When I wrote about the Fisher Price Apptivity seat, the one that enables you to place an iPad in front of an infant’s face while he or she is in the seat, a commenter responded to the effect of, “This is 2014. Get used to the screen.”
Okay. I’ll try. No freaking way.
Here are some other things new parents do in 2014 that I’m sincerely open to getting used to.
1. Encapsulating placenta. Through interviewing a stylish rookie mom, I learned that digesting encapsulated placenta can help fight postpartum depression. This is good news!
photo via montpelierbridge.com, courtesy Tara Carpenter
2. Sharing before and after postpartum photos on Instagram. Every time I explore the hashtag #newmom on Instagram, I am surprised by the number of women who are creating side-by-side images of themselves near-naked immediately after delivery and then a few weeks or months after. Perhaps these photos are all seeded by the weight loss industry, but many of them seem legit. Is this a Thing?
3. Baby-led weaning. While feeding baby has been made more convenient with all the pouches of pureed food, plenty of parents are feeding their babes regular old table food as they become ready. But now it has a name. It’s not called “feeding your baby what you have made for lunch,” but rather, “Baby-Led Weaning”. (More about Baby-led Weaning here.)
4. The obsession with Having It All. Books, articles, graduation speeches addressing women and whether or not it’s possible to enjoy a fulfilling career and parenthood at the same time. I hope this dialogue all adds up to policy change that supports parents at all levels of income to have it all. Or to at least have some of what they want. Lean In?
5. Smash cakes for 1-year old parties. A separate dessert for the birthday baby, who can do with it what she pleases, mostly designed for a photo opp. The real cake will be sliced and served in the traditional fashion.
Photo Credit: Jana Rae Photography1 via Compfight cc
6. Designer strollers that cost more than $700. Feature-rich baby buggies are worth as much as parents are willing to pay for them, which turns out to be a lot. When I saw Heather’s authentic jaw-drop in admiration of the 4moms Origami stroller, which folds itself and charges your cell phone while you walk, I was convinced. These are like mini automobiles for urban parents.
7. Professional maternity photo shoots. Pic or it didn’t happen?
photo credit: Laura Turbow8. Video monitors. We like to watch them sleep. And the technology is there. Why not?
(This Motorola monitor is highly rated on Amazon and currently less than $200.)
9. Amazon Mom. Speaking of Amazon, anyone who’s downloaded the Amazon app knows that ordering problem-solving products with your thumb while feeding your baby by the light of a smart phone can provide the ultimate multi-tasking high. Signing up for Amazon Mom (free PRIME for parents) gives you tons of discounts on baby items, including diapers and wipes to which you can “subscribe”, and free two-day shipping. Heather reports her hazy postpartum days included many packages arriving to her delight, having entirely forgotten the order she placed. “Set it and forget it,” is her mantra on diaper delivery.
10. Social media-worthy pregnancy announcements. The stakes are heightened. Women are no longer emailing their ten best friends to announce pregnancies. There has to be an impossibly cute image to go with it. Is it too much pressure? Well, it’s fun to look at.
What did I miss?
