9 useful household gadgets for parents and kids

Is the birth imminent or is the baby already here? Congratulation! GIGA has put together tech gadgets that make life easier in a household with newborn children.

Everything changes with a baby: lots of joy and laughter, but also less sleep (for the new parents) and lots of challenges in everyday life. A lot of advice and tips come from friends, acquaintances, midwives and pediatricians. Some of these relate to home furnishings. We have a little one for you List of recommended household items put together, which can be purchased before birth.

A microwave

For what reason? While a microwave in single households is mainly used to reheat the previous day’s food, it can do a lot more in households with babies. This way, grape seed pillows can be quickly brought to a comfortable temperature – placed on the stomach a blessing for the child when the digestive system is aching. Microwaves are also useful for disinfecting pacifiers: special bundles of pacifiers with the corresponding box are heated with a little water for a few seconds at maximum power and are ready for the next use after they have cooled down. The box is also available individually and is called a sterilizer for pacifiers and baby bottles. Of course, baby formula can also be heated in microwaves. But they are not suitable for breast milk, so it is better to use an electric bottle warmer.

Which model is good?

the Panasonic NN-E221MMEPG has an output of up to 800 watts and is particularly easy to use. One rotary control for the power and one for the time – it couldn’t be simpler! Apart from that, this microwave looks reasonably chic and the price is not excessive. Clear buy recommendation.

You can find more microwaves in our detailed purchase advisor:

A clinical thermometer

For what reason? The health of the baby is the responsibility of the parents. A clinical thermometer should therefore be loud Recommendation of the health portal of German pharmacists to the “basic equipment” in the household. Modern models work electronically and do not cost a lot.

Which models are good?

The Beurer Express FT 15/1 has a flexible measuring tip and delivers reliable values. A bestseller on Amazon for good reason.
Those who prefer a model with fast infrared measurement can take a look at this Braun ThermoScan 5 IRT6020 throw.

You can find more clinical thermometers in our detailed purchase advisor:

A room thermometer + a bathtub thermometer

For what reason? As a third recommendation, a thermometer – not for the body, but for the apartment. The temperature in the (baby) bedroom should ideally 18 degrees Celsius – a little cooler than, say, the living room or bathroom. A room thermometer measures constantly and provides clarity at a glance. Also recommended: a bathtub thermometer to check the water temperature before bathing.

Which models are good?

The TFA Dostmann thermo-hygrometer works digitally, is easy to read and measures not only the room temperature but also the humidity. By the way, it’s also a clock – especially for breastfeeding mothers, it is advisable to have the times and time intervals on the screen. Apart from that, when it comes to baby wake-up calls at night, it is also “interesting” whether it is two o’clock in the morning or five o’clock in the morning.

The Reer Penguin Thermometer is suitable for monitoring room and bathtub water temperature. Thanks to individually adjustable temperature limits, a warning signal can be set up, which is activated when the set maximum temperature is exceeded.

A hair dryer

For what reason? Blow-dryers after bathing – and all babies love it! Not only the head, but the whole body enjoys the warm air flow, which is accompanied by a pleasant noise. So if your hairdryer rattles, smells or gets too hot at home, then it’s time to buy a new one.

Which model is good?

the Braun Satin Hair 7 hairdryer HD 710 is the test winner of the Stiftung Warentest with a grade of 1.5 (“very good”, Edition 01/2015). Parents are also happy about that.

A radiant heater

For what reason? A radiant heater belongs to the changing table (approx. 1 meter away) and provides cozy warmth when changing nappies. Some babies stare into the red glow as if mesmerized and come to rest within a few seconds.

Which model is good?

the Reer changing table heater FeelWell 2in1 has an output of up to 800 watts and can be used either as a wall-mounted or free-standing device. Practical: an automatic switch-off deactivates the heater by itself after 10 minutes. Not exactly cheap, but a real quality product with a high level of security and very good customer ratings on Amazon.

A general tip at this point: As the household grows, it increases too Electricity demand – It is definitely worthwhile to take a close look at the current electricity provider and, if necessary, to switch to a cheaper alternative. We recommend the comparison portal Check24 for this.

A small lamp

For what reason? Newborns want to be breastfed every few hours – even in the middle of the night. A so-called still light is an easy-to-use bedside lamp that does not dazzle and illuminates the room sufficiently and pleasantly.

Which model is good?

the Ansmann bedside lamp “Fuchs” looks cute and is popular with Amazon customers (also available as a mouse or elephant). It is switched on by touch and a few years later it is also used in the children’s room. Works energy-saving with LED and 3 AA batteries. A cheaper alternative is the Reer 52010 Mummy and Me LED nursing light to clip on.

An exercise ball

For what reason? If the baby is restless and unable to sleep, an exercise ball can work wonders. Take the little one on your chest, sit on the ball for a few minutes, rock or move it up and down – and the screaming subsides.

Which model is good?

When it comes to exercise balls, the quality of workmanship and safety are important. We therefore recommend the tried and tested “original”, the Pezziball (Made in Italy). Suitable for this: The Xiaomi Air Compressor: An electric high-tech air pump that can also inflate bicycle tubes and even car tires in next to no time.

A mobile

For what reason? Babies cannot see well in the first few weeks. Over time, however, the range of vision and curiosity about the surroundings grows. A mobile hangs balanced from the ceiling and is an interesting eye-catcher every day, which is set in motion by drafts or nudges. A one-year-old child can point to it and watch it for minutes.

Which model is good?

There are numerous mobiles for children (e.g. from Ikea, with cute animal figures) – but why not kill two birds with one stone and hang up a mobile that the parents (or older siblings) will also enjoy? Our tip is the big one Solar system from Authentic Models with Saturn, Mars, Jupiter & Co. The price is steep, but the elegant design lets you overlook it.

A portable console

For what reason? Of course not for the baby! The console is for the parents so that they can treat themselves to a little break from time to time. Because when it comes to leisure activities, you shouldn’t fool yourself: With babies, hours of gaming sessions on the PC or TV are not an option. More practical is a mobile console that can also be used in bed – the place where young parents spend a lot of time.

Which model is good?

Clear case. the Nintendo Switch Lite plus Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury. As soon as the children are asleep, you can switch off for 1 to 2 hours and collect a few coins with Mario.

Have you had offspring yourself and have some good ideas ready? Feel free to write us your suggestions in the comments.