Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Baby Slings – A Look at Wraps

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.


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of  http://www.pureandhonestkids.com/page.htm?pg=babyslings baby
slings. Visit us today on the web for 
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Serena and Lily bedding.

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Baby Bedding - Choices That Grow

Once you have decided on a general decor or theme for your baby's room, you will then have the fun of choosing baby bedding items that fit within your theme and still are safe and comfortable for your newborn. Another aspect of smart baby bedding choices is selecting things that will grow along with your child. This growth is not necessarily just in the physical sense of getting too large for a cradle for example, but reflects the growth of interest and the baby beginning to interact with his or her environment in a positive way.

Involve the Senses

Baby bedding accessories that draw the baby's attention by using the senses of sight, sound and touch are particularly good items to include in the baby's room. A bright mobile that is above the baby's bed will be intriguing to baby, particularly if the toy has bright colors, moves or plays a musical melody, for example. The baby will become animated as he or she recognizes the sound and motion of such an item. Another popular baby bedding accessory is a mural or wall hanging placed where the child can see the bright colors.

Blankets

When you first bring your new baby home from the hospital or birthing center, your typical baby bedding will consist of a mattress pad, crib sheets and perhaps receiving blankets. As the baby grows and becomes more active, usually the receiving blanket must be replaced by larger, lightweight crib blankets or comforters. These can still be lightweight but must be larger in size. Soft cottons, silks, or other fabrics are ideal to replace the original baby bedding for infants. You will still need to look for blankets that can be easily washed and maintained with minimal effort. The blankets can be in keeping with the slightly expanded environment of the older baby while still attractive and durable.

Colors

While you may prefer dainty pastels in a newborn's room, as the baby starts taking more interest in its surroundings, baby bedding in brighter colors or with prints or action figures that will catch and hold the baby's interest are preferable. For this reason, you may want to keep the original choices of baby bedding to a minimum few, but plan ahead for the future simple changes to add more color and excitement to the original theme of the room.

Window Treatments

Window treatments are as varied today as other types of baby bedding and they can blend or contrast with the rest of the colors and theme of the baby's room. As the baby grows older, they can be replaced with other types of construction, or can be the look that ties the entire maturing room together. Choose white sheers to go in the infants room and top them with bright drapes or panels as the child grows. If you prefer to use blinds or mini blinds for your window treatment, you can top them with attractive valances or borders. These can be replaced easily to keep pace with your baby's interest and attention.

About The Author: Molly Ridenhour is a proud co-owner of Pure and Honest Kids, a children's and baby e-boutique. Visit us today on the web for a large selection of Crib Bedding and Serena and Lily at http://www.pureandhonestkids.com.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Organic Baby Products - Eliminating Carcinogens

One of the major benefits of using organic baby products is that they are naturally free of ingredients known to be carcinogens. No new parent wants to learn that many of the lotions, powders, cremes and salves they are putting on their baby's tender skin contain substances known to be carcinogenic or that break down due to natural factors into substances that release carcinogens. It's important to read the labels, of course, but by using organic baby products, you are less likely to find questionable ingredients in the things that you use for your baby's comfort.

Types of Carcinogens

It is difficult to determine precisely the effect that certain chemicals will have when placed on the baby's skin. The chemical may be directly harmful or the product may contain ingredients that break down when placed in or on the body to create negative effects on human skin. These ingredients are usually found in mainstream products, but organic baby products either do not contain the ingredients originally, or the product has been treated in such a way as to remove the dangerous components. True organic baby products contain no harmful ingredients to risk your baby's health and potentially his or her life.

Hidden Carcinogens

Hidden carcinogens in baby products are scary things. They are substances which may appear safe but under time or environmental conditions, they will ultimately deteriorate and release carcinogens. Babies are extremely sensitive to substances that are carcinogens, making it particularly important for parents to select organic baby products for the new baby. Organic baby products do not contain carcinogens, hidden or obvious. This makes them worthwhile to purchase even when prices are somewhat higher than those of standard products. Just by reading labels and informing yourself about carcinogens, you are less likely to choose harmful products for your child.

Carcinogens in Mainstream Products

Many wetting agents and detergents contain large amounts of carcinogens especially when combined with dioxane and ethyl oxide. Combinations of these lethal ingredients are particularly dangerous in combination with Laureths, Ceteareths and PEG's. Instead of using these ingredients in your cleaning products, choose organic baby products and give your baby a better start in life. You should also avoid detergents containing triethanolamine that can interact with nitrite and form another carcinogen called nitrosamine. organic baby products are a much smarter choice to avoid exposing your infant to dangerous chemicals.

Fragrances

There are fragrant products, many of which are found in baby products that contain carcinogenic ingredients. In addition to known carcinogens, at least one quarter of these ingredients that are used in baby care products are known allergens. The fragrances that are used in these products often cause skin allergies in babies. Why not choose organic baby products instead for your infant. You won't be running the risk of hidden carcinogens being introduced into your baby's clothing , food and bedding. You also reduce the incidence of irritated skin with allergic reactions. when you introduce substances on your baby's skin, you want to be assured that they provide protection, not harm.

About The Author: Molly Ridenhour is a proud co-owner of Pure and Honest Kids, a children's and baby e-boutique. Visit us today on the web at http://www.pureandhonestkids.com for a great selection of Organic Baby Products in addition to Serena and Lily Baby Bedding.