Do any of you out there use these adorable things for your infants?  They’re precious; I mean, look at that picture!  That’s what we think of when we think of babies in baskets or carriers.  And of course, these things have been around since…well, Moses.  They’re so traditional and cozy and picturesque; exactly what we think of in our baby day dreams.

I just can’t imagine what how we would actually use them.  I mean, we have car seats.  Babies sit around the house in car seats–or maybe bouncy seats, if they can bounce yet.  Then we pick up the whole unit–baby, seat and all–and toss it in the car or hook it up to the stroller and off we go.  Who is going to bother to transfer the baby from car seat to Moses basket to shoping cart back Moses basket to car seat, etc?  We don’t even usually bother to transfer the baby from car seat to crib if she falls asleep (that would waker her up!)–so who adds an extra step? 

It’s so pretty, though.  It just occured to me that it looks exactly like the sort of thing a childless friend would give as a shower gift.  God bless those childless friends–don’t they always get us the coolest stuff?  Stuff we’d never get ourselves–because we know better!

What Happens to Abandoned Children?

Every state in the US now has laws that make it possible for someone to abandon their children in a public service location, such as a hospital or police station.  In most cases, these laws require that the baby be one week old or less (though most of us are aware of the now infamous case of the Nebraska law which temporarily allowed parents to abandon children up to age 18).  The intention is, of course, to save the lives of babies who might otherwise be left to die.  We’ve all heard the stories of tiny corpses being found in dumpsters; these laws are an attempt to provide parents with another choice.

Who are the parents?

The majority of infant abandonment comes in two forms. 

One is a young teenage girl, who has perhaps hidden her pregnancy from all around her.  Perhaps she has refused to acknowledge it even to herself and is taken by surprise when she gives birth, alone and with no medical or emotional support.  Perhaps she has a boyfriend, and if so, he is equally as terrified as she is.  If they are very savvy and knowledgeable teens, they know enough to take the child to a hospital or police station.  But how many savvy or knowledgeable teens would end up in this predicament?

The other common form of infant abandonment is done by men who are old enough to know better.  Some of these men are pimps who have found that the child impinges on profits.  Some are the mother’s boyfriend or the baby-daddy, who don’t want the responsibility of the child, but are determined to remain in the mother’s life.  In many cases, these babies are older than a few days; they can be older infants, toddlers, or even preschoolers. 

Where do the babies go?

Assuming that the babies live, they immediately go into foster care.  There are foster parents who are especially equipped to receive infants at any hour of the day or night, even if it’s just on a temporary or emergency basis until a more permanent foster home can be found.  While the baby is in foster care, the authorities, which include the police and DFS social workers, attempt to find the birth parents of the child.  If they can’t be found, the state takes permanent custody and the child is declared available for adoption. 

In case you don’t know what Reborns are, they are collectible dolls made to look like newborn babies.  They are very realistic and lifelike, and sometimes sell for thousands of dollars.  I think it’s a weird thing to spend that much money on, but I collect so many coffee mugs I can’t possibly drink from them all, so who am I to talk?

More disturbing is the use that some, shall we say, “ladies of a certain age,” are putting these Reborns to.  According to this ABC news story, they are pretending they are real babies.  They take them out, in public, like overgrown four-year-olds, and treat them as though they were real.  One woman says that they provide her with all the good things about motherhood, but none of the bad stuff.  By which she means, of course, changing diapers. 

Was changing diapers really so bad that we would exchange soft warm babies, sparkling eyes, and heartbreakingly precious smiles for plastic?  I have such pity for these women.  The best thing that can be said about this whole messed up thing is that they aren’t doing any harm.  But is there really no harm done when an otherwise competent adult exchanges reality for delusion? 

I understand baby hunger.  I understand that grasping need for that little body in your arms that makes them literally throb, makes your womb ache with need.  I understand that to hold a baby, even someone else’s baby, makes other pains fade away, if only for a while.  But does holding a doll do the same thing?  I don’t see how it can, but maybe for these ladies it does.

I’m sure there’s a post in there about a society that wants to exchange real human beings for less messy fake ones, but I can’t find it right now. I feel so sorry for those women, and I wonder what will happen to them when reality comes crashing in.

The right way to bring up your child depends on the type of toys that you give them. Some parents would focus a lot in providing any toy as long as it catches the toddler’s eyes but embarking on an educational toy approach may be a better way to go about it.

Newboy has unveiled an aggressive campaign in providing babies the best educational toys and they even come in supportive DVD programs, molding a complete marketing strategy that covers all bases in child development and learning. Though this product line is still concentrated in most of India, it can be a global brand should Newboy choose to do so.

“We decided to launch Baby’s In2 Fun at The Mother Baby & Child Show due to the sheer volume of visitors it attracts. Last year the show recorded 25,000 visitors over three days. That gives us an ideal opportunity to gain valuable market reaction direct from the consumers.”

Source

Every parent looks forward to a child’s first step. In this case, you not only get the chance to see it happen but also start them out right the convenient way. Stride Rite aims to guide toddlers at quite an early age, ensuring that natural motion system shoes possess the comfortable materials while at the same time are made from eco-friendly materials.

It is a good buy for parents who want to start their kids walking the right way. Check it out. They actually help babies to take their first path to the proper way while also taking care of the tender feet they have at their age.

The NMS early walkers have outsoles made of recycled rubber, natural stitching, and use water-based inks for the details and logo. They even come in a cute little recycled box that is now home to an assortment of rattles, blocks, and the occasional Baked Cheesey Cracker.

(Source) Vanilla Pumpkin