Color Psychology and the Nursery

Different colors have different effects on the body and mind, so it’s important to take these into consideration when selecting a color for your baby’s nursery. While your new addition may not perceive colors correctly for some time, they will when they get older. Here’s a quick rundown of some color theory and how it can help choose the right color to feature in your baby’s nursery and personalized nursery décor.

Red
Because red is so bold, it can work as an accent but should be avoided as a wall color. Red can energize the body, but in excess can be associated with aggression or inability to focus.

Orange

Orange is warm, friendly and promotes a welcoming feeling. It even inspires social interaction and communication. However, bold shades of orange can be over-stimulating if used wall-to-wall.

Yellow

Yellow is both energetic and cheerful – after all, it’s the color of the sun! Too much yellow may be agitating for your baby, however, so stick with a softer yellow or try pairing it with a neutral color (like gray) to tone it down.

Green

Green is said to promote calmness, thinking, and concentration. Since it’s so abundant in nature, you can’t go wrong when using green to decorate!

Blue

Blue is calming and stimulates productivity, but stick with bright shades for the nursery. Darker gray-blues or navy-blues can be associated with sadness.

Purple

Lavender and lilac are both calming and serene, thus making great choices for the nursery. Darker shades are associated with royalty and luxury. 

Poses for Baby Portraits

Every parent looks forward to their baby’s first portraits! However, some may struggle to come up with ideas for baby poses. Of course, the possibilities will depend on your baby’s age. Every child can develop at a different rate, but here are some general guidelines to follow when planning your little one’s first photoshoot.

0-3 months: As you know, your baby is not yet able to support themselves just yet. Try nestling them in a fuzzy blanket and tucking them inside a wicker basket. A baby sleeping on his tummy also makes for an adorable shot.

3-6 months: Your baby can now hold her head up on her own! However, she’ll still need support for almost any pose. Try holding her over your shoulder; a snap of your baby looking onward makes a great shot, and is a great way to incorporate you into the photo. Or, you can put her car seat to use by placing her inside and adding a colored backdrop.

6-9 months: At this point, your baby can sit up (but likely won’t hold still for too long). If your baby likes being on his tummy, try a taking some photos featuring his favorite plush animal mat.

9-12 months: Now that your baby can pull herself up (and maybe even walk), her newly found mobility may mean she doesn’t want to sit still! Try incorporating interesting toys into the shot, or props that may entice her to hold still long enough for some pictures.

Creative & Fun Baby Shower Activities

Everyone loves the excitement of a new baby, but not everyone loves playing the same run-of-the-mill baby shower games. Here are some fresh, fun and creative activities to consider adding to your list as you plan the celebration.

Baby Shower Bingo
A few weeks prior to the shower, ask the mom-to-be some questions such as her due date, what she’s craving, etc. Then, turn her answers into a bingo card. The personal touch will be bound to make her guests more invested in winning a round. (Light pink or blue M&M’s also make for fun bingo markers; find candy by the color at your local party supply store.)

Diaper Notes
Buy a large box of diapers and have guests write funny notes on the back of them with permanent marker, such as words of encouragement or inside jokes (i.e. “Isn’t it daddy’s turn?!” or “Caution: Open at your own risk!”). Seeing a clever or funny note from a friend or family member will make the new parents’ 2 a.m. call a little more bearable after the baby arrives. (For more surprises for the mom-to-be that include a touch of personalization, see our personalized baby shower gifts.)

Guess the Baby With each shower invitation, add a note instructing guests to bring a baby photo of themselves. As the guests arrive to the party, assign a number to each photo and post it on the wall. Later, have everyone guess which photo belongs to each guest, then give a prize to who makes the most correct matches.

Check Out our Quilted Backpacks for Kids!

It’s almost the start of the school year!  Whether your child is heading off to preschool or returning for another year of grade school, one of the most important things they’ll need is the perfect kids’ bag or backpack.

Our baby boutique in Philadelphia has a wide selection of backpacks for boys and girls, and they even have the option to be personalized! Personalization is a great way to help your child decipher which backpack is theirs, and to prevent them from losing it. Choose to add your child’s first name, or monogram the backpack with their initials. A personalized backpack also makes a thoughtful gift for a child, grandchild, niece or nephew.

When you send your little one off to school with one of our personalized quilted backpacks for kids, he or she will be excited to show it off while remaining organized. Each bag features an easy, yet strong magnetic snap and drawstring closure. There is also a handy pocket with coordinating zipper pull.

Is your toddler not heading off to school just yet? These bags can double as a diaper or change bag. Moms will love that they’re easy to care for, and are machine washable!

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!)