7 Products to Make Parenting Easier
When you have a physical disability, raising kids often requires considerable creativity. That’s especially true in the early years, while so many tasks of parenting are hands-on!
Fortunately, many of the parenting products already on the market – originally developed to make life easier for any caregiver – are particularly convenient for moms and dads who happen to have disabilities. Here are seven gadgets and devices that can help you carry out your child-care duties:
1. Clothing with magnetic fasteners
Want to undress your baby but have difficulty using your fingers? Magnetic Me [1] is a line of clothing that uses magnets as fasteners, instead of snaps, zippers or Velcro. Their baby clothes cover sizes from preemie to 24 months. (Check out their kid and adult clothing, too – you might even find a stylish outfit with magnetic closures for yourself, while you’re shopping!)
2. A lap belt to hold your baby
When our daughter, Emily, was small, my husband tried many different strategies to hold her safely on his lap as he sat in his wheelchair. We even commissioned the design and construction of a custom harness… that never got used, because our little sweetheart screamed bloody murder when we gave it a test drive. The PRIMO LapBaby [2] would have been perfect for the job. This wraparound strap is advertised as a way for any parent to hold a baby securely on their lap while keeping their hands free, but it seems ideal for parents who use wheelchairs. Case in point: Check out this video of a quadriplegic mom [3] trying out PRIMO LapBaby with her infant.
3. A tool for reaching and grabbing
These days, reach-extender tools [4] are relatively inexpensive and easy to find. Not only are they sold at home healthcare stores, but they’re also marketed to the general public for tasks like outdoor cleanup, picking up trash, and stocking grocery shelves. If you use a wheelchair or have difficulty bending over, a reacher can help you grab that baby toy that’s fallen to the floor or retrieve a clean onesie from the clothes dryer. Some models even come with LED lights, magnets or hooks.
4. A gadget for unfastening the car seat
My husband didn’t have the finger dexterity to press the buckle on our daughter’s car seat, and Emily’s toddler-sized digits weren’t strong enough, either. After much head-scratching, Ian came up with a solution: he would hand our daughter a cylindrical building block that she would use to push and release the buckle. The inexpensive UnBuckle Me [5] would have solved that challenge. It’s useful not only for dads like Ian but for grandparents with arthritis in their hands or any parents who simply want to protect their manicures while pressing a button.
5. A bathwater temperature tester
If it’s hard for you to reach your hand into your toddler’s tub water, or if you have reduced sensation in your fingers, why not drop a Dreambaby rubber duckie [6] into the bath? This floating thermometer will give a temperature reading (you can choose Celsius or Fahrenheit) while flashing a red light if the water’s too hot or green if it’s too cold. When you’re not bathing your baby, you can keep the thermometer in the nursery, where it will display the air temperature in the room.
6. An over-the-shoulder baby bottle holder
The Beebo [7] was designed by a dad who wanted to be able to pick up books and read to his baby son during his feedings, without needing to hold the bottle. (Other parents may want to free up their hands so they can eat their own meals!) Of course, the Beebo can also benefit parents with disabilities who have difficulty gripping a baby bottle. The Beebo is lightweight and portable. It’s even adjustable, allowing you to change the angle of the bottle.
7. Control your baby’s environment from your phone
Yes, there’s an app for that! The Hatch Rest [8] is an all-in-one sound machine, night light, and clock. You can select from 16 sounds and lullabies, set timers, raise and lower the volume, and change the light colour. The handiest feature of all, of course, is the fact that all these functions can be operated using your smartphone.
Remember that when it comes to parenting with a disability, often the most helpful resources will come from other moms and dads like you. Your family might benefit from connecting with organizations like the Parenting with a Disability Network [9] in Toronto or Through the Looking Glass [10] in California. You’ll meet people with firsthand expertise, who are likely more than happy to share their parenting tips and tricks!
LINKS:
2. https://www.primobaby.com/products/primo-lapbaby
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCzcWhHGQrg
6. https://www.dreambaby.com/room-bath-thermometer-duck.html
7. https://betterfamilyinc.com/collections/beebo
8. https://www.hatch.co/rest-second-gen
9. https://cilt.ca/programs-and-services/parenting-with-a-disability-network/