Taking Care of Baby with MagneticMe and UnbuckleMe
There is so much new learning with your first child. And you’re sleep deprived. Baby contraptions are complicated. Here are a few ideas that could make things easier for caregivers with reduced hand function due to arthritis, cerebral palsy, tremors, Ehler's-Danlos syndrome, or other reason.
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MagneticMe
Adorable baby clothes have the tiniest zippers or seem to have a hundred snaps. And, you need to change baby’s diaper umpteen times a day. It can be challenging to close up an outfit after coaxing wriggling arms and legs into each sleeve, especially if you have reduced hand strength and coordination. I found the Magnetic Me clothes (magneticme.com) at a consignment store near me and, like magic, the sides come together with imbedded magnets in the fabric! You do still need to line up each side of the one-piece outfit with a pinch grasp: Demo of magnetic onesie (magneticme.com) The company has clothes in a variety of colors and patterns for newborn to 8Y kids' sizes and even a section with imbedded magnets for adults which may be useful for nursing. A footie pajama outfit may be $40 and adult sleep set may be up to $98, but the site also has a “re-loved section” with discounts.
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Video description: 2 adult hands with medium skin tone pinch open and close the sides of a blue and white polka dotted onesie on a baby with medium skin tone. Text at the bottom says "How it Works: Magnetic SewSafe Fastening Technology Not Representative of Product Pattern."
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UnbuckleMe
Car seats should be universally designed. They are so complex and difficult to install between cars. You’re faced with the latch and the secure harness with multiple buckles across baby’s body. Your aching fingers squeeze and pinch buckles throughout the day between the car seat, stroller, and highchair. The UnbuckleMe (unbuckleme.com) endeavors to make it easier to tackle. You can grasp and squeeze the tool with your whole hand without using your thumb if that’s better for your joints. The palm sized, U-shaped device is $14.99 and comes in blue, red, pink, black, gray, purple and lime green. There is a little loop on the end to attach the device to a keychain.
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Image description: The graphic reads, “The magic is leverage. Reduces the force by more than 50%. Press here (at the end).” An arrow points to the end of the blue, UnbuckleMe lever. The UnbuckleMe shown is a U-shaped lever with a protruding, rectangular plastic piece in the middle that lines up with the red square button in the middle of a black seatbelt buckle.
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Image description: A white hand pinches the end of a red plastic UnbuckleMe lever which is around the black, lower buckle of a car seat. The lower buckle sits between a seated child’s legs. The 2 metal buckle fasteners are released but still connected to the car seat belt harness across the child’s chest. The graphic has expressive lines and the word “easy!” by the UnbuckleMe device.
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The UnbuckleMe and MagneticMe are not universal solutions for caregivers with weak hands, but they may be one way to conserve energy throughout the day. I will continue to seek assistive technology ideas to support caregivers with disabilities. Stay tuned for part 2 of this newsletter series.
The contents of this newsletter were submitted by Quinby McLellan; A.T Consultant serving Chittenden, Grand Isle, and Franklin Counties.
Contact the Vermont Assistive Technology Program by calling 1-800-750-6355 or by emailing dail.atinfo@vermont.gov. For more information visit our website (www.atp.vermont.gov). And if there is a topic that you'd like to see covered, please feel free to let us know!
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