There’s no doubt that we’re in the midst of a recession, and even if you’re one of the lucky ones who hasn’t lost any money or jobs you’re sure to be feeling the urge to be a little bit more careful with your spare cash. However, that doesn’t mean you’ve lost your desire to splurge for yourself and your babes on high quality and functional merchandise.

Medicine Hat, Alberta based ChicPeek, offers a great variety of incredibly high quality products at great prices. Owner & designer Echo Wells is a mom of three who has been creating beautiful items for over 15 years. Her experience is evident as soon as you see her products in person. They’re of a highly professional quality but sell for a handmade price.

The ChicPeek nursing covers (a steal at $24.99 without your discount – see below) is truly one of a kind. (Pictured in the two centre images at right.) Made of a gorgeous cashmere & silk pashmina (black or brown), it’s the required amount of discreet and modest, but unusually fashionable for a nursing cover. There are enough “Hey, guess what? I’m breastfeeding!” (a.k.a. ugly) nursing covers out there; it’s about time someone made one like this. Essentially just a long & wide scarf that’s strategically sewn with a head & arm hole, it covers all the way around, making it fully tug-proof. There’s an open side so one hand is always free to multi-task, and it’s the perfect weight to not swelter you or baby while you cuddle. If someone notices that you’re nursing, it’s likely either someone who has seen one of Echo’s great covers before or who spotted the gorgeous little toes peeking out from underneath. Even better is that when you’re done nursing or in between children, your nursing cover is a beautiful scarf that you can wear several ways without anyone having any idea that it once hid your boobs from strangers.

ChicPeek offers a large selection of Miklips hair bows & clips for newbies and right up to moms. From the most adorable corkers to gorgeous big bows, the Chic Peek clips are of top quality, stay in your hair and are absolutely gorgeous.

Most of all, though, I was thrilled to discover the ChicPeek buggie hugs shopping cart cover ($49.99 – two bottom images at right). I have looked everywhere – brick and morter as well as online – and ChicPeek is the first place I’ve found stylish looking covers with holes and belts for two children to share the front seat of a cart. (The standards is two holes and one belt, but just ask and Echo will put another belt in for you.) The design of her buggy hugs are brilliant. Aside from the extra wide leg holes to accommodate one leg or two, these are also the only covers I’ve seen come equipped with an attached caribiner to secure the cover to the cart. My kids ride in the different shades of red pattern, which is gorgeous and commented on everywhere we go – particularly Costco when both kids are germ free & buckled in the front seat of the cart. If you’re going to have a second child before your first turns four, I highly recommend you pick up a Chic Peek buggy hug and get a second belt put in. The longer you can contain them safely, the happier you’ll be. Trust me on that.

Mention T.O.P. when you order and Echo will refund 10% of your order (because her cart won’t currently accept discount codes.)

This is just one of many great exclusive online shopping discounts that you’ll find in our TOP Shops.

You’ll notice that ChicPeek was the first to purchase one of our brand new image based TOP Shop spots, right at the top of the page. Check out her adorable ad!

Win it! Thanks to ChicPeek, we’re giving one very lucky randomly selected T.O.P. reader a gorgeous nursing cover, a selection of MiKlips AND a shopping cart cover! To enter, visit Chic Peek and come back to comment with your favourite items, patterns & styles, being sure to mention something that you didn’t read in this review in order to qualify. Open it in a new tab – you’ll want to go back and spend some more time browsing! Contest closes at noon mst on April 7, 2009.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

When parents first start talking baby carriers, it’s easy to understand why they might get confused. Many parents consider the most basic of all baby carriers to be the baby sling, but what exactly is meant by this term? There are ring slings and pouch slings, and considering ring slings have pouches and pouches are often called slings…well, I think you can see why someone might become overwhelmed! Let’s start by defining what we mean by the terms baby sling, pouches and ring slings.

What is a Baby Sling?

The Wikipedia encyclopedia’s definition of a baby sling is a piece of cloth that “supports an infant or child from a caregivers’ body”. So in actuality, any fabric that is used to carry a baby can be considered a baby carrier or “baby sling”. However, the term “baby sling” has really become synonymous with pouch slings and ring slings – a baby carrier that is used over only one-shoulder with a “pocket” that baby is supported in.

Pouch slings and ring slings are twists on traditional wraparound baby carriers. A short wrap can be transformed when the ends are sewn together or rings are added for a modern spin on this age-old carrying method.

Difference between Pouches and Ring Slings

A pouch sling is a single, continuous tube of fabric whereas a ring sling is a long piece of fabric with rings sewn onto one end. The tail, or opposite end of the fabric, is then threaded through the rings. The basic anatomy of both pouch slings and ring slings is similar. Both types of slings have a “pouch” which is essentially a pocket where baby is placed. They both are worn over one shoulder, and caregivers will be able to carry their baby in multiple positions from birth to toddler in both styles of slings.

While a main difference between a pouch and a ring sling is the addition of rings sewn into the latter, this leads to another very notable difference – adjustability.

Pouch Slings

A standard pouch sling does not have the ability to adjust to various sizes. This means that sizing is essential for the comfort of the wearer. A pouch sling that is sized too large will hang low causing strain on the back and shoulders of the wearer. A sling that is too small could make for a much more difficult time getting baby in and out of the baby sling, and could also be uncomfortable as baby grows. However, when sized correctly, a pouch sling is one of the easiest types of baby carriers you’ll find. It’s difficult to go wrong with a well-fitted pouch. With no belts, loops, snaps, rings or buckles, you can toss a pouch sling over your shoulder, slide your little one into the pocket folds and you’re on your way.

Ring Slings

Rings on the standard baby sling allow for the adjustment of sizing in this style of baby carrier. The “tail” on a ring sling is the piece of fabric that hangs down from the rings. Pulling down on the tail will tighten the sling, bringing baby higher. Alternately, you can loosen this tail to bring baby to a lower position. These quick and easy adjustments make a ring sling one of the most popular baby carriers for a mother that plans to nurse her baby. The adjustability allows a mother to provide an infant with easy access to the breast, and then the baby sling can be re-adjusted quickly when their nursling is done.

The best ring sling baby carriers are fully adjustable, ensuring a perfect fit no matter who is wearing the baby. An open tail is not only beautiful, but functional. It can serve many purposes such as a nursing cover-up, sun shade, lightweight blanket and more.

Advantages of Baby Slings:

• Have a short learning curve and most parents find baby slings to be one of the easiest baby carriers to use.
• Provides a swaddled feeling for baby making the transition from snug security of womb to new environment an easier one.
• Allows for hands-free, discreet breastfeeding and easy access to breast for newborns that nurse frequently.
• Easy on and easy off make a baby sling perfect for a fussy baby or one that likes to be up & down often throughout the day.
• Excellent for newborns and young babies, as well as quick trips with older babies & toddlers.
• Carrier will grow with your child (birth to 35 lbs) and allow for comfortable cradle carry, front carrying or hip carrying.
• Folds flat and very compact for traveling or diaper bag.
• Relatively inexpensive, most parents can find a baby sling at an affordable price.

Disadvantages of Baby Slings:

• Support for a young baby without head control is in cradle position only.
• Sizing is imperative for the most comfort. Ring slings make this easier, but some parents find the rings more difficult to adjust.
• Weight is carried on only one shoulder which can be tiring for longer periods of wearing.
• The asymmetrical weight distribution can make carrying a heavier child more challenging.
• Lack of ergonomic support may be an issue for caregivers with back problems.
• Size of baby will dictate baby’s position in the carrier.
• Less versatile for carrying positions. Back carrying is not as easy to achieve.

The Simplicity of a Sling-Style Baby Carrier

Baby slings are compact, sleek, easy to use, and their simplistic design make them one of the most popular baby carriers. Baby slings are particularly useful for the newborn and young baby stage, as well as for the toddler “up and down” phase – just leave the carrier on and pop your baby in and out throughout the day. Also a favorite baby carrier for nursing mothers, breastfeeding is generally easily accomplished in a sling. This does take patience and practice like any new skill, but once learned, being able to breastfeed in a sling can be extremely liberating for any mother.

A simple baby sling makes a wonderful addition to a baby layette and is always a welcome new baby or shower gift.

WIN IT! Parenting by Nature is giving one T.O.P. reader their choice of in stock pouch or ring sling from their site. Canada and US addresses only please. To enter, leave a comment on this post listing the sling you’ll be choosing if you’re selected as the winner before noon mst on April 5, 2009.

This is part four in a series of guest-written articles by Parenting By Nature’s founder and mother of two, Tamara Champion. For more articles and information visit Babywearing 101 on the Parenting By Nature website or browse their extensive baby carrier selection. You’re sure to find the right baby carrier to suit your individual needs, style and desires! Be sure to come back next week for another of Tamara’s educational features and another chance to win!

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

Who knew there were so many different brands making soft leather baby shoes. T.O.P.’s newest discovery, Bobux Original Soft Soled leather shoes, are hand made in New Zealand of 100% ‘eco-leather,’ which is safe for your baby and our environment. Even the packaging is entirely recyclable – something opinionated parents can get behind.

Bobux soft soled leather shoes, one of three lines currently available, are easy to put on and they really stay on. They’re slip-resistant, as is evident by my daughter running through our house and not taking a header, and the soles are made of flexible & naturally breathable leather. Unlike other leather shoes we’ve tried, the Bobux character designs face the baby instead of their viewing audience. It doesn’t matter much for a toddler or preschooler but that’s a pretty cool feature for a little baby with relatively little to look at.

Save 15% on your Bobux shoes with the code BLG0815.
Bobux also offers FREE shipping to the US and Canada for any order over $55.00.

Be sure to check out some of the equally cute shoes on clearance starting at just $13!

My daughter wears the milk butterfly style as her indoor slippers and absolutely loves them. Her Dad and I love everything I’ve told you about above. She just thinks they’re comfortable and cute.

Win it! Enter to win your choice of original soft soled Bobux shoes by leaving a comment on this post with your choice of style and size before noon mst on April 2, 2009.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

I’m excited to introduce you to one of our new premium sponsors:

Small town Alberta based It’s A Family Affair creates all natural bath & body products that aren’t edible but some of them are certainly tempting. I used one of their new whipped sugar scrubs this morning and it was truthfully the nicest scrub I’ve ever used. Creamy & moisturizing, yet packed with enough sugar that it really does what it’s supposed to do.

I’m currently in the process of reviewing several of their products so watch for a review coming soon, but in the meantime I suggest you head over & check out some of their products. I can assure you that you won’t regret it.

The Vincent Shoes Spring/Summer ’09 Collection is here!

Use this link to get 20% off on all styles until Sunday, April 5, 2009!

Though breastmilk certainly is no less than the complete & amazing food of love, after reading Kate Evan’s book I can’t decide if the title is intended with a healthy dose of snark or not. Same goes for the subtitle, “Your Formula For Successful Breastfeeding.” Very clever, if not tongue in cheek.

It’s packed to the brim with (correct) information, inspiration and hilarious (and I’m not just saying that) anecdotes and illustrations, and is by far the best breastfeeding book I’ve read in a long long time. And I’m pretty sure I’ve read almost all of them.

It’s the kind of book I’d like to give to all pregnant mothers (because goodness knows once the baby comes there’s no way they’re finding time to read until they actually have the breastfeeding thing mastered and can nurse & read simultaneously) because it gives all of the details you need to learn to nurse – and, as simple as it seems, there are a lot of details – and also covers co-sleeping, babywearing and postpartum depression in a succinct & research based, yet very down to earth manner. And it’s square, so it’ll stay open hands-free. That way, if neither you or your thoughtful friends were savvy enough to pick it up early, you can read it when you’ve got both hands full of baby.

Win it! We’ve got two copies of The Food of Love to ship to two randomly selected winners. To enter, simply leave a comment on this post before noon mst on April 1, 2009.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNERS EMAILED

Many of us are too concerned about health of our children and our earth to buy grocery store chocolate this Easter season. If you’re looking for a great alternative, consider GiftVenture. Previously reviewed here, “a Giftventure is a personalized treasure hunt service where all of the materials are custom made and delivered to you! You simply choose an adventure, a character, and a hiding place for a gift that you provide. Enter the location where you have the hidden gift, some of the child’s personal interests, (such as a favorite game, or a local landmark), and you’re all set! Using the information you provide, they create and mail a series of letters and puzzles addressed to the child who must solve the puzzles and follow the clues in the letters to discover the location of your hidden gift.”

Yes, it’s as cool as it sounds.

The hidden gift can be anything you can imagine. A stuffed animal, clothing, a new game, or a lovely basket of goodies that can even include chocolate. Organic & fair trade, natch.

From the TOP Shops: Save 10% on your Giftventure with the code TOP10CAN.

I live in a drought ridden area of Canada, but have a lot of family & friends on the coasts where the rain is so prevalent and so heavy that it’s not only depressing but also keeps people inside when they should be out playing. We love to visit, but it’s always so nice to get away from the rain when we leave.

Some people can’t just fly home to dry off, though. For those, thank goodness for Raindrops Baby Gear, a company based in the small & rainy community of Pitt Meadows, BC. Owner and designer Corri Seers has created some awesome designer style baby & toddler rain hats without the accompanying designer prices. Both of my children wore a Raindrops hat in our last (relatively rare so always exciting) rain and not only did they love being able to play out in the rain without a cumbersome hood restraining their movements and restricting their vision, but I loved that they looked far cuter than really should be legal. The wide brims actually kept water off the children’s faces, unlike their hoods, and the velcro straps kept the hats on while they puddle jumped with an insane amount of energy. If you’re looking for a fashionable way to get your kids out in the rain, you’ll find it at Raindrops for under $30.

Corri uses 100% designer cottons that have been coated with polyurethane to make them waterproof. The hats are lined with either soft bamboo cotton or bamboo fleece. All of her products are both designed and manufactured in Canada, and Raindrops Baby Gear uses sustainable products wherever possible. Sizes XS – XL are available, covering newbies to school aged kids.

Win it! Raindrops Baby Gear is giving away a hat to one randomly selected T.O.P. reader. To enter, visit the Raindrops site to choose your style and size and then leave a comment letting us know your choice before noon mst on March 31, 2009.

(Thanks for the emails about the link issue. It’s now fixed, and fyi you can click on the image in any post to be taken directly to the reviewed site.)

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

Infant carriers allow you to keep your baby close and secure while your hands are free. They make it easy for caregivers to bond with baby while accomplishing daily tasks. Despite the incredible variety of baby carriers on the market today, nearly all fall into one of four basic styles – Baby Wraps, Baby Slings, Mei Tai Baby Carriers and Soft Pack Baby Carriers. Today we’ll explore Baby Wraparound Carriers.

Baby Wraparound Carriers (aka. Baby Wraps)

A wraparound baby carrier is one of the most traditional styles of baby carriers. Baby wraps – also called simple cloths or wrap-style baby carriers – have been used for generations due to their simple yet incredibly versatile nature. No more than a large piece of fabric, a baby wrap carrier is wrapped around baby and the wearer to create a pocket for baby to lay or sit inside. The carrier is then secured with a series of tucks, ties or knots.

Available in a variety of fabrics, the most common are stretchy wraps (such as The CuddlyWrap) or woven wraps (such as an EllaRoo Wrap). A stretchy wrap is popular for infants as they are slightly easier to tie and generally “give” more than a woven wrap, so it’s easy to get an infant in and out of the wrap quickly. Woven wraps can be more supportive with less bounce than a stretchy wrap, so they are a popular choice for parents looking for a wrap to use from birth through to toddler hood.

So versatile!

With a wraparound baby carrier you have the ability to carry your baby in an unlimited number of carrying positions. While most parents use the wrap over two shoulders, you can also tie a wrap over one shoulder and use it “sling” style with an infant or on your hip with an older baby. Your baby can be on your front facing in or facing out, and back carrying is easily accommodated with a wrap-style baby carrier. The possibilities really are endless because with a baby wrap you aren’t limited to the placement of buckles, rings or straps.

A baby wrap also has uses beyond that of carrying your baby. A wrap can be used as a lightweight blanket on a cooler day, for protection against the sun or wind, or used as a safe and clean place to lay your baby down on in a pinch. We’ve even used ours as a seatbelt harness when we found ourselves without a highchair at a restaurant!

Advantages of a Wraparound Baby Carrier:

• Hands-down the most versatile baby carrier with unlimited carrying positions.
• Will easily accommodate any sized baby or wearer – ideal for sharing between partners.
• Ergonomic support for both baby and adult.
• One of the easiest carriers for hands-free nursing.
• Very comfortable with no buckles, rings or snaps to get in the way of wearing.
• Provides excellent support for a new baby’s head and neck and for a sleeping older baby, even when used for back carrying.
• Grows with your child – an ideal baby carrier to use from infancy up to 40+ lbs.
• Wraparound carriers are particularly suited for kangaroo care, the practice of holding premature and full-term newborns skin-to-skin for optimal neurological development.
• Folds flat and is compact for travel or diaper bag.

Disadvantages of a Wraparound Baby Carrier:

• Steeper learning curve than most other baby carriers – requires practice to become efficient in tying the baby carrier and adjusting to you and your baby.
• Extensive length fabric can be somewhat confusing to many parents.
• Not as easy to pop baby in and out of the carrier in a hurry (hungry newborn? fussy toddler?) unless you keep the carrier on at all times.
• Can be hot in the summertime (but keeps baby warmer in cooler weather!).

While the skill of wrapping may take some time to master, don’t let this scare you off of giving a baby wrap baby carrier a try. The “hug” that results from successfully securing your little on in a wrap is wonderful feeling. If you are really intimidated by the challenge they may present, there are now hybrid wrap carriers on the market. A great way to achieve the wrapping feeling without the fuss!

WIN IT! We’re giving one randomly selected T.O.P. reader their choice of any in stock wraparound carrier from Parenting by Nature! To enter, head over to choose your potential new carrier and leave a comment telling us your choice before noon mst on Monday, March 30, 2009. Canada and US mailing addresses only please.

This is part three in a series of guest-written articles by Parenting By Nature’s founder and mother of two, Tamara Champion. For more articles and information visit Babywearing 101 on the Parenting By Nature website or browse their extensive baby carrier selection. You’re sure to find the right baby carrier to suit your individual needs, style and desires! Be sure to come back next week for another of Tamara’s educational features and another chance to win!

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED (Congratulations Amelia!)

In the dead of the cold Canadian winter, nobody in their right mind takes their kids to the park. Sure, we’re tough up here. We can get bundled up in balaclavas and down skidoo suits, with nothing showing but two squinting eyeballs, but once we get outside we can barely walk for the bundling and the kids sure couldn’t get up on any playground we were crazy enough to take them to. (And if they did, how long do you think it would take before someone’s tongue was stuck to the slide?)

Enter Toronto based DreamGYM Inc., the first company in Canada to produce indoor jungle gyms for home use. Company founder Marina Mironov has created an ingenious product which allows children to stay physically active all year round, regardless of the weather. DreamGYM Indoor Jungle Gyms and wide variety of accessories can be installed in almost any space of the home: a kids’ room, basement, or a spare bedroom. Children have a blast climbing ladders, scaling monkey bars, swinging on a trapeze bar, or doing flips on gym rings right inside their homes.

We tried out a few of the DreamGYM accessories with a local preschool group. The gym rings, trapeze/ring combo and disc swing all mounted very easily & safely in a room with exposed rafters and were a huge hit with all of the children. They’re obviously well made and feel very solid – almost industrial. The accessories are very affordable, especially for such high quality equipment. They range from just $15 for the trapeze bar to just under $200 for the four sided rope ladder. The basic model of the jungle gym sells for $950 (pine) or $1270 (maple), and all prices are in Canadian dollars so Americans get even better prices than that! Obesity prevention and health benefits aside, we all know that an exercised child is a happier child, which equals a calmer and quieter child. You’re welcome.

All DreamGYM Inc. products are available from their online store.

Win it! DreamGYM is giving away an accessory pack (gym rings, trapeze/ring combo and disc swing, an $80 value) to one randomly selected winner. To enter, pay a visit to the DreamGYM Inc. site and come back here to comment with what other items not mentioned in this review that you would love to have in your home. Contest closes at noon mst on March 25, 2009.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

Please visit our sponsor:

Ask ten parents which baby carrier they like best, and you will likely receive ten different answers. There are so many fabulous and innovative selections on the market today, how does a parent choose? We’ve compiled a few basic questions to help you narrow down your choices. The road to finding a carrier you and your baby will enjoy for many months to come is shorter than you think!

What to Consider When Choosing a Baby Carrier

Who will be using the baby carrier?

Your own personal comfort should come first and foremost when deciding on a baby sling or baby carrier. There are just as many babywearing options available as there are body shapes and sizes among caregivers. The first question you will need to ask yourself is whether you need baby’s weight to be balanced over both shoulders or whether you would prefer a one-shoulder design. Many parents prefer how quick and easy one-shoulder baby slings can be to use, whereas other parents find that they need the weight of their baby to be distributed evenly over both shoulders.

Also important to keep in mind is that some baby carriers are sized to fit the wearer. So if more than one parent will be using the carrier, you may need to ensure you are looking at a carrier that offers flexibility in sizing and that adjusts quickly and easily.

How old is your baby?

If you have a newborn or young baby, would you like a sling or baby carrier that will be suitable for carrying an older baby or toddler as well? Or would you prefer to invest in a different style of baby carrier in the future, that may be more suitable for carrying an older baby? One style of baby carrier may be more suitable for you during the early days with a newborn, and yet another carrier that distributes weight differently or allows for back-carrying may work best as your baby grows. Some carriers are more flexible than others, and many will offer various carrying positions designed for use from birth through toddler hood.

What will you be using your carrier for?

Are you looking for a carrier to accomplish hands-free nursing? A baby sling may be your best choice. A sling may also be more appropriate for short trips such as running an errand or picking up an older child from school. However if you are an active parent and you plan to carry your child during longer periods such as hiking, traveling or while you work, a carrier that supports your child’s weight over two-shoulders or one that displaces some of this weight to the hips and upper thighs may be a more comfortable option. You might also consider a more compact and portable baby carrier – perfect for the parent on the go!

A baby carrier for any budget!

How much you have budgeted for your baby gear may be a deciding factor for many parents when choosing a baby carrier. A smaller budget does not mean you can’t have a great baby carrier! A simple, adjustable ring sling may be found at a much lower cost than specialty ergonomic baby carriers and the benefits of carrying your baby will be no less than if you were using a more expensive sling. If your budget allows for something extra special, you may choose from luxury prints and fabrics, or you might even consider purchasing more than one baby carrier, depending on your baby’s age or stage. This may sound extravagant but when you consider the high cost of many luxury baby strollers, two baby carriers is only a fraction of that cost! More importantly, many parents find they end up using their baby carrier much more than expected, and for some, even more so than their stroller. This is an important item for you and your baby – you don’t want to cut corners!

Which style of sling or baby carrier appeals to you?

There are many styles of carriers to choose from and one may simply be the most appealing to you based on style, fabric or print. If you don’t like the fancy tying techniques a wraparound carrier uses you may opt for a buckle carrier. If you prefer the traditional look of a mei tai baby carrier, there are many different styles and prints to choose from. The good news is that you can easily find a baby carrier today that will work from newborn to toddler that’s not only comfortable but will look great too.

The PERFECT Baby Carrier?

Each style of baby carrier has its advantages and disadvantages and unfortunately no one carrier is complete in serving all purposes perfectly. A parent must consider their own needs and then select a baby carrier that meets these needs the best. Try not to get too hung up on finding the “perfect baby carrier”. It’s been said that there are as many ways to wear a baby as there are ways to make a baby smile. Relax and enjoy this time with your baby. The benefits of wearing your baby close will last a lifetime.

Join us next week when we will begin to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each style of carrier from the most basic pouch sling to the traditional wrap-style baby carrier. Part one of our Babywearing 101 Series featured last week with an article on the Benefits of Babywearing.

This is part two of a series of articles presented by Parenting By Nature’s founder and mother of two, Tamara Champion. For more articles and information visit the Parenting By Nature website or browse their extensive baby carrier selection. You’re sure to find the right baby carrier to suit your individual needs, style and desires!

The newest Gustafer Yellowgold DVD/CD set, Gustafer Yellowgold’s Mellow Fever is gracing our children’s screen this week. It’s been over a year since we reviewed the last Gustafer set and he as crazy (and phallic. Did you notice that?) as ever.

This set features guest artists Lisa Loeb and Wilco’s John Stirratt & Pat Sansone. Written by Ohio native illustrator/songwriter Morgan Taylor, Mellow Fever contains more adventures of Gustafer Yellowgold – a yellow dude who hails from the sun. Yes, the sun. Each song on the DVD is “accompanied by a series of hand-drawn, minimally animated illustrations set to melodic and catchy tunes ranging from mellow acoustic to crackling-pop.” I’m being totally honest when I say this Gustafer guy is a trip. Like the Cheshire cat, it seems unreasonable that someone who was not on drugs could have dreamed up such a character (sorry, Morgan!) but every kid who has seen it on at our place absolutely loves it.

It will officially be released on March 17th and is now available for preorder from Amazon.

Win it! To enter to win a copy of Mellow Fever, leave a comment on this post by noon mst on March 20, 2009.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

We were fortunate to be offered a free trial to Dreambox Learning K-2 Math , an online math game that adjusts to a child’s math competency as they play. Dreambox Learning K-2 Math aimed at children 5-7 years of age is perfect for my 5 year old daughter who’s in Kindergarten. It features over 350 individual math activities, and there are over a million different paths a child can take and difficulty level progresses as they play along. It’s great that my daughter is able to log in independently and when she starts playing the actual math games (which are cleverly masked as fun games), it’s hard to make her stop! The math problems are presented in different adventure theme parks with pirates, dinosaurs, cute animals or pixies. Kids are motivated to play the math activities because in doing so, they move the story along. They also earn certificates of achievement and coins that can be used to play carnival games. Even if some of the games are a bit slow but they hold her attention and she’s always curious to see what happens after. If she’s struggling, the game presents extra help and a stress reliever (everyone gets tired crunching numbers, right?) by going to the carnival and popping balloons or another similar activity. What’s more, Dreambox Learning tracks the child’s progress and emails progress reports to the parents so I get updates on how she is doing even when I am not there to see it (although I make it a point to be with her as much as possible when she plays). She’s been playing every single day for at least 15 minutes and has made a lot of progress. I can’t believe she has stopped using her fingers in counting and subtracting after using Dreambox for just a week!

I have to be honest, Math is my waterloo and I am afraid I may have passed that to my daughter. I have tried to introduce her to Mathematics at an early age in hopes of overcoming any fear of numbers and eventually teaching her to love Math. With the progress she’s made by using Dreambox, I am confident that she’s got an early start to not only not hating Math but actually enjoying it! Dreambox Learning K-2 Math is highly recommended to parents wanting to have a little boost to their child’s mathematical skills. It is a subscription program that costs from $8 – $13/month. – by Grace

It seems we’ve always got at least one “issue” at our house, whether it’s the current random ear-piercing screams (with a smile, enticing his sister to scream back. Also with a smile. Argh.), closing the door at potty time or remembering to stay at the table at meal time. The Goalkeeper behavior chart from Behavior Buddies® has been on our fridge for just over a week and has already worked wonders toward reducing the screaming.

The Goalkeeper couldn’t be easier to use, and gets both parents and children involved changing the kids’ behavior for the better. It is structured enough to provide consistency and predictability for children – a necessity for any behaviour modification plan – but also flexible and simple enough to become part of a busy family’s daily routine.

It sells for $30 and includes the 8 x 10 Goalkeeper dry-erase fully magnetic chart, 24 illustrated positive behavior magnets and 4 customizable dry-erase magnets, 30 star magnets, a dry erase marker and a parent handbook.

The pre-made magnets include many of the goals you’re sure to have for your child:

~ stay at the table during meals
~ stay in my own bed
~ finish my homework
~ answer the phone nicely
~ close the bathroom door
~ brush my teeth
~ ask permission first
~ do my chores
~ use an inside voice
~ explain my feelings
~ greet others nicely
~ keep my hands to myself
~ wait for my turn
~ play nicely
~ wash my hands after using the bathroom
~ use a tissue
~ take turns
~ tell the truth
~ pick up my things
~ use my manners
~ use nice words
~ use the potty
~ respect others space
~ listen the first time

See what a beauty it is?

The set-up you see is for an older child, with four goals being worked on at a time. For a younger child, you’d want to choose just a goal or two and make the number of stars achievable.

As you can see, the entire product (except the pen) is completely magnetic. Slap it on the fridge and you’re good to go. It can easily be used with a young & non-reading child because the pictures are self-explanatory.

The Goalkeeper was designed by behavior consultant, co-founder, and mother of two, Amy Boland. Amy has masters degrees in developmental psychology and school psychology, and specializes in working with families with children with developmental disabilities such as Autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome, and speech delays. The thought that went into the development of this product is obvious. As far as I can see, it’s not missing anything. And if it gets my kids to stop screaming, I’m sold.

Save 20% when you buy via this link.

Win it! We’ve got THREE Goalkeepers to give away! To enter, leave a comment on this post before noon mst on March 18, 2009.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNERS EMAILED

Spring has GOT to get here to the great white North eventually, right?

When it finally arrives, I’ll be thrilled to pack up the heavyweight Grobag and pull out our brand spanking new muslin sleepsack from T.O.P. long time fave Aden & Anais. Check out our previous reviews at the following links: lightweight swaddling blankets & winter warmth blankets.

They’re available in 6 great patterns – bee in a neutral yellow, blue stars, blue elephant, pink stars and pink butterflies – and in sizes small through extra-large for new babes up to 2 years. When I was able to get my hands on an XL (18-24 months) for my daughter, I was so glad to know I’d be able to keep the blankets out of her crib for a little while longer.

Like the Aden and Anais blankets, the sleepsacks are light and airy and get softer with every wash. They’re designed with a smart upside down zipper so you can perform a stealthy diaper changing maneuver without, if you’re really good, waking up your baby.

Find these fab lightweight sleep sacks via this Amazon link and check out the Aden & Anais site for all of their fab wraps.

Win it! We’re giving away an Aden and Anais muslin sleep sack in the winner’s choice of size & print. To enter, leave a comment on this post before noon mst on March 17, 2009 letting us know what exactly to pop in the mail to you should you be the lucky randomly selected winner.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

We work with a lot of AMAZING companies here at T.O.P. Several hundred reputable companies every year approach us about being reviewed, are approved, ship samples to our team and ship prizes to you without delay.

Occasionally, however, there are some very untrustworthy companies who are approved for review but once they receive a positive review we never hear from them again and our readers never receive their prizes. Fortunately, out of the over 650 companies we have worked with, only two have proven to be shoddy and dishonest business people, and we’ve decided to reveal them to you so that you know we DO NOT recommend you ever trust them with your business or your money. We feel strongly that companies like this should go bankrupt and be put out of business. It’s just karma, baby.

1. Gem Gem. (It absolutely PAINS me to link over 75 000 readers a month to people like that.) Our review is found here. After repeated attempts to contact (at least 6, spread out over 6 months), she has chosen not to respond to us and has chosen not to honour her promise to ship a prize to our randomly selected winner. Gem Gem, you suck. We hope you go bankrupt. We kind of hate you, if you were worth that kind of emotion. Which you’re not. So, your business can just go die.

2. Excite Books. (Again with the pain, but you need to know who we’re talking about and then you can feel free to flame them yourself before you DON’T order anything.) Our review is found here. After repeated attempts to contact (at least 4, spread out over 2 1/2 months), he, Austin George (the founder and resident asshat) has chosen not to respond to us and has chosen not to honour his promise to ship a prize to our randomly selected winner. He also owed his publicist a lot of money and has seemingly disappeared from the face of the earth – except we know he’s not dead as he was alive to accept a certified letter. So? Just an ass. Excite Books, you suck. We hope you go bankrupt. We kind of hate you, if you were worth that kind of emotion. Which you’re not. So, your business can just go die.

There you go. That feels better. We sincerely apologize for recommending such dishonest companies. From our initial contact, we had no idea.

We know that many of you purchase from our TOP Shops regularly, and click through from our reviews to do your shopping, and we thank you for that trust.

We hope that, by filling you in on these details now, we can keep your trust and ensure you that 99.9% of the companies & business people we have ever encountered online through this venue are truly amazing, hard working & honest parents just like you and I.

If a mother told you they knew a secret to help your baby sleep better, cry less and be self-soothed while your hands were free to accomplish personal tasks throughout the day, would you be interested? Less crying, better sleeping and more time for ME? Of course you’d want to know what they were talking about! Mothers across the globe have known this secret for centuries. The answer is the ancient practice and art and called babywearing.

Introducing Babywearing!

“Babywearing” is actually a relatively new term, coined by Martha Sears and popularized by her husband Dr. William Sears, a well-known pediatrician and author of child rearing books. Research supports numerous advantages of babywearing such as strong bonding between baby and caregivers, better sleep and development, and reduced crying. Ronald Barr, professor of paediatrics at the University of British Columbia first discovered the link between babywearing and a reduction in crying in a 1986 study where it was found that an extra two hours of carrying baby each day reduced crying in young infants by as much as 43%! (1) Now he works to help educate the parents in his practice about the advantages of babywearing, as well as dispelling the misconception that carrying your baby can lead to spoiling a child. Contrary to western cultural myths, independence is actually established earlier when babies are worn in a sling or baby carrier. (2)

Practical & Convenient

There is extensive medical support for babywearing as it benefits your baby, but lets not forget the benefit to parents, as well. Babywearing not only allows caregivers to get on with their day hands free, accomplishing tasks that may otherwise not have been attended to, but it also allows for an easier time for new parents to get out and about without having to worry about lugging around a bulky stroller or car seat attachment wherever they go. For parents with more than one child, babywearing keeps your hands free to attend to an older child, while baby is well out of harm’s way, content and secure.

Babywearing is healthy for baby, we know this without a doubt, but it is also practical and convenient for mom and dad. How many times have you seen a new mom with their young baby in their arms while pushing their stroller? Baby is going to want to be carried – being in arms against mom or dad is the most comfortable, warmest and most secure spot to be! So the question becomes not why carry your baby, but HOW to carry your child without causing undue stress, strain and pain. How do we make the experience of babywearing as comfortable for the wearer possible? The answer lies in finding the right baby carrier among the vast selection available on the market today.

Check back with us next week when we discuss the most important questions parents need to ask themselves to help narrow down the selection of baby carriers available, and we’ll try our best to help you find the perfect baby carrier for your family’s needs. If you follow along with our Babywearing 101 series over the next several weeks, you’ll also get the opportunity to win a few baby carriers along the way!

This is the first of a series of articles presented by Parenting By Nature‘s founder and mother of two, Tamara Champion. For more articles and information visit the Parenting By Nature website or browse their extensive baby carrier selection. You’re sure to find the right baby carrier to suit your individual needs, style and desires!

(1) Hunziker UA, Garr RG. (1986) Increased carrying reduces infant crying: A randomized controlled trial. Pediatrics 77:641-648.
(2) Morris, D. (1992). What Comforts a Baby? In Babywatching (pp 80-82). New York: Crown Publishers Inc.

As an opinionated baby (and toddler and preschooler) wearing and organic wannabe-eco-mama, I was thrilled to discover a Canadian company that is committed to helping parents across North America learn that traditional parenting techniques and practices like baby wearing and cloth diapering are a viable, easy and fun way to raise a baby.

Parenting By Nature carries a HUGE selection of the best baby carriers (with their personal reviews included!), cloth diapers, and a variety of products for baby and mama.

Among the huge selection of carriers, I found a gem. I’ve mentioned before that I’m an Ergo girl, and I continue to love my Ergo passionately. The only issue I have with it is that a child cannot face outward. Normally that’s not an issue, but there are those few children that reach a certain age and can’t stand facing inward any more. I just flipped my children to my back when that happened and that solved the problem, but for parents who aren’t comfortable with back carries the Pikkolo Carrier by CatBird Baby would be an awesome solution. It features all of the great features of the Ergo but adds the forward facing option. It has a unique cinching drawstring mechanism on the bottom that allows the narrowing or widening of the fabric between baby’s legs for smaller newborn babies to sit comfortably or larger babies to sit facing forward. The waist belt is thick, but completely un-padded (in contrast to my beloved Ergo) to allow for precise adjustment. I personally prefer the Ergo waist band, but that’s the only thing I prefer. Everything else is equal or better on the Pikkolo. Like the deluxe memory foam padded shoulder straps. Mmmm, comfort. And the easy transition to a hip carry is pretty fab too. Honestly, the first person to design a combination of the two carriers will make a mint. The perfect carrier for everyone. And it would surely be available from Parenting By Nature!

Win it! We’re giving away a $100 gift certificate to Parenting By Nature to be used toward ANY product(s) you like! US and Canada only. To enter, visit the Parenting By Nature site and browse around (make sure you have a few minutes – there’s lots to look at!). Come back and let us know via comment what you’d spend your $100 on. Contest closes at noon mst on March 14, 2009.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

If you’ve ever had a kid with sleeping issues, you’ve likely heard of Elizabeth Pantley. She’s a parenting expert & author who has penned a series of “no-cry” parenting books that are all completely awesome. Her newest book, The No-Cry Nap Solution : Guaranteed Gentle Ways to Solve All Your Naptime Problems is no different, and came to my house just in time to get me a few months of sanity. I wish it would have come a year earlier, though, when my kid stopped napping at almost 2 years old.

From McGraw-Hill Publishing:

“Will your child only nap in your arms, in a swing, or after elaborate rituals? Does your child take cat naps–or none at all? Let world-renowned, trusted parenting author Elizabeth Pantley help you. She’ll guide you with the same sensitive expertise and gentle approach used in her other No-Cry bestsellers.

Research shows that naps improve health, mood, growth, and well-being. Yet children often resist the naps they need. The results are fussy, crying babies and cranky, grouchy kids who also have trouble sleeping at night!

In The No-Cry Nap Solution Pantley explains to parents of children ages newborn to kindergarten the importance of napping to both behavior during the day and sleeping during (and through!) the night. She then shares with you her gentle, loving techniques–tested on families of all sizes and circumstances–and shows you how you can customize her solutions for your own family. Pantley addresses issues such as children who resist naps, dealing with schedule changes, turning short naps into longer ones, helping a child go from needing motion to sleep to “stationery” sleep, nursing at naptime, solving daycare napping problems, and more.”

There are so many things I love about this book. I (almost) wish I didn’t finish the Twilight series before reading it! (Sorry Elizabeth – it’s addictive…have you read it?) Most of all, I love that she doesn’t recommend letting your child cry – something I’ve always thought was wrong in so many ways. I also love that she tells readers that it might take a while, you might have to pick a few of her strategies and combine them in a way that works for your own family.

In our situation, with a child who acts like he still needs a nap but has only had two in the last 9 months, this book helped us institute a “hush hour” as an alternative to the nap and/or quiet time we’d been floundering with here and there. Granted – it’s only been three days now, but our little guy has relaxed in his bed with about 30 books until I’ve gone in to get him and we’re all happier for it.

Get some free advice here, and if you need more I’d highly recommend this book!

If you’d like my (read once, but just like new) copy of this book, leave a comment before noon mst tomorrow – Friday, March 6, 2009.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

Please visit our sponsor:

If you’re looking for some out-of-the-ordinary accessories at out-of-the-ordinary low prices, let me introduce you to Manic Mittens. Canadian SAHM & entrepreneur Lorien van der Veen hand makes a huge selection of very unique bling for the heads of everyone from newborn baby girls to angst-filled emo teens to the stylish working mother.

I just love the handmade hair bows – they have a perfect boutique look but a craft sale price (ranging from $6-$7 for a pair), and it just doesn’t get much better than that.

I checked out the infant snap clips and they look absolutely adorable on my girlfriend’s nearly hairless baby girl. And they stay in, which you’d think is pretty amazing too if you saw her lack of hair. I think she has around seven hairs on her whole head, and these clips stay in one or two! A set of three sells for just $4.

The Manic Mittens’ selection of no slip clippies is rather astounding. She makes the standard ribbon clippies (only $8 for four!) but also button clippies, embellished clippies, and initialed clippies.

Lorien also makes a selection of way gorgeous Victorian-esque bobby pins for moms (or any woman, mama or not, I suppose!) that are different than any I’ve seen before. The pins are obviously high quality and grip the hair very well. The 2 1/2 inch long clips have a lovely silver (plated) shine to them and look quite stunning on – if I do say so myself.

Check out her sale page for some even more amazing deals!

Win it! We’re giving away the prize package pictured here to one lucky randomly selected winner…snap clips, clippies, bows & bobby pins…something for almost everyone! To enter, visit the Manic Mittens site and come back to comment with some of your favourite products or patterns not pictured here (be specific!). Contest closes at noon mst on March 9, 2009

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

Many of our readers are bloggers who are proficient designers, SEO optimizers and all around tech geniuses. Many of our readers are bloggers who know how to post from a blogging platform, Tweet a little and use Facebook. Some of you, we know, are simply folks who sit at home entering contests just for fun. We’re cool with all of you, and though we certainly identify more with the first group, this review is leaning a little toward the latter groups.

Christina Tynan-Wood’s How To Be a Geek Goddess from No Starch Press is geared specifically towards women who want to know more about all sorts of technology. Whether you’re buying a computer, surfing the web, shopping for a cell phone, checking your email, wanting to keep your kids safe on the web ro are wandering aimlessly in the electronics aisle, Christina has you covered. She has a great grasp of how the “average” woman and the “average” man differ (yes, I know…none of us are “average”…) and she gives the non-geek woman a comprehensive and incredibly easy to read & understand guide to today’s tech in this book.

How To Be a Geek Goddess is going for only $16 at Amazon right now, and qualifies for free super saver shipping.

Win it! We’re giving away a copy of this fab geek read! To enter, leave a comment on this post before noon mst on March 6, 2009.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

It would come from this awesome new T.O.P. discovery.

There is certainly no shortage of pitches from people who make hair bows & clips in our inbox every week. We’re choosy about those we choose to check out, and even choosier about who we recommend once we give the product the opinionated-mom-test.

I am THRILLED to introduce you to Sarah’s Bowtique, a Chilliwack, British Columbia based business that features an absolutely huge variety of hair bows, clippies and tiny little snappies. There are small bows, medium bows, korkers in several styles, amazingly cute holiday styles and some of the most gorgeous and functional bow holder boards I’ve seen to date. You know, one with more than two usable ribbons? Count them – twenty! Twenty ribbons with room to clip 50 or more bows, depending on the styles you like. The photos on the site don’t do the holders or the bows justice – they’re truly awesome. Owner, designer & mom Kendra Christie covers all of the bases for your little one’s hair, from newborn peach fuzz to long school aged locks.

As if great style weren’t enough, the no-slip grip used is free of latex and toxins, and the ribbon is heat sealed to stop fraying without toxic glues. Now that’s what I’m talking about.

Want to help your friends save money on these fab bows and earn a store credit for doing it? Have an e-party! One of the best ideas I’ve heard in a while!

Another way to save – check out the bow of the month which is always buy one, get one free!

Yeah, I know I’m perhaps a little too excited about bows. I mean, they’re just bows, right? But these? Worth it.

Win it! We’re giving away a bow holder and a selection of super duper cute bows (including at least four of those pictured above, package valued at over $50) from Sarah’s Bowtique. To enter, visit the site and take a look around. Come back and comment with a few things that you hope are coming your way if you’re the randomly selected winner!

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED