In the past, people looked to child development experts, pediatricians and other parents for advice on what gadgets and tools were best for everything from how to avoid diaper rash to how to survive a long car trip with kids.。

These days, new parents can add another source of inspiration to their toolboxes: crowdfunding.  。

SEE ALSO:This app lets you listen and share your baby's heartbeat before it's born 。

Better breast pumps, shoes that grow with your baby, a self propelled stroller and babywearing clothing for caretakers of any sex are a few products aimed at parents that have been totally crowdfunded. 。

The。 The
。Lulla doll 。 , which promises to soothe children into slumber with recordings of a real heartbeat and breathing patterns, raised $360,715 on IndieGoGo and is so popular it's currently on backorder.
。Born to Fly Baby
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Born to Fly Baby。

is a combination carry on suitcase/stroller/travel seat/usb charger in one that currently has 91 Kickstarter backers.。Elizabeth Granados, creator of Little Nomad playmats, crowdfunded the idea on Kickstarter in June 2016 after her best friend was disappointed in the color options of the bright foam tiles. Granados wondered why a more muted mat with elegant patterns hadn't been marketed, and after an enthusiastic response from her Facebook moms' group, raised the $68,000 funding in just three days. 。Mashable Top StoriesStay connected with the hottest stories of the day and the latest entertainment news.Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter。

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The mats aren't cheap and start at $119 on the company's website for a 4' x 6' playmat. Though you can find other interlocking foam tiles at varying sizes for less money, this mat won't make you resent your child until (s)he turns 18.。

"Most of the moms who had interest in the product had never heard of Kickstarter[...] 90% of backers were using Kickstarter for the first time," Granados told 。 Mashable.。Often, as was the case with Little Nomad, early backers get a better price and earlier shipment of product than if they were to wait until the item hit store shelves.。

Thanks to crowdfunding, life with kids looks like it's getting brighter and more beautiful as parents can have more input over the design of the products they use. Could slightly less hideous play tables be on the horizon? Will children's cutlery companies take note and ban those fluorescent combinations of orange and green that seem to dominate every sippy cup and baby bowl? Granados tells。 Granados tells。

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Mashable, "。

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I’m happy to see more style-minded designs popping up in all areas of baby/children’s gear."。

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She isn't the only one.
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。TopicsFamily & Parenting
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