[net.kids] Sheepskins and small children

oaf@mit-vax.UUCP (Oded Feingold) (02/21/85)

<0>
For once, I will post truth instead of unsupported opinion: The next
three paragraphs are straight reportage from my personal experience.
<1>
I have no children so I can't comment on long-term sheepskin bedding.
However, I have friends who bring their babies when they come for
dinner or weekends or whatever.  And I have some sheepskins.  That's
a good combination.
<2>
I find that putting a sheepskin over something soft (like a sofa)
and the baby on top of it does WONDERS!  Children don't start or
keep crying, if tired they fall asleep immediately, and if not tired
they cuddle up to the skin and happily watch the world.  I have 
seen no accidents - even an overnighter.  Great stuff - worth any
money in pleasant, comfortable, quiet dinner parties, if nothing else.
<3>
If the room is cold, sandwich the baby between sheepskins.  The place
can be frosty enough for New England outdoors types to be comfortable,
yet between the skins even a small baby can stay nice and warm, without
restrictive clothing or (noisy, expensive, dry) heat.  In fact, people
who travel with babies might consider bringing their own sheepskin(s)
along.
<4>
If you want it for long-term use and are worried about washability, 
get a sheepskin with the animal still inside.  Then you can simply
wash the sheep.  You get the additional advantage of not offending
your anti-animal-exploitation friends. (Of course, you'll have to pay 
extra for sheep food...) 			[     :-)     ]

Oded

PS:  I said three paragraphs, not four.  My landlord would bitch if I
imported any more live animals.