The First Years understands what matters most to parents is keeping their children healthy, happy and safe. We listen to parents to help us develop innovative products for every stage of their child’s development.

The Clean Air Odor-Free™ Diaper Disposal is the most advanced diaper disposal system available to parents. Don’t settle for just trapping odors –Clean Air is engineered to eliminate them!

Product Demo
Click here.

Key Features:
*Unique carbon filter/fan system traps and neutralizes odors

*Uses standard kitchen trash bags

*Auto-cycle fan is ultra quiet

*Holds up to 40 diapers (newborn)

*First filter included; Requires 4 D-cell batteries, not included (filter and battery life approx. 90
days)

PURCHASING:
Click here and enter zip code for Where to Buy

Success Through Play™ comments:

The Clean Air Odor-Free™ Diaper Disposal from The First Years is an innovative Diaper Disposal which features a carbon filter/fan system which neutralizes odors and will keep your nursery smelling poop free! The fan cycles every 10 minutes and when you open and close the lid and is constantly working hard to trap odors AND eliminate them. Each carbon filter will need to be changed approximately every 90 days and uses 4-D cell batteries.

The Diaper Disposal accepts Tall Kitchen Trash Bags, so there is no need to buy expensive bags with this diaper disposal. No pushing or plunging of a dirty diaper is necessary with the Diaper Disposal which will appeal to all parents (see demo for details!).

The Clean Air Odor-Free™ Diaper Disposal arrives with a detailed instruction manual complete with diagrams, which includes an excellent troubleshooting guide.

Several months ago, we distributed 2 Clean Air Odor Free™ Diaper Disposal to local families in our area who were dissatisfied with other well known Diaper Pails which had failed to do their job.

Parents reported that they were able to assemble the Diaper Disposal with the aid of the instruction manual and they especially appreciated the outstanding “Troubleshooting Guide” which addressed their concerns.

“The Clean Air Odor-Free™ Diaper Disposal has a small learning curve, but after the initial few days we were able to use it with ease. This is our 4th baby and we can tell you from experience that we have tried every other diaper pail on the market and the Clean Air Odor-Free™ Diaper Disposal wins the award for being Odor-Free! We are both very sensitive to smells, particularly poop smells and this Diaper Pail has been a godsend. I was dreading having to deal with diapers, yet again, but this Diaper Pail has genuinely made it a pleasure. A fairly loud noise is generated when you close the lid, but since the system eliminates Diaper Odors, we feel that it’s a small sacrifice for having the best smelling nursery in the USA!”

The 2nd family had equally positive remarks:

“I really love how this Diaper Disposal uses regular Tall Kitchen bags, which means that we save moneyh and always have bags readily available. Family and friends walk into our nursery and are amazed at how the nursery doesn’t smell! We couldn’t be happier. Yes this Diaper Disposal requires batteries and filters, but it really is worth it in the end. To have our home smelling clean and poop free is fantastic.”

Success Through Play™ would like to thank Learning Curve for sending us Evaluation Samples for this review.

To learn more, please visit:

www.learningcurve.com

Boob® Maternity & Nursing Wear from Sweden features innovative designs and stylish silhouettes for moms and moms-to-be. The garments are made with soft, comfortable fabrics with a hint of Lycra to allow for a perfect fit. With an exceptional fit and stylish design, Boob® Maternity & Nursing Wear will take you from a small bump to a big belly, and back again!

All Boob® Nursing tops and dresses 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.

From the current line of Boob® Nursing Apparel:

Nursing Top long sleeve – this best-selling top is made of cotton and a touch of Lycra for a smooth fit. It is a great basic that goes perfectly with jeans, chinos, or layered under a blazer or cardigan.

Nursing Top short sleeve – another great-seller, this top will go with everything in your closet, and comes in several colors.

B Warmer – this long sleeve top is designed to keep the breasts warm. The outer layer has a lining of warming fleece.

Nursing Tunic V Neck – With a flattering v-neck and slight rouching detail at the shoulders this pretty top will keep you in style while still being able to nurse your baby.

PURCHASING

Please visit www.boobdesign.com and click on Store Locator.

Give-Away
Enter to win fabulous nursing wear from Boobs® Summer 2008 line. Click here for details.

Success Through Play™ comments:

Boob is the new designer line of Nursing Apparel from Sweden that will change the way that you think of nursing clothing forever. Gone are the bulky, uncomfortable and frumpish nursing outfits that are difficult to access and scream to the world that you are nursing. Boob® boasts a gorgeous line of designer apparel that just happen to be nursing wear!

The biggest draw is that the Boob® Nursing wear features a patented design which is unlike any other breastfeeding line that we have seen before. The unique design allows moms to simply push apart the overlapping fabric for discreet nursing, without having to bare their tummy or any other body part to the harsh elements or the world! In fact, Boob® was created by Mia Seipel, after witnessing her sister nurse in a park in Stockholm on a freezing cold day, while having to bare her tummy to the cold.

Mia Seipel, founder of Boob.

The Boob® Nursing line is designed to fit snug; to skim the body. We sent several different styles of the current Boob® Nursing Line to our international parent panel.

Diana, a nursing mom in South Africa, fell in the love with the short sleeve nursing tops immediately. “Here, it’s summer now and I have battled to find summer T’s that can accommodate nursing. We are so limited here in South Africa with nursing wear: most of the brands are frumpy and several decades behind. Boob® apparel are stunning! I am so pleased that I don’t have to sacrifice my sense of fashion, just because I am nursing. My friends couldn’t believe that my short sleeve T’s were nursing T’s. They are slim and fitting and not at all bulky. They are a cinch to nurse in, trendy and well cut and I am in love with them. Thank you, Boob®.”

Next we heard from Lara in the UK. Lara was braving the harsh winter and tested out the B Warmer Long Sleeved Top. Up until now, Lara admitted that she hadn’t attempted to nurse in public- she didn’t feel confident enough. When Lara saw the patented Boob® nursing flap, she was impressed. “The B Warmer Nursing Top gave me so much confidence. It doesn’t look like a nursing top and looks great on me. I nursed my baby discreetly and no-one was the wiser. I loved how I stayed warm while nursing. Thank you Boob for giving me the confidence to get out of the house again.”

Our parent panel in the USA were equally enthusiastic.

Megan in California, tested the Nursing Tunic V-Neck and wore it to a friend’s son’s birthday party. “The Tunic is modern, and very elegant and paired with jeans and accessories, makes a great outfit. I received compliments on the tunic and everyone was shocked to find out that it was indeed a nursing top! I was able to nurse my baby with ease, during the party and felt beautiful in my designer nursing top. Boob has certainly added style to my nursing wardrobe.”

A second tester in the USA hails from Michigan and is an experienced nursing mom. This mom tested the Long Sleeve Nursing Top and offered these insightful comments:

Success Through Play™ Parent Panel Participant wearing a Long Sleeve Nursing Top by Boob®. This nursing mom is wearing a gorgeous Mommy and Me Necklace.

“The biggest benefit is definitely how their Boob® design creates less bulk when nursing. Almost all nursing shirts I have are like wearing two shirts. Then when you go to nurse, you have this huge clump of shirt under your armpit. Not only is it uncomfortable, but it can actually lead to clogged milk ducts. That is why I tend to shy away from bulky nursing wear now. The material of the Boob® top is nice- soft and stretchy. It is definitely comfortable. Since the boob line is very slim fitting and has a high lycra content, your nursing pads may show through. Some advice I would give to mamas who need to wear nursing pads is to use a slightly padded nursing bra with your pads underneath. I found the quality of the Boob® top to be great and it washes well. This is the best nursing top I personally have ever worn!”

To learn more, please visit:

www.boobdesign.com

Teresa “Dede” Woodman co-founder of Upspring™ has a background as an operations executive with over 15 years of experience in technical implementation and deployment project management, customer education, and business process development. She has been a small business owner since 1992 managing consulting projects for Fortune 100 companies, government agencies and small businesses. Dede also has international consulting experience. Dede’s son Mac was going through the learning to walk phase and was frustrated when Dede held on to his hands. If she didn’t hold on to his hands Mac would take some nasty falls. Also, Dede’s husband had back issues and bending over teaching Mac to walk was literally back breaking.

Lisa Raper Williamson co-founder of Upspring™ Lisa has over 17 years in Marketing, Sales, Finance and Accounting. Lisa was most recently the VP of Marketing for American Achievement Corporation, a $300 million consumer products company focused on scholastic and jewelry products. Lisa tells us, “My son, Drake had a very bad fall when he was first learning to walk. He lost his confidence and didn’t try again for a few months; walking wings changed that.”

FEATURES:

AWARDS:

iParenting 2007 Media Award

PURCHASING:

If you have a child with special needs, please confirm that the store has the latest version (up until 4 years) before placing your order.

USA: Click here

Store locator can be accessed here.

Canada: Click here.

Europe: Click here.

Australia: Click here.

Success Through Play™ comments:

Walking Wings is an innovative product that can help in preventing adult back pain.

Most parents write to us concerned that their 1 year old baby isn’t walking. Please note that only 50-60% of babies are walking independently by their 1st birthday. It is imperative to let you baby master each developmental phase without rushing them, because each phase builds on the other. If you don’t lay an excellent foundation when building a house what can happen? That being said, if your baby is not walking by 16 months, start investigating why. Ask your doctor for a referral to a Developmental Pediatrician and in addition to a qualified, Pediatric Physical Therapist (Physiotherapist). Each baby is unique and each case must be evaluated independently. You are the best advocate for your baby, so speak up whenever you are concerned. Should you find out that your baby has a developmental delay, Early Intervention (as needed, may include an occupational therapist, physical therapist and speech pathologist) can make a significant difference in the outcome of your baby’s future.

Please use the Walking Wings responsively. Only once your baby is showing clear signs that he or she is ready to practice walking should you bring out the Walking Wings. Your baby will let you know-follow her lead! If you use this product before your child has the necessary postural and control, balance, coordination and gross motor skills, you may do her more hard than good. Generally speaking, if you baby has good balance, can weight bear unassisted and is clearly motivated AND interested in walking, he/she may be a good candidate for the Walking Wings. This could be as early as 10/11 months of age.

Basic back care for all adults include bending at the knees, whilst keeping your back straight and NOT BENDING at the waist. The act of assisting your baby to walk, by holding his hands violates this basic back principle, with painful consequences.Walking Wings eliminates a parent having to bend down to assist their baby in walking. Bending at the waist for extended periods of time can result in muscular back, neck and shoulder pain. Walking Wings provides trunk support for babies who are learning to master walking and thus eliminates the need for parents to have to pull at their baby’s arms. Walking Wings may be particularly useful for parents who have children with developmental delays. Due to parent feedback, Upspring™ recently modified their original design (expanded the vest size) so that older children with developmental delays would be able to use the Walking Wings (approx up until 4 years). There may still be a few of the older versions (up until 2 years) available in the stores, so please confirm before ordering.

We had no difficulty finding parents to test out the Walking Wings. Common complaints prior to using the Walking Wings were “my back is killing me after just several days of bending over to holding my son’s hand while he refines his walking – HELP!!!”. A dad who is over 6 foot tall told us “With my height, I am having to bend down really far and within minutes the pain in my back is noticeable. I want to be able to motivate and encourage my daughter to walk independently, but the pain is getting in the way.”

We initially evaluated the 2 babies to ensure that they were suitable candidates for using the Walking Wings. Each baby (11 months and 12 months) was walking fairly well with a 2 arm assist and were motivated to improve their walking skills. We instructed the parents how to use the Walking Wings and waited for feedback. The emails begin flooding in. “What a brilliant invention. I no longer have to bend over at the waist and suffer back pain. My son used to fall a lot and get many boo boos, but not anymore.”

Additional comments: “My baby is well supported in the Walking Wings and she is developing confidence in her walking skills. I can stand up straight and move more effectively compared with hunching down on the ground. This product is a must have.

“Walking Wings is a miracle. My parents (baby’s grandparents) will no longer have to abstain from helping our daughter to walk, so everyone benefits.”

To learn more, please visit:

www.WalkingWings.com

The Laptop Lunch System includes:

* an insulated carrying case
* a reusable water bottle
* the Laptop Lunch Bento Box
* a set of stylish utensils
* The Laptop Lunch User’s Guide

Obentec, Inc: “The bento set is made here in the San Francisco Bay Area. It’s made of polypropylene #5 and polythethylene #2. The carrying case is made in China. It’s made primarily of cordura and vinyl. Both items are phthalate free and have tested negative for lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, antimony, and tin. They have not been treated with flame retardants or teflon.”

Features

* Removable inner containers can accommodate a variety of food sizes
* Tray-like feel makes lunch fun.
* Sealable lid prevents wet foods from leaking onto other foods.
* Dip container for sauces, salad dressings, and dips makes eating vegetables fun.
* Single unit eliminates the mess of jumbled containers.
* Stainless steel fork and spoon with stylish plastic handles are great for leftovers.
* Convenient size fits in backpacks and most lunchboxes.
* Durable plastic containers (not lids) are microwave safe.
* Containers and lids are dishwasher safe–top rack only.

The Laptop Lunch User’s Guide

The Laptop Lunch User’s Guide will change the way you view lunch with…

* Fresh ideas for making wholesome lunches kids love
* Strategies for improving lunchtime nutrition
* Tips for picky eaters
* Quick-reference shopping lists
* Creative lunch menus
* Quick and easy kid-friendly recipes
* Strategies for making the most of your Laptop Lunch
* Tips for reducing lunchtime waste

The Laptop Lunch System is available is 4 colors.

PURCHASING:

USA:
Locate a Retailer:

Buy Online:

UK/EUROPE:
Click here.

Also available in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Click here and scroll down for details.

Success Through Play™ comments:

Tammy Pelstring and Amy Hemmert developed the Laptop Lunch System in 2001, with a goal to “help parents pack wholesome, low waste lunches that was not only convenient and economical but also appealing to kids.” Read the full story here. Obentec, Inc. has created an online gallery of healthy lunches to inspire parents which can be accessed here.

The Laptop Lunch System is modeled on Japanese style lunch containers. The Bento set features 5 containers varying in size, which fit within the container. This unique design will inspire parents to create delicious, healthy and nutritionally balanced lunches for their kids.

You can add an ice pack from your refrigerator and store it in the outer zipped compartment of the insulated carrying case. In addition, a set of utensils (fork and spoon) are included in the the Laptop Lunch System and are stored to the right of the lunch box. A water bottle is included and is stored to the left of the lunch box. A name tag is included for personalization.The User’s Guide will teach you how to use the Laptop Lunch System and offers tips for creating healthy and appetizing lunch meals for your child! Organic, plant based foods are emphasized.

We applaud Obentec, Inc for creating an eco-friendly Laptop Lunch Bento Box System which is helping to keep garbage out of our land fills.

We distributed the Laptop Lunch System to a local mom in our parent panel, Helen. Up until now, Helen admitted that she felt guilty giving her son packaged food items for lunch and when she took a closer look at the nutritional info, realized that the food items were packed with salt and fat and devoid of nutrition! Helen was interested in “going green” and wanted to learn how she could reduce her families lunchtime waste.

Helen eagerly studied “The Laptop Lunch User’s Guide” and started creating healthy lunch items for her son. She instructed her 8 year old son how to use the Laptop Lunch System and off he went to school. Helen was anxiously awaiting her son’s arrival from school and was pleasantly surprised when she opened the Laptop Lunch Bento Box and found that her son had eaten all of his lunch! “This rarely happens so it was a wonderful surprise.” Her son commented that his lunch was yummy and added that all of his friends were fascinated with his cool Laptop Lunch Bento Box and wanted their own. Helen added: “I am really enjoying baking from scratch. I have found simple, healthy recipes that are quick and easy to prepare. My son can clearly taste the difference between fresh healthy home cooked food and store bought food. I will continue to cook my son healthy meals for his new Laptop Lunch Bento Box and will spread the word about this marvelous system. Thank you!”

FAQ:
Click here.

We would like to thank Obentec, Inc. for sending us an Evaluation Sample of the Laptop Lunch System.

To learn more, please visit:

www.laptoplunches.com

This month, we featured the Part II of our Holiday Shopping Ideas for the entire family and then moved onto Products that Mimic the womb.

ChocoPerfection Bars

GAIAM – The 2007 Bamboo Collection

IKEA®: 2007 Holiday Shopping Ideas

An Interview with Netflorist

Dec 2007: Products that Mimic the Womb

Original Slumber Bear™ and WashPOD™ by Prince Lionheart

The Supreme Snuggle Nest® by Baby Delight®

Boppy® Rock in Comfort® Swing

Miracle Blanket®

Hug-a-Bub® Baby Carrier

Zaky® by Zakeez, Inc

Cozy Cocoon®

Snug & Tug™ Swaddling Blanket

aden + anais Australian muslin baby wraps

2007 has been an exciting year for us. We have published over 161 articles which we hope you have enjoyed reading. We are looking forward to another successful year and have lined up a fantastic collection of articles to be published over the next year. You can expect more recipe book articles, travel articles, fashion articles, healthy snack articles, tech product reviews, developmental tips and of course our picks for innovative and unique family products that are available on the international market. We will be visiting the ABC Kids Expo in September 2008, to search for quality products to introduce you to! Stay Tuned.

During January 2008, we will present “Products that Make Our Lives Easier Part II”, which you won’t want to miss.

The Success Through Play Team would like to wish all of our readers a happy and healthy 2008.

The Success Through Play™ Team would like to wish all of our readers across the world a Happy Holiday Season and a wonderful New Year!

We have a very exciting line up of articles scheduled for 2008. NEW for 2008, we will be doing reader giveaways. Check back often to see what you can win!

We wanted to thank our loyal readers and wish you all a wonderful 2008.

Sincerely,
The Success Through Play™ Team.

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

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

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:

Zakeez, Inc 2007. Copyright and all rights reserved. Picture has been reproduced with the permission of 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.

Zakeez, Inc 2007. Copyright and all rights reserved. Picture has been reproduced with the permission of Zakeez, Inc.

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)

Zakeez, Inc 2007. Copyright and all rights reserved. Picture has been reproduced with the permission of 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.

Zakeez, Inc 2007. Copyright and all rights reserved. Picture has been reproduced with the permission of Zakeez, Inc.

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.

Zakeez, Inc 2007. Copyright and all rights reserved. Picture has been reproduced with the permission of Zakeez, Inc.

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.

Zakeez, Inc 2007. Copyright and all rights reserved. Picture has been reproduced with the permission of Zakeez, Inc.

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.”

Zakeez, Inc 2007. Copyright and all rights reserved. Picture has been reproduced with the permission of Zakeez, Inc.

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 :