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This past Sunday Sarah and I spent 3½ hours registering at Babies-R-Us. I think we managed to get all of the essentials down. (The exception being a rocking chair – they only sell gliders and I really prefer good old fashion rockers. )

One thing that struck me was how unattractive many of the products are. In general, the design trend seems to be “baby product = big ugly plastic.” Take, for example, this highchair.

I understand the durability and easy-to-clean nature of plastic, but that doesn’t have to mean big amorous blob. The highchair for which we registered, by contrast, combines a more attractive wooden frame with a sensible plastic tray and seat pad. The tray even has a removable inner tray which can go in the dishwasher. Form, meet function.

The products that, in my opinion, have the worst design are baby monitors. Take a look at what’s out there. As for the actual monitor, rounded plastic in child-friendly colors makes perfect sense. After all, it could be within reach of the child.

However, the receivers seem to be designed for the wrong users — babies don’t use monitors, adults do. They don’t need to be super-sized blobish walkie-talkies. Receivers could easily be smaller and more stylish while retaining functionality, matching the monitor and being baby safe. Just imagine a receiver designed like the iPod. It is not too small to pose a hazard to infants; it has no sharp edges; adults aren’t embarrassed to carry one.

I would like to challenge baby product designers to think long and hard about their products and to redesign them with functionality, the (correct) user and aesthetics in mind. Big does not (necessarily) equal safe.