Gary Hagan

Baby Bedding - How to Choose a Theme

MollyRidenhour — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

One of the fun aspects about having a new baby joining your family is that of picking out baby bedding for the new arrival. Today’s fabrics and designs offer a wide range of options to choose from. The selection of a theme is largely a matter of personal preference, but there are some factors to consider before picking out baby bedding for your infant. Each baby room and associated bedding can be designed to fit your lifestyle and the look you prefer in your home decor. Whether you like bright primary colors or soft pastels, you can find a theme that matches your preferences.

Safety

Regardless of the theme you select for your baby bedding, you should look for safety features on each item. Extensive product testing for most items of children’s toys, bedding and clothing means that there are standards which must be met and maintained before the product can be released to the market place. For example, fire retardant materials are critical items in baby bedding and sleepwear. Bedding with attachments that are not securely fastened is not something that should be used in a baby’s room, no matter how clever. Bedding that is plastic can cause danger of choking or suffocation.

Durability

Even though babies tend to outgrow clothing quickly so that you don’t usually have to worry about clothing’s durability but the opposite is true with baby bedding. It is important that the baby bedding you select for your child is going to last for months, or sometimes even years for the more expensive items. Part of the durability is how easy the bedding is to clean and maintain in pristine condition. You must be able to depend upon the bedding lasting through routine wear and cleaning efforts.

Colors

Extensive study on the subject of color and its effect on babies’ growth and development has occurred over the years with some replicable conclusions that have been published. Baby beddinghas been manufactured in solid colors that include pastels whites, and bold primary colors. In addition, there are many sets of baby bedding that are either bright prints or delicate florals or stripes. Sometimes the colors reflect a theme of movie characters or comic strip characters. Obviously, an infant is not going to recognize the characters, but the colors selected will be an inspiration to the parent and can be a fun and imaginative way to create a baby room theme.

Texture

The texture of the baby bedding you select will also affect the comfort of your child. While bedding with a plasticized finish may make sense for ease of cleaning, it doesn’t ‘breathe’ in the same way that natural fibers do. Many parents select cotton because it is washable and comes in many colors and designs. Cotton items are rarely the cause of irritation to baby’s skin. Because the baby’s skin is so delicate, parents naturally want to surround the child with soft and gentle textures. Because there is a huge selection of colors and designs in soft texture fabrics, you can put together a theme that you love and still treat baby gently.

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Hypoallergenic Baby Bedding - Benefits

MollyRidenhour — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

A baby spends a large portion of its first few months of life sleeping. It’s important that the fabrics that surround the baby during his or her sleep cycle be as free from allergens and other irritants as possible. Many parents make the deliberate choice to use hypoallergenic baby bedding in order to avoid triggering allergic reactions in their newborns and infants. Allergic reactions triggered by baby bedding that is not hypoallergenic can last a lifetime in the child. The direct impact of an allergic episode often is manifested in less than restful sleep. Troubles in breathing and in other factors can be directly or indirectly traced to allergies in the infant.

What is it?

Baby bedding labeled as hypoallergenic is developed with the idea of protecting babies who are more likely to suffer allergic reactions from man made materials. Because infants, particularly those who are premature have very sensitive skin, it is important that everything possible be done to remove substances from the materials surrounding the infant. With hypoallergenic baby bedding, infants are less likely to suffer from sleep disturbances due to reactions to allergens in the bedding. Natural fibers such as wool, cotton and silk are the best choice for hypoallergenic bedding. The natural fibers are further treated to remove any irritants that could cause allergic reactions in your baby.

Wool

Wool baby bedding is one of the best choices for pure, nonirritating material to be placed in your baby’s room or next to your baby’s sensitive skin. In addition to the naturally non-allergenic basis of wool, those farmers raising sheep for the specialized market for non allergenic baby bedding must take special care of the animals so that there are no parasites in the wool when it goes to the factory. Often, it the organic material left from these parasites that causes the reaction in the baby.

Cotton

Cotton also scores well on the scale on hypoallergenic baby bedding materials. Bedclothes made of cotton are naturally free of allergens and the manufacturers go through additional steps to remove any impurities in the cotton fiber that would increase the level of irritants. Cotton baby bedding is not only comfortable against your baby’s skin, but it is warm in the cooler weather and cool when the weather turns warm. Cotton bed clothing can be brilliant in color or can be the softest pastel. It can be perky prints or any other style to match the decor you have created for your infant’s room theme.

Silk

Another naturally occurring hypoallergenic material is natural silk. One of the reasons silk is an excellent hypoallergenic material for use in baby bedding is that silk doesn’t support dust mites. Dust mites in baby bedding is a prime cause of allergenic attacks. In addition to being a great choice of bedding due to its freedom from allergens, silk looks and feels elegant and luxurious. Colors, designs and general appearance of this type of baby bedding is usually certain to be the cause of little or no allergenic episodes according to tests.

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Baby Bedding - Why Buy Organic?

MollyRidenhour — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

A great deal of scrutiny and consideration is expended when you are getting ready for a new arrival in your family. Without a doubt, you are looking for the very best materials and construction available so that your child has nothing but the best. Baby beddingis just one of the items you will be choosing. You will be looking for top quality items in baby bedding to give your child the best sleep experience possible. Why not take a few minutes to review the benefits of an organic bedding rather than the traditional types. Organic products are certified to be free of any chemicals that would be harmful or irritation to your baby’s tender skin.

Influence the marketplace

By insisting on organic products when you purchase any item, you are helping to lend your support to the entire concept of organically made products. By purchasing baby bedding made of organic materials you are telling the producers that the consumers of this country are in favor of the reduced contaminants and irritants resulting from organically grown products. When you purchase baby bedding that is free of pesticides and contaminants, you are more likely to find more of these products in the future, since the producers will be more than happy to increase the availability of products that are obviously selling.

Child Safety

Nothing is more important to your planning for parenthood than ensuring the safety of your child. What many parents do not realize though, is that sometimes the safety features build into the baby bedding can actually have negative effects. For example, baby bedding that has been treated with chemical fire retardants is being studied by experts to determine the type of effects that these chemicals may have on the baby. Traditional bedding for the baby such as crib mattresses that contain polyurethane foam may have negative results on the baby.

Air Circulation

There is some evidence that organic baby bedding such as crib mattresses permit better circulation of air through the product. This quality in turn allows your child to be able to breathe more easily. There is less chance of allergic reactions such as those caused by chemicals and parasites in the baby bedding. With better air circulation in the products surrounding your baby, there is more opportunity to regulate the body temperature while sleeping. This can be critically important to an infant, particularly if he or she is premature.

Quality

When you decide, for any of the above reasons, to purchase organic products for your baby bedding, you should check labels carefully to determine that the product is actually organic. Check with the Organic Consumers Association to receive the contact information for accredited organic merchants. Although organic baby bedding is usually more expensive than more traditional products, discriminating parents often consider the cost provides additional quality. After all, your infant spends almost 75% of his or her time sleeping. Why not make the time as safe and healthy as possible by providing allergen and pollutant free bedding?

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Satin Baby Bedding - Luxury and Practicality

MollyRidenhour — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Satin baby bedding is a product that is an excellent choice for both a glamorous, luxurious look, but better than average practicality whether you are looking at ease of maintenance, durability or other aspects of the product. Try satin baby bedding when you are considering options for your new baby’s surroundings. Satin is made of any of several fibers, such as silk, polyester or nylon. Sateen is the name given for short staple cotton yarn. It is also popular when used for bedding products, largely because of its low cost, hypoallergenic qualities and durability. When you are looking for something slightly out of the ordinary when choosing products for the nursery, you should look into satin bedding.

Ambiance

For a luxurious ambiance in all the items of baby bedding, you would be well advised to consider satin products. Satin bedding for adults has a glamorous image, but it would also look great in your new baby’s space. Few products convey the image of cool luxury as well as baby beddingmade of satin. Sheets, comforters, matching accouterments which add to the unique decor of your baby’s surroundings make a decorative statement that is hard to beat. The feel of the materials used in the products just calls to be touched and enjoyed. The light play on the satin surfaces adds another dimension to the luxurious nature of satin baby products.

Comfort

There is no doubt that baby bedding made of silk, nylon or polyester satin is comfortable for your baby’s nap time. Particularly in the case of silk based satin, the fibers are free of harshness that would be irritating to an infant’s tender skin. Because the feel of the fabric is smooth and soothing to the touch, the infant may sleep more restfully, with fewer wakeful episodes that can interfere with healthy development.

Durability

Because the fibers used in satin baby bedding are both strong and beautiful, bedding of satin can be expected to be quite durable. This means that satin baby bedding is actually a good investment from an economical standpoint. Many styles and designs of satin bedding are available to prospective parents. Some are both machine washable and safe to be placed in the dryer. It’s important to launder the bedding before the first use by the child, since that makes the fabric softer and smoother to the touch. Because these sets are long lasting, it’s even more important to pick a luxurious look that you are totally happy with.

Hypoallergenic

Baby bedding made of satin is less likely to cause irritation to baby’s skin than other types of baby bedding. Often satin bedding is made of silk so that it doesn’t contain chemicals or parasites that can cause skin irritation in highly sensitive infants. Cotton sateen can also be allergen free and is very low maintenance. Look for natural fibers such as silk and cotton whenever possible so that the infant will not be subjected to allergens and irritants from chemicals or other substances. Your baby will be wrapped in luxury and protected from irritants at the same time.

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Tips For Getting the Best Deal on Baby Bedding

MollyRidenhour — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

If you are just now beginning the process of purchasing things for a planned new baby, you may be surprised at how expensive things like baby bedding can be. There is no question that every parent wants the best for the new baby, but with prices increasing everywhere, finding baby bedding that is attractive, durable and economical may seem like an impossible task. Here are some ways you can use in order to have the looks, quality and durability without spending a fortune on the items you select for your baby’s first space. By careful shopping use of these economy minded tips, you will end up with an attractive, innovative and reasonably priced baby room.

Use the Internet

Internet shopping is a fact of life for many items today that used to be found only in the most exclusive boutiques. You are able to look for the best quality baby bedding online by typing in search queries related to the items you are researching. Today, internet shopping opportunities run from online outlets for the major retailers such as Wal-Mart or K-Mart to upscale boutique sites that carry only the highest quality and price on their inventory items. Specialty shops online that feature baby bedding can be a fantastic place to obtain a price reduction that will make the elite brand item very affordable.

Look for ‘Seconds’

By doing your shopping where there are factory outlets to be found, you can often find items such as baby bedding that have minor flaws. These do not affect the quality of the merchandise necessarily. The flaws in the product may be almost indistinguishable unless you are looking for them. Common flaws may be slight discoloration in the color of the object, a pulled thread in the hem or even a slightly soiled area. By careful shopping for baby bedding of this type, you can often save significant amount of money on the purchase.

Be aware of closeouts and sales items

Even if you shop for baby bedding in a regular retail establishment, you can save money on items if you watch for sales or closeout items and purchase at that time. You can’t always find items on sale, but if you look for price patterns at your favorite stores you can usually find baby bedding at less than the normal sale price. End of season inventory reduction is another opportunity to purchase bedding or other items at a reduced cost, as well.

Gift Registry

Another way to reduce the cost of perfect baby bedding when outfitting your nursery is to sign up at the gift registry at your local baby boutique. If you have found the ideal baby bedding items to complete the baby’s room online, don’t be shy about letting others know precisely what you like. Most people will purchase a gift for a new baby and would love the opportunity to select something that is really wanted and needed. You just need to make your wishes known about the theme of the baby’s room or colors that you prefer to use.

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Baby Slings – A Look at the Pouch Sling

MollyRidenhour — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Unlike a ring sling, where the baby sling is created using fabric and rings, a pouch sling is a single piece of cloth sewn into a tubular shape creating a pouch. There are no extra pieces of hardware such as rings, although some pouches some with adjustable options and include zippers, Velcro, etc to allow the parent to adjust the pouch somewhat.

Here are some facts you need to know before purchasing pouch-type baby slings:

How To Wear A Pouch Sling

The pouch sling is quite easy to wear, as it is only one contiguous piece of fabric. Basically, you slip it over your head and one shoulder and wear it like a sash. Unless you have an adjustable pouch, no further adjustment is required. Unlike the ring sling, many people find they learn to use these baby slings very quickly.

When To Use The Pouch Sling

Because of the construction of this type of sling, there is a greater chance of lower back pain for the wearer. Therefore, these baby slings are ideal for babies that are frequently being taken into and out of the pouch, and thus carried for short periods of time. Also, these baby slings are good for heavier toddlers that want to be picked up and then put back down again. The sling takes the pressure off your hips and lower back for short-term use and still allows you to carry your toddler as much as they ask.

Drawbacks To A Pouch Sling

As mentioned earlier, because of the construction of this type of sling, there is a greater chance of lower back pain to the wearer. These baby slings are not really meant for long-term use of carrying heavy babies. However, the better the pouch fits your body, the longer you will be able to carry a heavier child with a minimum of back pain. Also, better fabric will also assist in this. A good fabric will have good tensile strength, but also have decent diagonal give. You don’t want the pouch to hang too low or it will put undue strain on your back and shoulder.

Alternatives For Heavier Children

Many parents find that pouch-type baby slings are ideal for small babies or for toddlers that want to frequently be picked up and put down again. However, for heavier babies that are not yet walking or toddlers that need to be held for longer periods of time, the pouch sling really isn’t that ideal. Instead, wraps or mei tai baby slings are a better way to go. The key is recognizing what stage of life you child is in and getting a sling that best suits your lifestyle and your child’s stage of development.

There are many types of baby slings on the market. They range from the purely functional to the outrageously hip and cool. All of them have a place in your home, as they will bring you closer to your baby than a stroller. Just take your time and find the baby sling that is right for you.

Pure and Honest Kids offers a great selection of baby slings. Visit us today on the web for baby slings as well as Serena and Lily bedding.

Baby Slings – A Look at Ring Slings

MollyRidenhour — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Baby Slings are becoming more and more in fashion these days. One type of sling is called the “Ring Sling.” These are baby slings that work through the use of dynamic tension, cloth and rings. Basically, a piece of cloth is sewn into two rings. The remainder of the cloth is then wrapped around the body from shoulder to opposing hip, around the back, up to the original shoulder again. As the loose end of cloth comes back to the shoulder, it is threaded through the rings to make kind of a buckle effect. The baby can be placed safely in the resulting sling.

Here is some interesting information about baby slings in the form of ring slings:

How A Ring Sling Holds Your Baby

Ring slings work through the use of dynamic tension. Basically, the baby’s weight pulls, or puts tension on the cloth and this combined with the positioning of the rings locks the sling into place.

How To Adjust A Ring Sling

Because of the “buckle” effect of these baby slings, once put together, they can be adjusted for different sizes and shapes, allowing for different people to carry the baby in comfort. To adjust the sling, put the sling on and place the baby inside – supporting the child with one arm. While doing this, have a companion adjust the “buckle” from behind to a comfortable position for you. Pulling cloth through the ring will tighten the sling and letting fabric out will loosen it.

To Pad Or Not To Pad

Baby slings of this type can come padded or unpadded. Typically, you will find pads at the shoulder for greater carrying comfort and also in the sling itself, forming a type of seat for the baby. It boils down to individual taste as to whether or not you want pads on your ring sling or not.

Type Of Fabric Used

Baby slings can be made from all types of material. Ranging anywhere from cotton to silk and everything in between, baby slings can be as beautiful as they are functional. The most common fabrics used in the construction of these slings are homemade fabrics, twill or anything with not only good strength, but also a fair amount of diagonal “give.” Fabrics to avoid would be a very slippery fabric, as the baby needs to obviously be secure inside the sling without sliding out. Also, the material should not easily slide out of the rings. Finally, you want a fabric where strong stitching will hold the fabric in place without fear of fraying or tearing.

Ring Construction

Craft rings are strongly discouraged for baby slings, as they are not strong enough to hold this kind of weight in the long run and are prone to breakage. Rings that are ideal for this kind of carrier are aluminum marine rings or rings designed for heavy livestock. These types of rings are designed for much heavier weights and should not break with the daily use of your sling.

A well-constructed ring sling can be both beautiful and functional for the new parent. These tips can help you when purchasing one, so that you know what is safe for you and your baby.

Pure and Honest Kids offers a great selection of baby slings. Visit us today on the web for baby slings as well as Serena and Lily bedding.

Baby Slings – A Look at Wraps

MollyRidenhour — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

There are many different kinds of baby slings on the market. One kind of sling is called a wrap or wraparound. These baby slings are exactly as they sound, a long piece of material, usually around three to seven yards in length, which are then wrapped around the wearer and the baby and then tied. These slings are popular with people that want the most basic type of sling to carry their child, but still have something fashionable. These slings offer a wide variety of material to choose from, so that the wearer can have most any color, pattern or design for their wrap.

Types of Wraps

Basically, there are two types of wraparound type baby slings - stretchy and woven. These come in a variety of materials and have different functions for different weight children.

Stretchy Wraps

The stretchy wrap is generally made from a material like jersey knit. This is used because it’s lightweight, cool in warmer weather and it’s easy to place the baby in and out of the wrap without taking it off. Because these wraps are stretchy, as the baby starts getting bigger and putting on weight, the wrap isn’t very supportive to the wearer and it can place a strain on the wearer’s lower back and shoulders. Ideally, stretchy baby slings are for newborns and very young babies.

Woven Wraps

Woven wrap baby slings are generally made out of cotton, but can also be constructed from silk, hemp or linen. Also, handspun materials are popular for this type of wrap. While the woven wrap has some give, it’s not nearly as stretchy as a “stretchy” wrap due to the difference in material. Because of this, heavier babies and small toddlers can be transported with a woven wrap much easier than with its stretch counterpart. The key to look for with a woven wrap is strong stitching and fairly thick fabric. A thinner fabric, while cooler, will also produce pressure points on the wearer over a period of carrying time. Also, if the wearer has not perfected the art of wrapping, a thinner material is less than forgiving, making it harder to learn the art.

Material Length

The length of the material determines what positions the baby can be carried. Smaller children, such as a baby or toddler, can be carried on the parent’s front, hip or back. It is possible to carry the child via a one-shoulder carry – similar to the ring sling, but a shorter amount of material is needed for this type of carry. While the pouch sling is probably the easiest of the baby slings to learn to use, the wrap or wraparound is more difficult.

Wraparound baby slings are not as popular as some of the other baby slings on the market, mainly due to the learning curve of how to properly wrap one and safely secure your child. However, once you have learned this art, it opens up a new alternative for the wearer to transport their baby or toddler while remaining somewhat hands free.

Pure and Honest Kids offers a great selection of baby slings. Visit us today on the web for baby slings as well as Serena and Lily bedding.

Baby Slings – Common Sling Problems and How to Correct Them

MollyRidenhour — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Properly worn baby slings are not only comfortable for you, but for your baby as well. Also, if you and your child are comfortable with a sling, you are more able to wear it for extended periods of time. This increases the bond between wearer and child and may even reduce your baby’s crying due to longer carrying time.

Here are some common problems encountered with baby slings and how to correct them for maximum comfort:

Ring Position For Ring Slings

Many people find that wearing the ring at or around the collarbone level is the most comfortable for them. You can position the ring lower, but bear in mind that the sling the baby is carried in will be smaller. These rings are very strong, often being made from marine grade aluminum or metal used for heavy livestock. This ensures that the ring will not break or crack even with a heavier toddler. Because of the size and make of the ring, you’ll want it to be as comfortable on your body as possible, and the “pouch” of your collarbone is an ideal place.

Shoulder Position

With the ring sitting nicely at your collarbone, the fabric that comes up and over your shoulder needs to be spread over your shoulder and somewhat down your upper arm. This distributes the weight of your child and the sling evenly. If you bunch the fabric up on your shoulder, you’ll have unnecessary pressure on your shoulder muscles and this will fatigue you rather quickly.

If you are looking at baby slings, which have a padded shoulder strap, then make sure it is properly centered on your shoulder and not up against your neck. Again, this will reduce muscle strain

The Back Of Your Baby Slings

The baby slings back need to be spread out as widely as possible. Basically, the more you spread out the fabric in the back, the more comfortable you’ll be. Also, spread the fabric down low on your back. This, too, will reduce pressure on your back. You will be surprised at how wide you can spread your sling across and down your back, so take the time to do it and notice the difference in your comfort level.

The Height Of Your Baby

Basically, the higher you carry your baby, the more comfortable you’ll be. Baby slings are pretty easy to adjust, so just keep at it until your baby is comfortable and you are, too. The weight of your baby and the baby’s age will also determine carrying height.

Remember, if you are finding that you are getting tired easily from using your sling or that it’s uncomfortable, it may not be adjusted ideally for your body. If possible, have someone that also uses baby slings help you in adjusting your sling for a better fit. If that’s not possible, check online for a local Le Leche group. You will likely find someone in this group that will assist you in fitting your sling.

Pure and Honest Kids offers a great selection of baby slings. Visit us today on the web for baby slings as well as Serena and Lily bedding.

Comfortable Positions for Your Newborn Using Baby Slings

MollyRidenhour — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

There are several ways to wear a baby. The position you choose to place you baby in using baby slings is up to both you and your child. You might find one position more comfortable than another or learn that you child prefers one position over another. In addition, a position can facilitate a desired action. Nursing calls for one position, napping another and burping still another hold can be affected.

For newborns there are 4 basic positions that can be adopted using baby slings or the rebozo:

1)Lying down in front of you

Baby slings can be used to set your newborn in a semi-reclining position. You can choose the Cradle Carry that puts the baby’s head closest to your carrying shoulder. This is a great position for the napping infant. Or, if it is feeding time, you can try the Nursing Hold with the newborn positioned in the opposite direction with his head away from your carrying shoulder to facilitate feeding. In addition baby slings will shelter the nursing child providing some privacy.

2)Newborn Snuggle Hold

Baby slings are used in this position to set the baby facing you. In this position the child has the knees up or the feet tucked. The sling keeps the child’s back and head well supported and helps prevent slouching. It is a good position for bonding between parent and newborn.

3)Burp Position

In this style of hold 2 baby slings are used to carry the baby up on the shoulder. Gentle pressure is put on the stomach and helps to prevent acid from escaping back up the baby’s esophagus. To affect this position using baby slings they should be worn on opposite shoulders with the rings on your hip. You want to be sure both slings are tight.

4)The Reclining Back Carry

Women of many cultures will wear a baby on their back. This enables the mother to work by leaving the frontal area and hands free. If needed, as in nursing time, the baby can be swung around to face the mother. This method of carry is not recommended for baby slings. Instead use the rebozo.

With these four positions to choose from the first three work very will with the typical baby slings. The burp position is probably a good hold to adopt after baby is fed. It is a natural way to promote burping. The lying down hold is best for nap time or nursing as the baby sling will shelter the nursing infant. The snuggle hold is great for bonding time with the newborn as it promotes tummy to tummy contact between the baby wearer and the baby. This is a great bonding position for fathers to try out. The back carry is very rare in the modern world as it is used primarily for working mothers. However if you choose to try this type of baby wearing opt for the rebozo instead of baby slings.

Pure and Honest Kids offers a great selection of baby slings. Visit us today on the web for baby slings as well as Serena and Lily bedding.