Success Through Play™ Magazine: December 2007

Friday

aden + anais Australian muslin baby wraps

Aden + anais was founded in 2004 by Claudia Schwartz and Raegan Jones, Australian natives who relocated to the U.S. in 1998. After becoming mothers, they were concerned by the lack of large muslin cotton fabric baby wraps traditionally used “down under.” They decided to make their own version of these safe and breathable swaddles by creating aden + anais. 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.

Product Features:

*All aden + anais baby products feature 100% breathable muslin cotton

*All aden + anais baby products feature fun and contemporary designs and colors

*Muslin wraps and blankets are safe, affordable and stylish

*Original baby wraps can be used for swaddling, covers, and more

*Special muslin cotton provides warmth without overheating

PURCHASING:

Aden + anais Australian muslin baby wraps are available in packs of 2 and 4 and will make a wonderful baby shower gift. To locate a store near you, please click here .

Alternatively, you can shop at the companies online store .

Success Through Play™ comments:
Muslin wraps are widely used by Australian parents. Muslin wraps date back to late 17th century England and 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 and even neutral designs.

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.

aden + anais products are packaged in a translucent bag which is 100% recyclable. We applaud the company for encouraging parents to "re-use the bags to accommodate your baby's change table/stroller accessories (for wipes and diapers)."

Instructions on how to swaddle are included in the package.

Parent panel feedback was very positive: "After I washed the Muslin Wraps, I found them to be soft, lightweight yet very strong. I had success using them for swaddling and found them ideal to use as a burp cloth."

In addition: "The colors and designs are gorgeous. My colicky baby settled when I swaddled him in the Muslin Wraps. He likes the feeling of the wrap against his skin and I found the texture and material to be very unique and of a high quality. I will be recommending the Muslin Wraps to parents who have summer babies."

If you are expecting a winter baby, consider the New Winter Warmths from aden + anais.

We would like to thank aden + anais for sending us 2 samples of their muslin wraps for this review. To view the full aden + anais product line, please visit:

www.adenandanais.com

Wednesday

Snug & Tug™ Swaddling Blanket

Go Mama Go Designs has created Snug & Tug™ Swaddling Blanket. Its patented, unmatched design has the combination of three special features which creates the feeling of being completely embraced in the snug, warm, and familiar environment of the womb. The full-body pouch, which is sized to grow with your baby, allows your baby to kick and wiggle all night long without escaping. A small opening on the left side, allows you to easily wrap both sides of the blanket around the baby. Strategically placed Velcro strips provide adjustability and ensures that the blanket stays in place.

Snug & Tug™ is offered in 2 sizes, as one size blankets usually do not “fit all” or last too long. The small blanket fits 0-3 months, birth to 16 lbs and up to 25”, the large blanket fits 3-6 months, 14 to 22 lbs and up to 28”. Snug & Tug™ is made with high quality, breathable, super soft cotton and available in 5 cool fabric choices. The packaging is truly original and its adorable design makes it the perfect gift for parents of colicky babies.

PURCHASING:

Snug & Tug™ is available in stores all across the USA and in addition is available in the UK. Online purchasing is available from www.snugandtug.com

Important Warning:

Attach velcro securely to prevent risk of fabric covering mouth or nose. Do not leave baby in loosely wrapped blanket. Do not allow baby to sleep on stomach while swaddled.

Instructional Video
Please click here.

Success Through Play™ comments:

The Snug & Tug™ is a well made, high quality, super soft swaddling product which will appeal to parents who have babies with colic. Always confirm with your baby's pediatrician/GP that the cause of excessive fussiness and/or crying is as a result of colic. It is imperative to have a medical professional rule out any problems before assuming that it is colic. In addition, please consult your baby's doctor before using any swaddling product to make sure that your infant is a suitable candidate.

The practice of swaddling a fussy baby mimics the womb in that swaddling provides babies with tactile and proprioceptive input similiar to what a baby experiences in utero. In May 2005, a study was published in the Journal of Pediatrics (The Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics), which demonstrated that babies who are swaddled sleep longer compared with babies who are not swaddled because swaddling inhibits a number of reflexes, including the hunger reflex. The full pdf can be read here. Since swaddling is most effective in the first 3-4 months, parents should be particularly conscious of how often they are feeding their newborn, to ensure that their baby doesn't go for long stretches without eating, particularly if they are swaddled. For this reason, we recommend that swaddling be reserved for babies who are very fussy and whose doctors have confirmed that they indeed have colic and have approved the use of a swaddling product. Swaddling should be used for limited periods only and as a final resort after trying to console your baby. Hold your swaddled baby as much as possible to add an important element of touch and bonding.

We would like to thank Go Mama Go Designs for sending us 2 Snug & Tug™ Swaddling Blankets for the review. The Snug & Tug™ Blankets were presented beautifully in a box which will impress any parents with colicky babies.

We distributed the two samples to 2 sets of parents with colicky babies. Up until now, they had both been using receiving blankets to swaddle their colicky babies, however their wiggly babies had wiggled out of the swaddle and the receiving blankets were thus ineffective to be used for swaddling.

We sent the parents a link to the instructional video and followed up a few weeks later.

"The Snug & Tug™ is beautiful; the patterns are really colorful and vibrant and the fabric is super soft. The Snug & Tug™ is very well made and stitched beautifully. You can really feel that lots of love went into making these."

More favorable remarks:

"The Snug & Tug™ is something that I would definitely recommend to a friend. It is very secure vs. a regular blanket swaddled that baby can break out of easily. It takes time to master a good swaddle with a regular blanket but the Snug and Tug™ makes you a swaddling pro within a few tries. This is something I myself would purchase as a gift for parents who have a baby with colic."

We wanted to find out about the families experience of using the Snug & Tug™.

"The instructions on the package were easy to follow. However, I found it even easier to view the online demonstration. A visual is so nice! I was not confused when trying to use the Snug & Tug™. My son is a feisty one and has been swaddled since birth. While the Snug & Tug™ did not easily calm him immediately, it was a combination of the Snug& Tug™ and some other "tricks of the trade" that helps calm my high maintenance baby. Without a swaddle, my son would only calm for short periods of time."

To learn more, please visit:

www.SnugandTug.com

Monday

Cozy Cocoon®

The one piece baby body sock for swaddling newborns.

The beauty of the Cozy Cocoon® is its ease! You simply slip it on like a sock! Scrunch it up in your hands & stretch it up over the legs and body of the baby. Gently tuck the hands inside, then carefully fold the arms over the chest while guiding the Cozy Cocoon® up to the neck.

The Cozy Cocoon® is currently available in 4 styles:

Baby Bunting, Sweet Pea, Snug Bug and Rock a Bye.

The Organic Collection
Swaddling your newborn in comfort and beauty with a Cozy Cocoon®, encourages healthy development of the senses and nurtures the child's adjustment out of the womb and into the world. When babies are tucked into the Cozy Cocoon® there is no jerking, startling movement, and no skin-irritating synthetic fabrics to startle them out of their dreamy reverie and into the rollicking world. Our soft, natural organic fabric into which baby is completely tucked and held, is the most natural progression from out of the womb and into the arms of the caregiver.

*No ties,
*No Snaps,
*No Buttons
*No Straps
*Slips onto baby like a sock!

Swaddled babies make happy babies and happy babies make a wonderful world!

Descriptions Provided by Cozy Cocoon®.

Organic Rock A Bye

*Soft and stylish, new moms swear by its ability to settle baby for nursing and holding, midwives recommend them for their new parents, babies find quiet repose in style. Comfy two-tone, double-layer of rich organic cotton, for extra snugness and warmth. Inner layer is a close snug fit while the outer layer hugs tight.

90% organic cotton, 10% lycra

Organic Sweet Pea Cocoon

*Constructed of heavy, thick organic cotton. Baby snuggles happily inside this extra long Cozy Cocoon®. Extra fabric is added at the bottom to keep those new toes comfy and warm. Stretchy cotton hugs tight and allows for room to grow. The opening at the bottom allows for ease in buckling baby in her car seat. Simply roll up the bottom to close the seat belt.

90% organic cotton, 10% lycra *

PURCHASING:

USA please click here.

Cozy Cocoon® Products can be found online on many continents.

UK please click here.

Australia and New Zealand:
Darcy and Brigitte Watson
P O Box 20-125
Te Rapa
Hamilton, 3241
New Zealand
0064 7 849 6429*

Success Through Play™ comments:

The Cozy Cocoon® is a new concept in swaddling fussy babies and is unlike any other swaddling product that we have seen on the international market. Patricia DeLisa, founder of Cozy Cocoon®, is a multi-talented designer, artist and entrepreneur. The simple design of the Cozy Cocoon® will allow parents, grandparents, caregivers etc to swaddle a colicky baby with ease, without the need to understand complicated instructions. You simply roll the Cozy Cocoon® up over your baby and that's it! We applaud Cozy Cocoon® for offering a beautiful organic cotton range which will appeal to eco-minded parents, and parents who have baby's with sensitive skins. The Cozy Cocoon® is an excellent example of a product that mimics the womb! It is essentially a body sock for babies which provides wonderful proprioceptive input to your baby's body, which in turns helps to calm him.

We distributed the 2 samples to 2 sets of parents who have young babies with colic. Both parents are second timers and thought that their experience would come in hand. "Nothing quite prepares you for a baby who has colic." We explained the concept and design of the Cozy Cocoons® and then followed up a few weeks later.

Parent feedback was fantastic: "The Cozy Cocoon® design is a great example of a simple but brilliant idea. When you baby is screaming and you are desperate to calm him you want something simple and easy to have on hand. The Cozy Cocoon® is SO easy to put on and soothes and calms our baby. Swaddling him in the Cozy Cocoon® and then holding him in our arms helps to reduce his colic quite substantially. Thank you Cozy Cocoon®."

We would like to thank Cozy Cocoon® for sending us a sample of their Sweet Pea and Rock a Bye Cozy Cocoons®.

To learn more, please visit:

www.CozyCocoon.com

Friday

Zaky® by Zakeez, Inc

The Zaky® was developed by Yamile C. Jackson, PhD PE in Ergonomics and Human Factors Engineering. Yamile developed the Zaky® in 2001 for her son when she had to go home without him for 5 months because he was prematurely born weighing less than 2 lbs.

By simulating the weight, shape, size, scent, and touch of your hand, the Zaky® offers boundaries, a soothing continual gentle pressure, and a subtle support to your baby's body. It can be scented with your own scent, it is very soft, fully washable, as well as ergonomically designed to provide company, support, and a sense of protection to your baby facilitating bonding even when you are away.

Key Benefits and Features of The Zaky (Provided by Zakeez, Inc)

The Zaky® is recommended by mothers and family members, Neonatologists, Pediatricians, Psychologists, surgeons, obgyns, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, infant massage therapists, developmental specialists, ergonomists and has been used in NICUs since 2001.

Safe and Durable:

*Made without any chemicals, is breathable.

*Antimicrobial, tested by infectious disease control in hospitals

*Fully washable without disassembly

*100% anti-pilling extra soft micro fleece

*Lining of 100% Polyester with double seams

*Reinforced seams

*Hypo-allergenic

*Inert to fluids

*May be warmed in the laundry dryer at home for a couple of minutes.

Versatile:

* Depending on the size and the condition of the baby, the nurse or mom can select how much filling/weight to place on the hand and on top of the baby

* When a firm roll is needed (to keep the baby on his side, under legs, etc), hold the Zaky vertically with the hand on the top, (all the filling in the arm) and then fold the hand to keep the filling on the arm side and place it horizontally on the back of the baby

* Great for keeping the baby sideways while breastfeeding in bed and holding the baby on his/her side

* Small, flexible, lightweight, convenient, practical and transportable

* Safe to use in any place, including neonatal and pediatric hospital units, childcares, home, etc.

* Ideal for supporting the posture of babies in car seats

* Great when taking care of multiple babies simultaneously

* Fantastic for early childhood development as it encourages muscle movement in a safe environment

* Great for moms-to-be, premature babies, newborns and other children

Comforting and Soothing:

* Unscented so the mom or any family member can scent it by placing it behind the neck for an hour or two, or sleeping with it on the chest for a night.

* It may be used on top, around and under the baby to provide boundaries, and it helps positioning the baby while he/she is sidelying, prone, or supine. Always keep away from the face and remove after baby is asleep in the crib.

* Babies feel reassured as if someone is touching them, which assists in their need of feeling protected

* The size and weight simulates the hand of the mother

* Parents feel as they are leaving one hand with their baby, helping them feel more involved in the care of the patient

* It assists your child care providers as the Zaky comforts the baby and reduces anxiety

* It assists with the transition to different environments as it gives something constant and reduces the baby’s shock of experiencing different lighting, scents, sounds, temperature, etc.: within the hospital, from the hospital to the house, in the car seat, from the house to someone else’s house.

GUIDELINES FOR USE:

Please consult your baby's doctor prior to use.

*Full Term Babies
*Premature Infants

PURCHASING:

The Zaky® is offered in both a left and right hand option. Consider buying one of each for optimal use. The Zaky® is available internationally. Please click here to access the store locator

Success Through Play™ comments:

The Zaky® is well designed quality product, which was developed by an Engineer mom who holds a PhD in Ergonomics and Human Factors Engineering. We were impressed to find out that the Zaky® is free of harmful chemicals, making it the ideal choice for babies who are sensitive to chemicals. The Zaky® has many features which make it versatile. It is used successfully with Premature Infants in the NICU, with healthy full term infants and with children and adults.

The soft Zaky® can be scented with moms smell and used to comfort and soothe infants, helping to make the transition from womb to world a little easier. When positioned correctly, the Zaky® provides babies with wonderful proprioceptive and tactile input, similiar to that of swaddling, which in turn helps to calm a baby. The Zaky® promotes a sense of security and may help to calm fussy babies.

We distributed a left and right Zaky® to parents, Alan and Sheri who had recently welcomed their first baby, Eden who was born healthy and full term. They were delighted to be introduced to the Zaky® and were excited to learn how to use it optimally. We recommended to mom that she sleep with the Zaky® to scent it. Next we demonstrated several ways to use the Zaky®.

Eden was experiencing some difficulty falling asleep and Sheri was keen to see if using the Zaky® would help. Please note that the Zaky® must never be placed near a baby's face and if used in a crib, must be used for a limited time, with constant supervision and removed when baby is asleep. Premature infants in the NICU do sleep with the Zaky® which helps to position them and provides a comforting touch, however their vital signs are monitored constantly. Talk with your baby's doctor to see if the Zaky® can be used with your preemie in the NICU.

Alan and Sheri positioned the Zaky® in Eden's crib so that it was away from her face and resting gently on her body. "Eden really loved having the soft Zaky® rest on her body and it helped her fall asleep more easily, at which time we removed it.

Alan and Sheri used the Zaky's® to support Eden's posture when she was in her carseat, bouncer and swing, which they found to be an invaluable feature of the Zaky®. "Before the Zaky®, we tried several different products on the market to help position Eden in her car seat etc, without any success. She would routinely end up lopsided! The Zaky® on the other hand gets the job done and we love how well it supports Eden's body and in addition, holds my scent which helps to keep her calm."

Alan and Sheri found the Zaky® to be helpful when giving Eden her nightly baby massage. "We would highly recommend this versatile product to all new parents" stated Alan and Sheri.

To find out more, please visit:

www.TheZaky.com :

Wednesday

Hug-a-Bub® Baby Carrier

Hugabub Australia Pty Ltd. was founded by Suzanne Shahar, a mother of four, a child birth educator and a doula (birthing support attendant).

Hug-a-Bub® are advocates of 'attachment parenting'. Attachment parenting is a high touch, responsive style of baby care that brings out the best in both baby and parents. It is the style of care that parents would naturally use if they followed their instincts and intuition. In cultures all around the world, this natural type of parenting is practiced with support from extended family, friends, or community and is usually supported by the use of some kind of baby sling. The Hug-a-Bub® wrap carrier was designed with an appreciation for the fact that babies need to be in close contact with their parents; and with empathy for how difficult this can be for a parent without the support of an extra pair of hands. Hugabub Australia Pty Ltd have designed a baby carrier that's made it more comfortable and convenient for parents to wear their baby 'in a hug' as they go, rather than to continually stop to rock the pram, shake the rattle or bounce the bouncer.

Product Description (provided by Hugabub Australia Pty Ltd).

Countless customer testimonials and professional reviews, will help convince you that it is certainly a carrier worth checking out. This 'wrap-style" carrier is without a doubt the most comfortable baby carrier around; it's weight distribution is simply unmatched by any other design.

Features

Lightweight and sporty, the Hug-a-Bub® provides full back support, as the carrier is literally wrapped around your torso, giving the baby a nearly weightless feel, while providing total head and neck support for baby. Made in Australia, of soft, high-grade 100% cotton jersey, they are as cute and comfortable as your favorite t-shirt. The fabric is stretchy enough to allow "popping" of the baby in and out, yet it is supportive enough to keep you comfortably carrying a large baby.

The dominating concerns in the design of the Hug-a-Bub® were finding a way to provide comfort (for parent and child), security and a sense of freedom, while meeting our infants important need for closeness.

Points of difference:

1. Feels like you are hugging your baby
2. Offers total head and neck support
3. Suitable for even the tiniest preemie
4. Distributes baby’s weight into body…does not drag from shoulders or compress baby’s spine
5. There are no clips of buckles to rub, dig into or break
6. Recommended by chiropractors, physiotherapists and Osteopaths
7. Stretchy and flexible to wear
8. Hold baby against parents body…nothing in between

PURCHASING:

To locate a retailer please click here.

Success Through Play™ comments:

We were delighted to receive a sample of the Hug-A-Bub® which was sent to us from Australia. The Hug-A-Bub® Baby Carrier (ie. hugging a baby) embodies "mimicking the womb" in every sense of the word. Carrying your baby in a soft carrier allows your baby to experience movement (like a swing provides), soothing tactile and proprioceptive feedback (as a swaddled baby would feel), while baby can smell mom/dad and hear a reassuring heartbeat. Thus babywearing provides the "most bang for your buck" when it comes to products which mimic the womb. Babies who are carried in a soft carrier such as the Hug-A-Bub® cry significantly less compared to babies who are placed in stroller. The benefits to babywearing are endless and Hug-A-Bub® does a wonderful job of listing many of the benefits in a brochure which is included with the purchase of every Hug-A-Bub®. In addition, parents receive a fantastic instructional DVD, which clearly demonstrates the tying instructions.

For those of you who are familiar with Babywearing, the Hug-A-Bub® would be considered a wrap style baby carrier. There is a small learning curve to learning how to tie the wrap, but you will quickly become familiar with the method with the assistance of the DVD and some practice. We would recommend practicing on a doll/teddy bear first so that you feel comfortable.

The Hug-A-Bub® is a high quality baby carrier which is available in a variety of beautiful prints - there is something for everyone. Dads will feel confident wearing their baby in the Hug-A-Bub®.

A unique feature of the Hug-A-Bub is that it has a built-in drawstring pocket (the center panel), so when you need to store the long piece of fabric, you can place the entire carrier inside the pocket for easy storage. This essentially means that your carrier will stay clean and will travel with ease.

Hugabub Australia Pty Ltd has partnered with Tex Skuthorpe, a popular Aboriginal artist and educator who has devoted much of his time to help children and families of Australia through his art, storytelling and facilitation. Tex has created a beautiful Indigenous design on the pocket of the Hug-A-Bub®. The artwork is both beautiful and meaningful because it tells a story. Hugabub Australia Pty Ltd. has committed to donate a percentage of the profits from the sale of this special Indigenous Design to charity.

In addition, Hugabub Australia Pty Ltd is involved with The Greengecko Project, a wonderful and worthy organization which enriches the lives of street children in Siem Reap. We applaud Hugabub Australia Pty Ltd.'s commitment to charitable organizations.

Wrap-Carriers are the ideal carriers from birth to 6 months. The fabric, when tied correctly, will support your baby's posture well. The tying technique will essentially add support for your baby from all directions, which is wonderful for newborns and young babies who lack postural control. Moms can nurse easily and discreetly in the Hug-A-Bub®. In addition, wraps such as the Hug-A-Bub® are ideal for Kangaroo Care (please consult your baby's doctor prior).

We distributed the Hug-A-Bub® Baby Carrier to a couple who had recently welcomed their first son. They were new to babywearing but knew from the start that they wanted to babywear, due to the wonderful benefits that babywearing offers. The couple found the DVD to be extremely helpful and really appreciated the clear, step-by-step instructions which encouraged them to try it for themselves. Armed with a Doll, they each proceeded to tie the wrap and after a few attempts each, it become second nature. They were now ready to try wrapping with their 3 week old son and they were amazed at their baby's response. "Baby Jackson calmed right down when we placed him snugly in the carrier and his crying has diminished considerably. I love how I have my hands free to go about my everyday activities, this is fantastic. The Hug-A-Bub® keeps Jackson snugly in place and has enhanced the bonding process tremendously. He is close to our heart literally and I wouldn't have it any other way. We have received quite a bit of attention in the streets, because the Hug-A-Bub® is so pretty and Jackson is so quiet when we are wearing him. Thank you Hug-A-Bub®."

To learn more, please visit:

www.HugABub.com

Monday

Miracle Blanket®

An exhausted father’s frustration gave birth to the Miracle Blanket® — ecstatic customers named it after sleeping for the first time in weeks! Michael Gatten decided he wouldn’t settle for another colicky baby.

Following exhaustive research, cutting, stitching and testing the design on his then four-week-old son, Michael created a simple and incredibly effective solution that greatly enhances the age-old technique of swaddling. Before he knew it, Good Housekeeping Magazine® got a hold of his creation, gave it the coveted “Thumbs Up!” and the rest is history. In 2002 Michael Gatten formed AMB Enterprises, an Oregon company based in Medford , to produce and distribute the Miracle Blanket® which is now used around the world by 100s of
thousands of parents, hospitals, pediatricians, midwives, nannies, NICU nurses, Maternity Ward Nurses, day care facilities. Sales have spread throughout the United States , United Kingdom , South Africa , Switzerland, Mexico , Canada , Australia , New Zealand as well as Japan , Korea, China and the Philippines, Scandinavia and Germany to name a few.

DESCRIPTION (Provided by Miracle Blanket®)

The Miracle Blanket® is the only true swaddling blanket successfully designed to mimic the womb in a way that nearly always triggers a dream-like serenity in a restless, crying baby almost immediately. The Miracle Blanket® is designed to eliminate excess fabric which traps heat leading to overheating. Additionally, the fabric selected for Miracle Blanket is a very breathable 100% cotton knit that actually becomes even more breathable when stretched. This is in stark contrast to other products on the market that are made of flannel/combed cotton and micro fleece. The result, a blanket that causes less overheating than any other blanket that can be wrapped as securely and safely.

The unique shape of the Miracle Blanket also provides lateral pressure across the mid-section acting as a "colic band" while placing a lighter pressure across the chest to avoid inhibiting breathing and no actual binding/snugness below the hips. Because of this, there is no binding whatsoever on the legs. wrapped as tightly as possible. This is another aspect not taken into consideration by other products. Patented arm flaps inside the Miracle Blanket loosely hold baby’s arms at its side preventing movement across the chest which can wake a baby or allow a baby to free its hands and scratch its face. The Miracle Blanket is also specifically designed to cause no binding whatsoever below the waist; yet another major benefit over using a traditional receiving blankets or other “swaddlers” on the market. Finally, the non-binding/loose foot pocket incorporated into the blanket’s overall design allows for a good tight swaddle of the upper-body as needed, while actually eliminating any concern over binding the hips, legs or feet.

Summary of Benefits (according to Miracle Blanket):

*Helps newborns sleep longer and deeper.
*Patented design combines all the subtle aspects of swaddling that help babies sleep while eliminating everything that might be problematic or meaningless.
*Even lateral belly pressure
*“Swaddles” arms separately limiting arm movement; absorbs perspiration and more effectively recreates the familiar sensations of the womb.
*Features a large foot pocket which allows for a loose wrap below the hips *Easy to wrap and won’t unravel.
*One size fits all up from preemie to four months.
*Has no VELCRO, buttons, knots or adjustments to disturb or scratch baby.
*Not to be confused with a simple sack or loose baby wrap.
*Hundreds-of-thousands of parents and professionals say our product almost always works better than others on the market.

Video Demo of the Miracle Blanket:
Click here.

Maternal Whispers CD

Maternal Whispers™ is the first title in the Miracle Sounds™ series. Maternal Whispers is the only baby sleep CD to actually mimic the familiar soothing, rhythmic sounds a baby hears from inside a mother’s womb as opposed to the sound of an ultrasound machine. When coupled with the Miracle Blanket, which provides a feeling of that snug security reminiscent of the womb, this CD will provide newborns with a more natural and peaceful sleep environment than one ever thought possible.

PURCHASING:

USA: www.miracleblanket.com Scroll down to find the store locator (enter zip) or purchase directly from Miracle Blanket by visiting their online store:

Miracle Blanket Online Store.

Canada – Rusty Gatten , Rusty Can Enterprises, (805) 428-5796, RCE@miracleblanket.com

UK - Russell Perry, Bibs and Stuff, +44 (0)1293 774924, russell.perry@bibsandstuff.com

Remainder of Europe - Chanan Ash, Bonfit South Africa , +27 (11) 447 4785, Chanan@bonfitsa.com

Australia --
BabySelect
Sally Baldwin
International: (612) 9345-0676
Local: 1300 886 470
sally@miracleblanket.com.au
www.miracleblanket.com.au

South Africa - Chanan Ash, Bonfit South Africa , +27 (11) 447 4785,Chanan@bonfitsa.com

Success Through Play™ comments:

The Miracle Blanket® is a well designed and innovative product which will appeal to parents who have babies with colic. Always confirm with your baby's pediatrician/GP that the cause of excessive fussiness and/or crying is as a result of colic. It is imperative to have a medical professional rule out any problems before assuming that it is colic. In addition, please consult your baby's doctor before using any swaddling product to make sure that your infant is a suitable candidate.

The practice of swaddling a fussy baby mimics the womb in that swaddling provides babies with tactile and proprioceptive input similiar to what a baby experiences in utero. In May 2005, a study was published in the Journal of Pediatrics (The Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics), which demonstrated that babies who are swaddled sleep longer compared with babies who are not swaddled because swaddling inhibits a number of reflexes, including the hunger reflex. The full pdf can be read here. Since swaddling is most effective in the first 3-4 months, parents should be particularly conscious of how often they are feeding their newborn, to ensure that their baby doesn't go for long stretches without eating, particularly if they are swaddled. For this reason, we recommend that swaddling be reserved for babies who are very fussy and whose doctors have confirmed that they indeed have colic and have approved the use of a swaddling product. Swaddling should be used for limited periods only. Hold your swaddled baby as much as possible to add an important element of touch and bonding.

We would like to thank Miracle Blanket® for sending a generous box of samples for our international parent panel. It didn't take us very long to find desperate parents who had colicky babies on their hands! We rushed the Miracle Blankets® out to the anxious parents and waited for a response. Within hours of receiving the samples via mail, parents had emailed us with their comments!

One parent in the UK exclaimed:"This blanket truly is a miracle. We have been battling to get our 4 week old son with colic to settle down and stop crying and nothing has helped him until now. I would definitely recommend the Miracle Blanket to all parents of colicky babies."

Another parent in South Africa added: "Watching your baby scream for hours and hours on end, day in and day out is heartbreaking. Our paediatrician confirmed that our daughter has colic but offered little advice which left us feeling so desperate. Once the sample arrived, we took a moment to watch the video demo and then we rushed over to our screaming daughter and within seconds she stopped crying, calmed down and had the longest nap thus far." I can't begin to tell you how wonderful the silence was. Thank you Miracle Blanket®."

Parents in the USA felt the same way. "The Miracle Blanket® is so well designed and very easy to use. Parenting is overwhelming enough and we really liked the fact that we could swaddle our son in a matter of seconds, without any stress or confusion about how to do it."

Another family tested out the Maternal Whispers CD in conjunction with the Miracle Blanket® and reported tremendous success. "The Miracle Blanket® combined with the Maternal Whispers is a dynamic duo. We felt empowered that we could take a active steps towards helping her calm down. Wrapping her in the Miracle Blanket and then having the Maternal Whispers CD play in the background was a wonderful way for us to help create a womb like space for her. We held her and rocked her gently while she was swaddled which made all the difference."

To learn more, please visit:

www.MiracleBlanket.com

Friday

Boppy® Rock in Comfort® Swing

Boppy® Rock in Comfort® Swing

It’s play time for baby and rest time for a busy mom. Baby will be supported and soothed in this swing with luxurious fabric, removable head bolster and speed control that automatically maintains speed, even as baby grows. And, it's easy to take on-the-go! This swing folds down for moving from room to room or taking to grandma's house. The gliding toybar allows baby the best view of the two plush toys included, or can be adjusted back when mom needs to reach baby. Five gentle melodies can be adjusted with volume control to provide the perfect mood music for baby, whether rocking to sleep or rocking to the beat.

Product Features:

* Unique two-position recline combines with luxurious fabrics to cradle baby in supreme comfort
* Six speeds utilize patent pending TrueSpeed Controltechnology to automatically maintain specified speed as baby grows
* Cradle shaped seat with removable head support and integrated bolster provide plush support for newborns.
*Five gentle melodies with volume control
* Suitable from newborn up (min 6 pounds). Stop using when baby is able to sit upright unassisted.

PURCHASING:

Please click here. Available exclusively in the USA

Success Through Play™ comments:

We are very excited to review the new Boppy® Rock in Comfort® Swing today. The Boppy® Rock in Comfort® Swing is the ideal swing for your newborn, providing your newborn with vestibular stimulation which will help to calm and soothe him. Babies experience vestibular stimulation while in the womb; they are used to be gently rocked and swung as mom moves about her day and this gentle movement contributes significantly towards the growth and development of the fetus.You can help your baby to make a smoother transition from womb to world by placing him in a swing when he begins to fuss.

The Boppy® Rock in Comfort® Swing boasts a solid construction and is designed low to the ground thus enhancing its safety and stability. The Boppy® Rock in Comfort® Swing arrives with a detailed instruction manual and a troubleshooting guide, which really impressed our Prof of Engineering who is one of our Contributing Editors. Parents will be able to follow along in the manual which features both images and text, to assemble the Boppy® Rock in Comfort® Swing. If parents have any difficultly operating the Boppy® Rock in Comfort® Swing, they can refer to the Troubleshooting Guide (FAQ) to assist them. We applaud Boppy for including both the manual and the troubleshooting guide, which will no doubt save parents a great deal of time and frustration! The majority of the swings on the international market are bulky, heavy and difficult to operate. The Boppy® Rock in Comfort® Swing is lightweight and has a compact fold, which makes this swing ideal for tight spaces and travel. The Boppy® Rock in Comfort® Swing is available in a beautiful neutral color scheme which will blend with any nursery or home decor. The plush padding ensures that the swing lives up to its name and the swing has a 5-point seat restraint for safety and peace of mind. The swing arrives with an optional headrest which attaches to the seat pad, providing additional support for your newborns head. It is important to ensure that your baby's head is well supported, particularly in the initial 3 months of life, while baby is working hard to develop good head and neck control. The Boppy® Rock in Comfort® Swing has a 2 position recline which parents can select depending on their newborns state (sleepy, alert, reflex etc).

The speed selector ring offers 6 speed options and allows parents to select the appropriate speed for their baby. Boppy® Rock in Comfort® Swing utilizes TrueSpeed™ Technology. "The TrueSpeed™ Control technology allows the Boppy® Rock in Comfort® Swing to recognize the weight of your baby and automatically adjust the angle of the swings motion and speed to the selected setting." The TrueSpeed™ Control will continue to do this calculation even as your baby gets heavier. The Boppy® Rock in Comfort® Swing features a whisper quiet motor which is wonderful. The swing can be set to swing for 8, 15 or 30 minutes at a time. Babies LOVE music! The Boppy® Rock in Comfort® Swing offers a Melody/Volume Select Button which activates 5 different melodies which both parents and baby will love listening to! The music is soothing and will lull baby into a calm state.

The Toy Bar comes with 2 adorable plush insects - plush bee and a dragonfly. Both insects feature crinkle wings and have rattles built inside, providing baby with auditory stimulation. Parents can take their baby in and out of the swing with ease, without having to remove the toy bar or toys, simply by pivoting the Toy Bar toward or away from the backrest.

We distributed the Boppy® Rock in Comfort® Swing to parents who had recently welcomed their 3rd baby, Jordan. Jordan's parents had purchased several different types of swings over the years and until now, had not come across such a well designed, lightweight and compact model which takes up such little space and can be folded away when not in use. "This swing is really solid and we feel at ease knowing that it is designed to be so close to the ground, which is clearly a bonus safety feature. Jordan is 4 weeks old and is beginning to show signs of fussiness. When we see that she is beginning to fuss and we have checked the basics (food, diaper, temperature), we place her in the Boppy® Rock in Comfort® Swing, turn on the lovely music and set the swing to swing for 15 minutes. She is really soothed by the motion of the swing and the music and we love watching her enjoying the motion of the swing! Jordan looks very comfy in the swing and it has already proved to be invaluable for us. Thank you Boppy!"

Success Through Play™ would like to thank Boppy for sending us a sample of the Boppy® Rock in Comfort® Swing for this article. To learn more please visit:

www.Boppy.com

Monday

Original Slumber Bear™ and WashPOD™ by Prince Lionheart®

Prince Lionheart® was started in a garage by Tom and Linda McConnell in 1973 making hand crafted rocking horses. Today the company is known all around the world for having high quality, innovative products.

Success Through Play™ will be highlighting 2 products from Prince Lionheart® today which mimic the womb.

The Original Slumber Bear with Silkie™ (USA)/The Original Tummy Sleep™ (Europe)

Actual sounds recorded INSIDE a mother's womb lull baby to sleep in minutes! Since 1978, Slumber Bear has been helping millions of newborns sleep in maternity hospitals and homes worldwide. Sound box has a 5 minute auto-shutoff timer to save batteries, with sound and motion sensors that reactivate recording when baby cries or the bear is moved.

The Silkie™ is a natural bonding aid that retains parents' scent and reassures Baby of their presence.

The WashPOD™

The WashPOD provides a better way to bathe your little one in an environment that emulates that of a mother's womb. The baby in the WashPOD will naturally convert into the fetal position. Because this is such a familiar feeling it will quickly soothe, calm, and relax the baby and allow them to bathe without feeling out of their element.

PURCHASING:

Please visit www.princelionheart.com to locate a retailer in your country.

Success Through Play™ comments:

We are delighted to kick off our "Products that Mimic the Womb" Segment with 2 unique products from Prince Lionheart®. The first product, The Original Slumber Bear, was invented by a doctor and has been used successfully in maternity hospitals worldwide since 1978! This well designed bear is stimulated by both sound and motion, so if your baby starts crying or kicks the bear, the womb sounds will be reactivated; a feature which sleep deprived parents will truly appreciate. The Original Slumber Bear™ comes with a Silkie™, the natural bonding aid! Mom can place the Silkie inside her clothing for a few hours so that the Silkie™ will absorb her scent. The Silkie™ is essentially a lovey that babies can use to comfort themselves.

We handed over the Original Slumber Bear™ to first time parents who were struggling to soothe their 5 week old baby. These sleep deprived parents were very eager to try this product. The parents observed that their newborn would transition into a calmer state when the Slumber Bear played the intra-uterine sounds. This coupled with other techniques such as rocking, swaddling and singing helped their baby to fall asleep more easily. They felt relieved that they add an additional tool to use, to help calm their baby. The parents were counseled about the importance of establishing a sleep routine and they were taught when it is appropriate to stimulate your baby and when it is not. Dad worked long hours and would come home in the evening and play with the baby and excite the baby to the point where the baby was getting overly tired and cranky. This pattern of stimulation contributed to their baby's colic and fussiness. Dad was shown how to spend quality time with baby while being careful not to overstimulate their. The addition of a clip on night light was given to mom and dad so that when baby needed to be fed or changed during the night, the lights could be kept dim and baby would not become overstimulated. Recognizing that newborns can only stay awake for approximately 45 minutes before getting tired and needing to sleep is helpful in avoiding an overtired baby, which leads to additional fussiness.

The WashPOD™ is recommended by midwives and physicians for babies aged 0-6 months.

Its unique shape is designed to mimic the womb, making bathing less stressful for baby. It is designed to position your newborn in a flexed position similiar to that of being in a womb which should soothe and comfort him. Baby is able to sense the close dimensions of the tub and this provides his body with feedback about his position in space. The flexed position and womb like design of the tub should make bath time a pleasant experience. We distributed this product to a family who have recently welcomed their 2nd child. They started bathing their baby, aged 3 weeks in the WashPOD™ and haven't looked back. "I only wish that I had purchased the WashPOD™ with my first baby". The shape makes so much sense to me now....I forget that he was crunched up in a tight space floating in amniotic fluid for so many months"=. "What I really like is that our baby doesn't thrash around in the WashPOD™ as he had done in a regular tub. He seems at ease in the WashPOD™. We follow his bath time with a soothing massage which he loves and then it's off to bed for the little one".

Caution:
*Never leave baby unattended during bath time.
*Hold and Support at all Times.

Tip:
*Gather everything that you will need for bathing your newborn FIRST so that you can give him your undivided attention.
*Turn the phone to voice mail and minimize any further distractions before you give your baby a bath.

We would like to thank Prince Lionheart® for sending us a sample of each product featured for this review. We hope to review additional Prince Lionheart® products during 2008.

For view the full Prince Lionheart® range which is available worldwide, please visit:

www.PrinceLionheart.com

Dec 2007: Products that Mimic the Womb

Transitioning from the Womb to the World is one of the first challenges for a baby. Parents can help make this transition easier through a variety of different methods and products. Dr. Harvey Karp named the first 3 months of a newborns life the "4th trimester" and offers a variety of techniques for soothing your newborn. It is important to keep in mind that each baby is unique and it is key for parents to learn to read their baby's cue, to help determine which methods and products are best. Experts agree that it is usually a combination of several methods and products that will help to accomplish this task and that there is really no one "magic bullet".

Each of the products that we will be highlighting for the remainder of this month are based on the experience of the fetus in the womb. The fetus experiences a variety of auditory, tactile, vestibular and proprioceptive stimulation in the womb. Join us as we bring you a unique products that mimic the womb.

Sunday

An Interview with Netflorist

Success Through Play™ Magazine interviewed Yanic Smit of Netflorist.

Can you tell our readers about Netflorist?

NetFlorist is South Africa's largest flower and gift online retailer. We've started our floral journey on the 1st of February 1999 and have since delivered over 500 000 bouquets, arrangements, hampers & gifts to loved ones, friends and associates in South Africa and around the world. NetFlorist see flowers and gifts as an expression on an emotion and we pride ourselves on delivering beautiful flowers and gifts on behalf of our customers. To buy from NetFlorist one simply needs to browse through their online catalogue at www.netflorist.co.za or phone their Call Centre at 0860 200 600.

Customer satisfaction is NetFlorist's top priority. To ensure that the customer is king, NetFlorist have a 100% guarantee disclaimer and a fully operational Call Centre to support with customer queries.

Can readers who live outside of South Africa log onto your site to send flowers etc to friends/family in South Africa?

The expat market is one of NetFlorist's key clients. Especially South Africans who live abroad and have the need to send gifts, flowers to friends and family back home. It is very convenient to all South Africans who live abroad to make use of NetFlorist.

Can you personally recommend a few of your items for the 2007 Holiday Season?

Yes, it is summer in South Africa and therefore the Cocktail range is always a nice gift for someone.

We've also extended our jewelery range and Swarovski did come on board. This is the perfect gift for the festive season.

Success Through Play™ comments:

Holiday Gift Ideas 2007

Netflorist offers a wide array of beautiful flower arrangements and gifts to suit every budget and special occasion. Let that special person in South Africa know that you are thinking of them this holiday season. We have selected our Top 10 Picks from Netflorist for the 2007 Holiday Season.

1. For Christmas:

Christmas Prime Time

2. Sweet Treats for the Kids this Holiday Season:

Kiddies Sweet Surprise

3. For the New Baby:

Just Beginning

4. For the Health Conscious:

Large Fruit Crate

5. The Modern Women:

Fairground

6. For any occasion:

Moonlight and Romance

7. For someone that loves to shop:

Handbag Posy

8. The Coffee Enthusiast:

Gourmet Coffees in a Hat Box

9. For the Chocoholic:

Brownies in a Hat Box

10. For the Picnic Lover:

Sunset Picnic Case

To view the full range of flowers and gifts from Netflorist, please visit:

www.NetFlorist.co.za