Move over, baby books: These days, moms are recording their babies' special moments for friends and family in blog form. A contraction of the term web logs, blogs are online journals that you can share with others (by providing the URL) or keep private, and can illustrate with your own digital photos and artwork. For some parents, they're a way of keeping distant relatives apprised of the little nipper's every poop and angelic smile. But blogging can also be a true sanity-saver, allowing isolated and confused caregivers to let off steam, share their worries, and get a dose of solidarity and support  -- all without changing out of their bathrobe or revealing their name. "Blogging can make us feel less lonely in what can be the very difficult details of raising kids day-to-day," says Heather Armstrong, creator of the blog Dooce.com.

Some moms observe that virtual friendships are actually less competitive and lower maintenance than local ones. "You can talk to online friends any time of day or night. And you don't have to find a place to meet or clean your house," explains Denise Koster, a mom of three in Hugo, Colorado. "My online friends are closer than those in my community because I don't have to watch what I say about my husband or our private life. My friends in Mississippi or Alberta or Ohio aren't going to blab to my neighbors." Even if you have a strong network of friends nearby, blogs are a wonderful way to learn tricks and tips from other parents with children the same age as yours.

If your online experience is limited to sending e-mail, don't be intimidated. We'll get you started by rounding up the savviest mom-focused blogs out there. And if you think you've got what it takes to host your own online journal, we'll show you how to create a basic blog in a snap.

Wise women of the web
The "blogosphere," as it's been dubbed, holds a great diversity of voices: At last count there were 17,000 English-language blogs devoted to parenting and children. So it's only logical that you're going to find a few nuts in the trail mix. Imagine a virtual version of that crazed parent from the grocery checkout line last week: obsessive, narcissistic, a bit scary. But there are also plenty of tremendously smart, witty mama-blogs that you'll connect with immediately.

Once you've found some sites you relate to, they'll point you toward other bloggers with the same concerns or sense of humor. Ultimately, you'll probably find yourself adopting one or two bloggers as your BFF and return to them as often as your demanding infant will allow. To start, check out some of these Babytalk favorites:

* daringyoungmom.blogspot.com * mothersontheverge.blogspot.com * thebigyellowhouse.blogspot.com * morphingintomama.typepad.com

After getting to know these moms, you may just feel inspired to start your own online diary. Here's how:

Meagan Francis is a mom of four. She blogs at www.momwithmore.blogspot.com.

---