May 21, 2010

The highly anticipated Micralite FastFold Superlite's are here!

It's true. The highly anticipated FastFold Superlite has finally arrived and will be shipping early next week. Weighing in at 14 pounds, the Micralite FastFold Superlite is a compact, ergonomic stroller easily maneuvered with one hand.

What's so great about it you ask? It is a light weight stroller (14 lbs, moderate price point, and a compact fold) that acts like a full sized stroller (reclining seat, rear pneumatic tires, excellent maneuverability, adjustable handles, and infant car seat adaptors).

After a fabulous debut at the Hot Mom's Club Pampering Party in NYC last month and amazing feedback from store visits and shows across the country, we know parents everywhere are clamoring to get their hands on a Superlite. Don't miss out! Order yours today.

Features include: • Lightweight aluminum frame • Air-filled tires for a super comfortable ride • Hammock style seating further enhances the comfortable ride for child • Tested to 55 lbs • 40 degree seat recline • Super ventilated mesh seat • Protective canopy with window • Quick release handlebar adjustment for all heights • Available in red, yellow, blue, grey and black • Car seat adaptors available for the Maxi-Cosi and Graco infant carseats • Accessories, like the Rider for a sibling, allow for extended use of the stroller.

Click this link to learn more or purchase Micralite FastFold SuperLite Stroller.

Apr 21, 2010

Important Information From Valco Baby

Dear Valco Baby Customers,

Valco Baby is a family owned and operated brand that has been manufacturing and distributing baby products for more than thirty years. Our products are designed for your children as well as our own and we take tremendous pride in developing the highest quality and safest products for all of them.

When we received word from Consumer Reports (published online April 16 2010) that lab tests indicated that the front napper bar of the Tri Mode Single ATS did not meet the current voluntary ASTM safety standards and posed a potential safety risk, we immediately went to work with our factory to pinpoint the origin of the problem and design a solution. We plan to announce the solution and have the fix available as quickly as possible.

In the meantime, we want to stress that Valco Baby has not received reports of injuries related to the front napper bar and assure our customers that the problem is strictly related to the front bar and not to the design of the stroller. If you are concerned by the possible risk, there are two immediate and simple steps you can take to provide a short-term solution: 1. Remove the front bar and 2. Always use the Tri Mode's five-point safety harness. Valco Baby's five-point safety harness is designed with safety in mind to make it easy for parents and nearly impossible for young children to unfasten.

We promise to keep you up-to-date on our efforts to resolve this problem and we welcome your inquiries. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send us an email at customercare@valcobaby.com or call us at 800-610-7850.

Sincerely,

The Valco Baby Team

Apr 13, 2010

ERGObaby Statement After Reccent Baby Carrier Recalls

ERGObaby has worked hard to promote Babywearing because of the tremendous benefit to our global family. Education is paramount in helping parents make the best decisions for themselves and their babies and it has always been a part of our mission. We are very saddened by the loss of babies over the years from suffocation in bag slings. It is our responsibility as a manufacturer to stress the incredible benefits of keeping our babies close to us in a safe and secure manner.

ERGObaby is taking the following steps to respond to the negative press:

1. One of the greatest gifts anyone can be given is the opportunity to be a parent. I remember when my son was only a few days old, sound asleep in his bassinet; my strong desire to pick him up and hold him close to my heart dominated any other need. My mothering instinct to keep him safe, secure and content has always been my driving force, and when I started ERGObaby, my intention was to create a product that would promote and enhance the ability of parents to safely and comfortably keep their babies close to them as often as possible. Eight years later, my research into the science behind babywearing has affirmed my mothering instincts. I know, beyond a doubt, that bonding with and nurturing our babies from infancy with the help of babywearing is absolutely the best way. read more...

2. We have clearly defined the three categories of carriers: Soft Structured Carriers, Wraps and Slings.

3. We are bringing to the forefront our significant research and certifications.

4. We are highlighting our perspective on safety issues with an essay on safety and information on correct positioning in slings.

We hope you find this helpful in answering any questions you might be receiving regarding the recent warnings.

Click this link to learn more about the ERGOBaby Carriers.

Bugaboo statement on Graco® SnugRide® 35 Infant Car Seat

Bugaboo has discovered that the latest Graco SnugRide 35 Infant Car Seat does not have a smooth fit with the two Bugaboo car seat adapters for Graco. Although the Graco SnugRide 35 Infant Car Seat fits onto the adapters, it requires more force than Bugaboo considers to be user-friendly and to properly click the infant car seat onto the adapters. Bugaboo is designing new car seat adapters that will give the most user-friendly connection between all Graco SnugRide Infant Car Seats and the adapters. The expected launch of these adapters is scheduled for Summer 2010. In the meantime, Bugaboo’s current adapters for the Graco SnugRide Infant Car Seats can still be sold. Consumers who are using Graco SnugRide Infant Car Seats in combination with Bugaboo adapters must at all times make sure they hear a click as proof of proper attachment, as described in the user guide. If these clicks do not occur, the Graco SnugRide Infant Car Seat might not be safely attached to the Bugaboo stroller.

Question & Answers

Does this affect the Bugaboo car seat adapters for all strollers? It does affect the car seat adapters for the Bugaboo Cameleon/Bugaboo Frog and the Bugaboo Bee. The adapter for the new Bugaboo Bee + will have the revised design.

Do retailers have to swap their stock? No, the current Bugaboo car seat adapters can still be sold. Consumers who are using a Graco SnugRide Infant Car Seat in combination with Bugaboo adapters must at all times make sure they hear two clicks as proof of proper attachment, as described in the user guide.

Will consumers having purchased the current adapters for use in combination with the Graco SnugRide 35 Infant Car Seat be able to exchange it with new adapters? No, the current Bugaboo adapter can be used in combination with the Graco SnugRide 35 Infant Car Seat if properly attached by hearing two clicks. There is no need to exchange this adapter.

Which Graco SnugRide Infant Car Seats require more force than normal to click onto the car seat adapters? The Graco SnugRide 35 and the Graco SnugRide 32 Infant Car Seats require more force than Bugaboo considers to be user-friendly. The Graco Snugride 22 Infant Car Seat does give optimal consumer-friendliness.

Mar 15, 2010

Monterey Booster Seat wins the PTPA Media Inc. Seal of Approval

SUMNER, WA – March 12, 2010 – Sunshine Kids Juvenile Products is proud to announce that it has been awarded the prestigious PTPA Media Inc.'s Seal of Approval for excellence in family products for the company's Monterey Booster Seat.

he PTPA Media "Winner" Seal is internationally recognized among consumers and retailers as one of the most reliable certifications of product quality, functionality and value. All products awarded the Seal have been thoroughly "Parent Tested, Parent Approved." Because independent parents evaluate these products in their own homes, PTPA winners are chosen based on merit and hands-on consumer experience, rather than on commercial considerations. About Sunshine Kids Juvenile Products

"Earning the Seal of Approval from PTPA Media Inc. for the Monterey Booster Seat is an exciting achievement for us," said Brad Keller, the company's President. "The PTPA testing and approval processes is as rigorous as it gets because it's done by parents using the product in their own homes and cars. We designed the Monterey with features that enhance safety and convenience, such as expandable sides and headrest, side impact protection and the option of securing the seat with our LATCH system. This award confirms that the added value of the Monterey makes a difference to parents."

The Sunshine Kids Monterey Booster Seat was among many entries from across North America competing to win the PTPA Media Seal of Approval for the Spring 2010 campaign. The products were tested by savvy reviewers and professionals and the results were compiled for PTPA Media Inc.'s review committee for the final decision. The winners of the Seal of Approval from PTPA Media are selected based on value, functionality, quality and appeal of the product.

"At PTPA Media, we are proud to play a role in certifying innovative new products that families can trust," says Sharon Vinderine, president and founder of PTPA Media. "It's win-win. By improving communication between manufacturers and consumers, we are helping companies serve their market better, and helping families identify products that have been tested and recommended by their peers."

About Sunshine Kids Juvenile Products Sunshine Kids designs, manufactures and distributes travel solutions for the children of today's families. With innovative product designs and unparalleled safety testing, Sunshine Kids conveniently secures and protects children through every stage of your journey. With more than a decade of experience, Sunshine Kids is recognized by consumer and trade organizations for its unique functionality and thoughtful design in 48 countries worldwide, while maintaining offices in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom and Germany. The PTPA Media Inc. Seal of Approval for the Monterey Booster Seat is the 29th major product award the company has won since 2006. For more information on the Radian and Monterey car seats and travel accessory line, visit http://www.skjp.com/.

About PTPA Media Inc. "At PTPA Media, we are proud to play a role in certifying innovative new products that parents can trust," says Sharon Vinderine, president and founder of PTPA Media. "It's win-win. By improving communication between manufacturers and consumers, we are helping companies serve their market better, and helping families identify products that have been tested and recommended by their peers."

For more information visit http://sunshinekidsbaby.com.

Jan 22, 2010

Support for mothers & babies in Haiti

MATERNAL-INFANT HEALTH NEWS

The March of Dimes (MOD) has made a $100,000 grant to UNICEF to help thousands of pregnant women, mothers and babies in Haiti who are struggling in the aftermath of the earthquake. The MOD funds will help Haitian women who are pregnant or breastfeeding and babies who are in serious need of proper nutrition and safe water, in addition to providing supplies such as diapers and clothing. Over the next few months, additional needs must be addressed for this group, including: prenatal and newborn care for pregnant women and babies, specialized care and equipment for an expected rise in the number of babies born prematurely, and immunization and other activities to prevent infectious diseases in mothers and babies. For more information, go to http://www.marchofdimes.com/aboutus/49267_62824.asp. To make a $5.00 contribution to the March of Dimes, text the word BABY to 20222. For other ways to donate to Haiti relief, go the White House Web site at http://www.whitehouse.gov/hait earthquake.