meta-dad

Masquerading Season is Upon Us

Scottish folklore involving Halloween, revolves around the ancient Celtic belief in faeries “Sidhe” or “Sith” in modern Gaelic. Children who ventured out carried a traditional lantern (samhnag) with a devil face carved into it, to frighten away the evil spirits.

These customs included offering the spirits parcels of food to spare the house another year. Children too were given the added protection by disguising them as such creatures, in order to blend in with the spirits. If children approached the door of a house, they were also given offerings of food – Halloween being a harvest festival – which served to ward off the potential spirits that may lurk among them. This is where the origin of the practice of Scottish “guising” – a word which comes from ‘disguising’ – or going about in costume arose. this, of course being the key feature of the tradition of trick-or-treating practiced here in the US.

When my wife and I met in NYC, she and her friends had a strong tradition of getting dressed up (I’ll spare you the pictures) and having a big bash and then going to the big NYC Halloween parade down 6th Avenue. It was always a great time, albeit it a chilly one, but there was always plenty of local “spirits” to keep us warm.

Now that we are married with a cackle of kids are attention has turned to our little ghouls and goblins. We have started our window shopping for costumes at a few select halloween costume stores but have yet to settle on a theme. Farm animals seem to be a favorite costume for the toddler set, while superheros and popular TV characters seem to dominate the choices for the older boys.

It is fair to say mom and dad will be into the guising as well but I guarantee the costumes will be a bit less revealing as they were a few years ago – it’s a family production now and rated G.

PlaySam Airliner

Oh, how wonderful to fly this beautiful flying machine!

Made of solid wood, Playsam’s sleek Jetliner has earned the prestigious mark of Excellent Swedish Design. An original and exclusive birthday or holiday gift, the Jetliner captures the imagination of old and young alike.

Playsam creates innovative and timeless wooden toys for the young and young at heart.

With each and every toy, Playsam strives for physical functionality, but also for an art form that challenges pre-existing artistic concepts and conventions.

$59 bucks @ Moolka.Com

Dad’s Swaddling Duties

Historically speaking, it was commonly believed that swaddling was essential for the infants to develop proper posture. Historical records reveal that swaddling first developed around 4000 B.C. in Central Asia with use of the backpack cradle board by migrating peoples.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke: II: 6-7)” ~ King James Version

So you could say the renaissance of swaddling in the U.S. is a bit of a throwback, thanks Dr. Harvey Karp (Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the UCLA School of Medicine and Happiest Baby Guru) and pediatric nurses everywhere.

I think swaddling is very helpful for newborns. They have tendencies to wake themselves up with the little jitters they do when they’re sleeping and the reflexive flailing they’re prone to when they’re awake (reacting to a loud sound or a sneeze or something). Granted, swaddling is only advised for newborns up to one month old, it is a valuable skill for dads to master.

With the birth of our third child, I have slipped back into the role of Family Swaddler. I enjoy the title, it is right up there with Mr. Barbecue, The Family Trashman and Cleaner of All Things Disgusting. Swaddling is a bit of an art form; I say this because every child warrants their own slightly different swaddling technique.

This video illustrates a good standard technique. She has a swaddling blanket with a lot of “stretch” which is good and it is lightweight which is also one of my preferences. You can always do a double-swaddle (swaddle the baby with two separate blankets), I know, pretty advanced stuff.

The idea is the baby had very restricted movement in utero and is most comfortable with that “squished” feeling from a proper swaddle. The best thing for dads to keep in mind is to think “snug fit”, not “tight fit”. You don’t want to cut off circulation or anything. Granted, my middle-child was a complete Houdini and could shimmy out of the snuggest swaddle but that was a precursor to the “fire-cracker” personality he has today.

Sited Links:
Wikipedia | History of Swaddling
You Tube Video | Happiest Baby Swaddle
YouTube Video | How to Swaddle a Baby

Related Links:
Flying Peas | Baby Blankets & Swaddling Blankets
Contempo Tot | Aden + Anais Muslin Swaddling Blankets
Amazon | Pixel Organics 100% Certified Organic Waffle Weave Swaddling Blanket
YouTube | Various Videos on How to Swaddle a Baby

Foot Rattles by Infantino

These things are genius! Baby’s natural kicking motion will become a source of non-stop entertainment with this pair of colorful, rattling socks. These are great for the development of a child. A newborn can see stuff that’s 8-12 inches away for them (generally the distance between their head and mother’s face).

So having a couple colorful plush animals bobbing into view does wonders to distract them when daddy’s trying to change her diaper! Plus there is a cause and affect discovery when they realize they can control these cute little animals by wiggling their legs – they’ll be kicking in no time.

Foot Rattles by Infantino
RightStart $6 + shipping
eBeansTalk $10 + shipping

Movie Poster Birth Announcements

This is not your usual birth announcement – no ribbons, no letterpress, no dubious sheets of vellum to stick in the envelope – I love it!

…a movie poster had a format to include a host of other details which unfortunately never usually make it to birth announcements. James’ (the Owner’s son) movie poster, titled “Sweet Baby James” after the James Taylor song, included the doctor’s name, hospital and every close relative we could think of. For fun, it also included twists on movie poster standards, such as critics quotes, and a rating, “B” for Boy. It had the logos of diapers under “costumes by” and my wife even got a catering credit for nursing.” ~ Peter, 5StarBaby.Com

Mention meta-dad.com when ordering and get an additional 15% off!

(Via 5StarBaby.Com)

Pacifiers, Puzzles and Stroller Toys Recalled

Habamaass (HabaUSA) wooden rattles, pacifier holders, and stroller toys contain small pieces including glued on mirrors and/or prisms that can detach, of course posing a choking hazard to infants. The head of the ladybug puzzle pieces also poses a choking hazard. Habamaass, the German-based company, have voluntarily recalled a number of products.

The puzzles, rattle toys, pacifier holders, and stroller toys are wooden and are described in the chart below. “HABA” is printed on them. Specialty toy stores nationwide and at specialty online retailers from January 2002 through August 2008.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC) Press release sites over 115k products included in the recall. In lieu of recent reports by the USCPSC how recall notices have been failing to reach the consumer in a timely manner; I think it is fair to say we (the parents and loved ones) should spread the word to get these products out of the mouths and hands of infants. Please check the USCPSC Press Release below, there are a number of different child and infant products listed and illustrated.

For additional information, contact Habermaass Corp. at (800) 468-6873 ext. 107 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site.

Sited Links:
USCPSC | Habermaass Product Recall