Playard Sheets Available in French Vanilla

Our playard sheets are now back in stock in the French Vanilla fabric. We are currently in production mode and have a few more fabrics coming in the next few weeks so keep checking back for more offerings and restocked inventory in current fabrics. Thanks!

BPA in plastics - safe or unsafe?

I just read an interesting article in Sunday's Washington Post about food packing industry executives getting together to brainstorm strategies to try to block the government from banning BPA from plastics, cans, baby toys, etc. The Washington Post obtained internal notes from the private meeting of executives/lobbyists - the article discussed some of the strategies and brainstorming sessions that occurred, specifically about marketing BPA products as "safe" to young mothers who make purchasing decisions for their households (baby bottles, baby toys, baby formula cans, sippy cups, canned foods/sodas). While I don't know everything about the research and science behind the issues surrounding BPA, I personally have made an effort in my house to try to reduce our exposure to plastics containing BPA. Many of my friends, especially those with infants, have done the same and purchase only BPA-free baby bottles, sippy cups, etc. Unfortunately, many of those products were not available when my kids were infants, but I'm glad that there are options out there now and everyone can decide based on their own preference and research. According to the Washington Post article written by Lyndsey Layton:

"Bisphenol A, used in commerce since the 1950s, is added to plastics to give them strength. It is found in hundreds of household products, including plastic bottles and food containers. It is also present in the linings of canned goods such as soup, baby formula and canned fruits and vegetables.

Over the past decade, a growing body of scientific studies has linked the chemical to breast cancer, testicular cancer, diabetes, hyperactivity, obesity, low sperm count, miscarriage and other reproductive problems in laboratory animals. More recent studies using human data have linked BPA to heart disease and diabetes. And it has been found to interfere with the effects of chemotherapy in breast cancer patients."

Many bloggers are upset and spreading the word about the attempt to block the ban. Some states/cities (Minnesota, Chicago, Suffolk County NY) as well as other countries such as Japan and Canada have already banned certain uses of BPA. After reading the article, I ran across a few good blog posts about it:

• Consumer Reports Health.org Blog - Industry plots BPA Defense
• Healthy Child, Health World by Janelle Sorensen - Industry Will Pay Big Bucks for Pregnant Women Willing to Ingest BPA
• Moms' Inspire Learning by Dawn Morris - Informed Choices for Healthy Families
• Talk to the Hand: Green and Clean Mom
• Soft Landing by Alicia - Bisphenol-a Manufacturers Switch to Fear Inducing Strategy
• Effect Measure - BPA gets attention from industry spinmeisters (leaked minutes) - contains the reported text of the minutes

Take a few minutes to read these blog posts, as well as the Washington Post article - there are plenty of links in each to jump off and read more. It is an interesting debate and one that affects the households of parents, soon to be parents, as well as others concerned about the possible health risks associated with plastics, chemicals, etc. Feel free to post your thoughts and comments. Thanks for reading!

New Product and New Fabric Options

We just added a new size for our Waterproof Mattress Pads - Carriage size which measures 18" x 29". This smaller size is perfect for the smaller playards such as the Graco Travel Lite. Also works well on a changing table, in a stroller, as a lap pad or changing pad in your diaper bag.

Also added due to popular demand, Rose Petal Pink Satin fabric option for our new larger Youth Pillowcases (16"x20"). As always, let us know if you are looking for any other fabrics or themes.

$25 Gift Certificate Giveaway

As They Grow Up website/blog is hosting a new giveaway for a $25 Gift Certificate to our Mr. Bobbles' Blankets online store. You can read a blog review of our new Youth Pillow as well as the details of the giveaway at. Good Luck!

http://www.astheygrowup.com/2009/05/mr-bobbles-blankets-review-giveaway.html

New Percale Fabric Option

We just added a new percale (non-flannel) fabric for our toddler pillows- Angelina Cameo in pink. Available in our 12x16 Extra Pillowcases - Percale (3 fabrics up from the bottom in the dropdown list). Our percale fabrics are all 100% cotton fabric (similar to cotton sheeting). Many of our customers like the percale fabrics for warmer weather (although we also have customers who swear by the flannels year-round, so it seems to be a personal preference). We love the colors in this new print - perfect for your little ballerina!

Toddler Pillow Review/Giveaway at VanillaJoy.com

We are sponsoring a kids gear review/giveaway at www.VanillaJoy.com - a lucky reader will win one of our toddler pillow sets with an allergen case. A product review of our toddler pillow has been posted as well as the contest details and how to enter. Entries must be received by midnight Thursday, May 14 and the winner will be announced on Friday, May 15. Good luck!

Spotlight - Project Linus

I just wanted to do a quick spotlight on a little-known organization that we work with called Project Linus, a group of volunteers formed in 1995 who provide security to children through donated blankets. Project Linus is made up of over 400 chapters all across the US who work together to achieve their mission statement:

• "First, it is our mission to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.”
• Second, it is our mission to provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for interested individuals and groups in local communities, for the benefit of children."

To date, Project Linus has delivered over 3 million blankets lovingly made by volunteers or "blanketeers". They welcome new, washable blankets of all sizes and styles for children ages 0-18. Blankets can be sewn, quilted, knitted, etc, but they must be homemade or handmade (not commercially manufactured or purchased). You can donate blankets through your local chapter, and if there is not a chapter in your area, you can open a chapter in your town! If you are not crafty, Project Linus also welcomes monetary donations as well as donations of supplies (fabric, thread, yarn, etc). They also provide resources on their website such as patterns and an online store. So if you haven't heard of Project Linus, make sure to check out their website and consider making a blanket as a summer project and donating it to your local chapter - it will be greatly appreciated!