by Deborah Percy

Created on: October 16, 2009

What are the most essential or desirable high tech baby care products?

There are so many products on the market it can be daunting for new and expectant parents: so much to buy, so much choice and too much money. Fortunately most of the baby gadgets are not essential and, unfortunately, many are an extravagantwaste of money.

Without doubt the best domestic gadget which is essential for a home with a baby is the automatic washing machine. Any expectant mother should make sure they have an emergency fund to get it fixed or replaced in the event of breakdown. The volume of laundry created by a new baby is quite incredible. Some means of drying the laundry mountain is also required, a low tech washing line, clothes airer or hanging over the radiators may suffice in most homes, as tumble drying is an expensive option.

In a similar vein other high tech gadget which improve lives in general also make life easier with a baby: cars, cell phones, home delivery of groceries, controllable home heating.

Baby high tech gadgetry includes various monitors which enable to watch or hear when out of the room and special sensors which will detect a period of not breathing and sound an alarm. These are designed to give parents extra reassurance that baby is safe and are quite wonderful for some families and in certain situations. They are not essential, however, those on tight budgets should follow some simple guidelines:

1. Babies should sleep in the same room as their parents until they are at least 6 months of age;

2. Babies should not be left alone, as much as possible;

3. At day time sleep, the door should be open and an adult should be close by.

High tech baby care items which improve the quality of life for many families, but are by no means essential are:

1. Modern televisions which allow baby programmes to be scheduled when baby is awake;

2. Bouncy chairs and musical mobiles which entertain and contain baby for a short period of time;

3. Night lights which turn off when baby falls asleep;

4. Ready made baby food, conveniently packaged and simple to warm up and use any where;

5. Disposable nappies.

The most essential baby care items are low tech and traditional: clothes, nappies, blankets, a place to sleep and a mode of transport: including a car seat and a stroller or sling.

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