Our “Who Wants to be a Babywearing Winner?” Week One winners are Rae Bennetts and Pritika Manocha. Both of you have won a pair of BabyLegs legwarmers from our new range. Have fun choosing your new style! We will be in contact via email with all the details!
Remember! Enter each week to be eligible for our Week 5 prize of an ERGObaby carrier and BabyLegs pack RRP $209. Good luck!
Week 2 of our March Madness Competition begins today. Remember to leave your answer in the comment field of the relevant week to be eligible for the weekly prize.
WEEK 2 PRIZE – two correct entries will win a set of BabyLegs Organic legwarmers or socks valued up to $21.95. (Eligibility for the weekly prize will run for one week from posting, and conclude the following Tuesday night at midnight EST).
(Remember to answer both! Hint: All answers can be found somewhere on the Babes in Arms website)
Selecting the winner of the Babes in Arms February Competition was extremely tough. In fact, it took the whole team to decide and even then there was much debate.
The winners (yes plural! We just couldn’t agree!) of the Organic ERGObaby carrier and H2H Insert are:
Iznaya, whose ERGObaby carrier provided her with the ability to continue volunteer fire fighting (radio traffic – at the station NOT on the actual front line 
)
AND,
Jennifer, who is shortly to return to Chile where parents are being asked to hold their babies due to after shocks. The proud owner of an ERGObaby carrier already. Jennifer will share the ERGO love with another parent in Chile with her prize!
Shortlisted Entrants (BIA will reward this group with a set of BabyLegs from the latest range):
City girl Samantha Weaver
Penny in Guam
Dyan who explored the Greek Islands
Renee who was inspired by Dr Seuss
Our poet Narelle
AND
Carly whose house is on a slope
Week 1 of our Who Wants to be a Babywearing Winner starts today! Please leave your answer in the comment field!
WEEK 1 PRIZE – two correct entries will win a set of New Range BabyLegs. (Prizes will run for one week and close the following Tuesday at midnight)
(Remember to answer both! Hint: All answers can be found somewhere on the Babes in Arms website)
March is the month that needs a bit of oomph and spark to make it special. end As we wave goodbye to summer (*sob*) and prepare for Easter, March is under rated and not usually a calendar high. Babes in Arms have decided to introduce March Madnessto the babywearing world.
Over the next weeks of March, all Babes in Arms fans have the opportunity to participate in our frenzy of activity on our blog – blog.babesinarms.com.au. Big fans, of trivia nights and game-shows, we are showcasing “Who Wants to be a Babywearing Winner” for the entire month.
Each week, a new set of babywearing trivia will be uploaded to our March Madness Competion Page (right here) and fabulous prizes for that week will be announced. The answers are all to be found on our website www.babesinarms.com.au – finding them is the key!
BabyLegs and ERGObaby carriers are the perfect combination as they are both all about functional parenting, that keeps baby comfy and bright. BabyLegs take the hassle out of nappy changes, jazz up any outfit and have so many uses we could write a book about them! ERGObaby carriers keep baby close, take you to a whole new level with hands free baby carrying, and will never hurt your back when worn correctly. Teamed together – bliss!
As we believe that the ERGObaby carrier and BabyLegs are the perfect partners, we will be showcasing these items in our prize pool. The build up leading to an ERGObaby Carrier (in your choice of colour) valued at RRP$159.00 and a BabyLegs gift pack RRP$50 for a fan who has entered EACH week with the correct answers.
How to Enter:
1,. Each Wednesday throughout March, Trivia questions will be uploaded to the Babes in Arms blog site – blog.babesinarms.com.au – under their appropriate Week number.
2. Fans can then search the www.babesinarms.com.au site for the answers to the questions.
3. Once found, fans must leave their answers as a comment under that weeks blog posts. As the comments are moderated, these will be viewed and collated by the BIA Team , but invisible to other fans.
4. The following Wednesday, the winner(s) from the past week will be selected and the new trivia questions will be uploaded
5. Fans may choose to enter only once to win a prize in Weeks 1-4, but MUST enter all weeks 1-4 to be eligible for the Week 5 prize.
Full Terms & Conditions:
A. This activity closes at midnight March 31, 2010 (EST)
B. An ERGObaby carrier RRP $159 (of your own colour choice) and a BabyLegs gift pack RRP$50 will be awarded to 1 winner who has answered all trivia questions from weeks 1-4; Week one winners (2) will win a pack or BabyLegs from the NEW range valued up to RRP $16.50; Week two winners (2) will win a pair of legwarmers or socks from the BabyLegs Organics range valued up to $21.95 C. Winners will be chosen by Babes in Arms
D. Winners must meet ALL eligibility criteria to win
E. Winners will be notified via our BLOG and Facebook and must respond in 14 days
E. Only legitimate comments will be accepted.
F. Babes in Arms reserves the right to deem any entry invalid
G. This competition is only open to residents of Asia Pacific.
H. This giveaway is for Babes in Arms fans only. Comments that self-promote stores or products will not be accepted as eligible, and will be removed.
Starting today you can enjoy 15% off store wide (excluding items already on sale). Grab that ERGObaby carrier you have had your eye on, stock up on BabyLegs for winter or buy a baby shower gift for a pregnant friend. There is something here for everybody!
Spread the ‘Specials Love’ and let your mama friends know about the great savings to be had across all of our award-winning products! Simply enter coupon code BIANL-0210 at checkout to enjoy the discounts. Please note that the discount does not apply to items already on sale. Coupon Code expires at midnight on Thursday 18 Feb. See below for some of the great deals you can grab with the discount code.
Down Syndrome is the most commonly occurring genetic abnormality found in humans. It does not discriminate between race or gender and is found in all societies on Earth. There is no known cause, although it does not have anything to do with what the mother or father did or didn’t do before or during the pregnancy. Although there is an increased risk amongst mothers 35 years and above, these days most babies with Down Syndrome are born to mothers under this age.
Down Syndrome occurs when a partial or full copy of chromosome 21 occurs during the formation of an embryo. The extent to which Down Syndrome will affect a child varies health wise and intellectually. Typically, children with Down Syndrome will reach the milestones of their peers, but at a slower pace.
Medical research has determined that up to 15% of children with Down Syndrome experience a misalignment of the cervical vertebrae C-1 and in the neck. They often experience hypotonia (low muscle tone) as well. Activities that hyperextend or radically flex the neck or upper spine, or place their legs in excessive abduction (legs spread too far apart) may increase the risk of injury.
If you are intending to use a baby sling or carrier for your baby with Down Syndrome, it is essential that you use a product that supports your baby’s neck well and offers a physiologically appropriate position for baby’s developing legs. The ERGObaby carrier with the new ‘Heart 2 Heart’ infant insert can provide this type of necessary support. I welcome you to read our post “Using Your Heart to Heart Infant Insert” prior to use to increase your knowledge of appropriate leg spread and placement.
The new ‘Heart 2 Heat’ recently also received a rave review by U.S pre-natal Chiropractor, Lalanya Bridges. Read here for more details – http://blog.babesinarms.com.au/category/ergobaby-carriers/professional-endorsements/
In his ‘Baby Book’, Dr.Sears recommends wearing bubs with special needs particularly for attachment and to enhance breastfeeding success. Coupled with recommendations from an Occupational Therapist or paediatrician, discussions with other mums who have actually experienced your situation will help you develop a babywearing style that suits you and your baby. It was interesting to note that one of the Sears kids has Down Syndrome.
Recently we received the following testimonial from Holly, a mum to 3 boys, the third of which has Down Syndrome.
“I have three boys and have been wearing my babies for over 11 yrs. Keeping my babies close to me for easy access to nurse and comfort was very important to me as a parent. I must say, I never felt like I had children who cried all the time or where just unhappy. I totally met their needs by wearing them. My 3rd son Sam was born with Down syndrome. I treat Sam no different than my other children with the exception I had to make a few modifications with my babywearing because of his low muscle tone. One of my favorite ways to carry Sam is on my back in my Ergo. I reviewed all of my carriers with Sam’s Physical Therapist and the Ergo Baby Carrier gives Sam the most support through his bodice, allows hip flex and he can move his arms freely to use his “Sign Language” while on my back. It’s funny, I can feel him signing sometimes on my neck. Sam is now 3 1/2 yrs old and weighs 29lbs and is 33″ long. Although Sam can walk, he tires very easily, so an Ergo is always in my reach. This soft structure carrier is a win win for me, Sam and his therapy team. I can’t imagine any other way of parenting.” Holly Pennell-Salegna, CLC,HBCE
You can visit Holly’s blog called ‘My Monkey Doodles’ here
Every family’s experience of Down Syndrome is unique. Each parent should therefore consult a health professional before choosing the most appropriate sling or carrier to carry a child with Down Syndrome. Occupational Therapists seem most qualified to make a recommendation, but a paediatrician may be able to as well. Your local Down Syndrome Association will be able to provide further support and link you with other parents who have a child with Down Syndrome.
| DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATIONS | |
| State | Contact Details |
| VIC | Down Syndrome Association of Victoria 219 Napier Street, FITZROY VIC 3063 Tel: (03) 9486 9600 Fax: (03) 9486 9601 email: dsavic@ netspace.net.au |
| NSW | Down Syndrome Association of NSW PO Box 2356, North Parramatta 1750 Tel: (02) 9841 4444 Fax: (02) 9683 4020 Email: admin@dsansw.org.au Web: http://www.dsansw.org.au |
| QLD | The Down Syndrome Association of Queensland PO Box 3223 STAFFORD QLD 4053 Tel: (07) 3356 6655 Fax (07) 3856 2687 Email: dsa.qld@uq.net.au Web: http://dsaq.org.au/ |
| SA | Down Syndrome Society of SA PO Box 436, GREENACRES SA 5086 Tel: (08) 8369 1122 Fax: (08) 8261 7660 email: downssa@chariot.net.au Web: http://downssa.asn.au |
| NT | Down Syndrome Association of NT PO Box 41545, CASUARINA NT 0811 Tel: (08) 8985 6222 Fax: (08) 8985 6266 Email: dsant@octa4.net.au |
| TAS | Down syndrome Association of Tasmania Inc. P O Box 1157, DEVONPORT TAS 7310 Phone: 1300 592 050 Email: info@downsyndrometasmania.org.au Web: http://www.downsyndrometasmania.org.au/ |
| ACT | ACT Down Syndrome Association PO Box 717, Mawson 2607 Phone/Fax (02) 6290 0656 email: : admindsa@actdsa.asn.au website: www.actdsa.asn.au |
| WA | Down Syndrome Association of WA Unit 4/1136 Albany Hwy BENTLEY WA 6102 Tel: (08) 9358 3544 Fax: (08) 9358 3533 Toll free: 1800 623 544 Email: dsawa@upnaway.com Web: http://www.dsawa.asn.au |
“Roses are Red
Violets are Blue
A Bub in the Arms
Feels Fabulously Loved”
Valentines Day will be celebrated by many of us this Sunday, and carrying your baby close to your heart is the perfect way to show everyone just what your love can create!
Babes in Arms are feeling the love with all your gorgeous competition comments. Watch out this Valentine’s Day when we will share our love with a pair or two of our Sweetheart BabyLegs RRP $16.50 on our Facebook fan site on the day – so invite all your friends so they have a chance too!
(Incentive is the chance to win a pair of Baby Legs!)
L: Weekend in Paris Baby Sling RRP $89.00 (plus free postage and handling)
O: Sweetheart BabyLegs RRP $16.50
V: Precious Pink RRP $19.95
E: Bessie Heirloom Baby Sling RRP $149.00
L: Sweetheart BabyLegs RRP $16.50
Y: ERGO Doll Carrier, Heart Rose RRP $42.00
Dear ERGObaby,
I am a prenatal chiropractor in Los Angeles who you sent a Heart to Heart insert and ERGObaby carrier to. I am so very excited about your new insert and so excited to tell you about all of the success I’ve had in spreading the word about your awesome products!
Regarding the new insert, I cannot say enough good things about it! The spinal support that it provides to newborns/infants is superb, with the focus being on the sacrum, pelvis and even hips where they need it the most. I really appreciate that baby can be snugly supported against the parent so as mom or dad is moving around the baby’s neck and spine are comfortably held in place – no flopping like with other carriers, and even so much better than the old insert. Another feature that is so very important for developing infants is that they can be placed into the carrier in their natural “frog legged” posture until their hips are ready to spread on their own.
I am frequently applauding new parents for wearing their babies in whatever carrier they have chosen, and then find myself gently discussing why specific features of their carrier could be better. Now I find myself pulling out the ERGObaby carrier while I have this discussion so that the parents can visualize and even test out this healthier choice for both baby and parent. All too often it is not until babies have developed lumbo-sacral or hip trouble that parents think about the various postures their babies have been in that may have caused it. It has been my mission for some time now to support the use of wraps and carriers that do not force a baby’s hips to be externally rotated and excessively spread prior to when the baby is developmentally ready for this posture. I am so happy to say that you have successfully designed a product that enables parents to use one carrier throughout the development of their baby!
An interesting trend that I have observed in my practice is that parents seem to be happy with the less “body-friendly” carriers until their little ones reach about 15 pounds. Time and again moms (and sometimes dads) will come to me with back and shoulder pain that started during a walk with their baby in the carrier. More often than not the carrier in question is the Bjorn style and the parent will explain that it is no longer comfortable to wear their baby for more than thirty minutes to an hour. After I let them test out the ERGObaby I hear the same quote come out of so many parents mouths “I should have just bought this in the first place!”
So thanks to your generosity in giving my office the ERGObaby and infant insert I am able to educate more parents early on – as in during pregnancy – about the benefits of a carrier that grows with their baby. This has certainly helped to create much healthier and happier new parents.
On a personal note, I have a four month old daughter Geneva who I walk daily in the ERGObaby carrier with the new insert (though I think she is soon to outgrow it). Many of my patients have seen me walking around town and into the office with her in the ERGObaby carrier and if we haven’t already discussed it as an option for them, we suddenly have new motivation to. Many friends of mine have converted to your carrier as well after hearing about the long walks and adventures both my husband and I have had with Geneva in her carrier. In particular we went to Berlin, Germany when she was 10 weeks old and your ERGObaby carrier was a life-saver! We would walk the city from early morning to late evening with her bundled in a snowsuit sitting cozily in her carrier. She’d come out to nurse or stretch while we rested for coffee or meals, and then she would happily settle back in for another nap. I am happy to report that I carried her for days like this with no back pain or fatigue whatsoever! I have attached a photo from this trip as it was such a special time for us that was made even more enjoyable with ease of the ERGObaby carrier.
It has been such as joy to speak with ERGObaby users who haven’t seen the new insert yet…or until they see me with it. At least once a week I am stopped at the farmer’s market or on a hike and parents will tell me about when they used the old insert and how it was more cumbersome for them. I happily tell of the developmental benefits of the Heart to heart and people seem so happy and eager to try it with their next baby or to tell a friend.
Thanks again for creating such a fantastic product, and for sharing it with me and my patients! I look forward to a continued relationship with your company.
Sincerely,
Lalanya Bridges
