These are a few of my favorite things.

There are a variety of useful and interesting products for new parents - here are a few.

SLEEP

Many new parents complain about difficulty sleeping.  However, there are now products on the market which can make the process of getting your baby to bed easier than ever before.  For example, the Zaky hand is a wonderful tool.  It simulates the gentle, loving, pressure of a mother’s hand.  And it’s not creepy at all.

Babies also like pacifiers.  However, there’s no reason to stick to the old fashioned sort.  There are now a wide variety of pacifiers available for your baby to showcase his or her own unique style and personality.

BATHING

Here, a wonderful bucket bathtub for bathing young infants.  And, at only $60, a crazy price to pay for something you can buy at Home Depot for $10 real bargain.

Many children struggle when getting their hair washed.  This makes sense to me – no one likes shampoo in their eyes.  Luckily, there is a product to help.

And, here, the tubsider.  Designed by a chiropractor, it helps support your spine, back and neck while washing the baby in the tub.  Of course, one might wonder if it’s a good idea to constrict your leg and body movements while washing a slippery baby.  But at least your back will be okay.

And, after bath time is over, what baby doesn’t like to slap on a little cologne?

Additionally, if your baby is bald, this product can reduce the embarrassment and stares until his/her hair grows in.

TRAVEL

I used to just write my name and phone number with a Sharpie on my kids’ foreheads, but this is just so much cuter!

Often when traveling, it is difficult to pack fruits and other healthy snacks as they become bruised and can ooze fluids on your stuff.  Luckily, the Banana Bunker can help guard against this.  It reminds me of something…but I just can’t place it.  Nonetheless, it is a fine piece of gear.

If you are going to be traveling on an airplane, it might be a good idea to introduce this fine educational toy to your child, particularly if you think you have reason to look suspicious.  Make sure to read the reviews.

EDUCATION

While whether or not television can truly be educational is a contentious issue, however, it is true that judiciously used, videos such as Baby Einstein can give parents a short break.  This video is particular is also a nice segueway into a discussion of mental illness in the event that your child notices Goat Van Gogh's bandaged ear and asks how it got hurt.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Forget nanny cams.  This is the future of household espionage.

Or, if you’ll be using daycare, you’re likely to encounter a variety of colds and childhood illnesses on a regular basis.  Tired of the old-fashioned nasal aspirators?  Well, you’re not alone.  Here: an innovative product to help you address a common concern with sick babies.

Also in the safety category are these – for the new wobbler in your life.

And, to make sure that no falls happen in the first place, you might want to check out the Daddle.  Originally it was available at Petsmart along with the matching knee pads, but for some reason they pulled it.  So sadly, it's a bit harder to find one now.

TOILETING

Given that “wetness is the number one cause of diaper rash” the need for this product is clear.   It can “soothe your baby from any agony.”

If you’re on the go with your baby and can’t find a restroom, here’s a product for mom and for baby and for baby's little hands.

You know when you’re in a public bathroom, and you have the baby with you, and you just don’t know what to do with him or her while you use the facilities?  Well – worry no more.  The Babykeeper has arrived!

There are also a couple of wonderful products to help toilet train your toddler.  If you have a boy, you may be interested in this portable urinal. 

And, if you’re having trouble getting your child to poop in his or her diaper, well, the trick is to make pooping fun!

If you're not on board with the fun shapes, you might want to try out a personalized potty song for your toddler instead.

For Lifespan Human Development Students

The bookends of 4 generations of Martorells

Welcome to Human Development!  This is somewhat of an experiment.  I attended a teaching conference last year, and in one of the talks I attended they discussed how to  rope students into listening by pretending to be young and hip like them stimulate online learning communities -  and blogs were suggested.  So, I'm giving it a shot. 

Some ground rules.  

• Commentary, reactions, and opinions are welcome, but please keep the discourse respectful and professional.   It is entirely okay to disagree with me or with another poster, but be nice about it.
• Don't use ethnic slurs, personal insults and show proper consideration for others' privacy and for topics that may be considered objectionable or inflammatory.
• I reserve the right not to post, or to later remove, any comments. 

You may earn up to two points of extra credit for posting comments on the blogs.  In order to quality for a point, a comment must add substance to the discussion.  In other words, merely posting that you agree or disagree, or that you found a link or discussion interesting, is not sufficient.  The deadline for fall quarter 2009 extra credit is November 30.  At that point, the extra credit will be entered into blackboard.  

I hope you had a great summer.  I did.