Baby Shower Etiquette
You’ve been invited to attend a baby shower. But whose is it and what do you bring? Like any type of party, baby showers have their own set of etiquette for what to give and how much to spend.
As the link above mentions, a baby gift should fall between $20 and $70 dollars, with the low end ideal for coworkers and acquaintances invited and the higher limit for friends and family. More specifically, gift registries are becoming common for baby showers, and guests are recommended to keep this in mind. If new parents have a registry, choose your present from it. If not, find a baby gift in the appropriate price range from another source.
But sometimes a baby shower falls on a day you can’t attend. Do you just not show and forget about giving a gift? Much like a wedding, specify that you can’t attend, but still end a small gift anyway.
Although showers are designed to give new parents a large starting supply of items – baby clothes, furniture, and toys – for their new child, don’t forget about the parents themselves. Consider giving a present that the parents can use to relax or to enjoy themselves.
Even when considering baby shower gifts, go for use rather than style. Although picking out a cute set of dresses or a suit for a baby may be fun, the new parents may only use these special occasion items once. New babies grow quickly, and clothing and toys become too small or too old every three months. Think about the basics, such as onesies, t-shirts, sheets, and diapers, and package them attractively.
Even with gift registries increasing in popularity, ask the new parents about the products they already have before purchasing a larger item, such as a stroller or furniture. Especially if they’re having a second child, they may already have several items ready.
Can You Trust Green Baby Products?
Filed under: Baby Gear, Baby Health, Baby Safety, Feeding Tips
Finding BPA-free products has been a concern for many parents. Children under three years of age shouldn’t be exposed to the chemical, and some states have outright banned it. But when you see a label with “BPA-free” on it, are you sure you’re getting a product with no traces of the chemical?
According to Environmental Leader, products with “green” labels aren’t always what they seem. This, in particular, applies to baby products which, in recent years, are labeled as “green,” “BPA-free,” and “phthalates-free.” Exposure to BPA and phthalates has been known to cause developmental disorders and other physical problems in children, and manufacturers of plastic products, such as cups and bottles, will mention that the product does not contain the chemical; phthalates, similarly, may be found in rubber products, such as mattresses.
The piece in the Environmental Leader titles this “greenwashing” and such products are easily spotted by labels that offer no proof, are vague, or are clearly inaccurate. Claims against such products gave gone up 577 percent for those labeled BPA-free and 2,550 percent for those labeled phthalates-free.
Although the FTC is apparently considering revising its standards for a “green” product, what is a parent to do when confronted with this issue? Do you take every green baby product at face value or do you investigate each?
Back in March, we listed some tips for finding BPA-free products. These included checking the recycling number on the bottom – 3 and 7 contain BPA – and finding alternative methods, such as steel.
Toys, on the other hand, can be more difficult. Although the child won’t drink directly from it, the toy has the potential to contain phthalates or BPA if made from rubber or plastic. Removing these chemicals from your child’s environment involves finding products and toys that do not contain hard or soft plastic.
Secondhand or “Pre-Loved” Baby Markets Provide Cheaper Baby Products
Filed under: Baby Clothes, Baby Gear, Baby Safety, Baby Toys, Premier Baby Stores
Everyone wants to save money these days, including new parents. We’ve mentioned about purchasing secondhand baby items before on here, in particularly from consignment and thrift stores. But while baby products at these places are secondary, markets geared specifically toward parents have popped up. The Tiny Tots Baby Market in South-West Sydney, Australia has parents selling their “pre-loved” baby clothing and toys; parents needing slightly worn items for their babies and young children attend when the market opens every three months. Considering that most babies and children go through clothing and toys at this rate, parents can stop by Tiny Tots and stock up on basics their children will need.
As the link above mentions, secondhand or pre-owned markets have several benefits. First, cash-strapped parents can get the items they’ll need and stock up on clothing their children will quickly outgrow. Second, parents are selling to other parents, and the market offers a greater selection of baby products. Third, recycling clothing is green.
But parents should also be careful when taking the secondhand route. For example, while slightly worn clothing saves money for the parents, other slightly worn products may no longer be usable – or could have been recalled. Certain items, such as strollers, car seats, and furniture may no longer be in usable condition, and parents should examine each larger piece. Toys, similarly, could have been recalled at one point or another and parts, even from non-recalled items, may break off easier.
When attending a secondhand market or accepting hand-me-down items, examine them first before purchasing. Although clothing is generally safe, toys and furniture should be scrutinized. Beyond knowing if a product was recalled at one point, check toys for parts that could break off easily or are a clear choking hazard. For furniture and strollers, make sure that the child can be strapped in firmly and won’t get loose easily.