Hibernate Blog

This is baby Aiden captured in a peaceful moment during a recent photo shoot.* Courtesy of Sarah Neal, the [extremely] talented photographer behind Sarah Neal Designs in Flagstaff, Arizona. Thank you for sharing your work Sarah!

Little baby boys. One day, swaddled in innocence and love. He is content and finds peace in nothing more than your arms. The next, you’re making dinner and hear him yelling at the top of his lungs. You gander out your kitchen window, speechless, as he has found peace by blasting holes with his 4-wheeler in the pool inflatables.

*LEGAL DISCLAIMER: In no way, shape or form does SaraBear Company or any authorized person, employee or affiliated person of SaraBear (past, present or future) condone or promote the uses of products seen in this blog post. Never place a baby in a SaraBear diaper caddy. SaraBear Company is not affiliated with Sarah Neal Designs. Melissa takes no responsibility for keeping clothes on her son.

On Monday evening in the House of Representatives, Illinois Representative Bobby Rush made a statement to his colleagues in response to the passing of the Melanie Blocker-Stokes Mom’s Opportunity to Access Health, Education, Research, and Support for Postpartum Depression Act of 2009 (H.R. 20).

Bobby Rush – Illinois

This legislation was first introduced in 2003 by Representative Rush and has been kept alive through the determination of Melanie’s mother, Carol Blocker as well as the tenacity and dedication of countless other women.

In 2001, Melanie Stokes, the mother of a new baby girl, took her own life by jumping from the window of a Chicago hotel. Melanie suffered from postpartum depression which rapidly led to postpartum psychosis. Her fears were so dark and her soul so hollow – Melanie reached a place no one should ever go and a treatable illness took her life.

This is why Monday was a proud day for women – for those who have been spearheading the work to raise awareness and make a change in how new mothers are screened for postpartum depression (PPD) and postpartum psychosis (PPP), for women who have suffered through PPD or PPP, but I think mostly for the women to come who will have a new baby and find that something is wrong – terribly wrong – and they will need help.

However, the work is not done, as off to the Senate the bill goes before it can become law. I’m not one to ask for much of my peers and friends, barely ever will you see a joke, junk or chain email from me -actually probably never. But I am asking everyone to drop a quick email to one of the women at the forefront of this bill, Susan Stone. Just email her at susanstonelcsw@aol.com with your name, credentials, state you live and permission to list your name in support of the Melanie Blocker-Stokes Act. Thank you! Melissa

(and conscience)

As parents we have to make decisions every day –

 

 

Organic vs regular
Work outside the home vs stay at home
On tv or at the park
Cry it out or attachment parenting

 

The best we can do is use the information we have at hand each day and try to make the right decision, knowing that if we have to, we can always alter course down the line. As a company we have to make equally challenging decisions on issues that test us as consumers, parents and citizens of the global community.

Recently the issue of the safety of products being used by babies and children has come under intense scrutiny. We have all watched in horror as case after case of unacceptable levels of various chemicals have been revealed in products that have been on shelves and in toy chests for months even years. Outrage. Shock. Anger. Guilt. The emotions are searing.

We are taking strides at Sarabear to ensure that we are doing our part to minimize risk and impact. Our packaging is made of recyclable cardboard with no twist-ties or excessive taping of ends. The typical plastic bag and cellophane wrap found on so many juvenile products is absent on our caddies. We opted not to encase our caddies in plastic, believing that the added packaging was an unnecessary piece that added waste, inconvenience and danger of harm. Our real-wood baskets contain cotton liners that are hand-washable.

These were all fairly simple decisions to make. Others have been harder and we are doing our best. Following the lead of several organizations, SaraBear is halting the production of PVC based handles on our caddies and converting to PU, polyurethane, an alternative to PVC that decreases environmental and health impacts. We will continue to work toward creating the safest product we can.

 

We hope to one day introduce an organic line of caddies and we will keep you apprised of our progress in that area.