<p>Mention of the black and white card for the crib brought back memories! When our oldest was born nearly 24 years ago now, we had a friend who was an “infant stimulation specialist”. We actually didn’t know she was (lived in another state), until we got this large package from her, opening it to find all sorts of “strange” things for the new baby. She had included a set of large flip cards that were black and white for the crib that, as mentioned before, became more complex each month. She also included one of those soft, stuffed “rings” you can prop the baby in on the floor. It was covered with bright colored swatches intermixed with black and white geometric designs. My mother-in-law thought we were mad when we put those cards in the crib. But, two h.s. vals, one NNF, and one Phi Beta Kappa later, I believe in the power of the black and white cards!!</p>
<p>The last thing in the package was something that looked like a dead animal. In fact it was a dead animal of sorts. It was a sheepkin for babies to lie on. At first we thought, what the heck??? Come to find out these sheepskins were expecially treated for babies, machine washable, and babies nestled right into the “fur” when they sleep. It helps them sleep better and the greatest advantage we found was that any bed (as when traveling) became their bed because the sheepskin was there. As an infant, their entire body fit on it, then just their torso and head, and finally they covered their pillow with the sheepskin at night. I don’t remember how many years both girls slept with those things!</p>