sounds to help baby begin her peaceful journey to la la land, including lullabies, nature sounds and white noise. If those are not enough, you can switch to your customized playlist of sleep-inducing tunes by plugging your MP3 player into the sound machine. Program the timer to shut the machine off once dreams are aplenty and check in on your little one with its soft glow nightlight. Toys R Us, $65.
MamaRoo Infant Bouncer and Swing Set
This innovative seat takes soothing baby in new directions, five to be exact – car ride (figure eight), kangaroo (up and down), tree swing (high on the sides), rock-a-bye and (low on the sides) and ocean wave (big circle), mimicking mom and dad’s comforting moves. Along with its different speeds and plush, reclining seat, the MamaRoo features five nature sounds and an MP3 connection so baby can rock out and doze off to her (or your) favourite tunes. Lussobaby.ca,$240
If you’re set on breastfeeding, a pump is essential, especially if you plan on ever having a date night outside the home. The hands-free Freestyle double electric pump comes with a backlit LCD screen, timer, rechargeable battery and programmable memory that records pump sessions so you can return to your favourite pumping pattern at another time. Toys R Us, $400.
Dr. Brown’s Deluxe Bottle Warmer
Rather than stand at the kitchen sink waiting for a bottle to warm under the flow of hot water while baby shrieks in hunger, try a bottle warmer to take the pressure off. Dr. Brown’s version fits different sizes and brands of bottles, features an LCD screen for ease of use, a sound and visual alert when the bottle is ready, and an auto shut-off just in case you’ve opted for another way to quell the crying – like a stroll in the park.
First published February 16, 2012, on WorkLivePlayCafe.com.
Heather Camlot 