ML Interest Tag: microphone

Sleep Help: 4 Snooze-Friendly Baby Gadgets

by Suzanna Logan

Whoever coined the term “sleeping like a baby” clearly never watched one sleep — at least not for long. If you have a baby that sleeps in short spurts before squirming himself awake or fights sleep with steely determination in his (perpetually open) eyes, there are innovative baby sleep gadgets that can help. These smart products can also save you from dealing with new parent-noia. From apps to smart monitors, here’s the lowdown on four gadgets that promise extra Z’s for baby and you.

Snuza-Hero-Baby-With-Hero

Snuza Hero Movement Monitor

If you’ve ever stayed up into the wee hours watching the methodical rise and fall of your baby’s chest or giving him or her a little nudge if that breath doesn’t come quickly enough, you need a Snuza Hero Movement Monitor STAT. Designed to slide easily onto Baby’s diaper, the compact device weighs just one ounce, making it the lightest monitor on the market. The Snuza works by vibrating to stimulate baby’s breathing if movements are weak or fail to less than 8 per minute. If after three vibrations, he still does not respond, the Snuza will emit a “Rouse Warning” designed to wake parents. Unlike more traditional movement monitors that rely on sensor pads and can be bulky, the Snuza falls more into the category of wearable tech for babies, making it an especially smart choice for parents craving peace of mind on the go.

Available at Target, $119.99.

Library

SleepHero App

Have a light sleeper on your hands? The SleepHero app was designed to carry babies or toddlers into dreamland and keep them there. Designed by a father of two, the app (a.k.a your new, trusty sidekick) comes preloaded with an impressive number of white noise options, from “rain on car roof” to “cafe chatter.” But what makes it really special is that parents can pre-record a lullaby or story in their own voices and set the app on “auto-pilot” mode to have the recorded message played back if baby begins to stir. SleepHero, indeed.

Available at sleepheroapp.com, $2.99.

RockabyBoo

RockabyBoo App 

Noticed your singing voice doesn’t exactly send your little one into a deep, blissful sleep? There’s an app for that. The RockabyBoo app features a selection of stories and songs by silver-throated singer Beulah. Her soft, gentle voice can calm the crankiest of infants (or parents). Plus, the world’s first personalized lullaby and story app can be made to include your baby’s name with the click of a button. Just go to “settings” within the app, and type in your baby’s name to have it magically inserted into songs and stories that are every bit as charming and enchanting as Beulah’s voice. And because there are over one thousand names to choose from, even a “Pippa” or “Leopoldo” won’t be left out.

Available at rockabyboo.com $1.99 to $11.99.

Evoz

Evoz Smart Parenting Monitor

The Evoz Smart Parenting Monitor offers a number of brilliant features designed to help you and baby get more rest. The Wi-fi based monitor does the basics – streams HD video day or night straight to your smartphone or tablet – and much more. To keep Baby happy and give you peace of mind, Evoz offers a speaker and microphone. Use your own voice to soothe her back to sleep or activate one of the in-app lullabies or stories. Another handy feature is the data-tracking option, which records sleep and wake times, potentially helpful for establishing a sleep schedule. (It also can be used to record feeding and changing times, temperature and baby milestones.) Along with a room temperature sensor and night light, Evoz also includes in-app access to parenting information organized by baby’s age. Sleep-friendly article titles include “Getting Off to a Good Sleep Start,” “Creating a Sleep-Friendly Bedtime” and “Need-to-know Sleep Facts.” Consider it your new, snooze-friendly tech toolbox.

Available from evozbaby.com, from $169.

Do you think high-tech gadgets could help you and baby sleep better? Tell us in a comment.

–Suzanna Palmer

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Playing Dress-Up: 6 Unexpected Places to Score Cool Kids’ Costumes

by Ayren Jackson-Cannady

In addition to your wedding dress, there is one other day that can have you spending an arm and a leg for just a few hours of outfit fun: Halloween. Your kiddos will all want new, original costumes, and your first instinct will probably be to swing by the big box store to pick up a pre-packaged dress for a small fortune (don’t forget all the accessories!). Not only can you save money by picking a costume from one of these Halloween alternatives, but you can get your kids’ creative cogs turning, too.

For cheap thrills and chills: Goodwill
Not only will you find great used costumes, vintage dresses, and other creative threads on the racks, but they’ll only cost you a few bucks! Check out a Goodwill near you and see what you and your kids can dig up in the $1 bin, or on the shelves of castoffs in great condition. Plus, around Halloween many of them sell cheap decorations, so you can pick up a glowing pumpkin or singing skeleton, too.

Online: goodwill.org

For last minute looks: Unique Thrift Shop
Unique is a great place to look for Halloween costumes because they sell both new and used get-ups for all ages, and all for great prices. Plus, they have locations all around the DMV area. Where else can you get new life-lke fairy wings for only $7.99? Bonus: The store’s employees go ALL OUT in their Halloween costumes, which they wear throughout the month of October. Locations in Adelphi, Md, Silver Spring, Md, Wheaton, Md, and Falls Church, Va.

703-992-6569 (Falls Church, Va)
301-422-2406 (Adelphi, Md)
301-431-7450 (Silver Spring, Md)
301-962-0600 (Wheaton, Md)
Online: imunique.com

For period pieces: The American Backstage Company
Try The American Backstage Company if you’re looking to rent a costume. They also sell packaged costumes, including not just the typical Halloween costumes but their selection of theater costumes, too. If none of their options work for your kids, The American Backstage Company also makes custom ensembles.

5380 Eisenhower Ave. (Alexandria, Va)
703-212-8982
Online: americanbackstage.com

For the costume du jour: 529 Kids Consign
If the words “thrift shops” scare you, try this local consignment gem, instead. Consignment shops tend to only sell the best of the best, and the people who give their used clothes get a cut of the sales. However, around Halloween, this popular spot (with two locations in Northern Virginia) collects used Halloween costumes in great condition and resells them.

122A. South Royal St. (Alexandria, Va)
703-567-4518

7918 Fort Hunt Rd. (Alexandria, Va)
703-721-2921
Online: 529kidsconsign.com

For the one-of-a-kind creation: Michael’s
If you (or your kids) are crafty, take a trip to your nearest arts hub to pick up cardboard, paint, foam, felt, and many other cool glue-gun friendly decorations. Think of how you could turn a foam ball and cone into a studded microphone for a “rock star,” or a vest into a leather jacket for a “motorcyclist.” This way you save money by making costumes at home, and you also have a great activity for your kids on the next rainy day! Plus, since the focus in craft shops is home décor and therefore their Halloween items are often bought way before the holiday, their Halloween items are already on sale! Snatch.

Online: michaels.com

For the cool costume-in-a-bag: Total Fright
Total Fright is a more traditional Halloween costume shop so prices will be a bit higher, but it’s awesome because of its convenient Ballston Mall location. If your kiddo has a special costume in mind, the variety at Total Fright will make the search simple. Plus, they also have party supplies–not just for Halloween but year-round.

Ballston Commons Mall
4238 Wilson Blvd. (Arlington, Va)
202-333-5950
Online: totalfright.com

Where do you shop for kids’ Halloween costumes? Tell us in the comments section below. 

–Kelly Ann Jacobson

Photo courtesy of opencontent via Facebook

 

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A Few of Our Favorite iPhone Apps for Kids and Moms

by writerredtri

Serving up some tasty apps

iChalky

Can anyone remember life before the iPhone?  Were we all bored, disorganized, and disconnected?  Not anymore, thanks to all the fabulous, useful, and just plain fun applications available!  We’ve narrowed down a list of some of our favorite iPhone apps (for both kids and parents) to share with you tech-obsessed parents. Go grab your iPhone and start downloading!

1. MeeGenius – A collection of beautifully illustrated classic books that come with audio playback, word highlighting, and personalization so you can read your child’s favorite stories to him on the road or under the blanket.

2. BabyPhone – With this app you can program your iPhone to function as a baby monitor by setting the microphone sensitivity to a desired level (e.g. baby’s cry or babbling) that will call you on a different phone number when the microphone picks up on a sound.

3. Wheels on the Bus – This “classic” app keeps toddlers busy with many versions of the popular song, interactive components, and great graphics.  Why not try singing this song in Spanish, French, German, and Italian, too?

4. iChalky – Kids of all ages will cannot meet a cooler stick figure.  Chalky responds to every move and sound of the iPhone and you can manipulate Chalky with your fingers on the touchpad.  He will even dance when you play tunes from the iPod!

5. I Hear Ewe – This fun game helps the young ones learn and recognize 24 different animals.  By tapping on a button of an animal, the name and noise each makes is played.  This game is also featured in other languages (Chinese, anyone?) and helps develop pointer finger skills, too.

6. Build a Brag Book – Savvy moms and dads (and grandparents too!) can build a virtual scrapbook right on the iPhone by selecting a storybook template and personalizing it with photos right from the phone and adding details about the family to the story.

7. Flags Fun – Matching games are given a sleek and educational spin with this fun app.  Flags of countries all over world from Great Britain to Laos act as the card pairs in a classic matching game, or you can take it one step further by testing your national knowledge with “Flag Guess.”

8. My Little Suitcase – Before your next vacation, get your kindergartener excited about travel with this app that will let her pick a destination like the beach or sleepover and pack for the trip by dragging in the items they want to the suitcase.  After packing, the suitcase will arrive at the destination so your kid can unpack.

9. Baby Brain – A Red Tri favorite for parents of newborns.  Check out our article on this baby log that is a must-have during those first few months of sleep deprivation.

10. Skee Ball – We’re not sure if this is more fun for kids or parents, but either way it’s a great 3-D replication of a favorite throwback game.  After you’ve thrown your balls, you can even collect prizes!

11. Fisher-Price has just launched a trio of iPhone apps reminiscent of some of their classic toys: See ‘n Say, Little People Farm, and Chatter Telephone are all tons of fun for kids in the 2-5 age range, as well as for parents who grew up with the original versions.

BONUS: And making life easier for parents-on-the-go is the Texthook, a smartphone holder that attaches to stroller handlebars, a grocery shopping cart, wherever you need to be with your little ones in tow. You’ll be able to access the touchscreen and keyboard while you push or play—we’re totally hooked!

PS: What are your favorites apps – either for yourself or the kiddies? Share your picks in the comment section below.
—Sarah K. Choi

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