Parents who want to reduce waste are often dismayed by the mountains of clothing and baby gear that well-meaning family and friends tend to shower on new parents. In addition, since today’s parents are having fewer children, baby clothes are not the useful hand-me-downs that they once were. Faced with the problem of keeping track of gifted baby clothing to make sure she could find it when her baby was the right size, Stanford Institute of Design fellow Caroline O’Connor came up with the idea of Plum, described as “Neflix for Baby Clothes.”

The San Francisco-based subscription service provides parents with baby clothes as needed. All clothes are laundered with organic soap before delivery.  When clothes are outgrown they can be returned in a postage-paid envelope.

Find out more about Plum in this Forbes article and on the Plum company website.

One of the first big transitions for a baby is the move from bottle to cup. Most pediatricians recommend that the bottle be phased out around baby’s first birthday. Eliminating bottle feeding cuts down on the risk of cavities, particularly when the bottle is used in the crib. It also helps ensure that baby’s new teeth are properly aligned.

Most parents have found that moving to a sippy cup is the easiest way to phase out the bottle. Start out slowly, introducing the cup a few times a week. With luck and persistence, after about a month you can put the baby bottles away. Read more about transitioning from the bottle on Kaboose.

To see how easy the transition can be, view this YouTube video of a baby’s first drink from a sippy cup.

Thumbsucking and finger sucking are natural reflexes in infants.  It makes them feel secure and can help them relax and fall asleep.  Most children give up the habit by the age of four.  If thumbsucking continues after the permanent teeth begin to appear, a child can develop crooked teeth and can also experience harmful changes to the roof of the mouth.  If you’re concerned about an older child’s thumbsucking or finger sucking, be sure to consult your dentist.

Read more about thumbsucking and your child’s teeth at the American Dental Association website.

Teething in babies has been the subject of misconception and myth for hundreds of years.  In France in 1700s, half of all infant deaths were attribute to teething.  We know that is not the case today, but there are still several common myths that many modern moms hold on to. 

Myth: Teething causes a fever.
Truth: The gum swelling that comes with teething may slightly elevate a baby’s temperature, but not enough to be called a fever.  Look for another cause when baby’s temperature is above 100 degrees.

Myth: Teething gels are a safe remedy.
Truth: These gels contain a local anesthetic that can cause seizures when not administered carefully.  Avoid teething gels and consult your pediatrician if you think pain medication for teething is necessary.

Myth: You don’t need to brush until your baby’s first tooth appears.
Truth: Even before your baby’s first tooth appears, it’s important to brush his or her gums.  Wrap a soft, clean cloth around your finger and gently wipe your baby’s gums.

Read more about teething on the Baby & Child Magazine website.