Products for new moms — silly or ingenious?

I’ve been sitting in a lot of doctor’s offices lately, flipping through pregnancy and motherhood magazines while I wait. After reading about a dozen of these magazines, I’ve come to two conclusions: I am nowhere near as hot, thin and happy as I am supposed to be as an expectant mother, and second, there are a lot of crazy products out there marketed to moms-to-be.

Perhaps one of the oddest ones I’ve seen is called “Mama’s Belly.” For around $1,200 you can get a bronzed cast of your pregnant belly to use as a bowl/musical instrument. Perhaps I’m missing the beauty here, but I’m just not sure I’d want the shape of my uterus displayed as a coffee table topper. But that’s just me.

But I’ve also come across a lot of rather ingenious products for new moms that at first glance might seem a little silly. One product, for example, allows expectant mothers to play music for their unborn babies by strapping on a musical belly belt. Moms can use “Lullabelly” with an iPod to expose their in-utero little one to music.

Photo courtesy Lullabelly

As a mom who tried to hold a square alarm clock up to my belly before I gave up, I think Lullabelly could really help moms who want their kids to listen to music or books or even just soothing sounds before they are born.

The DIGNI-tee is another product that I thought was utterly unnecessary (and moderately ridiculous) at first glance, but it actually grew on me after I checked out the website. The DIGNI-tee is an alternative to the less than fashionable, flapping-in-the wind hospital gowns that most new mothers will be offered after delivering their babies.

Photo courtesy ivwear

Now, I have to admit that after I had my daughter I had successfully exposed myself to just about every doctor in Salt Lake City and had several cervical checks by what I’m pretty sure were custodians. So dignity and modesty was about the last of my concerns.

But for moms who want a little extra decency in the recovery room, the DIGNI-tee is a great idea and can make new moms feel a little more attractive. Although I’m not quite sure I agree with the sales pitch that “new moms can feel just as cute and beautiful as their newborn babies.” It’s going to take a whole lot more than a pink smock to make that happen, my friends.

What do you think about these inventions for new moms? I know there are tons more out there – which products do you think are ingenious and which ones are just plain silly?