Photo From ThinkGeek.com

Moms can learn to recognize and differentiate between their baby's various cries. Or, they can pay $100 to have the Why Cry Baby Analyzer do it for them.

How does it work exactly?

I have no earthly idea.

According to the Web site, the monitor uses "advanced frequency analysis technology" to determine whether your baby is crying because she/he is:

• Stressed
• Sleepy
• Annoyed
• Bored
• Hungry

Impressive? Maybe.

This review of the Why Cry Baby Analyzer from CrunchGear.com made me laugh:

"...One thing’s for sure, though, only the “hungry” setting really necessitates any serious action. If I were a parent, I’d be a bit put off by a “bored” reading. Oh, you’re bored? You sit around and consume resources all day without recontributing to the family’s economic bottom line. Shall I turn on the Teletubbies for you? High definition or standard? Oh my, you’re annoyed? I’ll try to be more quiet when getting ready in the morning. You’ve got a long day of crapping your pants and sleeping, after all. My apologies!"

What do you think? Would you invest in this baby monitor or would you prefer to "analyze" your baby's cries on your own?

See this poll at CafeMom.

See this video at CafeMom.

I just watched this Evian roller babies ad for the first time—I guess that makes me a little behind the times since it's already had over 4 million viewers on You Tube.

The idea is that drinking Evian makes you young.

What do you think of Evian's baby ad? Is it cute or creepy?

Photo by Jeanmarie1975

In Entertainment Buzz, we've talked about moms looking like celebrities, but what about their little ones?

Over at Celeb Baby, they're looking for readers' children who resemble the following celebrity kids: Nahla Aubry, John Moynahan, Zuma Rossdale, Max Muñiz, Sunday Kidman Urban, Bronx Wentz, Harlow Madden, Stella McDermott and Valentina Pinault.

Think your child looks one of these celeb babies? Be sure to enter them!

Does your child look like a celeb baby?

Cozy Sleep Bag from New For Baby

New for Baby is running a too-good-to-be-true special sale on this newborn essential Cozy Sleep Bag (size 0-3 months in white only) — they're just $7 each through tomorrow, Friday, July 10th!

Keep reading to find out how to save another 15%...

For an additional savings, use the coupon code SLEEP for another 15% off.

Buy one of these cute sleep sacks for that baby due in fall or winter. Or just stock your gift shelf. These essentials make great presents, and this is a great deal!

Photo from IKEA

I registered for a wooden high chair for my baby and I'm already bored by it.

My friend has the Antilop high chair from IKEA and while it does look really stylish, and the price is certainly right (it's $19.99), it's missing a little something.

The uber creative types over at ohdeedoh offer this brilliant solution: Make a cushion for it. They found a free pattern for one over at Burda Style and it's super easy to make.

Photo from Burda Style

Now, doesn't that give the Antilop the something special it was missing?

What kind of high chair does your baby have? Have you done anything creative to spruce it up?

See what I'm saying? Cute, cute, cute. They have some nerve!

Baby bedding sets shown above and available at Target:

• DwellStudio Bedding Collection for Target - Olivia
• Tadpoles Toile Crib Sheet Set
• Bacati Baby Bedding Collection - Brown/White
• DwellStudio Bedding Collection for Target - Circles & Rings

Photo from Boon

Love this non-toxic duck!

My daughter loves rubber duckies, and she has quite a collection since her grandfather has sent her every duck imaginable—a princess duck, a cowboy duck, a chef duck, etc.  She plays with them during her bath and likes to put them in her mouth, which stresses me out. Why? Rubber ducks are toxic.

Most rubber ducks are made of PVC which contains phthalates, a chemical that makes toys soft, but which is also toxic and can leach directly into a baby's mouth. The European Union, and the state of California, have banned the use of phthalates in kid's toys.

I've been wanting to get rid of my daughter's ducks (or at least keep them as mementos rather than toys), but there's no way I could do it without her noticing. Happily, I've found the perfect substitutes: Boon's Odd Ducks.

Boon's Odd Ducks come in four cool colors (tk is pictured), and they're completely PVC, phthalate-, and BPA-free. They cost $5.99 each, and 10% of the company's profits go to children's charities.

What's your baby's favorite bath toy?

Photo from FishKisses

Who says baby formal wear needs to be expensive and uncomfortable? Not with these Baby Onesies with Neckties from the Etsy shop FishKisses. Tee hee.

Dress up baby in this comfy yet formal baby getup for your next family wedding or social gathering. You wouldn't want your tyke to be under-dressed.

These cute 100% cotton onesies are just $15 and come in toddler sizes too.

See my favorite CafeMom-crafted handmades from Etsy on my profile page.

It's hard being a new mom (or even an experienced mom to a new baby) and sometimes we do things we know we shouldn't, despite what all the experts say. But this is a safe place to share your secrets—we won't tell.

This Week's Secret:

"If my baby poops—and I'm planning to give her a bath in the next half hour anyway—I don't change her diaper. It doesn't happen that often and it's never given her a rash or anything, but it still makes me feel lazy sometimes. —anonymous

See this poll at CafeMom.

Past confessions:

I Took My Baby to a Bar

I Drove My Baby Without a Car Seat

I Forgot My Baby's Name!

I Leave My Twin Babies Home Alone

I Wish I Never Had a Baby

My husband and I will be the guardians of my sister's three kids in case something should happen to her and her husband. We will also be the guardians of my brother-in-law's daughter if he and his wife should die.

It's pretty heavy stuff.

I know we should name a guardian for our daughter and that we should definitely put it in writing so there are no questions as to who "gets" her, but thinking about dying and our baby living without us is too depressing.

We've talked about it a little, but we've found it hard to come up with a choice we both feel comfortable with.

Have you named a legal guardian for your baby in the event of your death? How did you make the decision? What kinds of things did you consider?

Photo by CubsMom0828

Need to make a little cash while you're on unpaid maternity leave? Here are some ideas.

Times are tough, and as much as we don't want to work while on maternity leave, some of us really could use the cash.

While on maternity leave with my first son, I contracted with my employer to do one of my regular projects, a newsletter layout and production project. It was easier for my boss to let me handle the project remotely than to train or burden the other employees who were already working harder in my absence.

I have to say it was nice to keep my hands in work and to have that small reason to stay in contact with the office while I was out. And the extra cash was nice too.

However, the tightly deadlined project did fall a little too soon after my son's birth (within days if I remember correctly), which was, of course, impossible to predict — and he was 10 days early! I might suggest contracting out on a project without a solid deadline, if possible, something more flexible. Also, make sure to test out any technical functions prior to your leave so you can do the work without any computer problems.

In this article "Making money on unpaid maternity leave," the author gives some other good ideas for earning cash while on maternity leave:

• Check Craigslist, Guru, and Elance for job postings that meet your skill set and let you work from home for short-term engagements.  
• Look at the services section of Craigslist: Services can range from making arts and crafts to providing convenience services. 
• Reach out to small businesses and owners: Most small businesses employ a minimal staff to keep costs down, and this means they might be open to contracting out for small short-term projects.
  
• Think outside the box: Click over to read the author's "ouside the box" ideas. 

A few CafeMoms share some other ideas in the Any quick ways to make money why on maternity leave? question in Answers.

Some ideas from CafeMoms:

• nessy1980 suggests: "Babysit, sell stuff on eBay or Craigslist. Have a garage sale."
• rkoloms asks: "Do you have a former employer you could work for remotely? If you have a computer with high-speed internet and Microsoft Office Pro and have at least intermediate MS Office skills, you should be able to find work as a virtual assistant (VA).
  
• usbornebooksdh says: "Sell Avon. You can make money quickly and easily on maternity leave and after."

Don't forget to check with your employer benefits office and tax advisor before making any additional income during your maternity leave. The rules may be different state to state and depending on the additional income source.

And, of course, if you can save in advance or afford *NOT* to work when your maternity leave is unpaid, then by all means...enjoy it! It'll be over before you know it.

Medela Freestyle Hands-Free Breastpump

If you're a mom, you multi-task. So any activity that uses one or both of your hands can be a problem—like pumping. That's why Medela's hands-free breast pump is such a great innovation. You can pump, but you still have two free hands to cook, talk on the phone, surf the Internet, eat bon bons, fold laundry, read a book, or do whatever it is you need to do.

The Medela Freestyle Breastpump (which retails for about $379.99) is the first hands-free breast pump for moms. It's easy to carry if you have to cart it to the office (it weighs less than a pound); it runs on a rechargeable battery; and it uses a technology that's been shown to help moms get more milk faster. Plus, all parts of the Freestyle that come into contact with your breast milk are BPA-free.

Wouldn't you love to have one?

Enter for a chance to win one right here by answering the following question in the comments below:

What would you do with your two free hands if you didn't have to use them when pumping?

One lucky CafeMom member who replies to this post with a comment by 11:59 p.m. (EST) on Thursday, July 9, 2009, will be chosen at random to receive a Medela Freestyle Hands-Free Breastpump*.

You can win only one Medela Freestyle no matter how many times you comment.

*No Purchase Necessary. Starts July 6, 2009 at 7 a.m. (EST) and ends July 9, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. (EST). Open to U.S. residents, 16 years and older, who are CafeMom members. Void where prohibited. Click here for the Official Rules.

Good luck!

Already a fan of Medela? Fill out the survey at Medela Mom Mavens to see if you qualify to join the group of parents that helps inform others about Medela products; gets a first look at new Medela products; and can share feedback directly with the company. To learn more visit Medela Mom Mavens.

Similarly recalled crib from Simplicity

400,000 baby cribs have been recalled for fear that infants and children may get trapped in the large space that is created when the side is dropped and suffocate.

According to Inez Tenenbaum, chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the Simplicity brand crib has killed 10 children and one 8-month old recently became wedged between the crib's parts and suffocated.

The company is no longer doing daily business. Now just make sure you act if you own one of these cribs.

Here's a summary of the Simplicity recall information found on CPSC's website:

Type: Simplicity Drop Side Cribs

Recalled Simplicity crib model names: Aspen and Crib N Changer Combo, Gabrielle, Camille, Providence, and Shenandoah.

Recalled model numbers: 8620, 8745, 8748, 8755, 8756, 8778, 8810, and 8994. An earlier 2007 Simplicity crib recall included these model numbers: 4600, 4605, 4705, 5000, 8000, 8324, 8800, 8740, 8910, 8994, 8050, 8750, 8760, and 8996.

Sold in: Department stores, children’s stores, and mass merchandisers nationwide (including Babies "R" Us, Walmart, Target, and more) from January 1998 through May 2007 for between $100 and $300.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cribs and find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby. Consumers should return the recalled crib to the place of purchase for a refund or store credit.

For more information on this crib recall, visit the CPSC or call 800-638-2772.

photo from Better World Books

Sure, there will be swimming and a barbecue and maybe a parade, but why not get your little one a book to teach him a little bit about why we celebrate the Fourth of July?

This sweet board book featuring everyone's favorite bear is available at Amazon and Better World Books and all kinds of bookstores.

You can also get it at your local library.

How will you be celebrating the Fourth of July?

Photo by MattisMommy08

A lot of women have a shoe obsession (myself included), and oftentimes, it flows into the children's wardrobe. Here are some links for baby fashionistas.

These baby booties are adorable. Simply adorable. — Lil Sugar

Celeb baby Honor Warren is a little fashion diva. — Celeb Baby

These baby shoes are 100% organic and 110% cuteness. — Cool Mom Picks

Now this one's for you, mama. I know it's hard to take time for yourself to shop so this website acts as your own personal shopper, sending you updates on sales for clothing of your style. — Covet

Are you or your baby fashionistas?

I always say I wish I could go back and relive the days with my newborn babies all over again — so precious and sweet and tiny, that time period so short! — but I want to relive all that MINUS the giving birth part. Someone else can take care of that in my relived fantasy. LOL.

Along with my husband and the support of family, friends, and the pizza delivery guy, I do remember three specific items that I could *NOT* have lived without in my first week postpartum.

My Three Must-Have Postpartum Supplies:

1. Ice diapers: Did those of you who had vaginal births at the hospital get those amazing ice packs for your undies right after delivery? After the birth of my first child, I was dealing with a pretty bad tear, so crotch-fitting ice packs, for me, were like gifts from God in heaven. Once they moved me to recovery, however, they made the shift to ice diapers (cheaper, I guess), but they were heavenly just the same. To make them at home, just add water to the crotch of a diaper and stick them in the freezer. These are very nice soothers for around the house, and they won't leak all over the place.
2. Foam anesthetic spray: Oh, the cooling, numbing, harps-playing relief of this spray! If you have a hospital birth, they'll probably send you home with some of this stuff. With my first, they gave me a foam version to spray on a maxi pad, as needed. Holy blessed miracle in a spray can! After the arrival of my second child, they sent me home with Dermoplast, which did the trick but was slightly less miraculous than the foam stuff.
3. Lansinoh Topical Cream with Lanolin: Smiling angels up above, I love this cream. Breastfeeding can sure make your breasts hurt! Like really badly! Cracked, sore nipples...ouch! So hallelujah to the mom friend who told me about Lansinoh topical treatment. You just slather it on for instant relief and it's safe for baby too, so no need to remove it before the next feeding (the time for which always arrives, uh, five minutes ago). Please note, this stuff will stain your bras or clothing. I didn't care though. I just bought black nursing bras because this stuff felt so darn good.

Amen to postpartum lifesavers like these!

What products or items made your postpartum experience a little better? What did you feel you couldn't live without (aside from sleep, I mean)?

Photo from luvinthemommyhood

I adore this bib. But it's not really a bib. It's a placemat (that cost a dollar). At least it was a placemat until luvinthemommyhood turned it into a bib. Here's how she did it.

You'll need these materials to make your own bib:

1. Water-resistant placemat consisting of 2 pieces. (luvinthemommyhood used a 13” x 19” PEVA placemat from Wal-Mart)

2. Matching thread

3. An existing bib in the size you'd like to make

4. Velcro for attaching straps together

Then, go to luvinthemommyhood to download the PDF how-to.

Have fun!

Do you make your own bibs? What do you use?

Photo by All4my3boys

In my opinion, there's not much else that's better than a sleeping baby.

I'll never forget the long days and nights in my boys' baby days — some good, some hard — but regardless, when they drifted off to sleep, it was the best feeling in the world.

For me, it meant mama finally got some time to relax, yes, but there was also this complete joy in knowing I had provided my babies the peace and serenity (or some days, the extreme stimulation) in which to finally let go and rest for a little while. Of course, some babies take a LOT longer to get there, but it's a comfort every baby should have.

Photo by JayGirlsMom

Photo by monkeyrose

Photo by Geminiashes

Photo by threeisenuff

Photo by Manda5463

Photo by crzybtful4_u

Photo by mz_black1986

Photo by Kairi.08

What's the first thing you do when your baby finally drifts off to sleep?

If you'd like to see your photos featured on Daily Buzz, tag them "dailybuzz."

Who cares?

Some parents like to keep their baby's gender a secret before it's born, but not many hide that information after it's born. This couple does.

A Swedish couple has refused to reveal whether their child, Pop (now 2), is a boy or a girl. The parents made their decision based on the feminist philosophy that gender is a social construction.

"We want Pop to grow up more freely and avoid being forced into a specific gender mold from the outset,"  Pop’s mother, 24, said. "It's cruel to bring a child into the world with a blue or pink stamp on their forehead."

The child's parents said so long as they keep Pop’s gender a secret, he or she will be able to avoid preconceived notions of how people should be treated if male or female.

Pop wears both dresses and pants, and Pop's hairstyle changes on a regular basis.

“Ignoring children's natures simply doesn’t work,” says psychologist Susan Pinker in The Local, a Swedish newspaper. "Child-rearing should not be about providing an opportunity to prove an ideological point, but about responding to each child’s needs as an individual."

On the other hand, gender equality consultant Kristina Henkel told the paper that the experiment could have positive results. "Without these gender stereotypes, children can build character as individuals, not hindered by preconceived notions of what they should be as males or females."

What do you think about this? Would our babies better off if we raised them without a gender?

Photo by geminisummerz

The current economic recession has many people fearing pay cuts and job loss. Heck, some workers are even dressing better to hold onto their jobs.

For pregnant moms about to temporarily leave their jobs and head out on maternity leave, recession anxiety might mean an extra heap of worry on their plates.

Already, families are cutting back wherever possible, and many are among those experiencing widespread fear about layoffs and position eliminations at work.

Workplace woes add a little extra worry for some pregnant moms who hoped to take some time off with baby. According to "The New Normal: Maternity Leave" story on ABC News, many women have cut down the time they plan to take off after baby. The financial impact of taking an extended, often unpaid, maternity leave just isn't possible during these tough economic times. Whether it's worry about the security of her job or her spouse's job or whether the family has already experienced pay cuts, furloughs, or demotions, many families simply can't afford it.

Of course, while it's totally illegal to fire a woman for a pregnancy or time off, many employers are being forced to cut back, slow down, and eliminate staff numbers due to a sluggish economy. This puts a little added fear on moms away on maternity leave who might feel a little "out of sight, out of mind" in terms of their job security.

Watch the ABC News clip for ideas about staying connected to the office while you're away on maternity leave.

Let's hear from you. Are you worried about losing your job while you're on maternity leave? Are you struggling financially to take the time you intended to take off when your new baby arrived?

It's hard being a new mom (or even an experienced mom to a new baby) and sometimes we do things we know we shouldn't, despite what all the experts say. But this is a safe place to share your secrets—we won't tell.

This Week's Secret:

"I love taking care of my 7-month-old daughter, but I feel like I've lost myself. I feel like my brain has turned to mush and I'm no longer contributing to society in any relevant way. It's not that I want to go back to work because I do like being home with my baby. I just feel like I've ceased to exist.  —anonymous

See this poll at CafeMom.

We all have secrets and opinions—so thanks to this brave mom for sharing her honest thoughts, and thank you for keeping this conversation nonjudgmental!

Past confessions:

I Drink and Breastfeed

I Took My Baby to a Bar

I Drove My Baby Without a Car Seat

I Forgot My Baby's Name!

I Leave My Twin Babies Home Alone

I Let My Baby Wear a Dirty Diaper

I Wish I Never Had a Baby

BabyBjorn Baby Carrier Synergy, $159.99

I loved my BabyBjorn. I used it for the first five months of my daughter's life and carried her everywhere. It was so much easier to do things when my hands were free, my baby liked being up so high and looking out at the world, and it was a great way to bond.

I had an older version, but the new BabyBjorn Baby Carrier Synergy sounds like it's perfect for hot summer weather.

It features a combination of light, soft mesh fabrics that wick heat and moisture away from the body, which helps keeps moms—and their babies—cooler for longer. The mesh fabric shapes itself to your baby’s body and supports his back and head.

There's extra lower back support and padded shoulder straps to make it more comfy for mom too.

The BabyBjorn Baby Carrier Synergy usually costs around $159.99, but you can enter to win one here by leaving a comment that answers this question:

If you win this BabyBjorn, where's the first place you'll use it to carry your baby?

One lucky CafeMom member who replies to this post with a comment by 11:59 p.m. (EST) on Thursday, July 2, 2009, will be chosen at random to receive a BabyBjorn Baby Carrier Synergy*.

You can win only one Baby Carrier Synergy no matter how many times you comment.

*No Purchase Necessary. Starts June 29, 2009 at 5 p.m. (EST) and ends July 2, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. (EST). Open to U.S. residents, 16 years and older, who are CafeMom members. Void where prohibited. Click here for the Official Rules.

Good luck!

If you're already a fan of BabyBjorn and want to be even more involved, fill out this survey to see if you qualify to become a BabyBjorn Believer. This is a group of parents that helps inform others about BabyBjorn products; gets a first look at new BabyBjorn products; and can share feedback directly with BabyBjorn. For more information, visit BabyBjorn Believers.

Photo from Sanrio

Tell me. Is a Hello Kitty maternity ward really necessary?

I mean, newborn babies don't even see colors, like pink, for weeks and sometimes months.

Found via ohdeedoh, the Hau Sheng Hospital in Yuanlin in central Taiwan is all decked out in pink Hello Kitty decor — from the new mom's bedding and the nurse's uniforms to pink infant bassinets to pink or blue receiving blankets. Hello Kitty's sweet mug is even on the birth certificate cover.

Hospital Director Tsai Tsung-chi says, "I wish that everyone who comes here, mothers who suffer while giving birth and children who suffer from an illness, can get medical care while seeing these kitties and bring a smile to their faces, helping forget about discomfort and recover faster."

I love Hello Kitty, but I don't think I'd be interested in giving birth in her powder pink midst. Maybe it's just me, but I don't think seeing that little big-eyed cat in her pink bow would have helped ease the pain of childbirth in the least. Seems much better suited for the child-focused wing of the hospital.

So Hello Kitty maternity ward? Fun novelty for pregnant mamas or plain ridiculousness wasted on adults?

iBert safe-T-seat, $89.95

My husband just got a new bike and he'd like to take the baby out for a spin, but we haven't invested in a baby carrier yet. Until now, we were only familiar with traditional bike trailers, but I just found out there's a new way to bring your baby along for the ride: the iBert safe-T-seat.

Rather than hooking it up to the back of a bike, the iBert safe-T-seat attaches to the handlebar stem.

Created by Kelly Eissinger, mom of two, the safe-T-seat fits most bikes on the market and features a three-point child safety harness system with a quick attach/detach buckle. Eissinger designed the safe-T-seat because she thought most bike child seats were too bulky. The company says the safe-T-seat allows for better communication with your child as well as better protection from dust and dirt. The seat, which retails for $89.95, fits most children four years old and younger.

Want to win one?

To enter, please leave me a comment answering this question:

What's your favorite memory of bike riding as a kid?

One lucky CafeMom member who replies to this post with a comment by 11:59 p.m. (EST) on Tuesday, July 14, 2009, will be chosen at random to receive an iBert safe-T-seat*.

You can win only one safe-T-seat no matter how many times you comment.

*No Purchase Necessary. Starts June 29, 2009 at 7 a.m. (EST) and ends July 14, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. (EST). Open to U.S. residents, 16 years and older, who are CafeMom members. Void where prohibited. Click here for the Official Rules.

Good luck —and be sure to visit the other Daily Buzz channels for more great bike-related giveaways!

Entertainment Buzz: Enter to win a Women’s Point Beach Cruiser Bike by Schwinn

Healthy Living Buzz: Enter to win Schwinn Intercept Helmets

Food & Party Buzz: Enter to win a Wald Bike Basket

Home & Garden Buzz: Enter to win a RacorPro PLB-2R Gravity Bike Stand

Pregnancy Buzz: Enter to win a Proform 380 CSX Exercise Bike

Toddler Buzz: Enter to Win a Roadster Trike

Big Kid Buzz: Enter to win a Girl’s Schwinn Ranger 2.4 FS Bike

Photo by MattisMommy08

Not long after Sarah Palin publicly defended her 14-year old daughter against a distasteful joke made by David Letterman, she is now standing up against a perceived attack on Baby Trig.

Alaska blogger Linda Kellen Biegel recently edited a picture of Sarah Palin and her baby son, Trig, replacing Trig's face with the face of Eddie Burke, a conservative Alaska talk show host. Biegel, argued that her aim was to make fun of Eddie Burke, as a staunch supporter of Palin, not of Trig.

On the situation, Palin's spokesman Meghan Stapleton wrote: "Babies and children are off limits. It is past time to restore decency in politics and real tolerance for all Americans."

What do you think? Should babies and children of elected officials be off limits? Or do you think Palin overreacted? Or both?