Baby Diapers: What To Use Cloth or Disposable?
Many babies cannot wear disposable diapers: the plastic causes rashes; perfumes or chemicals purporting to contribute to skin care and the general airless quality of disposable diapers increases diaper rash and allergies. Disposable diapers can cause sores, staph infections and fungal infections in babies: disposables trap heat, increasing bacterial growth. Some disposables contain a super-absorbent gel called sodium polyacrylate, which is deadly to pets and causes allergic reactions in people; dioxin has found its way into diapers, as its used to bleach the paper components. Parents who want healthier babies have preferred to ditch plastic high-tech disposables in favor of safer products.
Better Absorbency in Todays Cloth Diapers
Modern cloth diapers have increased in absorbency, and manufacturers have done away with the need for pins: diapers are fitted with Velcro, elastic or straps. Diapers are made of absorbent fabrics, so diaper covers are often a must-have. They cant be called inexpensive, but when you compare the cost to the number of disposable diapers needed every day, they seem more affordable. Cloth diapers are more work: they must be emptied, placed in hampers or diaper pails and laundered. Washing cloth diapers takes time, and some daycares refuse to use them. You may start to feel like your whole life consists of changing dirty diapers and cleaning babies bottom! But, if you are a new parent and still have some energy left for environmental conservation, the single most important thing you can do is switch to cloth diapers or biodegradable disposables.
Best Baby Bottle Choices: Chemical Free Glass vs. Plastic Bottles
Plastic baby bottles have been considered the best choice because they couldnt break, but with recent discoveries of the dangers of a chemical in plastic called bisphenol A (BPA). A small amount of BPA has been shown to damage hormonal systems in males and females, contributing to reproductive diseases and cancer.
Choosing a tempered glass baby bottle or sippy cup (tempered glass is much harder to break) and a clear silicon nipple (buy one made without nitrosamines) are the safest options for a chemical-free bottle. Latex nipples are also an option, and some babies are safe with them, but others develop latex allergies. The nipple size determines flow size, which should be matched to the age of your child: an infant takes a smaller nipple and lower flow size than a toddler. Schedule regular nipple changes as your child grows. Nipples come in different shapes, too. A newborn with problems breastfeeding may prefer a different kind of teat on the bottle: you may need to experiment to find the right design for your child.
Baby Crib Buying Guide:
For new parent buying a baby crib for your infant, you want to combine safety with a long-lasting, durable piece of beautiful furniture you'll be glad to someday hand down to your child. Baby cribs come in all sorts of styles, from the traditional canopy crib to baby beds made with springs like regular beds only with the addition of rails.To convertible cribs.Bassinets and Moses Baskets
A Moses basket is a woven basket with handles while the bassinet is typically a plastic woven basket on a stand. These are not an essential buy, but they certainly can make life easier in the first few months. You can use a crib from day one but both a Moses basket and bassinet are portable between rooms and both items fit easily into your own bedroom if this is where you want your baby to sleep during the early days. These are best for babies up to 3-4 months or until the baby is mobile.Cribs
Cribs are suitable for babies from birth.
A NOTE ABOUT TWINS: If you have twins, many pediatricians recommend putting them in the same crib for the first four months.
Drop-Side Crib
Many styles have mechanisms that allow you to lower or raise the side with one hand, while cradling your baby with the other. Cribs with one drop-side or a ‘static’ drop-side tend to be sturdier than cribs with two drop-sides.
Crib with Adjustable-Height Mattress Base
Most cribs have several height levels for the mattress – the highest setting is for when the baby is newborn and gradually as the baby grows you lower the mattress height to prevent the baby from climbing or falling out.
Crib with Castors
Two or four castors make your crib easier to move around. At least two must be lockable, and should always be locked when not in use.
Teething Rails for Cribs
Clear non-toxic plastic fits over the top rail of the crib and protects your baby's gums once he's teething and has started to chew.
Convertible or Stages Cribs
Larger, with removable sides, so they can be converted into some combination of toddler bed, daybed or headboard and footboard for a full-sized bed. A good value choice, since crib beds have a longer life-span.
Travel Cribs
Folding cribs are perfect for traveling - some also double as a playpen. It's a good idea to get your baby used to sleeping in the crib for a few nights at home, before you travel. Many styles have removable, washable covers and fold away into a travel bag.
