Technology for New Parents

Posted by Adrienne Breaux on June 1, 2010 at 1:00pm

Sometimes it feels like the hardest part of being a modern family is carving out time to relax and be simple. We all crave a certain measure of simplicity in our lives, and no one feels that more than parents, especially of little ones. The question is, does simplicity mean hearkening back to a time before there was so much distracting technology, or does distracting technology make life much easier? We’re not going to answer that for you, but we do have a product that features some pretty complicated technology promising to make life much easier.

LUNAR'S KOO Holistic Feeding System
LUNAR’S KOO Holistic Feeding System is designed for the new parent in mind. Understanding that new moms (and dads) have their sleep schedules interrupted quite dramatically by the addition of a newborn, LUNAR has come up with a pretty nifty system that allows baby to be ushered to sleep gently, mom or dad awoken gently when baby cries, a portable basket that warms milk bottles automatically upon hearing baby cry and even a portable light that mom can carry with her. More details of each element to Koo:

A baby sleep-training mobile and monitoring unit This tree stand offers bedtime routine for the baby via a collapsing mobile as well as monitoring the baby. The stand is also the nesting and charging station for the bottle cooler/warmer.
A transformable baby bassinet/rocker The bassinet easily unfolds to become a cozy feeding rocker. An auto-rocker integrated in the base soothes baby to sleep between feedings and becomes part of baby’s bedtime routine.
A bottle cooling/warmer unit The portable basket keeps two prepared milk bottles cool (using thermolelectrics technology) while recharging on the tree stand. If the baby cries within the feeding timeframe set by the parents, a bottle will instantly be warmed.
A parent lighting/monitoring unit soft as a light pillow The pillow lamp also acts as the “heart” of the system allowing parents to set up waking “turns” and bottle warming timeframe. As the baby cries, the electroluminescent fabric pillow softly lights up and the baby’s sound gradually follows to wake up the parent.

Here's a neat chart explaining how it works:

The LUNAR KOO Holistic Feeding System

What do you think about LUNAR'S KOO Holistic Feeding System? Too awesome or too complicated? Do you think a system of technology like this would help you? Is there any technology, related to baby or not, that you've incorporated in your life that you feel makes it infinitely easier? Let us know!

Click here to read our blogger Mark's response to this piece!

For more articles and stories on early childhood techniques and methodology, read more on Goodkin: Mommy Number Two, 9 Reasons to Cloth Diaper, An Attachment Tale and Co-Sleeping.

Tags:

Lunar

infant

new moms

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Mark R wrote on June 1, 2010 at 1:59pm:

I'm like how it all looks, and it's clever design, but I'm a bit too much of a Luddite to prefer it over a comfy chair. That said, technology can be a life saver: I have friends that won't travel anywhere without their iPhones, just to play Youtube videos of trains for their son when he gets bored. And I've distracted my daughter more than once just by using the pre-programmed ringtones on my (bottom of the line) cell phone.

Eliza wrote on June 1, 2010 at 6:23pm:

This is hilarious.

Jenni wrote on June 1, 2010 at 9:26pm:

The absence of breastfeeding as a part of this routine is disturbing to me.

Jen Gruskoff wrote on June 1, 2010 at 9:53pm:

Thank you for that, Jenni. We found this system pretty fascinating but by no means suggest that breast feeding is not super important. While we all agree that it is the ideal way to feed your infant, it may not be for everyone, and who knows, someone out there may really dig this wildly stylish, "holistic" feeding system.

Mark R wrote on June 2, 2010 at 12:33pm:

There's an absence of Dads too - I showed this to my wife and she said it's most likely men that would want to buy something like this, considering we're most likely to be using bottles and be seduced by high-tech gegaws. She's going away on a conference soon, so I'll be doing the night feedings solo, and I suspect I'll be far more attracted to something like this then. Still, comfy chairs, non-negotiable.

Carolyn wrote on June 3, 2010 at 3:01pm:

There is nothing holistic in quotes or not, about having to warm bottles.

Yolanda wrote on June 4, 2010 at 1:28am:

A really holistic system is to bring your baby to bed with you (following safe bedsharing or roomsharing guidelines)and your husband andbreast feed on demand during the night *whilst* *everyone* *stays* *asleep*. Your system highlights that breastfeeding is not superimportant by the complete exclusion of it.

Rose wrote on June 6, 2010 at 10:04pm:

EXACTLY Yolanda!

Anonymous wrote on June 6, 2010 at 10:45pm:

Yes, thank you Yolanda. There is a serious lack of parenting here. Technology should not replace the parents rocking and soothing a baby. Technology should not tell when the correct feeding/waking window of an infant is. Infants are supposed to be fed on demand, not a schedule (failure to thrive, anyone?). If you don't want to bring your baby to bed, put the crib next to your bed, or make a side car out of the crib. Don't waste money on gadgets while trying to escape the role of being a parent. Just parent.

lpuvuvthzs wrote on June 21, 2010 at 3:40pm:

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Holly wrote on June 6, 2010 at 10:36pm:

How in the heck can you POSSIBLY label THIS SYSTEM as holistic???? Are you insane??

Anonymous wrote on June 7, 2010 at 4:47pm:

LOL

Lisa wrote on June 3, 2010 at 3:19pm:

yes. THIS. so much... O.o

Anonymous wrote on June 3, 2010 at 3:35pm:

I was thinking the same thing! also, this does not look comfy to sit and nurse in, or bottle feed for that matter!

Anne Smith, IBCLC and mother of 6 BF babies wrote on June 6, 2010 at 12:33pm:

It's hard to believe this product even exists. It's definitely a deterrent to breastfeeding, as well as mothering in general. In addition to the many well documented nutitional, neurological, immuniological benefits of breastmilk, the process of breastfeeding is enchanced by frequent feedings, skin-to-skin contact, and the unique closeness that develops between a nursing mother and her baby. This is what this product actively discourages. This site/product is not only offensive, but disturbing as well. Even though the site owners aknowledge that breastfeeding is "super important" , they continue to promote this useless and impractical product that undermines breastfeeding. They claim that "someone out there may really dig this wildly stylish, "holistic" feeding system " is so ridiculous that I feel sorry for mothers who actually buy this product. They either have more money than they know what to do with, or they are so anxious to make the addition of a baby to their lives as convenient for them as possible that they will believe the ridiculous claims regarding this product and actually buy it and try to use it. Choosing to formula or breastfeed is certainly an individual choice, but given the clear superiority of human milk for human babies, the people who developed this site that underminds breastfeed and sells an outrageous product like this should be ashamed of themselves. Anything for a buck... Anne Smith, IBCLC and mother of six breastfed babies www.breastfeedingbasics.com

Anonymous wrote on June 28, 2010 at 9:23pm:

You can pump milk and put it in a bottle... or what if the kid's adopted and they're using donor milk? I mean, milk can come out of the tits and go somewhere other than directly in baby's mouth. Also, in case you have not been notified, tits go where mom goes, so if she walks to the nursery, she CAN breast-feed in there.

Anonymous wrote on June 2, 2010 at 3:48pm:

Why does the mobile collapse into sleep mode? Because it can. Our baby would probably cry if she saw her mobile collapse. The baby in this scenario doesn't wake the parents with his crying because he is apparently sleeping in a different wing of the house. The baby's cries are relayed to the appropriate parent, but slowly and gently, so as to allow the technology time to warm the bottle. Baby can cry and wait. It will take Mom approximately 15 minutes to get to the nursery on her Segue anyway. As long as the technology can collapse the mobile and warm the bottle, why wake the parents at all? Let solenoids and servos rock the bassinet and provide a soothing synthetic rain forest environment to ease baby back to slumber. Formula can be delivered by a robotic arm, covered in a warm and life-like microfiber. While we're at it, let's deliver Vicodin to the parents.

Jen Gruskoff wrote on June 2, 2010 at 3:58pm:

This may be my favorite comment of the year. Thank you.

Anonymous wrote on June 6, 2010 at 10:57pm:

^^Yeah. That was Epic.

Barbara wrote on June 2, 2010 at 10:38pm:

I saw this and I thought a similar thing - though not as cleverly. Cheers to you! From a mom who co-sleeps and breastfeeds baby #3 at age 18 months. And I haven't had a good nights sleep in years (or any vicodin either since I am breastfeeding). Thanks for the laugh.

Anony-mama wrote on June 7, 2010 at 8:07pm:

Just FYI...Vicodin is not contraindicated for nursing mothers. Surprisingly, there are just a handful of medications that are (certain types of radiographic drugs, etc). It should come as no surprise to you however, that many of the same companies that manufacture formula also manufacture medications. Of COURSE they will say "Breastfeeding mothers should consult with a physician before use of this product"...and of COURSE the doctor won't have the info about the levels that pass into the milk so they will say "Stop breastfeeding" which will then cause you to buy what? Formula. Ah. Dr. Hale has actually tested breastmilk from mothers on every sort of medication you can think of (Medications and Mother's Milk...found at your local library). I was one of the study participants for Oxycontin and Celebrex back when the medications first came out. I also suggest a book called Milk, Money and Madness. :-) It too can be found in your local library system. Interesting to see what the formula companies do to get money and the lives that have been lost while they have 'perfected' the formula!

Anonymous wrote on June 3, 2010 at 3:34pm:

Love this comment!! :)

Jenny wrote on June 3, 2010 at 3:41pm:

LOL! "It will take Mom approximately 15 minutes to get to the nursery on her Segue anyway."

Anonymous wrote on June 3, 2010 at 5:03pm:

LOL - yes, thank you for saying what I was thinking!

Mandi wrote on June 3, 2010 at 6:02pm:

Exactly. This whole "contraption" is horrifying. But, oh, please, Heaven forbid a parent be DISTURBED by their BABY. How dare that poor child be an inconvenience! ...no wonder people are becoming more and more detached...jeez.

Anonymous wrote on June 28, 2010 at 9:26pm:

Well, I'd definitely prefer this system versus what a couple I know did when they wanted to 'teach' their babe to sleep through the night... they just turned the monitor off at night. Heaven forbid they not get their beauty sleep!

Jenn-O wrote on June 3, 2010 at 10:46pm:

definitely wins Best Comment Award!! lol

WYB wrote on June 6, 2010 at 8:19am:

This, this! Bravo!

Jessica Davis wrote on June 6, 2010 at 8:44am:

I laughed so hard at the image of mom riding her Segway to the baby's room. Seriously though it is no laughing matter. This product is awful and its a shame that people are so detached from their instincts and babies that they buy into this garbage.

Dou-la-la wrote on June 6, 2010 at 10:08pm:

But why stand on a Segway when you could just build a conveyor belt into the contraption? How about when the sensor goes off, after baby has cried long enough for the artificial milk to be warmed sufficiently, the front flap opens onto, instead of a seat for mom, a conveyor belt. A robotic arm then extends from the opposite side and pushes the offspring unit on to the belt, which transports it to the parent's room along with the bottle! Now THAT'S good loving. The obvious bliss on the mother's face in the main photo above says it all.

Anonymous wrote on June 6, 2010 at 11:39pm:

LOVE the comment!!! This isn't real right? It's just something, someone (not a breastfeeder, and sounds like they are somwhat into sleep training, as baby will CIO for a while) made up, thinking parents would love it. Hmmmm not so much! Hey, does it all shut down if baby goes back to sleep? Also the sleep training could begin @ birth with the timer set to wake mom at later and later intervals.

Anna wrote on June 7, 2010 at 12:30pm:

... you forgot to add that parents will only be disturbed if the child's temperature reaches over 100.4 degree, but only to open the front door for the doctor/EMT that it calls.

Midwife wrote on June 14, 2010 at 2:01pm:

Don't give them any ideas!!

Anonymous wrote on August 11, 2010 at 7:46pm:

You typed the thoughts out of my head (but you certainly explained it to those ready to develop the technology much better than I ! ;) HaHa... the Segue LMAO!!! Looks like these poor babies are gonna grow up being micromanaged and hovered over from day 1.

Cherylyn wrote on June 3, 2010 at 7:20am:

Utterly ridiculous! Regardless of any technological assistance, MOM still has to get up to feed BABY. There's no way this could actually save her any time or trouble. Why not just co-sleep instead? Baby stirs (not even enough to actually wake up and cry), roll over, insert breast, go back to sleep. Works for me quite well! No bottles, coolers, warmers, night lights, alarms, bells, whistles. Just a bed, a mama and a baby. I actually think the bassinet/rocker is a cool idea though. I'd probably use it in my front room so the baby could nap there during the day while I'm doing things. Although, it looks like it's designed for a taller person, not a little lady like myself. My legs would be dangling off the edge. I'd probably sit back cross-legged in it as I breastfed my baby :)

Anonymous wrote on June 3, 2010 at 4:17pm:

Yes, but how do I make money off a cosleeping mama? There is no product opportunity there!

Anonymous wrote on June 4, 2010 at 1:16am:

hence the aggressive marketing by formula companies

Anony-mama wrote on June 7, 2010 at 7:45pm:

But there is!!! Look, all a company would need to do is ask a panel of co-sleeping moms to come in and give ideas of what they wish they had to make their jobs (even) easier! Instead of a bottle warmer that is activated by baby's cries, why not something that would instantly cool a bottle of water for mom to drink while she is nursing? Why can't someone design a rocking recliner that is a bit wider for nursing moms to sleep in (I LOVED sleeping in mine when I got home from the hospital so my husband could sleep in order to work the next morning). What about some affordable oxygen sensor for the baby to wear for those afraid they will smother the baby? Plus, a co-sleeping mom is only co-sleeping at night. You have products to sell for the day time too! My first thought when I saw this product was that it looked really neat...then I saw the hourly play by play of a typical night. I was just thinking of a day time napping place (besides the sling!) and possible breastfeeding station since it appears to rock. So, yes, money CAN be made off of a co-sleeping mom. If you want more ideas from me...I want some money too!

Lisa wrote on June 3, 2010 at 9:16am:

I am deeply disturbed by the fact the parent can apparently set times the baby is allowed to wake them up and if the baby cries outside of those times, the bottle warmer, parent waking system doesn't bother. This seems like a great way to create neglected babies if the parents decide they want the baby to not disturb them at all, or even at just a long time interval. In addition the lack of breastfeeding encouragement is pretty horrible. The one thing I do like is, from the looks of it, they've done away with the ridiculous slats of current cribs. From the height of the sides, this product wouldn't work for any baby who can sit, though. I can easily see a baby who can sit/pull up going over the low sides.

Anonymous wrote on June 3, 2010 at 10:40am:

This was clearly designed by a bunch of men. Men with iPhones, not babies.

Jane wrote on June 3, 2010 at 2:42pm:

I agree completely. When I saw the link I thought this was a joke. I've breastfed & co-slept with all of my children, who are now in their school years. All this "technology" does is cost money, waste time and resources, and encourage people to ignore infants.

Anonymous wrote on June 3, 2010 at 5:15pm:

I too thought this was a joke!! I mean seriously?? Whoever would buy this product just should not have kids...

Anonymous wrote on June 11, 2010 at 5:07pm:

I thought that too! Anyone who is attracted to this gadget should seriously re-think becoming a parent and get a cat instead. Or perhaps a pot plant.

Anonymous wrote on June 4, 2010 at 11:10am:

Yes, it's an iBaby docking station. Unfortunately, in order for it to work correctly, your baby must be running Snow Leopard, which is rife with bugs.

Cherylyn wrote on June 3, 2010 at 10:56am:

I agree completely. As far as the height of the sides goes, they could design higher sides and front, and have the front panel swing down all the way rather than laying flat. I would also want a lot more padding. It doesn't look comfortable.

Mama&Ellie wrote on June 3, 2010 at 10:59am:

How about just having the baby sleep in the same room and breastfeeding on demand? I didn't like how breastfeeding wasn't a part of this nor did I like the way the "lamp GRADUALLY transmits the baby's cries." My daughter doesn't even cry when she wakes up for her nightly feeding. Her grunts (while she's still sleeping, in the process of waking) wakes me and alerts me that she's hungry. She normally doesn't even open her eyes for her night time feedings.

Mee wrote on June 3, 2010 at 1:18pm:

Exactly, my son never had to wait and cry alone for me to get to him, he was always within 2 feet of my bed in his bed. His slight waking noises woke me up and I got to him WAY before he started to cry. Poor babies with this system having to wait even 5 min and screaming for a parent to come in and pick them up. And that comment on how yes breastfeeding is the best , BUT ... If people are too busy and think that a baby should fit into their lifestyle (instead of adapting their lives around baby) then maybe they should not have kids. children and babies require attention, and a lot of it, deal with it and lets give children the time and attention they deserve.

Eliza wrote on June 3, 2010 at 11:49am:

Baby is actually a glow worm. No need to fear having baby. You will remain stylish and well rested and pleasure in a whole new world of technology!

Eva wrote on June 4, 2010 at 1:12pm:

LOL!!! "Baby is acutally a glow worm." So funny!

joanne wrote on June 3, 2010 at 1:11pm:

another useless piece of equipment that undermines the woman so she thinks shes doing a crap job at raising her child. From what i can see its dangerous too all it takes is for someone to knock it the flap fall down and baby roll out. Rubbish!!!!. ladies don't waste your money and have faith in yourselves as a mother