How To Choose The Perfect Baby Monitor

Eight years ago, I bought my first baby monitor. It was a heavy little black and white TV thing that sat on my nightstand with a clunky walkie-talkie that let me move around the house and still be able to hear my little guy but not see him. That's right, less than ten years ago, baby monitors were total crap. Heavy, colorless, one function, bad reception, crap. 

Today, baby monitors have so many functions, it's mind-blowing, and so is the price for some. It's safe to say, over the years, I've reviewed loads of baby monitors. I've watched the baby monitor market evolve from clunky boxes to hundreds of brands offering monitors with so many bells and whistles, it can be intimidating. So how do you choose the right monitor in the sea of four-hundred choices of brands and functions? You make sure you get WHAT YOU NEED. I get it, it's hard to ignore the crazy bells and whistles, but don't lose sight of the most important thing, your child's safety and your sanity.  Here's how to choose the best baby monitor to get the most bang for your buck.

Smartphone Enabled Baby Monitors are a Thing

A few years ago, I was given a monitor to review that boasted having the longest range of any baby monitor, 1500 feet. It was a major advancement in the market, a monitor that allowed you to garden in the backyard and still be able to see and hear your napping baby from a handheld device. 

Today, there are baby monitors that allow you to be anywhere in the world and still see your baby. GET ONE OF THESE! These monitors connect to your smartphone instead of a handheld device you keep tethered to your body, in addition to your phone.  You can keep an eye on your prized possession from anywhere. No more wondering how your baby is doing while your away or with the babysitter... And here's the best part, and why this feature should be at the top of your list, you can use the camera as a security camera too- Point the camera at your front door when no one is home and instantly get an alert when there's movement or sound. How's that for the gift that keeps on giving?

High-quality Camera Images Day + Night

Just because your smartphone offers high-quality images doesn't mean the monitor will. You want a camera that offers wide-angle 1080p HD with full range of motion, offering crystal clear images day and night! Many monitors will say they have HD video, but only offer a small slice of the baby's room or crappy night vision. Your baby monitor should allow you to see the whole picture beautifully, even when you zoom in for a nighttime close-up

A Microphone With All the Bells and Whistles. Literally.

The only feature as important as camera quality is microphone quality. Some monitors fail when it comes to microphone placement. Make sure this is a feature you check out thoroughly before purchase. Depending on microphone placement, the sound can be muffled. I LOVE Invidyo's external microphone. I've never seen it before on a baby monitor, and it's about damn time! The microphone extends out from the camera. This means your voice sounds perfect, and so do the lullabies. WHICH, Lullabies on the monitor are EVERYTHING YOU NEED! Even my ancient monitor had lullabies and it was terrific! I could start and stop the songs without going into my baby's room and risk waking the little guy. 

What Do YOU Need?

As I mentioned above, the three most important features of a baby monitor are the ability to use your smartphone instead of an external handheld device that stops working when you leave the house, high-quality HD vision and static-free clean sound. 

Now's where things can get interesting and confusing. 

Today, there are so many extra features offered with smart baby monitors you have to decide what is important to YOU?  

• Artificial Intelligence Face Recognition
 
• Familiar Faces notification and `stranger' alarm
 
• Your child's end of day `Daily Summary Video'
 
• Smart Auto Smile Detection and Photo Albums
 
• 24/7 live video and smart event recording
  
• Room Temperature Detection
  
• Instant Push Notifications during the day
 
• Two-Way Audio and Lullabies

I cannot stress enough choosing a baby monitor that utilizes your smartphone. There is absolutely no reason you should have to keep up with a handheld monitor and your phone... There's an App for that!  

Plus, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the idea of turning your baby monitor into a home security camera when it's no longer needed in the nursery. I also love the idea of being able to buy two or three cameras for multiple rooms, all linked in the app. Imagine being able to call out the babysitter from dinner! #Winning. 

For more information about the baby monitor featured in this post ($149!!!!), head over to the Invidyo Website. (I won't make a penny if you purchase one. I just love it THAT much I used it to prove all of my points! It absolutely deserves to be the 2019 Best Baby Monitor winner. It should win 2020, too!)

10 Gifts For Dad He Will Actually Want. #FathersDay

Remember my fabulous post, Attention Kids and Dads: 10 Things Mom REALLY  Wants For Mother's Day? Naturally, First Time Dad thinks there should be a "10 Things DAD REALLY Wants For Father's Day" post. So, here it is, 10 Things DAD REALLY Wants For Father's Day... according to my partner in Parenting crime, the ridiculous Aussie.

Okay then...here we go again! Catalogues packed into the mail-box advertising drills, grills and garage skills!  YES - “Father’s day” is just around the corner.  The time when manhood is celebrated in all its glory. If you’ve popped out a kid or two (or three, or four or more - whatever) you’ve automatically been inducted into the club.  The day once a year where somehow you’ve become worthy of a gift or two, your favorite meal and the possibility of sucking down a relaxing six-pack of beer without being yelled at for not mowing the grass.

Ladies...I know you’re scrabbling about now trying to find the perfect gift that magically summarises how awesome your husband is, has-been and will ever be, BUT I’m gonna tell you what we REALLY want so pay attention!

Firstly! What we DON’T want:

No bloody Groupons for a relaxing massage in a quaint day spa that smells like mint.

NO generic 40 piece tool kits from K-mart

No five-packs of business socks

Absolutely no magazine subscriptions for fishing, golf or recreational boating.

Ok then? Done! That was easy, wasn’t it?

Now...follow closely...here are the top ten things in timeline order that will guarantee a magnificent father's day for your lucky man.

1. Let him sleep in past 6:30am - No cuddling, no TV blaring in the background, no kids bouncing on his head, no whispered reminders that the garbage bin has to go out.  Just peace and bloody quiet!
   
   
   
2. A MASSIVE bacon n egg breakfast! No cherry tomatoes or sprigs of organic Mediterranean parsley.  We want a POUND of crispy bacon, 5 eggs, cheese, a gob of mayonnaise, buttery toast and a shit-load of salt n pepper with a big mug of cheap coffee (just like the ‘ole days!)
3. Allow him to evacuate the bowels in peace. Keep the kids from banging on the door, don’t be tempted to yell out that his clothes are on the floor next to the laundry bin, NO stomping around outside the toilet door huffing and puffing about the oil spots in the driveway! Give yer man some quality time to ‘snap out a bad-boy’ and finish that candy crush level that he’s been stuck on for 3 months.
   
   
   
   
   
4. Don’t tell him what to wear to Aunt Sally's brunch! Seriously, we don’t care in the slightest that blue and green don’t match. What does it matter that he wore the same shirt yesterday? And let the poor bugger wear sandals with socks!!! Geez!
5. Fend off all calls from relatives (mother, mother-in-law, sisters) who want to ‘wish him a happy fathers day,’ but really want to gossip to YOU about their lazy husband and the oil spots in the driveway and clothes left on the floor near the laundry bin.
6. Hand him the keys to the car and say “off you go honey.”  He may be slightly disorientated without a ‘request’ to pick up the dry-cleaning, milk or diapers, but the hint of freedom will be all he needs to race off to his store of choice for some quality man-shopping! Don’t discourage the poor bugger when he returns home with a couple of huge Walmart bags full of awesomeness.
7. Stock the fridge with his favorite beer. AND for the love of God, PLEASE place it in a prominent place where he doesn’t have to rustle through bags of broccoli, quinoa and fruit salad in an oversized container (that, let's be honest here, no-one ever eats...or if they do venture inside the mystery bowl, they just eat the grapes).   
8. Crack open a nice cold beer and hand it over WITHOUT the standard comment about carbohydrates. Sit him on the couch and load up the original Schwarzenegger version of ‘Conan the Barbarian.’ Pump up the barely-used-since-the-kids-came-along 5.1 stereos and listen to him recite EVERY line with a thick Austrian accent.
9. Have a massive family-friendly all-in juicy dirty barbecue with overcooked sausages, greasy burgers, a couple of prawns, crappy potato salad, cheap-ass white buns with seeds, and don’t forget the riotous 80’s music! Leave the ketchup, mayo, macaroni salad and margarine on a table WITH THE LIDS OFF. Under NO circumstances should you even DARE try to sneak an “apricot marinated chicken fillet” or an assortment of fresh vegetables onto that grill!
   
   
   
10. When the beer has run dry, and the night is winding down, don’t forget to give him a hefty slap on the arse and take a moment to remind yourself why you fell in love with him in the first place! And whatever you do, don't ruin the awesome man-day with nagging that the garbage bin STILL has to go out...there’s STILL oil in the driveway and his clothes aren’t going to pick themselves up.

Happy Fathers Day!

The Benefits of Postpartum Belly Wraps

I remember the ignorant bliss of thinking I'd deliver my baby and leave the hospital rocking pre-pregnancy clothes. Like magically, I'd lose all of the weight I'd gained during pregnancy. Ha! My baby accounted for a third of the weight I gained. There was no way I was squeezing into my prepregnancy clothes.--I left the hospital looking like I was still pregnant. Which, sucked. I was tired of the weight, back pain and feeling like a dumpy, frumpy toad. Then my sister gave me a postpartum belly wrap.

 My back pain and frumps faded.

FUN FACT: Abdominal binders were originally created to help with back pain because they increased abdominal support, which helped people with back pain get around better.

According to Jay Goldberg, MD, an obstetrician/gynecologist in Beverly Hills, Calif., agrees. "We have been prescribing abdominal binders for a long time. They have been used for tummy tucks and back problems, but with obstetrics, these wraps help women recovering from a vaginal delivery or a C-section with their posture, abdominal support, and self-confidence.”

Benefits of Postpartum Belly Wraps:

• Supports lower back.
• Creates good posture especially with C-Section mommies.
• Promotes good blood circulation to assist with healing.
• Helps the stomach's natural ability to compress back into shape.
• Promotes less water retention.
• Assists with the tightening of loose skin.
• The gentle compression of the belly binder on the abs may help the uterus return to its normal size quicker when worn for four to six weeks after delivery to reap the maximum benefits.

Of course Hollywood has sworn by them since the original Belly Bandit came on the scene:

I'm a firm believer in the benefits of a postpartum wrap, and it's all for one simple reason, Posture.

Belly binders/wraps/bands, call it whatever you want, help with posture which instantly leads to looking, and feeling, taller, thinner, and most important, engaging muscles. The better posture reduced my back pain and increased my abdominal engagement which helped with healing from my c-section. I loved mine and have since gifted quite a few, most recently to my sister-in-law.

Bottom Line: Belly Bands force your body into engaging your muscles, and that leads to healing, strength and yes, weight loss. Though, if rapid weight loss is your goal, you'll need to exercise and eat a clean, healthy diet.

You can check out the original Belly Bandit here.

How To Pick The Perfect Teething Toy

Today, I'm partnering with a couple of parents to talk about teething and what to look for when shopping for a product to help your child alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with teething. The parents I'm partnering with, know all too well the trials of teething. They had such a hard time, they invented their own 'perfect' teethers, the Nenu Bud and Bug.

The first two years of my son's life, it seemed like he was constantly teething. I'm sick over the stupid amount of money I wasted on 'stuff' trying to alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with his teeth ripping through his gums. 

In case you don't know yet, there are hundreds of teething products on the market. From toys, to rings, pacifiers, tablets and gels, the options are endless.

I'll never forget standing in the baby teething aisle for the first time. It was a wild wall of teethers in every color and shape. I stood there for at least 15 minutes trying to decipher what they all meant. It’s a teething toy, why so many different variations? 

After about five minutes, I realized there were three basic types of teethers for:

1. Front teeth 
2. Back teeth 
3. Both, front and back. 

Two years and many teethers and home remedies later, it's safe to say, I'm nearly an expert on teething products. Below are a few things to keep in mind when looking for a teether and two amazing options that fit the bill!


ELIMINATE: 

• Eliminate anything heavy. It blows my mind how many 'infant' toys are heavy, or grow heavy after being held for a minute. If it looks heavy, pass.

• Eliminate anything with large elements that your baby will need to negotiate to chew on. I bought a teether once with different textured beads. My little guy got so frustrated trying to chew on it. 

• Eliminate anything that cannot be easily washed. things with nooks and cracks not easily washed become bacteria filled yucks. 

• Eliminate any product that only addresses one area of the mouth, there are way too many products available that take care of baby's whole mouth. Not just the front or back teeth. 

The Nenu Bud:

The short arms with soft bumps are designed to reach the front teeth and gums.

The long legs with ridges are designed to reach the back molars.

Bud's loop is designed for easy grasping.

LOOK FOR:

• Products Free of: Phthalate, Latex, Vinyl, BPA. Made from medical grade materials 
• ONE solid product. Teethers take a beating, make sure the one you choose can't be destroyed into little pieces. 
•  Products that offer multiple textures and angles to chew on. This is the most important, you want something that will last and continue to alleviate baby's discomfort for as long as possible. 

Nenu Bug:

• Soft bumps on legs help soothe sore gums.
• Legs are designed to mimic the size and feel of a babies finger.
• Bug's loop is designed to encourage one and two-handed grasping for building fine motor skills.

Teething is a tough time for all involved. Choosing the right products to help your child can be difficult, but once you eliminate the 'don'ts' and look for the 'do's', your chances of saving time, money and both your infant's and your sanity will be much, much better. 

To get your hands on the above parent invented Nenu Teethers and utensils, or just find more information, visit the Nenu website, here. (Use code HAPPY30 at checkout to save 30%!)

You Want Me To Stick That Where?

There are seven words all parents say, usually within the first few weeks of their child's life:

You want me. To stick that. Where? 

If you're a parent, you know exactly what I'm talking about. That cold scary probe the nurse insist must be stuck where the sun doesn't shine, to check your newborn's temperature. That's right, a thermometer.

Well, good news, parents! Family 1st™ has answered our parent prayers. It is my absolute pleasure to introduce you to the first, NO CONTACT, temperature projecting, Pediatrician recommended thermometer, VisioFocus®. 

This is my new favorite parenting tool. Favorite. Just you wait... this thing is a magic wand of epic-ness.

**I've partnered with Family 1st Products, to share the AMAZING VisioFocus®,

 the first no contact projection thermometer. 

All options are my own. 

Which, here's the first one. I freaking love it!!!!!!

So. The VisioFocus®, is amazing. 

Ah. May. ZING! 

I'm sorry, I just want to gush all over it. The VisioFocus® is SO MUCH MORE than a themometer! I have been so obnoxious with this thing. I've taken the temperature of every single thing in my house. Including, but not limited to, the plants, the wall, my foot, my hand, every forehead that passes me, Professor the cat, the freezer and everything inside of it, water, ice water, the window, snow, my kid running away from me... the fun just never stops!  

Seriously, I have not set it down since I opened it a few days ago. Sometimes, I take the kid's temperature just for fun.  

Bottom line: It works. INSANELY well. In less than 20 seconds, the temperature is projected on my son's head, perfectly. I was blown away. I pointed at my head in the mirror, and sure enough, 98.6. Same thing happened with FTD. The thermometer never touched one of us, yet read our temperature perfectly. 

I think back to all the nights Ollie was a sick baby.  I must have felt his head and disturbed his sleep 50 times a night. If I had the VisioFocus®, life with a sick baby would have been much less stressful. 

Now, on to why I can't put the thing down! The VisioFocus® is not only for foreheads! It's for taking the temperature of anything and everything! It's a Six-in-One Thermometer! It's made to take the temperature of just about anything. There is a button to take the temperature of faces, and a button for everything else inside your house. 

With only three buttons, the VisioFocus® is foolproof.  To take a human temperature, push the button with the 'face' icon. To take the temperature of everything else in your home, press the button with the house icon. 

I can honestly say, I have put the VisioFocus® through the ringer! I have tested everything in my house, and in every case, VisioFocus® has given me an accurate reading. I TOTALLY get why doctors and pediatricians are recommending it. It's so easy to use, doesn't disrupt the child, sleeping or awake, and can be used for multiple things in the home. Being able to check the nursery temperature, the bottle and bath temperature and baby's temperature in a matter of minutes, with the same thing is Epic. Love it.  

At a retial price of $55, it's worth every penny. Thankfully, as an exclusive FTMAD reader, for a limited time, Family 1st™is extending a $15 off coupon! At checkout enter promo code:15OFF2016MB Get a VisioFocus®, here.

Something else Family 1st™is extending is an awesome giveaway! One lucky reader will win a VisioFocus® mini ($45). Sign up below!

Just When I Thought Baby Wipes Couldn't Be Any More Magical, This Happens #WaterWipes

**This post was sponsored by WaterWipes as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.


If you're a regular reader, then you know how much I love baby wipes. I have professed my love to them many a time, for many a reasons.

To a non-parent, I totally get how crazy I sound, but little do they know how much they are missing out.

From my newborn's first blowout, to my first change table hosing, to the first spill, fall, muddy foot print on my seat, to dirty dog paws, baby wipes have saved me. My kid isn't even in diapers anymore, and I still buy baby wipes.

I will forever.

And chances are, if you're a parent you plan to do the same.

BABY WIPES ARE THE BEST!

That being said, there is one small issue I have with most brands, there can be too many chemicals.  Some brands have things I've never heard of.

But not my new favorite, WaterWipes, only have TWO ingredients, 99.9% purified water and 0.1% grapefruit seed extract.  

AMAZING.

<Insert me doing a little dance!!!!>

You do realize what this means, right?

1. I can wash my face at night with them, when I'm too tired to wash my face.
2. If I were stranded in the desert, I could survive off of them. Or, at least I wouldn't be scared to try to, compared to the chemical loaded wipes.
3. NO fear on a newborn's delicate skin. ZERO.
4. No fragrance needed to mask chemical smell.

They really are super soft and thick too. I love them.

Features:

• WaterWipes are chemical free – this means they don’t contain preservatives. The package will keep for up to 15 months before it is opened. Once you open your WaterWipes package, we recommend that you use the pack within 1 month.
• Unlike some other wipe brands, WaterWipes are not interfolded. This allows for the sterile environment within the package to be maintained. For the same reason, we recommend that you do not relocate the wipes in an alternate container. 

Needless to say, I feel like it's my birthday.  Oh, and did I mention they are at Target, so I have a super-good excuse to go!

Love. Water Wipes. Go get them! To find a Target Store near you that carries WaterWipes, Click here.

Wait, before you go... Want to win a $100 Target Gift Card? For your chance to *Win, sign up below!

*I-C will randomly select 1 winner from all program entries and will handle fulfillment of the winning prizes.
WaterWipes Target

This 3-in-1 Baby Chair Should Be On Every New Parent Wish List

** I wrote this review/blog post while participating in the Ingenuity Blogger Campaign and received monetary compensation and/or free products to facilitate my review.  Views and opinions are my own.

Like everything FTD and I review on the blog that requires assembly, FTD was tasked with assembling the SmartClean Trio 3-in-1 High Chair. Once together, it’s his job to test the product’s structure and strength, for the review process. (Yes, he totally tried to sit in it!)

But things didn’t go as they usually do. Not even close…

THIS Is The Perfect Gift To Give New Parents #SOFUNNY

**I've partnered with Meeba to talk about doorbells and babies. Two things that do not go together! All opinions are my own.

Being that I'm a parent blogger, I'm frequently asked what the best gifts are to five new parents and children of various ages. Especially, my non-parent friends. And truth be told, I think it's a fair question. There's no doubt over the years I have heard all about, and tested, thousands of parents and kid-related products and services.

Oddly enough, I still recommend the classics: diapers, gift cards, open-ended toys like blocks and shape sorters...

Of course, every once in a while, I come across a product that is a parent game changer. Something that alleviates a parenting pain.  Think: Invention of Pack N' Play. What a game changer that thing is, even today!

In fact, any product that helps a baby sleep safely and soundly is a parenting dream come true...