Babies and Infants

In recent years, mattress manufacturers have used many synthetic materials. Mattresses made with synthetics are usually cheaper than mattresses made with cotton and wool. Synthetic materials continue to release chemicals that are known to be harmful to people, especially infants.

Some terms used in the Webster Dictionary to define natural are; not artificial or imitation; in a natural unprocessed condition; produced by nature. Synthetic means a compound made artificially by chemical reactions.

Organic crib mattresses contains organic cotton for firmness, support, comfort and durability. Organic crib mattresses contain organic wool ,which is a fire retardant, for resiliency and dust mite control. An organic crib mattress will provide long lasting, dependable service without the use of un-natural chemicals.

(Note: Cotton and wool are natural materials by definition, but organic makes them chemical free.)

That empty space under your baby’s crib just seems to accumulate stuff.  It’s a great place for dust bunnies to hide. Even if you don’t have stuff under the crib, a skirt looks so much nicer and gives the crib a finished look.

If you plan to convert the crib into a toddler bed or day bed, the skirt will still serve its purpose.  Because the toddler bed is lower to the floor, you will probably want to hem up the skirt. Easy as pie.

A crib skirt can be colorful to match sheets or it can be a neutral contrasting color.  A crib skirt can be straight for a tailored look or ruffled and frilly. Just be sure it’s organic cotton to match the rest of your organic cotton crib bedding.

Parents want their newborn to have the best possible start in life. They paint and carpet a baby’s room with products that my be harmful to their newborn. So they may be creating an environment high in toxic chemicals.

It is very important to limit a baby’s exposure to harmful chemicals. Some baby cribs made from pressed wood contain formaldehyde. A solid hardwood crib that meets safety standards will form the basis for a healthy environment for your baby.

Dr. Dick Irwin, a toxicologist at Texas A&M University, stated that “Chemicals have replaced bacteria and viruses as the main threat to health. The diseases we are beginning to see as the major causes of death in the later part of (the 1900’s) and into the 21^st century are diseases of chemical origin.”

There are a handful of items that every new mother absolutely must have. While all the toys and rattles and baby clothing are certainly nice gifts, they are fundamentally secondary. To that end, one of the most essential products is a baby crib. Your new baby needs a safe, secure, and high quality place to sleep every night. This will ensure the safety of your child, but it will also offer you peace of mind. Knowing that your baby is safe and happy will allow you to get some much needed rest.

And sleep is just about the most important thing a new parent can get. Until your child is sleeping through the night, it’s absolutely imperative that you snatch sleep whenever you can. Whether you get hours or minutes, sleep is absolutely essential. If you’re well rested (or at least partially rested), you’ll be able to deal with all the work that is sure to face you the next day with your little one. In this way, baby cribs are more than just a piece of furniture or accessory for your nursery. They are a way to offer safety to your newborn and a way to sleep well yourself.

When my babies were infants, baby clothes consisted mostly of little shirts in white, white diapers and of course pastel blankets. I love the bright colors and the variety of clothing available these days for babies right from infancy to school age.

Infant kimonos are usually made for infants up to six months of age. They either tie or snap closed to make it easy to change diapers. And they come in such bright attractive colors.

Of course 100% organic cotton is best for the health of the infant. Besides being soft and comfortable, the design and colors in baby clothes are irresistible.

The nation’s financial system is in a hole. Because people are losing their jobs and many are out of work, many restaurants and stores are hurting for business. Sales have dropped, which affects producers of all kinds of goods.

However, if you are expecting to have a baby this year, or if you will be sending children to school this year, this is the time to buy. Baby bedding and clothing prices have been cut to the bone. Baby furniture such as cribs and changing tables is at an all time low. Prices will go back up eventually.  We don’t know when.  But we can still take advantage of the big sale going on.

Some things you consider a necessity are now on sale. If you know you will be buying in the future, you’d probably save by buying now.

When babies start growing into walking, talking, curious toddlers, it’s important that their mattress be firm enough to be supportive.  Generally Infant and crib mattresses don’t provide the support that toddlers need to rest well at night.  Toddlers need a mattress that has side support to handle their weight, so the mattress does not break down. 

Mattresses can be expensive, so buying a crib/toddler mattress that has the extra side support and is designed for use in a toddler bed can help save money.  It’s also a good idea to save mattresses for future siblings or even friends.

“Married couples with children are less satisfied in their relationship.” Now that’s a headline that should give parents something to think about. With a newborn, so much time is devoted to the care and feeding of the infant, we may not schedule time for our partner.

And what does that have to do with sleep, you may ask? Your body needs sleep to regenerate. You’ll have more energy, think better, feel better, and be more productive with adequate sleep. Take Power Naps throughout the day. As little as 10 minutes each time, several times a day, can make a big difference in your outlook.

Then when your infant is asleep in his crib, you’ll want to spend some quality time with your partner. And with a plan for that time, you’ll definitely experience a beneficial effect on your relationship. It’s quality, not quantity, that counts. That is true of sleep, too.

In my opinion, the best way to teach a child is to be an example of those values you want your child to possess. Start when your newborn is still swaddled in a receiving blanket. If you want your child to grow up to be a teenager who respects and trusts you, start now.

Trust is reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc. of a person. Your child can only depend upon you if he has experiences that build trust.

Some things must be experienced first hand. How do you explain to a toddler the meaning of “hot”? Hot is something you feel. In a controlled situation, you can build trust by allowing your child to “feel” something rather warm, after you have warned him that hot can hurt.

Always be truthful with your child. Do not tell a child that something is hot just to keep him away from it. Nothing can destroy his trust in you faster than when he finds out that the “something” isn’t hot. And be prepared for your child to test you. You’d be surprised at how young an age a baby learns from experience.

Infants are safer if they are placed on their backs to sleep. Studies have shown that a newborn may be at risk if left sleeping on his stomach. Once the infant has developed strength to turn over, he may sleep on his side or stomach.

Sleeping bags allow the infant to kick his legs without kicking off a blanket. Some sleeping bags have zippers, some have snaps and some, like baggies, are open at the bottom with elastic.

When the infant outgrows the bag, simply cut off the bottom, and with a few stitches, make a vest. Organic cotton is very soft, comfortable and durable.