We learn about a lot of new products each month that are helping to change and make life easier for parents. Many of them are invented and created by parents, usually out of necessity when they don’t see practical alternatives around to meet their needs.

We did our research and hand-picked out our favorite in a bunch of products, all of them eco-friendly, that you should know about…

The Posh Play’s Diaper Clutch combo is an eco-friendly, portable diaper clutch and changing combo that is stylish and great for when you are out and about. It comes in an eggplant-colored matching leatherette (PVC Free faux leater) zippered pouch that also has room for an ATM card, cash, keys & a diaper. This mom-created product is perfect for short trips out of the house with baby when you don’t want to schlep out the entire baby bag. Our reader reviewer tested this product out and said she’s used it ever since and it has been a God-send. It retails for $58.00. Get it from the Posh Play website or our parters at Amazon.com.

Or if you are watching your budget and want a less expensive option, you can opt for the Baby Bella Maya Go-Go pouch which is washable, reusable and made of BPA-Free fabric for $6.95 but it has less space and may not fit as much as the Posh Play combo, and of course has a different aesthetic and look as the Posh Play which looks and feels more durable and substantial. The company that makes it was started by Airline pilot and mom of four Marta Sala-Rothwell.  

Taking a baby’s temperature can be challenging especially if your infant is ill, cranky and crying. It could be tough to get the right measurement under these conditions, leading to anxious and frustrated parents as well. However, one thing we do know is that most babies are soothed with a pacifier and that is why the Carex Digital Pacifer thermometer could be a lifesaver. Baby sucks on it and gives an accurate digital reading of his temperature. The product, inspired by the needs of parents, retails for $12.99, which is a great price considering the high costs of digital thermometers just a few years ago.

But if baby is well and you’re into using him or her as a conversation starter, you might want in invest in the Mustachifier (by FCTRY) which is a hilarious pacifier with a mustache attached. It would certainly be a conversation starter when walking the baby in the malls or park and when out and about. They’d make the perfect novelty gift for new parents as well. Would be a hoot at the baby shower. It retails for $9.99. 

If you have a kid who loves animals like I do, she or he will go Ga Ga over David FitzSimmons‘ latest book, “Curious Critters Volume Two”. Inside, the dad to two daughters and professional nature photographer incorporates large, vivid and very-detailed photographs of various animals  with prose about their habitat, the sounds they make and other fun tidbits of information. My animal-loving middle kid thoroughly enjoyed the book, the index of history of the animals featured, the life-sized silhouette of each animal and the animal glossary. He carries it with him to long car trips and to the library after school. It’s an instructional book that is also fun to read, as a bed time story and solo by a kid who enjoys reading about earth’s creatures. Get this hardcover book for $14.96 today on Amazon.com!

If you are a person of faith and are looking for interesting and easy to watch and digest cartoon videos to explain stories from the bible, you will want to check out the Iesodo (pronounced yay-sa-doe) collection of DVDs that teach children about Faith, Love, Believe and other virtues of the Bible and Jesus Christ’s teachings through a series that features a community of birds that mimics real life places and stories from the Good Book. One character, Iesodo, himself is an illustration of Jesus. My kids, who attend Catholic schools, could easily identify and link some of the stories and have been enjoying watching the DVDs on repeat. They too are instructional while entertaining. It’s a top quality production too as those involved in producing the series include Eric S. Rollman who was the President of Production for Marvel, Colin Brady whose credits include Toy Story, Toy Story 2 and A Bug’s Life and Brian E. Ray whose credits consist of Muppet Babies. The latest DVD Love is $14.99 but you can get the Faith DVD, at least, for just $7.50 at our Amazon.com partner site. 

The folks at Itzy Ritzy have created the Nursing Happens™ Infinity Breastfeeding Scarf which helps stylish moms stay trendy and mom-functional. The scarf, made of high-end jersey knit, quickly transforms into a  a soft, breathable nursing cover. It’s not complicated and doesn’t include hard to maneuver snaps and buttons as with other nursing covers yet still provides full coverage for nursing moms. It’s available for $24.99  at www.itzyritzy.com. 

Finally, if you have a tough time getting your little ones to consume enough fruits and vegetables so they are having a balanced nutrition and getting sufficient vitamins and minerals, you may want to consider Vemma NEXT brand’s liquid supplement.  There are over 65 plant-sourced minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants in each serving, including:

The supplement comes in a large quart container and resembles orange juice. It is tasty, has zero after taste and enjoyable. Each of my children, ages 6, 9 and 11 drank it easily with no problem and said it was yummy. It comes with a 2 ounce shot glass and each serving contains a full serving of a series of vitamins.. It has no artificial color, flavors or sweeteners, is hypoallergenic, gluten free, non-GMO, and is packaged in a BPA free bottle. Dad BK Boreyko donates an entire month’s supply purchased to Children’s charities local to wherever it was purchased. That is totally awesome! They come in two 32 ounce bottles for $43.95. Worth a try definitely!

There you have it! Some new and innovative parent-focused products to consider giving a try.