Mommy Style

There is some sort of misconception going around that after you have a baby, you must throw away all your stylish clothes and buy mom-jeans. You must sacrifice everything for your child, including your looks, and if you’re not frumpy enough, you’re not doing a good enough job as a mom. I’m not entirely sure where this comes from, but enough with the guilt over looking good! Please, go into your closet right now. Try on your jeans. If the waist is high, the wash is medium, and the pockets are tiny, the overall effect being to make you look like your butt is four sizes bigger than it really is – donate them. Or cut them up. Either way. Whew! There. Don’t you feel better now? But now you have no jeans. Normally this might be a problem – but Mamas Link and Daisy Baby want you out of your mom jeans, and have teamed up to make that happen! The Girls' Night Out Fashion Bash is happening this September – come, learn how to shed the “Bethesda Mom” look, and reclaim your image!

 

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Keeping up with the latest in what to wear can be a challenge. Fashion styles come and go, and beauty trends fade in and out, but a girls night out never gets old!  
 
Join Mamas Link and Lani Inlander of Real Life Style  for a night of fun at Daisy Baby and Kids as she reveals what we should be wearing, how to pick out trends that look good on your changing body and discover this season's power shapes for the post-natal woman, new shapes for new mamas and slimming silhouettes.

No Bumpers for Baby? Bedding Alternatives

First, see what Dana has to say about bumpers. No, go ahead, I'll wait. Done now? What do you think? Bumpers just aren't for you? Then read on!

Whether you don't like the bumper look, aren't convinced that bumpers are the safest bedding for your child, or you just don't feel like taking them off to change crib sheets, we have alternatives for you! More and more companies are realizing that bumpers just aren't right for all parents, but they still want a unique look, and want to be able to bring more beautiful fabrics into their baby's room. In light of that, we at Daisy Baby have been searching the world, high and low, for the best bumper alternatives. We think we have a pretty good selection - so let us know what you think!

Annette Tatum has created the "Perfect fit" crib sheet - a sheet which has one fabric for the top, a different fabric for the sides, and yet a different fabric creating a ruffle or contrast welt! You can get the sweet look of an Annette Tatum crib set in one (or more...) sheet!

Annette Tatum's Perfect Fit in Bloom with a ruffle

Skip Hop makes the original "Complete Sheet" - a bumperless option that's been around a while and proven its worth. Again, they've used three different fabrics to create a look within one sheet.

Skip Hop's complete sheet - with elephants!

Pine Creek, a custom bedding company, has created yet another option for a bumperless crib - beautiful fabric crib rail guards. This option will keep your babe from testing out his incisors on his crib, too!

Wouldn't this crib rail guard look fabulous with a monogram?

And, just in case you're not yet overwhelmed with options - bumpers, no bumpers, fabulous sheets, rail guards, lions, tigers, and bears, oh my! Here's one more - this one can be used with or without a bumper! The Fabulous Emily from Wiggle and Scoot spent years (ok, perhaps hours) in conference with our own Dana and came up with a truly unique option - beautiful, colorful sheet toppers that are monogrammable and tie to the rails of your crib. These protect your sheets so that you don't have to take everything apart to change the sheet each time - and they're lovely, too!

Fun polka-dot sheet protector from Wiggle & Scoot

Do you have any other options you like for bumperless cribs? What about for the toddler years?

To Bumper or Not to Bumper

Lately, many parents come into the store and say some version of, “I thought bumpers were bad, or illegal. Am I not allowed to have a bumper anymore?” I’ve heard the worry in parents’ voices for quite some time. They’re worried because they’re afraid bumpers are dangerous, or because they like the idea of a bumper and they’re afraid they’ll no longer get to use them. In light of that, we’d like to ease your mind a bit! Here’s Dana’s take on the use of bumpers in cribs…

The nitty gritty: Safety has always been our number one priority. I keep a safety binder in the store with information related to sleep safety, including SIDS and bumpers. I believe it’s important for us to have a safe sleep environment for our babies. I also believe it’s important for us to educate ourselves beyond the headlines. In 2007 there was an article written about the correlation between bumpers and SIDS – and it planted a seed. The results were actually brought into question, but that has now gotten into people’s minds, and it’s gotten into the media. The risk statistics for bumpers are very low. There have probably been a total of 20 cases in the last 20 years that there may potentially have been a correlation between the bumper and the death of a baby. That being said, there’s usually another issue – something else in the crib. It’s not a child getting caught under a bumper, it’s when there’s something like a sleep positioner, a heavy blanket, adult pillows, etc. Those are the more problematic pieces that parents should be more concerned about.

Newport cottages crib with 3 piece bedding set including bumper

How we like our bumpers: We believe bumpers can and should be used safely. Bumpers should be tall, thin, non-pillow-like and tied securely to the top and the bottom. They play a role – to keep kids’ limbs from going through the slats on the crib. They also create a softer, cozier environment. They keep your tiny newborn from being placed in a sterile looking crib up against wooden slats. 

Thin bumper, with secure tie

The legal side: The Maryland legislature has put up a proposal to ban bumpers, and now they’re looking for public comments. We have provided comments, the JPMA has provided comments, and many others have weighed in on both sides of the issue. The JPMA would like for official standards to be put in place, but many officials believe that instead of giving people guidelines, it’s easier to just say they should not use bumpers at all. At this point, there are no legal issues with bumpers.

What this means for your crib: We follow the JPMA safety standards for bumpers. We recommend you do your research, decide what works for you, and we’ll work with that. I can design you a fabulous crib set with or without a bumper!

Did you or will you use bumpers in your crib? What do you think of the Maryland legislature’s proposed ban on bumpers?

Floor Model Sale!

We have a number of floor models on sale at Daisy Baby! 50% off normal retail price is a good deal… but what exactly does it mean?

Stack'o'Dressers

Most of the floor models on sale have been sitting in our warehouse. That means they’re an older model that’s been sitting in a protected environment, not being used. Maybe the drawer sliders have been updated on the newer models. Maybe the paint color is no longer available. Maybe nothing has changed in that line at all, but nobody’s needed that exact model since we ordered it… so if that model is something you want, you can get it for significantly less than if you ordered one custom built for you!

Stanley Young America Dresser from Warehouse

A few of the floor models have been used for display in Daisy Baby… you may have noticed the Bradshaw Kirchofer armoire. That means they’ve been lightly used and frequently dusted; cared for gently by our staff. These beautiful, solidly built pieces will stand up to many more years of use, even if they’re not dusted every day! 

These beachy light diaper bags are among our new goodies!

We also have much of our art on sale – again for 50% off! This summer you can take advantage of our desire to “clean house”, so to speak, and get new models in for the fall… and furnish and decorate your own house with brand new or used-only-for-display items for a fantastic price. Need a dresser? Armoire? Some art? Come on in and take a look. While you're here, check out our other new items. And remember that all of our floor models are always 15% off, even without this summer sale!