Inventions that were pretty much made for parents

Becoming a parent tests your limits in many ways. Your life revolves around this tiny human, and you get minimal sleep and even less time to socialise. Thankfully, plenty of parents have gone through it before and a few have invented lifesaving tools along the way. We can’t guarantee you’ll get those Sunday morning sleep-ins back, but we bet the early mornings will be a little easier. 

#1 Mesh feeder

A mesh feeder is perfect for babies transitioning to solid food. It’s a little mesh bag with a handle fit for small hands. Fill the bag with soft vegetables or fresh fruit and give it to your baby to gnaw at throughout the day. Not only will it keep them occupied, but it will also teach them to feed themselves. 

bh tip: If your baby is teething, fill the mesh feeder with frozen fruit. We recommend grapes or chunks of mango, but feel free to use anything you have on hand. The cold temperature will help to soothe sore gums, and hopefully stop the tears.

Try:Tommee Tipee 3124 Fresh Food Feeder, Chemist Warehouse, $7.60

#2 Indestructibles

Babies are curious creatures, and they love getting their mitts on every knick knack they can. Indestructibles are a range of baby-proof books, founded by a mum who was fed up with her kids turning regular paper and board books into mush. The picture books are printed on waterproof material, so your baby can play with, bite and suck on the book as much as they like. Hello, hours of entertainment!  

Try:Indestructibles: Baby Faces, Amazon, $4.45

#3 Johnson’s Baby Night Light

The hardest part about being a new parent is a lack of support, especially when it’s late at night, your baby won’t stop crying and everybody you would normally call on for help is fast asleep. Johnson’s Baby Night Light is an online resource where mums can seek advice and support. It activates at 5pm each night, offering guidance at times when it’s most needed. The site has a Nurse’s Office, which is loaded with professional advice; a Chat Room, where parents can connect and share tips with each other; and the Reading Room, an online collection of stories, tips and how-tos. 

#4 Velcro

Where would the mums of the world be without Velcro? The simple fastener offers security, saves time and prevents grazed knees caused by tripping over shoelaces. It’s often overlooked, but velcro is an invention that makes parents’ lives a whole lot easier. From closing school backpacks to securing pockets, it can be found everywhere. It’s especially helpful on kids’ shoes in place of shoelaces, as it gives them independence and gives you one less thing to do!

Have you ever used any of the above inventions? What other products have helped you as a parent?