More Parent Hacks

Adding to my personal list of parent hacks:

• I got this one from an issue of Parents Magazine a few months ago: Instead of those flimsy vinyl mats they sell at Babies R Us, use a heavy duty office chair mat as highchair mat. It can be pricy, but buy the biggest one you can find (mine was about $60 at Staples). It's much easier to clean and doesn't keep flipping up.
• The dishwasher is easiest for cleaning and sterilizing pumping equipment. But sometimes it can't quite get into the deep recesses of breast pump parts, like inside the valve - but a bottle nipple brush can!
• If you are trying to get some computer time while holding your baby and he still cries, try substituting your chair for a fitness ball. It's not all that easy to bounce and type one-handed, but it's possible and at least baby won't be screaming in your ear.