infant

I don't have babies of my own yet but I don't let that hamper my love of shopping for cute little outfits, miniature shoes, and everything else they sell in the infants department. I love going to baby showers and the next time I get an invite I think I already know what I want to shop for: one of these useful and stylish designer feeding bottles with matching cases by Dolce & Gabbana. They're not the usual cutesy colors and patterns, which is a breath of fresh air, and instead feature animal prints and simple logo-based patterns. Definitely a nice way to treat both mom and baby to some designer luxury. $70-$80

I'm in love with all of Jeanine Payer's creations for baby, although not all of them seem entirely practical (a pendant necklace for a baby? Hmmm). This sterling silver Baby Safety Pin is my favorite, consisting of 3 oval charms threaded onto a sterling diaper pin, each offering part of the darling quote by Henry David Thoreau: "The material was pure, and his art was pure; how could the result be other than wonderful?" The whole thing measures just 1 3/4" so it's basically a little charm itself with little charms on it. How charming! $330

From HBC Rattles comes a collection of hand-tuned sixteen tone baby rattles. Made of German silver and plated in silver, 14k gold, or hematite, these rattles are so beautiful it might be hard to hand them over to the baby and let them get all smudged up. I'm not one to worry about precious metals for my baby to actually use but one of these would make a wonderful gift and keepsake. Available in 'loop', 'double', and 'elongated' styles they come with a blue suede pouch for safe keeping. $70-$200

Wow, way back in the 18th century they really knew how to bling things up. And unlikely things too, like this baby's cradle. Covered in gold and set with more than 2,000 gems including diamonds, rubies, and emeralds, it's currently on display in Tokyo at a special exhibit that includes about 140 other antique treasures from the Ottoman Empire (which came before the Republic of Turkey). The items will be on display through September 24th in honor of the birth of Prince Hisahito to the Japanese Emporer's son Prince Akishino and his wife Princess Kiko (got that straight?). No word on what the cradle's valued at, although since it isn't for sale I guess it's more about admiring it's gaudy beauty than hoping to get one for yourself.

Disney has just announced the introduction of two collections of luxury children's apparel, aimed at infants and toddlers, due in department stores like Bloomingdales and Nordstrom this fall, as well as at some boutiques. The lines, Classic Disney and Walt Disney Signature, will "offer cashmere blankets, hooded robes and mittens, bibs and burp cloths, organic cotton tees, cardigans, and casual separates." While they will make use of the well-known Disney characters and artwork, their use will be subtle and understated.

The Classic Disney collection will focus on the classic films, including Bambi, Pinocchio and Lady and the Tramp, and their characters. Bambi will be the first character to launch, with baby blankets and burp clothes to be followed by the organic cotton tees and pajamas. The Walt Disney Signature collection will be "vintage-inspired, eclectic and of the finest quality," with pastel colors and cashmere, silk and linen fabrics adorned with sketchbook artwork and appliques.

With the advent of a screening process that allows couples to screen for various traits, including gender, of their babies, some fertility clinics are seeing an upswing in foreign clients. This is because the US does not have as strict regulations as some other countries over embryo selection and allows doctors the freedom to select for gender - a desirable thing for many couples considering children. In other countries, such as Australia, screenings are permitted only for genetically inherited diseases, so a couple that wants a girl can come to the US and, with the help of a doctor here, can get one.

Doctors say that the bulk of their clients come from Canada, where girls are very popular, and China, where boys are in demand, though potential parents come from New Zealand to Austria, too. The procedure costs about $20,000.

Not all clinics offer this sort of service and many doctors and legislators oppose what they say amounts to "amounts to medical tourism for designer babies " Other doctors simply say that they are serving the marketplace and fulfilling a need.

But is it ok to turn a potential parent into a consumer who is on the lookout for only a specific type of child?

Lulla Smith designs high-quality bedding, with a focus on cribs, baskets and bassinets, for some of the hottest celebrities in Hollywood, including Courtney Cox and David Arquette as well as Heidi Klum and Seal. This week, Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise added themselves to Lulla's client list by ordering dozens of sets of crib linens and three bassinets for their new daughter, Suri. The bassinets are Lulla's Greenwich style, with a Dupioni silk covering. They can range in price from $596 to $1,200, depending on fabric and whether a custom design is desired.