The Joy of Pregnancy (cont.)

Mobiles are designed for newborns, but must be removed from the crib when an infant can pull itself to a standing position. Here is a great decorating tip for your mobile. Attach some clear fish wire to the top hook and hang it from the ceiling, away from the crib, probably across the room. This way your precious baby will be entertained, your mobile will have a second life, and the safety issue will be perfectly addressed. Wall hangings are beautiful, colorful, and certainly an important decorating tool in the nursery, but the wall hanging should not hang over the crib where your curious little explorer could get into trouble.

There is a large variety of bedding choices on the market; designs and the choice of materials are endless. Many ensembles today are 100% cotton, but some designs require dry cleaning. Some fabrications are cotton/ poly blends that are also machine washable and dryable. The choice is yours. There are also fabrics on the market, such as chenille, which becomes beautiful bathrobes, blankets, and decorative throw pillows for the adult market, but are not totally safe for infants because the threads pull out. That's the unique characteristic of chenille; it pulls out into your fingers, and possibly into your little baby's fingers. The question is where do those little pieces of yarn go when they are in the baby's fingertips? Correct, in Baby's mouth.

Hopefully, all this information has helped to clarify some basic issues, as you are about to embark on a very special mission in your life. The more questions you have, the more information you gather, and the easier your decision will be. Enjoy!

Paula Markowitz, President
PatchKraft, Inc.
1-800-866-2229
www.patchkraft.com