Arriving Thursday is the new BabyBjorn Travel Cot. Wish this one was around a few years ago when I had my first.  Travelling parent’s breathe a sigh of relief…

Purchase the new BabyBjorn Travel Cot Light here…

We have been stocking Branberry’s blankets for over six years now and are still so impressed with their consistently high quality and soft feel. We also have regular “branberry” customers that visit us yearly in store to pick up a Branberry blanket for overseas baby gifts (Branberry blankets are still proudly made in Australia).

The new Art Deco cot blankets have caught my eye - I love the design as it is modern yet still has a classic element. They are made from 70% combed cotton and30% fine merino, making them a perfect choice for all year round. Im considering the pink one, but must get this one authorised by hubby as we do have a fare share of beautiful cot blankets (I apparently “collect cot blankets like handbags”).

Check out the full Branberry blanket range here…

Up until now it has been  hard to find the perfect kids plate. These new personalised plates are not only  modern and fun (no cartoon characters here!) , but it lets them know which is theirs and helps them with name recognition. These new plates are safe for the kiddies as they are made from melamine and are BPA free. They’re also a great size  (10”) which is much more generous than the standard kids plate. The only catch is that there’s a 4 week turnaround time, so one must be quick to make it in time for Santa’s sleigh.. Check out the full range here.

Bugaboo enthusiasts can now customise their Bugaboo stroller with their child’s name thanks to US company American Terry. Available in a range of colours and of course your  little one’s name, this will ensure your stroller stands out from the crowd.  We’re still waiting for the day Bugaboo commissions a range of strollers to create deigner toppings for this world popular pram. We’ve seen Paul Frank and Marc Jacobs versions.. who will be next..?

Theres been a gap on bebe’s carrier shelf for some time now as we just couldnt find  the right product to fill it. An adjustable sling in simple non - offensive colours is what we needed.. Too much to ask? Well until now, yes. We found adjustable slings but they were either tie die or paisley. We found simple colours but they werent adjustable. We think you get the drift.

We’re loving the new Mini Monkey slings not only for these two features (love, love love the grey), but also due to the longevity and range of positions possible. We know your attention span is as short as ours so we’ve put together a graphical guide to these positions (below)…

0 - 3 months

Banana (foetal position)
Baby can be carried in the sling in the banana position from birth. The baby hears the heartbeat of the sling wearer and is in the fœtal position, reminding him of the cozy womb he just left. The sling is also great for discreet breastfeeding.

Hammock position
The baby sling can also be used as a hammock in the playpen. Gently rocking the hammock to-and-fro will put baby to sleep. Also helpful for babies with colic. The sling can also be used in larger playpens - in this case it should be hung diagonally in a corner.

3 months +
Kangaroo position
Once baby’s back is stronger, the kangaroo position can be used. In this position baby sits facing forward in the sling with feet forward and up high. Baby’s head leans against the sling strap.

Belly position
In the belly sit the baby/toddler sit with their belly against the wearer’s belly. Baby’s legs come out the bottom of the sling. The sling is a ’seat’ with the sling also supporting baby’s back. In this position the older the child, the lower the sling can be on their back as they increasingly need less back support.

Toddlers up to 12 kg
Hipster position
Once the toddler’s back is strong enough you can use the hipster position. In this position the clasp sits on the chest so that the sling will sit just above your hip. The toddler sits in the sling with legs coming out on either side of the wearer’s hip

 Check out the range of Mini Monkey slings here

We love the Babu range for its focus on providing quality, safe nursery essentials for babies. Babu’s 100% cotton and organic cotton range is free of nasties providing mums with peace of mind that these fabrics wont be harmful or abrasive on newborn’s delicate skin. 

This week we’re giving away a $400 Babu Nursery Essentials pack just for sending us a simple email! Helping us is EASY, and in doing so you will be placed in the draw to win a $400 Baby Nursery Essentials Pack , which includes:

THE PRIZE:

1 x Babu Cot Sheet Set (value $159.95)

1 x Babu Organic Cotton Baby Hooded Towel (value $64.95)

1 x Babu Kimono Style All-in-One (shown above) in your size choice (value $32.95)

2 x Babu Kimono Bodysuits in your size choice (value $53.90)

1 x Babu Bound Baby Wrap (value $29.95)

1 x Babu Bib Set of two (value $32.95)

2 x Babu Baby Hat (value $25.90)

We know there are many people outside of the bebe online community that would appreciate being informed of our new baby gift hampers, which is a new service to corporate customers. Bebe is relying on YOU (our helpful bebe community) to build on our list of relevant parties.

TO ENTER:

Email us the Email address of someone you know in a company that employs 5 or more people that may be interested in receiving an email from us with details of our baby gift hampers.  The more company contacts you submit to us, the more entries you will have into the contest (please do not send us more than one name per company).

Email this contact address to: competitions@bebeonline.com.au

We promise not to repeatedly bother your friend/associate - we will email them on one occasion only to announce the details of our corporate baby hampers in the coming weeks.

Competition closes next Sunday June 21st at midnight and is drawn at random, with winner announced in the week commencing June 22nd, 2009 here on the bebe blog. Good luck! 

Choosing a baby carrier can be difficult for first time mums, given that there are such a large range on the market - from slings to baby bjorns, to front and back carrying options.   Over the past 6 weeks I have tested my Sleepy Wrap baby carrier for its practicality, comfort, and overall functionality. I have also used a baby sling and baby bjorn carrier with bubs, so am feeling like quite the qualified road-tester!

Bubs unfortunately has reflux and so far  will only settle during the day by  being held up-right. This means that the pram is not an option, nor is sleeping in the cot.  The Sleepy Wrap has therefore been a CONSTANT part of my last 6 weeks, not only as a settling tool but also enabling me to get out and about.  Every morning after breakfast I put her in the Sleepy Wrap and head out for a stroll around the local park - Harper is asleep within minutes and I can enjoy some fresh air and exercise (what a great way to start the day!).

Its such a relief to have found a settling tool that works for me every time. The Sleepy Wrap enables this as shes is calmed by the closeness to me, my movement, heartbeat and scent.  During un-settled periods she’s put straight in the wrap and taken for a quick stroll  (or if its raining, I’ll step onto Wii Fit for a stroll!).  

The Sleepy Wrap provides comfortable back support for both of us, meaning that I can keep her in there for long periods without either of us getting uncomfortable. I have used many types of carriers, and this carrier wins hands down on the comfort front.

My tips for fellow Sleepy Wrap-ers:

PRACTICE TYING BEFORE BUBS ARRIVES

Perhaps use a teddy or if you’re local pop into bebe for some practice and tying tips! This way, once baby is born you wont have to waste any preicous time with getting it on correctly, and bubs can be soothed as fast as possible. My husband got the hang of it faster than me despite my pre-baby training, - I can only attribute that one to “baby brain” and sleep deprivation.

SELECT COLOUR CAREFULLY

I have a black Sleepy Wrap which works great for me as most of my winter wardrobe is dark and Melbourne is very wintery. However we have had a few hot days in April, and I found both myself and bubs got very hot out in the sun. If I were to be giving birth in the warmer months (or living in a warmer climate), I would have purchased a lighter colour. That said, I will most likely be purchasing a second Sleepy Wrap come summer.

PRE-PLAN CAR TRIPS

If you’re taking bubs out in the car and dont want to have to un-settle her too much at the other end, I would recommend tying your Sleepy Wrap before you hop in the car (placing baby in her car seat). Then once you arrive at the other end and need to get bubs out of the car, you are all ready to go. This tip is particularly useful when you have other children and need to move fast (such as school pick ups etc).

The Sleepy Wrap has assisted to make my overall experience with Harper that so much more peaceful, enjoyable and enabled us to bond in these early weeks. There arent many products on the market that I can say have contributed in such a profound way.

Check out the Sleepy Wrap here.. and feel free to email me (carey@bebeonline.com.au) with any troubleshooting queries on the Sleepywrap, as I’d be happy to help!

Every parent worries about what goes into their baby’s mouth, which is why we love Danish brand Natursutten, which translates in english to “Natural Soother”. With my first baby I would not even consider using a dummy or teether as I knew through my studies in nutrition that the mouth is the one place that the body absorbs the most toxins.  There have been the odd dummy manufacturer that has released their own “safer” versions of dummys, but  they all still contain nasties which are harmful to our babies and best avoided.

Natursutten pacifiers/dummys and teethers are made with absolutely no BPA, phthlates, silicone or chemical softeners. By making the Natursutten choice, both you and your baby are free from:

Allergy Causing Substances

Artificial Colour

Cancer Causing Substances

Chemical Softeners, Parabens, PVCs and Phthlates

The Natursutten pacifiers are made from pure rubber wood, making them the most natural choice available in Australia, and the best choice for piece of mind for your child. The natural teething rings contain no baddies and are filled with purified steralised water, so there is no danger of any type of oil or chemical leakage from the ring.  As I prepare for the impeding birth of my next child I’m relieved that these natural options are now available to my family, providing me with peace of mind and most of all ONE LESS THING to worry about!

Check out the Natursutten range here…

Just in our doors in time for the New Year are these beautiful teething rattles from Nature Baby. Handmade from Kauri, these safe and non-toxic teething rattles (shown middle) are a natural choice for teething babies. Stylish and functional, these wooden teething rattles make a perfect gift for a special baby in your life.

Also from Nature Baby come these beautiful willow rattles, made solely from fine willow shoot. These rattles are safe, non-toxic and light for little hands to handle with ease, and with a tiny bell inside the willow making a gentle tickling sound, will delight any child.

If you’ve ever looked for a babies hairbrush and been disappointed with the synthetic ones you’ve found, this divine little brush with a natural waxed beech handle and soft goat hair bristles will have you crooning with joy. Gentle and delicate, this brush is perfect for a newborns or young childs soft head. Team it up with a Nature Baby bib or short sleeve bodysuit, and you’ve got a gift straight from the heavens.

If you’ve  loved the Palette Plate and Playspots from Skip Hop, you’ll be thrilled to see more stock in store at bebe from this fabulous company.

The PRONTO Baby Changer comes in three colors, and is a highly portable and functional change station that has loads of features. The head area is cushioned with an innovative ‘pronto’ cushion and the extra wide mod change mat wipes clean. With front zippered pockets,a mesh pocket and a pad that zips off for independant use, amongst other things, this is the ideal baby changer to keep in the car or hanging from your pram or stroller.

The Pacifer Pocket is a perfect companion for the Pronto Baby Changer and will keep up to two dummies clean and safe. With its convenient strap, this little pocket will clip on wherever you need it, and put an end to the mad panic of trying to find a dummy amongst your other things.

The Skip Hop SPLASH Bottle Dryer has to be the grooviest looking gadget we’ve seen all year! It’s a modern baby bottle drying rack that provides a sculptural space for the endless stream of just washed bottles and accessories. Dishwasher safe, this dryer features an integrated rubber grip bottle brush and a removable tray for disposal of excess water. Put a piece of usable art in your kitchen and get your bottles organised!

Come see the full Skip Hop range in-store, or check it out online here..