Hands-Free Devices Help New Parents Survive

I truly treasure all the time I spent holding my new little one, but there were times when I needed to multitask while I had her in my arms. For this reason, hands-free devices are lifesavers for a new parent. Anyone who has a new baby in their life, be it a parent, grandparent or nanny, will greatly benefit from these hands-free devices:

1. Telephone Hands-Free Devices

The purchase of a blue tooth as well as a hands-free device for your home phone is mandatory for any new parent. You may need to answer the phone while tending to your child and this can be challenging with standard phones. Without a hands-free device, I would try to balance the receiver between my shoulder and my ear. It simply did not work; I would often accidentally hit the phone with my chin and hang up on my caller. Save yourself the hassle - get a hands-free telephone device before the baby comes!

2. Voice Activated Computer Software

This suggestion is more of a luxury item than a must-have, but voice activated computer software can truly make a new parent's life easier. There are a number of programs such as, Dragon Naturally Speaking 10 Preferred, which allow you to complete computer tasks using only your voice. Imagine being able to use your voice to create emails, make grocery lists, and keep notes such as feeding schedule documentation. You can even search the web by voice, which is great if you are in a bind and need to look up something important like your pediatrician's phone number.

3. Book Holders

Book holders will allow you to read while holding your child. This hands-free device can especially come in handy for book worms. When purchasing a book holder, try to buy the sturdiest one you can find so that it can accommodate any book. I personally recommend buying a recipe book-holder because they are designed to prop-up even the thickest of books. Recipe book-book holders great because you can use them to prop up your book while you hold the baby or use it for your recipes once you finally make it back into the kitchen.

4. Books on Tape

Books on tape are another hands-free option for fulfilling your book cravings while having a new baby in your arms. I don't enjoy watching television, but would find myself bored sometimes during long feedings. Books on tape were a great substitute to the tube and they fulfilled my cravings for a good book. I suggest looking for them at your local library as they can be a bit pricey. Our library has a wonderful selection of many New York Time best sellers. During my child's first three months, we probably listened to a novel a week on tape.

5. Baby Carriers/Slings

My infant truly wanted to be held at all times. I did not have intentions of raising her under the vise of "attachment parenting," which encourages wearable baby devices, but out of necessity I became the parent who always had my baby in tote as I walked around the house. I simply would not have gotten anything done without our Baby Bjorn. Every child's different, our family had given us several different carriers and slings as gifts, but the Baby Bjorn was my daughter's personal favorite. This is a hands-free device I simply could not live without!

"Dragon Naturally Speaking 10 Preferred." Nuance.