Pregnancy, maternity, birth, and baby information » Baby Gear

Baby Gear – Toys and Toy Chests

Author — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 05:55:02 +0000

How many more toys does the little one need? Before you answer, consider that toys do much more than entertain. They educate, stimulate the development of perception and cognition, and may help build muscle strength and control. And, of course, amusement shouldn’t be scoffed at, either. A happy baby is a healthy baby.

The range of educational toys that also entertain little ones is endless. Baby Einstein books are everywhere. Others encourage exploring shapes and sounds. That musical toy that you hear as just a noisemaker is actually helping the baby associate a chosen movement with the creation of a particular sound.

Fitting shaped blocks through the right size hole may seem like just a game. But at the same time the baby is amusing him or herself it’s learning that some things fit and others don’t. That ability connects later to learning the alphabet and words where some things ‘fit’ and others don’t.

Don’t overlook the need for a sheer physical outlet, as well. As any parent can testify, babies have lots of energy that just can’t be suppressed. They touch, they explore, they push and prod. That’s helping them develop muscle control, fine-tuning hand and eye coordination, and more. It’s also a sheer joy for the little ones to see what happens when they bat that mobile to make it squawk and spin.

Even dolls are more than just ‘playthings’. If they talk, the baby is learning about human sounds and what they mean. If they’re dressing the doll, the baby learns in a different way how some things fit and others don’t. They also learn that some things can break or tear. Valuable lessons while they enjoy the process.

Don’t forget that all those toys have to have a place to live.

Toy chests come in a range of styles that can blend right in with any nursery decor or childhood interest. The little farmhouse toy chest can be populated with farm animals that remind them of the petting zoo. A stylish mahogany or beechwood chest is perfect for that rich-looking design you spent months imagining during pregnancy.

Develop your child’s interest in baseball at an early age, while you integrate the toy chest into the rest of the furniture and decorations. Or, select the princess carriage toy chest and turn a mundane storage box into a wonderland full of treasures. Choose the circus design and watch your child’s delight in animals grow starting right from those early months.

Education, development and sheer fun are all part of contemporary toy and toy chest collections. Made of durable materials that are safe and stylish, the baby won’t be the only one who is happy with the choices.

Baby Gear – Shell Baby Carriers

Author — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 05:53:17 +0000

Shop for baby carriers today and you’ll find a large range of slings, backpack-style and similar fabric-based devices that are great for taking the baby anywhere. They have all kinds of benefits. But they’re all designed to ease carrying the child on the body. Still, the more traditional shell design retains its value as it improves technologically.

A shell carrier resembles a car seat in having a sturdy molded plastic form. Many car seats are actually convertible to a shell-style baby carrier. It’s padded to keep the baby immobile and safe from injury. That safety factor is typically enhanced by having an integrated restraint system.

Safety is always the first consideration in any carrier, of course. That’s ensured by the shape and manufacturing process that creates a shell that can withstand considerable shocks. That is, after all, one of the reasons the design is almost universally used in car seats.

The padding is thick and comfortable, spread over all the sections the baby’s body might come into contact with. It’s tear-resistant and secured with extremely strong snaps, rivets or other attachments to make sure it stays in place and lasts a long time.

At the same time, padding is available in a hundred different styles. They run the gamut from ballerina themes, rocket ships and sea shells, to just an abstract color scheme. In short, there is padding that reflects every individual taste or interest.

The restraint systems are modeled after those used in car seats, where they perform a similar service. Usually Y-shaped, fabric belts strap across the chest from each shoulder and are joined by a third belt that threads through the legs. The meeting place is a set of plastic buckles that are nearly indestructible and won’t come loose accidentally.

Even with the rise of fabric backpack or tummy pack carriers, shell carriers still have plenty to recommend them.

There are times when parents need a break from carrying the baby close to them. The sling style offers many values, but at times it isn’t practical. Parents get back injuries that require a different method of transporting the baby to the doctor or store. Sometimes, older friends or grandparents are asked to take the baby and they may not be strong enough to carry the baby in the sling style carriers.

But even beyond any health issues, there are times when it’s an advantage to be able to put the baby down on a table or grass. That’s simply not possible with sling or backpack-style carriers. It’s also a simple task to attach a canopy to a shell carrier to keep sun off the baby. Sling carriers sometimes have a fabric piece to cover the baby’s head, but those make contact and can lead to overheating in some situations.

Both styles have strong benefits and parents on the go will want to have at least one of each type.

Baby Gear – It’s Feeding Time!

Author — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:50:44 +0000

It’s often said, with a hint of nostalgia, that life in the past was simpler. Probably true. But simpler isn’t always better. Modern technology has developed a range of feeding products that makes the baby’s mealtime safer, more convenient and even stylish.

Feeding dishes alone have seen an evolution from the past that amounts to a revolution.

One simple modification of a standard bowl results in a brim that catches food. Looking like an upside down baseball cap, this clever dish will make clean up a lot easier while it minimizes wasted food. Get the type with a suction cup on the bottom and rest assured that no bowl will ever get spilled at mealtime again.

Warming dishes have seen similar advances. Some allow hot water to be poured into the base, then the top snaps on to keep food warm and separated into separate compartments. Others can rest in a warming plate that is electrically heated. Perfectly safe, either of these options lets busy parents keep food ready to eat through brief distractions.

Speaking of warming devices, how about those modern bottle warmers? Available in a hundred different styles, they allow for a range of temperatures. Many offer a safety mechanism that will sense excess heat and turn off before the bottle gets too hot. A combination of sturdy plastic and rust-proof metal means they’ll last for years.

For women who breastfeed there exists an equally diverse range of products to make feeding safer and more convenient than ever. Breast pump kits can be placed in specially-designed pockets in a bag that makes pumping easy to do on the go. Special comfort bras allow for easy access and practically eliminate the need for any cleanup.

Sterilizing kits for bottles, breast pumps and more are both inexpensive and effective today. Some resemble bottle warmers, but provide a high setting. Others are in the form of a microwave steam cooker, similar to autoclaves used by hospitals in the past. All provide that extra measure of assurance that gives parents greater peace of mind.

The traditional high chair has been modernized, as well. Once upon a time a flimsy, cold tin shelf attached to a rickety frame. Now, high chairs are practically indestructible, while they are infinitely more stylish.

Some models are rich-looking cherry wood that can compete well with the most elegant dining table. Others are made of extremely durable plastic that still manage to look just as stylish. All are made with ultra-sturdy frames and multiple conveniences. One style offers a pedestal base that is so wide it’s nearly impossible to tip over by babies who like to rock sideways during meal time.

A safe, simple locking mechanism makes it impossible for the tray to be lifted up, spilling food and (yikes!) maybe the baby onto the floor. Similar locking mechanisms are integrated into the wheels on the base that provide security for that convenience feature.

Check out the new feeding products and find out how much easier mealtime can be and, in a certain sense, simpler too.

Baby Gear – Hampers Galore

Author — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 05:48:35 +0000

Think a baby hamper is just a functional item? Think again. Sure, a good hamper needs to do the job. But it can (and should) add safety, convenience and style to the list of attributes.

Every parent knows that babies can go through more clothing in a week than the average teenager getting ready for a date. The pile just keeps growing until there’s time to do something about it. Which, for nannies and parents alike, is always in very short supply!

To keep the room odor-free, the clothes safely away from pets, and add a bit of style to the nursery, a good hamper is indispensable.

But what is a ‘good’ hamper?

Strength of materials is first in line. A good hamper needs to resist the pressure it will get as clothes are stuffed in. It needs to stand up to bumps from busy parents and rowdy dogs. It needs to remain upright even when a tired mom or dad can’t. A good fabric blend can provide that feature, especially when supported by a modern, ultra-sturdy frame.

Safety is a major factor, too. Here, that means no sharp edges, protruding screw heads and other harmful items. But, above all that means the hamper should be easy to keep free of germs. When the baby gets that inevitable cold you want to be able to isolate and destroy those germs to prevent the virus from spreading. That can be accomplished in several ways. Some styles allow for easy wiping or spraying with a disinfectant. Others have removable linings that can washed in hot water and mild bleach.

That requirement is increased many fold when dealing with soiled diapers. You can’t always toss them immediately or rush to the washing machine with every change. Temporary storage is a must. But keeping odors at bay and germs isolated is tougher with diapers than any other item of baby clothing. A good diaper hamper solves that problem.

At the same time, there’s no reason to neglect style.

The hamper is one more item that sits in the room, often in a very visible location since it helps to have the container within easy reach. Getting one that matches the rest of the furniture in the nursery or baby’s room adds to the overall look of the room.

Fortunately, that value is easy to achieve, thanks to the enormous range of options available today.

Looking for a baby theme, say dragons or baseball or fairies or trucks or alligators or….? The list is endless. Maybe you’ve decided on the circus-themed toy chest or changing table and want the hamper to fit right in. You’ll easily find one to match. Maybe you’ve decided to go for the elegant look of wicker or a hardwood, say cherry or oak. A hamper made of the same material, covered with a gingham or brushed cotton blend is also an option.

A hamper in every conceivable material and style, to suit any individual preference, is just a few clicks away.

Baby Gear – Diaper Changing Tables

Author — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 05:46:56 +0000

When you’re out in public and need a place to change the baby’s diaper, you take what you can get, unless you carry a portable. But at home it’s possible to get a changing table that is fully functional, ultra-safe and even supremely stylish.

The classic changing table is a three-level affair made of hardwood supported by brackets. Because it is a classic it still performs excellent service. But contemporary designs have added extra function and style.

A modern classic changing table will have integrated bracing. They may be in the slats or underneath. That substantially increases the sturdiness over models of the past. Hardwoods today are pressure treated and coated with durable finishes to provide a changing table that stands up to long use while remaining beautiful for decades.

The latest designs offer changing tables with the classic three levels – for changing, for storing skin supplies and for diapers and other needed items – while expanding the range of choices. Cherry, oak and other hardwoods make for a fashion statement that would make the living room envy the nursery.

Some design variations provide drawers in place of shelves. That turns the changing table into a combination nursery station and dresser. That’s very handy for storing those larger items you want out of sight and providing a lovely addition to the baby’s room. All finishes are carefully formulated to be non-toxic to parent and child.

Sometimes that rectangular shape just doesn’t fit in with your preferred layout, though. Not to worry. Changing tables are available in corner-style options that fit right in. They still provide a large surface area, giving plenty of room to maneuver. They come with a changing pad specifically designed for this alternative shape, or you can use a section of one that might be used on a standard rectangle.

Changing pads themselves have undergone an evolution over the years.

Once made of cheap foam rubber or simple fabric covering a mundane stuffing, they now sport the latest pillow technology. That covers a lot of ground. Some are made of memory foam that provides a body-forming cushion that is the ultimate in comfort. Others are goose down of a type seen in the most luxurious pillows. Still others may be a modern blend that combines great moisture wicking properties with supreme softness.

All are designed with the baby’s health and safety uppermost in mind.

Fabrics are made of mildew-resistant, hypo-allergenic material. Stuffing is manufactured to the highest standards of durability and are completely sterile. The shapes are carefully formed to minimize the odds of a fidgety baby sliding while they give the changer maximum function. Also available in a range of colors and designs, they add stellar style to their function.

Look into the latest in changing table offerings and you may never want to leave home again.

Baby Gear – Slings and Backpack Baby Carriers

Author — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 05:54:24 +0000

What’s old is new again. For thousands of years, mothers have carried their babies in slings on the back or near the heart. Though out of fashion in many Western countries for a while, they’ve come back into style with a vengeance. But this ancient idea has been adapted to modern times where it’s sometimes known as ‘babywearing’, with greatly enhanced benefits.

Slings are made of cloth or fabric, often nylon or some kind of blend. They’re flexible, comfortable for parent and baby, and provide a secure carrying method. They also provide a way of transferring body heat to keep the baby warm while offering physical closeness that is a value to both parent and child.

The styles available cover an astounding range.

Some are wraps that are modeled after ancient Asian methods. They coil around the parent’s back and waist, then wrap around to form a sling in which the baby can lie or sit securely. Others resemble a backpack with some of the pieces removed. The straps flow over the shoulders and a thick belt wraps around the waist.

Either model allows a baby to be carried in front or back, and both positions have their advantages. In front, the baby is close to the heart where it can see or touch the parent’s face. That creates a valuable bond that comforts the baby and will please any parent. Worn in back, the weight is distributed along different muscle groups, making it easier for a parent to carry the child for longer periods.

In either case, babies can be faced toward the parent or away, both of which also have their benefits. Facing the parent, the child is close and can see and feel they are protected. Facing outward, they can more readily explore the world, which develops perception and mental faculties, and also helps keep the baby occupied and satisfied.

Backpack-style carriers offer much the same benefits, with variations. A backpack style is a little sturdier and offers additional places to attach harnesses and pockets. It provides a little stiffer frame so that babies can sit up more easily.

Backpack styles make it easier to shift the weight upward to the shoulders, where the baby can be ‘worn’ for long periods or distances. That’s especially helpful when taking nature walks or for long outings at the mall.

All the different styles come in every possible color and design. Some offer forest scenes, others may be covered with drawings of cars. Still others may sport only an abstract color scheme. In short, every possible variation is available to suit every individual taste or interest.

Traditional hard shell carriers, often a converted car seat or stroller bed, still perform a valuable role. But slings or backpacks offer advantages that those designs can not. Every parent will want to have at least one of each type.

Baby Gear – Modern Baby Strollers

Author — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 05:52:12 +0000

There was a time not too many years ago when baby strollers were much like the Model-T Ford. You could have any style you wanted, so far as it was just the single type offered. With flaky rubber tires on rickety tin wheels and covered with cheap plastic, it was a thing to behold. Today, the ancestors of those old strollers are a technological wonder.

The frames themselves are now virtually indestructible. One might not survive being run over by the car, but anything else hardly fazes them. The alloys and manufacturing process used have made them the safest form of transport around. Integrated harnesses are practically unbreakable today.

They’re also incredibly convenient. They are commonly outfitted with telescoping handles that make it a literal snap to adjust to fit a person of any height. That means if Mom uses it one day and Dad the next, followed by the babysitter the following day, no one has to get a backache leaning down to push.

They have a dozen other features that are a combination of safety and convenience.

Wheels have simple to activate locking mechanisms to prevent rollaway when you pause on a grade. No more worrying about your hands slipping or getting distracted if you stop to have a chat. It’s also almost impossible to get your clothing snagged on any part. With rounded corners, smooth high-density plastic and fabric padding in all the right places, contemporary strollers are a joy to use.

Even traditional designs often featured a canopy to keep the sun off of the baby’s head. But that feature has been enhanced beyond the recognition of older nannies. Detachable, collapsible, fitted with heavy shade or thin mesh to just block UV… these are only three of a dozen innovations employed in just this one area.

You can easily fold up the canopy and tuck it away with no problem. Or, flip it out in an instant and never worry about it tearing. Many models go by the name ‘umbrella stroller’, which tells you all you need to know about this variation on a theme.

Many designs today are modular. That means, among other things, that the bed or seat portion can be detached and used as a hard shell carrier, car seat or bassinet. Then it locks right back into place, easily and securely.

Attachments abound. Diaper bags fit on with snaps, straps or in an integrated pocket. A foldable changing table can slide into the base, under the bed or seat section. Store your purse or camera securely in one of a dozen sturdy fabric pockets.

Traditional four-wheel, rectangular shapes are no longer the only option, either. For joggers, a three-wheeled triangular stroller makes for a little easier journey. Easily push the baby along with you while you maintain your exercise routine.

Need to stroll with twins? A double or twin stroller is just the thing. Babies sit side by side and enjoy the ride. Prefer a tandem arrangement with one in front, the other in back? Also available.

Now the only problem you’ll have with a stroller is how to resist having several models.

Baby Gear – In The Nursery

Author — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 05:49:58 +0000

The nursery of the past was, as the name suggests, a place to nurse and care for the baby. It still is. But those functions, and the ease with which they’re done, have expanded enormously over the past generation.

Even such a simple thing as the need to store diapers has evolved to a high point of safety and convenience.

Diaper bins come in a variety today unheard of in the past. They offer a seal-tight enclosure to keep odors locked inside until the diaper can be washed or disposed of permanently. Once emptied, keeping germs at bay is a simple matter of a brief spray with a disinfectant.

Boxes to store fresh diapers are sterile, yet stylish. They can easily be kept free of bacteria with a simple wipe of disinfectant. The outside can range anywhere from a traditional, rich-looking wicker to a high-tech marvel of design. A range of styles and colors allows for decorating the nursery in any way that’s desired.

A nursery box is so much more, though. They provide a stylish, convenient place to store toys or crayons or CDs or…. The list is endless. Many have special compartments that provide a safe place to put fragile CDs. Many have numerous pockets for softer items that are now within easy reach. And the range of colors and designs is equally endless to fit right in with the nursery decor.

Nursing kits are a must and they, too, have advanced.

In the past, a simple glass mercury thermometer might have been the centerpiece, since body temperature is a key element of infant health. But those were always a little risky and sometimes tricky to read. That piece has been replaced with an indestructible, digital thermometer that is quick, accurate and completely safe to use.

You may want to have iodine or antibacterial spray with band-aids accessible without having to rush to the bathroom. A nasal aspirator is not something you want to have to search for, either. A medicine dropper is much more useful when it’s within arm’s reach. All these and more can be part of a nursery first-aid kit that holds all the items you need.

But the nursery is about more than just function, as important as that may be. It is also an element of the home that you want to decorate according to your individual taste.

As your baby grows a little older, a rocker is both a great way to sooth young nerves and work off some excess energy. But it needn’t be merely functional, it can fit right in with a chosen design for the entire nursery. It can match that walnut dresser, or the gingham-covered wicker nursery basket. It is part of the total that includes that perfect bassinet.

Look into the broad range of nursery products available today and save the nostalgia for some other area of life.

Baby Gear – Guidelines For Your Baby Playard

Author — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 05:48:06 +0000

A playpen or play yard help both parent and baby. Parents feel better knowing their baby has a secure, interesting place to play. The baby develops his or her physical and mental abilities by exploring all the features of the playpen and the toys provided.

Safety is the first consideration, of course. Babies vary naturally in how vigorous they are. Some are quieter, others bounce all over the place at a very early age. A good playpen should stand up to the hardest punishment the baby can deliver, over the months or years they will use it.

Railings at the top should be able to support 100 pounds without bending. Ditto the floor. Your baby may only weigh 15-30 pounds when he or she starts applying pressure on it. But when they hold and bounce that apparent weight goes way up. You want something with a wide safety margin to prevent injury and to avoid breaking the playpen.

Metal tubing forms the majority of sturdy playards, though some are made from wood. Sturdy framing ensures that the basic safety criterion is met, but padding is also essential. The padding should be thick and securely attached by snaps, rivets or seams that won’t break and fabric that won’t tear. It’s a nice added convenience if it can be changed or replaced easily.

The final basic element is indestructible mesh. Often nylon, sometimes a type of composite, the fabric that is stretched between the frame parts should be practically impossible for the baby to tear. The mesh size should be small enough that neither hands nor clothing can be pushed through.

Mesh should also offer considerable give, in order to prevent pressure injuries. But it still needs to provide strong resistance. That discourages babies from trying to ‘escape’, but also gives young muscles a chance to develop by working against the resistance.

Having wheels or rollers on the playard is a nice to have feature. But if they come equipped that way, they should have a lock-down feature to prevent the playpen from becoming a walker by accident. That’s especially important when the playpen is on a slight grade, such as outside on the lawn.

A wide playard will provide not only plenty of room to move around and explore but adds a safety element. The wider they are, the less likely a larger baby can tip one over when standing on the edge and jerking back and forth.

A generous width also allows for using different parts of the playard for different purposes. One section could have a small pillow attached to the corner for when the baby is sleeping. That helps isolate the sleeping area from that more filled with toys. Babies, of course, will scatter things about but a wide playpen allows parents to straighten up when the young one finally winds down. That removes the possibility of kicking toys while sleeping.

It’s always great to have a playard with sides that can be folded. That makes the pen more easily portable. It also provides parents with the ability to open one end to teach the baby to move in and out of an area. Take care, though, that the hinges are designed so they can’t catch on blankets or skin.

Baby Gear – Choosing A Baby Bouncer

Author — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 05:46:00 +0000

Parents around the world recognize similar behavior in babies: they like to move. That’s good for them, since it develops strength and muscle control. It also helps keep several other body systems tuned up, like the cardiovascular system.

One way to make sure they satisfy that natural desire in a safe way is to invest in a good baby bouncer. But what makes a baby bouncer ‘good’?

The specifics will vary slightly with age, but the first criteria – of course – is safety. Bouncers should be able to stand up to a range of punishment. Some babies are naturally more vigorous and mobile than others. But as they age all of them will increase the stress they put on a bouncer. And, as every parent knows, they grow up fast.

Many bouncers are bouncer/rocker combinations. Those are a great option since they allow for multiple kinds of motion. Bouncing gets all that super baby energy out, rocking provides comfort for those quieter moments. That also allows movement of different types and in different directions, which adds valuable muscle control training to sheer strength development.

The bouncer or rocker should have no sharp edges anywhere, and padding on any part that comes in contact with the baby. They should also be protected anywhere the bouncer might come in contact with the floor, walls or furniture. A wide base will keep it stable and prevent injury.

Some designs make that kind of lateral movement more likely than others. Some have wheels. Those that do should have a lock-down mechanism so you can discourage movement across the room when you want to. Others are outfitted with rubberized ‘feet’ that will protect the floor, while side padding protects both baby and wall.

Look for snaps, screws, rivets that are strong and installed to minimize the odds of tearing the padding. Some, for example, have plastic rings rather than metal that provide the attachment to the bouncer or rocker. That can be okay, provided the plastic is a good composite that won’t break under strain.

One excellent variation incorporates a battery operated motor. One with an adjustable speed is always appreciated. Sometimes it’s good to let the bouncer do the work.

It also gives parents a needed break from gentle rocking that soothes an excited or unhappy baby. That decreases crying and also stimulates perception. Any safe interaction with a dynamic environment is good for mental as well as physical development.

Most will have good safety restraints built in, but you should try to work them to check. A soft 3-point harness around the waist and between the legs keeps your baby securely in place. The restraint should also be designed so that there’s no chance of pinching or excess compression. Convenience is a factor, too. You want it to be easy to snap together when you’re in a hurry.

Other nice to have elements might include sounds or music. That keeps your baby occupied and, again, helps them develop mentally while they exercise. A canopy is useful when you want to use the bouncer outside. A toy tray that is ultra-sturdy is always great to have, too.