The BabyGiraffe is a multi-use accessory for holding and hanging anything from a toy to a bottle that any parent would appreciate.

One thing we’ve learned about Rosemary, our three month old baby girl, is that she loves to stare at things. Especially fuzzy, hanging things. Put something fuzzy and hanging in front of her eyes and she’ll be captivated for period of time. And the more things you can dangle in front of her, the better. In an effort to keep her distracted and therefore quiet, we dangle things in front of her whenever we can.

But not everything you place her in is outfitted with fuzzy hanging things. This is where the BabyGiraffe, a versatile holder of fuzzy things, comes in handy. It is a simple yet clever accessory that allows you to dangle fuzzy things in front of your baby just about anywhere. It uses a surprisingly powerful spring-loaded clamp that doesn’t budge once it is clamped onto something.  At home, I’ve clamped it on the changing table, the swinging chair, and the crib. The flexible spine makes it easy to place the hanging object exactly where you want it and viola, baby is distracted. It is small enough to fit into a diaper bag, so we take it everywhere. As soon as we settle Rosemary in, the BabyGiraffe comes out.

The idea of a gadget like this to hang things from was a great one, but the giraffe print cover was a stroke of genius. The soft material protects the surfaces it clamps to, which any fabric cover would do, but by using a giraffe motif, it is so much more fun. It was because of the giraffe print that before I even used it, I was charmed.

Other than fuzzy things, the BabyGiraffe comes with a bottle holder and a mirror, which comes in super handy for rear facing car seats or front facing strollers so you can keep an eye on your baby. Or it can be positioned so your baby can stare in awe at her own reflection.

At just $24.95. the BabyGiraffe is an accessory that any new parents will appreciate and use, so it makes an affordable and memorable gift.

When I was an infant and it was bath time, my mother would clear the kitchen sink, drop in the stopper, fill it with warm water and in I’d go. I still have a picture of me, sitting in the sink during bath time, with a Santa Clause beard made of soap bubbles. Unlike Santa Clause however, I don’t look very jolly.

A sink full of water can do the trick, but these days there are many baby tubs available that offer more comfort and protection for you little bather. One of the best that I’ve seen is the Puj tub, a soft, flexible, origami-inspired baby tub that can fit in just about any sink.

The tub starts out flat, and is folded into shape in two simple steps that can be done with one hand. The folds are held in place with magnetic tabs that click together virtually on their own. Fill the tub with water and your baby is ready to be bathed while being cradled in a relaxed, reclined position against a soft, non-slip surface made of a PVC and BPA-free foam. When bath time is over, the tub can be unfolded and hung on the towel rack or door, completely out of the way. As a bonus, the flattened tub makes a great diaper changing pad.

• Soft and comfortable non-slip foam that is PVC and BPA-free
• Flexible, 1” thick foam conforms to fit just about any sink (but best in those that measure 16”-18“ side to side, 12” – 14” front to back, and 6”-8” deep)
• Simple, smart design allows tub to hang flat out of sight
• Ideal for babies 0-6 months or up to 17lbs

Puj Baby Bath Tub – $39.99

Image via Wikipedia

First, if I were to go on to say that San Francisco is about to outlaw female circumcision, what would your opinion be?

Actually, the City by the Bay, as reported by SFGate.com, has received enough signatures on a petition to add a no male circumcision initiative to the November ballot. The proposal would ban male circumcision, with no religious exemptions. Violators would be guilty of a misdemeanor offense and subject to a $1000 fine. Female circumcision is already illegal everywhere in the United States.

80% of American males are circumcised though circumcision rates have been falling. Some vocal groups equate male and female circumcision though one procedure in almost all cases is far severe; more of an amputation than a cutting back of foreskin. Still, it’s a very interesting comparison to draw given that most people’s reaction to the proposed ban is outraged amusement. Outrage from people who would scream: “Government: Keep your hands off my son’s penis!” and amusement over what those crazy people in San Francisco are doing now.

But like the female circumcision debate (if you can call it that), this is basically a discussion over the rights of parents to impose on their kids the values of their community or religion. And on the other side, the power of the State, based on a majority vote, to say that a practice is inhuman or unfair. And it’s hard not think about the abortion debate in this same context. A headline I thought was just crazy has made me think a lot about what I believe about all government intervention in our personal lives. And it’s clearly not a clichéd left-right response.

As for GreatDad and circumcision, we’ve always taken a “no correct answer” approach. It’s up to every parent to decide what is right for their family. There is plenty of evidence on both sides to make this a very gray decision. All we’ve ever said is that dads need to be present for the procedure if they are going to direct it to be done to their infant sons.k

What do you think? Should San Francisco or any government have this control over circumcision?

As demographers dig into census data, they are seeing major changes in ages when women decide to have kids reports the New York Times. College-educated women are waiting longer to have kids, while women who did not finish high school are actually having children at an earlier age than they did in 2000.

In 2000, the portion of women with college degrees between the ages of 25 and 34 who had children was 42 percent, according to the data. Ten years later, the same group of women, now ages 35 to 44 — representing about three million Americans — were far more likely to be mothers: About 76 percent had children, according to the data.

In contrast, women who did not finish high school were more likely to have children earlier. In 2000, about 83 percent of women ages 25 to 34 who did not have a high school diploma had children. The percentage rose to 88 percent by 2010.

Additionally, twice as many women in percentage terms (from 10 to 19%) have no children in their 40s.

There are far more women in their 40s without children now than there were in past decades. In 1976, just 10 percent of all women ages 40 to 44 had no children. That percentage had jumped to 19 percent by 2010.

Versus 1976, when more women had three kids rather than two, today far more women have 2 children. And dramatically, 21% of women have had a child and never been married, versus 3% back in 1976.

No word yet on how dads fit into this changing picture.

[From Census Data Shows Changes in Childbearing Patterns - NYTimes.com]

As demographers dig into census data, they are seeing major changes in ages when women decide to have kids reports the New York Times. College-educated women are waiting longer to have kids, while women who did not finish high school are actually having children at an earlier age than they did in 2000.

In 2000, the portion of women with college degrees between the ages of 25 and 34 who had children was 42 percent, according to the data. Ten years later, the same group of women, now ages 35 to 44 — representing about three million Americans — were far more likely to be mothers: About 76 percent had children, according to the data.

In contrast, women who did not finish high school were more likely to have children earlier. In 2000, about 83 percent of women ages 25 to 34 who did not have a high school diploma had children. The percentage rose to 88 percent by 2010.

We just received a copy of Baby Barbells, a new book by Joshua Levitt, with illustrations by Matt Stevens. This is an over-sized board book, that explains how dad will be using old muscles in new ways with the arrival of the new baby. Along with the illustrations are some tidbits of wisdom on dads and kids.

This is a fun gift for the new dad as a shower gift, and expect him to get a chuckle along with knowing friends as he pages through it. The book does a good job at reinforcing all the new skills and changed habits required to be a good father. On the other hand, don’t go looking for real fitness advice or an excuse to lay off the gym because you’re hefting car seats and strollers all weekend.

GreatDad.com Review Policy: The featured product for this review was provided to us, at no cost, by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. We do not accept monetary compensation for reviewing or writing about products. We only review products that we have personally tested and used in our own homes, and all opinions expressed are our own.

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