5 Baby Shower Gifts You Should Use With Caution...
Contrary to common advice, there are certain things they are discovering are to be avoided for reasons you might not even be aware of.
Baby powder. I don't know how many bottles of this stuff I received from well-wishing friends at my baby shower. However, I was advised by medical professionals to not use powder on a baby, as this introduces the risk of asthma and other respiratory problems. The direct contact with the skin is not the problem. The concerrn arises from the plume of powder smoke in the air that they may breath into their lungs, which can accumulate over time and cause problems later in life.
Fluffy stuffed animals. No baby shower is complete without a huge plush teddy bear! But during their first 12 months, you should not leave these in their crib with them. Its ok to play with them using stuffed toys. Just dont leave them alone with these toys, as they can pose as choking hazards.
Baby blankets. This one shocked me when I found this out! You always see a baby wrapped in a blanket. However, I was advised by medical professionals to keep blankets out of the crib as well, as it can end up on their faces or heads and cause suffocation. If you are holding them, its perfectly fine to wrap them up. But dont leave a baby alone in this state, or let them sleep like this. To keep them warm dress them in jumper suits and keep the room temperature constant in their nursery. An exception to this is a swaddling blanket when they are very young - before they have the ability to pull themselves out of a blanket. Swaddling a newborn is actually recommended because it simulates being snug inside the womb, and can help a newborn feel secure and comforted.
See how to swaddle a baby HERE.
Pillows. Unless it is prescribed due to a medical condition, babies do not need a pillow to be comfortable. The bed pad or mattress in their crib or bassinet, along with a fitted sheet, is adequate until at least 1 year of age. By removing excess bedding from their crib, you significantly reduce the risk of SIDS.
Baby lotion. Another one of those things you always think of when you think of babies...I got about 6 bottles of this from friends and relatives. Sadly, I was advised to leave my baby's skin alone as much as possible so it can start producing its own moisturizers. Baby lotion can negate this natural process, and clog pores, both of which result in their skin not producing enough natural moisturizers on their own. I finally started being able to use my stock pile of lotion on my daughter's knees to keep them from callousing when she started crawling, at about 6 months.
Even if you get any of these at your baby shower, don't forget that sometimes its the thought that counts! You dont need to be ungracious to your generous guests...they only wish you the best!
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