Reader comments on this article are now closed. Anyone with constructive commentary on this product category can send it to me via the e-mail link at upper right. If it’s pertinent, I will share it.

Today, I brought 1 of the products you critiqued to my office and gave it as a gift. The expression on the face of the proud new dad made my entire day. It was such a unique gift and he was so appreciative.

That product was someone’s labor of love.

I agree completely about opposing viewpoints making our world great. I too, welcome opposition and well founded criticism.

I found it interesting after reading your criticism about the product…you have never even used one!

How could someone express such deep dislike and unabashed ridicule towards a product they have never used?

Every inventor or entrepreneur understands that criticism comes with the territory. It’s what drives them.

What your outfit seems to represent is a rather unprofessional image. Almost something a child them self would create.

AJ, I wish you well in your endeavors. Hopefully, you have learned the difference between opposing viewpoints and unfounded ridicule.

Mike

I can see you care about baby products a lot. Don’t fret. I could lampoon a product to hell and back and it wouldn’t matter. Either parents want one of these things or they don’t. I didn’t critique quality or design. How could I? I don’t own either of the products described on this page. I critiqued the product idea. If I write an article saying cell phones are stupid does that mean you will throw away your cell phone or not buy one in the future?

I have previously written about not wanting to show my daughter TV for several years and been critical of educational videos. And yet, somehow, parents who love Baby Einstein videos still read Thingamababy. Live and let live.

If you’re incapable of doing so, try starting your own blog. Go to blogger.com, and for free, establish ThingamababyIsPoopy.blogspot.com and fling your insults there. Or, try reading “Words are Not for Hurting” by Elizabeth Verdick.

After reading your comments I asked…

What kind of a person would write such a hurtful things to degrade young mothers with ideas and innovation?

Only a despicable human being would spend their day publically trashing someone’s passion.

You call yourself a writer/photographer that “works from home”? I call that unemployed…GET A JOB.

You talk of your wife’s “postpartum depression”?

What do you expect; she has a jack ass for husband who sits on his ass all day while she is out helping sick people.

You are an embarrassment to your family and a waist to society.

Go out and get a job, do something good for the world so your beautiful baby girl doesn’t have to be humiliated of her dad.

Unlike the others who left comments, I pretty much second your sentiment about these items. I mean, I do believe they could be useful in certain situations, so they’re not totally asinine…..but really, WHAT A RIP OFF!!!!

Anyone with a brain and the most basic of sewing machines could construct one of these, spending MAYBE $10-$15 on materials, depending on where you shop for fabric and supplies. Better yet, cut up a couple of the ba-jillion soft fleecy baby blankets you received at your baby shower and sew them into a sleeve.

Too preempt a rebuttle: I am aware that some people don’t know how to sew and may not own a sewing machine. Some people don’t even know how to thread a needle, and that’s okay. However, I think most people at least KNOW someone that sews and would probably be willing to whip one of these tubes of fluff up for you.

I think one of these armsleeve dealies could be legitimately useful, (although I can imagine that in most cases the handful of times it gets used is not enough to justify the $30-$50 spent) but I’d look into constructing one myself before shelling out that kind of dough.

Pennicillin is an antibotic that is used to treat bacterial infections. That’s it. No big deal.

Your first point (1.) acknowledges a couple of the Cuddlesleeve benefits “..babies are more comfortable lying on the padding” and “…sleeve may help calm and sooth the baby”. Now who would want either of those things. My guess is that you preferred having an uncomfortable, hyper baby. Especially in the middle of the night. Generally, most lucky baby’s receive plenty of actual skin to skin contact during the twenty (20) hours in between feedings.

Point (2) implies that after your shower nothing will get on your skin until your next shower. That is probably true on the planet you live on, however, here on earth, especially in the summer, people are exposed to all kinds of things in between their showers. For most people who actually read,(and even watch television) it is no secret that the single greatest barrier to disease is frequent hand washing. Have you ever been in a room, bus, car, etc. when someone sneezes. Where do those germs wind up? On your arms, body and clothes perhaps?
I think it would be great to pick up a baby after being out in public, or in a crowded room.

Point three (3) is actually almost correct. The sleeve does look like a dog training product. They are similar in that they protect the wearer from injury by providing a padded protected environment.

I am sure you are doing your best to inform people about different products, from your prospective. Unfortunately, you are no Consumers Report. You use the same factual basis for your reporting as the New York Times.

Oh by the way. I have used the Cuddlesleeve product for about two years while helping care for my granddaughter. It has been the most multifaceted, sanity saving product imaginable. From sitting on an airplane for hours with a five month old baby to being stuck in airports during flight delays to simply saying goodnight to our precious angle. I wouldn’t have been without it.