Spring is the time for  baby showers. There are so many gifts to choice for a new baby. But most baby gifts are easily outgrown and then quickly discarded. For a lasting gift we suggest giving a  baby blanket. The baby blanket is the most used and cherished item that is bestowed on a child. You can dress a baby in recycled onesies from your neighbor’s child or reuse a toy from your first baby, recover your old infant carseat, clean up the old high chair, but there is nothing you can do to disguise an old baby blanket.

Baby’s need the warmth and security of a soft blanket from the minute they are born. A blanket represents the loving arms of a parent and helps baby fall asleep and stay asleep . It is the security blanket that allows him to travel in his carseat or stroller without being upset. The baby blanket has its own special smell that the baby recognizes; the blanket has a familiar feel to young fingers. Whether you take your baby out for the afternoon or leave him at grandmas for the weekend, if he can feel or smell his own blanket and he is a happy camper.

Baby blankets come in all sizes and colors. You can choose a crib blanket measuring 30 by 40 inches or a stroller size blanket that measures 22 by 28 inches. There are all sorts of sizes in between the crib and stroller but anything smaller is usually too small for the average baby who is betwen 18- 22 inches at birth. If you choose a crib blanket much larger than 40 inches , it can be cumbersome and difficult to carry and launder.

Baby blankets are available in a multitude of fabrics and designs. You can choose a cashmere baby blanket for the ultimate in luxury or a simple synthetic blanket . Many young mothers prefer 100% cotton for the purity of the fiber. Other  mothers insist on organic fibers so that they are guaranteed a blanket without harmful dyes and pesticides.

Personalizing a baby blanket makes the gift extra special.Having a baby’s first and last name or monogram fully represents the child. Embroidering the name on the baby blanket shows the item was made for a child instead of being conveniently found at a store. Many personalized baby blankets provide the child’s first and last name, birthdate and pounds and ounces. Some blankets can feature embroidered messages welcoming the new baby with a special greeting.  Blankets can be embroidered in Spanish, English, Hebrew, and Greek to name a few special fonts that are available at most embroidery workshops.

The ultimate baby blanket is often one that is customed. Not only can you choose the embroidery color, font and special message, but you can practically design the blanket. Custom blankets can be ordered in hundreds of color combinations with a million and one designs ranging from sports, to flowers , animals, transportation and more.

A loved baby blanket follows a child from cradle to college. Many kids cut off scraps of their blankets to take with them wherever they go. Others save the blanket for their own kids and it can become a family treasure.

A baby gift should be something that a Father is as excited about as well as the Mom.  With football season in full swing and basketball season about to start, many Fathers are caught up in watching their favorite team on the field , on tv or on their smart phone.  If you are trying  to get this sports nuts to pay attention to a baby gift, you have to go the extra nine yards. We don’t want him to just say “hmm” when Mom shows him what great auntie Sophie sent for the new baby.  We want him to go WOW! ” This is something I really can’t wait to see our baby use”. We suggest a personalized baby gift with a sports or hobby theme. Find the perfect blanket to reflect his interest and then add the baby’s name and birthdate and you have selected a treasured keepsake.

Here’s our list of WOW gift for the sports enthusiast:

Basket ball gifts:

Basketball handcrafted blanket by Teamees;

HeatBasketball Baby Wipe Case

Wrap your baby in this plush handcrafted football blanket

 PERSONALIZED FOOTBALL BABY GIFTS

Teamees supersoft football blanket.

3 Marthas hooded towel

This Boogie Baby Baseball Blanket called “The Home Run ” is a great gift for the budding baseball star. And you can be a winner for picking out a gift that reflects the Father’s interest; this  shows you really care.

Dots have always been popular in baby blankets, towels and toys, but now they are the rage on Fifth Avenue. Dots are covering the facade of Louis Vuitons Fifth Avenue store.  The new interest in dots is inspired by the 83 year old artist Yayoi Kusama who created the windows and merchandise.

This July the Whitney Museum of American Art opened its retrospective of this famous  Japanese Artist. We saw the original exhibition in London at the Tate , March 2012.  Kusama is crazy about dots and sprinkles them liberally on a series of oversized Seurat like paintings that are breathtaking. The colors are bright and  amazing. The color combinations of oranges and pinks, plums and cerises are unforgettable.  Unfortunately, Kusama is also certifiable crazy and is institutionalized in Japan where she works out of a studio at the facility producing an amazing amount of art.

We  are also crazy about dots and have loved dots forever for baby towels and blankets. Luckily, our workshops at www.namelynewborns.com are in Miami and Massachussetts, we we offer incredible personalized baby giftsat affordable prices  featuring a lot of dots.  Caden Lane , one of our premier manufacturers has used the dots in combinations wth circles and lines to create many beautiful patterns. 3 Marthas, another fab manufacturer of baby towels has always used polka dots on her beautiful towels.  Butterscotch Blankee offers a custom dot stroller or baby blanket in 19 color combinations. There can never be too many dots and we add personalization to all of our great dotted gifts.

Caden Lane dots & lines create a plush baby towel for beach or bath

Caden Lane dot line towel is great for bath or beachtime.

A cute monkey blanket for your little monkey

The long hot summer offers a lot of time for families to spend great days together for some cool fun.. Your local zoo is the perfect place for a fun filled family outing. It provides educational and entertaining experiences for kids twelve and under.. There’s plenty of parking, lots of family friendly food and a very helpful knowledgeable staff.

Before taking a very young child to a zoo , it is a good idea to prepare them for their first experience at the zoo. The first time they see a live animal or hear a lion roar came be very frightening. You want to make sure that your child gets the best possible experience the first time he visits a zoo.

Here are some tips.

• Show them a video of animals.
• Bring a stuffed animal or lovey with them to the zoo
• Pretend to make animal noises and play animal games before the outing.

www.namelynewborns.com offers many stuffed animals, comfy cozies, crib or stroller blankets and security blankets in the shapes of lions, giraffes, monkeys and more. Play with the stuffed animal before taking the child into the zoo. Make sure that the blanket that has an embroidered or appliqued zoo animal accompanies the child to the zoo. Be sure to show him the blanket and compare it to the live animal. Most of all have fun and make sure your first visit is short and sweet and your baby will look forward to his next visit to the zoo.

A baby shower used to be an  a ladies party.  Maybe, the new dad came at the very end with a bouquet of flowers  for his mate. Now, more and more people are having a couples baby shower. The shower event is more like a giant cocktail party with hors douevres and drinks and , of course, presents for the new baby.The most popular gift at any baby shower is still a baby blanket. Sometimes, this baby shower has a unique purpose ; it is the place to announce the sex of the new baby and the presence of a baby blanket as part of the decoration has a deeper meaning.

There are clever ways that the baby’s sex is revealed to the friends and family at the party. Sometimes, the cake is rolled out, and the color of the cake indicates the baby’s sex. Sometimes, the favors are pink or blue. Sometimes there are  pink or blue booties on the table. Our favorite way to announce baby’s gender is to display baby’s first blanket. If the baby blanket is blue; then the baby is a boy and if the blanket is pink; of course, it is a girl.  Revealing baby’s gender at a baby shower gets more complicated if the mother is having twins. Then she needs to display two items in the appropriate colors.

If you are invited to a baby shower where the baby’s sex is still a secret, what do you bring as a gift? We still think at namelynewborns that some form of baby blanket is the best baby gift.

There are so many uses for blankets , that the new mom can never have enough. Babies need the following types of blankets.

Security blankets or blankees are available in many gender neutral designs with cute animal heads; lambs, bunnies, giraffes, elephants, ducks are all perfect for baby and don’t need to be pink or blue.

Swaddling blankets can be eco friendly in muslim and large enough to nurse baby or cover his stroller. They can be small and soft to lswaddle the baby at night or small enough to be rolled tightly to prop baby up so he will not roll over when he is placed on his back to sleep. Many popular patterns have jungle or bug themes and are totally gender neutral.

Tummy Time Blankets are usually large enough to provide a soft space for tummy time or to provide a germ free environment in the public bathroom when changing baby. Bright  primary colors are perfect for this type of blanket because this baby blanket  doesn’t have to match a crib or nursery. It’s only function is to be soft and practical.

Stroller Blankets should be no larger than 24 by 34 so that they don’t drag when you stroll baby. Most strollers are gray, black, orange, or blue . Buy a stroller blanket that will look sharp in these neutral strollers. These blankets can also be used in the carseat.

Crib Blankets are the one type of blanket that should really match the nursery. If you know the color of the room , try to find a blanket that matches. If the room color is a secret and you still want to buy a crib blanket ;here is our favorite tip. Hint: brown has become the new neutral and most nurseries are combinations of pink and brown for girls and blue and brown for boys. Also, you can never go wrong with a whitebaby  blanket.

Why would you monogram a baby gift?

In the past a monogram was a way of showing that a person’s name  was very important. The first thing a bride did was put her monogram with her new last name on everything she could. These items usually became part of her hope chest and later were used in her first home. Newly weds love having monogrammed matching bathrobes and monogrammed towels for their bathroom.

We think a newborn’s name should be equaly important  should  his monogram should be displayed prominently on clothing , bedding and plush toys. A monogram defines him ; it is the first letter of each of his three names. If he has same first name as his father, he can even use his father’s monogrammed possessions. If baby girl has the same name as her mother, she can do the same. Monogramming makes an item more valuable; it can become a keepsake.

Monogramming a baby girl’s dress is a wonderful way of personalizing the dress and making it unique. Monogrammed dresses

No matter what gift you choose to monogram, you will have created a keepsake for the baby and his family.

The answer “to what is the most favorite  baby gift” is simple.A baby blanket is the most popular baby gift. Everyone wants to send the new baby his first blanket. A blanket is an extensive of the loving arms of parents and friends. Everyone wants the new baby to be swaddled or cuddled in a blanket that they have chosen.

It used to be easy to select the perfect baby blanket.

Blue for boys and pink for girls. Not so simple. Now we find that nurseries have unusal color schemes. Many Mom’s use sage green and accent the room with pink or blue. Yellow is no longer an option; it’s the neutral of long ago. The hip colors are orange and purple. So before you invest in an expensive baby blanket as a gift, check with the mom or grandmother about the nursery color. The Mom who has chosen a bright red and black  nursery  does not want a pink blanket.

 Selecting a blanket for the stroller is even more complicated. I like to match or at least not conflict with the color of the carseat or stroller.  A neutral black or gray stroller is easy to find a beautiful blanket that will look compatible. But when the Mother chooses an orange or red stroller, watch out. Sometimes, the best solution is a white blanket. This is the only color that is never a mistake.

A baby can never have too many baby  blankets. They always need a spare when travelling or going to grandma’s. It is nice ot have an extra blanket to leave in the car near the carseat or the changing table. If the baby is young , it needs to be swaddled and propped up in the crib so that he sleeps on his back. Wet happens and worse and no one ever ones to be caught waiting for the blanket to dry in the wash .

Sleep is very Important to the New Baby

 
Baby should always sleep on his back. Use several swaddling or receiving blankets to position baby. This position keeps her safe while she sleeps
and greatly reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). At this stage
Baby may be able to roll from her stomach to her side, but  is not yet strong
enough to roll from her back to her side or her stomach. If your baby does roll onto
her stomach in her first few weeks, reposition her on her back. Stack the swaddling blankets on both sides of her to create a wall so that she can’t roll over.

Help your baby develop good sleep habits by establishing a consistent bedtime
routine. About an hour before bed, begin soothing activities, such as feeding him,
putting on his pajamas, and reading or singing to him. When he becomes familiar with
these rituals, he’ll know it’s time to sleep.

Helping your baby develop safe, healthy sleep habits is a learning process for both
of you. According to Priyanka Yadav, D.O., pediatric sleep medicine specialist at
Somerset Medical Center in Somerville, New Jersey, one of the most important things
you can do is to learn to recognize when your little one is sleepy. For example,
your baby may rub her eyes or become fussy or irritable.

If Baby always rubs her eyes when she’s drowsy, for example, or if she becomes fussy
or irritable, you’ll know it’s time to get her ready for bed. This will help Baby
get the sleep she needs, when she needs it.

To help your baby learn to fall asleep on his own, put him to bed when he’s drowsy,
but before he falls asleep. This will train him to fall asleep in his crib and not
in your arms. Your baby will also learn to soothe himself back to sleep instead of
being rocked or held, which means more restful, uninterrupted sleep for you.
According to Dr. Guzman, your little one will be less likely to suffer from insomnia
or other sleep problems as he grows older if he learns to fall asleep on his own
from a young age.

The modern Dad needs to share in all of the parenting responsibilities.

Gone are the days when Dad worked, Mom stayed home with the kids and when Dad came home he put on his slippers , smoked a pipe and read or watched TV. Most families are two income families . If Mom is to go back to work, Dad has to do his fair share of the work. There ‘s no time like the beginning to break in a new Dad. The minute baby comes home, the roles need to be established and the partnership begun. Even if Mom has  maternity leave , Dad needs to start shouldering his responsiblities asap.

Tip One:When you shop for baby accessories, find a masculine diaper bag like a messenger bag, so Dad won’t be embarrassed carrying a feminine bag. Try to find accessories that are sports oriented like our basketball and football theme baby wipe cases. Find a wipe case with his favorite team and make it a special gift for him to use when it’s his turn for diaper duty.

Many Dad’s wonder how they will balance Fatherhood a work
 Striking a semblance of balance between the office and family life is a juggling act for every working parent. Dads, though, may find it especially difficult. Moms can often take up to 12 weeks maternity leave, but many men can swing only a few days out of the office. Even those who have paternity leave may be afraid to take the time because they worry about damaging their career.

Tip Two:

Help Dad Deal: Encourage your partner to broach paternity leave with his boss as early as possible and to take all the time he’s entitled to, says Kyle Pruett, M.D., author of Fatherneed: Why Father Care Is as Essential as Mother Care for Your Child. Remind your guy that most employers simply want the work to get done; they’re less concerned with when you do it. You and your husband can brainstorm solutions to his job situation.

New moms have a clear advantage over dads: You live with a little creature inside you for nine months and, thanks to nursing, often spend more time getting to know him in the early days. Many Moms have baby sit or taken care of younger siblings. For most men, feeding, bathing, diapering, and soothing a newborn are usually uncharted territory .

Tip Three:

 Let the new Dad acccompany you to parenting classes. Perhaps, you can babysit a newborn together before you give birth .Always be encouraging. Let him know that you’re learning on the job, too, and that he’ll do fine as long as he makes the effort.  Offer a tutorial on, say, bathtime, if he needs one, then have him take over while you catch a nap or meet a friend.

 
If your partner is used to going out with his buds twice a week or hitting the gym whenever he pleases, you need to break it to him (gently) that those days are over. 

Tip Four:

 Soften the blow by letting your spouse know he can have a night out every now and then, as long as you get your fair share of furloughs too.

Tip Five:Look for a baby blanket that he can find fun . Use a baby blanket with a sports theme and he will enjoy wrapping baby in a football or basketball blanket.

Dad will love cuddling baby in a football blanket.