[nhebb]

I'm a father of three but I have no desire to join a parenting discussion group. I will pass on all my worldly wisdom here:

  * A thin coat of diaper ointment works better than a thick coat.
  * Breast feeding and early potty training combined will save you hundreds of dollars.
  * Never force pants onto a fussy, kicking child. Have them kick into the pant leg.
  * Never buy onesies or pants with inner-leg snaps - unless you like spending forever re-snapping them after each diaper change.
  * Lay out the supplies for diaper changes before removing the diaper. (Think of racing pit crews)
  * If your baby pees while changing a diaper, don't freak out. Just put your hand over it to block the stream. (and wash your hands afterward)
  * Placing scotch tape over the speakers of noisy electronic toys will save your sanity.
  * Most of the advice you hear will work for everyone else's kids, but not yours.

[sublemonic]

Curating HN content regarding parenting would be a worthwhile effort because of posts like this. I've been pleasantly surprised with HN's willingness to share thoughts on the subject. Here is a good start: http://www.google.com/search?q=parenting%20site:news.ycombin...

[philips]

> Placing scotch tape over the speakers of noisy electronic toys will save your sanity.

I have wondered why there isn't a mute option for all electronic toys. I would imagine that either a toggle under the battery holder or a standard wireless "mute all toys device" would be a feature parents would seek out if it was offered.

[cadr]

Along the lines of the baby peeing one - my mom told me the trick (at least with boys) is to open the diaper and then immediately close it. Something about the air hitting them does it.

I'll find out if that works in three months :)