Swimming with Your Baby or Toddler

If you have a pool at home, you may wonder what age it’s best to teach your children to swim. As per the American Academy of Pediatrics, most children are thought to be developmentally ready for swim lessons by age 4.

However, toddlers younger than 4 can still enjoy being in the water. Infant and toddler aquatic programs have become increasingly popular for both parents and kids. For young babies, however, a large pool can possibly be frightening. If possible, go to a small pool where there are fewer children and less noise.

It’s also important to remember that a pool’s water temperature needs to be much higher than usual if you’re going to take your baby swimming. Babies get cold quickly, so the recommended water temperature is at least 90 °F.

The time of day you and your baby go swimming can also make a difference. Try going in the early evening – your baby may be so exhausted afterwards that he or she will sleep through the night!

Early swim lessons are a good way to teach your kids to enjoy being in the water. When you do go for a swim with your baby or toddler, don’t forget the baby oil, swim diapers, and personalized hooded towels!

What to Pack in Your Baby’s Hospital Bag

When your baby arrives at the hospital, you’ll want to be sure you’ve packed all the necessities so you can focus on bonding with your family’s new addition! We recommend using a diaper bag and packing it a few weeks before your due date, just to be safe. Here’s what to be sure to have in your baby’s hospital bag for when the big day comes:

• Pajamas: Bring two pairs of pajamas for your new baby. Button-up pajamas are the most convenient when it comes to changing diapers.

• Blanket: Hospitals obviously have these, but bring a blanket of your choice if you plan on taking newborn photos at the hospital!

• Diapers and Wipes: Most hospitals should offer these, but it’s best to be safe.

• Bibs and Burp Cloths: Your baby is bound to spit up, especially while nursing.

• Hats: Hospitals provide these, but you can always bring cuter ones!

• Lotion: Have a little bottle on hand for your baby just in case.

• Pacifiers: You may not want to give your baby a pacifier for a few weeks if you are nursing him/her. However, if you plan on giving them a bottle, be sure to bring a couple.

• Going-Home Outfit: This should consist of a hat, onesie, socks, and pants.

Of course, every mother’s needs will slightly vary. We also recommend calling the hospital to see what items will be offered to you.

Do you know someone who’s expecting a new addition to their family? Check out our newborn gift packages to provide them with some beautifully-packaged necessities! 

Why Babies Need Tummy Time

If you’re a parent (or soon to be one), you likely already know that ‘tummy time’ refers to placing a baby on his or her stomach (while supervised, of course). But why is time spent in this position so important?

It’s quite simple – babies need time on their tummies to develop strong neck and shoulder muscles, which will help your little one accomplish physical milestones like sitting, crawling and walking. Tummy time is also an important factor in the prevention of positional plagiocephaly (the back of your baby’s head becoming flat). This is because if a baby’s head is left in the same position for long periods of time, the developing skull plates may move in a way that creates a flat spot.

After placing your baby down for tummy time (which should start the first day home from the hospital), he will naturally start trying to lift his head to see what is going on around him. However, he won’t be able to hold his head up for long periods of time until 3-4 months.

Only play with your baby on her stomach when she is awake and alert. When you are playing, you’ll want to be on a hard surface, such as the floor. However, we recommend using one of our plush animal mats so your baby stays comfortable (and enjoys the company of their favorite animal friend!)

Spiking Your Child’s Creativity with Table & Chair Sets

There’s no doubt that young children love spaces that were designed specifically with them in mind. When children are accompanied by furniture that fits them perfectly, it helps create a child-centered environment that encourages them to play, draw, create, and imagine. By choosing the right size, shape and colors of your children’s playroom furniture, you can help inspire their creativity in the comfort of their own home.

At our baby boutique in Philadelphia, we offer a selection of wooden playroom tables and chairs. This material is most common, as wood is very durable. You’ll want a table that can last for quite some time, and through many different age ranges. However, we do recommend that our wooden table and chair sets are used indoors only, as wood can warp when exposed to moisture.

Table shape is also important to consider. What shape would fit best in the playroom? A square-shaped table would be appropriate in a corner, while a circular table works better out in the open. Also, if your child is likely to have friends over and you would like the ability to put multiple tables together, then square-shaped tables will be ideal.

Nothing will make your child feel more like a grown up than having their own table and chairs! Select a set today to create a special environment for your little one as they grow.

Prepare for the Beach This Summer with a Personalized Kids Beach Chair Package

Before your little ones came into the world, going to the beach likely meant gathering a few friends in your convertible and heading to the shore for a day of tanning and relaxation. But with young children now in the picture, a day at the beach has a completely different meaning! However, with some planning in advance and the right supplies, any mom can still successfully spend a sunny, stress-free day by the ocean.

It’s important not to forget the essentials, such as a protective bathing suit and sun screen for your baby. It’s also important to ensure your little ones stay hydrated in the warm weather. Finally, if you let your baby play in the sand, watch make sure he doesn’t put any in his mouth.

Once you’re sure baby is safe at the beach, the next step is to make sure he or she remains happy and occupied! At Purple Pumpkin, we recommended our personalized kid’s beach chair package. With a personalized beach chair, umbrella, bucket, shovel, and assortment of personalized beach toys, your baby will have everything they need to ensure they enjoy their fun in the sun. The umbrella will help with sun protection, the shovel and toys will keep her occupied, and the chair will make her feel like one of the grown-ups. Head over to PurplePumpkinGifts.com to create the perfect summer beach package, and add personalization at no additional cost!

Quilted Backpacks for All Occasions

Backpacks can be a great accessory for children on the go. It allows them to carry everything they want and need for their journey without the hassle of carting around a variety of books, toys, gadgets, and snacks. At Purple Pumpkin Gifts, we offer a variety of quilted backpacks for kids in many fun colors and designs. Below are just some of the places a child can make use of their new quilted backpack.

School & Field Trips

Backpacks are of course mainly use for school and field trips, allowing your child to carry all of their books, pencils, and snacks with ease. Not only are our backpacks extremely functional, but their soft quilted designs makes them comfortable on their small shoulders and the bright patterns make them visible so that they’ll never get lost.

Long Car Rides

Our quilted backpacks for kids are the perfect carry-along back for long car rides. They allow your child to carry toys, books, snacks, and gaming devices with ease without leaving a mess all over the back seat. Simply pack up the bag and you’re ready to go!

Out Shopping
If your child has that book or toy they insist on bringing with them every time you go to the grocery store, a backpack can allow them to carry the toy with ease and lessens the risk of it getting lost once they get tired of holding it. With their backpack strapped securely on their shoulders, your child can bring their favorite belonging everywhere you go!

Give the Gift of a Personalized Toy Chest

When you have a friend or family member who recently became a new mom, purchasing them one of our personalized toy chests is a fantastic gift to give during holidays, birthdays, or any other gift-giving occasion. Having a little one in the house means that their toys will inevitably be scattered everywhere and a toy chest will allow for quick cleanup and easy storage.

If the child you’re purchasing for has any siblings, personalizing the toy box is an excellent way for moms and children to determine whose toys go where when cleaning up. At Purple Pumpkin Gifts, we have a variety of customization options that will allow you to personalize their new toy chest to fit the theme of their bedroom or their favorite sport. From ribbons and roses to outer space themes, we have a little bit of everything in our artwork and fonts selection.

Personalized toy chests are a great and useful gift to give any new family. At Purple Pumpkin Gifts, we pride ourselves in providing adorable and affordable personalized gifts for the children and new families in your life. Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, we ship our boutiques product nationwide so all families can enjoy our products. Give us a call today to order our customized children’s gifts at (215) 947-5100.