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 :

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

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

Product Description (provided by Hugabub Australia Pty Ltd).

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

Features

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

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

Points of difference:

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

PURCHASING:

To locate a retailer please click here.

Success Through Play™ comments:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

To learn more, please visit:

www.HugABub.com

Boppy® Rock in Comfort® Swing

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

Product Features:

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

PURCHASING:

Please click here. Available exclusively in the USA

Success Through Play™ comments:

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

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

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

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

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

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

www.Boppy.com

Baby Delight® was founded in 2000 by Farah Morton, a mom who realized that the bassinet was preventing the closeness she desired with her newborn daughter. Knowing the dangers associated with co-sleeping, Farah started experimenting with ways to create a safe area on her own bed that would protect her newborn and allow the closeness she wanted for those first three precious months. With her second baby, Farah refined her ideas into a simple, innovative, and safe product design, and the Snuggle Nest® was born! The Snuggle Nest®, a protective co-sleeping bed, was an immediate success since there was no other solution for co-sleeping parents on the market, other than bedside bassinets. Shortly after its debut, the Snuggle Nest® was awarded the iParenting Media award and the Hot Product award, as well as the National Parenting Center award. The CBS Morning News interviewed Farah about her innovative co-sleeping bed, and news stations from coast-to-coast featured the Snuggle Nest®, demonstrating how this safe and simple product was meeting a real need for today’s parents. Dr. Harvey Karp, noted pediatrician and author of The Happiest Baby on the Block, has acknowledged the usefulness of the Snuggle Nest® and features it in his training methods for The Happiest Baby Educators.

The national exposure of this mom-designed product, as well as word-of-mouth from many satisfied parents, has helped place it on many moms-to-be wish lists and it is now a bestselling baby product!

The Supreme Snuggle Nest® (Product Description provided by Baby Delight®)

* Baby Delight’s Snuggle Nest® is the Original Protective Infant Sleeper!
* Comfort and Safety for co-sleeping infants
* Sturdy support walls, quilted cover, breathable mesh, built-in night light, foam wedge for inclining mattress for improved breathing and digestion
* Encloses newborns with the protective, womb-like security they crave and gives parents the endless bonding they love!
* Recommended from newborn to 4 months.

PURCHASING:

USA: www.babydelight.com

Canada: Retail stores across Canada, especially in Ontario.

UK: www.summerinfant.co.uk

Additionally in Spain, Singapore and Japan

Success Through Play™ comments:

We are very pleased to highlight the Supreme Snuggle Nest® from Baby Delight® Inc, today. Throughout our contact with this company, we have been impressed by their prompt and professional conduct. The Supreme Snuggle Nest® follows the original, highly popular Deluxe Snuggle Nest from Baby Delight®.” The Supreme Snuggle Nest® offers great new features and design improvements to provide even more comfort and safety for co-sleeping infants in the adult bed”.

The Supreme Snuggle Nest® features a Built-In Nightlight which will allow parents to check on their baby/feed their baby/change their baby in dim light. The dim light at night will help reinforce the concept of night time and help a baby to associate night time with sleep time. If parents choose to use regular day lights during the light, their baby may easily become over stimulated and become confused, thinking that it’s play time. The Supreme Snuggle Nest® features an incline wedge which will elevate baby’s head and provide some relief when baby is congested or experiences digestion or reflux. This incline is optional and can easily be removed if you prefer.

The Supreme Snuggle Nest® features a waterproof foam mattress which is firm and supportive, a requirement of every baby mattress. A an extra machine washable sheet is included with every purchase. The Sleep Positioners ensure the your baby stays in a supine position (sleeping on his back) for safety. The cover of this product is machine washable. The Supreme Snuggle Nest® is super lightweight, folds easily for travel and features a handle for carrying. This clever design makes it suitable for weekends away and travel.

The Supreme Snuggle Nest® is a well designed product which eases a baby’s transition from womb to crib. Many newborns feel completely lost and disoriented when placed in a large crib, away from mom and dad. Remember that your baby is used to very tight quarters in your womb! The Supreme Snuggle Nest® mimics the womb by providing a comfortable, cozy place to sleep, where baby can feel the dimensions of the Nest and be comforted by the tactile and proprioceptive input that it provides.

Attachment Parenting is gathering in popularity and as a result, parents are looking for safer ways to co-sleep with their baby. The Supreme Snuggle Nest® will be appealing to those wishing to co-sleep with their baby, parents who wish to maximize bonding with their newborn and in particular, to moms who have had C-Sections. Parents will have easy access to their baby when he/she is sleeping in the Supreme Snuggle Nest®. Sleep deprived moms who are recovering from childbirth will be able to nurse with ease and parents will be able to read their baby’s cues more easily, as the baby will be right next to them, instead of far away in a crib.

We distributed the Supreme Snuggle Nest® to a mom, Jill, who was recovering from an emergency C-section. Readers who have had a C-Section or know of someone who has had one will understand that the initial weeks following recovery are painful and mobility is limited. Energy conservation is a must and the Supreme Snuggle Nest® fit the bill perfectly. Jill’s family was overseas and her husband worked long hours, leaving her to care for her newborn on her own, while recovering from a C-Section. Jill exclaimed:, “The Supreme Snuggle Nest has been a lifesaver for me! I want to thank Baby Delight® for inventing the Supreme Snuggle Nest® which has enabled me to nurse my baby, change his diaper and care for him independently while being unable to move about as usual. I honestly don’t know what I would have done without it; we are unable to afford to hire someone to help.”

Success Through Play™ would like to thank you Baby Delight,® Inc. for sending us a sample for this review.

Baby Delight® offers a variety of well designed products. Please visit:

www.BabyDelight.com