Spring heralds new beginnings and if you’re welcoming a new newborn into your home, these gadgets might help.
1) MOTOROLA MBP482 BABY VIDEO MONITOR
As well as producing mobile products, in recent years tech giant Motorola has carved a niche as a baby monitor specialist too. This mid-range option offers both audio and video without making too much of a dent on new parents’ stretched purse strings.
Powered by a rechargeable battery – so it can be moved without any interference to the screen – position the small camera at your baby’s cot and the 2.4in tablet will live screen from the nursery. Helpfully enough, it also displays the in-room temperature and offers infrared night vision so you don’t have to hit the lights to check baby’s safe once darkness has fallen. £59.99, Argos
2) OBLUMI TAPP SMART THERMOMETER
Smartphone users can turn their device into a family thermometer with the help of this nifty gadget. Created by Oblumi, just download the app, secure the probe in the headphone jack and cover the nozzle with the blue cover and start taking accurate readings, either on the forehead or in the ear.
The gizmo – which needs two CR1616 batteries – can also be used to check the temperature of bath water and baby’s bottle, and comes with a compact case, containing a few wipes to keep it clean. £39.99, Amazon
3) EWAN THE DREAM SHEEP
This gadget is pure comfort. From the outside it’s a super-soft cuddly sheep toy, but inside, it’s much smarter than that. Once three AAA batteries (not included) have been secured in the battery pack inside the teddy’s tummy, Ewan the sheep transforms into a technically savvy bedtime soother.
Pull any leg and he’ll emit one of four low frequency sounds, including a real recording of womb sounds and a heartbeat, and give off a soft pink glow designed to calm your tot.
Handily enough, Ewan’s tail is made from Velcro, so he can be secured to the top of a cot or pram to ensure soothing on the go. £29.99, www.sweetdreamers.co.uk
4) PHILIPS AVENT 3 IN 1 ELECTRIC STEAM STERILISER
However your baby feeds, there will be a job lot of bottles and breast contraptions to clean and sterilise.
If boiling, using cold water sterilising solution or microwavable sterilisers isn’t right for you, an electric steam steriliser is an option. Made by Philips, this all-in-one system has removable compartments enabling shorter cycles for small items such as dummies, as well as a larger container for a full load of six bottles and breast pump equipment. It takes six minutes to sterilise a load, but check the instructions if it’s falling wide or short of this – you might need to alter the amount of water you add. £70, Mothercare.
5) GRO EGG ROOM THERMOMETER
Whether it’s toasty outside or an arctic breeze is blowing in, the NHS recommends keeping the baby’s room at around 18C to reduce the risk of overheating.
One way of monitoring this is by investing in a thermometer. Once plugged into the mains, this one by Gro Egg displays the temperature and subtly glows in one of four different soft colours according to the room’s reading.
So blue is too cold, yellow is ideal, orange is warm and red is too hot, and it also comes with an unhappy face emoticon as an extra nudge for you to adjust the heating. £14.99, Argos.
6) NHS Child Health – Free, iTunes
For a quick reference on common health conditions for under 5s, this is a good starting point. Reassuringly developed by NHS specialists, it offers advice on common complaints like upset stomachs, bumps and bruises.