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Category archive: gear
12 May 08 | Comments: 0
Here's how Andy and Chris simplified car seat installation: Installing car seats is a whole lot of no fun, particularly if you have seat belts that automatically retract. We figured out a little hack that makes our car seat installation...
Veggie scrubber doubles as high chair de-gunker09 May 08 | Comments: 0
Brooke's found a way to get the crusties off the high chair: I am in love with my veggie scrub. (I'm sure the mesh bags avocados come in would do the same thing.) Both are great at scrubbing potatoes and...
The magical, multifunctional properties of painter's tape08 May 08 | Comments: 17
Jen in Toronto loves her blue tape! For good reason: We use painter's tape a lot around our house, and we take a roll with us when we travel. It makes a great impromptu electrical outlet cover. We use it...
Perfect gift for new moms: The Rookie Mom's Handbook06 May 08 | Comments: 61
Heather and Whitney (aka the Rookie Moms) are true blog friends. I think these are two of the warmest, smartest women around. We've bonded over the business of blogging and parenting and life. They've sent in bunches of great hacks....
Amazon Kelty KIDS sale: 20% (or more) off child carriers and accessories29 Apr 08 | Comments: 0
Amazon's really wants to outfit you for your summertime adventures -- their annual Kelty KIDS sale is going on now. I see a good selection of backpack child carriers and accessories and some nice-looking diaper backpacks and duffels (some of...
Amazon Friday sale 4/25/08: Fitness ball, swim diapers, Victorinox25 Apr 08 | Comments: 0
Parenthacker-friendly picks in today's packed Amazon Friday sale : More Huggies Little Swimmers disposable swim diapers (size Small, 16-24 lbs, two 12-count packages) for $14.99 (25% off). Lots of Parenthackers have talked about how versatile a fitness ball can be...
Amazon Friday sale 4/18/08: Magnifying desk lamp, prep bowls, diapers18 Apr 08 | Comments: 2
Here are my picks in today's Amazon Friday sale : If you've got any small-parts builders or modelmakers in your home, this desk lamp/magnifier would make their projects go a whole lot easier. Great for budding scientists, too. It's $29.99...
Turn restaraunt high chairs upside-down to hold infant car seats17 Apr 08 | Comments: 23
Leah wrote in with a hack I've seen used in restaurants all over. It never worked for us -- our car seat never fit securely enough. Your mileage may vary, but it's worth a try as long as it's safe...
KABOOST: Boost the chair instead of the kid16 Apr 08 | Comments: 16
Several Parenthackers have mentioned the KABOOST as a great hack, but for some reason I don't see a post about it in the archives! No longer! From Sharon: I recently purchased a KABOOST from Amazon. KABOOST is a amazing invention...
The many uses of the reusable grocery bag12 Apr 08 | Comments: 18
Jamie shares why she loves reusable grocery bags: Our local grocery store is selling Earthwise simple reusable grocery bags for .99 cents. It took about a week to get used to remembering to bring it in to the grocery store...
Protect your coffee table-turned-play surface with a crib sheet11 Apr 08 | Comments: 4
Candie's great tip for coffee table play: I have found that the kids' favorite place to play is the family room coffee table. Usually I don’t like to allow this but I have found it is just the right height...
Turn temperature-taking with an ear thermometer into a game of telephone11 Apr 08 | Comments: 2
Shalini turned temp-taking into a game: After constantly struggling to take my squirmy 16-month old's temperature with the ear thermometer (he won't even hold still for the three seconds it takes to get a reading), I discovered that if I...
Amazon Friday Sale 4/11/08: Lots of good stuff!11 Apr 08 | Comments: 1
Lots of good stuff showed up in today's Amazon Friday sale ! (Sale prices last through today only.) Remember manual carpet sweepers? Little rotary brushes inside pick up debris just by getting pushed back and forth over the floor. I...
Use sheet holder "suspenders" as makeshift bib clips10 Apr 08 | Comments: 7
What a great idea! From Tiffany: Have you seen those cute "bib clips" that are out on the market now? Really cute, and handy to be able to use any towel (or even restaurant napkin) as a bib. But they're...
Line the potty with paper to make it easier to clean08 Apr 08 | Comments: 7
Ah, yes. Cleaning out the potty chair. One of the greater joys of parenting, wouldn't you agree? Here's Preschool Mama's tip for speeding up the job: When I was training my son, I used to line the potty with a...
Drape an old sweatshirt over wooden chairs to protect them from booster scratches08 Apr 08 | Comments: 4
Sarah's tip for protecting wooden chairs from strap-on booster seats: My son uses the Fisher Price Healthy Care Booster Seat (recommended by parenthacks). We love the chair, but have two problems: (1) the back of the booster seat cuts into...
Baseball cap + a clip-on light = a better bedtime reading lamp03 Apr 08 | Comments: 3
Brian's a smart guy and a good storyteller: Thing 1 wants the bedtime story. Thing 2 is kept awake by the light spilling into his room from Thing 1's light. Can't turn off the light in Thing 1's room, though....
Cylindrical concrete form tubes double as tall toy storage01 Apr 08 | Comments: 8
There is much inspiration to be found at the home improvement warehouse. Check out Jenn's elegant toy storage solution: With three small children, I frequently find myself tripping over toys that the kids don't have a place for. We have...
Clean sippy cup straws with pipe cleaners01 Apr 08 | Comments: 9
Pipe cleaners have showed up in so many craft projects in my life that I forget they actually can ...clean pipes. Hence Vicki's hack: My 2 year-old likes to use these drink bottles designed for babies that have a pop-up...
Freeze pacifiers for teething relief13 Mar 08 | Comments: 5
Amy's got a good pacifier hack: My 16 month-old son has always been attached to his pacifier, and has had a tough time cutting teeth. So, I run his pacifiers under the faucet, and squeeze the bulb portion under the...
"Virtually Indestructible Keyboard" goes nicely with baby- and toddler-friendly software11 Mar 08 | Comments: 5
Ben is a smart, smart man. I recently read your post on Giggles Software for babies and toddlers. The idea seemed great, but I was reluctant to let my baby get his hands on my MacBook Pro. Nor did I...
Swisscard Lite: Wallet-sized multitool07 Mar 08 | Comments: 3
Hey! I've got a hack sitting right here from Nancy about the Swisscard Lite, and I see it's currently 50% off as part of the Amazon Victorinox sale! Good timing: I don't know if this is a hack -- I...
Swiss Army knife sale at Amazon07 Mar 08 | Comments: 5
Nothing in today's Amazon Friday sale strikes me as particularly Parent Hackerish. But given that the Swiss Army knife was the inspiration for the Parent Hacks logo (and a good gadget to have in your Parenthacker arsensal), I thought you...
Britax sale at Amazon ends today02 Mar 08 | Comments: 0
Amazon's Britax sale ends today -- up to 20% off "rarely discounted" car seats and strollers.
Underbed box under the clip-on highchair catches dropped food29 Feb 08 | Comments: 9
Debbie's hack is sure to make us all slap our foreheads and wonder why we never came up with this ourselves: Our one year-old daughter eats in a clip-on chair attached to our kitchen island. We put a large plastic...
Lower the highchair so your toddler can play the electronic keyboard27 Feb 08 | Comments: 3
Raven's going to have a two year-old maestro in the family: My 16 month-old loves to play around on our electronic keyboard . With all of the different instrument and style options available, who doesn't? Up until now, I've always...
Britax sale at Amazon - one week only24 Feb 08 | Comments: 6
Just got a note from the Amazon folks: turns out a week-long Britax sale is underway -- up to 20% off "rarely discounted" car seats and strollers. I've been a Britax user of convertible car seats for years and love...
Toothbrush holder keeps used spoons contained in the diaper bag23 Feb 08 | Comments: 8
Megan's answer to sticky spoons: This may be obvious but I have found it the most brilliant of any of my parenting ideas! Whenever we feed the little man when we are out and about, I find myself grossed out...
Computer desk as changing table18 Feb 08 | Comments: 7
Jill found an ideal reuse for an old computer desk: When our son was born, we basically put a crib into the room that had been our office. With company coming, we were forced to convert the baby's room into...
Tips for RV travel with kids? Talk amongst yourselves.30 Jan 08 | Comments: 8
Tiffany asks: We plan to rent an RV to travel with our 4 yr old and 7 yr old during Spring Break this year. Beyond your typical travel tips (we've traveled quite a bit in their little lives), I would...
Use a kitchen timer to simplify potty training24 Jan 08 | Comments: 11
Prompted by recent kitchen timer conversation, Andy shared this wonderful story about using a timer to help with potty training: In the process of potty-training our son, we had gotten stuck for a while at the point where he agreed...
Kitchen timer: Multi-purpose tool of the gods!22 Jan 08 | Comments: 21
We've talked before about how helpful a timer can be in all sorts of parenting situations. I really liked the way Katy (author of Adventures in Parenting) expanded on the examples, so I thought it would be a great time...
Put your newborn to bed in his car seat03 Jan 08 | Comments: 37
Important safety note 1/12/08: Many Parenthackers raised safety concerns about this tip. One reader sent us a link to an article which explains how sleeping in car seats can lead to breathing problems. Thanks to everyone who brought this to...
Christmas tree light switch delights kids AND protects the tree19 Dec 07 | Comments: 7
Christmas tree light switches are yet another way toddlers can get safely (well, relatively safely) involved with the tree. Your mileage may vary given the activity level of your toddler, but both Christy and Carly have had good luck: From...
How to administer eyedrops and take the temperature of a squirmy toddler? Talk amongst yourselves.14 Dec 07 | Comments: 23
We've been felled by illness around here, too, so I feel Jenna's pain: We've just had two rounds of ear infections and pinkeye with our 14 month old. Any suggestions for how to take a squirmy toddler's temperature or how...
Super Woobee winner!12 Dec 07 | Comments: 1
Congratulations, Jessie! You win the Super Woobee! I guess the rest of us are going to have to return a few gifts so we can buy our own. Because who can resist a product that can do all these things?...
Kids' exercise ball good for fun and fitness11 Dec 07 | Comments: 97
Of all the toys we've tested this year, the one that gets the most consistent and varied play is a kid-sized exercise ball from First Fitness. Not only is it good fun to roll around the basement, it encourages both...
The most luscious baby blanket you get to keep for yourself10 Dec 07 | Comments: 170
Parents deserve blankies, too. We're out there, fending for our kids, trying to keep all the plates spinning and the tummies full, getting pulled in opposite directions, all on little sleep and less recognition. Sometimes we just need to curl...
Britax Parkway booster seat 30% off at today's Amazon Friday sale07 Dec 07 | Comments: 4
I'm a big fan of Britax car seats -- they're well-made and comfortable, but they're also expensive. Nice to see the Britax Parkway booster seat pop up in today's Amazon Friday Sale . It's 30% off ($69.99) today only.
BabyLegs: More than just baby leg warmers06 Dec 07 | Comments: 146
Baby leg warmers? Who would think that such a simple, obvious idea would be such a godsend? Nicole Donnelly, apparently. Not only did she come up with the idea to keep her daughters' legs warm during "nakedy time," she has...
Featured find: Flip Video Camcorder29 Nov 07 | Comments: 7
I love watching videos of my kids, but I hate dragging out the video camera. I find that inserting a camera between myself and the experience often turns me off to taking videos in the first place -- which is...
How to remove a band-aid painlessly27 Nov 07 | Comments: 3
Rachael shares her solution to an age-old problem: Here’s my hack for removing those pesky band-aids that kids love to put on and HATE to have taken off: If you dip a cotton ball or q-tip in oil (olive or...
Travel tip: Clean the DVDs!27 Nov 07 | Comments: 5
Ginger reminds us: If you're traveling with a toddler and a portable DVD player, remember to clean the DVD's before you get on the plane! Believe me, that will be 2 minutes well spent. Didn't I hear somewhere (here?) that...
Handkerchiefs are gentler on runny noses than tissue18 Nov 07 | Comments: 16
Grandpa was right! From Kelly: Here's one hack that my sister-in-law taught me. It may be obvious, but I thought it was helpful. When your child gets a cold, instead of using tissue after tissue all day (leaving piles of...
Parent Hacks Store Featured Find: Yellow pages-shaped booster seat! Hilarious!13 Nov 07 | Comments: 5
Rael and I found ourselves with three kid-free hours at Powell's City of Books over the weekend. Pure heaven. Besides all the lovely reading I got done, I stumbled onto this clever phonebook-shaped booster seat in the kid section. It's...
DadLabs: Nothing this funny has ever been so useful12 Nov 07 | Comments: 2
You've seen the hilarious videos at DadLabs, right? Of course you have. These are the guys who tested breast pumps ON THEMSELVES and dramatized the disaster that is poop in the tub (you may never eat canned chili again). They...
Parent Hacks Store Featured Find: Woobee water resistant blanket/cover/soft thingie08 Nov 07 | Comments: 400
In lieu of confetti, fireworks and a grand parade down Main Street, I decided the best way to celebrate the grand opening of the Parent Hacks Store is to shower you, my dear Parenthackers, with gifts! Today's Featured Find is...
Baby Daze helps you track the details during those hazy newborn months06 Nov 07 | Comments: 96
Oy, I get tired just thinking of those newborn months the first time around. There seemed to be so much to remember -- when did he last nurse? when did I give him the Tylenol? who bought him this hideous...
Breastmilk in a medicine-dispensing pacifier helps regulate baby's ear pressure26 Oct 07 | Comments: 5
Amy's hack may come in handy for road trips, or for babies who simply scream while in cars (I had one of those): Recently I drove through the mountains with my exclusively-breastfed 5 month-old. She has never taken a pacifier,...
Chew on This: Teething Bling18 Oct 07 | Comments: 5
When my son was an infant, I often found myself wearing a big multicolored teething toy on my wrist like a giant clown bangle. It was practical, but it definitely lacked style- especially on the days I forgot to take...
Metal pet tags make great backpack IDs16 Oct 07 | Comments: 4
A fantastic idea, and it makes a decent fashion statement, too. From JT: When my son started kindergarten, I wanted to put an ID on his backpack. The luggage tag I got him disappeared pretty quickly, but the next time...
Calm coughing without medication15 Oct 07 | Comments: 18
With infant cold medicine being pulled from the shelves, and the safety (and usefulness) of regular cough medicine in question, it's good to have a few cough-suppressant hacks up one's sleeve. Here are Christiane's: Our oldest son (of three children)...
Amazon Friday sale: Skip*Hop Stroller Saddle Bag12 Oct 07 | Comments: 13
This nifty saddle bag attaches to your stroller for extra storage. Note handy mesh bottle pocket on the side. It's on sale at Amazon today only for $12.99 (it's usually $34). Looks like something I would have used during my...
Tie-down straps make dining room chairs unclimbable02 Oct 07 | Comments: 14
John's "foil the climbing toddler" babyproofing: My first son was very tall as a toddler and an excellent climber. Whenever he was being 'too quiet' we would find him climbing onto the dining room table and often spinning the hanging...
FM Fall Shopping Guide: Little Hands Help Around the House28 Sep 07 | Comments: 0
My next post is up at the FM Fall Shopping Guide: Little Hands Help Around the House. Inspired by a recent thumb-through a Montessori catalog, the post follows a theme we've discussed at length: giving kids the tools and opportunity...
Automotive microfiber cleaning towels as cheap spitup rags28 Sep 07 | Comments: 9
Joshua discovered ideal burp cloths in the automotive section: Our son, now two months old, goes through an inordinate number of small towels. Between burping and spitting up, breast milk misfires, and daddy knocking things over at 2AM, it seems...
Use a nasal aspirator in the bath as a baby shower27 Sep 07 | Comments: 1
Ah, the snot sucker. Rebecca's found another use for hers: The latest hack around our house is using the snotball (rubber nasal aspirator) as a tiny shower. The benefit is that you clean it out (sort of an extra cleaning...I'm...
Best bag for toting diapers and laptops? Talk amongst yourselves.21 Sep 07 | Comments: 14
We've all got our own ideas about what makes for an ideal diaper bag. But when you add a laptop into the mix (as many of us Parenthackers have) the requirements change. Tricky to store electronics and juice boxes in...
Intercoms as baby monitors20 Sep 07 | Comments: 2
Nothing like multi-use gadgets. From Jason: When I had an office in the basement, my wife and I bought a pair of intercoms at Radio Shack so we didn't have to shout back and forth. It turns out that these...
Britax car seats on sale (and free shipping) at Amazon14 Sep 07 | Comments: 7
I just noticed that Britax car seats (the brand I've sworn by for years) are on sale at BabyUniverse through Amazon. 12% off regular prices, and shipping is free. They're expensive, but in my experience they're studier and more stable...
DIY Learning Tower to encourage pint-sized kitchen help? Talk amongst yourselves.26 Aug 07 | Comments: 32
In the comments of the kid-friendly kitchens post, Marta asked: Anyone have a hack for improvising one of those Learning Tower things? They cost a lot. I agree -- a lovely product, but the price is prohibitive. When I was...
Stash extra pacifiers in crib corners06 Aug 07 | Comments: 17
Kurt's hack brought back memories -- we did just this when our son was a baby: If your child sleeps with a pacifier she probably also wakes up from time to time crying because the pacifier is no longer in...
Shower curtain as changing pad04 Aug 07 | Comments: 7
Another reason to never buy a changing table! From Sarah: When my first child was born, we had no changing table, or even a changing pad. So I sent my husband to the store for a changing pad, but they...
Freeze old teethers for cool boo boo relief22 Jul 07 | Comments: 4
Good thing Sara didn't throw out all those old teethers: Remember those water filled plastic teething toys? My daughter is well passed teething, but I popped them into the freezer and now when she has a "hurt" I offer her...
Fleece sleep sack works as a swaddler in a pinch01 Jul 07 | Comments: 4
Amy's middle-of-the-night swaddle hack: My almost 3-month-old daughter, like most infants, sleeps better and longer at night when she is swaddled. We rely on the Kiddopatomus Swaddle Me blankets--we've tried swaddling with receiving blankets, but she gets out of them...
Swim goggles keeps bathwater out of kids' eyes25 Jun 07 | Comments: 3
Cathy's son came up with this hack on his own! Here's an hack that has saved me a lot of time and headaches, and it was actually my 4 year old son's idea. I used to dread giving him a...
Use Lunapads postpartum to save money and resources24 Jun 07 | Comments: 14
Lunapads are washable, reusable menstrual products -- the feminine hygiene equivalent of cloth diapers. I've had several friends tell me how wonderful they are in terms of comfort and value, and then Kelly wrote in saying how useful they'd be...
Reuse infant incline pillow when your toddler has a stuffy nose22 Jun 07 | Comments: 6
Kris found a good use for her baby's old crib wedge: When my son was an infant he had a major spitup problem, so we bought one of those foam incline pillows for the crib (they go under the sheet),...
Make your own spill-proof cup20 Jun 07 | Comments: 3
Jessica's quick thinking has probably saved her serious car and clothing cleanup: If you buy those single serving plastic drink bottles (Odwalla, for example), use a pocket knife to punch a hole in the lid, insert a straw, and you...
Replacing car headphones less expensively18 Jun 07 | Comments: 5
Craig's money-saving tip: This maybe a premature tip (and I don't know if this is a 'hack' per se), but you know those wireless headphones used in minivans and SUVs and such? Well, when our boys broke a couple of...
Baby jumper helps facilitate toddler foot soaks14 Jun 07 | Comments: 1
Should your toddler ever require a pedicure or a medicinal treatment (as Maia's son did), do this: My son had an injury to his toe when he was 18 months old, and we had to soak his foot in epsom...
Divided formula dispenser as snack cup14 Jun 07 | Comments: 6
Jen found a great way to reuse her formula dispenser: Formula dispensers are great for single servings of formula on the go, but once my daughter started drinking regular milk, I found myself with another baby gadget that didn't really...
Clothespin keeps onesie flaps from dropping into the toilet11 Jun 07 | Comments: 5
Barbara shares a "very tiny" hack that solves a very big problem: Here is a very tiny hack: My two-year old son wants to sit on the toilet a lot and he still wears those onesies that button between the...
Video iPod turns "pumping time" into "Mom time"11 Jun 07 | Comments: 8
Video iPod to the rescue once again! This time, Ruth uses it to make her sessions with the breast pump more enjoyable: The most helpful thing I found was to make pumping "my" time, so I didn't resent the huge...
Video iPod helps pass stressful waiting room visits10 Jun 07 | Comments: 8
Fish recounts: Our 3 year-old son had a nasty ear infection. Usually he does OK at the doctor's but by the time the urgent care opened in the morning he was in a state. I remembered the Video iPod on...
Pacifier clip as bagel holder04 Jun 07 | Comments: 8
A Parent Hack if I ever saw one, from Melanie: Our daughter never took to the idea of pacifiers but we tried all sorts of them and also acquired an assortment of clips for them. She is 9 months old...
Seat Chiller keeps hot carseats cool17 May 07 | Comments: 5
Now that the weather's getting warmer, carseat covers and buckles get mighty hot -- making late afternoon grocery runs with kids even more painful than usual. Innovative solution: the Seat Chiller. This carseat cooler is basically a long, thin icepack...
Weather still cold? Get fingerless gloves!30 Apr 07 | Comments: 4
I HATE dealing with the kids' cold weather paraphernalia while wearing my own gloves! Here's Jodi's great tip: I was surprised by the usefulness of these fingerless gloves. I am able to fiddle with zippers, buttons, car seat fastenings, keys,...
Simplify general cleanup with bulk bar towels30 Apr 07 | Comments: 10
Elizabeth's cleanup tip: Kids of all ages are messy and the best thing I have found to help with the battle is a bulk package of white terry cloth towels, sometimes called bar towels. I usually get them at Costco...
Handy postpartum gadget: a reacher30 Apr 07 | Comments: 2
Here's how Jennifer got the "third hand" we all wish for while nursing: when i was still pregnant, i had bad hip pain which made it difficult for me to bend down and climb stairs (let alone a ladder to...
Quick cleanup tips for paint-loving kids26 Apr 07 | Comments: 4
There was a time when I firmly believed that craft paint of any sort had no place in my house. It's not that I'm a neat freak or anything, but the potential chaos was just too intimidating. I've gotten over...
GeekDad: Gift ideas for Geek Moms25 Apr 07 | Comments: 2
When I saw Adrienne's latest post on Baby Toolkit -- "Woo Her with Insight: Gift Ideas for Geek Moms" -- I had to write about it on GeekDad (and here!). The perfect audience for such a resource, what with Mother's...
Stroller shopping: a checklist17 Apr 07 | Comments: 19
I ignored plenty of good advice when I was pregnant with my first child. One tip I ignored at my peril: "Wait till after your baby arrives to buy the stroller." In my haste to get everything ready (and to...
Wash breast pump parts in the dishwasher11 Apr 07 | Comments: 19
I've mentioned before the calm that comes with starting the day with an empty dishwasher. What I didn't mention was that I grew up in a conservationist household, where we only ran the dishwasher every 2-3 nights or so. I...
Polar fleece makes crib extra cozy10 Apr 07 | Comments: 4
Kittenpie's suggestion for a soft, warm crib: I was making my daughter's bed when I realized I was tucking in a hack! No, not her... A yard of cheap polar fleece fabric tucked in over a crib sheet makes a...
Nosefrida nasal aspirator: A Parenthacker tells all04 Apr 07 | Comments: 12
Heather was the lucky winner of the Nosefrida nasal aspirator we gave away back in February. She's since had a chance to try it out, and here's what she had to say: First, the good: easy to use, easy to...
Mighty Tite keeps car seats secure03 Apr 07 | Comments: 18
[UPDATE: Be sure to read the comments on this post; several parents suggest the Mighty Tite can actually overtighten the seat belt and be unsafe. -- Ed.] There was a time when I could never seem to get my son's...
Home decorating for real people: HomeAndTell24 Mar 07 | Comments: 3
Christine, co-founder of HomeAndTell, wrote to me in response to Megan's and Leah's wonderful habitat hacks. I like the site because it extends the same "real world" approach we celebrate on Parent Hacks to home decorating. Who hasn't flipped through...
Formula dispenser simplifies feeding baby on the road23 Mar 07 | Comments: 9
Randa found a way to take some of the guesswork out of formula feeding: There are times when you are out and about, or have your baby with a sitter that you just never know how much formula you're going...
Add a homemade "alarm" to your bedroom door20 Mar 07 | Comments: 5
An interesting twist on babyproofing (kid-proofing, really), from Leah: I am a parent of a five year-old who is blind and nonverbal, but much sneakier than you might think. As we live in an apartment, we needed a cheap and...
LED faucet light "changes water color" when too hot18 Mar 07 | Comments: 4
Stormy, Shelley, and Michael all wrote to me about this water temperature gadget at ThinkGeek: I'm not sure how much of a hack this is as it requires buying a gadget - but for us gadget lovers, that's never a...
Double-wrapped diapers help the Diaper Champ do its job13 Mar 07 | Comments: 28
Emily valiantly attempts to fight the battle of the diaper pail: We've been using the Diaper Champ since my daughter was born 18 months ago. We chose this diaper pail over the Diaper Genie because it uses regular garbage bags...
Pool noodle as lightweight toddler bed rail11 Mar 07 | Comments: 5
kittenpie came up with another use for swim noodles: If you have a kid who might roll a bit in bed at night, but is not too active a sleeper, you can skip the guardrail and tuck a pool noodle...
Use blue painter's tape to babyproof a hotel room10 Mar 07 | Comments: 7
Kristin's eminently practical travel babyproofing hack: Not quite sure why I didn't send this in when I first had the brain spark, but we realized too late that our trip to China to pick up our son would have been...
iTouchless deal at Amazon nets you a free flashlight08 Mar 07 | Comments: 3
If you've been eyeing the hands-free trash can in my "Things We like" sidebar (review here), it's on sale now at Amazon. Amazon's also running a special on other iTouchless products including the Forever Last Flashlight that uses no batteries...you...
Zipsheets simplify changing crib sheets08 Mar 07 | Comments: 18
One piece of newborn nursery advice I'm glad I ignored was the suggestion to buy an innerspring crib mattress as opposed to a firm foam mattress. Have you ever tried to lift an innerspring mattress? Foam is much lighter making...
BabySport turns any water bottle into a baby bottle07 Mar 07 | Comments: 9
Short and sweet, from Tim: Water bottle nipple adapter. Why has no one done this before?
CARES airplane harness: worth the price? Talk amongst yourselves02 Mar 07 | Comments: 22
Marjorie asks: Has anyone tried the CARES child restraint seat-belt thingie for airplanes? it's crazy expensive if it turns out it's not the bee's knees, and we usually travel with a sit-n-stroll. but i wondered whether this would be a...
NoseFrida nasal aspirator: revolutionizing the snot sucker28 Feb 07 | Comments: 69
Ah, the nasal aspirator. This ubiquitous bit of baby gear has a place in most nurseries for good reason: babies inevitably get congested and must be "suctioned" so they can breathe properly while they nurse and sleep. Problem is, most...
Diaper Valet: New changing pad option27 Feb 07 | Comments: 1
I recently profiled Adrienne's lovely handmade diaper pouch, the Diaper Valet. Just in: matching changing pads! If you've been on the fence about buying one, free shipping ends tomorrow, and you can also get a $15 rebate if you purchase...
Browse Craigslist photos with Listpic27 Feb 07 | Comments: 3
Craigslist addicts rejoice! Ryan Sit has hacked together Listpic, a Craigslist photo viewer that lets you visually browse your city's listings. You can browse an entire category (here's how Portland's Baby + kids category looks) or you can search by...
OXO Good Grips hacks the mango27 Feb 07 | Comments: 20
We're mango lovers around here, but I often end up wasting half the fruit trying to properly cut it into slabs for my kids to eat. I discovered this clever gadget at the grocery store yesterday: the Oxo Good Grips...
Sheepskin as cozy stroller liner25 Feb 07 | Comments: 5
STL Mom has lots of good ideas, but this one popped up in the comments of Hot water bottle as stroller warmer, and I wanted to be sure everyone saw it: I received a sheepskin at a baby shower, but...
Hot water bottle as stroller warmer23 Feb 07 | Comments: 6
Jo's MIL scored a winner with this cold-weather tip: This was actually suggested to me by my mother-in-law (who knew? most of her "advice" makes me roll my eyes but this one's really good) and my husband told me i...
Bottle nipple as medicine dispenser21 Feb 07 | Comments: 4
Cathy came up with an ingenious medication dosage hack: So they sell those nifty baby medication pacifiers where you crack the thing opened, put in the medicine, and in somebody’s dream world, the baby peacefully sucks the medicine down no...
Lead in vinyl lunchboxes: A bigger problem than we first thought19 Feb 07 | Comments: 13
Some time ago, we talked about the presence of lead in some soft vinyl lunchboxes. The topic came up again for me based on this GNM Parents post -- apparently the Consumer Product Safety Commission statement I cited in my...
Clock radio hack encourages kids to sleep later17 Feb 07 | Comments: 6
Here's how Susanne conditioned her early-riser to stay in bed a little longer: This worked wonders with our early-rising son, though your mileage may vary. When our son was two or three, he had the maddening habit of awakening between...
Plastic shopping bags as disposable toilet seat covers14 Feb 07 | Comments: 10
Toilets seem to bring out the hacker in most parents, wouldn't you say? Here's Sarah's tip: I found myself at a gas station with my 3 year-old when she announced that she had to poop. I crossed my fingers that...
Glade Scented Oil Light Show makes a good nightlight06 Feb 07 | Comments: 8
Kristine found that a little nighttime entertainment prompted her son to stay in bed: Glade Scented Oil Light Show is a great night light - especially if you leave the scented oil container off. Simply plug it in, and it'll...
Amazon Pampers deal: $25 off $99-worth of Pampers products02 Feb 07 | Comments: 3
Right on the heels of the Huggies extravaganza, Amazon is now offering Pampers loyalists a special deal: $25 off $99-worth of Pampers, Luvs and Kandoo products through February 28. Enter the promotional code PAMPERS2 during checkout for an instant discount....
Diaper Valet: Essential diaper supplies to go02 Feb 07 | Comments: 41
Brought to you by the minds behind Baby Toolkit: the Diaper Valet. (If Adrienne and Jim are involved, you know it has to be good.) They sent one to me for review, and it's so lovely I found myself slightly...
No-chemical head lice treatment28 Jan 07 | Comments: 11
We've talked before about using Cetaphil as a non-toxic lice treatment, but Suzanne takes it a step further: she uses a nit comb and plain water. The details are on her blog.
Turn a laundry basket into a sled26 Jan 07 | Comments: 3
Michelle at Scribbit ("Motherhood in Alaska") knows her snow and transformed a laundry basket into a cozy pull sled for her two year old. Look at that happy baby! [Thanks for the pointer, Brian.] Other things laundry baskets are good...
Camelbak hydration backpack solves nursing moms' nighttime thirst24 Jan 07 | Comments: 6
This hack brought back the memory of just how thirsty I was while nursing. Here's how Jerry and Sara solved the riddle of getting a drink while nursing a co-sleeping infant: My wife and I co-sleep with our 6 week-old...
Use Photoshop to clean up your baby23 Jan 07 | Comments: 8
Zac of Baby Roadies posted a couple impressive examples of how a little Photoshop retouching can greatly improve baby pictures. Ugly car seat warning labels? Errant spitup? Gone with a flick of the cursor. If only it worked in real...
Philips DECT Baby Monitor SCD589: Infant surveillance at its finest18 Jan 07 | Comments: 127
Who among us hasn't cursed our baby monitors? The unreliability, the irritating static, the inadvertent eavesdropping on neighbors' conversations, the refusal to play nicely with our cordless phones and other electronics? We use our phone as a baby monitor, but...
Daddy Types wants your best pre-Dadhood advice17 Jan 07 | Comments: 1
Greg at Daddy Types is asking for readers' "one best piece of pre-Dadhood advice." I'm enjoying reading the responses -- they are spot-on while at the same time different than what I'd expect his readers' "best pre-Momhood advice" would be....
Wrap-n-Mat: reusable sandwich wrapper and placemat12 Jan 07 | Comments: 7
I was loitering in the offices of Values of n the other day when friend and code wizard David produced from his backpack, with great pomp and flourish, a tidy little fabric packet. He was obviously excited about it, although...
Stow the stroller in a duffle when you fly06 Jan 07 | Comments: 11
This, from old friend and friend-of-a-friend Julie, whose outings with her daughters are often punctuated by celebrity sightings (she's Splendora's LA Celeb Spotter): Most parents have a favorite anecdote about the challenges of traveling with small kids. Recently I noticed...
Decluttering the Exersaucer03 Jan 07 | Comments: 2
Here's how Kate dials down the stimulation on the Exersaucer without losing the toys: I have a pretty simple hack for EvenFlo Exersaucers. They often have a whole lot of gizmos, and when your baby is on the low end...
Adrienne gets creative with a swim noodle20 Dec 06 | Comments: 3
Through a series of circumstances, hacker-extraordinaire Adrienne of Baby Toolkit was left with "half a noodle to contemplate." The result? Some inspired babyproofing. Tags: Baby, Babyproofing, Parenting, Swim noodles
Babykeeper: Savior or silly?20 Dec 06 | Comments: 9
Anne sent me a link to the Babykeeper with the subject line: "Can't stop laughing at this." She went on: I guess it's legitimate. And I have always wondered what to do with a little baby when I have to...
Hearing protection muffles teething baby wails19 Dec 06 | Comments: 13
When Adrienne of Baby Toolkit passed along this hack, I admit I snickered a bit. Hearing protection? Really? But, you know? Those baby wails can set one on edge like nothing else, and the more I thought about it, the...
Photo pen? Talk amongst yourselves.18 Dec 06 | Comments: 17
Rona asks: It is the holiday season again and of course, we get pictures taken of my almost three year-old. As I am sending out the pictures to relatives, I want to put the year or how old she is...
Nifty gifty: Aeropress Espresso Maker18 Dec 06 | Comments: 4
Mama needs her caffeine. Mama's also a bit of a coffee snob, having spent her formative years living in Berkeley's Gourmet Ghetto across the street from the original Peet's Coffee. So, when my mom got me an Aeropress, I was...
Tadpole: iPod case for kids14 Dec 06 | Comments: 3
For those of you brave enough to let your kids play with your iPod (Matt! Eirik! Tami! Pamela!), check out the Tadpole -- a nifty case and protective screen than makes the beloved device a lot easier to hold (and...
Bidding at Her Bad Auction opens today13 Dec 06 | Comments: 2
When people ask me why I'm so excited about blogging, I tell them "because of the community." Some look at me askance, as if I'd just admitted I picked up my husband in some seedy chat room. But tell me...
Moxie's Holiday Gauntlet series12 Dec 06 | Comments: 0
Moxie's got a wonderful series of posts up on common holiday bugaboos: Santa, and related confusion Christmas tree management Gift issues Stress on kids during holiday visits The kid who licked the pole in A Christmas Story Tags: Ask Moxie,...
Baby car seat straps and overalls don't mix12 Dec 06 | Comments: 0
Katie's hack brought back memories of wrestling my son into his car seat: Now that our son is out of his infant bucket car seat, it's been harder to get the shoulder straps situated properly. It was always a little...
CPSC website lists toy recalls and product safety news11 Dec 06 | Comments: 2
My friend Jason (of Platial) has been watching the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission RSS feed of child product and toy recalls, and has been shocked by the sheer volume of stuff deemed unsafe. Definitely worth a look during...
Gift guides you can trust07 Dec 06 | Comments: 6
Some of us are knee-deep in holiday gift-buying at the moment, so to narrow the prospects a bit and hopefully save you a trip to the dreaded Big Box, allow me to share a few gift guides from some of...
Laundry basket "choo choo" keeps baby close during chores06 Dec 06 | Comments: 8
Have I mentioned that Parent Hackers love laundry baskets? Here's how Kris uses hers: My son, who is 8 months, has been going through a phase for the last few weeks where he can't bear to be out of my...
Hacks for moms who use breast pumps06 Dec 06 | Comments: 13
Some mothers aren't able to nurse their babies directly, and instead use a pump to express breastmilk into bottles. Jess wrote up her tips, gained from ten months of exclusively pumping, in the hopes they will help other moms in...
Flo Water Deflector adds to bathtime fun05 Dec 06 | Comments: 6
Barb of Great Family Gadgets passed along her review of the Flo Water Deflector, which looks to be a fun addition to the nightly bath. Speaking of bath toys, don't throw away those nasal aspirators (AKA snot suckers) -- my...
How to roll over while sleeping with a body pillow? Talk amongst yourselves.30 Nov 06 | Comments: 12
Heather (one of the Rookie Moms) is wrestling with her body pillow: I recently bought a fancy Snoogle body pillow (it came without a pillowcase -- grrrr) to help with my burgeoning pregnant figure. It's great to curl up to,...
Baby Toolkit: Geek parents write about baby gear30 Nov 06 | Comments: 4
Adrienne and Jim -- the geek parents behind Baby Toolkit -- are frequent commenters on Parent Hacks. If you haven't yet dropped by their site, do!...you'll find good hacks and practical ideas, such as how to babyproof a bannister without...
Transmit bedtime iPod music with the hotel's clock radio28 Nov 06 | Comments: 1
Heather's get-the-baby-to-sleep-while-away hack: We recently took a weekend road trip with our 20 month-old son. His normal bedtime routine includes a bath, books, and some quiet classical music in the background. To make sure the routine was followed as well...
Must-do prep before the baby arrives? Talk amongst yourselves.28 Nov 06 | Comments: 27
From Amie: I have a little project I'm involved with now called "getting as much possible done BEFORE the baby comes." She's due 12/16 so I'm not just doing the normal household stuff, but everything holiday-related too. I mostly feel...
Favorite laundry basket brand and laundry strategy? Talk amongst yourselves.26 Nov 06 | Comments: 27
All of the talk about laundry baskets prompted Rookie Mom Heather to ask a two-parter: Part I: Laundry baskets -- this one is driving me nuts. I decided that I want to have 5 matching laundry baskets (one for each...
iCrib: iPod for babies24 Nov 06 | Comments: 5
'Twinkle, Twinkle' is for babies! I want my Zeppelin! Because it's now countdown to the Big Present Hullabaloo, and because it involves an iPod and babies, and because we can...we present you with the iCrib Sound System. It's an iPod...
More uses for the carabiner20 Nov 06 | Comments: 5
I love carabiners, and so does Maggie: I have another use for those caribiners...I keep one in my bag for two things: 1) When my kid sheds an article of clothing, I can clip it to my bag or a...
Use newspaper bags for diaper disposal17 Nov 06 | Comments: 15
Here's Rachel's hack, which happens to describe exactly how I've used those newspaper bags for the last couple of years: If your newspaper comes in a plastic bag to keep it dry, don’t throw it away. We save ours and...
Kitchen utility cart as changing table11 Nov 06 | Comments: 5
Erin shared this practical changing table alternative: I thought I'd share the changing table solution that we're using in our nursery. We struggled to find a piece of furniture that was the right height and not completely useless after two...
Hot water bottle helps newborn get cozy in a bassinet07 Nov 06 | Comments: 10
Mama J eased her newborn out of her bed and into a bassinet like this: I've been terrified that our newborn would never leave the cozy comfort of our bed to sleep in his own space, but tried this as...
Compressed air cleans highchair crevices06 Nov 06 | Comments: 11
Aimee's solution for high-chair gunk: I had been trying for months to clean crumbs out of the hard-to-reach crevices of my one-year-old son’s highchair. It’s amazing what can build up when you’ve got a messy eater on your hands! I...
Label sippy cups with electrical tape05 Nov 06 | Comments: 9
Charlene of Crazed Parent sez: Here's my hack for labeling sippy cups so you can find them at the park, playdates...i never thought of it as a problem until i posted something about a magazine article showing off high-end (read:...
Essential oil keeps the diaper pail smelling...better than that deodorant disc from the diaper service04 Nov 06 | Comments: 12
Marta has solved the diaper pail odor problem: Our diaper service gives out these deodorant discs that snap right into the bin - problem is, the disc gives off this horrid chemical odor that almost smells worse than the diapers....
Thin cloth diapers make ideal nursing covers03 Nov 06 | Comments: 7
Tory's tip for breathable nursing covers: When my first daughter was a baby and I was still thinking I could manage cloth diapers, I accidentally bought a package of the kind that are really thin and flat (unfolded) with no...
Cell phone alarm helps announce transition times03 Nov 06 | Comments: 3
We're proponents of using the timer to announce transition times. Sara reminds us that we usually have one on us even while we're out and about: We all know that having something other than Mom or Dad dictating times and...
Ping pong ball as potty training prop31 Oct 06 | Comments: 10
From Paul: A family friend's son resisted potty training, so she put a ping-pong ball in the toilet bowl and had him aim at it. Aiming at the ball helped the little fella keep his concentration. Neat hey? Tags: Parenting,...
How to turn a ceiling-hung mobile into a crib mobile? Talk amongst yourselves.30 Oct 06 | Comments: 7
Nicole, who's Much More Than a Mom, would like to appeal to the collective wisdom regarding the hanging of her new mobile: I’m not a mobile person. (That sounds funny. I’m quite mobile actually. I even run on a regular...
Social networking site for parents: Maya's Mom launches today25 Oct 06 | Comments: 6
Social networking sites for parents are hot, hot, hot! New entrant Maya's Mom launched today, and it looks great. It shares some features with MothersClick, namely, that you can create private discussion spaces for your offline groups, and you can...
Geocaching: treasure hunting with your GPS24 Oct 06 | Comments: 4
Jay, of The Zero Boss and Parents Behaving Badly, passed along this Silicon Valley Moms Blog post about geocaching...basically GPS-powered treasure hunting. I've never done it myself, but I've known people who've become absolutely addicted, both at home and while...
Sharpcast Photos takes the pain out of uploading digital photos23 Oct 06 | Comments: 4
I'm in a bit of trouble with my family as I've fallen off the digital photo uploading wagon. I ran into a Flickr problem months ago and just haven't taken the time to figure it out. In the meantime, my...
Baby gear deals at Returnsforsale.com22 Oct 06 | Comments: 0
Stollers! Getcher strollers here! (Among other things.) [Via daddytypes] Tags: Baby gear, Parenting, Returnsforsale.com, Strollers
MotherTalk Blog Book Tour: Sleep Solutions for Your Baby, Toddler and Preschooler19 Oct 06 | Comments: 2
Parent Hacks is a stop on the MotherTalk Blog Book Tour for one of the first books in Ann Douglas's new Mother of All Solutions series: Sleep Solutions for your Baby, Toddler and Preschooler. I don't think Ann would mind...
MothersClick: new networking site for parents17 Oct 06 | Comments: 5
Launched today: MothersClick, a new site for sharing ideas, creating private discussion groups, and generally hanging out together online. Cool Mom Picks has already done such a good job describing MothersClick I'll send you there for the lowdown. Founder Andra...
How to entertain a toddler while holding a newborn? Talk amongst yourselves.16 Oct 06 | Comments: 16
Charlie is not only a supplier of cool PR samples, he's also the father of a newborn. And he needs a hack. How do you, a stay at home mom, play with your toddler (3) while also holding your baby...
Cell phone as baby monitor13 Oct 06 | Comments: 5
We've talked before about using regular phones as baby monitors, but Jack and his partner used their cell phones: My partner and I were vacationing at a B&B with our 1-year old daughter. When she fell asleep at 8PM, there...
Uses for anti-theft wire ties12 Oct 06 | Comments: 4
Michael G. has a different take on those infernal anti-theft wire ties that keep toys attached to the packaging. These ideas were so hack-worthy I promoted them from the comments: Those wires are better off intact and out of the...
Random objects stand in for a crib mobile12 Oct 06 | Comments: 1
Kris came up with a novel alternative to a crib mobile: I didn't want a traditional crib mobile for our son because they seemed so tacky, gaudy and loud. We had decorated his room in a very soothing, natural manner...
Buy redundant baby blankets12 Oct 06 | Comments: 16
Mike passes along a save-the-day tip: Most infants and toddlers develop an affinity for a certain blanket that they always must have in order to fall asleep. Most parents know that this can cause much anguish if you forget it...
Coozies keep sippy cups cool07 Oct 06 | Comments: 0
Next time you see a kid swigging 2% out of a cup marked "Keep on Truckin'," you'll know Sara's nearby: It turns out that Coozies -- those insulated sleeves most often found around beer cans on boats or while tubin'...
Making kid-friendly restaurant straws05 Oct 06 | Comments: 3
In the "duh, why didn't I think of that?" category. Thanks, Mike! When we go out with our toddler (which is frequently) we often get milk in a paper cup with a straw. If the restaurant doesn't have bendy straws...
Bring a familiar night light along while traveling04 Oct 06 | Comments: 0
Rachael's sage advice: All the discussion on the contents of our diaper bags made me think of two staples we recently added: We went to Costco and bought an 8-pack of these night lights (much cheaper at Costco). We keep...
Baby headphones help your kid appreciate his Video iPod04 Oct 06 | Comments: 5
Pamela, member of Team FM among other things, has this travel tip: I got my 1 year old baby headphones from Kidz Gear (review here) and converted his baby sign language and Baby Einstein DVDs into an iPod-ready format with...
Frog Pod scoops up and stores tub toys30 Sep 06 | Comments: 9
Our friends at Cool Mom Picks have discovered another winning bit of baby/toddler gear: the Frog Pod. The frog's back detaches to scoop up the bath toys, and then hangs back up to let the toys drip dry. Tags: Baby,...
Panasonic camera + phone = video baby monitor30 Sep 06 | Comments: 1
Michelle at AmericanInventorSpot.com alerted me to the wonders of HotSpotMama, who keeps an eye out for blog-worthy kid gadgetry. This combo, in particular, appealed: the Panasonic 5.8 GHz FHSS Gigarange Expandable Digital Cordless Camera (whew), when coupled with a compatible...
Silent Light phone sensor tells you someone is calling when the ringer is turned off29 Sep 06 | Comments: 0
The Silent Light phone sensor alerts you to incoming calls while the ringer is turned off -- ideal for families with napping children, or late-calling teens. Available (where else?) at One Step Ahead. [Via Caron, my Gizmodo spy]
GoGo Kidz Travelmate on sale today only at Onebabygoodie.com27 Sep 06 | Comments: 2
New woot!-like site for parents, Onebabygoodie.com, is offering the GoGo Kidz Travelmate on sale, today only. I saw this car seat cart in use in an airport once, and was fascinated (here's my review). A great time- and back-saver, and...
Pimento jar as toddler drinking glass23 Sep 06 | Comments: 6
Back in July (she says sheepishly, revealing the length of her queue...), AJ of Thingamababy pointed out the utility of a Kraft Pimento Spread jar as a toddler drinking glass. What he didn't reveal was whether he actually ate the...
Better toddler potty seats23 Sep 06 | Comments: 6
AJ at Thingamababy has just reviewed toilet seats with smaller-toddler versions integrated into the lid. The timing couldn't be more perfect for us -- I just watched my petite three year-old scoot herself onto the big potty and almost fall...
Turn a baby bathtub into a ball pit18 Sep 06 | Comments: 0
Erica came up with an easy way to create a miniature version of the ball pits one finds in those horrendous, overstimulating indoor playgrounds: Don't throw a perfectly good baby bath away once it is used (usually for only a...
Plastic stool makes bathtubs less intimidating for toddlers15 Sep 06 | Comments: 4
Given all the fantastic ideas you've shared with Karen Rani to help Troll Baby get comfortable in the bathtub, it was serenDIPitous (ugh, sorry, I'm a sucker for a pun) that Dave's tip just came up in my queue: My...
Set the timer to help antsy homeworkers stay in their seats13 Sep 06 | Comments: 6
Sara shares yet another great use for the ubiquitous timer: Now that we're back at school, I was reminded of this hack my mother used on me to teach me time management skills. I was the type of kid that...
Starfish bathtub sensor tracks bathwater level and temperature11 Sep 06 | Comments: 0
Caron, my trusted Gizmodo spy, noticed this nifty bathtub sensor. Not only does it beep when the water has reached the proper level, it displays the temperature as well. Tags: Bathing kids, Parenting
Hacking an umbrella stroller09 Sep 06 | Comments: 1
Ted of Slingwheels.com wasn't satisfied with his daughter's umbrella stroller (what hacker-at-heart ever is?). So, what started as a few homemade upgrades has turned into a two-year project. The result: this sweet toddler transportation. To attach larger wheels to the...
Pssst! Did you notice the "surprise" giveaway happening now?06 Sep 06 | Comments: 0
I hid a book giveaway at the bottom of my review of A Modern Girl's Guide to Motherhood. Aren't I sneaky? Check it out -- especially if you're pregnant or expecting -- and enter to win a free copy. Tags:...
The Modern Girl's Guide to Motherhood01 Sep 06 | Comments: 31
An embarrassingly long time ago, the publisher of The Modern Girl's Guide to Motherhood sent me a review copy, asking if it might be of interest to Parent Hacks readers. "Absolutely," I said with good intention, and then proceeded to...
Plastic clamp as quick babyproofing tool01 Sep 06 | Comments: 0
Mark found a great tool for low-tech babyproofing: We discovered a great way to block off Zen from areas like the TV and the steps, places that standard baby gates just can do the job. We got some all-purpose plastic...
Putting your kid's cell phone under house arrest30 Aug 06 | Comments: 19
Lisa Birnbach, host of the Lisa Birnbach Show and author of The Official Preppy Handbook (bring ya back to the 80's?), shared this hack during my interview yesterday. Lisa's kids are old enough to have cell phones, which is how...
KidSmart Vocal Smoke Alarms on sale -- 1 day only28 Aug 06 | Comments: 3
http://woot.com is selling two KidSmart Vocal Smoke Alarms for $14.99 + $5 shipping. If you aren't familiar with woot, they sell one item per day with limited supplies of that item. I thought other parenthackers might want to know. They...
TiVo price slashed at Amazon27 Aug 06 | Comments: 3
I'm not sure how long this is going on, but the TiVo unit we have (TiVo Series 2 80-hour Digital Video Recorder) is on a BIG sale at Amazon. List price $299.99, now on sale, and after a mail-in rebate,...
Baby "bungee cord" prevents dropped items from hitting the ground27 Aug 06 | Comments: 3
The post title at Cool Mom Picks hooked me: Better than Duct Tape. Duct tape...the quintessential raw material for household hacks, and even a few Parent Hacks. Turns out the item the Cool Moms featured -- the Drop Stop --...
What are the best parenting and baby-care books? Ask Moxie.25 Aug 06 | Comments: 10
As you know, I'm wary of most "expert" parenting books for the same reason I'm wary of most get-rich-quick or lose-weight-fast schemes: they promise a lot, they provide black-and-white answers, and they require you to subscribe to a certain dogma...
Talk amongst yourselves: Best vendor of digital photo books?22 Aug 06 | Comments: 20
In the comments of this travel photo hack, in which I talked about photo books printed using one's collection of uploaded digital pictures, Roger asked: Who has printed these books? What are the best vendors? Do ANY of these vendors...
Personalized rubber bracelets as wearable identification21 Aug 06 | Comments: 13
Mayberry Mom suggests a stylish alternative to masking tape identification: Yesterday my daughter's preschool class went on a field trip. They were getting ready to go just as I dropped her off, so I noticed this hack that they use:...
Play tent helps kids get to sleep in unfamiliar places13 Aug 06 | Comments: 2
Longtime Parent Hacker Jill uses a play tent as a comfortable sleeping space for her kids: I never realized how useful a toy tent could be with children. Not only is it great fun to set it up on rainy...
Swimming pool raft doubles as travel air mattress for kids11 Aug 06 | Comments: 2
Here's how Carrie simplifies family overnight visits at friends' houses: All of the small people in our home are now in either twin or toddler beds. We run into problems when we visit a home where the only sleeping options...
Coming soon: No-interference digital baby monitors09 Aug 06 | Comments: 7
Charlie (the mysterious man responsible for MetroDad's DVD player) recently told me about a Philips product preview event staged for the press. (You'll likely be hearing about these products in the holiday issues of the various tech and gadget magazines.)...
What's in your diaper bag?07 Aug 06 | Comments: 23
AJ at Thingamababy revealed the contents of his diaper bag (you so want to click!), and it got me thinking we could get a little meme going on the topic. That's right. A MEME. The obnoxious blog-equivalent of a chain...
Video iPod serves up family pictures on TV03 Aug 06 | Comments: 4
Tami found out that her video iPod + TV = custom programming that's perfect for her kid: Recently I felt like we were watching too much T.V. during the day and I was just kid-showed-out. I tried going cold turkey...
Use a contour pillow as a "bed" for co-sleeping baby02 Aug 06 | Comments: 15
Here's how Allen made co-sleeping more comfortable for everyone: Unless you're obese or a smoker, co-sleeping with your infant is statistically safer SIDS-wise than sleeping separately. But for people who don't take comfort in statistics, a contour pillow is a...
Inflatable baby pool as infant play area26 Jul 06 | Comments: 3
Melanie has a good use for blow-up baby pools: When the inflatable pools go on clearance later this summer, they’re great to pick up for an extra play area for infants – especially those not walking yet. I purchased a...
Crafty coverall bib catches drips all the way down26 Jul 06 | Comments: 3
I spent much of my son's baby- and toddlerhood looking for a bib that would actually keep him marginally splatter-free. I finally settled on the armor-like Baby Bjorn molded bib, which did a great job most of the time, but...
Talk amongst yourselves: Where does a baby who's outgrown the Pack-n-Play sleep while traveling?14 Jul 06 | Comments: 29
Rosemary asks: We are going on a vacation very soon with our 1 1/2 year old son. Whenever we have stayed in hotels before and requested a crib they always have the "pack and play" playpens to use. Although I...
Sling + diaper bag = Sidekick07 Jul 06 | Comments: 9
I've become one of those moms who says, "They never had such cool products when MY kids were babies!" But look at this: sling-meets-diaper bag. They never had such cool products when my kids were babies. [Sidekick, by Parents of...
Childproofing on the cheap07 Jul 06 | Comments: 2
Sara's friend had some good ideas for cheap babyproofing: Visiting a friend who's had to childproof quickly (adopting a 1-year-old would do that, wouldn't it?) he shared a couple a tricks: You can buy mesh strap material in bulk (like...
Boppy lets nursing moms go hands-free after babies fall asleep05 Jul 06 | Comments: 6
Here's how Elaine keeps from getting trapped on the couch under a post-nursing snoozer: My 5 month-old daughter loves to fall asleep in my arms or lap, especially after breastfeeding. The only problem is, she wakes up and cries the...
DIY babyproofing04 Jul 06 | Comments: 2
Nick posted pictures of his various homemade babyproofing hacks -- including one absolute failure. (Those darn kids.) More childproofing/babyproofing hacks: • Tennis balls babyproof sharp table corners • Hairbands as lightweight cabinet locks • Low-tech babyproofing: Keeping doors shut Tags:...
Diaper pail management03 Jul 06 | Comments: 14
Here's how Sara's friends conserve diaper pail real estate: If you find yourself emptying the diaper pail much more often than you'd like, some friends had a strategy I thought was a good idea. Dirty diapers go into the diaper...
Sports bottle as sippy cup stand-in02 Jul 06 | Comments: 6
Travel tip from Sara: I've seen people using bottle water with "sports caps" (the pull up tops like on dish soap) for small children instead of sippy cups. I think this sounds like a great solution for planes and road...
InfantExchange.com: eBay alternative for baby stuff02 Jul 06 | Comments: 0
InfantExchange.com is a new eBay-type auction and classified ad site specifically for baby and kid gear. Buy, sell or swap, if you're so inclined! Listings are free with for-fee "upgrades," but founder Marlon Montgomery got in touch to let me...
Bring the high chair in the bathroom29 Jun 06 | Comments: 8
Melissa says: I have found a remedy to when I need to take a shower when the baby is awake. I take the high chair into the bathroom with me, give him a snack and shower in peace. It's been...
Spray bottle as portable air conditioning29 Jun 06 | Comments: 0
Here's how Kirsten keeps the kids cool on summer outings: I've gotten in the habit of taking a spray bottle filled with water with us whenever we go on hikes, to the zoo, or the park. Babies can't regulate their...
Talk amongst yourselves: Kid-safe NYC?28 Jun 06 | Comments: 19
From Matt: My family is traveling to New York for a week this summer with the first 3 days in New York City. We have a 4 1/2 year old and a 1 year old. I'm looking for tips and...
Talk amongst yourselves: favorite sunscreen?26 Jun 06 | Comments: 15
What's your favorite sunscreen for kids? Do you use lotion, spray, pump, cream, stick, what? Do you have a favorite brand? Tags: Parenting, Sunscreen
Dr. Parker on why parents should obsess about sun protection26 Jun 06 | Comments: 4
Dr. Parker at WebMD (who I heart) explains why it's so important to put enough sunscreen on our kids, and to reapply it throughout the day. He even used the word "obsessive," which, coming from him, says a lot. I've...
Free for Parent Hackers! Send personalized video e-cards with Jalapenyo26 Jun 06 | Comments: 0
I've sent my share of e-cards, but they feel a bit, oh, I don't know, lame. Like I couldn't get it together to send a real card in time, so I dashed off an electronic version as an afterthought (this...
Potette Potty: Practically self-cleaning?21 Jun 06 | Comments: 4
I just had to share this little bit of baby gadgetry with you: Part of me wants to laugh at the over-engineering, and part of me wants to buy one so I never have to wipe poop out of a...
Vinyl tablecloth as infant playmat17 Jun 06 | Comments: 5
Karen says: Instead of spreading out a blanket or towel for floor play, I use a vinyl tablecloth with a fun print. This way, if the baby spits up, I can wipe it clean easily without having to wash a...
Tennis balls babyproof sharp table corners08 Jun 06 | Comments: 5
Tennis balls as babyproofing? Now there's a hack! So good, two people sent it in (both with pictures)! From Drew: Ann, the extremely nice pediatric nurse across the street shared this hack with us. Instead of buying foam protectors for...
Hairbands as lightweight cabinet locks06 Jun 06 | Comments: 2
Jill offers practical advice for babyproofing "lite": There is a big difference in my house between cupboards with cleansers in them and cupboards with puzzles and games containing small pieces. I've found that a hairband holding the cupboard doors shut...
Helpful tips in Real Simple Family01 Jun 06 | Comments: 5
Uber-hacker Sara passed this along: Real Simple Family (magazine) had a number of hacks that I thought my fellow parent hackers would like: 1) Box4blox.com -- Lego storage that "sifts" legos by size (smaller legos fall through to subsequently lower...
Link roundup: baby gear, Zunafish, homemade baby wipes, Dropshots30 May 06 | Comments: 0
Welcome back from your holiday festivities! (I meant to welcome you back this morning, but it's been a rather tumultuous day in the Dornfest household. I'm sure you understand.) It was quiet in the blogosphere over the Memorial Day weekend...
Light:night: a gentle, portable nightlight25 May 06 | Comments: 2
Debra raves about light:night: I *love* this new nightlight and just wanted to share with the group. It's not glaring or too bright like other nightlights, but gives a cozy colored glow or a brighter light when needed. Plus, it...
Talk amongst yourselves: Bugs in the sandbox25 May 06 | Comments: 9
Kirsten wonders: How do I keep the bugs out of the sandbox? I put the lid on after each use and it keeps the water and cats out, but there continue to be small bugs in there. Does everyone have...
Keep a mini medicine/hygiene kit in your diaper bag22 May 06 | Comments: 3
Amy passed along a tip for keeping the diaper bag (relatively) organized: It seems like we can never find what we're after in our diaper bag, so we keep a small zippered case (I think ours was originally a brush/comb/nail...
Strollometer gives you exercise stats as you stroll16 May 06 | Comments: 4
For all you gadget-hounds, here's a nifty accessory for your Baby Jogger (or any other stroller, for that matter). The Strollometer attaches to your stroller and tracks your mileage, speed, distance, and time, and even displays the time of day...
More toddler travel hacks16 May 06 | Comments: 3
I'm gearing up for summer vacation already, and the prospect of a road trip is on the horizon (although with gas prices being what they are, it might actually be cheaper to fly). Elizabeth's airplane travel hacks couldn't come at...
Kitchen shears cut perfect bite-sized bits15 May 06 | Comments: 1
Several of you, including Sara, extol the virtues of kitchen shears: Use kitchen shears to "cut up" solid food for toddlers. If it's soft enough for the few-of-teeth to eat, but hard enough to require cutting, kitchen shears are perfect...
Feed grabby babies with two spoons11 May 06 | Comments: 4
Rookie Mom Heather's tip for when spoon-fed babies are obsessed with grabbing the spoon: use two! Tags: Baby, Baby food, Parenting
Mesh bag keeps sand toys clean(ish)10 May 06 | Comments: 1
kittenpie's sand toy tip, just in time for the sun... Someone gave us a mesh bath toy bag, something we already had. But I have discovered that it is also perfect for sand toys - throw the toys in, give...
Emergency blankie stand-in09 May 06 | Comments: 1
Here's what Jen (mom-of-newborn!) has discovered so far: Ok, so a good emergency "blankie" for the middle of the night feedings/bouncy chair visits- a pair of fleece pj bottoms. Fold to fit said bouncy chair (carseat, swing...) and let the...
Homemade "diaper wallet"08 May 06 | Comments: 4
Joe rejects a diaper bag in favor of his own invention: No self-respecting single dad would be caught dead with one of those striped or paisley diaper bags. Instead, I made myself a "diaper wallet" by gutting an old Case...
Combi Transition Highchair grows with your baby06 May 06 | Comments: 5
Despite its rather Klingon profile, the Combi Transition highchair might be worth a second look. It converts into a toddler chair and table when the time comes. Of course, there's no way it will look that clean after months of...
Baby feeder converts to teething icepack06 May 06 | Comments: 6
Sandy weighs in with her teething hack: If you used the baby fresh food feeders for your infants, you can use them again as ice packs for your teething toddlers. My son's molars have just begun to surface, and it...
Hacks for mothers of nonstop nursers05 May 06 | Comments: 6
Lisa's hack brought back memories of the hours (and hours...) spent nursing. As my boy nursed NON-stop for the first few months of his life, I had to have some workarounds to spending 7+ hours/day in the nursing chair. I...
Talk amongst yourselves: Seatbelt hack?03 May 06 | Comments: 5
Tom poses an interesting question: My 4-year-old daughter is great at getting into her booster seat in the car and *almost* buckling herself in. The problem is that she can't reach the female part of the seatbelt buckle and hold...
Amazon/Huggies diaper promo going on now02 May 06 | Comments: 0
Greg at Daddy Types has the scoop on the latest diaper promotion at Amazon -- check it out of you're a Huggies family. (If you're wondering if diaper loyalty is worthwhile, check out one of the most hotly-discussed posts here...
Solar-powered rainbow maker28 Apr 06 | Comments: 2
Dang, that's cool. [Via Babygadget]
Wool diaper covers prevent nighttime leaks28 Apr 06 | Comments: 1
More soft, wooly advice from Tiffany: Another nighttime leaky diaper tip: Diapers do not fit all kids all the time, add the nighttime shuffling and leg bending and, well... even the best fitting diapers can leak. A wool diaper cover...
Zinc oxide "highlights" where to trim tiny fingernails27 Apr 06 | Comments: 2
Another brilliant hack from Andi: If you have difficulty seeing where to cut when trimming your baby or toddler's nails (They're so thin that they can be almost transparent) you can spread a little zinc oxide diaper rash cream on...
How to make a cool chair for your kids26 Apr 06 | Comments: 0
Eirik's a handy guy: Two years ago I made a chair for my son that has been very popular. It works fine for years and is quite safe even for kids that can't walk or sit properly. Because of the...
Homemade "dryer" for your hydration pack26 Apr 06 | Comments: 2
Scott recently waxed poetic about his Camelbak as a solution to his kids' never-ending thirst. The only problem: ours takes a long time to dry out, and sometimes smells a little...funky. Solution, a la Make: Blog: a beautifully simple Camelbak...
Teaching kids to use chopsticks24 Apr 06 | Comments: 10
Sara and I both noticed these cute chopstick "hinges" at Babygadget a while back. We also both wondered if there's a cheaper, easier way to teach kids to use chopsticks. I bought inexpensive trainer chopsticks (attached at the top with...
What to put into a toddler's craft box22 Apr 06 | Comments: 0
Nice post today on Blogging Baby on the ideal contents of a toddler's arts and crafts kit. Lots of good reader comments, too. I have to second Jennifer's pipe cleaner inclusion -- we have so much fun with pipe cleaners...
Low-tech babyproofing: keeping doors shut22 Apr 06 | Comments: 2
Here's how Amie keeps toddler fingers safe from pinchy doors: When we did our babyproofing we were unable to install commercial door handle latches because most require removing the doorknob/handle, and ours are very difficult to remove. Our cheap, easy...
Grab an extra spoon15 Apr 06 | Comments: 0
Stacey (creator of the zine Fertile Ground: For people who dig parenting) forgoes buying special kid cutlery: We stopped buying fancy kids spoons and just use plastic spoons from take out places. We have about a zillion. They are small...
Baby Cheapskate15 Apr 06 | Comments: 1
It's Tax day, so let's talk about how to save money. The author of the Baby Cheapskate blog has taken it upon herself to track diaper and formula prices in the Atlanta, GA area. She also keeps an eye on...
Put a toothpaste squeeze-it on the diaper cream tube14 Apr 06 | Comments: 4
Serrina in Phoenix is a new mom to a baby boy, and already she's coming up with hacks! I’ve discovered that the quicker I am with diaper changing the better. I’ve also discovered that my diaper cream tube gets more...
365 First-Time Parenting Tips10 Apr 06 | Comments: 0
New dad Classic Jef has committed himself to writing up a full year's worth of tips for first-time parents -- in real time. Go to: 365 First-Time Parenting Tips Tags: Baby, Parenting
Invaluable advice on plane travel with baby10 Apr 06 | Comments: 13
In the comments of the post on Tote-A-Tot, Caitlin mentioned that she had logged 12K miles traveling solo on with her less-than-year-old baby. I was intrigued and asked her if she had any of her own tips. Here's her amazingly...
Mommytips.com07 Apr 06 | Comments: 0
Here's another parenting tips site -- this one geared toward stay-at-home moms, but with some useful tidbits for most parents. Technorati Tags: Parenting
Bathtub hacks06 Apr 06 | Comments: 4
Danielle (Foodmomiac) keeps tub toys unmucky this way: My four-year-old daughter has always loved the bath. She can easily spend upwards of an hour in the tub, so I'm always looking for ways to enhance the experience (both for her...
Use a mirror to check on your baby in the backpack06 Apr 06 | Comments: 1
Craig devised a "rear-view mirror" solution for keeping an eye on his daughter while she rode in the backpack: My daughter is 3, but I thought I'd share a hack I used when she was less than a year old....
Multi-purpose shopping cart seat cover04 Apr 06 | Comments: 1
Julia took the problem of crufty shopping carts into her own hands: The one thing I can't live without is my shopping cart cover. I modified a pattern that I found in my local sewing shop and it now goes...
Working Mother's Guide to Life03 Apr 06 | Comments: 0
Sara's favorite "preparing for parenthood" book was The Working Mother's Guide to Life. Written by the founder of the Bright Horizons daycares, it is full of very logical, practical advice like "There's no one way to do this," "The three...
Make your own X-country child sled03 Apr 06 | Comments: 1
When we first introduced our daughter to cross-country skiing, she'd only stay on her skis for about five minutes. The solution the first couple years was a child's pulk, which can be quite expensive, so we made our own. If...
Sassy bathtub appliques31 Mar 06 | Comments: 2
In the category of "toys that get played with all the time," Paul nominates Sassy Count n' Spell bath appliques: Our kids love these -- foam letters and numbers that stick (when wet) to the bathtub and tile. They invent...
Scrapblog: does this mean I don't have to do a baby book?30 Mar 06 | Comments: 7
My son's in kindergarten, and I haven't yet finished his baby book. My daughter...I haven't even started hers. Shameful, I know, and I'm wracked with guilt. Could there be a solution, even an imperfect one, in Scrapblog? Scrapblog merges online...
Crucial baby gear29 Mar 06 | Comments: 0
There's a great conversation going on at urbanMamas about what baby gear you really need. Technorati Tags: Baby, Baby gear
Portable room-darkening strategies29 Mar 06 | Comments: 4
Rookie Moms Whitney and Heather suggest this nap hack: When you need your child to nap in a strange place, such as the Pack and Play in your parents' well-lit guest room, pick the darkest room available, or the one...
Cut baby's fingernails while she's in a front carrier29 Mar 06 | Comments: 8
Sara passes along a tip for easing fingernail trimming: Cutting our baby's fingernails was the one of the more scary tasks we confronted as new parents: squirmy baby, sharp pointy things, restained limbs. It literally took 4 hands, and even...