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BABYBJÖRN

NEW BABYBJÖRN High Chair!

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I know, I know… I just blogged about the awesomeness that is BABYBJÖRN. But when this came across my desk this morning, I just had to share! DROOL!

It’s the NEW BABYBJÖRN High Chair! That’s right, folks, from the creators of the most inspired baby products in the world, comes a sleek, compact and mess-free chair.

Features:

Unique safety solution & portable
The high chair’s unique design keeps the child securely in place and has two-step locks that can only be opened by an adult. Plus, the high chair is easy to fold. When folded, it is only 10.5 in/26 cm wide and is easy to store or take with you on a trip.

Perfect for the child’s back
Small children are not well-seated or comfortable in most high chairs. That’s why the BABYBJÖRN High Chair has a curved backrest that hugs your child’s body, and an adjustable table that helps your child to sit comfortably upright. The high chair is suitable for children from six months to three years, and is easy to adjust to your growing child.

Less mess
To minimize mess, the BABYBJÖRN High Chair has smooth surfaces without nooks and crannies where food can collect. The safety table fits snugly against the child’s tummy so that food does not fall into his or her lap. The tray-table is easy to take off and may be washed by hand or in the dishwasher.

The high chair will be available in stores at the end of summer, and is currently available for pre-sale exclusively through Giggle.com. Woot!

BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light

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There are only a handful of companies I can always count on to make my life easier. BABYBJÖRN is one of those companies.

It’s no secret that one of my most coveted products for Baby Reid was the Babysitter Balance; one year and hours of happy bouncing later, I daresay its one of the most thoughtfully designed baby products I’ve ever had the pleasure of reviewing.

So it comes as no surprise that when in the market for a travel crib, I looked to BABYBJÖRN first. An essential for travel across the country (or just from room to room), the Travel Crib Light is the perfect way to keep baby contained – and content.

The good folks at BABYBJÖRN sent Reid a silver crib (pictured above). From the very first day, it has become one of the most popular products in our home.

Lena Loves:

Convenience. The BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light weighs only 11 pounds (5 kg) – that’s light enough for grandparents or even older siblings to tote around. The case’s practical handles make it as easy to carry as an ordinary bag; no more awkward golf bag setups like most standard playards. And the sleek styling makes it a pleasure to cart through the airport – I’ve never been able to match the bright juvenile patterns of other playpen shells with my crocodile Prada handbag, know what I mean?

Easy set up. Forget directions. Even my husband – Bizarro World’s equivalent of a handyman – was able to figure this one out. There are exactly three things you need to know: unzip bag, remove frame and shake to standing, insert mattress. That’s it – less than 30 seconds of your precious time. Don’t believe me? Watch this:

My husband and I took the Travel Crib Light Challenge – while he came in at about 22 seconds, I was well behind at 41 seconds. Of course, I competed while holding an excited, wiggling baby in one arm – proof that not only does the travel crib set up in under a minute, but it can also be set up one-handed.

Safety and Comfort. I want to stress that although your wee one will likely have fun hanging out in the crib, it’s not a playard. The Travel Crib Light is a safe, comfortable place for your child to sleep when you’re on the go. Made with high quality and machine washable Oko-Tex Standard 100 (class 1) approved fabrics, it translates into peace of mind for parents and a good night’s sleep for baby. The BABYBJÖRN base sits directly on the floor and the frame fans out wider at the bottom. This ingenious design prevents tipping from both sides of the crib and makes it a safe environment for both baby and siblings.

Now have you ever felt the “mattress” that comes with a standard playard? More like a piece of cardboard, right? Well, the Travel Crib Light’s one-piece waterproof mattress is both plush and breathable, allowing for a sleeping experience as close to baby’s crib as possible.

If you think you won’t have a use for the product, consider this: I’ve traveled very lightly in the past year – not enough to qualify me as a world adventurer. The reason I find the BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light so convenient is the ability to take it from room to room in literally seconds. I always have a comfortable, safe place for Reid to chill out while I go about my day, and if he happens to nod off in the cozy environment – well, I’m not complaining at all :)

Here’s the Travel Crib Light in “Action” –

REID WAVING FROM HIS FAVOURITE PLACE TO CHILL
CAN YOU SPOT THE CRIB AMIDST THE CLUTTER
DURING MY RECENT RENO-CATION?
EVEN RYDER LIKES TO CRASH IN THE CRIB – IT’S SO COZY
AND COMFY, IT’S JUST LIKE OLD TIMES!

As you can see in th last picture, even a ridiculously tall 3-year old can enjoy a nice siesta in the travel crib. Guess there’s just something about the plush, soft environment that makes him all sleepy!

The crib retails for CDN $329.99 and can be purchased at major retailers across North America. In the Greater Toronto Area, look for it at Dear-Born Baby and Babies R Us.

Click here to learn more about the BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light.

BABYBJÖRN Babysitter Balance

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Sometimes you’ll discover an ingenious product and think, “Damn – my first kid missed out!” And that’s exactly how I feel about the BABYBJÖRN Babysitter Balance.

With an ergonomic design and molded seat, a calm, natural rocking motion and the ability to help refine your child’s motor skills and balance, it is undeniably in a class all its own. But what makes it even better is that my little guy LOVES bouncing away. He is truly content to stay in his Babysitter Balance for as long as I need to have my hands free (and even longer sometimes), and it’s the only bouncer he hasn’t fallen out of (believe me, he tries to get out of everything).

Now I’ll admit it – the very first thing that attracted me to this product was its looks. With clean lines, a modern design and sophisticated colour schemes (no bright green dinosaurs in sight) the bouncer suits our tastes perfectly. Set up took exactly 1 minute – simply unfolding the bouncer and selecting a position – as opposed to traditional bouncers, which require tools and patience. And the bouncer folds flat for transportation and storage, making it our preferred babysitter when we’re on the go.

I love the bouncer’s three positions: play, rest and sleep. We started Reid on “sleep” mode, but the curious little guy would constantly lean forward to get in on the action around him. So we quickly adjusted him to “rest” mode, and this is actually his perfect position for the moment (“play” is an upright position which is slightly too severe for his tastes). Did I mention that you can adjust the position without disturbing baby? Just another one of its design features you’ll love. As for Reid, he bounces, bounces and bounces away, and as the maximum weight capacity is a whopping 29 lbs in play mode, he has a LOT more fun to look forward to! A bonus: no batteries needed!

The Babysitter Balance rocks back and forth with the child’s own movements. Reid has adopted a bit of a foot-slapping technique; he likes to smack his foot down as he picks up speed. This is in no way required to make the bouncer move – just a quirky little habit of my baby.

With a little help from the theme song of The Young & The Restless, here’s the bouncer in action (set in the rest position):

Yes, I am grooming another generation of Y&R fans.

You can see that as soon as the rocking motion slows to a stop, he begins to wind back up again. He normally keeps this up until I remove him!

The Babysitter Balance was developed in close collaboration with pediatricians, and is the result of over 45 years of product development and experience. It boasts proper back and head support and a molded seat which distributes baby’s weight evenly. Now a few moms have asked me about the safety features – in the absence of a three-point harness, some parents may be nervous about their child’s ability to stay firmly secured in the seat. However, the safety harness is aligned correctly and designed to safely hold children within the weight capacities – and should be removed when the child is old enough to climb in/out on his own. Here’s a quick video showing Reid trying to break out of the bouncer – and proof of the fact that he’s not going anywhere (set in the play position/>

The Babysitter Balance cance comes in six (6) hot colours with reversible fabric. The bouncer is also available in the Balance Air, an airy and pleasant version, and the Balance Organic, made from soft, organic cotton. You can find it at most retailers of baby goods and it is worth every penny. It is 100% Lena-Approved!

Click here for more information on the BABYBJÖRN Babysitter Balance.

BABYBJÖRN Carriers – New Hues!

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They’re already the most trusted brand of baby carriers on the market… and now two of BABYBJÖRN’s popular baby carriers – the newly launched BABYBJÖRN Comfort Carrier and BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier Air – are available in new hues! Parents will now find the Comfort Carrier in Black and the Baby Carrier Air in Sand/White.

Designed for parents to carry older and heavier children more comfortably, the Comfort Carrier features an adjustable, ergonomic waist belt that distributes the child’s weight to the wearer’s hips. Because the carrier can be used with children from approximately 3 months old up until the age of 2 (from 13 to 31 pounds), parents can enjoy the infant-parent bonding and hands-free mobility benefits of babywearing longer. The Comfort Carrier also is made from organically grown cotton, which meets the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), the most recognized international organic standard.


The Baby Carrier Air features a breathable, flexible mesh material that efficiently wicks away heat and moisture, keeping parents and baby cooler and more comfortable. It can accommodate babies from 8 pounds up to 25 pounds.

These colours lend sophistication and style for the modern parent – I am LOVING the Sand/White combo. You may be thinking, “Really, Lena? White for a baby?” It’s ALL GOOD! BABYBJÖRN carriers can be machine washed in a warm (40°C), gentle cycle. Et voila! Like new!

The new fashions are now available in the US, and the Comfort Carrier in Black will be available to Canadians in January 2011 (Sand/White Air not available in Canada).

FYI – Reid is an incredibly happy ‘BJÖRN baby. He loves being carried, and I literally log thousands of steps with him as we chase after Ryder, do the housework, and go for breezy autumn walks. BLISS!

BABYBJÖRN Winner!

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A big thank you to everyone who entered the Lena Loves… BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier giveaway. It was great to see so many people agree with BABYBJÖRN’s assessment of their Spirit! Now I didn’t disclose this in the review, but my Spirit – according to my test result – is Black Diamond (I think all the shopping-related answers influenced the outcome). Don’t get me wrong – black does suit me, but Green Energy suits my little guy even better :)

As a reminder, up for grabs is a BABYBJÖRN Original Spirit Baby Carrier in your choice of colour (Value CDN $120). Drum roll please… the winner is The Fam! Congratulations!

Please send me an e-mail with your complete contact details, so that I can have the prize sent to you right away. Thanks to everyone who participated, and to BABYBJÖRN!

Lena Loves… BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier

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…Or the ’BJÖRN, as it’s affectionately called in our home.

Before Ryder was born, I had little knowledge of the “must have” items for babies. Looking back, my baby shower gift registry was a hodgepodge of blankets, bottles and bibs. But I did have the good sense to include a baby carrier on the list – and not just any carrier; the famed BABYBJÖRN Original Classic.

Parents raved about this product – from the durable, high quality material, ease of use, and most important – babies just seemed to LOVE being carried in a BABYBJÖRN. So I crossed my fingers that the item would be purchased, and dreamed of grocery shopping with a cute little head poking out in front of me.

I was in luck. I received the carrier as a gift, and put it to use immediately after Ryder gained some head control. And the reviews were more than correct – Ryder LOVED it! More often than not he would drift off to a sweet slumber while mommy went about her business, but not before taking in the world from a different, wonder-filled perspective. The only down side to the carrier is that he outgrew it quickly, and I had to say goodbye before I was ready (now solved by the NEW BABYBJÖRN Comfort Carrier).

So when given the opportunity to review the fabulous Spirit line, you know I jumped at the chance. Since I’m a pink and green kind of gal (did my blog colours give that away?) I chose the vibrant, deliciously bright Green Energy.

BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier Original Spirit

The Spirit collection showcases the popular BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier Original in eight new colors: Orange Flame, Pink Passion, Blue Moon, Green Energy, Red Heart, Gray Pearl, Black Diamond and White Angel. The vibrant colors make a bold statement against the contrasting black straps. These new color offerings reflect the company’s ongoing dedication to providing consumers fashion-forward selections to express their personal style while enjoying carrying their baby close.

With a BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier you can hold your baby close while keeping your hands free for other things. And it’s perfect for use both indoors and out. Thanks to its well-conceived design, the baby carrier is ergonomically correct for the child as well as comfortable and easy to use for the person carrying baby. When the child is older and his/her neck stronger, the head support can be folded down so that the child can be carried facing forward and have a look around.

Want to discover your Spirit? Answer 6 quick questions to find out which colour is right for you!

As expected, placing your little one into the carrier is a breeze. All you need is a little dexterity and a somewhat cooperative baby! Since I had more than enough experience from my baby carrying days with Ryder, I found it incredibly simple to strap Reid in (I think my record is 22 seconds – yes, in this household, we hold timed contests to amuse ourselves). Even the husband, who has limited experience with the carrier, can get Reid safely secured in under a minute. The best part? Reid actually giggles with glee once in! I’ll say it again – babies LOVE the ‘BJÖRN.

Besides the ease of use, what else does this mama love? Well…

1) The FABULOUS colours of the Spirit collection. If you’re the type of person who likes to flaunt your fashion sense, get ready to be noticed. I can’t tell you how many people have come up to me while we’re out and about, declaring “OMG! I love your BABYBJÖRN! I didn’t know you can choose from different colours!” Yes, I respond. Yes you can.

2) The ease of care and maintenance. Babies love to drool, suck and nibble on the BABYBJÖRN while facing forward. You can purchase the Bib for Baby Carrier, or, if you’re like me, just throw the carrier in the wash from time to time. It really couldn’t be simpler, and the item holds on to its colour and shape even after repeated washes. (Just remember – no bleach!)

3) The secure, snug fit. The carrier is entirely adjustable to provide the best wearing experience possible for baby and parent. Back and side straps may be customized for height and weight, and the carrier also adjusts to your growing child. The weight of the baby is distributed evenly through your shoulders, back and hips, so you shouldn’t feel discomfort even after using the carrier for extended periods (those who suffer from back pain/injury should consult their doctor before using the ’BJÖRN).

4) BABYBJÖRN’s trusted reputation. A family-owned Swedish company founded in 1961, BABYBJÖRN’s goal has been to simplify everyday activities for parents and small children by developing innovative products. Their products are now used worldwide by millions of parents, and all of them have the same goal: happy, safe children. It’s no wonder that the carrier is a “Top Ten Must Have” for baby registries around the world.

We’re looking forward to many more months of baby carrying with this formidable product. Reid’s face says it all… he’s quite happy to be toted around in his flashy and fun BABYBJÖRN Original Spirit carrier!

Click here to visit BABYBJÖRN.

What’s your Spirit? Enter for your chance to win!

One lucky Listen to Lena! reader will win a BABYBJÖRN Original Spirit Baby Carrier in his/her choice of colour! (Value CDN $120) To enter, simply discover your spirit online, then leave a comment telling us which colour you’d choose!

You can also qualify for extra entries! Remember, you must leave a separate comment to claim your extra entry. You can:

(1) Follow my blog, Listen to Lena!
(2) Like BABYBJÖRN North America on Facebook
(3) Follow BABYBJÖRN on Twitter
(4) Tweet about this giveaway (here’s a tiny URL for you: http://tinyurl.com/26xcq4s)
(5) You may Tweet daily if you wish

I’ll draw for a winner at the end of September. Special thanks to BABYBJÖRN, and good luck everybody!

BABYBJÖRN Comfort Carrier!

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How exciting!!!

Ryder was a BABYBJÖRN baby. I pretty much carried him everywhere – the supermarket, the beach, even throughout the house as I vacuumed. The only thing I disliked about the carrier was the fact that he outgrew it so soon.

Well, problem solved!

BABYBJÖRN Comfort Carrier is an ergonomic baby carrier that provides the best possible support when carrying a bigger and older child for extended periods of time. The waist belt and the padded, adjustable shoulder straps distribute baby’s weight evenly onto your hips and shoulders. For extra comfort, the child can be carried using different leg positions and, as with all BABYBJÖRN Baby Carriers, you can carry your child facing inwards or outwards. BABYBJÖRN Comfort Carrier’s well-conceived design allows you to carry your child safely and close to you, and at the same time it’s hands-free. For children up to 2 yrs, from 6 kg/13 lbs (at least 55 cm/22 in) to 14 kg/31 lbs (12 kg/26.5 lbs facing outwards).

Curious? Stop in at a participating retailer, try it on for yourself and register to win! Simply visit a participating store between July 1st and close of business on August 13th, try on the BABYBJÖRN Comfort Carrier and fill out the BABYBJÖRN “Feel the Comfort” entry form.

One winner in each participating store will receive a BABYBJÖRN Babysitter Balance (approximate retail value: $179.95 US; $199.95 CA). Five additional winners in each participating store will receive a BABYBJÖRN Soft Bib (approximate retail value: $9.95 US; $15.95 CA).

You know I’ll be checking it out!

Click here to find a participating retailer near you.