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Trendy Baby Gadgets You Can Skip
In today’s tech-savvy world, everything seems to be getting a “smart” upgrade, and baby products are no exception. So, it’s no shocker that companies are rolling out high-tech items like a smart changing pad from a brand called BabyNest. This gadget, which some have dubbed the “FitBit for your infant,” comes with a hefty price tag of $300. It features a waterproof surface and an LCD screen beneath a washable cover, connecting to an app on your phone to track your little one’s weight, sleep habits, and even daily diaper changes. As the co-founder of BabyNest, Jamie Thompson, points out, many parents are anxious because their babies can’t communicate their needs.
The smart changing pad is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to pricey gadgets for new parents. Recently, a well-known camera company launched an HD baby monitor with a 180-degree view of the nursery, night vision, and a detachable USB camera. Plus, it can monitor sleep patterns and send all that info directly to your phone!
You can also find wearable thermometers that track your baby’s temperature all day, services that help monitor your family’s nutrition, and even “soothing mobiles” that adjust music and lighting based on your baby’s sleep cycle. There’s even a company that produces smart bottle holders that guide you on how to hold the bottle and alert you if the nipple gets clogged—because apparently, we can’t even check for that anymore without a gadget.
While technology should ideally make our lives easier, it seems like these innovations are more about squeezing money from anxious new parents. The baby product industry raked in a whopping $23 billion in 2013, with profits continuing to soar. Sure, some of that comes from must-haves like diapers and car seats, but a lot of it is for “stuff your newborn doesn’t need,” as pointed out by MarketWatch.
To be honest, you can figure out your baby’s bowel habits without a high-tech changing pad. You can also examine the formula in your bottles on your own. And while having a night vision monitor sounds fancy, you probably don’t need a 180-degree view of your nursery when your baby is likely crying just a few feet away.
If smart baby products excite you, that’s totally fine! But there’s no need to feel pressured into purchasing the latest gadget. A crib that tweets about your baby’s diaper changes is still just a crib, and it won’t magically make you a better parent. It’s completely normal to feel nervous as a new mom or dad, and those jitters will be there whether you spend $300 on a fancy changing pad or not.
For more insights on home insemination, check out our other blog posts, like this one on home insemination kits. You can also find more information about artificial insemination at Make a Mom. If you’re looking for excellent resources on pregnancy and home insemination, visit the Cleveland Clinic’s guide on intrauterine insemination.
In summary, while the market is flooded with high-tech baby gadgets, many of them aren’t necessary. It’s best to stick with what truly matters, and remember that parenting skills come from experience, not the latest technology.