Oscar de la Renta Designing Baby Clothing
In concept, designer baby clothing is a paradox: Why pay exorbitant amounts of money on garments that will only get a few wears before the child is too big? Yet, a market for high-end designer clothing for children, including babies, is emerging. Instead of Gap Kids, think Gucci Kids.
Oscar de la Renta is one such designer to foray into babies’ and children’s clothing. Announced in December, Oscar de la Renta took on Catherine Monteito de Barros, of Portuguese children’s line Papo d’Anjo, as vice president of the brand’s children’s wear. Encompassing children for boys and girls 18 months to 14 years, the line is expected to debut in fall 2012. While Oscar de la Renta has designed limited edition children’s wear before, this line is for parents who “want their children to look like children.”
Other designers have paved the way into high-end children’s fashion. Although celebrity kids that garner significant attention in the tabloids (think Suri Cruise or the Bradjelina brood) have made the market for higher-end children’s clothing visible, brands normally considered “adult” are trying to attract the youngest demographic (or, at least, their parents with money). Profiled in the New York Times in October, Gucci, Burberry, Fendi, and Stella McCartney have all designed children’s lines. Some attempt to replicate the look of adult clothing, while others, like Oscar de la Renta and Fendi, have a different outlook for children – one less grownup.
In regards to her children’s clothing line, Silvia Fendi told the press: “There is a fashion element to the collection. But it is important that it be clothing that works for children and that it be made well from good materials.”
Although accompanied by a significantly higher price tag, these baby’s and children’s clothes are better made, designed to be stronger or, in the case of Stella McCartney, made out of eco-friendly materials.
Toxic Chemicals Found in Brand-Name Baby Products
How safe are your baby’s toys? Not as safe as you think. On December 13, the Environmental Health Strategy Center put out a report identifying 650 brand-name products with hormone-disrupting toxic chemicals, including BPA and NPEs. Not relegated exclusively to baby products, the report reveals that common toys for young children, such as PLAYMOBIL figures and Chicco baby rattles, contain BPA.
BPA, we mentioned before, mimics estrogen, harming brain development and behavior in the process. The report mentions that 18 states have passed 70 laws regulating chemicals in products over the past decade, but a national measure, such as the Safe Chemicals Act, should be in place. Although only in initial stages at the moment, the Safe Chemicals Act would require chemical manufacturers to disclose health information and safety about compounds and restrict the most harmful. The act would replace the current Toxic Substance Control Act, which has had no changes in 35 years.
Although states are already enacting laws, companies found to have potentially-harmful chemicals in baby products are addressing the issue themselves. One is Johnson & Johnson. According to a November Associated Press article, Johnson & Johnson has been working to remove traces of toxic chemicals from baby products. In May 2009, Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Shampoo was found to contain two potentially carcinogenic chemicals, and the brand has experienced two-dozen recalls over two years. As far as improving the quality of baby toys, the company has since removed all phthalates from baby products.
Parents shouldn’t have to seek out green products to keep chemicals away from their children – especially those that harm development, like BPA. Enacting a national law regulating chemicals would be one step toward ensuring the greater availability of healthier baby products.
Suggestions for Green Baby Gifts
Going green is becoming essential, going from where electricity and food come from to baby products. If you are looking to go green with Christmas or Chanukah presents for your baby or another’s child, finding such items can be difficult at conventional retailers. For staying away from toxic chemicals, PVC, and BPA, consider these suggestions for green holiday baby gifts:
• A Regal Rocker Moses Basket Stand. Ideal for parents already using Moses baskets as temporary sleeping areas for their children, these stands are made out of all-natural organic wood, with no paint, stains, or toxic finishes added.
• The Lassig Vintage Metro Diaper Bag. Many mothers want stylish diaper bags, and this Lassig model has an eye-catching look, all while being made without PVC, nickel, AZO dyes, and phthalates.
• A Yellow Label Pink Cuddle Doll. With many baby toys, you don’t know if the item was made in the United States or overseas with child labor. Yellow Label Pink Cuddle Dolls, on the other hand, are made entirely by hand – no machines are used – in accordance with Fair Trade Practices.
• Cotton Monkey Crib Bedding. With a bright appearance, Cotton Monkey crib bedding is made out of organic cotton and wool, which has natural antimicrobial properties and is resistant to dust and mites.
• A Naturepedic Mattress. Baby mattresses are often made with foam containing fire-retardant chemicals, which leach out and get into a child’s environment. Because a baby sleeps for 70 percent of its first year, having a space free of chemicals is crucial. Naturepedic baby mattresses, which are also available in sizes for toddlers, are made with organic cotton, without harmful chemicals or allergens.
• An Eco-friendly diaper cake. There’s no such thing as too many diapers. For parents with a new baby, go green with one of these Rattlecake diaper cakes, which include toys made out of organic cotton and Seventh Generation diapers.
Baby Gifts for the Holiday Season
The holiday season is approaching, and no matter if you celebrate Christmas or Chanukah, you might find yourself looking for baby gifts – for your own child or a friend’s. If you are unsure about what to get, consider these pointers below.
• A child can never have too many toys. Yet, the usefulness of the toy counts. While friends, particularly, may be tempted to purchase just any toy, infants and toddlers have specific needs in play, which assists with building sensory, gross and fine motor, critical-thinking, and creative skills. In this case, look out for baby toys in black, red, and white, which visually stimulate a child, or those that have various textures, patterns, or sounds. Toddlers, on the other hand, need to work on gross motor skills, and for such a child, you should be on the lookout for blocks, riding toys, or dolls, all of which should be soft.
• Parents always need baby clothes, especially as young children quickly go through garments. No matter if you are shopping for your own child or someone else’s, stay practical with this gift. However, know the child’s age or size before purchasing any onesies, pants, footies, or t-shirts beforehand.
• Generally, veer away from larger presents, such as furniture, strollers, and car seats. Parents with babies or young children likely have these items already. However, if you know a parent in need of any of these items, consider purchasing one as a useful present.
• Go a practical route but dress up your gift. While basic, holiday diaper cakes are perfect for parents with babies and toddlers. Designed with a holiday theme, such diaper cakes contain 80 to 150 diapers, as well as various baby products on the outside. Overall, such a present helps new parents cut down on their diaper budget.
• Consider the parent. Do you know a mother looking for a larger or more stylish diaper bag? Find one that looks similar to a high-end handbag but has all the components a parent needs for taking a child out.
100 Most Popular Baby Names of 2011
Thousands, if not millions, of baby names are out there for parents, but which ones are picked more often than others? BabyCenter.com released their list of the 100 most popular baby names of 2011. Not much has changed for preferences over the past few years, as you might notice. Parents expecting boys often reach for the –aiden variations, while baby girl names more often sound like places (Brooklyn, Madison). If you haven’t had a chance to see the list yet, here are the 10 most popular names for boys and girls. For purposes of the poll, spelling variations were not differentiated; for instance, “Sophia” and “Sofia” are counted as one name. Read the full list on BabyCenter.com.
Girls’ Names
Sophia
Emma
Isabella
Olivia
Ava
Lily
Chloe
Madison
Emily
Abigail
Boys’ Names
Aiden
Jackson
Mason
Liam
Jacob
Jayden
Ethan
Noah
Lucas
Logan
Out of all these names, a few stand out. BabyCenter.com, in its poll, pointed out that “Mason” moved up a few places. For those that follow reality television, one of the Kardashian sisters named her baby “Mason Dash” over the past year; considering the socialite/reality television family’s influence, “Mason” likely increased in placement as a result. However, with no celebrity association, “Liam” moved up a few places, as well.
Aside from these changes pointed out by BabyCenter.com, -aiden names like Aiden, Jayden, Cayden, and Braydon hold strong.
For girls, “Sophia” may be the most popular name, but a few from the top 100 sound more unisex – or more like locations than names given to a daughter: Addison, Madison (Wisconsin?), Brooklyn (Bridge? Heights?), and Peyton were all in the top 30.
While these top 10 names are the most popular, parents should consider their child first before trends. Name trends come and go, but the name given to your baby lasts their entire lifetime, unless he or she decides to change it decades down the line.