Face it. The year is 2009 and every dad is a geeky dad because you no longer have to use a slide ruler to be one. Technology is super-accessible, but it’s key to find dad gadgets that are truly easy to use.

By now, every list contains an iPod, but how many of these little babies can you own. Sadly, they aren’t evolving fast enough to require a new one every year. If you have a dad who has an iPod and can’t get enough music, an iTunes gift card is a nice touch. Still, it says, “I know you so little, all I could do was give you some money,” which is certainly not a good sentiment to write in a card. And, for some beleaguered dads, a gift card of any sort is just another chunk of plastic to fatten his wallet and remind him of yet another task undone. Consider instead, making an iTunes music mix for him of music you think he’d like based on his music tastes and new directions you could imagine his tastes going. Most of us get stuck in a musical rut we dug deep while in our ’20s. It’s not that we don’t want to hear new things, but we lack the energy to go find one. Now, if only we had someone who knew us so well that THEY could find the music…!

If your dad uses the computer a lot, a perfect gift is an extra computer monitor so he can look like one of those stock traders you see while scanning past the Bloomberg channel. An additional monitor makes it easy to scatter documents, apps, and extra ideas across your virtual desktop, just as you do on your real one. I know there are state of the art monitors (everyone loves the “24 Apple at $900), but I really like my
ViewSonic “22 inch ViewDock monitor because it comes with an iPod dock (not iPhone unfortunately), stereo speakers, a headphone jack and mic input, and three powered USB ports. $449 on Amazon.

If the dad on your list is a serious Wii player, here’s a new Nintendo device to to improve the motion sensitivity of the Remote. Called
MotionPlus, this small plug attaches to the end of the Remote. This add-on is brand new and might be a very welcome surprise to the virtual tennis player in your family. $19.95 at Amazon.

Here’s a spin on the old Fathers Day chestnut, the photo mug, which is itself a spin on the “Worlds Best Dad” mug. Now there’s a
Digi-Mug, a coffee mug that actually shows 45 coor photos on a removable screen. $30 on Amazon.

If your tech dad already has programmed a Roomba to avoid sweeping the kitchen and vacuuming the living room, maybe it’s time to move up to an
The Looj. The Looj is a handheld remote that climbs on the roof to clean the gutters so he doesn’t have to. $129.

All unique ideas, some of which even the geekiest guy probably hasn’t even heard of yet.

With the plethora of new glass bottles on the market you might look at the bottle and say to yourself “huh, I’ll just grab these and go” – but you need to look closer; not all glass bottles are created equal!

The Munchkin Mighty Grip Glass Bottle (pictured above) is an excellent bottle to seriously consider if you are in the market for new bottles. And, if you’re like me and terrified of dropping one, a snug silicone sleeve can be purchased to protect it!

Pros:

• BPA free
• Easy to clean
• Silcone sleeve is easy to remove and clean and just as easy to replace – all while keeping the bottle safe and secure from accidental drops or bumps.
• The glass on the sides are ribbed, giving the bottle a good grip no matter what

Cons:

• The nipple is vented, but I would occasionally have to break the seal from my baby’s lips and let the bottle draw air in order to release the vacuum.

If you are looking for some exceptional glass bottles – these are an excellent choice. Thanks to natural glass, you will feel much better knowing that you are feeding your baby with only what was intended and nothing more (not to mention you won’t have to worry about butterfingers!)

The
Mico Cosi Mico car seat is a seat you can easily use everywhere. Thanks to rigorous European and US standards testing, the sleek and brightly colored Maxi Cosi Mico car seat is known for its safety, surpassing US safety standards. Most people choose it for its safety features, including the padded harness and side impact protection, but also enjoy it’s ergonomic design and distinctive colors. The snugly padded seat also makes your baby feel safe and comfortable.

Off its base, the seat is light and easy to carry around with its retractable carrier handle (4 different positions!). It also fits nicely into the Quinny Zapp stroller, which we use a lot. Snapping in the seat to the base in the car can be a bit tricky, but you get used to it. The Mico will carry your baby from five to up to 22 lbs and the shoulder harness, buckle and infant head cushion are all adjustable as your baby grows from infant to toddler. We also use the sun shade a lot where we live but it could ideally be a bit longer. The nice thing is the shade tucks away behind the seat when you don’t need it. When you’re on the go, the Maxi Cosi Mico is overall just an easy car seat to reckon with.

$169.99 MSRP and 144.95 on Amazon.

There are planes – and then there are private jets.

There are cars – and then there are Bentleys.

There are houses – and then there are mansions.

There are strollers…

And then there is
Mutsy!

Super chic, super sleek, and oh-so-indulgent, never before has there been such a posh stroller!

European design is just one of the fantastic things about this wonderful stroller. Your little one will be the center of attention in this one-of-a-kind experience. Now, if I sound over excited, I am – simply put, The Mutsy Urban Next is just too cute for words and definitely a conversation starter!

Pros:

• Amazingly smooth ride – large, easy-swivel tires make any terrain a snap (the stroller comes with a second set of smaller wheels, but I prefer to leave on the bigger ones)
• Stands upright when folded – easy to maneuver folding means less time fussing with folding and more time with baby!
• Wheels easily remove – with one-handed removal, this feature makes Mutsy all the better for quick storage
• The Mutsy Sitter turns your seat into a wonderful, detached seat for your little boy or girl.
• Soft, Graspable Leather Handle
• Lots of accessories, including bassinette, hard-shell backpack, Eskimo muff (which is just too cute and warming!), rain cover and many more.

Cons:

• It seems larger than other strollers – tight turns or small grocery store aisles may pose a problem
• It can appear weighty for some – at around 25 lbs for the stroller alone, it can be considered by some heavy duty.

If you’re in the market for a stroller and you like that modern European stroller look, then Mutsy is the stroller of your dreams. Combining functionality and charm, it will never fail to impress and charm onlookers.

To purchase, please visit www.goores.com

Great Dad Readers, receive 10% off of your order by using code “gdmu” at checkout

In our careful watch to ensure our baby slept on his back to avoid SIDS, our newborn son started to develop a flat head. While only a cosmetic concern, our pediatrician recommended we put him on his side while sleeping to mitigate the potential problem. The challenge was, our active son actually rolled over by himself at 1 week, so was not likely to stay on his side.
We found the Symmetry Sleep Positioner useful to keep him on his side (and rotated sides). In the months before he was able to really move on his own, we place him in the SSP within his crib, and he slept comfortably. The device stopped being useful once he could roll himself off of it, but by then he was moving enough that the flat head syndrome was not an issue.
While we never used the caliper to actually measure change, the improvement was visible.

Buckle up – it’s the law! And not just for you, either – babies in every state are required to be placed in a rear-facing car seat. So you have to juggle between convenience and safety (not to mention how it looks!). You look, you compare, and you search high and low. But you may never find one as good as Safety 1st ’s onBoard™ car seat.

OnBoard™ manages to combine functionality, safety, and a sweet, sophisticated look all into o ne affordable package. And Safety First is a well-known household name when it comes to baby items (I have more than several myself!)

The Good:

• Spacious – as baby sits comfortably snuggled inside, you rest assured knowing that he won’t soon outgrow the car seat.
• Leave behind base – keeping the base securely in place in the car means not only convenience, but peace of mind that fewer mistakes can be made in the buckling.
• EEP Foam – I call it the “super shock absorber stuff” and I can safely say my baby doesn’t know what it is, but he is very appreciative!

The Bad:

• Handle – not the easiest thing to move up and down, but I’ve only done it once; 99% of the time it stays up anyway.

With a superior name in baby care and a positive, strong record in safety, the Safety 1st onBoard™ car seat is a sound investment. Not only is it good for your little tykes, but parents will find the stay-in-car base and the knowledge of the child’s safety among the most important attributes.

Clue one: The soothing, subtle sound of the heartbeat

Clue two:Ambient, soft conversation sounds

Answer: The SoundSleep for Babies CD, from Sound Science

A lot of parents, especially frustrated ones, have tried products that say they’ll help soothe your baby. And then you turn it on. Far less from soothing, they seem to actually be bothering both you and the baby.

That’s not true with the SoundSleep for Babies CD. The very first time I used the product I was amazed. I put the CD in the player, hooked up the headphones (making sure the volume was appropriate), and put them on a fussy baby.

BAM – silence. A doe-eyed, blinking baby was calm. Maybe from the new experience of headphones, but something tells me it was the womb-like sounds quieted baby.

That’s right: womb-like! Muffled heartbeats (not Tale Tell Heart sounds like in some other products) and muted background conversations all helped baby calm.

Pros:

• Comprised of actual recordings from the womb, digitally enhanced
• Based on medical, scientific, and audio research
• Calms even the fussiest of babies quickly
• Plays for one hour
• Keeps baby asleep

Cons

• Unless the room is super quiet, I had to use headphones – otherwise, just playing them on a CD player, baby was uninterested

I am always skeptical about products that say they will quiet a baby fast – especially if they’re just going to play music and sounds. But the SoundSleep CD has proven me wrong (well, as far as this CD alone goes!). The CD has now become a mainstay in my household, keeping baby comfortable and asleep longer, making sure accidental loud noises are a thing of the past.

Note: The CD plays for an hour. It is suggested that you put the player on REPEAT, keeping the sounds going as long as you feel.

Sometimes a product comes along that isn’t quite one thing or another. Baby K’tan fits that description. Not quite a sling, not quite a wrap, the best way to label it is simple “carrier” – and what a unique carrier it is.

A lot of carriers have one or two good points to their designs, but the Baby K’tan is chock full of beneficial features.

Pros:

• Can be used from birth to 42 lbs – one of the only systems to carry that much
• Made completely of natural cotton making the carrier very breathable
• Ability to carry twins – the only carrier I’ve seen that is able to do this
• Comes in patterns for both moms and dads
• 8 possible positions for baby
  • Cradle
  • Hug
  • Explore
  • Adventure
  • Twins
  • Two-Hip
  • Hip
  • Back
  • Phone support

Neutral:

• Can take some practice, but with well written and video instructions, getting the hang of it does not take that long

Again we have a carrier with no cons (and only one neutral). That is why with today’s ever advancing products and product ideas, it is important to compare and see what works for you and your little one, or ones!

Of course, not all slings are appropriate for all families and parents. It is very important to find the right sling for you. Remember to ask to try the sling in-store to get a feel for what the sling is all about. If a sling you are interested is unavailable by you and you must purchase online, make sure you are well informed about the company’s return policy.

Note: use coupon code: GREATDAD for 15% discount on any orders at www.babyktan.com..

For babies between 8 and 32 lbs.

Continuing the reviews on infant carriers, today I will review the Infantino Front2Back Rider. I am sure it is no secret, after my last review, Infantino is a favorite brand of mine. And the Front2Back Rider is no exception.

Pros:

• Light weight
• Comfortable for both petite and larger people
• It is super to buckle and unbuckle
• Soft, memory-foam type straps assure comfort for the wearer
• Like the SlingRider, it has fantastic, breathable mesh to assure good airflow
• Extra storage pocket for keys or other small objects (think extra pacifier!)
• “Tidy Wraps” help contain excess straps

Cons:

• None

It is a rarity when a product truly has nothing under the Cons section, but this rider has managed to do just that. There is comfort to be found for everyone using the Front2Back Rider – with its soft straps (a big plus), breathable mesh for baby (and peace of mind for parent!) and adjustable sizing; I whole heartedly recommend this product.

Of course, not all slings are appropriate for all families and parents. It is very important to find the right sling for you. Remember to ask to try the sling in-store to get a feel for what the sling is all about. If a sling you are interested is unavailable by you and you must purchase online, make sure you are well informed about the company’s return policy.

While discussing baby products with a friend of mine, he stated that he found out about some great baby products only after they were relevant and needed. I find that to be true, as well, and such a pity!

The All-in-One cloth diapers from Bumkins are one of those products. Created and designed in the USA, by moms, Bumkins are free of PVC, phthalates, and vinyl. Outside, soft polyester keeps supple through the life of the diaper. Inside, you’ll find six layers of 100% luxurious flannel, creating a diapering system that is super absorbent, but also promotes good airflow.

Of course, you are probably thinking: I need a diaper service, disposables are easier, reusable diapers are not as absorbent, or you are not ready to have to deal with a diaper pad, outer layer, and pins or snaps.

Those ideas – all in the past! Bumkins are easily washed (no rinsing required for urine, minimal rinsing required for solids), they are easy to maneuver and use (not to mention end up being less expensive over the long run), and the flannel padding soaks up everything, leaving baby dry (extra inserts available for times when normal response times may be delayed, like during a trip). And being All-in-Ones, there is no assembly; baby wears them just like a disposable!

Pros:

• PVC-, phthalates-, and vinyl-free
• Durable and soft outer shell, six supple layers of flannel inside
• Easy to wash
• Easy to use
• Absorbent
• Nice, wide Velcro tabs keep diaper secure
• Made in the USA

Cons:

• Bulkier than disposable diapers
• Some may find the initial investment off putting despite long-run savings

If you are in the market for reusable diapers, Bumkins are definitely worth your time. Even if you are not, buy a few and try them out. After the “test run,” see which one is better for you and your baby. With softness both inside and out, super absorbent flannel, and secure Velcro tabs, chances are, you will stick with the reusable. And the Earth will thank you!