NEW BUZZ ABOUT BABIES:

Vibrating swings, vibrating chairs — is there a parent who hasn’t relied on the infant-calming effects of good vibrations? But what a hassle to schlep junior’s furniture on a plane trip, even folded down. What if you could take along the buzz minus the bulk? That’s what you get with the Tranquilo Mat, a battery-powered roll-up mini mattress that offers five vibration modes — including two that provide wave-like whoosh sounds and pulses meant to simulate life in the womb. (For some reason, these effects are listed as heartbeat sounds, though they are not.) The other three modes are low, medium and more intense levels of a steady, gentle buzz. The battery pack (4 AA batteries not included) is safely secured in a slim screw-closure plastic case accessed by unzipping the waterresistant nylon liner that permanently encloses the 23.5-inch by 12-inch by .75inch-thick polyurethane foam mat. The liner shields the mat and mechanisms from diaper leaks and other infant discharges. A cotton pillow-case-like cover provides a soft surface and can be removed for washing. Pressing the two button-shaped icons printed on one corner of the cotton cover activates the actual power- and modecontrolling push buttons, which are inside the mat directly behind the icons. There are, of course, no guarantees when it comes to crying babies, but the maternity nurse who invented the Tranquilo Mat figured parents would go gaga over an easily totable embodiment of an already popular soothing system for healthy but agitated infants. A baby can be placed on top of the mat or swaddled in it while being held. A smaller, 12-inch by 9-inch version of the Tranquillo mat works especially well while carrying a baby. It runs on 2 AA batteries (not included) and has all of the features of its bigger sibling. Both come with a washable carry sack.