Good To Go Baby Gifts

Remember the days of throwing everything in the trash and calling it good?  Well, those were the “bad old days” as we are now trying to save the planet.  Some of this saving can be confusing but here are seven “golden rules of green” that Aaron Dalton, writer for HOME COMFORT STYLE magazine says are universal:

1.  Since plastic lids can be made from a different plastic than the bottles, remove all plastic lids before throwing into the recycle bin.

2.  Insects and animals may be drawn to the recycling area so rinse plastic bottles and glass jars.

3.  Drop plastics individually in the recycle bin instead of bundling them together just in case they are made of different kinds of plastic.

4.  Remove staples and paper clips from paper recyclables to make the recycling process smoother.

5.  Computers and electronics may release toxic chemicals so only put them in recycling bins specific for electronics.

6.  Save and recycle all the paper you can as this paper accounts for close to 40% of the fiber used to make paper products.

7.  Recycle aluminum cans as it takes just 4% of the energy needed to mine aluminum from the ground.  

So—baby gifts that you can give your children are recycling for a “greener” world.

I got an e-mail from a friend whose one-year-old is going to another one-year-olds birthday party.  The whole theme is pink and they asked for personalized baby gifts.  I suggested the pink t-shirt with the name stitched on the front.  They ordered it in the size 12-18 months and put the little girl’s first name on the t-shirt.  It fit perfectly and was a hit at the one-year birthday party.  The friend thanks me for enabling her to order right from her computer and saving the gas and time!  She now put in an order for her own child!

As I sit here ready to go to my grandchild’s home to babysit her for the day, I think of all we are going to do.  First of all, I will give her love all day long so she remembers me when I’m gone.  Next, I will teach her things because “once a teacher, always a teacher.”  Lastly, I will go for a walk with her.  I love to walk and hope to instill this in my grandchildren.  Besides being out in the fresh air and saving gas money (We are walking to have lunch together.), the walking is good for both of us.

According to Dr. Robert Vogel, chief medical director of the Pritikin Longevity Center and Spa, walking is the easiest way to get healthy.  In his three and four month walking studies, significant weight and waist loss and improved blood pressure and cholesterol prevailed.  He also goes on to say that not only does walking lower your numbers but gives you a lift too.  It release endorphins which make you happier.  So, one of the best unique baby gifts you mothers and grandmothers can give your baby is the power of walking. 

I can’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t eat peanuts and peanut butter.  I also have memories of my dad putting peanut butter on simply everything or walking around the house with a hand full of peanuts.   However, there are some people that are not so lucky—They have a peanut allergy. 

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, the peanut allergy is responsible for 15,000 emergency visits a year and nearly 100 deaths a year.  Just like other allergies, a peanut allergy involves an overraction of the immne system.  When a sufferer is exposed to the protein in peanuts, the immune system activates defense mechanisms meant to fight off infections.  This reaction causes symptoms like itching on the roof of the mouth, nasal conjestion, swelling of the eyes and tongue, hives, shortness of breath, and wheezing. 

Dr. Tedd Mitchell, president and CEO of Dallas Cooper Clinic, says that you must be observant about the peanut allergy symptoms and  be educated about the peanut allergy by reading food labels.  He prescribes an epinephrine pen, an injector they can use in emergencies to buy time until they can seek medical help.  Your doctor will be happy to do the same.   If you know your baby or child has a peanut allergy, buying one of these pens can be one of the best baby gifts you buy your child.

I heard a new one today—the Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease.  According to the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, the HFMD is a common VIRAL illness of infants and children.  The disease causes fever  and blister-like eruptions in the mouth and/or a skin rash.  HFMD is not to be confused with the Hoof and Mouth Disease that cattle, sheep, and swine can get.  The two diseases are not related and they are caused by different viruses.  Humans do not get the animal disease and animals do not get the human disease.

The disease generally starts with a fever and then leads to the blisters and/or rash.  The disease is contagious and is the most contagious during the first week of the disease.  Not everyone who is infected becomes ill.  The only treatment available is fever and pain reducing medications (Ask your doctor what kind to use.) and plenty of liquids. 

There are no specific methods of prevention from the disease except for washing the hands frequently (and correctly), cleaning toys, not sharing eating utensils, and avoiding close contact with persons with HFMD.  As you go the the park, church, etc. carry along disinfectant wipes in you monogrammed tote bag and use them.  This will help them ward off this disease as well as other diseases.

I guess I’m not the only one who enjoys giving a personal baby gift basket for a baby shower gift.   I had a request for a monogrammed baby robe put in a basket with 2 burp cloths and the softest blanket.  They knew that the baby was going to be a boy and they knew what the baby’s name was going to be.  The gift was shipped to the gift giver within a week and was the hit of the shower. 

In an article entitiled “New Ways to Walk Off Weight” written by Michele Bender, one way that she lists is to “Push Some Weight Around.”  In a recent study that she cited, women who pushed strollers loaded with 35 pounds burned 18% to 20%more calories than when they walked without the stroller.  That equals burning 375-440 calories per hour (up to about 90 calories more than normal) for the average woman.  So, pack up that baby and your monogrammed baby bag filled with snacks, drinks, books, toys, etc. and go for a stroll.  We’ve got to take advantage of these nice fall days!  Your baby will love the stroll and so will you (and so will your body)!

When I grew up, baseball was “the great American pastime.”  Now, there are some very enthused by it and others not so much.  For all of you enthused by baseball and having a baby, do I have the unique personalized baby gifts for you!  This decoration is also very helpful as it teaches your child or children how to hang things up.  When my children were little, they had a small coat rack and always hung their coats and sweaters on it.  I’m sure that’s why they are so neat today.  :-)  

If you watched any TV in the last several days, you heard the controversy about if baby bottles and the lining of formula cans is safe.  The material used in SOME of them is Bisphenol A, also called BPA, and is used in hard plastics or the number 7 plastic.  

I went on the internet to various sources and there is no definite answer at this time.  The research on RODENTS shows the possibility of heart disease, diabetes,  liver abnormalities, and hormonal abnormalities after using the #7 plastic containers over a period of time.  The new research is on humans and was sketchy at this time or showed that the relationship was relatively rare and did not prove the BPA was to blame.  However, David Schardt, MS, senior nutritionist of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, said that the results were “disturbing.”

If you are concerned, do more research on your own (entering in Bisphenol A) or use plastic that is NOT the #7.  The best baby gifts you can give your baby is safety and only YOU can decide what is safe for your baby.