Is Fleece Breathable?

Yes! Fleece is 100% breathable. Since fleece was developed for athletic gear, it has to be breathable to help regulate temperature for athletes and will do the same for your baby. It is interesting to know that a mid-weight polar fleece is actually more breathable then a cotton jogging fleece according to breathability testing.

Discover, Shop and Celebrate Local

We are excited to be participating in the first annual "Discover, Shop and Celebrate Local" show on Saturday, December 3rd in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery. This event has been organized by BalleBC. In their words,

"When you shop locally, it's not like 'buying' with only a dollar sign attached- it's shopping locally and that means building the local economy, which is really like building the selfish and sustainable economy. You benefit. Studies have shown that much more money stays in the local economy when we buy goods and services locally.

Based on research done by local sustainability research company, Ci or Conscientious innovation, local goods and services is the trend to watch and embrace and will shape our future communities."

If you are looking for unique, locally made products come out and join us! The perfect time of year for cozy fleece products for your little one! For more information on the event visit: http://www.buylocalsupportyourself.com

Fashion High Handbag Competition

Köhlr Baby recently took part in a hangbag competition put on by Fashion High, part of Balle BC. It's a great competition with the top six handbags being auctioned off at the Crave Show ( http://www.craveparty.com/vancholiday_new.htm ). All the money from the auction goes towards funding the Fashion High sticker program. This program is aiming to identify locally made products and stores that sell them by special stickers. Another way to help educate about and promote supporting great local companies.

Synthetic vs Natural Fabrics

Twenty years ago synthetic fabrics were common in the making of baby clothing. However poor quality and few governmental standards lead to poor safety in many baby clothing and bedding products. The resulting publicity and tightening of regulations lead to a resurgence in the use of natural material such as cotton. Synthetic fabrics though, have come a long way in technical development and resulting safety.

Fabric manufacturing has advanced immensely and now produces incredible products. Some fabrics can change colour to the touch, others keep water out but allow moisture to escape. Among these ‘smart fabrics’ fleece is among the smartest and its benefits outshine those of more traditional cotton and flannelette fabrics.

So what is fleece then? Fleece is basically a synthetic, 100% polyester fabric with an “altered” fibre structure. This unique way of creating the fibres and the fabric result in the ability of the fabric to transfer moisture through itself (wicking) from the baby’s skin to the outside of the garment.

While cotton is a great fabric for some things, it is also a porous fabric and absorbs moisture holding it against a baby’s skin. This means when cotton fabrics get wet, they will stay wet --and clammy. They become uncomfortable and uncomfortable children become cranky. Further, cotton’s properties hinder the evaporation process which is important for keeping baby’s temperature at an appropriate level. In the winter it will make baby cold, in the summer too hot. Fleece breathes well and comes in a variety of weights appropriate to different seasons and climes—Vancouver rain or Whistler snow! Parents in the know are aware of these advances and use fleece to keep their baby warm and snug.

Fleece’s characteristics –

• Highly breathable – keeps baby dry. No rashes etc Highly breathable to provide comfort in all activities; does not restrict the movement of moisture vapour this idea links to the next benefit)
• Provides warmth without weight – great for long days. In the baby bag etc
• Pill resistant – stays soft and comfortable against baby’s skin even after many washings
• Low maintenance and durable, cleans ‘messes food etc” less laundry time = more play time
• Virtually stain-proof
• Great for colour retention
• A quick-drying fabric
• Machine washable/dryable
• Very SOFT and COMFY

Doing Business Ethically in a Global World

Köhlr Baby recently joined Balle BC. This is a great organization promoting consumer awareness.

Here is an excerpt from their website: "We are a network of local business owners and leaders with a direct stake in the livability of our communities and bio-regions. By connecting business-to-business, leader-to-leader, this network is building an important resource for the local living economy that already exists in British Columbia. We are also part of a much bigger network that is growing and connecting across North America. We invite you to contribute and share in these assets! There is strength in numbers! "

They have many different speakers and ways of promoting locally made products. Here is their website: http://www.ballebc.com/

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SIDS Information from the Mayo Clinic

"Select bedding carefully.
Use a firm mattress, rather than a water bed or beanbag. Avoid placing your baby on thick, fluffy padding, such as lambskin or a thick quilt. These may interfere with breathing if your baby's face presses against them. For the same reason, don't leave fluffy toys or stuffed animals in your infant's crib. Instead, tuck in a lightweight blanket securely at the foot of the crib, with just enough length to cover your baby's shoulders. Then place your baby in the crib, near the foot, covered loosely with the blanket. If you dress your baby in a kimono or sleep sack, you may not need to use a blanket unless the room is cool or you place the crib near a window in cold weather. "
Full article at:
http://edition.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/DS/00145.html

Sleepsacks & Swaddling

Our baby sleeps in a sleepsack (the leopard pattern!), but we found that he still needed to be swaddled so he didn't jerk his arms and wake himself up. The solution we found that has worked well is putting one of my husband's long-sleeved shirts under the baby and wrapping the arms around the baby. This way we get the best of both worlds in terms of swaddling our baby and using a sleepsack instead of blankets.
(submitted by Alix, Tacoma, WA)

Caring for Your Baby's Fleece Products

Fleece is an easy care fabric; Easy care- small accident? No problem, simply sponge off or throw in the washer/dryer
Fleece is machine washable, although it is best to avoid fabric softeners which may compromise the anti-pill finish.
Fleece is also machine dryable. It is best to tumble dry on a low setting. While fleece does not shrink, if dried on a very hot setting it may experience some melting of fibers.
When traveling it is easy to hand wash fleece, wring out well and hang to dry. It can easily dry overnight at room temperature.

Camping with Your Baby

Summary:
So getting outdoors used to be one your favorite pass times. But now shouldering your backpack has been replaced by shouldering your baby carrier. Never fear! Getting back outdoors and introducing your baby to it is not as complicated as you might think. You might not be the minimalist packer that you once were, but just add a few things to your packing list and you will be on your way.

• Choose a familiar campsite and try a practice run in your backyard
• Layer your baby's clothing to accomodate varying temperatures
• Arrive with lots of daylight to account for a longer set up time for the camp
• Bring the same bedding that you use at home so your baby will have something familiar, sleepsacks work especially well. Try to duplicate your home bedtime routine.
  
  Enjoy the beauty of nature with your little one!

To read our full article and get a sample packing list visit Trailpeak

Why Fleece?

Originally created by Malden Mills in the 1970's as an alternative to wool, fleece has some wonderful technical qualities developed for the outdoor apparel industry.

Contrary to what people may think, good quality fleece is breathable and will not impede a baby's breathing since it was designed to accomodate individuals participting in high energy activies where persperation had to be able to escape through the fabric.

Some of the great qualities include:
• Quick drying - moisture will dry quickly as the fibers will not absorb it.
• Wicking - any moisture is moved away from the skin along the fibers.
• Durablility - fleece is durable and this product is designed to be passed on.
• Easy care- small accident? No problem, simply sponge off or throw in the washer/dryer.
Fleece is naturally stain and water resistant
Aside from being incredibly soft and warm, it will also appeal to your baby's sense of touch.

Sleepsacks and SIDS Prevention

Sleep sacks, just making their appearance in North America in the last 5 or so years, have been standard in Europe and the U.K. for many decades.

Sleep sacks help to eliminate loose bedding from your baby's sleep area, which removes the danger of the blanket blocking free airflow. Re-breathing carbon dioxide has been identified as a leading cause of SIDS. It is important to keep the air around your sleeping baby as fresh and clean as possible, and to eliminate any potential for their face to come in close proximity to items that might block fresh air flow, especially once they begin moving around during sleep.

Sleep sacks are simply put on over your baby's pyjamas in place of a blanket.