The Talking Walnut

There’s nothing more jarring on an airplane than a crying baby. I can remember during my former life, how many flights I took for business and pleasure that were made less pleasurable by an unhappy little traveler. While older kids can be occupied by a movie or handheld gaming device, little ones don’t yet possess the attention span we wish they could. That’s why the ingenuity behind the AirPlay may finally put this headache to rest once and for all. The same company that brought you the Snack & Play Travel Tray that we reviewed earlier this year is back at it–this time, with a solution to entertain the age 2 and younger crowd. This double-sided activity center slips over a standard airplane tray table to turn an eating surface into a self-contained play space for babies ages 6 months-24 years. If your child is not yet mobile (lucky you), this is a great way to keep her amused while on your lap. There are plenty of fun choices: a crinkly strip, an oversized button, buckle and zipper and even a mirror for the ever-popular game of peek-a-boo. What’s great is that your child can use AirPlay even if the tray table is locked and stowed away in its upright position. That’s right–a way to keep busy even during landing.

In a Nutshell: You may not be able to take that trip sans kids this year. But if you are traveling with your baby, this clever product may buy you a few moments of peace that you crave.

As a parent, I find that one of the greatest joys of celebrating Christmas with young children is the magic of Santa. I have my own fond memories of leaving a stalk of celery for my favorite reindeer (Blitzen, of course) and ensuring that my father put out the fire in our fireplace before he went to sleep (he always did). Now as the mother of two young girls, the unmistakable look of utter delight and joy in their eyes on Christmas morning is something you can’t wrap up and put a bow on; it’s a gift I savor each year. But if you find that your own children are less convinced about the existence of the Man in the Red Suit, maybe you could use a little help. Santa-Clues delivers the proof that Jolly Old St. Nick did, indeed, pay a visit to your home. In a neat little house-shaped box are Santa’s glove, glasses, coat button, a piece of his red suit, coat button and even a toy list. Stencil designs let you make boot prints and even reindeer hoofs, complete with magic snow. While you may not decide to use all of these supplies–less can be more, depending on the child–you’ll certainly have enough in your arsenal to proclaim his arrival.

In a Nutshell: Skeptical about St. Nick? Yes, Peyton, there is a Santa Claus.

Yup, I mean what I say; the big guy in the red suit really does it for me. So when MAM came out with its line of Holiday Pacifiers, I couldn’t resist. If someone had shown me these five years ago, I would have scoffed at the very notion of a pacifier (not my kid!). And yet when my now-18 month old was a mere babe and we couldn’t quiet her constant crying jags, a “binky” (not my favorite word) was the only thing that seemed to calm her–and us. These seasonal suckers are quite festive-looking, available in snowman, doves, reindeer and Santa designs. MAM has a reputation for well-designed feeding supplies and these BPA-free pacifiers are no exception. They are orthodontic in shape and feature tiny air holes in the shield to prevent skin irritation. Chafed skin is the last thing you want for holiday photos.

In a Nutshell: Your little one will be all smiles when you give her one of these pacifiers, which make great stocking stuffers. Eat your heart out, Maggie Simpson.

A-choo! In my last post, we covered a product that provides some relief for babies suffering from coughs and colds. This time, the ever-popular hand sanitizer is this season’s best friend in keeping kids and adults healthy when hand-washing isn’t possible. You know how it goes: your preschooler is ready for her snack, but her little hands have just been gripping shopping cart handles as though she were holding on for dear life. Rather than hand over the Goldfish right away, you grab some CleanWell hand sanitizer, apply them to her grubby little hands and voila, snack can be served! This line of hand sanitizing sprays, soaps and wipes come in travel sizes, so you can easily stash them in your purse or diaper bag. Plus, the fact that they are made from natural ingredients found in plants like thyme will put your mind at ease. I love the yummy flavors in the antibacterial hand soap line, especially orange vanilla and spearmint lime. And CleanWell is safe for kids, too.

In a Nutshell: When you can’t get to a restroom, hand sanitizers save the day–and your sanity.