-
Wacky and Wonderful Kids' Stuff
New parents have a lot of purchasing decisions to make in the early years. Here are some wacky and wonderful finds (note that we're not using the word ‘essential') to baffle even the most savvy buyer.
-
The Windi
Colic is no laughing matter, but the Windi—for its name alone—has earned some giggles. A device used to remove excess gas from your baby's bottom might seem ridiculous…but then again, so did the concept of your baby crying constantly for hours. And hours.
-
Tinkle Tube
Your parenting tour of duty thus far has included a visit to every public washroom from here to eternity. If your little guy has trouble holding it (literally), it's not entirely impossible that this could help move things in the right direction.
-
Pee & Poo
We'll try to stay above basic potty humour over these pee and poo plush dolls that are advocated to help kids get comfortable with their bodily functions. (Were they ever uncomfortable?) Appropriately they are sold as a set—meaning you can't take one without the other.
-
Stroller Warmuffs
Catherine Deneuve, the impossibly chic French actress, had the muff. You, have giant stroller mittens. Therein lies the great divide between elegance and everyday comfort. C'est la vie.
-
Blooming Bath
You love it. You love it not. Your minimalist bathroom decor may protest the bright and bold design, but if you're nervous about bathing your newborn babe (and who isn't?!), this ultra soft insert promises to keep their body secure so you can soap ‘em up without any slippage.
-
Sonogram Photo Cufflinks
Pregnancy brings up all sorts of burning questions: why walk around with a standard sonogram printout of the little peanut when instead you/he can wear your (baby-to-be's) heart—as well as the rest of them—on your sleeve?
-
Boogie Wipes
Hands up if you find that sleeves are the more popular spot for their snot. If harsh tissue is the issue, maybe spend a little more (and perhaps laundry won't be as much of a chore?).
-
Hulabye Happy Changer
Your phone isn't the only mobile seeing some hands-free action these days. Thanks to this strap-them-in changer, you can wipe their bottom with one hand while you swipe through Pinterest photos with the other. (No worries—their mobile isn't the talking kind, so your secret is safe with us.)
-
Peter Potty Flushing Toddler Urinal
A good stand-up routine can make you wildly successful. Just ask Ellen. Since practice makes perfect, perhaps an on-site toddler-sized urinal is just the thing to (help them) hit the spot.
-
Pregnancy Test App
This could be funny, scary, cruel or a combination of all three—depending on your scenario and their sense of humour. An iPhone can do a lot, but it still can't tell if you, or anyone else, is pregnant. But this app pretends it knows by providing a visual of a (faux) positive or negative test, and based on a belly rub will provide a random decision as to the sex…or species…of your ‘baby.'
-
Swarovski Sparkle Pacifier
Select the most important item in your arsenal for soothing the babe, have it encrusted in pretty crystals and plan on giving it to the one human in the house who loves a never-ending game of ‘dropsy' (they drop it and you pick up—if you can find it). Sold?
-
Time Out Pad
You're familiar with kids putting you on the spot (‘Mommy, I just peed in the pool!'), so the temptation for payback when they've been particularly trying is to be expected. While a pad won't necessarily help make the point, consistent and appropriate discipline—aka the hardest part of parenting—will.
-
Pimp My Ultrasound App
We've seen some ridiculous onesies in our time—and not just the ones we erringly put on our own kids. You'll find lapses in judgment are a parental right (most Halloween and holiday costumes are a case in point), so why not get the babe, and your family, used to a little levity? Yes, even in utero.
-
Potty Mitts
On one hand, we get it—the idea of our kids never again having to touch a bathroom stall, seat, wall or waterspout is wonderfully reassuring. On the other hand, it sounds totally over the top. (But we'd still want one for that other hand.)
-
ThudGuard Child Helmet
To protect their brain matter you've studiously kept your toddler away from cliff diving and episodes of The Real Housewives. While it makes complete sense for sports activities, best to use your head when it comes to considering a helmet for just hanging around.
-
Nuvo-Ritmo Pregnancy Sound System
The funny thing about pregnancy sound systems isn't the desire to connect with your unborn child (always an excellent idea), but the marketing language included. Lying in stretched-out yoga pants with a sci-fi-inspired band around our distended 8-month pregnant belly as we sing ‘Baa Baa Black Sheep' to our babe in utero is anything but ‘stylish' and ‘sophisticated.' Amazing? Yes. Awesome looking? Uh, no.
-
Looster Booster
At first glance, this may look like a 'loser,' but there are a few steps involved in teaching kids to use the potty. Does that include an actual step up? We think it best to leave any decision about stool(s) totally up to you.