Crib Mattresses: Six Reasons to Buy Organic
October 20th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
So much care and attention goes into preparing for a new baby, and it’s only natural that you would want to provide the very best.
One of the decisions that new parents are faced with is whether to choose a traditional or organic crib mattress. Organic crib mattresses work just as well as traditional mattresses but have the added benefit of being free from chemicals. Here are six considerations to help you in your purchasing decision:
1. By purchasing organically made products, such as a crib mattress, you are influencing the marketplace with your dollars. The more people purchase organic products, the more they are likely to be provided in the future. Because organically grown cotton reduces the use of pesticides in fields, your purchase is helping the environment.
2. Switching from a traditional crib mattress to an organic crib mattress may be more than just an eco-friendly move. It may be a matter of safety. Many traditional crib mattresses contain a number of materials with questionable effects. Experts are starting to look at everything from polyurethane foam to chemical fire retardants to see what kinds of effects they may have on growing babies.
3. Some experts say that organic crib mattresses, with their natural ingredients, allow air to flow freely through the mattress. The better air circulation may help your baby breathe better. In addition, some studies suggest that the organic cotton may lead to a lower incidence of allergic reactions.
4. Due to the recent interest in organic baby products, be wary of any misuse of the word “organic” in the marketplace. You want to make sure that you are getting a certified organic mattress. You can also call the Organic Consumers Association to get a list of accredited organic retailers.
5. If you’re purchasing your organic crib mattress online, you need to read the fine print and look through the list of components. A mattress may say that it’s organic, but lists polyurethane in the components, for example, it can’t be 100 percent organic.
6. Organic crib mattresses are more expensive than traditional crib mattresses. But given the fact that a new baby spends 70 percent of her time sleeping, it might be worth a little bit extra to get an organic crib mattress. When you lay your baby down on something you know is chemical free, you may find that you rest easier yourself. Here is a price comparison of organic crib mattresses from leading online merchants specializing in baby gear.
Babies have been sleeping on traditional mattresses for a long time, so don’t be overly alarmed by the claims or warnings that you might read online while researching organic baby gear. That said, with so many chemicals in our world today, it might make sense to research your options before making this important purchase.
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How to get Children to Sleep at Night
October 20th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Quality sleep can fill you with vitality, and no one requires more energy than a child does. Without adequate nocturnal sleep, youngsters can display behavioral issues, have trouble learning and experience wellness issues. Sleep problems in children are surprisingly frequent. Read on for more information on the symptoms of common sleep disorders in children, how they can impact their growth and the treatment choices available.
New parents are often really worried about how much sleep their baby is getting. Newborns have irregular sleep cycles and sleep an average of sixteen to seventeen hours per day. Nevertheless, they might only sleep one or two hours at a time. As children progress, the total number of hours they require for sleep decreases. A pre-school toddler might still want to sleep ten to twelve hours in every twenty four, whereas a school age child sleeps some ten hours in every twenty four. It is important to remember that each child’s sleeping pattern will be different.
Studies have shown that, as many as thirty seven percent of all young children suffer some type of major sleep issues including disrupted sleep, nightmares, sleepwalking and unwillingness to go to bed. Bedwetting is an extra problem in older children. The culmination of these issues can be the trigger of attention and behaviour problems as well as attention deficit hyperactive disorder or ADHD in some school age children. If your child has difficulty getting off to sleep, it is important for you, as a parent, to figure out if the reason may be the result or side effect of any ADHD medication he or she may be taking.
Youngsters can resist their bedtime for various reasons. Nonetheless, establishing consistent bedtime rituals can serve to avoid sleep problems in children. This can include bathing, cleaning teeth, reading stories or saying prayers. This down time should be relaxing. If your youngster suffers from nightmares or night terrors, then lay with them in their bed until they drop off. Do not take them to your own bed, since doing so will not encourage them to feel safe and comfy in their own room. It also helps if you talk with your little one about why sleep is important. Tell them that sleep will help them to have more energy to play and grow up strong. This gives them an inducement to sleep more.
Kids learn from good example, so stick to a natural sleep ritual yourself. If your child’s symptoms remain, then look at visiting a sleep specialist. On occasions sleep problems in children can be caused by depression or other anxiety disorders. However, bear in mind that every child is unique. If they are energetic and active during the day, then do not worry if they are suffering periodic sleepless nights.
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Crib Bedding Sets and Infant Precautions
October 20th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Now that you’ve got a baby crib, the next thing you’ll need to get is a crib set. Most bedding sets consist of several items, but some of them may actually be harmful to your baby. Bare is best when it comes to baby bedding: pediatricians recommend keeping all unnecessary bedding out of the crib. Babies are a messy lot, so 4 or 5 crib sheets will serve you well. Spend your money on getting really good sheets, instead of on a designer bedding set that isn’t even recommended to stay in the crib.
Quilts and crib bumper pads both pose a risk of suffocation, so use them for decoration or just don’t use them. If you’re worried about baby getting to cold, put on some warm pajamas or a swaddling blankets instead. Sleep sacks are worn like clothing, but have a closed “bag” at the legs to keep baby warm. As swaddling has surged in popularity over the past decade, innovative new products have emerged that help in getting a customized fit. Swaddling is supposed to mimic the close quarters of the uterus, and it comforts many newborns. If you rock your baby a lot, you might still want a quilt or blanket to wrap around him or her. Just remember that you have to put your baby into the crib without the quilt.
Some people choose to use a sleep wedge, which is designed to keep babies off their tummies (believed to increase the risk of SIDS). But young babies are not able to roll over, so if you put them to bed on their backs, they’ll stay on their backs. And by the time they are able to roll onto their tummies, SIDS is no longer such a serious concern. You should also realize that these foam wedges are themselves soft bedding, which is not recommended by most pediatricians for very young babies.
Bedding sets are more than just quilts and bumper pads, though. They often include things like wall hangings, window valances, and even a mobile. Keep in mind what you and your baby actually need, though. These will probably not make the list.
It is understandable, however, that you might want a bedding set to complete the look of your baby’s room. If so, just get gender neutral baby bedding like a Hot Cocoa crib set. {It’s much more cost effective because you can use it again and again, regardless of the sex of your next baby.}
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