Posted on: November 4, 2010
No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed
Children’s bedding isn’t just about popular cartoons and boy bands. With trend comes responsibility
By Jeff Schnaufer
CTW Features
Image courtesy of Anthropologie
Much like a good pair of sensible shoes, responsible bedding is more about form and function than the hottest celebrity endorsement. New eco-friendly bedding and accessories, including a talking pillow, can help children from toddlers to tweens sleep safely and stylishly – no boy band needed.
SHEETS & BLANKETS
“A family wants to use eco-friendly bedding especially if a child/tween suffers from any upper respiratory illnesses, allergies, asthma or suffers from headaches and/or insomnia,” says DeAnna Radaj, owner of Bante Design, LLC., Milwaukee. “Great colors are available in bamboo, jute and organic cotton.”
When it comes to décor, Radaj suggests getting children involved in choosing colors, since “at this age, kids are starting to define their individuality, and it’s important to help support that.”
MATTRESSES
When it comes to their children, many parents have an even greater concern about exposure to chemicals than they do for themselves, says Michael Magnuson, founder of Best Bed Guide, San Francisco, an online source for mattress information.
“For a baby mattress, an excellent insulation material is coir fibers, which are made from shredded coconut shells,” Magnuson says. “Many green crib mattress materials, such as natural latex and certain types of organic wool, have the added advantage of being inherently anti-microbial and/or hypo-allergenic. Organic mattress cover materials, such as cotton and wool, tend to be more breathable but may not offer the same protection against wetness as would more conventional cover materials.”
PILLOWS
For those children or tweens with fears of sleeping alone, the newest trend is the Mumoocie – a pillow that lulls children to sleep with the scents and sounds of loved ones.
“The innovative patented curved shape simulates the feeling you get when a loved one is snuggled up against you. Mumoocie also has a hidden voice recorder where a loved one’s voice can be heard. The child simply squeezes Mumoocie and the voice plays,” says Leigh Woods, director of sales and marketing for the Orlando, Fla.-based company.
“The parent or loved one will simply use Mumoocie for a night or they can spray their special fragrance on Mumoocie before giving it to their child, and the child will have their special scent so they can sleep soundly,” Woods says.