Tips on Parenting

It’s often said, with a hint of nostalgia, that life in the past was simpler. Probably true. But simpler isn’t always better. Modern technology has developed a range of feeding products that makes the baby’s mealtime safer, more convenient and even stylish.

Feeding dishes alone have seen an evolution from the past that amounts to a revolution. One simple modification of a standard bowl results in a brim that catches food. Looking like an upside down baseball cap, this clever dish will make clean up a lot easier while it minimizes wasted food. Get the type with a suction cup on the bottom and rest assured that no bowl will ever get spilled at mealtime again.

Warming dishes have seen similar advances. Some allow hot water to be poured into the base, then the top snaps on to keep food warm and separated into separate compartments. Others can rest in a warming plate that is electrically heated. Perfectly safe, either of these options lets busy parents keep food ready to eat through brief distractions.

Speaking of warming devices, how about those modern bottle warmers? Available in a hundred different styles, they allow for a range of temperatures. Many offer a safety mechanism that will sense excess heat and turn off before the bottle gets too hot. A combination of sturdy plastic and rust-proof metal means they’ll last for years.

For women who breastfeed there exists an equally diverse range of products to make feeding safer and more convenient than ever.
Breast pump kits can be placed in specially-designed pockets in a bag that makes pumping easy to do on the go. Special comfort bras allow for easy access and practically eliminate the need for any cleanup.

Sterilizing kits for bottles, breast pumps and more are both inexpensive and effective today. Some resemble bottle warmers, but provide a high setting. Others are in the form of a microwave steam cooker, similar to autoclaves used by hospitals in the past. All provide that extra measure of assurance that gives parents greater peace of mind.

The traditional high chair has been modernized, as well. Once upon a time a flimsy, cold tin shelf attached to a rickety frame. Now, high chairs are practically indestructible, while they are infinitely more stylish.

Some models are rich-looking cherry wood that can compete well with the most elegant dining table. Others are made of extremely durable plastic that still manage to look just as stylish. All are made with ultra-sturdy frames and multiple conveniences. One style offers a pedestal base that is so wide it’s nearly impossible to tip over by babies who like to rock sideways during meal time.

A safe, simple locking mechanism makes it impossible for the tray to be lifted up, spilling food and (yikes!) maybe the baby onto the floor. Similar locking mechanisms are integrated into the wheels on the base that provide security for that convenience feature.

Check out the new feeding products and find out how much easier mealtime can be and, in a certain sense, simpler too.