Unique Babies

One of the best made and most popular baby slings on the market is made by Maya Wrap.  They make a couple of different types of baby slings but the most popular by far is the Maya Wrap Lightly Padded Baby Ring Sling.  They come in a variety of different colors but the most popular colors are Black, Olive Green and Bright Stripe they are hard to keep in stock.

According to the Maya Wrap website “For 12 years, Maya Wrap baby carriers have consistently been rated the #1 must-have essential for new parents.   Here’s why:

• Maya Wrap baby slings are stylish, comfortable, and fully adjustable.
• Mom-recommended, they’re all you need to simplify your day. No more lugging strollers around, fiddling with buckles or snaps, trying to nurse discreetly, juggling a baby while helping an older child… just grab your Maya Wrap and get on with your life!

Join the ‘growing’ number of savvy parents and celebrities who have declared the Maya Wrap the “baby product you can’t live without“!”

I know that Mom and Dad’s alike just love this Maya Wrap Lightly Padded Ring Sling; it comes with an instructional DVD on how to use the ring sling and hold your baby in a number of different positions.  The lightly padded shoulder helps lighten the weight of your baby; making it more comfortable to hold your baby for longer periods of time.

Babywearing has become a ‘growing’ trend that Moms and Dads enjoy in keeping their little ones close.  Before it was a trend, Maya Wrap recognized the benefits of keeping your baby close in a baby sling during those first impressionable years! Here are some benefits of wearing your baby in a baby sling; this is research directly from the Maya Wrap website.

Less Crying - Babies who are carried cry less on average than those that are not. Research has shown that babies who are carried cry (on average) 43% less overall and 54% less during the evening hours (1).

Smarter Babies - Babies spend more time in a “quiet, alert state” when carried - the ideal state for learning. When carried, your baby sees the world from where you do, instead of the ceiling above his crib or people’s knees from a stroller.  This extra stimulation benefits brain development.

Emotional Development - Babies are able to develop a sense of security and trust when they are carried. They are more likely to be securely attached to their care-giver/s (2) and often become independent at an earlier age (3)

Physical Development - By being close to your body’s rhythms, baby “gets in rhythm” much more quickly. Research has shown how this helps newborns (especially premature babies) to adapt to life outside the womb (4).

Helps with Post Partum Depression - Babies who are not held need more verbal interaction and eye contact, just to be reassured that you’re there. Moms who may suffer from Post Partum depression will find that carrying their baby is a great way to connect with her (and provide stimulation too) without the “burden” of having to interact (5). Of course your baby is “right there” to enjoy whenever you feel like snuggling, kissing or talking. This is by no means a cure or solution for Post Partum Depression, always seek counsel from your physician first.

Eases the strain - Carrying your baby in a sling eases the strain on baby’s spine and your back!”

Let the research show that Maya Wrap baby slings can benefit you and your baby.  Maya Wrap being the most popular choice because they know that they are made well and comfortable for you and your baby!

1.        Hunziker, U. A. and Barr, R, G. (1986). Increased carrying reduces infant crying: a randomized controlled trial. Pediatrics, 77, 641-8.

2.        Anisfeld, E., Casper, V., Nozyce, M. and Cunningham, N. (1990). Does infant carrying promote attachment? An experimental study of the effects of increased physical contact on the development of attachment. Child Development, 61, 1617-1627.

3.        Whiting, J. W. M. (1981). Environmental constraints on infant care practices. In R. H. Munroe, R. L. Munroe & B. B. Whiting (Eds.), Handbook of cross-cultural human development, New York: Garland STPM Press.

4.        Ludington-Hoe SM, Swinth JY. (1996). Developmental aspects of kangaroo care. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, 25, 691-703.

5.        Pelaez-Nogueras M, Field TM, Hossain Z, Pickens J. (1996). Depressed mothers’ touching increases infants’ positive affect and attention in still-face interactions. Child Development, 67, 1780-92.

(Credit: The Babywearer)

One of the best gifts that a new mom can receive is baby gifts from relatives that have passed on. These antique gifts are often family heirlooms, and there is simply something special about caring for your baby with these time-honored and time-tested gifts. Whether you’re receiving an antique crib or any other antique baby furniture, just make sure that the product is still up to snub with today’s safety standards.

Antique products can be beautiful, and they can be meaningful, but just make sure you use them only after a thorough inspection. Make sure there aren’t any jutting screws or boards that have come loose after years of use. Also make sure the paint is not lead-based. Using products that have been tested to be safe has not been a practice for that long. Even if the crib is just a couple decades old, you just have to be aware that it might pose some safety risks. If you find anything lacking with the crib, consider having it as an accent to your nursery décor but not a functional bed.

Mom and Dad as your baby begins to grow so do the amount of toys that they acquire.  What is a parent to do with their toy pile as it gets bigger and bigger?  A great old concept is a toy box, but do you want just an ordinary toy box or do you want one that shows the uniqueness of your child.

Do you have fond memories of the circus when you were growing up?  Well you can bring that childhood memory home.  Consolidating your child’s toys all into one place and have the circus memories brought into their bedroom giving them the same fond memories that you had as a child.

An elephant toy box that is retro fitted with elephants from merry-go-rounds of earlier days and configured into a toy box.  These toy boxes are original meaning that no two are exactly the same; they are fun and a great place to conspicuously hide your child’s toys.

Your baby deserves the best and dressing them in organic clothes is the best you can offer.  In studying how cotton is manufactured, babies and adults alike should be only wearing organic cotton clothing or other natural fabrics not treated with pesticides and toxins

100% organic cotton is a great natural breathable fabric and when it is organic it is so soft to the touch.  Another naturally organic fabric is bamboo which is even softer then organic cotton; it feels like silk or cashmere but is as easy to take care of as cotton.  Both of these organic materials are what you are going to want for your baby.  Clothing for your baby is one place to start buying organic.

But many other important baby items that you may not think of as being important to buy organic.  Baby items that are necessary to make life a little easier and come in organic bamboo or organic cotton; a baby blanket, a baby sling, a nursing cover, a grocery cart / highchair cover, a car seat cover and many other unique baby items that can be found in a unique baby boutique.  Shop the unique, organic and eco friendly for your precious little one.  You will be happy knowing that everything that touches your baby is organic and safe for your babies developing immune system.

Have you ever thought about the need to cover your baby with an organic blanket?  Many moms and dads know that they want the clothes that touch their baby’s skin to be organic but what about the blankets that you cover them with for naptime and bedtime.

Blankets that are organic are safe for your baby; they don’t contain all the chemicals that normal cotton blankets are covered in.  100% organic Cotton or Bamboo are the fabrics that you should be looking for when choosing your baby’s blankets.  Cotton is known to be one of the most heavily treated crops with pesticides and toxins, so an organic cotton blanket is necessary to protect your baby from a heavily treated toxic blanket.  Another fabric that is newer to the market is bamboo; it’s so soft to the touch that you will want only naturally organic bamboo once you feel it for yourself.  Which ever type of fabric you choose 100% organic cotton or 100% naturally organic bamboo you will be happy to know that your baby is covered, warm, and safe with an organic baby item that is made to protect your baby.

Have you been looking for just the right crib bedding for that baby nursery?  A round crib and the crib bedding that goes with it may be the answer; round cribs take up less space, are safer then a conventional crib and add a unique flair to your nursery.

If you decide  to go with a round crib then the round crib bedding will definitely be need to decorate your baby nursery so it will stand out and be unique.  Every baby is different so even if this is not your first baby you still want to have a nursery that reflects each of your children’s style.  A unique baby boutique is the place to start your hunt for the crib bedding that will show your babies personality.  Smaller boutiques tend to focus on what is going to help you and your baby shine with the uniqueness of your baby.

As I have learned more about how cotton and other fabrics are produced I am convinced more and more that organic is the way to go.  Especially for your young baby who’s body is too small to handle the amount of chemicals in the fabrics that are completely covered in pesticides and harsh toxic chemicals.

There are many baby items that are organic, but you need to make sure that it is truly organic with no pesticides.  When it comes to an item like a crib mattress some say they are organic but they still have fillers that contain toxins such as formaldehydes, toluene, phenols in lower limits that are not completely organic.  The outside of the mattress may be organic but the interior is filled with chemicals.  Make sure you look for an organic crib mattress that is made with a zero tolerance for chemicals.

Added to all standard crib mattresses is a fire retardant to protect your baby if there is a fire, it may actually be making them sick or worse killing them.  Chemicals in the material of crib mattresses are thought to contribute to SIDS, as your baby lies in their crib they are inhaling fumes.  A baby has a weaker immune system then an adult and they can’t handle inhaling large quantities of these fumes, they are tasteless and odorless but they are still present.  Think about the amount of time your baby spends in their crib sleeping and inhaling toxic fumes.

This has been a learning process for me also, and the more I have studied about organics and non organics I really see the need for organics, especially for our babies.  They are so vulnerable at this age to sickness that I believe we need to protect them by not exposing them to any extra toxins in their fragile life.

Organic material is becoming more and more popular as we learn how much the cottons and other natural fabrics are treated with many toxic pesticides.  Babies are the most susceptible to these toxins because their skin is tender and their immune system is not as developed.

Covering your baby with organic material is a better option; these materials are not treated with toxic pesticides.   A baby item that is claiming it is organic has many regulations and testing that they have to follow before it an item can be called organic.  Every parent wants the safest items for their baby, but sometimes the unseen chemicals that you do not even know are there are undermining what we work so hard to protect our babies from.

Buying organic and or eco-friendly baby items is one great way to know that whatever touches your baby’s skin is safe and not harmful to their tender developing immune system.  Your unique baby deserves the safest and softest material touching them so buy organic clothing, blankets and baby carriers.

If you’ve just welcomed a new little person into this world, you might be giving more thought to the state of the planet than you normally would. All of a sudden, it’s no longer just about the world holding out for you. Now it’s about the Earth’s ability to sustain the next generation as well. If you’ve recently found yourself contemplating how to live greener for the sake of posterity, you should seriously consider making smart purchases as soon as possible.

While you’re out shopping for your little one, look into eco-friendly baby products. There are a lot of options on the market, especially in this age of increased environmental awareness. Buying these products won’t ensure that the Earth will be clean and safe for your children, but it certainly does contribute to the solution. It promotes an atmosphere of green, sustainable living, and this is one of the best examples you can set for your children as they continue to grow.