Month: February 2024

Newborns have very delicate skin, and it’s important to keep their clothes as clean as possible. Synthetic fabrics and harsh chemicals found in many conventional clothing brands can irritate sensitive infant skin, leading to allergic reactions and other health issues. Organic and sustainably sourced clothing made from natural fibers, such as cotton, are better options for newborn babies. This type of material is breathable and helps regulate body temperature, so baby stays comfortable all day long. A newborn’s wardrobe needs several essential items, including body clothes that are easy to put on and take off, such as rompers or 2-in-1 dresses (a dress top section with a romper undersection), as well as diaper covers that snap open for quick nappy changes. A few pairs of mittens are a must, as they help prevent young babies from accidentally scratching themselves. For cold weather, baby will need outerwear, like snowsuits, which are waterproof and designed to keep the body warm. Other essentials include hats, socks and boots to keep little feet toasty, and blankets for keeping baby warm and swaddled during sleep. Depending on the season, your baby’s wardrobe will also need a few warmer clothing items, such as sweaters or cardigans to keep them warm and cozy, as well as coats for rainy or windy days. While layering is great, it’s also important to avoid overheating; too much fabric can cause heat exhaustion in babies, which is especially dangerous when they’re napping. For warmer temperatures, look for a light jacket that’s water-resistant and designed to be breathable. You’ll want to make sure your newborn has several sets of outfits on hand for outings, and a few PJs to wear during the night. Newborns tend to need a few changes of clothes during the course of one day, so having several outfits on hand will save you some time. For outings, you’ll need a few outfits that cover both the top and bottom of the body, such as dresses or rompers. For the home, you’ll want a few pairs of pjs that cover the feet; these are usually called sleepers or footie pajamas, and they’re available in fleece to keep your baby extra warm. There are several brands that offer eco-friendly clothing for babies, including Hanna Andersson and Cat & Jack. These sustainable brands prioritize circularity and support sustainable production, making them great choices for newborns. Hanna Andersson is an Oregon-based brand that’s been around for decades, and the label offers both GOTS and OEKO-TEX certified garments for peace of mind. The brand also supports fair trade practices, so you can feel good about supporting the community while you shop for your baby. Cat & Jack is another family-friendly retailer that offers a wide selection of mixed and match outfits, as well as coordinating pieces. The Target-owned brand is also committed to partnerships with beloved pop culture characters and franchises, which means you’ll find fun prints for your baby to enjoy.

Burial gowns are a type of clothing that can be worn by the deceased, either while they are laying down or when they have been put into their casket. They are designed to be comfortable, soft, and easy to wear with minimal alterations. When choosing an outfit for a loved one, family members should take into account their cultural background, religious beliefs and personal style. The most important consideration for deciding on burial attire is honoring the wishes of the deceased. Whether they left instructions in their will or expressed their preference to a close friend, it is essential to respect those choices. In many traditions, specific colors and symbols hold meaning, and incorporating those into an outfit can be a meaningful way to pay tribute. It is also a good idea to consult with funeral directors, who can offer advice and guidance on appropriate options. Funeral directors are skilled at presenting the body in a dignified manner, and they can assist with any special requests or concerns. There are a number of ways to make a burial garment, including using repurposed materials and sewing them together yourself. For a more natural look, it is usually best to use cottons or linens that are grown, dyed, and woven locally. The fibers should be able to decompose naturally, so that they do not harm the environment in which they are placed. Several designers have made burial apparel from scratch. Mark Mitchell, for example, has used his background in theatrical costume to create a line of one-of-a-kind custom burial ensembles from luxury fabrics using couture and heirloom-sewing techniques. Australian scholar, artist, and funeral celebrant Pia Interlandi has combined fashion design, fiber science, and forensics in her experiments with water-soluble fibers and clothed pigs, as well as in her line of Garments for the Grave. The Decompiculture Kit she developed in 2015 uses mushroom strains that can remediate toxins found in the human body and decompose it in harmony with the soil in which it will lie. There are also a number of organizations that offer free burial gown patterns and sewing kits to those who wish to make their own. Newborns in Need, for example, provides a pattern and measurements for babies ranging from one to eleven pounds. Melinda’s Patterns, meanwhile, has a knitting pattern for a burial wrap and lined bonnet that can be downloaded. Several non-profit organizations have been utilizing donated wedding dresses to make burial garments for infants in their care, and the Sew & Tell blog features tutorials for a range of different sizes.

Most girls dream of growing up and having the perfect storybook wedding in a white gown. While some brides choose to keep their dresses as keepsakes or pass them down to their daughters, others are choosing to donate their wedding dresses instead. The reasons vary from a lack of storage space to wanting to make a difference in the world. Donating a wedding dress can also be a potential tax deduction and reduce the amount of pollution caused by manufacturing new gowns. The most obvious option for wedding dress donations is the local Goodwill or Salvation Army thrift store. These charity organizations take the dresses and sell them in their stores, with proceeds funding a variety of charitable programs. Most Goodwill locations also hold annual bridal events where hundreds of donated wedding dresses are showcased. Other options for wedding gown donations include the non-profit boutique Fairytale Brides on a Shoestring in Washington, DC, and Brides Across America, a nonprofit that outfits military and first responder brides with free dresses during its Operation Wedding Gown events held twice a year. The nonprofit also has a retail store where dresses and bridal accessories can be dropped off or shipped. In addition to these national charities, there are many other local options for wedding gown donations. For example, Angel Gowns of the Capital Region in Albany, NY, repurposes donated wedding dresses into infant burial gowns called angel gowns that are offered to families who have lost their baby. Brides can donate their dresses by filling out an online form or by calling the organization for further instructions. Before donating your wedding dress, you should do some research to ensure that the charity is a reputable one and that you understand how your donation will be used. The first step is to contact the charity directly and ask about their guidelines. For example, some charities accept only dresses that are less than five years old and have been dry cleaned, while others require a certain level of quality and offer specific cleaning instructions for donors. Once you know the dress’s specifications, it’s important to properly pack it for shipping so that it arrives in pristine condition. This means having it professionally cleaned and packing it in acid-free boxes. It’s also a good idea to label the box with helpful information about the dress to save charity volunteers time, such as the dress size, the brand or designer, and the year of purchase. Another important factor to consider is whether the dress will be worn by a bride or by a family member. This is especially true if the charity is an organization that deals with a sensitive topic like sex trafficking. In that case, the donor should contact the charity to find out more about how the gowns are used and to request additional packing instructions. In some cases, the charity may even provide a kit of supplies to help the dress be preserved and shipped safely for its intended recipient.

The loss of a baby is one of the most heart-wrenching experiences that can happen to a family. Often, a baby is delivered stillborn or dies shortly after birth. Each year, 626,000 babies are born this way in the United States. For many parents, this is a devastating and confusing time. The grieving process can be overwhelming, and it is very hard to find hope during this time. For many families, the cherished memories of their tiny loved one can help ease their pain and bring comfort. During the hospital stay, these newborns are dressed in angel gowns to be photographed for their family and friends. In a society where infant mortality is much higher than in the past, it is essential for health care providers to provide families with a special memory of their baby. The angel gown is a keepsake, a reminder of their little one and the love they share with their families. As an NICU nurse, Judi Gibson saw the need for these gowns in her local community and began recruiting seamstresses to make them for families who needed them. Edith Moniz, an avid quilter and grandmother, volunteered to sew the tiny dresses and was surprised by how gratifying it was for her. Currently, there are over 200 angel gowns and outfits in the program at Riley Children’s Health. Each dress takes about five hours to make. Judi and her team are working to expand the program to other hospitals in Indiana. The goal is to make sure every baby who dies at any gestational age can be provided with a special gown for photos and a final farewell. A similar initiative has emerged in Long Beach, California. Volunteers and seamstresses take donated wedding gowns and deconstruct them to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind angel gowns for babies who die during or shortly after their birth. The garments, which are made of lace and satin, are presented to the baby’s family for a photo and a last goodbye. After the death of her daughter, Brandy Spurgeon received a gown from Riley’s bereavement program. It helped her heal, and she started an organization to spread the word about this heart-warming initiative. She now serves as a coordinator for the NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown program, which accepts donations of wedding gowns and bridesmaid’s dresses (in light shades of blue, pink, purple) to be remade into an angel gown. Stacy McClain also serves as a seamstress coordinator for the program. She is inspired by the women who donate their dresses, and says she feels blessed to be a part of such an amazing cause. She also volunteers to tutor at the Life Enrichment Center in her local community and serves as a Corresponding Secretary on the Portsmouth City Commission for Museums and Arts. For more information about how to donate a wedding dress to an angel gown organization near you, visit Adorned in Grace. The store accepts bridesmaid’s dresses and flower girl dresses less than five years old and also supports Success in Style, a nonprofit that helps people rebuild their professional wardrobes.

A child funeral is a very difficult thing to plan for. But if parents are careful about explaining what will happen they can prepare children to attend and support them through the ceremony. Younger children may need to be accompanied to the funeral by a trusted adult. This is especially important if they are too young to understand what is happening. In this case it can be helpful for the adult to take charge of them and keep them engaged with fun activities. For older children, a trusted friend or sibling could be assigned to help them throughout the day. This can be useful if they are likely to get restless or overwhelmed. If the funeral is to be open casket, it can be a good idea to let them know what they will see in advance. It can be comforting for a child to know that their deceased sibling or parent will look like they are sleeping and that they won’t wake up. If the body is to be cremated, it can also be reassuring to explain that the ashes will not look any different than they did as a living person. A key part of preparing your child for the funeral service is to explain that people will be expressing many emotions and that it’s okay to cry. But it’s equally important to emphasize that everyone will be treated with respect and dignity. It can be very upsetting for a child to see adults around them exhibiting uncontrolled anger, hostility or even hatred. At the funeral service it can be helpful to give your child a special role in the ceremony. Whether it’s finding and collecting photos of the deceased to share in a slideshow or helping to pass out the order of service booklet, giving a child something to do can make them feel included and valued. It will also help them cope with the intensity of the experience. It’s a good idea to bring a bag of things that can keep your child occupied during the service. This can include snacks and activities. It’s also a good idea to have a backup plan in case your child becomes too upset and needs to leave. Once the funeral is over, it can be a comfort to have some time to yourself with your child to reflect on the ceremony and your own feelings of grief. It’s also a great time to introduce your children to our resources on grieving and death. This will help them to find the words they need when dealing with their own feelings of loss.