Nameberry recently compiled a list of 2011’s most popular baby names. While BabyCenter.com did something similar toward the end of last year, Nameberry’s reflects similar results but distinct changes over a brief period and gives a definitive rundown of the most popular names from the past year.
For girls, “Sophia” was the most popular name and has been one of the most widely used since 2006. “Isabella” is second in popularity.
For boys, -Aiden and –Ayden names seemed to dominate for a number of years, and even “Aiden” was considered the most popular name for boys by BabyCenter.com. By the end of the year, however, that distinction shifted to “Jacob,” a Biblical name and also one of a Twilight character. In fact, with “Jacob” being No. 1 for boys and “Isabella” No. 2 for girls, the Stephanie Meyer series appears to have some influence with parents’ naming choices. However, “Edward” did not make the top 100 boys’ names.
Aside from these, top names for girls had a definite feminine influence, a clear step away from the more androgynous choices like “Madison,” “Addison,” “Aubrey,” and “Brooklyn,” although these continue to be in the top 50.
Aside from “Aiden” and “Jacob,” “Mason” was additionally popular. While other choices for boys were also Biblical in allusion, “Mason” can likely be attributed to the Kardashians, or, more specifically, to oldest sister Kourney’s son, Mason Dash.
For last year, the top 10 baby names for girls are:
1. Sophia
2. Isabella
3. Emma
4. Olivia
5. Ava
6. Emily
7. Abigail
8. Madison
9. Mia
10. Chloe
For boys, the top 10 are:
1. Jacob
2. Mason
3. William
4. Jayden
5. Noah
6. Michael
7. Ethan
8. Alexander
9. Aiden
10. Daniel
In the past, studies indicated that musical exposure and training can assist with improving older children’s academic and social development, but what about for babies? A recent study from the Developmental Science and the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences shows that even infants experience positive effects of musical instruction.
The study, done by McMaster University, involved two groups of parents with one-year-old children, all of whom previously did not attend music instruction and were on the same level of social development. One group was assigned interactive music classes, in which parents and their children made sounds with rudimentary instruments, and another to musical listening and games, or passive music exposure. The parents and children participated weekly over a six-month period.
The results showed that babies and parents in the interactive classes developed a better bond, with the children communicating and smiling more. Additionally, such children responded better to more sophisticated music. About the results, one researcher stated:
“Babies who participated in the interactive music classes with their parents showed earlier sensitivity to the pitch structure in music. Specifically, they preferred to listen to a version of a piano piece that stayed in key, versus a version that included out-of-key notes. Infants who participated in the passive listening classes did not show the same preferences. Even their brains responded to music differently. Infants from the interactive music classes showed larger and/or earlier brain responses to musical tones.”
Musical exposure can, in fact, start at any age, and because of the benefits, developers of baby toys incorporate sounds. These musical toys produce sounds ranging from soothing tones or notes to notable classical music melodies. And, for a stimulation experience for a baby, these toys incorporate varied patterns and textures for visual and tactile development, respectively.
The demand for baby products online continues to grow. With hundreds, if not thousands, of online baby stores set up, parents have no shortage of places to find clothing, toys, and bedding to their tastes. Yet, such establishments often brand themselves as specialty retailers, each one offering a niche product or specific quality.
The Globe and Mail, however, reported recently that big box retailers are just getting in on this online trend. As the internet offers a wealth of resources for parents, from stores to forums, companies like Walmart, Target, and Amazon are observing these online properties for product trends.
But, considering online baby stores have multiplied over the years and the internet has turned into a location for mothers and fathers to discuss parenting and their children, big box establishments seem a bit late on this phenomenon. And, considering specialty online retailers have established themselves as sources for quality baby products, can companies that essentially offer a one-size-fits-all approach to shopping actually fit in with this world?
Of course, that all depends on the products offered. If Walmart and other such entities step up their game to baby boutiques with more emphasis on quality than quantity and low prices, these bigger retailers may turn into fair competitors. Yet, when it comes to getting a unique look or specialty-made product, such as baby shower diaper cakes from Rattlecake, the big guys simply do not have the resources to offer a personal touch.
It’s not that big box retailers aren’t involved in selling baby products; they are, but compared to the other offerings out there, what bigger retailers sell is considered baseline or average. Parents, if they have the money, these days can purchase strollers worth more than $1,000, or save far more by looking into rented baby products, and to such tastes, wants, and needs, big box stores simply appear oblivious.
Graco, one of the most well-known brands of baby products, recently introduced its Disney Baby Minnie Mouse collection, but rather than giving it a traditional look, such as a princess theme or colored with pastel pink or blue, all furniture is a dark plum color. As many stylish parents know, pastel nurseries are so 20 years ago, and boldness, these days, is in. Yet, if you haven’t grown out of your cartoon phase (and many adults haven’t), this Graco collection and other baby products is far more cool than cutesy.
Even in their press release for the brand, Graco stated: “The collection’s whimsical Minnie Mouse design and soothing, fresh color scheme reflects the fun but fashion-forward look today’s moms are seeking.”
Aside from the bold color, this Disney Baby collection has five types of baby products, almost all dual-purpose. A rocking seat for the nursery, for example, can also turn into a bassinet and, for the baby, has a toy bar and plays soothing classical music and nature sounds from a mobile. A swing has similar characteristics, and to accommodate a baby’s quick growth, it has multiple seating positions and can change speeds.
Disney Baby is another Graco line of strollers, and the Minnie Mouse collection is no exception. A lightweight model that’s easily folded and closed, these strollers are also compatible with Graco car seats.
Dada Baby Boutique also keeps Disney baby products fashionable and low key. Minnie and Mickey Mouse Trunpette socks, for day and night wear, mimic the style of the classic cartoons without going overboard. As Trumpette is the brand behind, the socks, for your peace of mind, won’t come off.
Of course, not all cartoons are Disney. For parents and their children amused by animation, Hunky Dory carries Junk Food clothing, which, with modern construction, maintains a vintage, fanciful appearance and frequently incorporates cartoon characters into its designs.
For about the past week, rumors circulated of Jersey Shore star Snooki being pregnant, but the pint-size reality TV personality also known as Nicole Polizzi was evasive. Until Friday, that is. Coinciding with her official announcement, Us Weekly broke the news that the star’s 15 weeks along and is engaged to boyfriend Jionni LaValle, who reportedly bought her a $50,000 ring. Regarding the news, the four-foot-nine star told the press: “I don’t care what anybody else thinks. As long as I know I’m ready and he’s ready.”
Snooki might not care, but will the Jersey Shore’s viewers? Could getting pregnant be a major ratings killer for the show, which is about to start its fifth season? Reports are varied. Costar Vinny Guadagnino told the Huffington Post that Snooki will be back. While he hadn’t heard the news until the press broke it, he said the Shore cast will try to help her as must as possible: “We all get into our hardships with each other and petty arguments but this is real life. She is pregnant and we are there for each other…”
Other castmembers were equally in the dark, including Deena Cortese, who admitted that on Ryan Seacrest’s radio show. Nevertheless, she also stated that the star known for her fondness for pickles and slippers will be a good mother: “I think this has been her dream: getting married and having kids. She’s really happy and I’m happy for her. I’m going to miss my little partner in crime, but I’m happy for her!”
Contrary to what Guadagnino says, unidentified sources said that MTV plans to cancel Shore over Snooki’s condition. After all, she can’t be replaced as well as former castmember Angelina Pivarnick, who, too, announced a pregnancy. What do you think MTV should do – keep Shore with a less party-hardy Snooki or scrap it all together? Then again, cancelation may just be a rumor, as Polizzi and Shore castmember J-Woww have been spotted filming their spinoff in Jersey City.
How often do you read the ingredients in your baby’s foods? Do you leave products with high fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors on the shelf in favor of organic baby foods and formula? Do some of the products chosen contain organic brown rice syrup? Organic baby products, as a recent study shows, aren’t safe from contamination, as rice syrup is now correlated with traces of arsenic in baby formula.
Foods containing rice syrup, a Dartmouth College study published this week found, have greater levels of arsenic. Baby formula is one of them – specifically brands Baby’s Only Organic Dairy Toddler Formula and Baby’s Only Organic Soy Toddler Formula. Why rice and not, say, corn syrup? The land on which the crop is planted, the Huffington Post points out, contains the chemical.
It’s a rather lengthy yet plausible process for arsenic to end up in baby formula. Grounds once reserved for growing cotton have been converted into domestic rice paddies. Eco-conscious parents stridently avoid cotton, opting instead for organic cotton baby products, as several chemicals corrupt the soil allocated for growing and are sprayed onto the plants. The cotton crops may be a distant memory, but arsenic, still present in the topsoil, serves as a reminder of the chemical-laden practices that are part of growing it. The rice planted onto the same land draws up the old arsenic, and once processed into a product fit for consumption, the chemical ends up in foods.
Although the USA Rice Federation markedly points out arsenic’s common presence in foods and water, what should you do? Is the Dartmouth Study a bunch of hype? As chemicals greatly affect babies more than adults, don’t take a risk with your child. In the time being, until clear results are delivered, steer away from any baby products (and any adult foods, for that matter) containing rice derivatives.
A relatively popular baby product, Bumbo baby seats may go through a third recall. Could they be declared as dangerous as drop-side cribs? While parents now wait to hear if the supposedly-helpful baby seat is being recalled a third time, various consumer groups are requesting the Consumer Product Safety Commission to push the measure through. Although 4 million Americans have purchased Bumbos, the product from the South Africa-based company appears to have significant fall risks.
For parents unfamiliar, Bumbo seats were first recalled in 2007. The company claims parents were not using them correctly by placing them on elevated surfaces. The child, who wiggles around and potentially arches his or her back, falls out, hits the floor, and can experience a skull fracture. At the time, 28 fall-related injuries resulted in the recall of 1 million products. In response, Bumbo International put the following warning on all seats: “WARNING – Prevent Falls; Never use on any elevated surface.”
On the other hand, parents didn’t seem to get the message – or, more precisely, read the new warning. With Bumbos still placed on elevated surfaces, more children experienced injuries, and the CPSC issued a second recall in November 2011. The company, at the time, remarked that parents need to use the seat properly – on the floor, with the baby watched at all times.
Consumer groups, however, point out holes in this assertion, as some of the fall-related skull fractures did not occur from elevated positions. In fact, they claim, the babies were seated on the floor.
What do you think should be done about this baby seat? Should Bumbo redesign its product to be less fall-prone? Or should parents look elsewhere? If putting the child down for a few hours is a primary concern, several other baby seats, in better, if not safer, configurations are available.
There’s no such thing as a perfect mother, yet striving toward such an unrealistic and unachievable goal makes mothers feel guilt. Guilt, it seems, can be in any area of parenting – including baby products. A study recently conducted by Kelton Research indicates that guilt in response to name brand baby products is common – even to the point that several purchasing decisions are not based on logic or need but, rather, these emotional pangs.
Although brand name products have the upper hand to store varieties in regards to advertising, results from the Kelton study show:
• 58 percent of new mothers constantly think about items to purchase for their baby.
• 37 percent feel guilty about not being able to purchase name-brand baby products.
• 53 percent daily consider how baby products factor into their budgets.
• 59 percent are worried about their general finances.
• 75 percent spend less on themselves, including for entertainment, dining, and new clothes.
Anxiety about not doing the best, the study claims, induces guilt, but where is this feeling coming from? Advertisements focused on babies and parents get the blame, as they appeal to a parent’s emotions in regards to their child. Regarding the results, Sandra Gordon, national baby products expert and author of Consumer Reports Best Baby Products, 10th edition, stated to the press:
“This study sheds light on what moms are going through from both an emotional and economic standpoint. Moms are so intent on absorbing as much baby-related information as possible, and making the right purchasing decisions, that it can be easy to overlook inexpensive options that are just as safe and effective for their baby.”
On the other hand, name brand isn’t always an indicator of quality, and parents using advertising as a source for purchases spend more than they need to. In many cases, this amount could be going toward other areas in their budgets.
When a celebrity attaches his or her name to a product, be it vodka, a fragrance, or baby clothing, you wonder just how authentic it is – or if it’s simply part of a large branding strategy. Does having an associated celebrity name mean the item is somehow superior than, say, the standard item? While, at least in terms of fashion, the relationship gives the product an initial edge, it wears off at some point – particularly when a star’s power drops.
Jessica Alba is one of the more recent stars to attach her name to a product. In the past, we saw a proposed baby clothing line from Snoop Dogg and David Beckham, onesies sporting a quote from Kate Moss (“Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels”), and baby sheets from Saved by the Bell and 90210 actress Tiffani Thiessen. Alba, on the other hand, is introducing a line of eco-friendly diapers and other baby products under The Honest Co. Making its first appearance last week, Honest.com, the company’s website, started offering nontoxic, eco-friendly diapers, biodegradable baby wipes, and organic bath and skin care products.
For an actress who starred in television show Dark Angel and more recently in the Fantastic Four and Machete, such an endeavor seems odd; yet, in an interview with the New York Daily News, Alba talked about getting a rash after using baby-safe detergent. Upon researching the ingredients, she found that many weren’t organic, and while she found some truly eco-friendly baby items here and there, they were difficult to come by. To the newspaper, she explained:
“It was exhausting. I had a baby, I was working. I didn’t have time to go everywhere. And I get it. Everything has a green leaf on it or brown or beige. I’m like, just because it’s eco why does it have to be brown, beige, or have a green leaf on it?”
The Honest Co.’s eco diapers are not only nontoxic, but they also come in colorful patterns and are affordably priced. Aside from her new line, other green baby products can be found through Rattlecake and Dada Baby Boutique.
To use a family bed or to not use a family bed – it’s many parents’ dilemma. Yet, for all the praise about bonding that family beds receive, the negatives are a precipitous downside – one, in fact, that negates all benefits. Putting the parents, possible older children, and a new baby in a bed together is said to synchronize sleep cycles and help the baby rest better, but the CPSC speaks against it, citing suffocation hazards.
Yet, the negative facets rarely register on an individual’s radar until a tragedy is recounted in greater detail. South Carolina newspaper The State did such a piece recently. Describing the experiences of one family in Richland County, the piece goes onto discuss why cosleeping is hazardous for infants and the possibility that cases diagnosed as SIDS may, in fact, involve dangerous sleeping arrangements.
If your child is 1 years old or younger, how strong is he or she? How well can he or she move? Even the most developmentally-advanced babies, however, find themselves trapped when a larger person in the bed rolls over or even accidentally lays an arm or leg across an airway. Because the child can neither move nor lift, he or she often suffocates.
Gary Watts, the Richland County coroner, quoted in the State piece mentions that more infant deaths may be attributed to cosleepin than previously assumed. In the event a child suffocates in the family bed, a coroner asks the caregiver to recreate the situation in order to rule out SIDS, which does not involve a dangerous sleeping arrangement. Aside from family beds, laying a baby to sleep on a couch or arm chair, in a crib with a comforter or pillow, or in a room with a dog are also considered sleeping hazards.
Some habits can be difficult to break, however – including cosleeping, which may have been used by families for generations. About this, Watts told the press:
“My grandmother did it, my mother did it, and I know I did it. But it’s unsafe. At some point, you have to realize it’s a danger to the infant. If you want to have a child in the room – put him in a bassinet beside your bed.”
