Baby Universe - Baby Shopping, Directory, News and Reviews » baby carrier

New Organic Baby Carrier Targets Australia’s “Green” Parents

babyunivers — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 05:05:49 +0000

The trend towards “green” products shows no sign of abating.

Parents will often search out organic cotton clothing for their children, fearing exposure to the toxins and chemicals, such as pesticides and insecticides in conventional cotton, may cause detrimental effects in the long term.

So, it’s no surprise the rising sector of baby carriers and slings is coming on board the organic train.

While some leading brands offer a premium organic product, one company from environmentally-conscious Germany ensures that 100% of its baby carriers use certified organic cotton next to the baby’s skin.

The Manduca baby carriers have risen to number one spot in Germany, partly because of their sustainable manufacturing processes. Each Manduca baby carrier is made from organic cotton or organic cotton/hemp mix – with the organic cotton the only material to come into contact with the baby.

And now, the Manduca baby carrier is available in Australia.

Given that the baby carriers can be used for newborns weighing 3.5 kg and over, it’s understandable Aussie “green” parents are seeking a baby carrier that uses non-toxic fabrics.

Other features of the carrier include an orthopedically correct seating position for the baby, and hip straps for the parents’ comfort.

The Manduca baby carriers are available in various colours. RRP $159

www.fertilemind.com.au

BabyBjorn are looking for Stylish Aussie Dads!

babyunivers — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 04:34:07 +0000

To encourage and cheer on all fathers who are carrying their babies close, we’re once again running our popular photo contest for BabyBjörn dads in Australia.

Are you a stylish, caring dad who is carrying your baby in a BabyBjörn carrier, or maybe you know one who is ? Don’t hesitate to enter our Stylish Dad photo contest that opens June 1!

Find out more about the contest, the prizes and how to enter at: www.babybjorn.com/Eng/Australia/Stylish-Dad-Photo-Contest

Introducing the New Revolutionary BabyBjörn Comfort Carrier

babyunivers — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 04:35:35 +0000

BabyBjörn Comfort Carrier is the new, safe and ergonomic carrier – smart and cleverly designed as ever. It retains the closeness between you and your baby, whilst recognizing the demands for comfort for those who would like to carry their child up to the age of two.

Designed for babies weighing from 6 kg to 14 kg, the Comfort Carrier has an adjustable waist belt to let most of the weight be carried on the hips, removing any added strain on the back. To offer flexibility and maximum comfort for you and your baby, the carrier has two different leg positions to choose between; your baby can be carried either facing towards you or facing outwards.

The Comfort Carrier has a stable head and neck support, with a specially designed bib included. The carrier’s textiles are made from 100% organic cotton and are certified with Oeko-Tex Standard 100, class 1, which guarantees that they are free from harmful substances. The carrier is machine washable at 40 degrees and is available in the colour – Anthracite. The Comfort Carrier has a suggested retail price of $289.95.

The BabyBjörn Comfort Carrier has been created together with pediatricians, parents and children to make it easy to use and in touch with parents needs, whilst not sacrificing safety.

It’s baby wearing month at Bonito Baby!

babyunivers — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 06:00:32 +0000

February is baby wearing month at Bonito Baby, and we have reduced nearly all our baby carriers for you this month. There is a carrier to suit almost everyone with wrap carriers, soft structured carriers, slings and mei tais on sale!

Save 20% on most Hugabub wrap carriers and ring slings

Save $15 on the Ergo original and sport carriers and 10% on accessories

Save $5 on every Scootababy hip carrier

Save $10 on every Ellaroo carrier – ring sling, mei tai and hip carrier

Save 10% on every Beep Beep pouch sling

The reductions are only available on in-stock items, so be quick!

Visit www.bonitobaby.com.au now

Ramalama Infant Carriers: freedom to carry on with the everyday

babyunivers — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 11:50:01 +0000

Sydney based brand Ramalama knows that having a baby doesn’t mean that a new mother has to give up all the things she loves to do. Designed with comfort and lifestyle in mind, the Ramalama Infant Carrier provides extra support giving mum hands free mobility while keeping baby happy and secure. Designed for older babies, the carriers are suitable from approximately 5 months of age or when your baby can support her own head, and are safe to carry up to 20kgs.

FABRIC CARRIERS

The fabric carrier collection include the 100% organic cotton denim (with organic cotton fill) and the sturdy cotton twill in black.

Ramalama fabric carriers are machine washable.

The cotton twill carrier RRP $ 95.00 and the organic carrier RRP $144.95

LEATHER CARRIERS

The luxury leather collection makes for the ultimate long lasting baby carrier. Available in chic black, chocolate caramel and chocolate, the carrier is suede lined with a suede shoulder comfort pad.

The leather carrier can be wiped clean.

RRP $185 for all colours.

The Ramalama philosophy of ‘Functional Luxury’ incorporates sustainable practices throughout their entire operation. Their sustainability policy ranges from the everyday processes that head office operates – using energy efficient lighting, passive cooling, and recycling, to their choice of fabrics, suppliers, manufacturers, packaging and transportation.

The Ramalama Carrier Collection is priced between $95 and $185 and is available through leading maternity and childrens boutiques nationally and online at www.ramalama.com.au.

Sale! Sale! Sale! at Babes in Arms

babyunivers — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 06:15:47 +0000

Babes in Arms is offering Hug a Bub Original Carriers for only $105 INCLUDING FREE EXPRESS POST just in time for Christmas.

In the Hug-a-Bub, your baby feels hugged even though your hands may be busy doing other things.

It’s ergonomic design, wraps around your torso, from shoulders to hips, reducing unnecessary strain on your shoulders, neck and back. The wrap offers symmetrical weight distribution and is therefore extremely comfortable. The wide shoulder wraps double up to provide secure support for babies’ head and neck, making it truly hands free.

•The Hug-a-bub® provides comfort with both middle and lower back support for adults
•Wide stretch cloth straps that criss-cross over middle back and again over the sacrum, embracing the hips and eliminating neck and shoulder strain.
•Promotes healthy spinal development by ensuring that the baby’s weight is lifted upward and inward, distributed evenly over the mothers torso (belly to torso)
•Provides excellent relief for colicky babies due to the upright, warm, belly to belly firmness
•Assists babies with poor sleep habits as the wrap is so snugly and womb-like babies settle into a deep sleep very quickly
•Includes Instructional DVD, demonstrating all 4 positions and the do’s and don’ts of correct wearing
•Washing machine & dryer friendly (treat as you would a T-Shirt, the stretch like quality of the 100% Jersey cotton means it regains it’s stretch when washing or drying).
•No weight limit, however recommended 0-15kg

If you want to carry your baby for shorter periods of time, we recommend ‘Breeze Baby’ www.breezebaby.com.au or ‘Peanut Shell’ www.babesinarms.com.au/peanut-shell slings for their fuss-free, throw-n-go convenience.
If your child is 5-6mths or older, you can’t go past the ERGObaby Carrier http://www.babesinarms.com.au/ergobaby for comfort and versatility.

Fake ERGObaby carriers pose serious safety risk.

babyunivers — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:04:09 +0000

An illegal trade in potentially dangerous copies of a popular baby product has been discovered in Australia. Over the past few months, counterfeit versions of the immensely popular ERGObaby carrier have been offered for sale on online auction sites.

The Australian and New Zealand distributor of the product, Babes in Arms, has been campaigning to raise awareness of the fakes and to stop the products reaching unsuspecting consumers.

Babes in Arms Director, Anita Lincolne-Lomax, says that trusting parents are being deceived into buying a substandard product that poses a serious safety risk.

‘Safety is a paramount consideration for parents when they’re buying baby products. These copies are very convincing, and even the most discerning buyer could be fooled’, says Anita.

‘The prices being asked for the counterfeit ERGObaby carriers are not that much cheaper than the genuine product. Clever fakes may save a few dollars initially but the potential cost in terms of safety is incalculable.’

Authentic ERGObaby carriers recently exploded onto the scene as a phenomenally successful ‘must-have’ item for parents. ERGObaby Carriers are currently the 2^nd top selling carrier nationwide.

The ergonomically designed carriers are made from high quality, certified materials produced in independently inspected factories that adhere to responsible work practices. The ERGObaby has attracted a host of international product awards and health endorsements and is the only baby carrier to be listed as one of the ‘Top 20 baby products over the last 20 years’ by U.S Parenting magazine.

Unlike many other carriers on the market, ERGObaby carriers can be worn from birth to preschool (up to 18kgs) on the front, back and hip. Development of the product followed extensive research to ensure the ERGObaby provided a physiologically correct sitting position for baby’s hip, pelvis and spine growth. This helps to eliminate compression of the spine when hanging by the crotch, which is the position required by most other designs.

The counterfeit ERGObaby carriers are:

· made with inferior material and parts – particularly the buckles

· not product tested for safety standards

· not covered by any product insurance

· not covered by product warranty

· not likely to comply with US lead-free criteria

‘The people responsible for making the counterfeit ERGObaby carriers are preying on parents who want to nurture and care for their children and who are trying to save money by buying discounted or second hand goods through auction sites’, says Anita.

‘They have no concern for the safety of the end user or for the fact that their fake product poses a serious threat.’

At this time of year, baby carriers are being bought in huge numbers as Christmas presents or to use when travelling or holidaying with a baby.

‘It’s distressing that people are, in good faith, buying what they think is a wonderful and safe product, but are being ripped of by these terrible copies.’

The counterfeit product is exempt from any manufacturer’s warranty policy and has questionable safety, comfort and reliability.

Anita says that her company is doing everything it can to try and stop the fakes reaching consumers.

‘We’ve posted warnings on our website and have contacted all of our stockists to alert them of the situation, asking them to place warnings in their stores and online.’

Product manufacturer ERGObaby USA is attempting to stop the counterfeits at the manufacturing source and legal advice is being sought in an attempt to put a permanent stop to the trade. Both ERGObaby USA and Babes in Arms are also in daily contact with online auction sites to have the fake listings removed.

‘We have had clients come to us after buying a fake who express such regret that they have wasted their money and saying that they wish they’d just gone to an authorised stockist’, says Anita.

‘The only real protection for consumers at the moment is to make sure they are purchasing an authentic, quality product that meets safety standards and is covered by warranty and product insurance.

‘Unfortunately, unless you buy from an authorised distributor or stockist you have no way of really knowing if the product you are buying is what you expect it to be.

‘We strongly suggest that people only purchase ERGObaby products through authorised ERGObaby stores and distributors and not through any auction sites.’

For local authorised ERGObaby stockists in Australia and NZ, go to www.babesinarms.com.au or call 1300 725 276

The Benefits of Babywearing

babyunivers — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:33:12 +0000

by Anita Lincolne-Lomax

Babywearing = balancing you and your baby’s needs.

Babywearing is an instinctive parenting style where a baby is held close to the parent in a sling or a pouch for a substantial part of the day. It allows a busy parent the freedom to continue their normal daily routine while providing the richest and most desirable environment for their child.

BENEFITS FOR BABIES

EMOTIONAL BENEFITS
· Increases parent-infant bonding
· Babies feel safe and secure
· Carried babies are comforted by hearing the
   parent’s body rhythms
· Decreases the levels of stress hormones
   circulating in the baby’s blood stream
· Reduces crying and fussiness by up to 51%
· Carried babies fall asleep quickly and will usually
   sleep deeper and for longer periods
· Sling babies are less clingy because they are more
   secure, confident and self reliant.

PHYSIOLOGICAL BENEFITS
· Increases baby’s cardiac output, improves
   circulation, promotes respiration and aids in
   digestion
· Reduces symptoms of colic and reflux
· Enhances motor skills by stimulating the baby’s
   Vestibular System (balance organs)
· Develops the muscles needed for the infant to sit,
   stand and walk.

COGNITIVE BENEFITS
· Carried babies see and experience the world, they
   participate with their parents, develop their senses
   faster, cry less, learn more and thrive better
   because they are less bored and more relaxed
· Babies spend a lot more time in a “quiet and alert
   state” when carried – the ideal state for learning.
· Stimulates brain development and expands their
   future learning potential.

BENEFITS FOR PARENTS

EMOTIONAL BENEFITS
· Increases parent-infant bonding
· Increased confidence in ability to care for baby
· Increased freedom of being able to look after your
   baby while still carrying out other necessary tasks,
   like looking after siblings
· Increased freedom to go out even while your baby is
   asleep in the sling
· Increased sense of control
· Increased ability to cope with the new stress and
   emotion of having a baby
· Reduces risk of post-natal depression.

PHYSIOLOGICAL BENEFITS
· Increased breast milk supply by being in close
   contact with your baby
· Parents are not weighed down by prams, making
   outdoor exercise easier and therefore more likely
· Parent’s muscular strength develops in relation to
   the baby’s growing weight.

COGNITIVE BENEFITS
· Parents learn to understand baby’s cue faster in
closer contact, giving parents greater confidence.

RECOMMENDED READING
The Vital Touch: How Intimate Contact With Your Baby Leads to Happier, Healthier Development by Sharon Heller

Visit Babes in Arms

This summer, a happy baby is a Breeze.

babyunivers — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:21:12 +0000

A new product just released into the Australian market is sure to make parents and babies a whole lot happier this summer.

The Breeze Baby, from specialist baby sling distributors Babes in Arms, is a versatile baby carrier designed to keep baby cool and close, peaceful and settled.

Babes in Arms Director—and entrepreneurial mama—Anita Lincolne-Lomax says that the Breeze Baby is one of the most versatile products she has seen on the market.

‘One of the things that makes the Breeze Baby different to other slings is that it can be worn anywhere. This product is made from a beautiful fabric that breathes, is light and cool, but is also quick drying, so it can be worn in the sea, the swimming pool or in the shower.’

The unique Breeze Baby features five distinct sling positions—perfect for snuggling newborns or toddlers up to 15 kilos in weight—and adjusts easily to provide a comfortable fit for different wearers. It is crafted from a certified non-toxic, quick drying, machine-washable fabric, is ultra-light and packs easily into a baby bag. It’s also incredibly strong, with aluminium rings that have been product tested up to 180 kilograms.

While its simple, adjustable design, strength and quality make the Breeze Baby a great choice for everyday use, Anita emphasises that it is perfect for the approaching summer.

‘This product is fantastic for keeping baby cool and close in hot weather and for water babies—an essential item for family beach holidays!

The benefits of carrying a baby close—or babywearing—are many. Babywearing allows a busy parent the freedom to continue their normal daily routine while providing the richest and most desirable environment for their child. Babywearing is an instinctive parenting style, traditional in many cultures and gaining increasing popularity in western countries.

The Breeze Baby sling retails for $79 and is available from leading baby stores and www.breezebaby.com.au

BabyBjorn Goes Organic!

babyunivers — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 02:23:26 +0000

The new family of BabyBjörn products enables parents to be kind to the earth for the next generation, while keeping their little ones safe and content using BabyBjörn favourites. BabyBjörn’s organic line features three of their most popular products made from organically grown cotton: BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Original Organic in Walnut and BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Active Organic and BabyBjörn Babysitter Balance Organic in Walnut/Khaki. The textiles all meet the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). They are also Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Class 1 certified, meaning that they are absolutely safe and free from any hazardous substances.

BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Original Organic can be used from 3.5 kgs/8 lbs up to 11 kgs/25 lbs RRP$149.95

BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Active Organic can be used from 3.5 kgs/8 lbs up to 12kgs/26 lbs RRP$219.95

BabyBjörn Babysitter Balance can be used from 3.5 kgs/8 lbs up to 13 kgs/29lbs RRP$249.95

The organic range will be available in late November 2009.

Visit: www.babybjorn.com