When it comes to technology, I’m an early adopter. For Mother’s Day, my family gave me an iPad–and I love it! All the cool apps and ways it helps me manage my time–and life–is just amazing. That being said, I’m biased and strongly believe there are huge benefits to embracing technology, for so many reasons. Very simply – technology is a huge time saver for busy parents. It allows you to have information at your fingertips, multi-task, and often  creates impromptu opportunities to share special moments with friends and family. But most importantly, technology can simply make your life easier… and couldn’t we all use a little  help in that department?

Enjoy some of our favorite techie  gadgets for babies and their parents and stay tuned as CitiScoop continues to keep you up to speed on all of the latest and greatest family-friendly technology.

- Tracey Frost Rensky

1. iPad: New parents often lack confidence when baby arrives which is why having information at your fingertips is so important. It may seem a bit extravagant as a gift “for baby”, but truthfully, the iPad is a tool for the whole family, whether surfing the web for parenting blogs and tips (like Citibabes’ blog: www.CitibabesBlog.com) or keeping in touch with relatives. With the explosion of apps available too, the iPad can grow with your family’s needs, from a video player and book reader to a “sketch pad” for virtual finger painting. I can’t think of a more versatile tech product for all ages. Just make sure you get the screen wipes for little fingerprints!

2. Flip Video Mino HD: Newborns come with a ton of gear, which means there are never enough hands to wrestle with a camera when there’s a stroller to be pushed, a bottle to be warmed, and a binky to be retrieved from the floor. The Flip Mino HD is slim enough to slip into any diaper bag pocket and simple enough so that even the most sleep-deprived parent can operate it. Babies change so rapidly each and every day – and with extended families often spread out all over the globe – what better way to capture and share an infant’s most precious moments with those you love.

3. Lorex LCD Wireless Surveillance System: Baby monitors used to be these clunky, static-emitting monstrosities you had to teeter on the edge of a crib just to pick up your baby’s sounds. Thankfully, the same technology that has made our phones clearer and video screens smaller has influenced the design of today’s monitors. I love Lorex’s LCD version: the picture is crisp and clear so that if you’re not quite sure what category of coo or cry your baby just made (is it an I’m just fussing gurgle or an I need you NOW wail?) you can check the video screen and assess.

4. Twilight Turtle: There are tons of night-lights on the market, but this one is both cute and clever. With real constellations (and a guide to find them!), three different colored light settings and a 45-minute timer that turns the tortoise off after your child’s eyelids get heavy, baby is sure to be lulled by this soothing bunk mate. Perfect for older children, too, learning how to fall sleep alone under the “stars”.

5. Braun Multiquick Handheld Blender: What I love about technology is that sometimes it can actually bring you back to basics. This is the case with a great handheld blender, perfect for making your own organic baby food. Braun’s Multiquick set is just as good as a bulky food processor, but somehow the handheld design feels less intimidating and easier to whip out for a quick bowl of peach puree or whipped sweet potato.

6. Brookstone Tranquil Moments Sleep Sound Machine for Baby: As a parent who lives in the city that never sleeps, finding a sleep machine for a newborn is a must. When you’re trying to compete with sirens and garbage trucks the best line of defense is a good soundtrack and Brookstone’s Tranquil Moments delivers. From lullabies to ocean sounds – even a heartbeat track – this doctor-developed gadget emits calming audio for a peaceful slumber. It even gently fades out the noise so there’s no abrupt silence to jar a baby out of their Z’s (not to mention parents, too).

7. Coway Air Purifier: Pollution and allergens are a fact of life no matter how tidy you keep your child’s nursery. Most air filtration devices are eyesores that end up in the closet – and, thus, not doing their job – because they look like an industrial spaceship has landed next to your baby’s crib. Coway’s 1008 series is a pretty snazzy upgrade; it’s slim design and circular cutout vent could be mistaken for modern sculpture and not the powerhouse air scrubber that it is. Reusable filters that last up to 40 months with simple cleanings mean it’s not only an aesthetic choice, it’s an economical one, too.

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