January's Pick: Quick Change Crib

We love discovering unique new products at Recurrent Dreams Baby, and were very excited to find the Quick Change Crib by Innovative Crib Designs. Making it our favorite pick for January!

All parents know the challenge of changing crib sheets. Well, the Quick Change Crib has a side panel door that swings out, allowing parents to slide the mattress through the side to change the sheet instead of having to lift it out of the crib. Changing sheets can be done in under a minute!

The inspiration for this innovative crib design came from co-creator Mary Anne Amato after changing her baby's crib sheets at 2:00 am. "There has to be an easier and less strenuous way to do this, a crib should not be more difficult to change than a baby!" And so her journey began, from conception to prototype, to focus groups, safety testing, patents, to manufacturing, and at last selling. Thank you Mary Anne, for making parents' lives a little easier!

Made of quality durable birch, this beautiful crib is available in 5 finishes, including white, black, honey, cinnamon and french vanilla. JPMA safety certified and winner of the iParenting Media Award, Most Outstanding Product of 2007! Reasonably priced at $349 plus shipping.

Visit their website at http://www.innovativecribdesigns.com/, for more information, including a great demonstration video, and to purchase.

Pre-Holiday Baby and Children Sale!

Attention all procrastinators and late-season deal-seekers! We have chosen our best selling designer baby clothes and Holiday little girl dresses, and put them on sale! Including:

• Unique baby clothes, such as Tralala's French Holiday Infant Dress
• Luxury baby gifts such as Eternal Tiny Tea Gift Set
• Toddler Girl Dresses such as Luna Luna Copenhagen's Scarlett Holiday Dress
• and much more

Exclusive for our blog readers, take an additional 15% off, store-wide, by entering the promo code "Holiday" upon checkout. Offer expires 12/20. Our way of saying Thank You for your loyal support in 2007!

Shop early while supplies last http://www.recurrentdreams.com/

Safe Toys for the Holidays

It takes a lot of savvy this Holiday Season when toy shopping!

Millions of toys made in China were recalled this year, due to excessive amounts of lead paint. Classics like Barbie and Thomas the Engine. Just this month, Aqua Dots Toys were found to carry a chemical that is easily converted to a powerful “date rape” drug. Plastic toys, such as rubber ducks and plastic teethers, contain the chemical Phthalates. Studies have shown that this chemical may cause developmental problems in babies. In fact, 6 of the 8 Phthalates have been banned in Europe and other countries. In our quest to mass produce inexpensive toys, we have forgotten to place our children's health first.

Special care was taken this Holiday Season, hand-selecting only the safest baby toys on the market, for our customers at Recurrent Dreams Baby. Whimsical mermaids and hip sock monkeys hand-knitted by women cooperatives in Peru, eco-conscious YoYo Dolls crafted by Aymara artisans in Bolivia, Wooden Teething Rattles carved from a single piece of rock maple wood in Vermont, award-winning wooden toys with an emphasis on fun, education and accomplishment by Melissa and Doug. These and more, are now available on our online store.

Remember to follow these basic rules when shopping for baby’s toys, and have a safe Holiday.

Choose wooden toys with non toxic paint, over plastic toys

Choose quality soft toys, that are washable, then wash them often

Always look for toys that have no sharp edges, and no little pieces or attachments

Attractive, bright and colorful toys stimulate baby’s development and hand eye co-ordination

Check all toy labels for recommended age statements

Visit resource website Tips on Safe Toy Shopping for more information

Safe baby toys press release: http://www.prleap.com/pr/104800/

Top Ten Unique Baby Shower Gift Ideas for 2008

Searching for unique baby shower gifts? Guaranteed to impress mother and baby, here are our top ten unique baby shower gift ideas. Something for everyone, from $17 up.

• Keepsake Baby Footprint Kit ($17.)
• YoYo Doll ($25. as seen in photo)
• Sock Monkey by Blabla Dolls ($30.)
• Barefoot Dreams Take Me Home Designer Baby Clothes Set ($40.)
• Infant Hooded Towel by Beary Basics ($39.)
• The Ultimate Receiving Blanket by Swaddle Designs ($24.)
• Barefoot Dreams Plush Patchwork Unique Baby Blanket ($60.)
• Eternal Tiny Tea Layette Gift Set (on sale $75.)
• Silver Baby Gifts, Keepsake Sterling Silver Baby Spoon($150.)
• Classic Moses Basket ($179.)

For more suggestions view our new baby checklist. Visit our online store to see more luxury baby gifts.

Press:

http://www.prleap.com/pr/100667/, Top Unique Baby Shower Gift Ideas for 2008

http://www.pr.com/press-release/58185, Luxury Baby Gifts for 2008

Silver Baby Gifts, Keepsake Sterling Silver Baby Spoon

Welcome to the art of Richard Jordan.

Giving sterling silver baby gifts to a newborn is a time honored tradition. In fact, silver baby spoons date back to at least the 16th century, when it became customary for wealthy Europeans to present them as newborn or christening baby gifts. Not only does the gesture signify future prosperity and good fortune, but it also becomes a family heirloom that is passed on to future generations.

We recently discovered this modern yet timeless fine sterling silver spoon. Utilizing the lost wax process, this graceful spoon is handcrafted, by Richard Jordan, a native Californian artisan, in his Morro Bay studio. For over 30 years, Richard has been creating miniature sculpture and jewelry, reflecting his travels across the Pacific Rim, Hawaii, Australia, Mexico, and Central and South America. What makes the art of Richard Jordan so distinct is his sense of whimsy and craftsmanship.

Try this exquisite heirloom baby spoon ($150.) as a very special baptism or christening luxury baby gifts. Now available at our online baby boutique, http://www.recurrentdreams.com/. Follow link to purchase: Baby Keepsake Sterling Silver Spoon

How to Swaddle a Baby

After 9 months of warmth and security, a baby can have a difficult time adjusting to live outside of their mother's womb. Swaddling is a time-tested technique used to keep baby warm and cozy by securely wrapping their bodies. Swaddling, or wrapping baby snugly in a receiving blanket, can help him feel secure as he adjusts to his new environment. Below are instructions from IVillage Pregancy and Parenting, on how to swaddle a baby.

1. Fold one corner of your blanket down. (A receiving blanket works well.) Place your baby in the middle of the fold with his head above the edge.
2. Pull the left side of the blanket snugly across your baby's chest, making sure his right arm is wrapped close to his body. Then lift your baby's left arm and securely tuck the blanket under his body.
3. Bring the bottom of the blanket up and either fold the edge back or tuck it into the first swathe. Then pull the last corner of the blanket across your baby's chest, securing his left arm near his body.
4. Tuck the blanket under your baby's back as far as it will go. Keep your baby snugly wrapped as you pick him up.

Visit our online baby boutique, http://www.recurrentdreams.com/, to view our handcrafted swaddling blankets (link) and Swaddle Designs Ultimate Receiving Blanket (link). Unique baby gifts include two sweet retro print receiving blankets with matching hand knitted hat ($29.99).

Natural Botanical Baby Skin Care Products

September's Spotlight
To welcome baby's entry into our world, comes Dream Wish; a luxurious collection of natural baby skin care products. Exclusive to Recurrent Dreams Baby Boutique, the collection is a blend of botanical infusions and essential oils, designed to soothe and calm baby. Ideal luxury baby gifts for parents who appreciate quality.

Tear free Baby Shampoo, hypoallergenic Bubble Bath and glycerin jojoba Soaps are gentle and none drying. Rich and soothing Aloe Vera Baby Lotions and Shea Butter Balm for baby's sensitive skin care. The collection is complete with lavender Linen Spray, to soothe and calm baby. Visit DreamWishBaby.com to learn the benefits of botanical natural baby skin care products.

The Dream Wish Baby Collection is now available at our online baby boutique, http://www.recurrentdreams.com/. Follow link: Dream Wish Botanical Baby Skin Care Products, ($10.95 ea) to shop.

Baby Bath Time Tips, excerpts from Yale/ New Haven Children's Hospital. Visit their site (link) for more information on baby skin care.

• NEVER leave an infant alone near a tub or water – not even for a minute!


• Make sure you have all supplies ready before you begin the bath – towel, mild shampoo or soap, cotton balls or wash cloth to clean face.


• Make sure the room is warm enough and the water is not too hot or cold before putting your baby in the tub. Baby's skin burns easily.


• Use a washcloth to gently wipe baby's face and ears. No soap is necessary near the eyes.
  Use only a mild baby shampoo and soap.


• Scrub your baby's scalp with a soft brush and rinse well to avoid cradle cap.