Success Through Play™ Magazine

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

2009-12-25T00:00:00.001-08:00

To all of our loyal subscribers and readers,

We would like to wish you Happy Holidays and a very Happy New Year. Enjoy this special time of year with family and friends.

See you in the New Year 2010.

Sincerely,

The Success Through Play Team.

Travelpro Walkabout® Lite 3 series

2009-11-28T00:38:00.000-08:00

Airlines are tightening their belts and the effect is apparent in nearly every aspect of travel, including baggage. Many national and international airlines have reduced both the quantity and weight of check-in luggage. This now means that you need to re-think about your check-in luggage and consider upgrading to lightweight luggage in order to avoid being charged additional fees. As we approach the Christmas Travel Season, we would like to introduce you to a premium luggage company, Travelpro - the choice of flight crews and frequent travelers.

Ever since Travelpro invented the very first Rollaboard®, they continue to lead the luggage industry with innovative and value. From Rollaboards® in every size to the most functional totes and duffels, Travelpro maintains steadfast in its mission to satisfy the ever changing needs of the traveling consumer. That's why Travelpro's "Pilot Designed, Flight Crew Tested" styles are chosen by over 425,000 airlines professional flight crew members worldwide.

We recommend selecting the largest, sturdiest and most lightweight luggage that you can find (within airline limits). Enter the Walkabout® Lite 3 range from Travelpro, an innovative range of luggage that is perfectly designed for the new check-in baggage restrictions. Wasting precious weight on a heavy piece of luggage doesn't make any sense. Choosing a lightweight bag will allow you to take full advantage of your luggage and enable you to pack more essential items.

Walkabout® Lite 3 Collection

The WalkAbout® Lite 3 luggage is the ultimate in lightweight durability. With its unique Suitfolder and Packing Board system, WalkAbout Lite 3 is loaded with practical benefits for miles of hassle-free traveling.

We received the Walkabout® Lite 3 28" Expandable Rollaboard® Suiter from Travelpro. This stylish, lightweight bag measures L28" x W20.5" x H13" and weighs in at just 13.1lbs. With many airlines setting a weight restriction of 50 pounds per each check-in bag, travelers can maximize this amount by selecting to a lightweight bag such as Walkabout® Lite 3 28" Expandable Rollaboard® Suiter which will allow you to pack nearly 37 pounds worth of essentials in your bag, while still keeping within weight limit and avoiding overweight charges.

Looking closely at this bag it is clearly evident that it has been designed by travel professionals with attention to every detail.

EXTERIOR:

The Walkabout® Lite 3 28" Expandable Rollaboard® Suiter features a full polypropylene (PP) honeycomb and dense EVA foam making it lightweight and durable. The 1680D Dobby Nylon is stain resistant to ensure that your luggage remains looking fresh and new. This test bag pictured has logged in several 1000's of miles around the world and has touched down at many airports, yet still remains looking brand new! The single-hand center locking retractable handle system is smooth and easy to operate and has a TPR grip for comfort and security. The one-button locking trolley handle with comfort grip with two stops at 38” and 43” for users of different heights. Of particular note are the high quality zippers used throughout the bag. They are designed to be extra wide and feature a textured, non slip padding making them easy to grasp and hold, saving you time and making opening and close the bag a pleasure.

On the outside of the bag, you will find one very large zippered compartment which can expand to accommodate an item such as a jacket. A second, smaller compartment is found towards the top. The bag features 2 handles. One of the top and the second on the side which will allow you to remove the bag from the conveyor belt at the airport with great ease, without having to contort your body and risk injury trying to reach for the top handle! A luggage label holder ensures that your details can be accessed by airport personal in the event that the bag goes missing, and can be easily tucked away out of sight for privacy and security. A handy accessory is the "add a bag" strap (included with the bag) which clips to the connector post on the top of the bag. This allows you to attach a "tote" that will hang on the outside of the main bag. The padded zips throughout the bag are ease to grip and make fastening and unfastening the bag very easy.

INTERIOR:

Looking inside the bag from the top you will find a fold the Removable Suitfolder system with versatile packing board and deluxe style garment sleeve which will hold shirts or a suit jacket. In the main section of the bag you will find 2 mesh zippered pockets which can store any travel essentials that need to be accessed easily and quickly, saving you time and frustration. We packed a lightweight evening down into one of the mes pockets and were most impressed with how much they hold. Adjustable hold-down straps keep the contents of your bag in place and and unsnap with ease when you are ready to unpack. As the name of the bag suggests, the Rollaboard expands for added capacity which will allow to bring home souvenirs and other goodies.

PERFORMANCE

The bag is easy to maneuver and glides smoothly and effortlessly, despite packing in maximum weight allowance for an international flight. The removable high performance wheels with stylish covers are top quality and can tackle a variety of terrains. While other passengers struggle with unyieldly luggage, the Travelpro Walkabout® Lite 3 series delivers and will make you the envy of all passengers. Our sample bag has been through several international flights and has visited several international destinations and the bag still looks immaculate thanks to the Duraguard coating.

Available in Forest Green or Black and will make the perfect gift for the traveler in your family this Christmas. Find a store near you or purchase online.

For more information and to view the full luggage collection from Travelpro, please visit: www.TravelPro.com

Giveaway: MOMMY AND ME NURSING NECKLACES™

2009-10-13T12:25:00.000-07:00

We spoke with Raelynn, Owner of Mommy and Me Necklaces™ about her very unique sensory based products.

What was the inspiration behind the creation of your company and products?

Around 4 months old, my daughter Megan started to become increasingly distracted while breastfeeding. She would grip at my hair, jewelry, or just about anything she could practice her pincher grip on. While this behavior first seemed cute and innocent, it soon became downright painful and annoying. Not to mention, one of her favorite things to pull at was an important necklace given to me by my grandmother. The thought of another pinch and the fact that she would soon become strong enough to break my 'regular' jewelry, inspired me to create something safe and engaging for her to touch while breastfeeding. I noticed that she really like to rub her fingers over a heart pendant I wore around my necklace. The heart was encased by small prods that she loved to rub her fingers over. I soon set out on my mission to create a sensory stimulating, baby safe, and delightfully engaging way to distract my little one back towards the breast (and out of my hair!) while nursing. It took a little over a year to fully develop our product to what it is today.

Can you tell us more about yourself?

I have always been very passionate about working with children. After high school, I had no doubt that I wanted to pursue a career working with children. I received my B.S. from Texas Tech University in Child Development with a emphasis on Early Childhood Education. I obtained my teaching certificate and taught various levels of early elementary including Kindergarten through 2nd grade for the next few years until I married and had my first child. While teaching, I was really intriqued by Brain Based Learning and also how different types of sensory stimulation can effect a child's learned. I believe that many of these experiences helped me select and layout the beads I use on my necklaces to help create a more sensory rich product.

Can you tell us more about your Mommy and Me Necklaces?

While our product is known as the 'Mommy & Me Necklace", they are commonly referred to as nursing necklaces, breastfeeding necklaces, nursing beads, etc. In short, a nursing necklace is a product developed to engage baby while feeding. All babies become distracted by their outside environment while feeding. This is why even some bottle feeding moms enjoy the benefits of a 'nursing' necklace. Discreetly nursing in public can become a challenge when you have a baby who likes to play 'pop on / pop off' while feeding. If you regularly wear your baby, you may experience the same problems - a baby who loves to grab your hair and pinch your neck. Again, a nursing necklace will distract those baby hands away from you making them great for babywearing mommies too! Even though the idea of a nursing necklace is to delight baby, nursing necklaces are not a type of teething toy and should never be chewed upon or worn by baby. Our necklaces are specifically meant to be worn by caregivers, not babies.

Nursing necklaces are different from regular jewelry because they contain baby safe materials (one of our important components is using only acrylic beads) and our necklaces are strung on a very strong cording to prevent any breakage. We offer two nursing necklace styles, fun and whimsical with bright colors (our Baby Inspired Designs) or stylish and sleek, with subdued tones (our Mommy Inspired Designs), both designs are strung with the same safety precautions and also closed with a break-away closure. This break-away closure not only prevents baby from pulling too hard, but also saves the back of your necklace from any painfully strong yanks. Our company really prides itself in using sensory-rich beads, meaning we don't just use a pack of pony beads that anyone can pick up from a local hobby shop. We order from a variety of vendors and put together our baby-safe beads in a manner that encourage tactile stimulation. We also offer free personalization which adds a special keepsake element to our necklaces. Many mothers comment on how their nursing necklace turned into a special keepsake after nursing or even helped their children to learn to special their name in later years.

BABY INSPIRED MOMMY AND ME NECKLACES™ (to be worn by caregivers not babies)

MOMMY INSPIRED NURSING NECKLACES

Our Mommy Inspired nursing necklaces have advantages over a typical necklace:

Developmentally appropriate - Contrasting textures and shapes for tactile stimulation.

Safe bead selection - All non-toxic acrylic beads that are safe for little hands.

Safe construction - Our guaranteed safe construction and break-away safety closure.

Appropriately made - Lengthier than a typical necklace, yet comfortable and light.

Fashionable - Stylish designs for mommy, simple and elegant, yet engaging for baby.

MOMMY INSPIRED NURSING NECKLACES (to be worn by caregivers not babies)

What distinguishes your products from others on the market?

At Mommy & Me Necklaces™ we want to provide you with a safely developed and well thought-out product for you and your little one. From our sensory-rich bead selection, to our one of a kind cording techniques, we always make safety and sensory stimulation our top priorities. We offer a huge selection of styles so that you can pick one that best suits your baby's personality or maybe something that is a little more subdued for your own personal style. Upon request, we are also happy to work with you to create custom designs. We've researched and developed our products for almost 3 years now, and are proud to say we are a "break-free" company. Meaning, we haven't had one break yet. If you should have any problems with your necklace, we offer a money back guarantee plus a free re-stranding policy.

PURCHASING

Please visit www.mommynecklaces.com to purchase (they do accept overseas orders, however first check to see if you can purchase these products from a retailer in your country-see below).

Click here to find out where to buy

UK Customers can visit Sling Diva UK by clicking here

SAFETY NOTE -IMPORTANT

Mommy and Me states: "Our products should not be used as teething toys. All necklaces are a potential choking hazard, so please never allow your little one to play unsupervised with any necklace. When purchasing a Mommy & Me Necklace™ you accept responsibility for its use. We cannot be held responsible for a necklace that is not used as intended. You agree to abide by our suggested guidelines for use". Please visit this important link to view safety information."

Success Through Play™ Comments:

Mommy and Me has a fantastic website which is packed with educational info and very useful tips. Visit it by clicking here. To read how the Mommy and Me Necklaces™ support tactile exploration click here. To read about how the Mommy and Me Necklaces™ support visual development please click here. Mommy and Me offers a generous rewards program: click here for details. Our parent and baby panel were so excited when they were introduced to the Mommy and Me Necklaces™.

Our moms and dads loved the designs of the Mommy Inspired Mommy and Me and Necklaces™ and comments such as "so stylish", "gorgeous color" and "timeless" were heard frequently. The Baby Inspired necklaces drew an equally positive response: "vivid and bright", "fun color", "what cute beads", "look at the wonderful variety of shapes, colors and textures". Our test panel reported that their babies were "instantly attracted to the necklaces", which were securely worn around the adult's neck. The babies started exploring the beads with their little hands and were very interested in the designs, colors, shapes and textures of the beads. One mom commented "wow, this is fantastic, this is the first time that my baby hasn't pinched and tugged at me". A dad wore a necklace while he was carrying his baby in a sling (front position). He was amazed how the necklaces captured his baby's attention and said that it really came in handy when he was waiting in a line at a grocery store or in another stationery position when baby usually fusses.

We at Success Through Play™ are incredibly impressed with Mommy and Me's fantastic sensory based Mommy and Me Necklaces™. Our veteran engineer is very pleased with the sturdiness and design of the necklace which is "very well designed and constructed". To learn more about how a Mommy and Me Necklace™ is constructed please visit this link:

We applaud Mommy and Me for inventing such an innovative product for moms and dads which baby will love. The Mommy and Me necklaces™ will offer baby an opportunity for sensory motor exploration. The Mommy and me necklaces make a wonderful gift for new moms and dads. Since the Mommy and Me Necklaces™ require 100% adult supervision, if you decide to wear them while babywearing please consider wearing them when baby is placed in the front carry position or hip positions only. Extra care must be taken when wearing them during babywearing as baby may want to teeth on the necklace which is not safe. The ideal use of the necklaces would be during nursing/bottle feeding as baby's mouth will be occupied with the task of feeding. Many parents choose to purchase several necklaces and alternate them. You may choose to introduce different Mommy and Me necklaces™ as baby's visual and fine motor skills emerge over time. Please note, the necklaces are to be worn by adults only and are not to be given to baby's at toys. As stated previously, please be certain to read and follow Mommy and Me's guidelines to ensure safety. Highly recommended when used according to the guidelines.

GIVEAWAY:

One lucky reader will have the chance to win a gorgeous donut rainstone mommy necklace.To enter please send an email to info[AT]SuccessThroughPlay[DOT]com with "Mommy Necklaces" in the subject line. Please include your name, email and mailing address. Please enter by midnight October 27, 2009, PST. We do not tolerate SPAM and all information will be kept confidential and won't be sold. One winner will be chosen at random. Good luck!

Success Through Play Magazine is moving

2009-09-22T08:22:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers and Friends.

Success Through Play Magazine is currently in the process of relocating. Please be patient as we prepare our new office.

We will resume reviews shortly.

Thank you,

The Success Through Play Team.

Audio 630M headset by Plantronics

2009-08-24T12:00:00.000-07:00

Using your PC to communicate has become the norm, as Skype and other internet telephony systems have not only taken over home use but also the office. In order to make the most of these outstanding services, one does need a quality headset for optimal sound quality and the fully digital Audio 630M headset from Plantronics is one such headset. Rather than relying on the typically low quality audio of a motherboard or sound card, the Audio 630M puts high quality audio out near the headset itself by used digital audio over the USB bus. This significantly cuts down on the interference and noise associated with a long cable carrying analog signals. USB digital sound quality is so clear you will swear the other person is sitting right next to you, even if they are 1/2 way around the world. A noise canceling microphone is a must for any headset, and the Audio 630M works well at removing a noisy background making you sound even more professional. For comfort, over-the-head designs with soft swivel-mounted ear cushions are great. We really liked the inline fingertip controls for volume and mute, so you are not fumbling with your computers software trying to hit the mute while the kids screaming as they run through your home office. Placing the microphone in the proper position is one of the most important, and often difficult tasks, but the Audio 630M makes it easy with their QuickAdjust boom. Whether you are using Skype to talk to the family or Microsoft Office Communicator for a business conference, the Audio 630M is a great, lightweight headset that will make the sound come alive. For the linux buff, the Audio 630M headset is also supported by favorite versions such as Ubuntu. Find out where to purchase here.

To view the full line of Plantronics products, please visit www.Plantronics.com

Mother of 7 Stephanie Scholz Neurohr Part I

2009-08-22T11:14:00.000-07:00

National Breastfeeding Awareness Month is organized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and hopes to empower women to commit to breastfeeding by highlighting new research that shows babies who are exclusively breastfed for six months are less likely to develop ear infections, diarrhea and respiratory illnesses, and may be less likely to develop childhood obesity.

We are honored to highlight Stephanie Scholz Neurohr this month, in recognition of her tremendous efforts to promote breastfeeding.

Success Through Play™ is proud to bring you this interview with a multi-talented, inspirational Mother of 7, Stephanie Scholz Neurohr.

Stephanie Scholz Neurohr is a traditional mother of seven who does it all. She is a former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, author and the founder & CEO of Mother of 7, Inc. – a motherhood company specializing in products for the expectant, new mother, and family. Stephanie is a recognized leader in motherhood development and is known world-wide for her outstanding contributions in educating new and expecting mothers. Neurohr grew up in Lubbock, Texas, where she graduated from high school early, and with honors, to go on to earn her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film at Southern Methodist University. In 1979, Stephanie Scholz Neurohr was one of eleven rookies chosen from over 2,500 women to join the renowned Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders cheerleading squad. She was also elected to represent the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders for three years as a famed “Show Group” member who made hundreds of personal appearances entertaining U.S.O. troops, State Fair fans, and Charity Telethon audiences nationwide.

Neurohr authored Deep in the Heart of Texas: The Real Story of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders; St. Martin’s Press.

Stephanie has made many national TV appearances including:

* Larry King Live
* Good Morning America
* CBS This Morning
* NFL Today
* Inside Edition
* Jenny Jones
* Joan Rivers
* Maurey Povich
* Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Part II
* Family Feud
* Bob Hope’s Tribute to Roger Staubach

Among her myriad producing credits, her documentary Autumn’s Story was featured on Discovery Health Network and she recently launched the Mother of 7 global birth and breastfeeding video series.

Mother of 7 Projects

Neurohr has written, directed, and produced Mother of 7 global birth and breastfeeding videos – Breastfeeding Basics (20 min.), Breastfeeding Intensive (45 min.), Breastfeeding Comprehensive (130 min.), Breastfeeding FAQs: Ask the Experts (45 minutes) and Autumn’s Story (45 min.). All DVDs/VHSs are available worldwide, May 2006, featuring representatives from the U.S. Government, UNICEF, World Health Organization, African-American Breastfeeding Alliance, Pediatricians Dr. William Sears, Dr. Jay Gordon, Dr. Paul Fleiss, La Leche League Founders Marion Tompson and Edwina Froehlich and other leading motherhood world authorities as well as mothers, babies, and families from over 63 countries. These state of the art videos will be distributed internationally through www.Motherof7.com website, retail stores, hospitals, health care professionals and other educational venues.

* Mother of 7 Birth and Breastfeeding Videos featured in Jan. 2007 Pregnancy magazine and Jan. 2007 Pregnancy magazine “Favorite Buyers Guide.”

* World WIT and Business Women’s Network 2006 Diversity and Women’s Leadership Summit and Gala “Entrepreneurial Star Award” honoring the Mother of 7 Videos in Washington, D.C. October 25-26, 2006

* Baby Dallas Article – “The Glory of Breastfeeding”

* Dallas Morning News Article – “Breastfeeding Advocate’s Hail Dallas Mom’s Video Series”

* Maui News Article – “A Mother’s Passion”

* ABC News Now – Live TV Interview followed 20/20

* Channel 11 Kids Corner Live TV Interview

* World Breastfeeding Week 2006 Platinum Sponsor

Autumn’s Story, a 45 min. documentary for Discovery Health Channel, was Neurohr’s highly-acclaimed television show, which she wrote, directed, and produced. Discovery says, “Autumn’s Story continuously receives top ratings – a DHC favorite. ”

Stephanie makes it clear that her family comes first. Stephanie works out of her home, adapting to her childrens’ schedules, to bring creative endeavors to life, which mirror her philosophy, “a child’s well-being begins at home.” Tom Bywaters, an Emmy award winning producer and director, describes Stephanie Neurohr as “a motherhood industry!”

Stephanie is also currently designing a line of maternity/nursing wear, mother/baby baskets, and producing a lullaby album for mother and child. A series of Family Fairytale Animated TV Shows and Books are in development.

See www.breastfeedingdvd.com for more information.

What was the inspiration behind the development of your series of instructional breastfeeding DVD's?

There are no up-to-date, cutting edge Birth, Baby, and Breastfeeding DVDs currently on the market featuring world experts and experienced moms from all over the globe, so I knew my knowledge as a mother of 7 exclusively breastfed children, author, and filmmaker would be the perfect combination to show and tell every expectant and new mother the way. When you please world authorities, educators, and mothers from various ethnicities, backgrounds, and cultures, you’ve done your homework as a documentary filmmaker. Touching and educating lives all over our planet has been very gratifying. These were the tools I needed to show me the way. I also needed review courses before every baby, or babies! DVDs are the next best resource to someone actually showing you how they are breastfeeding their baby!

Can you offer our international readers 5 breastfeeding tips that you have discovered along the way, that you wish someone had told you in the beginning?

1. Breastfeed Your Baby During the First Hour of Life

If you have a vaginal birth or c-section and both you and the baby are healthy, don’t miss the magical first hour to start breastfeeding. Talk with your health care provider team both before and immediately after delivery to remind them of your desire to breastfeed as soon after birth as possible. The hour goes very quickly. Voice your request and seize this special opportunity.

2. Breastfeed Exclusively and Frequently with Let Down and Proper Technique

Before delivery, learn about proper technique, maximizing your milk supply by breastfeeding every two hours during the day and at least twice during the night, and allowing time for let down during each feed. Breastfeed exclusively for the first six months and continue to breastfeed as long as possible (Benefits of breastfeeding are dose related

– the longer you breastfeed – the greater the benefits!) and mutually desired by both you and your child.

3. Room-In

If possible, deliver at a Baby Friendly Hospital, where you can have your baby with you at all times for “on-demand” feedings to prevent jaundice, engorgement, plugged ducts, and mastitis—all of which can be overcome with continued, frequent breastfeeding. If you develop any of these problems, don’t stop breastfeeding; the solution is to continue nursing and/or pumping.

4. Avoid Sleep Deprivation

Room-in with your baby so you can breastfeed on-demand and sleep when baby sleeps. Night nursing is an ideal way for both mother and baby to get more sleep, because mother stays in constant touch with baby’s needs as they cuddle and nap together, all part of attachment parenting.

5. Let Someone Else Be Super Mom

Cook and freeze meals before delivery. They will come in very handy. Have friends and family cook, clean, and deliver meals to reduce stress. Everyone is anxious to help, so don’t be shy about delegating tasks. Don’t feel you have to entertain anybody either. Excuse yourself when well-wishers stay too long. They go home to a good night’s sleep; you don’t. Dismiss yourself with the baby into a quiet room with white noise (fans are great) or soothing music to drown out all extraneous noise. Silence the phone and let the answering machine do its job. Stay away from anything that will drain your energy and take time away from taking care of yourself and the baby. Let-down takes time to learn and is difficult even for experienced moms who find themselves multi-tasking and feeling tense. The post-partum period is the perfect time to be totally selfish. Everyone will understand, and if they don’t, they’ll get over it.

6. Eat Well and Enjoy Your Body (Bonus!)

Eat nutritional foods as often as you feel the need for extra energy. Small meals several times a day usually help keep your milk supply up and let down possible. If your milk isn’t letting down, take a break, eat a nutritious snack, and drink a tall glass of liquid. Try again to breastfeed an hour later. It usually does the trick. Avoid empty calories like sweets, caffeine, and alcohol, and certain foods like dairy products and spicy foods.

Success Through Play™ Comments:

Thank you Stephanie for sharing these tips with us! To learn more about the DVD collection that Mother of 7 Inc , offers and enter the DVD giveaway, please refer to Part II.

Mother of 7 DVD Collection Part II

2009-08-22T11:00:00.000-07:00

Mother of 7, Inc. offers a extension collection of powerful and life changing DVD's that are truly empowering and we encourage you to visit their website to learn more:

www.breastfeedingdvd.com

BREASTFEEDING COMPREHENSIVE

2006

ISBN: 0976643073; 9780976643074

Author: Stephanie, Director; Hunt Neurohr MD, Exec. Producer; Miriam Labbok, MD, Expert

BRIEF ANNOTATION:

A vast panel of world breastfeeding authorities present comprehensive, up-to-date health information and expert instruction. Mothers from all over the world share rarely-captured mother-to-mother insights and tips.

DESCRIPTION:

This award-winning DVD takes the audience on an emotional and empowering journey from birth to breastfeeding and beyond—featuring exclusive interviews and instruction from global breastfeeding authorities, including World Health Organization, UNICEF, African-American Breastfeeding Alliance, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, renowned pediatricians, neonatologists, lactation consultants, midwives, breastfeeding educators, authors, and research
scientists.

Experts provide Cutting-Edge Instructional Techniques on How To Breastfeed, Solutions to Common Problems, and In-Depth, Comprehensive Information on topics such as Health Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mother And Baby, Updated Breast Anatomy and Milk Production, Breastfeeding and Returning to Work, Extended Breastfeeding, Breastfeeding Preemies, Multiples, and Special Needs Infants, Breastfeeding after Surgery, Nutrition, Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, Challenges in the 21st Century, and Many More Topics. Experienced racially-diverse mothers and fathers from around the globe share essential insights. High-definition footage, easy to navigate chapters, cutting-edge medical animation, and a Grammy-award winning musical underscore take breastfeeding education to its highest level.

Breastfeeding Comprehensive, produced by Mother of 7, Inc., meets the WHO Code.

BREASTFEEDING INTENSIVE

2006

ISBN 0976643022; 9780976643029

Authors: Stephanie Scholz Neurohr, Director, Hunt Neurohr MD, Exec. Producer, Chele Marmet MA IBCLC, expert

BRIEF ANNOTATION

Renowned lactation consultants and pediatricians present cutting-edge health information and expert instruction on how to breastfeed. Mothers from all over the world share rarely-captured mother-to-mother insights and tips.

DESCRIPTION:

In this award-winning series DVD, expert pediatricians, lactation consultants, midwives, and breastfeeding educators present cutting-edge information and instructional techniques that empower the expectant and new mother to breastfeed successfully. Experts extensively cover the Health Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mother and Baby, Preparation before Delivery, Getting off to the Right Start, Correct Positioning, Proper Latch-on, Suckling Reflex, Let-Down, How the Breast Makes Milk, Colostrum to Mature Milk, Fore Milk and Hind Milk, How often to Breastfeed, Signs Baby’s Getting Enough Milk, Finding Help and Support Groups, and More. Experienced racially-diverse mothers from all over the world share rarely captured mother-to-mother advice, insights, and tips. High-definition footage, easy to navigate chapters, cutting-edge medical animation, and a Grammy-award winning musical underscore take breastfeeding education to its highest level.Breastfeeding Intensive, produced by Mother of 7, Inc., meets the WHO Code. Breastfeeding Intensive is a 45-minute excerpt of Breastfeeding Comprehensive.

BREASTFEEDING BASICS

2006

ISBN: 0976643014; 9780976643012

Stephanie, Hunt, and William Sears MD (Expert)

SHORT ANNOTATION:

Experts present the latest instructional techniques on how to breastfeed. Mothers from all over the world share rarely-captured mother-to-mother insights and tips.

DESCRIPTION:

In this award-winning series DVD, renowned breastfeeding experts and educators present cutting-edge information and instructional techniques that empower the expectant and new mother to breastfeed successfully, covering Getting Off to the Right Start, Proper Positioning and Latch-on, Sucking Reflex, Let-down, and More. Experienced racially-diverse mothers from around the world share rarely-captured mother-to-mother advice, insights, and tips. High-definition footage, easy to navigate chapters, cutting-edge medical animation, and a Grammy-award winning musical underscore take breastfeeding education to its highest level.

Breastfeeding Basics, produced by Mother of 7, Inc., meets the WHO Code. Breastfeeding Basics is a 20-minute excerpt of Breastfeeding Comprehensive

BREASTFEEDING FAQS: ASK THE EXPERTS

2007

Author: Mother of 7, Inc. (Producer), SSN (Director) Hunt Neurohr (Exec. Producer).

ISBN: 0976643057; 9780976643050

SHORT ANNOTATION

A fun, fast-paced, fact-filled interactive group discussion of Frequently Asked Questions & Answers about breastfeeding with experts & educator-mothers. Covers Benefits of Breastfeeding, Strategies for Success, Problems and Solutions, Breastfeeding and Returning to Work, and Legal Rights.

DESCRIPTION:

This award-winning series DVD presents rarely-captured mother-to-mother advice in a fun, fast-paced, and fact-filled interactive group discussion with expert and educator mothers answering Frequently Asked Questions about breastfeeding. Invaluable information on breastfeeding from a variety of expert/experienced mother perspectives is presented, covering everything from the Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mother and Baby, Preparation, Getting Started, Strategies for Success, Problems and Solutions, Breastfeeding and Returning to Work, How to be Your Own Advocate, Legal Rights to Breastfeed in Public, and Much More. Breastfeeding FAQs: Ask the Experts is the perfect complementary video resource to the instructional DVDs in the award-winning Mother of 7 Birth and Breastfeeding Series: Breastfeeding Basics, Breastfeeding Intensive, and Breastfeeding Comprehensive.

Breastfeeding FAQs: Ask the Experts, produced by Mother of 7, Inc., meets the WHO Code.

AUTUMN’S STORY

2002

ISBN: 0976643006; 9780976643005

SHORT ANNOTATION

Highly acclaimed Discover Health Channel film documents a mother and baby's struggle to survive in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Includes coverage of post-traumatic stress, postpartum depression, the healing power of breastfeeding, and more.

DESCRIPTION:

Autumn's Story: A Struggle for Life... A Story of Love ... This Highly acclaimed Discovery Health Channel Documentary has powerfully changed NICU policies all over the world. Both gripping and inspirational, this real time film documents a baby's and mother's struggle for survival in the NICU. Ultimately, medical expertise, breastfeeding and prayer carry both mother and baby through the trauma, intact, but not without deep scars that will last a lifetime. Post-partum depression, post-traumatic stress syndrome, the critical need for mother's milk, medical teamwork, and NICU challenges are thoroughly covered in this Discovery Health Channel favorite. Autumn’s Story is a compelling and heart-rending film about Neurohr’s seventh baby, Autumn, who lost her twin in-utero and entered the world with life threatening birth defects, tracheo-esophageal fistula and esophageal atresia. Autumn’s trachea and esophagus were abnormally formed and joined together. Less than one day old, Autumn underwent surgery to correct her esophagus and trachea, but a paralyzed left vocal cord further complicated her condition and jeopardized her life.

Stephanie documented the pregnancy, birth, NICU experience, and first two years of Autumn’s fragile life in notes, photographs, and video footage. Autumn’s Story aired again on Mother’s Day, 2003, primetime. Autumn, now seven, is healthy, happy, and thriving. Please see www.autumnsstory.com for more information.

PURCHASING DETAILS:

The DVD's can be viewed on international DVD players and are available to be shipped worldwide.

Visit: www.breastfeedingdvd.com to purchase.

Success Through Play™ Comments:

We thank Mother of 7, Inc. for sending us 5 DVD's for this feature and praise the unbeatable, professional and timely customer service that we have received. Mother of 7, Inc produces an extensive collection of DVD's which are of superb quality and will serve as essential reference guides which you will refer to time and time again. It comes as no surprise to learn that the Mother of 7 DVD Collection is award winning! The DVD's are of exceptionally high quality and are truly enjoyable and exciting to watch.

While there are many helpful Breastfeeding books on the international market, learning through watching a DVD is far easier and can be down in less time! The key to successful breastfeeding lies in being taught the correct techniques so that you can reduce the chances of problems developing. In this series of DVD's you will develop insight into what these techniques are and be able to follow along with the instructions provided.

We showed the breastfeeding collection of DVD's to a panel of moms, with experiences of breastfeeding ranging from a first time pregnant moms to be, all the way through to experienced breastfeeding moms. An experienced mom commented "I thought that I knew everything that there was to know breastfeeding, but boy was I wrong. These DVD's are nothing short of exceptional".

Breastfeeding Comprehensive:

If you are unable to attend a breastfeeding workshop, order this comprehensive DVD which teach you EVERYTHING that you need to know about breastfeeding in the comfort of your own home. You will be amazed at how much you have learned by the end of the DVD. The advantage of buying this one of a kind comprehensive DVD, is that you will have a outstanding resource guide which you can and will refer to throughout your breastfeeding journey. You will be able to access expert advice and instruction at the touch of a button and have an excellent visual aid to guide you! Highlights include learning how to successfully nurse singles, twins, preemies and even special needs infants. You will learn how to effectively use a breast pump, how to return to work and continue to breastfeeding. The topic of nursing an adopted baby is addressed, nursing after breast surgery and even how to practice extended breastfeeding. Many, many more topics are addressed. An outstanding buy!

Breastfeeding Intensive:

Experts will guide you and teach you essential breastfeeding skills which will ensure that you are taught the correct techniques and given the correct instruction to breastfeed your baby. You will learn vital information that will help you understand the science behind breastfeeding and equip you with skills that will help you to breastfeed successfully. Dr Sears and Jay Gordan, well known and deeply respected pediatricians, plus many other renowned health professionals and educators make an appearance and offers expert insights and advice about breastfeeding that you will only learn here! We really appreciated seeing a first time mom who had just given birth and was receiving actual instruction from a lactation consultant being featured. This DVD features families that represent 7 continents and is culturally sound. Breastfeeding Intensive, is a 45-minute excerpt of Breastfeeding Comprehensive.

Breastfeeding Basics:

This 20 min DVD will teach you the correct breastfeeding techniques that you need to learn to get started. Lactation consultants and experienced moms will reveal tips which will help you get breastfeeding off to a great start. Familiar pediatricians including Dr Sears and Dr Jay Gordan make an appearance. 20-minute excerpt of Breastfeeding Comprehensive

Breastfeeding FAQ's:

This DVD features a variety of breastfeeding experts including Dr Maria Blois, who we recently interviewed, who share their expertise and answer common questions about breastfeeding. Many common questions are addressed including: How to avoid breastfeeding problems, is my baby getting enough milk, how often does baby need to eat and many many more questions! The DVD is informative, positive, encouraging and will motivate you to contine to breastfeeding and offer you tips and tools to overcome many common issues. This DVD is a p perfect compliment to the instructional breastfeeding DVD's listed above.

Overall, an outstanding collection of DVD's which will empower you and provide you with the tools necessary to breastfeed your baby with success. It is clear that Mother of 7, Inc has gone to great lengths to produce this series and have spared no expensive with the professional quality 3D animation, music and top notch visuals and audio. We have not seen a series of breastfeeding DVD's that comes close to matching the quality of the Mother of 7 Inc, DVD's.

Autumn's Story

Autumn's story is a "must see" documentary that will surely change your life and deepen your understanding of the human spirit. Stephanie must be commended for sharing her personal account of delivering a special needs baby and her commitment to breastfeeding Autumn is nothing short of extraordinary. Her conviction, courage and bravery is a true inspiration.

To learn more please visit www.breastfeedingdvd.com

Giveaway - Preggers n' Proud: Designer tees for the entire family!

2009-08-15T12:07:00.000-07:00

Cara, founder of Preggers n' Proud:

"I started Preggers n' Proud when I was pregnant 6 years ago. We were one of the first maternity slogan t-shirt companies on the market and we got a huge boost in popularity when Kate Hudson wore our Loving my Buddha Belly tee in People Magazine. We introduced Daddy t-shirts to the maternity industry with our Men who Change Diapers Rule tee soon after. We continue to grow sales each year and recently added the opportunity for our customers to buy our blank wholesale t-shirts in bulk for their own slogan, Mom's group, or boutique logo. I feel very fortunate to have started a business at a time in my life when I wanted to stay home to raise my son. I was a Writer before creating the adorable and clever maternity slogans that grace our tees. My business has changed as I have over the years. My interest in an environmentally friendly lifestyle affected my business decisions. My business is not about making huge amounts of money - it is about supporting my family, important causes, and celebrating each and every customer's pregnancy."

Spotlight: Organic Cotton Maternity Tees

The organic cotton line from Preggers n' Proud is manufactured in the USA to cut down on the environmental impact of international freight shipping. The company uses post-consumer waste paper and recyclable gift boxing and shipping materials. In addition, they donate proceeds to eco-friendly organizations.

The organic cotton tees are available in Two super stretch sizes:

*S/M fits sizes 2-10
*L/XL fits sizes 12-18

Organic Buddha Belly maternity tee

Organic Blossoming Baby maternity tee

PURCHASING:

Products can be purchased online at www.preggersnproud.com or in select maternity boutiques across the country. Overseas shipping is available.

Success Through Play™ comments:

Gone are the days when pregnant women hid their pregnant belly in tent like creations and fathers had little to do with caring for their baby. These days, pregnant mamas-to-be are embracing their new curves and flaunting their growing bumps in stylish tees. Fathers are taking an active role in caring for their baby and are proud of it. Preggers n Proud offers custom designed tees for the entire family all at reasonable prices. Cara's background as a writer is clearly evident in the creative slogans that creates together with her husband. Pregger n' Proud offers maternity designs such as Loving my Buddha Belly, Sexy n’ Showing, Goddess with a Bump, Hot Mom, Epidural Shmepidural, Viva la Pansa, Blossoming Baby Belly, & With Child, Daddy tees include designs such as Men who Change Diapers Rule, Good Daddies are Hot, and Phat Papa, which celebrate daddy's and acknowledge them as equal partners. Also on offer are adorable baby tees with designs such as: Buddha Baby and Mama's Got my Back/And so does Daddy!

We received evaluation samples of their organic cotton maternity tees with the designs:
Blossoming Baby Belly and Loving my Buddha Belly which celebrate and honor the pregnant form in a fun and respectful way. The unique graphics are well designed and are sure to attract many compliments. The organic cotton fabric is super soft and feels terrific against the mama-to-be's skin. The organic cotton fabric used to make the tees is natural colored, free of dyes and bleaches. The cut and length of the tee is super flattering and oh so comfortable. You will receive plenty of compliments when wearing Preggers n Proud tees and lots of nods and smiles!

Here is some feedback that we received from our tester:

"I had a difficult time finding organic cotton maternity tees. I was really surprised by how few companies offer them. I was delighted to receive the organic cotton maternity tees from Preggers n Proud and eager to try them on. I have been fairly self-conscious about my weight gain during pregnancy and the loss of my pre-pregnant body and admit that I was hiding behind baggy tees and sweat pants, which didn't flatter my new shape. I was thrilled when I put on my Preggers n Proud tee and immediately saw the flattering silhouette which it created and I felt an instant boost of confidence and dare I say...I felt sexy. I grabbed my maternity jeans which I hadn't yet worn until now and which was the perfect compliment to my designer tee. I was ready to take on the world! The organic cotton fabric feels awesome against my tender, itchy skin and I can feel great knowing that it is free from harmful chemicals and dyes. I received tons of compliments when I wear my tees and my confidence level has gone through the roof. The tees have totally changed my attitude towards my pregnant body and taught me to be proud of my growing belly. Thank you!

We commend Preggers n Proud for their eco-friendly organic cotton collection which is proudly made in the USA and look forward to seeing it continue to expand. We would really like to see them offer organic cotton wholesale tees in the future. We would also like to acknowledge that Preggers n Proud contributes a portion of sales to organizations that care for animals and children including: Canines for Disabled Kids, PETA, and Zero to Three and hope that other companies will follow in their footsteps.

*GIVEAWAY*

Courtesy of Preggers n' Proud we have the following 2 prizes up for grabs, both in a size L/XL:

Prize A: Organic Buddha Belly Maternity Tee

Prize B: Organic Blossoming Baby Maternity Tee

To enter please send an email to info[AT]SuccessThroughPlay[DOT]com with "Preggers n' Proud" in the subject line. Please include your name, email, mailing address and whether you would like to win Prize A, or B. Please enter by midnight September 4, 2009, PST. We do not tolerate SPAM and all information will be kept confidential and won't be sold. Two winners will be chosen at random.

Preggers n Proud collection of tees for the entire family will make wonderful gifts. To view the full collection, please visit:

www.PreggersnProud.com

Boob Design Giveaway for Breastfeeding Awareness Month 2009

2009-08-12T23:17:00.000-07:00

Giveaway pure t - eco-friendly maternity apparel born in the USA

2009-08-01T11:08:00.000-07:00

Pure t was founded by Jenn and Ian a dynamic duo who are based in NYC. They were inspired to start designing maternity apparel when their newly pregnant friends complained to them about the lack of "fun and fresh" maternity apparel on the market. Pure t specializes in luxurious for comfort and form with a focus on meaningful graphics.

Eco-minded
Pure t practices what is preaches and all their apparel are made ethically in the USA. Their tees are knit with eco-friendly materials including modal and organic cotton. Taking it a step further, pure t uses vegetable water soluble dyes and screen printing all which are certified eco-friendly. For that special touch, all pure t apparel proudly display the brand's signature trademark a beautiful lotus bloom which signifies prosperity, feminine beauty and birth in ancient traditions.

Tees which grow with you
pure t tees are created with an extra soft eco-friendly combination of natural fibers. They feel magnificent against your skin. Pure t tees "grow" with you! Tees have "memory" and after washing will return to original shape. The well made tees gently caresses your bump leaving you with a flattering silhouette, no matter where in your pregnancy you are. In addition, the tees will fit you post pregnancy thus offering extra value. The tees are cut longer length for additional bump coverage. The high quality tees will really impress you and they are well worth the cost.

Meaningful words and graphics
Pure T apparel proudly displays thought provoking and poignant words and graphics while avoiding the cliches.

Our favorite:

"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children"

The Pure t Summer 2009 line is vibrant and hip and features several new styles which are earth-friendly:

heart bump tie dye & kaleidoscope (right)
Organic Cotton with water based dyes

glow & love life M. Ghandi quote (left)
Luxurious Supima cotton modal with an incredible earth friendly graphic and dye process- which is completely certified eco-friendly.

Panel Favorites

Organic coffee-brown short sleeve maternity tee (right) This gorgeous tee is perfect for summer and is so comfortable to wear and flatters the bump beautifully. The Inspirational tree graphic and powerful words are printed with eco-friendly vegetable dyes.

Organic apple-green short sleeve baby tee (left) Pure t has not forgotten about your baby with their inspirational tree graphic printed with eco-friendly vegetable dyes. This adorable tee will look terrific on your baby and is sure to attract many compliments. Baby will love the super soft organic cotton fabric!

Pure t will plant one tree with the American Forests Global Releaf Program for each of the tees above that are purchased. We commend Pure t for taking a proactive approach to building our forests. Bravo!

All pure t apparel are made proudly and ethically in the USA. Purchase pure t apparel here

Giveaway

Courtesy of pure t, we have 3 gorgeous maternity tees up for grabs.

Prize A

Pretty Raglan Tee - Black Size Large

This gorgeous top is lightweight, sexy and can be dressed up with a great pair of jeans for a night on the town. The flutter sleeves are flattering and the key hole design on the back adds a feminine touch.

Prize B

Short sleeve ruched shoulder tee Army, Size Large
When the temperature soars, reach for this stylish summer tee to keep you cool. The fabric is ultra soft and you will feel as if you are wearing nothing at all! The puff sleeve is stylish and this tee will work with a skirt, a pair of shorts, cargos and jeans.

Prize C

Short sleeve ruched shoulder tee Brick Red, Size Large
Bring some color into your summer wardrobe with this beautiful Brick Red Tee. This tee will grow with you and is super flattering on. You will want to stock up.

To enter please send an email to info[AT]SuccessThroughPlay[DOT]com with "pure t summer Giveaway" in the subject line. Please include your name, email, mailing address and whether you would like to win Prize A, B or C. Please enter by midnight August 10, 2009, PST. We do not tolerate SPAM and all information will be kept confidential and won't be sold.

Magellan's Summer Travel Special

2009-07-28T10:25:00.000-07:00

Magellan’s was founded by two travel professionals to provide a single source of unique and useful travel products, supported by well trained travel gear specialists, and backed by a complete 100% guarantee of satisfaction. While working for Pan Am Airways, John and Gloria McManus traveled extensively around the world and were frustrated by the inadequate supply of travel products available to consumers. In 1989 they created Magellan’s catalog, starting with a 32 page black and white catalog of hard-to-find travel products. John’s no-nonsense, detailed descriptions of each item made it clear how each addressed a travel problem, from overseas electrical adaptors to third world health and hygiene. Their mission is to make your travel more comfortable, safe, and rewarding. The Magellans website is well designed and packed with terrific travel articles.

Here are our top picks for the Summer Travel Season from Magellans. Be sure to enter the reader giveaway!

Arm Pocket (Giveaway item)
Now here is something not only unique but really useful, on holiday or even while you are out for a jog. The Arm Pocket from Magellans lets you keep your money, even your room key, in a place even the best pick-pocket might not think of; up your sleeve. The stretchy, sturdy material is very comfortable and the two pockets are great for storing large and small bills separately, an ID card, ATM card , keeping your room key and more. Travel aside, the arm wallet is useful on short errands when you need to stash some small notes for a bottle of water and your house key while on a short walk and your key when out and about.

The TourSafe™ Large Security Handbag
from from Magellans is a stylish, lightweight and well designed handbag measuring 16½ x 9½ x 3¾". The bag boasts anti-theft technology, and is slashproof, snatchproof and tamperproof. The adjustable shoulder strap is very comfortable and you can securely sling the bag over your body messenger style for extra security. The inside of the bag (we received the taupe color) is lightly colored so there is no black hold effect. The interior of the bag is very well designed, with compartments for storing your cell phone, wallet and even slots for stashing your credit cards and pens. A large zippered padded pocket on the rear will keep precious items well protected. This bag will look terrific with any outfit!

The TourSafe™ Security Wallet is the perfect compliment to the TourSafe™ Bag.
It measures 7¾ x 4¼ x ¾"; and comes complete with a 17" long chain which attaches to your TourSafe™ Bag for complete protection. Now you will no longer fear having to whip out your wallet in a crowded area. The wallet is very spacious inside, expanding to accommodate notes, coins, credit cards and even your passport.

Special offer: Save 50%
Buy the large Toursafe Handbag or Backpack/Sling and you can purchase the matching Toursafe Security wallet for half price. Great deal!

The versatile Daily Bag measures 8" x 7" x 3" and can be worn across your body, over your shoulder or as a waist pack. It boasts high quality hardware for security and a rugged stain and water resistant nylon fabric to ensure that it remains looking clean and fresh throughout your travels. The spacious interior is lightly colored (we received this item in nutmeg) and will hold snacks, a lightweight foldable hat, camera and other essentials. There are several zippered compartments, some hidden, to keep your passport, map, and even your compact GPS safely stored. We love the front flap with quick access magnetic closure for storing a cell phone or other essential item.

Kleen Kanteen bottle (Giveaway item)
Replace your toxic plastic water bottle with a re-usable, non-toxic stainless steel bottle. Kleen Kanteen is the stylish eco-friendly replacement to plastic bottles and is made from food grade 18/8 stainless steel. Weighing in at only 7oz, the lightweight bottle holds 27 ounces is available in 5 solid colors, to brighten up your day. The polyprop cap has a loop for attaching to a backpack. The bottle is ergonomic and easy to grip.The benefits of switching to a Kleen Kanteen stainless steel bottle are endless. Stainless steel is a safe eco-alternative to #1 plastic and you won't be exposing your body to unwanted chemicals and compounds in the plastic. In addition, you won't have to waste hard earned money buying bottled water which ends up clogging up our landfill.

Combination Converter and Adaptor Plugs (Giveaway)
When traveling overseas, you want to bring just one power converter, but the requirements for energy and performance vary depending on the appliance being used. A Hair Dryer (up to 2000 watts) typically needs a very different kind of power converter (a solid state converter) than a cell phone charger (under 50 watts) which works by using a transformer. This converter is unique, it can do it all because of its built in auto switching ability. Four commonly used adaptor plugs are provided.

The Dual Voltage Steamer with adaptor plugs is a must for traveling, on business or vacation. Everyone wants to have neat and presentable clothes when they arrive but bringing your home iron is just not possible; its just too big and bulky and it does not work well on international power. Using the hotels iron and ironing board is not only inconvenient due to the lack of space to setup the ironing board but how many times have you ruined a nice new white shirt by scorching it with a cheap iron or getting some unknown sticky substance seared into your nice new blouse? The Dual Voltage Steamer takes care of it all, just hang up your clothes on a hanger, fill with water, plug it in and steam out those wrinkles the way professional laundry services do. You will be looking great in no time with much less effort. Four commonly used adaptor plugs are provided.

Travel Smart All-in-One Adapter:
Finally one device to connect nearly any international outlet to any other plug! Instead of having a bag full of mechanical conversion plugs for your globetrotting, bring the All-in-One Adapter along. Select the right setting, slide open the right pins for the outlet in your current hotel room, and plug in your universal notebook power supply, cell phone charge, and much more. Even bring home universal power foreign products and use them back in the States. While it does not convert the voltage, it certainly solves a great many problems in finding the right mechanical converter you will need and you wont have to go looking for that single plug converter you had on your last trip.

GIVEAWAY

Courtesy of Magellans, one lucky reader will win the following prize:

*The Arm Pocket (Tan)
*Kleen Kanteen bottle (Blue)
*Combination Converter and Adaptor Plugs

To enter please send an email to info[AT]SuccessThroughPlay[DOT]com with "Magellans Summer Travel Giveaway" in the subject line. Please include your name, email and mailing address. Please enter by midnight August 10, 2009, PST. We do not tolerate SPAM and all information will be kept confidential and won't be sold.

To view the full range, please visit:

www.Magellans.com

Logitech WebCam® Pro 9000 - The only webcam that you will ever need

2009-07-27T11:59:00.000-07:00

Is dad away on a business trip but still wants to read bedtime stories to the kids? Do the grandparents long to see their grandchildren on a regular basis but live across the country or overseas? Well today these desires have become commonplace and the webcam has become as indispensable as the hairdryer.

Unfortunately the reality of most webcams is that you can't even recognize anyone! This is definitely not the case with the WebCam® Pro 9000 from Logitech. Logitech rightly decided that they really do care about quality and that the optics are the key to a really great webcam. By selecting high quality Carl Zeiss optics, known for making professional microscopes, telescopes, camera lenses and more, Logitech has combined outstanding optics with a high resolution image sensor. So why are these important? The cheap webcams, even those built into a laptop, are typically plastic which yellow overtime, but more importantly are small in diameter, causing the lens to create significant distortion. Do your kids look like they are living in a fish tank when you see them on the webcam? Then you know what we mean. The Logitech WebCam® Pro 9000 does not do this. Most webcams are Fixed Focus, meaning they really don't focus properly. The WebCam® Pro 9000 has and Autofocus feature built in to give clear, sharp pictures that are always in focus, and with the RightLight 2 technology, the brightness level is automatically controlled. The images are crisp and clear without distortion, the colors come through vibrantly and without chromatic distortion (that funny rainbow effect you see around the edges of white objects). The high 2 megapixel image sensors resolution is great for more than just Skype. With up to 1600 x 1200 pixels, the optics are good enough that we have used them as a quick replacement for a scanner when in a crunch and the images came out acceptably well for faxing signed letters and more. One perfect application for the WebCam® Pro 9000 is making your own YouTube videos and recording your own vlogs. The Logitech® Video Effects™ is a nice bonus and will liven up any conversation and is sure to evoke lots of laughs with the kids. With the Universal Monitor Clip, we found a nearly infinite ways to position the Logitech WebCam® Pro 9000 from on the edge of our laptop screen, to a full sized LCD monitor, to the desktop, and even hanging from a shelf. With the built in microphone, one can record the children practicing for the kindergarten play with full sound right at home as well as keeping dad up-to-date on the latest adventures of the day when he is far from home.

Purchase your Logitech WebCam® Pro 9000 here.

To view the full range of products that Logitech offers, please click here.

ERGObaby Heart2Heart to be launched mid-September 2009

2009-07-24T14:10:00.001-07:00

Breaking News! ERGObaby will be unveiling a new product, the ERGObaby Heart2Heart - The only baby carrier you will ever need, in mid September, 2009. Stay tuned for the review.

[bump] babies Summer 2009 Maternity Line

2009-07-14T11:12:00.000-07:00

[bump] babies was founded by Renae Plant, a native Australian and Mom Entrepreneur. Renae moved to NYC in 1994 to pursue a career in modeling and acting but realized that the life of an artist/designer was more suited to her. Renae moved to LA and 2 years later opened a talent management company.

Renae is a true warrior, having battled cervical cancer at the age of 18, and being an egg donor to help infertile couples. In 2003, Renae married and become pregnant with her first child. Renae was thrilled to be expecting yet in the early months was frustrated because she wanted to inform those around her that she "hadn't let herself go" but that she had a "bump on board". She searched unsuccessfully for hip maternity apparel for this initial period of her pregnancy, but had no luck finding anything. With her background in design and fashion, she designed and created her own fun, stylish, sexy maternity designs which attracted immediate positive feedback from those around her. During her 2nd pregnancy, she continued designing and expanding her [bump] line and it was during this time when [bump] babies was born. [bump] stands for "baby under manufacturing process." Many celebrities including Gwen Stefani, Maggie Gyllenhall, Marcia Cross, Brook Burke, Jennie Garth, Amanda Peet, Tori Spelling, Jaime Pressly, Melanie B, Keri Russell, Jenna Elfman, Naomi Watts, Salma Hayek have been spotted in [bump] apparel. Renae lives in L.A. with her husband and 3 children.

[bump] babies offers the following lines: bump dresses, tees, tanks, vees, maroc, yoga, daddy and bling. The line is beautifully designed using high quality materials and stitching, with many styles featuring Swarovski embellishments for that extra special touch. The styles work beautifully from early pregnancy onwards as well as during the transition period (4th trimester), offering plenty of value.

For Summer 2009, here are our top picks:

[bump] vees - The v-neck maternity tee (vees) are hip, fun and sexy and work beautifully paired with jeans, or your favorite skirt. Many designs feature Swarovski crystals for that "extra bling", enough to make any mom-to-be feel gorgeous. For casual days, pair with [bump] yoga pants for workouts or laid back weekends. The vees are very well made and have a flattering v-neck to accentuate your neckline. The vees are made from 100% cotton and are comfortable to wear; allowing for movement.

[bump] dresses
The gorgeous v-neck dress accentuates your growing curves and is a must have item for warm summer days. Designed to maximize movement while maintaining a chic, pulled together look, it will become your favorite go to outfit this summer. The v-neck dress can be dressed up with accessories and paired with a wrap for the evening. Available in solid print or for the bold, solid print with [bump] logo to make a statement. A panel favorite!

[bump] hasn't forgotten Dads with their cool line of apparel for Dads: [bump] daddy. Now dads-to-be can share in the fun and express themselves through the [bump] daddy tees designed with dads in mind. A great gift item.

Another favorite of ours is the post [bump] tee (left) which will alert the world that you have indeed had your baby! Perhaps hospitals and birthing centers should gift these tees on your way out!

Giving Back

A percentage of each [bump] sale goes towards KIVA.com, who's mission is to alleviate poverty through connecting people who wish to lend to an entrepreneur in a third world country (micro-lending). We applaud [bump] babies for this initiative.

PURCHASING

Bump offers a unique sizing chart which can be found here. Shop online at the [bump babies] online store where with shipping available to the USA and international locations.

Find a retail store in your area

For more information, please visit www.bumpbabies.com

Storksak® Summer 2009 Top Picks

2009-07-03T00:15:00.000-07:00

Storksak® was founded in 2003 by two professionals and moms, Melanie Marshall and Suzi Bergman, who are based in London. Their goal was to create a line of diaper bags that "didn't sacrifice style for functionality and toughness". Storksak® bags have taken the world by storm and style icon Angelina Jolie has been photographed carrying the Emily Storksak® and other styles from Storksak®.

Storksak® is an innovative British brand of fashionable and functional bags designed for style-conscious mothers who want great looking parent bags that can survive their busy lifestyles. Storksak® bags are meticulously designed by two mothers, both professionals based in London, who hated the "diaper bags" that were on the market. They felt a new category of bag was needed, one that didn't sacrifice style for functionality and toughness. Each Storksak® bag includes a variety of features that adapt to each mom's varied and changing needs. Special features like adjustable shoulder straps, wipe-clean interior and thermo-insulated bottle holders or pockets which keep a bottle warm or cold for up to 4 hours are standard. Certain styles also include a key-ring clip, detachable mirror and individual compartments for diapers and cell phones and several styles are even large enough for a laptop computer.

Storksak's® unmatched versatility and use of high quality fabrics, leathers and hardware, enable their collection of parent bags to appeal not only to moms with babies but also to busy professionals in search of a functional and stylish bag for work, the beach or the gym.

The reality of diapering when out and about:

Most public restrooms have less than ideal facilities for a parent to diaper their baby. Often there is no room to put down your diaper bag and when there is, it is often dirty. Babies are squirmy and love to wriggle especially during diaper changes so for safety purposes, we have to strongly recommend that parents keep one hand/arm on their baby at ALL times during a diaper change. This can simply not be accomplished without investing in a diaper bag that will allow you to wear it securely around your body (messenger style, so that is stays secure). A bag which allows easy access to the contents, is a must. Most diaper bags on the market have a large exterior flap which you need to flip up in order to access the contents of the bag. Realistically, trying to hold the flap up and then reach in for what you need requires two hands, which leaves baby unattended to.

Our Summer 2009 Top Picks from Storksak® can both we worn across your shoulder for good stability and are both designed for easy access allowing parents to reach in easily with one hand and grab diapering essentials without ever having to put the diaper bag down! Lets looks at the two styles in greater detail:

Suzi Red Label Navy

The Suzi Red Label Navy is the perfect bag for Summer 2009 and features a "kasbah" print which is timeless and elegant and pairs beautifully with every outfit, from jeans to skirts. The bag is made from PVC-free PU, which is easy to clean (both exterior and interior) and less of an impact on the environment. The bag features a very high quality adjustable shoulder strap, which resembles a well made belt and can be worn messenger style or over one shoulder. The square design, material and rigid bottom enable this bag to hold its shape and to stand on its own. This will come in handy when you are out for coffee or lunch as it won't keep tipping over, picking up dirt as it falls. The four well placed "feet" on the bottom protect the bag from scuffing and add to the stability of the bag.

The Suzi Red Label Navy has ample storage options, which are cleverly designed with the modern mom in mind. The front of the bag has 2 pockets, a small one for your cell phone and a larger one for other essentials. The most innovative feature of this bag is the dual side insulated side pockets, which are brilliantly designed. No-one would every guess that the 2 built in zippered pockets actually hold your baby's bottle and your water bottle! These pockets will keep fluids warm or cold for up to 4 hrs (depending on the external temperature) and will prove to be invaluable especially during the warmer months ahead. The built in insulated compartments are designed so that no passerby would know that they are there, which is a true tribute to the brilliant design of this bag which doesn't scream "I am a diaper bag". The back of the bag has a large pocket with amagnetic closure, which is ideal for storing wet or soiled items, which will be held in their own separate compartment.

Looking inside the bag, you will be pleasantly surprised at how roomy it is for a small bag measuring H12" W13" F6", which is largely in part to the square design which maximizes space. The light interior color prevents the "black hole effect", allowing busy parents to easily and quickly grab essentials without having to dig around to find something. Included is a large, padded changing pad which measures 13.75 x 23.5 inches and folds compactly (6.5 x 7") and secures with a velcro tab. The machine washable changing pad coordinates beautifully with the bag and is a good deal larger than most compact changing pads, making it ideal for use with babies AND toddlers. The 4 elasticized "drop in" pockets (2 smaller, 2 larger) are great for storing diapers, wipes, toys, the changing pad and other essentials and will hold their contents securely in place. A zip pocket is found above the "Storksak® logo". A detachable key clip is a nice touch, helping you to locate your keys easily, saving you time and frustration!

The Storksak® Suzy Red Label features tassels on the zippers which means that moms or grandmothers with arthritis or other conditions which limit dexterity will be able to open and close the compartments with ease. Not to forget your toddler who can assert his independence under your supervision and take an active role in helping mom! The stitching, fabric and hardware used is of the highest quality and the perfect summer bag for any stylish mom.

Jess Red Label

The Jess Red Label is a great satchel for all seasons. The satchel is made from a very durable, heavy duty water resistant canvas, which will stand up to plenty of abuse and still end up looking like new. The large bag measures H15" W18" D5" and features a hip design with chunky brass hardware yet still maintains some femininity with the patent leather accents and feminine lines. The bag features a very high quality adjustable shoulder strap, which resembles a well made belt and can be worn messenger style or over one shoulder.

The bag is not designed in typical satchel style and instead of a full flap which lifts up to reveal the main compartment of the bag, it has 2 "faux flaps" which open independently to reveal two roomy front pockets. This non traditional satchel style offers a significant advantage because the main compartment of the bag is easily accessed independent of the flaps, which allows parents to easily open the main compartment with one hand, with no large flaps to deal with. The rear of the bag has one very large deep pocket with magnetic closure which is ideal for storing wet or soiled items, independent from the main compartment.

The inside of the bag is lightly colored, and has ample storage so finding essentials will be easy and stress-free. Included is a large, padded changing pad which measures 13.75 x 23.5 inches and folds compactly (6.5" x 7") and it secures with a velcro tab. The machine washable changing pad coordinates beautifully with the bag and is a good deal larger than most compact changing pads, making it ideal for use with babies AND toddlers. A removable drawstring bottle holder is included with the bag and will keep fluids warm or cold for up to 4 hrs (depending on the external temperature). There are 5 elasticized pockets in the interior of the bag, 2 large and 3 small, perfect for storing the changing pad, diapers, wipes, toys etc. There is a zippered pocket above the Storksak® logo. This diaper bag will serve you well during the diapering days and well beyond and its top quality canvas fabric, hardware and stitching will prolong the life of the bag.

The Jess Red Label is available in Army (sold out until September 2009), Navy and Red.

Storksak® bags are in a class of their own and fashionistas around the globe turn to Storksak® for chic bags, whether they have babies or not! The impeccably designed and crafted bags successfully merge function and style and are well worth the investment.

Storksak® Stroller Clips

The Storksak® stroller clips are high quality and very well designed and allow parents the option to attach their storksak diaper bag easily to their stroller. The stroller clips latch onto nearly all of the Storksak® designs and attach via a strap system with a velcro closure for added security. The Storksak® clips are particularly useful for moms and dads with shoulder, neck, back, hip or knee problems, moms who have recently given birth and parents with high needs infants, who need to be held frequently. Attaching your diaper bag to your stroller handle means that you no longer need to bend down to the underneath storage basket to reach for your diaper bag, which is often not accessible in a fully reclined position. From a safety point of view, having your diaper bag closer to your body is far safer than having it stashed in the underneath basket.

Please keep in mind that before you attach your bag to your stroller, you need to carefully select a stroller which has a very stable base, to avoid the stroller tipping over.

PURCHASING

*Storksak® bags and accessories are available at retailers like Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, BabyStyle, Due Maternity and online at www.storksak.com.

To view the full collection of Storksak® Bags, please visit:

www.StorkSak.com

The 2009 Bumbleride Flyer - The most ergonomic stroller on the market.

2009-06-24T16:37:00.000-07:00

Bumbleride Inc. was launched in San Diego, California in 2004 by a husband and wife team, Matthew and Emily Reichardt, who were less than impressed by the stroller market at the time. Through design and research, they developed Bumbleride, a brand inspired by the current young and modern family. Bumbleride's collection of strollers is playful, responsive and fun.

"We are reshaping baby mobility in a way to flow seamlessly into your modern lifestyle. Our design inspiration comes from you: the young and modern family. We strive to create products that are urban, stylish and functional while remaining sound and durable. Our collection is versatile and multi-faceted and includes a variety of features, vibrant colors and clever accessories."

Bumbleride is an eco-minded company, sponsoring recycling programs and offering employee carpooling incentives. Bumbleride strollers are innovative, ergonomic, stylish, colorful and fun, keeping modern parents in mind. Bumbleride strollers have won several awards, and just recently, Indie and Indie Twin won the iParenting award and the Indie Twin also won NAPPA honors award.

Today, we are focusing on the 2009 Bumbleride Flyer, a well made, ergonomic stroller which will take you from the newborn years, through the toddler years and well beyond.

2009 Flyer Standard Accessories:

*Rain cover
*Bumper Bar
*Infant headrest
*Infant Car Seat Adapter and Safety Belt
*Cup Holder
*Headrest and Shoulder Pads

2009 Flyer Optional Accessories:

*Carrycot
*Footmuff & liner
*Jam Pack

New for 2009

*One push release safety harness
*New sporty wheels
*Responsive steering
*Slimmer design

The 2009 Bumbleride Flyer

Ergonomic

The innovative flyer is the most ergonomic stroller on the market, allowing parents to adjust the stroller so that both parent and baby are strolling in optimum comfort to support good posture. Parents will really appreciate the fully adjustable handlebars, which will accommodate parents of different heights. The stroller can be used from birth, as it is one of the few strollers on the market that can be transformed into an "infant bed" by adjusting the seat back to the lowest position and raising the footrest. The backrest has 3 different positions to accommodate your baby/child as they grow in length. As your baby grows and develops posture control and strength, you simply adjust the settings on the Flyer to allow baby to stroll in a more upright position. This stroller is one of the few on the market that will take you from infancy, through the toddler years and beyond, making it worthwhile purchase.

Handlebars

The ERGONOMIC, fully height adjustable handle bars on the 2009 Bumbleride Flyer are truly exceptional...certainly one of the best that we have seen in the industry!

Why is a fully height adjustable handle so imperative?

Quite simply, if you are not maintaining a good posture when you are pushing a stroller, you may very well find yourself developing back and shoulder pain. Glance in the mirror when you are pushing your stroller and note if your shoulders are relaxed in a neutral position, vs hunched. How does your body feel after you have been pushing the stroller? With many adjustment height settings, you are assured that you will find the ideal height for each member of the family. The padded handle bars of the flyer are comfy to grip. If you suffer from any wrist problems, (carpal tunnel, etc) you can easily find a neutral position for your wrist, which you will find invaluable. This neutral position allows you to steer the stroller as you would hold a steering wheel. The added advantage of having many height options will soon become apparent when you need tight maneuverability in crowded places or grocery stores. A quality stroller with reversible handle bars is very hard to find in this price range and this feature alone, makes the 2009 Bumbleride Flyer an outstanding buy.

Why are reversible handles so useful?

Well both parents and baby will agree that being able to see each other is reassuring for both and is especially useful to first time parents, babies who are being transitioned from carriers, fussy babies or babies who are experiencing separation anxiety.

Canopy
The dual ratcheting canopy is a feature that Bumbleride is known for. The canopy can be pulled down to the level of the bumper bar, providing your baby with full protection from the elements as well as sensory overload (e.g busy grocery store). The canopy has a peek-a-boo window which will allow you to keep an eye on your child. The rear of the canopy features a pocket for light essentials. The rear of the canopy can unzip to allow air to circulate more effeciently in warmer conditions.

Seat
The well padded seat features a head rest for babies, and new for 2009, a one push release, 5 point padded safety harness system. The backrest adjusts with a swift, one handed maneuver to 4 different positions, ranging from nearly flat to upright, so that you can customize the seat include to your child's age, size, postural ability and mood.

Wheels
New for 2009, the Flyer features newly designed wheels with a sporty look. The improved responsive steering allows your to navigate tight corners with greater ease and the front and rear suspension ensure a smooth ride.

Bumper Bar
The bumper bar comes standard with the 2009 Flyer and offers additional protection for your child. It is easily removable and the location where it attaches to the frame is the some location where the carry cot and jam pack attach, allow your customize your stroller as your child grows.

Storage Basket
The large storage basket can hold a medium to large diaper bag with ease and best of all, can be accessed even with the seat fully reclined. Now that is great engineering.

Operation
Opening and closing the 2009 Flyer is surprisingly simple and easy to do with its one step fold. The Flyer weighs in at 19 pounds. For additional information, please see the demo.

Road Test
The 2009 Flyer handles itself very well in a variety of situations, whether in the mall, grocery shopping, or strolling to the park. The front and rear suspension ensure a smooth ride. Bumbleride recommends that you lock the wheels closest to you, for smoother more responsive steering and we found this advice to be very accurate.

Optional Accessories:

The Carrycot
The carrycot is easy to assemble and snaps into the same slot that the bumper bar connects to. The study carrycot has a thin, firm mattress for baby's comfort and safety. The carrycot has 2 sturdy straps which allow you to safely lift the canopy from the stroller. The carrycot comes standard with the Bumbleride Footmuff (and seat liner to be used later with the stroller minus the carrycot), to help protect baby from the cooler weather. The carry cot is also compatible with the Bumbleride Indie, and Twin Indie.

Footmuff and Liner
The footmuff and liner are wonderful for the cooler season, and will keep baby snug and warm during outdoor walks. The liner sits on top of the stroller seat and then the footmuff zips onto it. There is a small zippered pocket on the outside of the footmuff, perfect for storing small items including keys, cash or a cell phone. The footmuff and liner are compatible with the Bumbleride India and twin Indie. The footmuff and seat liner can also be purchased separately.

The Jam Pack is the only bag on the market that we know of that is designed to be used by both parents and children!

The PVC-free Jam Pack's unisex design makes it suitable for moms or dads and its small size makes it ideal to grab when running a quick errand. A quick access zippered pocket on the front can hold a few diapers. There are 2 pockets for holding bottles on either side of the bag, to ensure that both you and your child are always kept well hydrated. The interior of the bag is lightly colored so there is no black hold effect. An elasticized mesh ouch can hold wipes and extra diapers. The remaining interior can hold a few baby essentials such as bibs, toys and a change of clothing for baby.A well made zipper and a magnetic closure ensure that all your contents stay safely in place.

There are 3 slim pockets on the back of the bag to hold items such as mini hand sanitizer, an energy bar, mp3 player, cell phone etc which are within easy reach.

By simply re-threading the strap, the Jam Pack can convert into a back pack for kids. The Jam Pack doubles as a back pack for your child and can fit his lunch, hat, sunblock, water and even his homework. This hybrid bag comes highly recommended.

Snack Pack

Our panel was really impressed with the snack pack is a zipper pouch which can hold a juice or yogurt and some snacks for both baby and parent. The snack pack will prove to be very handy during long outdoor walks, and especially during the summer when staying hydrated is a must.

Purchasing information:

2009 model is available in the following 5 colors: Lava, Ruby, Seagrass, Spice, and Vita.

Retail store or direct from the bumbleride online store

For more information, please visit www.Bumbleride.com

BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light

2009-06-12T10:56:00.000-07:00

With the peak travel season just around the corner, families are busy making vacation plans and deciding where to stay at their destination. Whether you plan
to stay at a hotel, motel or resort, give some thought to where you little one will sleeping during while on vacation.

Most traveling families use cribs and play yards provided by motels and hotels. Estimates show that children under age 2 spend more than 7 million nights per year in hotels, motels and resorts. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that there are about approximately 65,000 hotels and motels in the U.S. In an ongoing investigation, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the National SAFE KIDS® Campaign found unsafe cribs and play yards in the majority of hotels they visited around the country. In several random surveys from 2001-2006, Safe Kids Worldwide found many hotel-issued cribs to be defective, damaged or even recalled from the market. From motels to luxury resorts, SAFE KIDS found that four out of five of the hotels they checked had cribs with at least one safety hazard including: loose hardware; soft bedding, comforters or pillows that could cause suffocation; or adult-sized sheets that pose a strangulation and suffocation hazard. So even if you are staying at a very pricey, upscale hotel, don't assume that the cribs that they will provide you with are any safer. Surprising, is that at the time of the investigation, only one hotel chain committed to making a concerted effort to providing safe cribs at their hotels, while the remaining hotels, motels and resorts did not.

Instead of playing Russian roulette and waiting to see what kind of crib your hotel will provide you with on the day (some may not have any on site or not enough to go around), why not take the initiative and plan ahead. Introducing the BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light, the innovative lightweight travel crib which will change the way that you vacation with your child forever. Used correctly, the Travel Crib Light from BABYBJÖRN the safest travel crib on the market, bar none. Photo (right) Copyright BABYBJÖRN

The innovative BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light is true to its name and weighs in at just 5kg/11lbs, making it lightweight enough to transport with ease. The BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light comes in its own carry case which measures 24" x 19" x 7" even has a sturdy carry strap.

Once you have arrived at your destination, setting up the BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light couldn't be any easier or any quicker. Simply unzip the carrying case and remove the contents from the bag. Set the mattress aside and holding the travel crib frame in both hands, unfold with one swift movement. Check to make sure that the legs are fully extended and locked into place and then place the mattress inside the crib. That is it, you are done! Even a pregnant mom can set it up with lightening speed, as demonstrated in this demo.

The exceptional Swedish engineering enables the Travel Crib Light to unfold in one swift movement, which is truly remarkable. The engineer on our panel was very impressed when he saw this being demonstrated this first hand at the ABC Kids Trade Show in 2008 and it left a lasting impression with him. Even though the Travel Crib weighs in at just 5 lbs, the unique design and solid construction makes it very stable. The mattress cover and fabric parts that come into contact with your baby meet Oeko-Tex standards, so parents can rest easy knowing that no harmful chemicals are coming into contact with your baby. The fabric components of the travel crib are easy to remove and are washable. The mattress measures 42 x 24 in and features a water repellent mattress cover to protect it from accidents. Traveling can be especially tough on little ones and adding to that a strange new environment which can push your baby into sensory overload. Bringing your own travel crib which your baby is familiar with, can help ease the anxiety of travel, and despite the new surroundings, baby is sleeping in his own familiar travel crib which can help to calm and soothe him. Photos (above and below left) Copyright BABYBJÖRN.

BABYBJÖRN offers an organic cotton fitted sheet (Oeko-Tex certified) which is designed to fit the travel crib mattress perfectly, ensuring a snug and safe fit. Baby will love the soft organic cotton against his skin.

Folding the travel crib is just as easy. Reach in and remove the mattress and place it in the carry bag. Then flip the crib over and following the printed diagram, proceed to fold each leg of the crib so that they criss cross each other. Fold the crib in half and place it inside the mattress, zip the bag and you are ready to go. A clip detailing setting the crib up and folding it can be seen here.

The BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light is very versatile and will prove to be invaluable during sleepovers at grandmas house, or simply nap times at home so that mom can keep a close eye on baby during the day, while contining with the household chores.

The BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light is ideal for newborns to age 3. For purchasing information, please click here

For additional information, please visit: www.BABYBJÖRN.com

Select photographs are Copyright BABYBJÖRN. Please see above.

Anka by Svan High Chair from Scandinavian Child

2009-06-09T10:45:00.000-07:00

Brenda Berg, CEO and founder of Scandinavian Child:

"Scandinavian Child represents 7 brands from around the world. All of them fall within the Designs without Compromise Philosophy. Every product in the collection meets criteria for both functionality, safety and design.
You don't have to compromise style to have a great functioning product."

Anka by Svan of Sweden.

The Anka by Svan of Sweden is the lower priced cousin to the Svan High Chair, yet is sturdy and full featured, offering great value in these tough economic times. It is JPMA/ASTM Safety Certified to give parents piece of mind. The Anka Chair arrives almost completely pre-assembled. Simply follow the directions in the manual and attach the 2 floor bases, the cushion and the wooden tray and you are all set. Each Anka by Svan High Chair comes with a plastic tray and a cushion included, for additional value.

FEATURES

Design:

The Anka Chair is a solidly constructed chair, designed with the modern parent in mind and features clean and simple lines. The chair is available in 3 finishes: Honey (cream cushion), Espresso (cream cushion) and Natural (with Chocolate Cushion) and will blend in beautifully with any kitchen and dining room decor. The Anka feature is made from solid wood which is smooth to the touch. The Anka Chair features a set of wooden bases which lends tremendous stability to the chair, particularly in the anterior posterior direction, where other high chairs fall flat.

Safety:

The Anka High Chair features a 3 point restraint system which is easy to fasten and unfasten, to keep your baby/child securely in place. A child who is under 3 years of age must always be secured in the restraint system. The Anka High Chair features a metal brace which locks down to keep the legs of the chair open, much like a ladder.

Environmentally friendly:

The Anka High Chair is made with sustainable materials; solid Birch wood with a non-toxic finish. The cushions are PBDE-free, and are machine washable. The plastic tray is both BPA and Phthalate free and and is dishwasher safe. Keeping your Anka High Chair looking fresh and new has never been easier.

Convertible:

The Anka by Svan High Chair is completely convertible and converts easily from a high chair, to youth chair to a kid chair up to 5 yrs of age (remove the wooden guard). A high chair that grows with your child offers unbeatable value.

Ergonomic

Like its cousin, the Svan High Chair, the Anka by High Chair offers many ergonomic features, which set it apart from other high chairs on the market. There are many advantages to purchasing a high chair which can grow with your baby, with good posture during eating being the main advantage. A baby/child who is well supported during eating will not have to waste energy on trying to maintain a good posture and can focus on the task of eating, which is what every parent wants! There are 3 main components of the Anka by Svan High Chair which are adjustable. The wooden guard on the Anka by Svan High Chair adjusts in 2 positions, depending on the age of your baby/child. This essentially adjusts the "depth of the seat" as your child grows. The wooden tray can lock into 3 different slots, depending on the size of your child. This feature, along with the adjustable wooden guard with ensure that your baby/child is positioned correctly for food to land mostly on the tray and not on his lap. A number of high end high chairs on the market are designed with a tray which is positioned very far from the child, with the food ending up in the child's lap! The footrest adjusts in 4 different positions, ensuring that your child's legs can be well supported during eating, providing him with stability.

Why is an Adjustable Footrest so imperative?

If you child's feet are being supported, he will be able to focus on the task of eating. If an adjustable footrest is not present or is inadequate, he will spend the majority of his energy trying to keep himself upright and will tire himself out. Would you be comfortable eating all of your meals while your legs are dangling?

Compact:

The Anka by Svan High Chair Folds Compactly for storage and is great for those with limited space or for grandmas house. The wooden tray is removable and can be stored on the back of the chair which will allow you to pull the chair right up the dining room table.

Weight limit:

When your baby is able to sit upright independently and has good sitting balance, typically around 6 months of age, he is ready to start using the Anka Chair. The Chair can accommodate a weight limit of 5 years or up to 50 pounds.

Purchasing:

The Anka by Svan High Chair is distributed exclusively by Scandinavian Child. To find a retailer, please click here.

To learn more about this product and other products from Scandinavian Child, please visit: www.scichild.com

Diaper Dude Dad Survival Kit: The Perfect Father's Day Gift!

2009-05-31T15:22:00.000-07:00

Gone are the days when Dads stand idly by and watch as their spouses raise their baby. Today's modern dads are stepping up and taking an active role in caring for their baby. Given the fact that almost all of the parent products on the market today are geared towards moms, it's no wonder that Dads may be feeling left out! With Father's Day just around the corner, we have kept Dads in mind and have searched high and low for the coolest products for dad this Father's Day.

One thing is for certain; men don't want to schlep around feminine Diaper Bags, period! Sorry ladies but expecting your man to share your floral silk diaper bag is just out of the question. Dads want and deserve a bag just for themselves! Diaper Dude has come to the rescue! Diaper Dude was founded by Chris Pegula, a young, cool hip dad who grew tired of carrying around his diapering essentials in a gym bag and decided to take the initiate to create a line of masculine diaper bags designed with dads in mind.

Dads have their own unique sense of style, and seek out masculine, rugged products which are packed with features and which help to streamline their activities of daily living.

The Dad Survival Kit meets these all of these specifications and consists of a Diaper Dude Bag, a mini waist pouch aka the Mini Dude and a Bottle Holder. These three products are very well designed using high quality materials and components. Diaper Dude delivers and dads everywhere won't be disappointed.

Diaper Dude Bag

The Original Diaper Dude Bag is the sporty messenger bag which started the Diaper Dude phenomenon! Dads will be able to access the contents of their bag without ever having to take it off, which means both hands are free to care for their baby. The ergonomically designed strap adjusts easily for a custom fit. The Over-the-Shoulder design makes it easy to toss on and take off and is very comfortable as it stays in place on the shoulder while reaching for items or catching a wayward child. Attached to the strap is a cellphone pouch which is easy to access and won't leave you fumbling thorough your bag. Taking a closer look at the bag, working your way from front to back, the Diaper Dude Bag boasts 3 generously sized exterior zip-closed pockets which can be easily and quickly accessed and are ideal for storing diapers, wipes, bibs, food and other diapering essentials. The main compartment of the bag is lightly colored so there is no black hole effect. It can accommodate items for baby and dad (a change of clothing for baby, toys, a hat, snacks, additional diapers) and additionally houses the changing pad in its own sub compartment which is great for hygienic reasons. Also included is a key ring clip which will put an end to frantically searching through your bag to locate the car keys, and a bottle holder. The rear of the bag features two large elasticized pouches, which are great for storing a baby blanket, books and perhaps even a mini notebook computer. The rear of the bag (part against your body) is padded, offering even more comfort especially when filled with hard wooden toys, glass baby bottles and other items heavy and solid items. This is a solid bag, clearly designed with Dads in mind who need an easy to use, rugged bag that look like a guys equipment.

Mini Dude

The mini dude resembles a cool tool belt and is a great choice to grab when heading out on a short errand. It can hold a pack of wipes and two diapers. In addition, it can 2 bottles on either side of the main compartment which means that both dad and baby can stay well hydrated when on the go. Aside from wearing it around the waist, dads can also sling it messenger style. This innovative diaper waist pouch is a panel favorite!

Bottle Holder.

The bottle pouch measures 4 inches wide and 8 inches and clips on easily to the Diaper Dude Bag.
It is insulated to ensure that baby's bottle stays cool in the summer heat.

The Diaper Dude Dad Survival Kit will make a wonderful Father's Day Gift and will help dads not only survive fatherhood but thrive. For additional gift ideas, consider one of these eco-friendly products for the Earth Conscious Dads!

For expecting couples, consider registering with the Diaper Dude Gift Registry and you will be assured of receiving cool, practical and high quality products which will help make your transition into parenthood that much easier.

Earth Conscious dads will love the new eco-friendly line from Diaper Dude.

This and many other innovative Diaper Dude products can be purchased directly from the Diaper Dude online store or to locate a store near you, please click here.

For additional information, please visit www.DiaperDude.com

Beating PCOS Naturally

2009-05-20T14:29:00.000-07:00

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is known as Stein-Leventhal Syndrome and is complex endocrine disorder associated with anovulation (lack of ovulation) and hyperandrogenism (excess male sex hormones). It is estimated that 70% of women with PCOS have elevated androgen levels. Women with PCOS may also have high levels of the following:

Estrogen: Higher levels associated with infertility and may also increase risk of hormone related cancers.

Gonadotropins: Higher levels affect fertility and the menstrual cycle

Insulin: Higher levels of insulin and glucose intolerance which makes losing weight very difficult.

Women with PCOS are at significantly higher risk of developing Type II Diabetes and Heart Disease. Pregnant women who have PCOS, are at increased risk of developing gestational diabetes and hypertension, which can make their pregnancy high risk, requiring very close monitoring. Most women with PCOS have irregular cycles. PCOS is under-recognized and under diagnosed. Since a high percentage of women who have PCOS also suffer from infertility, women will often receive their diagnosis following a consult with a reproductive endocrinologist.

Conventional treatment will often include oral contraceptives to regulate the menstrual cycle and hormone levels, an insulin sensitizer to reduce insulin resistance and a prescription of a low carb diet plus an exercise program. Additional medication may be prescribed on an individual basis. Women who are trying to get pregnant will be given a full work-up may be given a drug to induce regular ovulation, which is carefully monitored.

A member of our parent panel, Sarah, aged 26, was diagnosed with PCOS in 2008. Sarah, unlike most women with PCOS, have regular menstrual cycles. Here is her profile:

Sarah has struggled with her weight since her teen years. She reports having a lack of energy throughout the day and strong cravings for carbs and sweets, particularly during her "PMS week". Sarah has a high stress job which exacerbates her symptoms.

Stats pre-alternative treatment program

Fasting blood glucose: 103 (pre-diabetic)
Weight: 180 lbs (BMI: 27.4 overweight)
Blood pressure: 120/80 (above normal)
Height: 5"8
Hirsutism: moderate

Sarah, is determined to control her PCOS symptoms and obtain a healthy body weight through exploring alternative treatments. What follows is Sarah's plan and not a personalized prescription plan. Please consult with your health care professional prior to starting any new treatments, conventional or alternative.

*Pilates Reformer Machine (resistance training) strength training 3 x per week

*Walking (Aerobic) 30 mins walk in the AM, 30 minutes walk in the PM

*Yoga and meditation 3 x per week to reduce stress and improve endurance and stamina.

*Low GI vegan diet: Sarah has started a low glycemic diet and includes foods in her diet which are classified as either low or medium on the GI scale. Whole grains are emphasized including: quinoa, amaranth, kasha, brown basmati rice, beans and pulses, low starchy vegetables and fresh fruit in moderation. Instead of eating 3 large meals, Sarah began eating 5 or 6 small meals and snacks every 3 hours to help keep her blood sugar stable throughout the day. Adopting a well balanced, vegan diet (consult an Registered Dietician for advice) can be especially beneficial to women with PCOS, since a well balanced, vegan diet is free of dietary cholesterol, high in dietary fiber, legumes and vegetables which can significantly lower your risk of cardiovasular disease.

*Cinnamon: 1 tsp a day which has been shown in studies to reduce insulin resistance. Cinnamon powder can become toxic in higher dosages, so cinnamon sticks boiled may be a healthier alternative.

*Supplement: Chiral Balance D-chiro-inositol (DCI)

In two peer-reviewed, double blind studies, D-chiro-inositol, a member of the B nutrient family, was found to help both lean and obese women with PCOS reduce many of their primary clinical symptoms. Researchers hypothesize that women with PCOS are insulin resistant due to a deficiency of D-chiro-inositol which helps to regulate insulin levels. D-chiro-inositol is found naturally in several foods including buckwheat bran (farinetta), chickpeas, soy lethicin and carob syrup however taking a DCI supplement is an easier way to ensure that you are getting the sufficient quantity for your body weight. Women who are overweight will require higher levels of DCI which is also a consideration.

A high quality DCI supplement on the market is available from a reputable company, Chiral Balance. We sat down with a rep from the company to learn more:

"DCI is made from pinitol, which is a close chemical relative of of DCI. It is made in one step, by demethylation of pinitol and is then purified by HPLC. Every shipment we receive passes through customs and FDA inspection before arriving to us. The pinitol itself is derived primarily from soy husks, but poses not threat to people with soy allergies, because of the numerous purification steps."

The product contains no coatings, binders, fillers, artificial colors or fragrance. It is free of dairy, wheat, yeast, gluten, corn, sugar, starch, soy, preservatives ans hydrogenated oil. The capsules are made from cellulose acetate, so they are suitable for vegans and vegetarians, people with various allergies. DCI supplements from a reputable source such as Chiral Balance do not have any documented side-effects.

To purchase DCI supplements from Chiral Balance, please click here.

Stats following a 2 month period of alternative treatments (diet, supplements, exercise):

Fasting blood glucose: 93 (normal)
Weight: 155lb (BMI: 23.6 normal)
Blood pressure: 110/70 (normal)
Hirustism: facial hair reduced as observed by beautician
Increased energy during the day.

Additional resources:

The Soul Cysters Website is a great place to start! Check out the message boards for online support.

MediFocus Guide Polycystic Guide:
An excellent guide which is easy to understand. Readers will develop insight into PCOS and understand this syndrome in greater depth. Information about PCOS throughout the life cycles is presented, including pregnancy and menopause. References to medical literature are cited.

The Savvy Woman's Guide to PCOS: The many faces of a 21st Century Epidemic...And what you can do about it. by Elizabeth Lee Vliet, MD. This book is an outstanding guide to PCOS where readers will learn all about the syndrome in great detail and will learn about Dr Vliet's recommendations for diagnosing and treating PCOS. Readers will be empowered to be an active, informed patient when navigating the medical system. Dr Vliet, is clearly an expert on hormonal disorders which is evident by her unique insights on PCOS. What is missing however from this book, is information about exploring complimentary and alternative on alternative and complementary therapies .

The New Glucose Revolution Low GI Vegetarian Cookbook
published by Da Capo Press.

This revolutionary cookbook is the FIRST ever vegetarian and vegan cookbook that is written with the GI index in mind. This cookbook includes 80 delectable vegetarian and vegan recipes to take you from breakfast to dinner and is written by the world's foremost authorities on the Glycemic Index. Jennie Brand-Miller, PhD, is a international authority on the GI approach, heading up the GI-testing center in Sydney, Australia. Along with 2 Registered Dietitians, Kaye Foster-Powell, M. Nutr & Diet and Kate Marsh, RD, CD, the nutrition experts begin by outlining a variety of vegetarian sources of protein, fats and carbohydrates to include for a well balanced diet. The authors explain the GI concept in user friendly terminology which is easy to grasp. Vegetarians in particularly need to be mindful of adopting a well balanced diet to ensure that they take in the necessary vitamins and minerals for good health. The authors touch upon vitamins and minerals which are essential to a vegetarian diet including iron, calcium, vitamin B12 an iodine and list the daily recommendations for men and women and which food sources and or supplements will meet your daily requirements. The authors then move onto the advantages of switching to a Low GI diet and include some information specific to women with PCOS. A useful table is included which offers options for replacing a high GI food item with a low GI one and will help to keep you on track. Suggestions for choosing low GI foods for breakfast, lunch, snacks, desserts and dinner are discussed to help apply the principles into creating a daily food plan. A 7 day meal plan for both vegetarians and vegans is included, with separate plans for adults, teenagers and children. The meal plans are a very valuable tool to help you adopt a Low GI lifestyle for your family and provide a wonderful framework for your new lifestyle. The remainder of the book presents 80 mouth watering recipes, nearly each of which is accompanied by an exquisite photograph for culinary inspiration. The recipes are easy to make, and are influenced by many cultures including Indian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Middle Eastern and Mexican. Adopting a low GI lifestyle doesn't mean that you need to deprive yourself of delicious tasting meals. Our favorite recipes include: Pancakes with Tofu, Basil and Sun-dried tomato, Red lentil dal with spiced basmatic rice, Falafel rolls with hummus, tabbouleh and spicy tomato sauce, Raspberry swirl cheesecakes and Creamy Quinoa Pudding. You don't need to be a strict vegetarian to benefit from this book. Meat eaters can benefit tremendously from eating a few vegetarian meals per week, which will help to reduce their cholesterol and slash their risk of developing heart disease. Overall, an essential guide for anyone who has insulin resistance and or anyone who wishes to have more energy throughout the day. Purchase this book from these retailers.

Glycemic Index Database
Easily reference GI information about your favorite staples.

Giveaway: aden + anais organic muslin wraps

2009-05-14T10:21:00.000-07:00

Muslin wraps are widely used by Australian parents and date back to late 17th century England where they were coveted for their properties of having a light weave, which promotes good air flow. When Claudia Schwartz and Raegan Jones, both Australian natives, relocated to the USA they weren't able to find muslin wraps and decided to make their own and thus aden + anais was born. The wraps are available in beautiful prints and designs, with choices for baby girls, boys as well as neutral designs and make the perfect baby shower gift.

Response from nurses, pediatricians, obstetricians, celebrities, industry experts, lactation consultants and other mothers has been overwhelming. aden + anais are recipients of the Creative Child Magazine 2007 Seal of Excellence and several prestigious iParenting media awards.

NEW FOR 2009

Recognizing that what is good for the Earth is also good for the nursery, aden + anais is pleased to announce the addition of certified organic, softly breathable baby swaddles to their award-winning product line. Made of organic cotton that is grown free of toxic pesticides and chemical fertilizers, aden + anais organic swaddles are as soft and beautiful as they are environmentally conscious. Designed especially for sensitive skin, the fabric’s light, open weave allows air to flow seamlessly through so that a baby’s body temperature can adjust naturally. As a result, babies feel warm in the winter and cool in the summer, helping to ensure safer, more soothing sleep while preventing overheating.

As with all aden + anais products, the durable, stretchy organic swaddles are pre-washed to prevent shrinkage, and become softer and fluffier with every wash. They are available in a wide variety of chic, low eco-impact prints and patterns. To ensure environmentally and socially responsible status, aden + anais organic swaddles proudly display the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) label. An internationally recognized initiative, GOTS has worked diligently to successfully create the leading set of criteria that define global standards in the field of organic textile processing. Today, GOTS is quickly becoming the most recognizable consumer symbol of environmentally friendly quality assurance and reliability.

Aden + anais muslin wraps are well sized at 47" X 47", making them ideal for swaddling. In addition to swaddling, the muslin wraps can be used for tummy time, as a burp cloth, as a nursing cover, on the floor for tummy time and even draped over your stroller for additional protection against the elements. The versatility of the muslin wraps sets it apart from many other swaddling products on the market which have limited use beyond swaddling.

Parent panel feedback of the organic muslin wrap was very positive:

"My baby has very sensitive skin and her pediatrician recommend that we purchase organic cotton products. I was thrilled to hear that aden and anais are launching an organic cotton line and I was very eager to test out the organic wrap. The organic muslin is of a very high quality and becomes softer with each wash. I feel at ease knowing that the cotton is grown without any harmful pesticides and that low impact dyes have been used to create the lovely prints and patterns. Muslin wraps are FAR superior to traditional swaddling blankets because the open weave allows air to circulate. My daughter settles faster and stays content far longer with wraps and has shown no sign of skin irritation. I highly recommend the organic muslin wraps to all parents and I am looking forward to seeing the new designs when they become available. Thank you!"

We applaud aden and anais for "going green" and know that their eco-line will be a huge hit. The organic wraps are priced at $34 each. To locate a store in your area, please click here. The Organic Cotton Wraps will be available starting May 15, 2009 on the aden and anais website.

aden and anais offers a full range of beautiful wraps, blankets, hooded towels and washcloths. Visit www.adenandanais.com to learn more.

Congratulations to Lena R, Mike A, Tina N & David G.

Joovy Groove and Kooper 2009 - Mother's Day Picks

2009-05-06T12:47:00.000-07:00

Joovy focuses on family gear with advanced performance and exceptional looks at a reasonable price. Joovy offers a line of strollers, playards, toys and accessories.

Today we are highlighting the Joovy Groove and the Joovy Kooper, our picks for Mother's Day Gifts.

Joovy Groove

The Groove is a great lightweight stroller weighing in at just 16 lbs and supports up to 55lbs. It is available in pink, green and blue which are great colors for summer. It boasts a large over sized canopy to shield your baby from the elements. The modern, clean lines and excellent maneuverability make it a great pick for taller moms.

Great Value
The Groove comes with an extra interchangeable canopy and seat (different color) which means that you can wash one set and have the spare set available to use. In a sense it is like having 2 strollers in one! In addition, moms will enjoy mixing and matching the canopy and seat to create a stylish, unique look! A hanging storage bag holds the extra set which will be readily available when need be. Also included is a rain cover and stroller bag which makes this purchase a terrific deal!

Special Features

The large oversized canopy (with extendable sun visor) is wonderful and is rarely seen on umbrella type strollers. The peek-a-boo window allows you to keep tabls on your baby. On the rear of the stroller, there is a compartment for 2 bottles and a zippered compartment for essentials.

The seat reclines via an impressive latch system which can be operated one handed; perfect for moms who are juggling parcels and baby! The 4 position seat reclines 20 degrees shy of flat.

The wheels and good suspension allow moms to navigate the stroller over smooth and some uneven terrain. You can lock the front wheels off for a smoother ride. The stroller turns on a dime and moms will love how easy the stroller negotiates tight spaces. The linked, one-step rear wheel parking brake is easy to operate.

The All-Season Reversible Seat Pad (black) will keep your baby comfortable regardless of the season. On one side is the nylon mesh to keep baby cool in warm weather and on the other is an insulating fleece which helps to maintain warmth in the cold weather.

Moms will stay hydrated with the built-in mesh bottle holders. Just below is a handy storage compartment for stashing essentials.

Stroll in style with the Joovy Groove. The Groove folds easily and boast not one but two carry straps. The lateral carry strap is easy to grab when lifting the stroller in and out of your car. On the top of the stroller is a fantastic thick strap, which you can hold and pull the stroller behind you like a piece of luggage which is ideal for travel.

Joovy Kooper

The stylish and eye-catching Kooper is a a cross between a euro-style buggy and a modern umbrella stroller and is great pick for urban mamas. The Kooper is best suited for moms who are on the shorter side (5"6 and below). The Kooper weighs in at approximately 17.9lbs and is able to support a child of up to 50lbs. It is available in yellow, green and black.

The features that we like:

Special Features

The ergonomically designed, foam covered handle bars are very well designed and make pushing the stroller an absolute dream! Don't underestimate the importance of ergonomic handle bars. The fixed height handle bars allow moms to maintain a neutral position at the wrist and avoid discomfort.

The large canopy will shield your baby from the elements and features a roll back peek-a-boo window to keep an eye on your child.

The storage basket is easy to access and can fit a small to medium size diaper bag.

The seat reclines via a strap system and is easy to operate.

The Kooper operates best on smooth and even terrain and will appeal to modern urban mamas. The wheels detach easily for travel.

The linked, one-step rear wheel parking brake is a great feature.

The reflective stitching on the deluxe 5 point harness and the sides of the canopy are terrific safety features rarely seen on strollers. For moms who enjoy early morning or evening strolls, the reflective stitching adds an extra layer of protection in traffic.

The 2 mesh pockets situated on either side of the inside of the seat are perfect for storing your baby's toys or pacifiers. The elasticized pockets ensure that the contents stay snugly in place. We haven't seen this feature on any other stroller and really applaud the Joovy designed team on this thoughtful feature!

The Kooper Rain Cover

fits easily over the stroller and will protect your baby from downpours! It folds compactly into the storage bag which it is sold in.

The Kooper Travel Bag

will protect your stroller from dust and dirt and will come in handy during the travel season. The Kooper fit snugly in the travel bag which comes complete with clear directions.

The Kooper folds easily and compactly, in fact it is the only stroller to fit in the TINY trunk of the Success Through Play NGV vehicle, a truly remarkable achievement.

PURCHASING
To find a store near you, please click here.

To see the full range of Joovy Family Gear, please visit the Joovy Website.

The Sansa® Fuze™ from SanDisk® - The perfect Mother's Day Gift

2009-05-05T22:18:00.000-07:00

The Sansa® Fuze™ is the perfect MP3 player for modern moms who are juggling their fair share of responsibilities. Moms in desperate need of "me time" can grab their Sansa® Fuze™ and escape for a few minutes by listening to their favorite tunes and de-stressing.

Moms-to-be who find themselves in doctors waiting rooms will turn to the Sansa® Fuze™ to keep them entertained with videos, pictures and music. There is even a voice recorder for taking notes. When the big day arrives, turn to the Fuze to keep you centered during labor with a pre-recorded playlist of hypnosis tracks or your favorite meditative and calming songs.

Ergo, lightweight, sturdy
The Sansa® Fuze™ is a sleek looking MP3 player and weighs in at just 2 oz. and measures approximately 3 inches by 2 inches and just over 1/4 inches thick. The device has an ergonomic design, making it comfortable to hold and feels solid to the touch.

Versatile
The Sansa® Fuze™ is a portable entertainment center and used can view pictures, videos, and listen to music.

Options
The stylish Sansa® Fuze™ is available in a silver, black, red, blue and pink so everyone can find their perfect shade. The unit is available in 3 different storage options: 2GB, 6GB and 8GB to suit your lifestyle. SanDisk® offers a full range of accessories to enhance your experience of using the Sansa® Fuze™.

Operation

The Sansa® Fuze™ is very easy to operate, even if you are not very tech savvy. The unit is controlled via a mechanical navigation wheel which you turn clockwise or anticlockwise and click up and down, left and right. The navigation wheel operates smoothly and effortlessly and is circled by a blue light making navigation in low light situations a breeze. Using the wheel to scroll through the options, you will find options for:

Music

Settings

Voice

FM Radio

Photos

Videos

Transferring music to the unit is achieved by simply dropping and dragging music files. The unit comes subsciption ready (Rhapsody) so you can start downloading tunes instantly. The earbuds which are included with the unit deliver good sound quality, but you may wish to upgrade to a more sophisitated set if you frequently listen to music in noisy areas. That being said, our panel found the sound quality of the music files to be of a very good quality and we think that at this price point, users will be impressed.

The hold button on the side of the Sansa® Fuze™ is very useful if you want to toss the Fuze into your handbag.

Special Features

The 1.9 inch screen is sufficient for viewing your options, watching music videos and podcasts and viewing pictures.

The microSD/microSDHC slot really distinguishes the Fuze, opening up the doorway for additional content expansion.

The unit delivers up to 24 hours for audio playback and 5 hours of video playback with internal rechargeable battery. A USB charger is included with the unit, however for travel purposes, consider purchasing a outlet charger.

The Digital FM radio audio with the 40 preset stations is a great feature and our panel found the audio to be crystal clear and had no difficult picking up stations.

The voice recorder with built-in microphone is a nice touch and will allow the user to keep an audio memo. The voice playback is fantastic and now users won't have to fret if they leave their pen and notepad at home.

The Sansa® Fuze™ will make a terrific gift for the special Mother in your life.

Purchase from the Sansa Store

Boob Design® Mother's Day 2009 Giveaway

2009-04-28T23:07:00.000-07:00

Boob Design® is the new designer line of Maternity and Nursing Apparel from Sweden that will change the way that you think of maternity and nursing clothing forever. Gone are the bulky, uncomfortable and frumpish maternity and nursing outfits that hide the bump (maternity) and are difficult to access and scream to the world that you are nursing. Boob® boasts a gorgeous line of designer apparel that just happen to be maternity and nursing wear!

Their commitment to the environment:

"We keep all of our production in Europe, in factories where we know that the employees are treated well and are decently paid. Keeping production in Europe is also a way of guaranteeing that the product in Europe is as environmentally sound as possible. All our jersey is certified with the OEKO-TEX Standard 100. This certification is a guarantee for clothes that are completely free of toxins that can be harmful to you. Clothes that are kind to your skin as well as nature. Our goal is to you materials that are environmentally optimal."

Boob Design's® Maternity line is cut to accent and flatter your new curvy figure. The gorgeous eco-fabrics, the fresh simplicity and the playful details make the trademark of Boob® . The soft and comfortable fabrics will fit like a dream - all the way from bump to big belly!

Boob® Nursing tops are brilliantly designed and feature a double layer of fabric over the bust so that an overlapping opening is formed. The opening is simply pushed aside with one hand, making nursing comfortable and discreet.

Spring/Summer 2009

Boob Design® doesn't disappoint with the Spring/Summer 2009 line. Pieces are bold, bright colors and clean lines which reflect the mood of Spring and Summer. Multi-stripes, paisley, and print checks are making a come back as well as solid colors. The collection is fun and care-free to take you through the warmer months in style and comfort. The designer apparel are made proudly in Europe and for Spring/Summer 2009, at least 50% of the designs are available in Organic Cotton. We the company for this tremendous achievement.

To find a store in your area that carries Boob Design's Maternity and Nursing Range, please click here.

*Giveaway*

Congratulations to Nicole Y., Lauren V., Peta L. & Melinda D.

Prize A: Maternity

Tie-band Tunic (Dark Fuchsia XL)
Organic Cotton. This sexy tunic accentuates the bust and is easy to move in. Wear with jeans, leggings or a skirt for a stylish look.

Denim Pencil Skirt (Raw Blue, Size 38 US Size 8)
The ultimate denim pencil skirt epitomizes Summer with its comfort and effortless chic. This skirt will take you from the beach to a night out of the town and looks great with sandals or heels. Can be worn post-pregnancy as well for great value.

Transformer Top (Black, XL)
This lightweight top is a unique design that allows the wearer to place the removable band (with buckle) either below the bust or below the bump to create 2 different looks. Pair with jeans or legging for a sexy look. This top will work equally well both pre and post pregnancy and makes for the perfect transition top!

Leggings (Black, Size Large)

The opaque leggings are super comfy and a great basic piece that should be in every pregnant woman's maternity wardrobe. Runs on the small side so consider sizing up.

Prize B: Maternity

Wrap Shaped for Curves (Greymelange, Size Large)
Organic cotton. Flattering and sexy, this is the perfect wrap top! The top adjusts to fit your growing bump and can be worn on its own or over a tank. A panel favorite!

Under Belly Singlet (Poppy Stripe, Size Large)
Organic Cotton. Halle Berry rocked the under belly style during her pregnancy and now you can do the same! The wide solid panel is designed to sit below your bump and accentuate your growing bump. This is a tank with a stylish twist and pairs beautifully with jeans, leggings or a skirt and is sure to attract many compliments. You will want to stock up on stripes and solids.

B Regular Jeans (Washed Blue, 38 US Size 8)
Waist: Low Panel in high quality jersey.
Leg: Straight loose cut leg which is great for all body types. Pair with heels for a night on the town or dress down for a chic but casual look. A panel favorite!

Prize C: Maternity

Built-in Bra Singlet (Safari, Large)
Made from organic cotton. Side shirring to grow with you all 9 months. Minimizes a larger bust and is surprisingly supportive. A panel favorite!

Maternity Singlet (Black, Size Large)
Organic Cotton. This versatile piece is a must have basic and will pair beautifully with jeans or a skirt. Can be layered and dressed up or down. Available in several colors so stock up.

B 70's Jeans (Raw Blue, Size 38 US Size 8)
Waist: High rise at the back with no tell-tale panel from the rear. Comfortable panel at front in high quality jersey. Zip and button in side seam. Adjustable elastic inside waistband.
Leg: Wide A-shaped leg which is best suited for taller women. These jeans are the most comfortable maternity jeans on the market! Great for those active days around town or when you are relaxing on the weekends.

Prize D: Nursing

Hidden Function Nursing Top (Blueberry, Large)
Organic Cotton. Chic and elegant, while very comfortable to wear, this lightweight top is perfect for summer. The beautiful scoop neckline accentuates your neckline. The longer length provides coverage for the postpartum tummy. Petites may want to wear this top as a short dress. To nurse discretely, simply untie the sash and separate the two panels for stress free nursing while on the go.

Nursing Top with Drawstring (Poppy, Large)
This lightweight top has a flattering neckline and a drawstring which hides nursing access beneath. The longer length provides a slimming effect and extra coverage for the postpartum tummy. A panel favorite! Can double as a beach cover-up this summer.

B Warmer Top (Poppy, XL)
Organic Cotton
This fabulous nursing top provides warmth without bulk. Pair with jeans or sweats when there is a chill in the air. Great for working out in as well.

Badger Powerfully Pure Body Care

2009-04-22T22:26:00.000-07:00

This Earth Day, we honor the W. S. Badger Company in acknowledgement of their commitment towards being a green company. Badger offers a range of all natural body care products many of which are USDA Certified Organic and Fair Trade. Badger is a family run, family friendly business located on the banks of the Ashuelot River in rural Gilsum, New Hampshire, USA. Bill, Katie and daughters Mia, Emily and Rebecca started the business back in 1995, in the kitchen of their home. A team of about 40 friendly badgers formulates, manufactures, and ships almost all of the products from their facility, known as The Badger Mines. Badger works hard to create a healthy business with ethical and charitable principles.

Badger encourages their employees who have young infants to bring their infants to work, to encourage maternal-infant bonding. We applaud them for instituting this policy and hope that other companies will follow suit.

Balms
The wonderful balms are packaged in beautiful tins which you can collect and re-use for other purposes the contents has been used up. The balms are made from a base of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and are easy to apply to your skin. The balms are also infused with a customized blend of aromatherapy oils targeted for a specific purpose. Our favorite balms include the Sore Muscle Rub Extra Strength with Chili Pepper, the Cuticle Balm and the Stress Soother.

The Sore Muscle Rub is a wonderful balm which you can massage into tense and tight muscles. The balm heats up on your skin and instantly relaxes and soothes your achy muscles leaving you feeling terrific. The Cuticle Balm is the perfect choice for cuticles which need TLC. The rich oils deliver intense moisture which tackle dry and damaged cuticles head on. With just a few days use, we noticed a vast improvement in the quality and health of our cuticles and recommend carrying this balm in your bag so that you always have it close by and can apply after washing your hands. The Stress Soother is our hands down favorite balm and should be a must have item on every workers desk. At the first sign of stress, dab the balm on your temples or wrist and inhale deeply. The calming scents of the aromatherapy blend which include lavender, rosemary and chamomile, help to calm your thoughts, clear your mind and relax your body, leaving you feeling centered and ready to tackle your next challenge.

We also had the opportunity to test two products from the Badger Sun Care Line, the SPF 30 sunblock for Face and Body and the SPF Lip Balm. Both products are zinc oxide based which are safe alternatives to other chemically based sun care products on the market. Equally important, both products offer protection against both UVA and UVB, so you can feel confident that you are protected. The sunblock and lip balm are a pleasure to work with and can be applied quickly with mess or fuss and spread easily on the skin. Now that the warmer weather is upon us, the sun care range from badger, together with good sun safety habits will help you to face the summer head on.

The all nature products from Badger will make terrific gifts. Click here to view the full gift range.

Lip Balm Giveaway

Courtesy of the W.S. Badger Company, we have 2 lip balms to giveaway to a lucky reader. The lip balms are from the new Cocoa Butter Lip Balm collection: Poetic Pomegranate and Vanilla Bean and are USDA Certified Organic and Fair Trade.

Congratulations to Joanne R.