Bumbleride introduces the Natural Edition Collection.
The Natural Edition features a durable recycled exterior fabric and an ultra soft bamboo fiber blend interior. Stroller options for the Natural Edition line include the Indie, Indie Twin and the newest addition in the Bumbleride line, the Flite.
Stay tuned for the full review!
Busy moms understand the value of multi-tasking, especially when it comes to pumping breast milk. With the Simple Wishes Hands Free Pumping Bustier, moms can now have their hands free to play with their baby, get in some computer time, housework and other tasks all while pumping.
The Simple Wishes Hands Free Pumping Bustier has been designed with elastic reinforcement at the top for a secure fit, ensuring no slipping.
For additional security the versatile Bustier comes with two straps which can be worn in halter, tank or racer-back style. The Bustier can be worn on it’s own or slipped over your nursing bra with the flaps pulled down.
The Bustier is expertly designed to accommodate a wide range of sizes and well suited to your post-partum body. As you re-gain your pre-pregnancy body, the Bustier will adjust so there is no need to purchase a smaller size.
Straight from the parent panel:
“I was in a pumping rut and began to dread pumping my milk at home. I was a prisoner to my pump and really couldn’t move or be mobile. If my baby cried or I needed to attend to something in the house, I had to stop pumping, and these frequent interruption really hurt my supply and wasted my precious time. With the hands free pumping bustier, I am FREE. I can now play with my baby, catch up on some work or perform a household chore all while pumping. The Hands Free Pumping Bustier has allowed me free up some more time to get essential tasks done as well as spend precious time with my baby. It will change your life!”
PURCHASING
Shop the Simple Wishes boutique or click here to locate a store near you.
To learn more, please visit www.SimpleWishes.com
Disclaimer: We did not receive any financial compensation for this review. Simple Wishes provided us with a sample for the purpose of this review.
First time mom’s may not know that when your milk “lets down” it flows from both breasts. Thus when you are nursing your baby on one breast, milk will still flow from your non-nursing breast. This is the reason that moms will use nursing pads and towels to soak up the milk from the non-nursing side. Moms may not realise how much milk is actually being wasted.
Enter the Milkies Milk-Saver. A unique breastfeeding accessory developed by a Registered Nurse which helps mom collect precious breast milk for their babies.
1. Slide the Milk-Saver into your bra cup or tank on the non-nursing side. The nipple opening allows for gentle, precise placement.
2. Breastfeed your baby. The Milk-Collection reservoir holds 2+ ounces of leaked breast milk.
3. Take out the Milk-Saver and stand it upright in it’s case.
4. Immediately place milk in fridge or freezer in a new container.
Safety note:
It is very important to chill new milk before adding to previously stored milk. Raising the temperature of previously stores milk can lead to spoilage. Refrigerate or freeze all milk immediately.
The product was designed with 3 goals in mind:
1. To reduce the amount of disposable products that moms are using
2. To help moms stockpile milk for lean times (growth spurts)
3. To help keep moms dry and comfortable.
Use your stored milk for bottle feeding, fortifying cereal and more. The Milk-Saver keeps your milk supply strong by letting breast empty freely. It is especially helpful during the early weeks and months of breastfeeding.
The Milk-Saver is easy to clean. Simply wash in hot soapy water, rinse thoroughly, and air dry. Store in the included hard case. The Milk-Saver case acts as a stand when your Milk-Saver is full and and a travel case for easy transport. The Milk-Saver is made from a FDA approved material which is phthalate-free, bisphenol-a free and has been rigorously tested by a third-party lab to ensure zero chemical leaching. Proudly made in the USA.
The Milkies Milk-Saver is eco-friendly. When you no longer have a need for your Milk-Saver, simply recycle, including it with curb side recyclable plastics.
PURCHASING
Shop online from the Milkies online boutique or find a Retailer in your area.
Straight from the parent panel:
“The idea of the Milk-Saver is really a simple one, it is astounding that no-one thought of it sooner. Up until now, I had been using breast pads and towels to catch the milk on my non-nursing side. On many occasions, I ended up with a large milk-soaked stain on my non-nursing side which meant yet more washing for me. So not only was I wasting my precious milk but I was giving myself additional laundry to wash. The Milk-Saver has been an absolutely miracle. I can save a entire bottle worth of milk during the course of a day using this product. I no longer require breast pads and towels during nursing and I have yet to have a milk-soaked stain. One thing that I would change about the Milk-Saver is to add a lid to it. If you bend over while wearing the Milk-Saver the collected milk will spill everywhere and you will end up with a soaked shirt! Other than that, I love it! I tell all of our friends about this products.”
GIVEAWAY:
Courtesy of Milkies and in honor of World Breastfeeding Awareness Week 2011, one lucky reader will win their very own Milk-Saver. Congratulations to Megan W.
Disclaimer: We did not receive any financial compensation for this review. Milkies provided us with a sample for the purpose of this review.
Your new baby is finally here and you persevered with breastfeeding, despite your obstacles. You have mastered the perfect latch after weeks of practice and trial with the assistance of your nursing pillow – your new best friend. Now it is time to brave the outside world and meet your next goal – nursing while out and about. In honor of World Breastfeeding Week 2011, we have selected a brilliantly designed product to meet your needs for nursing will on the go.
Warm Milk introduces the Baby Hobo Convertible Diaper Bag – Nursing Pillow. A fully functioning diaper bag which converts into a nursing pillow.
Patricia Peters came up with the idea for the bag while she was sitting in the waiting room of her pediatricians office. Her daughter was hungry and needed to be fed, so she creatively reached for her diaper bag and tossed a blanket over it for the instant “pillow on the go”. This action was the inspiration behind the Warm Milk Baby Hobo a fully functional diaper bag which converts into a nursing bag for-on-the-go nursing.
In the regular diaper bag mode:
The attractive, unisex style diaper bag features a top quality, adjustable, padded and non-slip shoulder strap for your comfort. There are 2 exterior pockets on the non-pillow side, both of which have magnetic closures. One of the front pockets feature hook and loop and zip closures which are ideal for storing your keys, wallet and cellular phone. The pillow side features a large exterior pocket with a zip pocket for other essentials that you need to have in arms reach.
The main compact has 4 elasticised pockets and 2 insulated bottle pockets for storing bottles. The interior compartment also houses the matching changing pad (included). The changing pad has an elastic band closure to ensure that the pad doesn’t unfold in your bag – a nice touch. Due the presence of the pillow, the interior is somewhat cramped particularly for a diaper bag of this size, however the ample number of pockets elsewhere on the bag make up for it.
The bag has stroller attachment rings which you can attach to your stroller (use your own attachments) easily. Always use good judgement when doing so, as there is always a risk of the stroller tipping.
In the nursing mode:
The Baby Hobo bag is perfectly shaped for nursing, contouring and hugging mom’s body when in the horizontal position. Simply unfasten the buckle and place it around your waist to keep the bag in place while nursing. You have a choice of 2 buckles which accommodate moms are various sizes, adapt to your shrinking belly postpartum. Unfasten the hook and loop closures of the large side flap and then unzip the flap to expose the nursing pillow. Re-position the nursing pillow so that it rests on top of the small flap. You are now ready to nurse. The underside of the large flap has 2 elasticised mesh pockets for storing essentials within arms reach while nursing. The pillow case is removable and washable to ensure a clean surface for nursing baby. This dual-function product will make a wonderful baby shower gift!
VIDEO DEMONSTRATION
See it in action here
Straight from the parent panel:
“With the Baby Hobo Convertible Diaper bag, I now have the freedom and the confidence to nurse in public. Before I received the pillow, I battled nursing when I was not in my home environment. Nursing without my trusty nursing pillow was very difficult so I would try to avoid it whenever possible. With this ingenious diaper bag, I can now the essentials for baby and myself and when he gets hungry, I can simply sit down practically anywhere and nurse him comfortably and easy thanks to the built-in nursing pillow. I love the design – it is clearly well thought out. The bag converts so easily into a nursing pillow thanks to the well thought out design. I can’t tell you how many other moms stopped by to ask me all about my new bag. My husband thinks that it is the coolest bag ever! I have to agree and I won’t leave home without it!”
Coming soon – Matching nursing shawls (to be fastened directly to bag)
PURCHASING
Shop baby hobo on-line or find a store in your area
To learn more, please visit the Warm Milk website.
All images copyrighted Warm Milk
Disclaimer: We did not receive any financial compensation for this review. Warm Milk provided us with a sample for the purpose of this review.
Breastfeeding is natural but not necessarily easy. Women can become empowered by educating themselves about breastfeeding before baby comes. Organizations such as La Leche League International offer support groups for breastfeeding moms and advocacy for breastfeeding and the law. Visit a group in your area before your baby arrives so that you will know where to turn when you need help. Excellent nutrition during pregnancy and when breastfeeding is key. Drinking plenty of healthy fluids during breastfeeding, regular skin to skin contact with your baby and babywearing will go along way to ensure breastfeeding success. Challenges during breastfeeding may present themselves at any stage, and having a strong support system in place ahead of time is key to working through and solving any issues. A Certified Lactation Consultation is your best friend, and a consultation soon after birth to ensure that your baby is latching on correctly and to provide guidance. A good latch is critical to breastfeeding success, in conjunction with emptying the breast completely and frequently. Seek help early when you are experiencing a problem; don’t wait.
A high quality breast pump can be highly beneficial to all nursing moms, regardless if they are working outside of the home or not. Breastfeeding is a demand and supply operation, meaning that you need to empty the breast fully in order to signal to your body to produce more milk. A breast pump can be used to empty your breast when your baby is unable to do so if he is sleepy, ill, or has a preference for one side. Engorgement can occur not only during the initial few days after birth, but at any stage of breastfeeding and using a breast pump to relieve the pressure can make it easier for your baby to latch on correctly to feed and empty your breasts. Many first time moms are surprised that when their milk lets down, it lets down occurs from both breasts, so if your baby is nursing on your right side, when the milk let down occurs, it occurs on the non-nursing side as well. Moms can place a nursing pad on the non-nursing breast, however, instead of allowing the milk to go to waste, moms can use a breast pump to empty the breast instead. Having extra milk available in the refrigerator or freezer can allow mom a much needed break and allow dad extra time to bond with baby. So as you can see, a breast pump can be used in so many ways, and can be of great benefit to stay at home moms in addition to working moms.
Medela’s Breastfeeding Division has been supporting nursing moms around the world through their commitment to quality products.
Founded in 1961 in Zug, Switzerland by Olle Larsson, Medela is committed to supporting breastfeeding and breast milk as the optimal nutrition for the growth, development and health of babies. The company believes it is their obligation to offer a complete solution, “from breast to belly,” of high quality products that enable mothers to provide the optimum nutrition of breast milk to their babies. Today, Medela’s primary focus remains to help moms successfully breast feed their babies as long as they wish. This goal lies at the heart of every product the company develops.
“Medela’s Breastfeeding Division exists to enhance mother and baby health through the life-giving benefits of breast milk.”
Medela’s Breastfeeding Division offers a wide range of breast pumps and accessories. The Medela Breastfeeding website is well designed and easy to navigate. It is a wonderful resource for pregnant and nursing moms. Consult the product selector guide for suggestions for selecting a breast pump.
One of the smallest double electric breastpumps in the world helps mothers save precious time and offers freedom of movement whilst pumping. Freestyle is ideal for daily and regular use.
The Freestyle has 2-Phase Expression, the only research based breast pump technology to mimic a baby’s natural nursing rhythm.
Straight from the mommy panel:
“I exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of my son’s life. I was looking for a lightweight breast pump for when I was to return to work part-time. I volunteered to try the Medela Freestyle Breast pump and the Calma Feeding device. This was my first time ever using a breast pump and after reading the manual, I felt pretty confident about set-up and usage. Sure enough, it was easy to assemble and I was really surprised about how lightweight (weighing just under 13 ounces) and compact the unit was. I also had the support of my local LLL group to assist me as needed. They had informed me that I needed to make sure that the breast shields that were included in the kit were the right size for me – a crucial factor in ensuring success. Luckily for me they were, but if not, consult Medela’s website about determining the right size for you. The pump itself is ergonomic, fitting into the palm of my hand. It is very portable allowing me to take it anywhere – I can discreetly clip it onto the waistband. I love being able to take it with me to my part-time job and having the freedom to pump while at work and then store the milk in the handy cooler bag, included with the kit. A double electric pump clearly saves you time when you need it most. Also included is a hands-free kit, but I preferred to use my own hands free bustier as it was faster to set up. Look into Medela’s line of nursing wear for other options. There is also a stylish tote bag which is another bonus. No-one would suspect that I was carrying around a breast tpump, which I love. The Freestyle pump has allowed me to continue to breastfeed my baby, even though I am away from him for a few hours a week. For this I am very grateful for and I would recommend this pump to other moms in my situation. I feel wonderful knowing that my baby is continuing to receive the best food in the world while I am balancing being a part-time worker and full-time mom.”
The newly designed Pump and Save bags now allow moms to pump directly into the bag, saving you time and preventing milk loss. This innovative feature is a big draw for moms, thanks to the self stick tape. The perfect time saving solution for the busy mom. When full, the bag stands independently so it is easy to mark and date the bag for the future reference. The bags take up very little room in the refrigerator or freezer and a wonderful addition to your storage options.
Calma Breast milk bottle with teat (teat also sold separately).
Your baby will always prefer and benefit from breastfeeding However if you are separated from baby, Calma provides an excellent alternative that stands to minimize any interference with the breastfeeding relationship between you and your baby. Breastfeeding needs to be well established before introducing Calma. Calma is recommended for breastfed babies and not those who are currently bottle fed as they may find it difficult to feed.
Medela has pioneered innovative products which help to enhance babies’ health through the life-giving benefits of breast milk. With Calma you can trust in a product that has been developed on a well-established research foundation. This research has shown that you baby is able to maintain with Calma the same learned feeding behaviour that your baby exhibits in breastfeeding.
Calma consists of 3 parts which are easy to assemble and clean.
Calma’s unique design makes baby work- Similar to breastfeeding, the milk only flows when baby creates a vacuum. This ensures that the feeding is controlled by baby and his own individual rhythm.
One size is sufficient – The eat comes in one size which is sufficient for the entire duration of breastfeeding, thereby saving you money.
To see the Calma in action, please click here to view the video.
The Calma Feeding Device it is aimed at babies who are breastfeeding and not at babies who have been bottle fed with regular bottles from birth. This is an important distinction to make. The Calma Feeding Device is truly revolutionary and unlike any other teat/bottle system on the market. Baby needs to have a well established latch and good oral motor skills to use the Calma effectively. If you baby has achieved success breastfeeding, he is a good candidate for the Calma Feeding Device.
Straight from the mommy panel:
“I used the Freestyle breast pump in conjunction with the Calma Feeding Device and I feel that this is a great pairing of 2 very innovative products. For the first 6 months of my son’s life, he was exclusively breastfeed. When it was time to return to work part-time, I began looking into breast pumps and bottles and had a hard time deciding which ones to select. Luckily I was contacted by Success Through Play Magazine who asked me if I was interested in reviewing the Freestyle along with the Calm Feeding Device and I jumped at the opportunity. When I was briefed about the Calma Feeding Device I was amazed at the innovative and I was very anxious to try it, because my number one concern was that once I returned to work and had to introduce the bottle, my baby would refuse my breast. Thankfully, this didn’t occur and I strongly believe that it was due to my electing to use only the Calma Feeding Device and no other bottles. My son was indeed the perfect tester, because he had been exclusively breastfeed for 6 months and was a pro at obtaining a good latch and had developed a very good pattern of feeding from the breast. I can see first hand how the Calma Feeding Device mimics my son feeding from the breast and it is truly remarkable in its design. I was so worried about the effects of introducing a bottle but the Calma Feeding Device has made the transition effortless. My son moves from breast to Calma Feeding Device smoothly and easily and I am so thankful for this.”
RESOURCES
The Medela Website is well designed and easy to navigate. Check out the Resource section for education articles which will help to enrich your breastfeeding experience.
PURCHASING
To find out where to purchase Medela products in your country, please click here.
For additional information about the products in this article and to see the full product line from Medela, please visit www.Medela.com
All images copyrighted Medela.
Disclaimer: We did not receive any financial compensation for this review. Medela provided us with samples for the purpose of this review.
We will be celebrating World Breastfeeding Week at Success Through Play Magazine by highlighting some innovative breastfeeding products and accessories.
The Baby Hobo Convertible Diaper Bag
The Milk-Saver
Hands Free Pumping Bustier
Stay tuned for the reviews and a giveaway.
okiedog® is a German, independent company and was founded in 2006. okiedog® stands for innovation, creativity, quality and functionality. Their fun-loving spirit of innovation is reflected in their user-focused design philosophy. Their goal is to make families’ lives more fun, and convenient in a truly original way. They are also aware of the special responsibility that comes with making products for children and are committed to making the best and safest products possible. All okiedog products are PVC-, Phthalate-, AZO- and BPA- free.
Introducing The Nature Inspired Sassy Diaper Bag from okiedog. Inspired by nature’s beauty, designed for beautiful mums and babies. Fashion at nature’s best. The okiedog Nature Inspired Sassy Diaper Bag is a medium sized diaper bag and measures 20″ x 13″ x 6″. The nature Sassy Diaper Bag features beautiful nature inspired embroidery including butterflies, leaves, trees and birds, and is visually stunning to look out. This bag is expertly designed with organisation in mind.
FEATURES:
The Nature Inspired Sassy Diaper Bag from okiedog features two side pockets for bottles located on either side of diaper bag. One is insulated and the second has a removable insulated bottle holder which is clipix compatible and comes with the clipix base clip set to attach to your stroller so you will always have a bottle within easy reach. The front of the bag features 2 exterior pockets (with hook and loop closures). One of exterior pockets has a compartment where you can securely stash your mobile phone as well as carabiner (key clip) so you will never lose your keys again! The bag features two loops on either side of the bag which will attach effortlessly to your stroller via the clipix hook system (included). The bag boasts a reflective strip (located between 2 front pockets) for additional safety at night. To the rear of the bag will find a removable changing pad with antibacterial treatment, which is very easy to wipe down after each diaper change. Looking at the interior of the bag, you will immediately see the bright inner lining which makes it a snap to locate and retrieve important items immediately. The interior of the bag features 2 inner side pockets and a 3rd which holds an accessory bag. We love the 2 quick pick loops which are located on either side of the bag which can hold anything from a pacifier to a toy. You will never again have difficulty locating your baby’s pacifier or toy and will become an expert at soothing him/her when out and about, reducing everyone’s stress. 
The Nature Inspired Sassy Diaper bag from okiedog is the perfect lightweight bag for the warmer months. Moms will have everything that they need within easy reach thanks to the innovative design and many unique features which will help to streamline and simplify their day.
Have you noticed that many strollers, even the high end ones, do not come with a line of accessories included with the stroller. They are typically available for purchase separately and often at a great cost. If you have more than one stroller, you will often have to re-purchase your line of accessories for each stroller as they are more often than not, not universally compatible.
Enter a line of innovative accessories for your stroller called “Clipix“. Clipix is the new, universal, flexible, removable stroller accessory system from okiedog, designed for parents and kids who love the outdoors. With a simple “Click” various accessories can be attached to the stroller and keep it at a comfortable level for you. This system was nominated with a Kind and Jugend Award in 2010.
The clipix accessory line is compatible with virtually every stroller on the market, thanks to the 2 rubber adapters which are inserted in the clip base. If have more than one stroller, simply purchase an extra base clip, one for each of your strollers. Simply install a base clip set on each stroller and with one “click” it is possible to remove and install all the clipix accessory on multiple strollers. The base clip does not have to be removed when folding the stroller. The following products are currently available in the clipix line:
Hooks with base clip – Perfect for hanging your diaper bag from your stroller. For demonstration purposes, we have illustrated this with a lightweight umbrella stroller, but to ensure safety of your baby, please select a stable full size stroller to hang your diaper bag from and always test for stability.)
Insulated Bottle Holder – Soothe baby instantly when he cries to be fed. Whether it is breastmilk or formula, you will have it at immediately available at the optimal temperature. No searching through your bag.
Cup Holder – Busy parents on the go often forget to stay hydrated. Whether it is a warm beverage to stay toasty in the winter or an ice cold drink to refresh you in the summer, you will always have a place to store your drink.
Mobile Phone/Camera Holder – You are expecting an important call however when your phone rings, it takes you some time to locate your phone and retrieve it, only to see that you have missed the call! That will never happen again with the mobile phone holder. Mounted on your stroller, you will have it available immediately when you need it most. This holder can alternatively accommodate a compact camera. You can surely related to the situation where you forgot your camera at home or are searching through your bag to find it only to realise that the moment has long passed. With this holder, you will be able to capture your baby’s precious moments to be cherished for a lifetime.
base clip (for your extra stroller) The clipix base clip includes adapters for various strollers, including square and oval tubes.
The clipix line of products will ensure that you always have a bottle for baby on hand, a refreshing beverage for mom or dad available within easy reach, a cell phone available within arms reach so that you never miss any calls and or a compact camera immediately available for you to capture those precious moments. The much anticipated Clipix Safety light will be available soon. Stay tuned for the review. We applaud okiedog for developing this truly innovative line.
PURCHASING:
okiedog products are sold in more than 30 countries worldwide. Click here to find a store locator. For further information and to see the full product line, please visit www.okiedog.com
Disclaimer: We did not receive any financial compensation for this review. okidog provided us with samples for the purpose of this review.
Success Through Play Magazine will be celebrating its 4th Year Anniversay this month. Come and celebrate with us.
Stay tuned for some amazing giveaways.
Boob Design is the designer line of Maternity and Nursing Apparel from Sweden that will change the way that you think of maternity and nursing clothing forever. Gone are the bulky, uncomfortable and frumpish maternity and nursing outfits that hide the bump (maternity) and are difficult to access and scream to the world that you are nursing. Boob Design® boasts a gorgeous line of designer apparel that just happen to be maternity and nursing wear!
Commitment to the environment:
“We keep all of our production in Europe, in factories where we know that the employees are treated well and are decently paid. Keeping production in Europe is also a way of guaranteeing that the product in Europe is as environmentally sound as possible. All our jersey is certified with the OEKO-TEX Standard 100. This certification is a guarantee for clothes that are completely free of toxins that can be harmful to you. Clothes that are kind to your skin as well as nature. Our goal is to you materials that are environmentally optimal.”
Boob Design’s® Maternity line is cut to accent and flatter your new curvy figure. The gorgeous eco-fabrics, the fresh simplicity and the playful details make the trademark of Boob® . The soft and comfortable fabrics will fit like a dream – all the way from bump to big belly!
Boob® Nursing tops and dresses are brilliantly designed and feature a double layer of fabric over the bust so that an overlapping opening is formed. The opening is simply pushed aside with one hand, making nursing comfortable and discreet.
We love the gorgeous summer dresses on offer from Boob Design. The Singoalla Nursing Dress (pictured right) is a great investment because it is designed to be worn for both pregnancy and during nursing. The smocked neckline, frilled bottom and tie-able waistband add a romantic feel to the dress. The dress is made from an innovative fabric, lyocell, which is a natural fiber that has a flattering drape, is breathable and naturally wrinkle resistant. Nursing in this dress couldn’t be any simpler, with the signature boob design double layer nursing design. We applaud Boob Design for exploring natural fabrics in their Summer 2011 Collection. The Singoalla dress is very versatile – pair it with flats for a casual look or heels for a more dressy occasion.
Nursing singlet with that little extra length.
An essential basic garment in a nursing mother’s wardrobe. Soft knitted stretch fabric in 92% organic cotton and 8% elastane.
The nursing singlet from Boob Design is available in 17 colors, including stripes and solids. The versatile singlet is sure to become a staple in your summer wardrobe and is perfect for layering for the rest of the year. The thicker shoulder straps are ideal for covering up your nursing bra and the longer length creates a flattering effect. The material is soft and gentle against your skin. When the temperature outside soars, reach for your nursing singlet, to beat the summer heat, while still looking fabulous.
PURCHASING INFORMATION
To find a store near you, please click here.
Shop the online store here. Bargain hunters will love the outlet section.
GIVEAWAY
Congratulations to Amanda G and Lori S.
Thank you to Boob Design for sponsoring this giveaway. To learn more and to see the full range, please visit www.BoobDesign.com
Disclaimer: We did not receive any financial compensation for this review. Boob Design provided us with a sample for the purpose of this review.
BABY SMART START – HOME OF THE I-QUBE®.
Product Description (provided by Baby Smart Start).
The I-Qube® is lightweight cardboard printed and creased to fold into a sturdy 3 1/2″ square block when assembled. It can be unfolded and stored for later use, then refolded. It is intended to be used for the relatively short period of time (0-6 months) when your infant is most likely to gain from the stimulation provided by using it. The I-Qube® was developed and copyrighted in 1983 by a public health nurse who worked extensively with babies from prenatal to postnatal care, well-baby and infant development clinics. It is the pioneer product of this sort. The designs on each side have been carefully created based on scientific studies to attract the attention of infants from the time they can open their eyes until they are ready to advance to more complex colors and shapes.
PURCHASING
Baby Smart Start strongly recommends that parents buy at least a couple I-Qubes® for their baby. One for the infants travel bag, one for the nursery or where you spend your time with your infant, and a spare.
International Readers, please click here
UK readers, please click here
How to use the I-Qube® (provided by Baby Smart Start):
The I-Qube® has six sides – no one side preferred though infants usually respond first to the ‘female face,’ next to the ‘male face,’ then typically to all of the rest.
The I-Qube® should be shown to your infant from the very first time they open their eyes until they graduate to more advance designs and color schemes – about 4-6 months. The best time to use the I-Qube® is any time your infant is alert and receptive to attention and until your infant ignores the stimulation – this may be from moments to minutes. There are two outstanding features the I-Qube® has over most similar products we have seen, including a mobile that has similar designs. They are the bonding experience that comes with the one-on-one attention as a result of the interaction between the parent and infant, and the focus that the infant achieves with the I-Qube®. The mobile and like items, impersonal and at a fixed distance, may not even be visible to the infant if it is out of their range of focus. If an item moves at all, the movement may be indiscernible by the infant; there is no feedback that the infant recognizes the motion. The I-Qube® focal range is interactively adjusted between the parent and infant.
I-Qube is not simply a toy and needs to be used in conjunction with the caregiver, in order for it to be effective. It seems that there is a 2-fold reason for the caregiver to hold the baby when using the I-Qube. Firstly, for practical reasons: the caregiver will need to interact with the baby in order to facilitate a tracking response of the baby to track and lock onto the I-Qube. The caregiver will need to adjust and re-adjust the distance and interchange the sides of the cube to maintain baby’s interest. It is also vital for the caregiver to monitor the baby’s arousal level and not overstimulate the baby. Secondly, holding the baby provides the baby with deep proprioceptive input which is calming. Touch is also crucial for learning.
Just as physical exercise advances the range of motion for the body, interactive use of the I-Qube® advances hand-to-eye coordination and visual stimulation. Also, with exercise of the eyes and development of coordination, synapse connections are made within the brain. This same principle applies for visual stimulation and rehabilitation for all ages when the I-Qube® is used by professionals in the optometric or psychology environment.
I-Qube® is eco-friendly!
By the time baby has ‘graduated’ from the I-Qube® it is usually a little worn, a little torn and about due for replacement. They are very affordable, economical and expendable for that reason – use them until they’re used up, then recycle them.
Success Through Play™ comments:
We have been most impressed with the professionalism of Baby Smart Start and it has been our great pleasure to work with them on this article. We would like to thank Baby Smart Start for sending us several samples of the I-Qube® for our test panel. The parent panel found the I-Qube® to be very easy to assemble and they commented on how they liked the fact that it is so lightweight and can be easily transported when they are on the go.
Each parent was briefed about the concept of the I-Qube® and how to use it with their baby and were then sent home with their “assignments.” The group met a few weeks later to report about their baby’s experience with the I-Qube®. Each parent commented that they would “highly recommend the I-Qube® to their friends.” The group as a whole was impressed that their baby was so interested in looking at the shapes and patters on the I-Qube® and the parents reported that they enjoyed spending time bonding with their infant!
The I-Qube® educational toy is research-correct. This means it was developed in accordance with studies about what works and what doesn’t in the enhancement of early infant development. To read some very interesting articles about infant development and the environment, please click here.
Baby Smart Start Emphasizes: “Holding your baby while using the I-Qube® increases the human bonding that your baby needs for best development. Think of this as prime one-on-one time at a crucial point in their development. Wall hangings, crib mobiles, changing table covers and such don’t offer this human bonding advantage.” We agree with statement and in addition will add that learning should always be a fun experience for your baby. Parents must learn to recognize which state of consciousness their baby is in, and only introduce an object/developmental tool when their baby is in an calm state and eager to take in the world around her. When baby signals that he has had sufficient stimulation, parents must read his cues and stop the activity. Research is showing us that holding your baby enhances bonding. Touch continues to be important as your child grows and a recent study showed that children learn more efficiently when a parent gently places their hand on his/her shoulder.
We applaud Baby Smart Start for offering a reasonably priced infant developmental product that can engage your baby and promote bonding between parent and baby. The I-Qube® will make an ideal Baby Gift!
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Disclaimer: We did not receive any financial compensation for this review. Baby Smart Start provided us with a sample for the purpose of this review.
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