Wednesday

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

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

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

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

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

2009 Flyer Standard Accessories:

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





2009 Flyer Optional Accessories:

*Carrycot
*Footmuff & liner
*Jam Pack



New for 2009


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

The 2009 Bumbleride Flyer

Ergonomic

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


Handlebars

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

Why is a fully height adjustable handle so imperative?

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

Why are reversible handles so useful?

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


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

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

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

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


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








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

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


Optional Accessories:

The Carrycot

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











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










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


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

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

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







Snack Pack

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













Purchasing information:

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

Retail store or direct from the bumbleride online store

For more information, please visit www.Bumbleride.com

Friday

BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light

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

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

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




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


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

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


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

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


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

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

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

Select photographs are Copyright
BABYBJÖRN. Please see above.

Tuesday

Anka by Svan High Chair from Scandinavian Child


Brenda Berg, CEO and founder of Scandinavian Child:


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


Anka by Svan of Sweden.

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

FEATURES



Design:


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






Safety:


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






Environmentally friendly:

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



Convertible:

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

Ergonomic

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





Why is an Adjustable Footrest so imperative?


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











Compact:

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





Weight limit:

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


Purchasing:


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

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