Sounds all very serious and official, but actually it’s a heap of fun! Bebe now has over 600 product reviews on our site, and we thought we’d take it that step further and offer more of a personal insight into how our products are used by recruiting some members to our bebe road testing team.

How does it work?

Quite simply actually. We send you  products on a regular basis based on your childs age, you try it out and then you  blog your experience here !

Do I get to keep the product?

Yes, you certainly do. All we ask is for an honest insight as well as a happy snap of your wee one enjoying (we hope) our products! Occasionally you may be offered the option of trialing a larger product (such as a stroller/furniture). In such instances, we would collect the product from you.

What kind of products would I be road testing?

This will depend on the age of your child but anything from essentials such as wraps, lotions, books, carriers. bath toys and clothing to educational toys, decor and strollers.

Am I what you’re looking for?

If you are a parent with a child/children aged 0-5 and have a flair for writing, then yes!

What would be my commitment ?

This would depend on your availability. We envisage sending each person product a fortnight. There may also be  blogging opportunities should this be something you wish to do as well.

How do I apply?

Please post a picture  (preferably your child and the product) and a brief 150-200 word road test on any of our products on our Facebook page. The aim is to maintain a personal element rather than a solely a product review. Here is an example of some road tests that we have written that shares a personal experience with a product.  You will need to post the review in the COMMENTS field as facebook wil not accept more than a few characters otherwise.

 Once you have done this, please email us at carey@bebeonline.com.au with a short paragraph about your self. Please also include whether you would be interested to writing a blog a fortnight for us on another parenting topic that interests you.

Submissions are open until March 24th, 2010.

We finally reached a point where we just had to try and go out to eat food on plates, served proudly by others, surrounded by people who were also seated - you know, normal life. But with a 4 month old were we just kidding ourselves? Perhaps, but we had to give it a go. We strapped on the New Ergo Sports Carrier, placed Harper inside, held our breath and off we went. We have found the Ergo to be a very comfortable carrier with its padded shoulder straps and perfectly placed waist belt, it works extremely well for me and the missus. Harper fell asleep quickly and allowed us to walk briefly, sneak into the cafe order and when she awoke, she was calmly sitting, watching me and the others in the cafe get along with their normal lives. The difference with the Ergo is that it takes the weight mostly around the hips making it a more comfortable option. The baby enjoys the walking motion which is generated by the hip movement. The Ergo is on the frequently used list and is worth a research. Based on our use we are recommending it. Want to go to the product listing? Read more about the Ergo Sport baby carrier here…

There she goes, the beautiful Harper aged 4 months and absolutely going for it in the Baby Bjorn Bouncer with toy set. As all parents go, we were wondering (read: apprehensive) how she would fare in the bouncer as most little ones have the attention of a domestic pet. Harper went in on the first occasion, looked at us, looked at the toys as she was away. We place her in the bouncer in the kitchen, where we exercise, or eat, and she is in her happy place watching us, concentrating furiously on what the heck those toys actually are and how they taste. We are left with our movable arms and 8kgs less to carry around for while. Win win. The beauty of this bouncer is that once Harper is older we remove the skin as shown, turn it around and provide her with her own first bouncing chair. Those Scandos always look at the longer term.

There I am, besotted Pops with eyes only for the precious cargo on board the best pram I have ever used. This Stokke Xplory has been designed like most of the Scando gear -  to be child and parent focused. I am 6 foot 1 inch (taller in high heels, ladies) so the nice-n-high baby position keeps little Harper nice-n-close to me. When my completely normal height spouse takes over she can lower the height to suit her perfectly and obtains the same close parent/child ratio. The beauty of the Stokke Xplory design is that the baby always feels the reassurance of the responsible adult and if needed the parent can reach out and keep touching the child to provide even further reassurance. The stroller mode capsule (as glamorously illustrated above) is both rearward and frontward facing so when Harper has the proverbial gutful of Pops (unlikely) , she can turn and face the world. The pram we previously  owned managed to frustrate our first born due to us stopping at cafes or fences and chatting/perving whilst our son cried with frustration as all he could see was the underneath of the cafe tables or the bottom of the fence. The Stokke Xplory is designed in a way that if we can see ‘it’, Harper can too - problem solved.

Aesthetically the design is right up my alley, this really is the Audi of the pram world. The comments of curious passersby are both flattering and regular. I would recommend this pram for the both the highly evolved rationale ie. parent/child bonding as well as the terribly shallow rationale of cutting edge design and the constantly flattering looks and questions.

That’s me, proud father, bad bed hat, shot on location. Our beautiful angel born around 3 months ago, has reflux and is best handled with upright “irregular” (more on this later) walking. Personal Best 4 hours followed by lots of groaning, flat out on the couch and a great night’s sleep. Wife’s eyes were rolling . . .

I have been using/ been attached to the Baby Bjorn Synergy Baby Carrier pretty much three times a day every day. With our little girl having reflux it is the one thing that sends her straight to dreamtime. The theory (ie. my personal reality) that the upright baby position, combined with the adult walking motion reminds them too much of the womb ie. feeling safe, contained and ready for slumber. When there is any form of lack of deep sleep the author commences project “irregular walking” which constitutes walking sideways, up and down stairs, gutters, nature strips with the associated curious looks from passersby. Walking styles include the sideways crab, circular sway, waltz and have quietly considered the lambada but as it is the forbidden dance . . .

Clear upsides: with this much walking author practically able to eat anything and not gain weight, oh, and baby happy and sleeping well (apparently the later point this is supposed to be what this baby carrier is all about my wife wearily informs me).

Downsides: Have had to openly go in broad daylight and purchase tracksuit pants aka “trackies” (yeah plural) and realised that there are differences between this attire. Readers please note make sure your track pants have a rear pocket for wallet.

In short product highly recommended. I have been using for three months will be using for the next 6 - 9 months. Please ensure that the additional Baby Bjorn Cover is purchased for the colder times and as the baby grows into teething purchase the terry toweling bib pack to soak up the baby drool - nice.

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!

My 9 day old  baby (that’s her in the pic looking ever so cosy) has been very up-front in showing us her favourite bebe product. Our Nurseryworks Sleepytime Rocker  has quickly become one of the best tools for settling her, which has suprised us as its proven as much a settling rocker as it  has a nursing chair. 

For parents of a crying baby a rocking chair has to be high on your list of nursery furniture - up there with the car capsule and a baby carrier. Whether bubs is crying from boredom or tension, snuggling together in a rocking chair has a calming effect (on both of you).    I’m in this chair at least 8-9 times a day, whether it be for daytime feeds, pre-sleep settling, or sleepy twilight feeds in front of Foxtel’s Will & Grace re-runs.  

 What Im loving about my Nurseryworks Sleepytime Rocker -

POST-OP COMFORT -

Having had a c-section means pacing the house carrying  bubs is not an option. The rocker fully supports my back, and allows me to spend precious mothering time without being on my feet.

NURSING MADE EASY -

With an upright back and big wide arms that are at a low height, nursing finally feels comfortable and is not a strain on my back or neck. A good feeding pillow and/or cushion is also a must for optimal nursing ergonomics.

SOPORIFIC EFFECT-

The rocking motion works well to calm Harper, by distracting her from tummy pains during un-settled periods. She knows when it starts rocking that its “sleepy-time!”

LONGEVITY -

I know that we wont be out growing this rocker anytime soon (my five year old  already loves it!). Going forward I can see us rocking and singing, rocking and reading or simply rocking whenever there is a need to dissipate tension (with or without child!).

Did I mentioned it looks great ? Our Sleepytime Rocker fits in beautifully with the decor of our home. With its modern lines and neutral Mocha tone, its a very inviting chair for anyone to experience.  This one’s got the whole family’s vote.

We’ll openly admit we fell for Mutsy Spider’s ever-so-cool marketing campaign and just HAD to get it in. We’ve received our first delivery of the New Mutsy Spider, and must say our initial road-tests have us very excited and enthused about this revolutionary stroller. The Mutsy Spider Collection is remarkably innovative, offering all the benefits of lightweight strollers with the most compact and simple fold available.  Our road test today revealed the Mutsy has some great features that you wouldnt otherwise find in such a small, compact stroller: 

1. MAXIMUM MANEUVERABILITY - the Mutsy Spider has the incredible ability to turn with the flick of a finger. It turns very easily, even using your elbow (dont ask why we turned the pram with our elbows, we just did).

2. ADJUSTABLE HANDLES-  While this is not an overly unique feature with the larger strollers, it feels kind of special having this feature on such a compact stroller.  Both tall & shortys can feel comfortable pushing the Mutsy Spider

3. STORAGE BASKET- while its not a huge basket, its enough for handbag and baby essentials. This is an important feature that many of the lightweight stroller companies overlook

4. FLIP UP FOOT REST - Prevent “dangling leg syndrome” by providing support for little ones feet with the flipup foot rest. 

 The Mutsy Spider has our vote - learn more about it here, or come in store for a demo and see what the fuss is all about.