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We’ve returned from an enjoyable family holiday to Noosa and the Sunshine Coast. While Baby has definitely found her feet and keen to walk everywhere by herself, there were environments while we were away, which proved too challenging or too busy with people for Baby to walk on her own. So to make the traveling experience comfortable for everyone we used the BabyBjorn Comfort Carrier. From walking along Noosa Beach, to shopping at busy Eumundi Markets and even bushwalking in Kondalilla National Park, Baby experienced it all from the comfort of her BabyBjorn Carrier.

The BabyBjorn Comfort Carrier is suitable for carrying babies from 3 months old until approximately 2 years old (6-14kgs / 13-31 lbs). This carrier is suitable for carrying toddlers and heavier babies with ease with padded adjustable shoulder straps and an adjustable waist belt which distributes your child’s weight onto your hips, making carrying possible for longer periods of time without putting too much strain on your back. The BabyBjorn Comfort Carrier is just as easy to put on as the BabyBjorn Active Carrier and BabyBjorn Original Carrier with cute cartoons on the inside lining.

The carrier is well designed with versatility in mind and Baby can be carried in three positions in the BabyBjorn Comfort Carrier. Facing inwards, your baby can be carried with the normal or wide leg position. A simple zipper on the carrier changes it from wide leg to normal. Facing outwards the carrier can be worn with normal leg position. When Baby had just woken up and we took her to the beach, she was carried inwards in the wide leg position. When she was wide awake and keen to explore her surroundings at Eumundi markets, she was carried outwards in the normal leg position. Baby even went with us on an extensive bushwalk in Kondalilla National Park in the BabyBjorn Comfort Carrier looking outwards at the amazing rainforest surrounding her in the comfort of the carrier and nestled close to Dad.

The BabyBjorn Comfort carrier is made from 95% organically grown cotton and 5% polyester. The organic cotton range from BabyBjorn is so soft on Baby’s sensitive skin. It’s safe for baby to put in her mouth too. As Baby is teething with her back molar teeth breaking through she is putting everything in her mouth so it is reassuring to know the materials are safe. A specially designed bib for the Comfort Carrier is available.

As with all BabyBjorn products, the carrier has been designed and developed in close collaboration with pediatricians, parents and children. The head support has been designed to give firm support to Baby’s head and neck. The head support can be folded up or down when facing inwards. The head support is folded down when facing outwards. It’s worth noting the maximum child weight the carrier can support when facing outwards is 12kg, while the carrier can support a heavier child weight of 14kg when the carrier is used to carry the child inwards.

The BabyBjorn Comfort Carrier is mostly available in Black Organic in Australia. The BabyBjorn Comfort Carrier is easy to care for and can be washed in a warm washing machine. To find out more about the extensive range of BabyBjorn products visit the BabyBjorn website.

Why is there something about the Maclaren Techno XT that reminds me of James Bond? After some thought I decided that no, I am not just being over dramatic, but yes indeed, there are quite a few points which form this association. Firstly, the Maclaren Techno XT is high-tech, good looking, packed with innovative features, sporty and adventurous but also sophisticated and elegant and, oh yes… British…

The truly winning point for me is that the Maclaren Techno XT is that oh so rare, versatile all-in-one package. It is safe and comfortable for baby and can take us from sporty outdoors adventures to elegant exhibition openings where everyone is sipping cocktails and dressed in black.

On our most recent trip to visit baby’s grandparents in Melbourne, we used the Maclaren Techno XT as our all-in-one pusher. We used it for varied activities including jogs on unsealed terrain, strolls on grass and sand, lots of pavement walking, shopping and gallery perusing.

We are extremely impressed with the Maclaren Techno XT, in terms of appearance and performance. It comes in a variety of great colours and we just love the Crown/Blue, which has charcoal and silver coloured detailing. It has a 5-point harness system and the seat is well padded for baby’s safety and comfort. It performs very well in all regards, is easy to maneuver and fold (only needs one hand!) and makes a comfortable and secure sleeping pad for baby whilst out and about (baby has never slept as well in any other pusher!).

Like the super lightweight Maclaren Volo, the Maclaren Techno XT is a compact umbrella pusher. At the other end of the Maclaren range, the Techno XT is a little heavier than the Volo, however with this little extra weight comes a whole host of features, the Techno XT revealing itself as a high-tech, highly detailed, super comfortable, rather sporty little number!

The Maclaren Techno XT features:

• Basic Weight 7.9kgs: The Techno XT is a great balance between being lightweight and having all the features that enable it to be a high-tech all-in-one pusher.
• Carrying Capacity up to 20kg: This weight capacity allows for the Maclaren Techno XT to be used well into early toddlerhood.
• Appropriate From Birth: The Techno XT is suitable to use from birth and comes with extra support pads to ensure newborn baby is supported and comfortable.
• Recline Four positions: The four recline positions are amazing! From sitting in a fully upright position, to relaxed reclining, to horizontal for maximum sleeping comfort. You can raise the seat incline with one hand from behind, but do need two hands to lower the seat, which is easily done by lifting two small levers. Also, when the seat is fully reclined, the rear cover fits snugly around the head and the hood can unfold right forward over the seat, which creates an enclosed little bed.
• Wheel Size 16.5cm/ 6.5in: The large wheel size is ample for not only urban areas but also strolling and even jogging on graded unsealed terrain, such as grass or gravel. Also, the pusher’s maneuverability can be enhanced with the built-in front wheel swivel function.
• Hood design: The hood design is a great feature. It is extendable with a neatly zipped section that can fold forward to protect baby from weather and creates a protected little bed when the seat is reclined.  There is also an in-build clear visor folded neatly under the hood that is easily flipped out to provide extra protection from the weather.  The pusher also has a large reflective stripe on the hood, which is a great visual feature and also acts as an important safety feature.
• Hood air vents and large viewing widow: The air vents enable good air circulation and the large viewing window?enables a clear view to baby.
• Elasticized pockets: There are two generous elasticized pockets, which can carry the rain cover and mosquito net. I also find them useful for carrying things like my phone and keys that I like to have easily accessible.
• Satin finish handles: The satin finish handles not only look great, but are comfortable and easy to keep clean. The handles are also extendable which allows adjustment for all users.
• Reflective hubcap design: I think these are a good safely feature, particularly if you ever use your pusher in situations of low visibility.
• Foot-operated linked parking brakes: The red brakes are linked to the park brakes and can be easily activated with either foot from behind either rear wheel.
• Front and rear suspension: I think bub would like to thank Maclaren for the four-wheel suspension! It certainly does seem to add to the comfort of baby’s ride and allows for use on varied terrain.
• Extendable leg rest: I have found this to be a great feature to complete horizontal comfort when baby is reclined and sleeping.
• Flexible footrest: This is great when pusher is in use and when pusher is folded.
• Height adjustable shoulder harness: This is yet another fantastic Maclaren detail that ensures maximum safely and comfort for your child.
• Includes headhugger and shoulder pads: These ensure that when the Maclaren Techno XT is used from birth, your newborn baby is safe and comfortable.
• Carry Handle: This is a very handy feature when carrying the pusher folded.
• Rain cover (included): The rain cover is quick and easy to attach with built-in clips and provides great protection. It also comes with the pusher!
• Footmuff (included): Particularly in cooler climates this is a great feature to keep baby snugly warm, enabling you to continue getting out and about as the cold sets in. It also has a large reflective stripe on the front, which is a great visual feature, but also acts as an important safety feature at times of low visibility.

The Maclaren Techno XT boasts all the usual Maclaren features:

• 5-point harness system: This feature is well balanced and secure, with the clasp requiring quite some finger strength ensuring it to be child safe. Strap lengths at all points are easily adjustable.
• Washable seat: This is a very practical feature for those dirty parts that are just a bit much for baby wipes to tackle.
• Compact Umbrella Fold: This is a truly winning feature in my opinion. The pusher folds up very easily into a compact package, making it so easy to carry and stow.
• Foot operated brakes: The red foot operated breaks are linked to park brakes, which can be activated with either foot with levers situated behind both back wheels.
• Shopping basket: The Techno XT shopping basket has a 3kg weight capacity and reaches all the way under the seat.  It is large enough for storing all the things we need for a day’s outing or even an impromptu grocery shop!
• High performance aluminium: It is Maclaren’s use of the strong aluminium frame, which enables the Techno XT pusher to be so lightweight.
• Rain cover (included): The Techno XT’s rain cover works very well, is easy to use and folds into a tiny bundle to be carried in a pocket at the back of the seat.
• Water resistant hood: The hood design of Techno XT is a real success. The neatly zipped section enables the hood to extend forward over baby for increased protection and also provides good coverage when baby is reclined or sleeping. Neatly folded under the hood, there is a clear waterproof visor that can flip out to provide extra protection when needed.

The Maclaren XT suggested accessories include:

• Light Packaway Footmuff
• Parasol
• Carry Bag
• Buggy Blankets
• Liners
• Universal Organiser
• Field Bag
• Park Bag
• Mini utility tote

If you are after a safe, durable, high-tech and stylish all-in-one pusher, my husband and I (and baby I’m sure!) highly recommend the Maclaren Techno XT. We find it to be very well designed and thoroughly detailed, attractive and appropriate for varied use in urban and graded terrain conditions. Being lightweight and compact also means it is ideal for travel.

For further details on this product and the full Maclaren range please visit CNP Brands http://www.childcareproducts.com.au/

You’ve read the review of the Valco Baby Stroller Roller now you have the chance to win one of your own!

Complete this sentence: “I would roll my Stroller Roller to…” and email your entry to jackie@valiantbrands.com.au for your chance to win. The winner will be drawn and announced on www.valco.com.au and www.babyreview.com.au on 10/8/11.

Looking forward to reading some of the interesting destinations for the Stroller Roller on the Babyreview facebook page and the Valco Baby Aus facebook page.

Most of Baby’s family lives interstate, so Baby and I are often on the move, flying and driving to visit family members. Any product that makes plane travel easier with Baby always gets bonus points from me. On our most recent trip to Sydney, Baby and I decided to road test the Valco Baby Stroller Roller Universal Travel Bag to transport our three wheel pram.

The motto found on the label of the Stroller Roller is ‘Fold – Roll – Stroll’ and that pretty much sums up this product. The Stroller Roller allows you to ‘fold’ your pram in a purpose designed cover, utilise two of your strollers own wheels to ‘roll’ your covered pram like a wheelie bag and make travelling a ‘stroll’ in the park for you and your bub!

The Valco Baby Stroller Roller comes in a neat bag for storage. So the night before our plane trip, I remove the Stroller Roller from it’s bag and unroll it on the floor – it was like unrolling a stroller sleeping bag! I remove my stroller’s accessories, like the Valco Baby Universal Cover and Bevi Buddy to fold my stroller as flat as possible on the floor. I remove the front wheel of my stroller too. I place my stroller onto the cover on the floor with the rear wheels protruding. I make sure the rear wheels aren’t locked, as they will become the wheels of my Stroller Roller when it looks like a wheelie bag. I then place the front wheel neatly on top and after some clicking of straps my Stroller Roller is good to go!

So the next morning, I place my stroller which seems much more compact in it’s Stroller Roller in the car boot and once we arrive at the airport, I check it into oversized baggage. There is a luggage label on the Stroller Roller which I’ve filled in and I’ve put some of my stroller’s accessories in the internal pocket. Since the Stroller Roller is strong and padded, I have peace of mind my stroller will remain intact and not in a million pieces when it reaches Sydney. When I unpack my stroller from it’s cosy sleeping bag at my destination, I find it has been well protected and after I secure the front wheel – we’re ready to roll!

The Stroller Roller is compatible with many 3 and 4 wheeler strollers, including the following: Valco Baby Tri Mode, Quad, Rebel Q, Rebel Q AIR, Matrix, Runabout, Ion, Latitude, Navigator, Baby Jogger City Mini, Elite, Classic, Mountain Buggy Swift, Phil&Ted Explorer, Dash, Hammer Head and many more.

The Stroller Roller is available in black with orange trim and the reflective features make it easily seen at night too. To find out more information on the Valco Baby Stroller Roller Universal Travel Bag visit the Valco Baby website. Keep your eyes on the Valco Baby and Babyreview.com.au websites for your chance to win a Valco Baby Stroller Roller….

I’m 11 weeks into this parenting gig and people keep saying that the magic number 12 is up ahead and this is when I will hit my groove. They’re clearly not around my house between the manic hours of 4 and 6pm each night. Now, I can’t perform miracles, but BabyBjorn’s new Baby Carrier Miracle means I can get at least some things done while still meeting Baby’s demands simultaneously (and not lose my mind). Given my current stage of newfound parenting, that’s a miracle in my books!

The BabyBjorn Baby Carrier Miracle is designed to fit a newborn baby from Day 1 to approx 15 months old (12kgs). I’ve found this to be a great solution right from the start, the BabyBjorn Miracle has an adjustable head support specifically designed for newborns in mind and leg straps to ensure baby is nice and secure when they’re little. Also there’s a handy size adapter you simply pull through as your baby grows.

Given that they’re not little for long (and my bundle is certainly thriving and growing far too fast for my taste), the shoulder band, waste band and the lumbar support are just great. I can loosen the shoulder band to transfer the load from my shoulders to the waist band without removing my baby. Considering that you’re quite tired in these early months, the extra support for your back and shoulders really helps. Especially given that you’re doing a fair bit of lifting and your back is getting a work out in every other aspect of baby care.

Another great thing about the BabyBjorn Miracle is the high quality cotton used in the carrier is soft and gentle on newborn skin. The quality materials mean that in the Aussie sun, the carrier dries after a wash in a day when Baby has an….ahem….accident, and our carrier requires an urgent wash. And that’s not a complicated process – you can wash the Miracle in your washing machine. How good is that?

Most importantly for me, Baby likes to be close and to interact with Mum and feel comforted. I’m treasuring this until the day comes that I’m no longer the key attraction for her baby blues and she wants to look outwards. The good news is, the carrier allows for both options. Our little one likes to be carried higher up if she’s on high alert and looking around at the world, but if she fancies a snuggle into Mum and to take a snooze while I toil away, I can lower her position.

And I really can just cart her around with this great looking gizmo. I mean, I wouldn’t cook with her strapped to me because she might collect a bit of splatter, but everything else works a dream – I shop, hang out the clothes, vacuum and go for walks. We also gave the Miracle a try at a recent family barbecue and it was really great. She wanted comfort from us, we wanted adult company, and we both got our way. You can’t do better than that.

The BabyBjorn Miracle is being launched in Australia this month. You can see the key features on BabyBjorn’s You Tube video about the Miracle, and BabyBjorn also provides a great instructional video on the product information page for the Baby Bjorn Miracle on how to use the carrier – which is a really great idea considering their customers are sleep deprived novices at parenthood….namely: me.

I remember baby’s first visit to the gallery with some dismay. We were on our way with our fantastic and much loved (but also rather enormous) off-road pram and all the accouterments, and even though fully supportive, I could tell my mother was a little self-conscious of this troop next to her, more suited to jogging along a mountain path. Not only did I spend my time worrying about not intruding on other people’s personal space or running over any toes, but I also felt unsuited to this environment and rather unglamorous.

We bought our Maclaren Volo umbrella pusher to use around town and whilst travelling, however I find we use it often, just not out jogging or on rough terrain. The Maclaren Volo’s main selling points for me are that it is so lightweight, compact, all-round easy to use, comfortable and safe for baby and looks really good with any outfit in any setting!

It is easy to push and has very comfortable handgrips with a wrist safety strap. The pusher’s compact size makes it easy to maneuver through small spaces, easy to fold and carry (with a shoulder strap built-in), and its fold-up size makes it easy to stow just about anywhere. It also boasts a large carry basket under the seat, which is great for those impromptus larger than expected shops at the grocery store!

Maclaren Volo features:

• Lightweight, weighing in at a mere 4.0kg/ 8.8lb (without hood or rain cover): The Volo is the lightest and simplest of the Maclaren pusher range, perfect for taking baby out and about in urban areas and for travelling.
• It has a Carrying Capacity of up to 15kg/ 55lb.: This weight limit allows for the Volo to be used well into Toddlerhood.
• Appropriate from six months of age: The Volo is not suitable until the child is 6 months of age.
• Recline: One position: This feature is in keeping with the Volo being light and simple.
• Wheel Size 11.4cm/ 4.5in: The small wheel size is ample for urban areas. I have found that it is not the smoothest ride on rugged terrain, but then again, who takes a Mini Minor four-wheel-driving!
• Water resistant Hood, which is extra large for maximum coverage: The hood is a good size and a great feature to catch light spray. Used in conjunction with the rain cover it offers good protection.

The Maclaren Volo boasts all the usual Maclaren features:

• 5-point harness system: I find the harness system on the Volo well balanced and secure, with the clasp requiring quite some finger strength, which I think is great, ensuring it to be child safe. Strap lengths at all harness points are easily adjustable as well as the height of the shoulder straps on the seat.
• Washable seat: This has proved to be a very handy feature for those dirty parts that are just a bit much for baby wipes to tackle. I have been known to hose my Volo’s seat down in the garden – and yes, it did clean off perfectly and looks as good as new.
• Compact Umbrella Fold: This is the truly winning feature of the Volo in my opinion. It folds up into an unbelievably small package, which makes it so easy to stow away. It is also really easy to carry when necessary and has a comfortable shoulder strap built into the design.
• Foot operated brakes: The red brakes on the Volo are in the center and easy to use with either foot.
• Shopping basket: The shopping basket is really large for the size of the Volo pusher, reaching from the back all the way under the seat. Every time baby and I pop down to the grocery store I fall in love with the shopping basket all over again.
• High performance aluminium: It is the use of aluminium which enables the Volo pusher to be so lightweight, which is what is it all about.
• Rain cover included: The Volo’s rain cover is easy to use and folds into a tiny bundle to be carried in the shopping basket under the seat.
• Water resistant hood: The water resistant hood is a great feature to catch light spray, however I recommend using the rain cover for anything more than spray. The hood is designed to fold back, which makes it easier to see what baby is up to, and it is also easily removable for outings when it is not desired.

We are very happy with our Maclaren Volo umbrella pram. I find it practical, attractive and appropriate for urban settings in appearance and size and it is absolutely ideal for travel. In conjunction with our off-road/jogger pram it suits us perfectly.

After extensive research that would rival many a post-graduate thesis, we made a decision on a buggy for Baby: the Valco Baby Matrix Dart Plus. In taupe. Husband’s choice of colour: but now that we’ve got it, I have to confess that I’m glad I trusted his uncharacteristically stylish judgement.

So, we’ve had the baby – and the pram – for a full month now and I couldn’t be happier with my choice. On both counts. A review of my baby would be overwhelmingly gushy, so I’ll stick to commentary on the fab three-wheeler from Valco instead.

The pram itself

It may not be the lightest option on the market at 11.5kg, but it really is just so easy to fold up and put away, and a dream to wheel around. It folds up in two easy steps, and opens in one. It fits fabulously in our boot because it isn’t too long or too high. While the bassinet does take up some space in our boot, it is fantastically spacious for our newborn baby. She finds the bassinet so comfortable and does tend to sleep well in the bassinet (as you can see from the picture).

The Valco Matrix Dart maneuvers around corners and niggly little shopping aisles with ease. There are three main modes for this tri-wheel pram. The first mode is to lock the front wheel to straight, the second is to allow the front wheel to swivel and the third is to lock the front wheel to a 45 degree angle. All three modes are useful in different situations. For instance, the third mode may be useful for additional stability when a toddler seat (and toddler) are added to the pram (not happening any time soon).

We’ve tried the wheels out in a few settings – and they’re terrific. I mostly use the swivel setting, because it keeps a really straight path if you steer it that way, and then you can move around obstacles easily. The Valco Matrix Dart comes with a pump – so you can give your tyres a boost at any time!

Baby’s little chariot has ventured over grass, pretty hard going gravel, sand at the beach (no joke, it even works on sand – although I give it a good clean afterwards), on footpaths and we’ve had the pram inside the house (it tucks away quite neatly). Dad has taken Baby for a stroll at a nice leisurely pace. I have powerwalked to the shops and managed to get the buggy over stairs, footpaths and bumps along the way without Baby losing a wink of sleep. We’ve also taken our stroller out in various environments: grandparents’ house, inner city cafes, shopping malls and parks – and it really does just work well no matter what. It’s not too big, not too small, not too cumbersome. Bit of a Goldilocks thing.

I love the handle, which adjusts to different heights to suit Mum’s, Dad’s, Grans – and to enable you to rock the buggy comfortably when sitting so you can settle the little one when out and about. I also keep the peek-a-boo window open all the time. It’s made from a lovely mesh (not clear plastic) – so again, it lets air in to Baby but also lets you spy on what shenanigans she’s up to in there. There is additional ventilation at the back of the pram near the pouch too.

The pouch located at parent level is great for your wallet, phone, car keys, with plenty of room for a spew cloth, antiseptic wipes and a digital camera. So you really can go out for a walk bag-free (which makes life so much easier). The shopping cart at the base of the pram is easily accessible and does accommodate quite a bit, mind you. This Newborn Mum has managed to comfortably fit supplies for dinner, additional groceries, baby’s gear like her portable change mat, wipes, creams and cotton balls all in the cart at the base of the pram.

The brake is nothing short of a dream to operate. Flick it up with your toe, and down with your toe. It doesn’t catch. It’s not hard to get to. And you don’t need foot muscles that are steroid-enhanced to operate it. Another really nifty safety feature is the wristband, which I make it a policy to use given that in my sleep deprived state, the buggy really is likely to get away from me if I absent-mindedly forget to engage the brakes.

All Weather Newborn

The material is durable and weatherproof, keeping Baby protected and snug – ready for all weather. A neat accessory for the pram is the Valco Baby Universal Protector which Babyreview.com.au has recently reviewed.

My husband has joked that when the bassinet canopy is up, and the pram canopy is the folded over the top of this, Baby’s little chariot looks like The Nautilus. So she really is so well protected in there! Mind you, the canopy of the pram does have an expand-a-hood, which not only gives additional protection and shade to Baby when seated in the main section of the pram, but provides even more airflow to little newborns kicking back in the bassinet.

The Bassinet

I have to confess that although the step-by-step assembly instructions for the rest of the buggy were really easy to follow, in my sleep deprived state I struggled with the bassinet instructions. Once sorted though, it has been a fantastic asset. Great to take to a friends’ place for dinner, and also terrific in that – if you’ve been out for a walk and Baby is settled and sleeping peacefully – rather than bring the whole buggy inside, you only need to lift out the bassinet and Baby won’t be disturbed.

There is a very simple but essential little wrap Velcro strap inside the bassinet, which provides additional security and peace of mind knowing Baby won’t move around in the bassinet while you’re on the move. The cotton lining is lovely and soft, easy to remove and wash and the cover can be removed too.

In short: I love this pram. I say that unabashedly. And that’s from the mother of a four week old who hasn’t slept for more than four hours since her little darling was born…so you know I speak honestly. I simply don’t have the time or the energy to be diplomatic or gushy about much at the moment.

The Valco website is a great resource for more information on the Valco Matrix Dart and Valco Baby Accessories.

Baby, Dad and I have just returned from Hamilton Island. I have to say it is a great destination for families with a baby. There is a range of accommodation, from Palm Bungalows to luxurious hotel rooms.

We stayed 7 nights in a Palm Bungalow. Prior to our arrival I organised a portacot and highchair for the bungalow (at no additional cost). When we arrived, the portacot and highchair were already set up in our bungalow. As the Palm Bungalows are free standing, there are no common walls which was wonderfully private. There was a hammock in the front of each bungalow, which was an ideal spot for Dad to unwind and read a book, while I played with Baby on the vast lawns in front of the bungalows.

A full buffet breakfast was included when we booked the bungalow and we had a choice of three venues. The first venue was our favourite – Sails Restaurant. The second venue was the Reefview Hotel and the third venue was ‘Breakfast with the Koalas’. Of course Baby enjoyed having breakfast with the koalas, although the koalas were very sleepy while we enjoyed our brekkie.

Most days we did go to Sails Restaurant for breakfast. Baby would be seated in a highchair next to Dad, while I selected some fruits, breads and yoghurt for her to eat. Then Dad would organise some delicious omelettes for us made by the Breakfast Chef. It was all a very smooth operation and was a great start to our day.

After breakfast there were lots of activities for us as a young family with a little one. We took baby for swims at some of the resort’s many swimming pools. Baby built (and demolished) sandcastles at Catseye Beach. There is a Kids Club on the Island and a Clownfish Club (for babies from 6 weeks). We flew kites made by staff at the Kids Club on the beach. Baby was absolutely delighted watching Dad fly a kite  – laughing and clapping!

We went for lots of walks with Baby in her pram. Our favourite walk was down to the marina which has galleries, cafes and boutiques. At the end of the marina is the recently built Hamilton Island Yacht Club and it is a fantastic vantage point to take in the views of the nearby islands. We all went on a golf buggy tour of neighbouring Dent Island and the views were spectacular too.

It was a wonderful family holiday and I would recommend Hamilton Island as a terrific destination to travel with a baby. To find out more visit the official Hamilton Island website.

Every Saturday morning, Dad carries Baby to her swimming lessons at the local pool. Last Saturday Dad decided to make the walk more comfortable by carrying Baby in the BabyBjorn Active.

Designed to carry a heavier baby for longer periods of time, the BabyBjorn Active has an innovative lumbar support and wide padded shoulder straps to better distribute Baby’s weight. That said, the BabyBjorn Active can be used for carrying a newborn with a minimum weight of 3.5kg/8lbs and can be used for carrying a larger baby up to a maximum weight of 12kg/26lbs. The carrier has been ergonomically designed to provide excellent support for Baby’s head and neck too.

Similar to the BabyBjorn Original Carrier, the BabyBjorn Active comes in two pieces, an outer shell and a harness. The main difference from the Original is a lumbar support on the Active harness, which both Dad and I found more comfortable for longer walks with Baby. (As an aside, it was easier to put on because the lumbar support made it immediately apparent which way up the harness should go).

To put on the BabyBjorn Active, slip your arms through the harness straps with the lumbar support against your back. Adjust the position of the sliding buckle at the bottom of the outer shell according to Baby’s height. Then fasten the outer shell onto the harness. There are cute cartoons on the inside lining of the shell – to guide you through all the steps for putting on the BabyBjorn Active.

While it is recommended for newborns to face inwards, when Baby is a little older the head support can be folded down allowing Baby to face forward and look around.

Baby thoroughly enjoyed herself facing forward and observing her surroundings while on her walk with Dad to the swimming pool. I’m sure Baby senses the feeling of closeness with Dad while in the BabyBjorn. Another advantage for Baby is the experience of motion and movement that she gets while in the carrier with Dad walking.

I think it is no coincidence that later the same day, when she woke from her afternoon nap, Baby took her first five consecutives steps on her own. After all, she was observing Dad’s walking technique and the benefits of movement earlier that day!

The BabyBjorn Active is available in Black/Silver, Black/Red or Black. To find out more about the BabyBjorn Active Carrier visit the BabyBjorn website.

When Baby was outgrowing her Safe-n-Sound capsule and approaching 8kg, it was time to consider the next step in car safety. After some research I found the National Road Safety Law in Australia for child restraint and booster seat require the following:

Children less than six months to be secured in an approved, properly fastened and adjusted, rear-facing child restraint, such as an infant capsule;

Children from six months to less than four years must be secured in an approved, properly fastened and adjusted, rear-facing child restraint or a forward-facing child restraint with an inbuilt harness;

Children aged from four years to less than seven years must wear an approved, properly fastened and adjusted, forward-facing child restraint with in-built harness or an approved booster seat which is properly positioned and fastened; and

From seven years of age children can travel in a car secured in either: a booster seat; a booster seat and child harness; a seat belt and child harness; or the car’s seat belt.

I have found this link on the Britax website to provide a good summary of the Road Safety Guides for Child Restraints and Boosters for each Australian State.

I found there were two main options for us for car travel with Baby weighing more than 8kg. The first option was to purchase a convertible car seat (capable of rear-facing and forward-facing) for Baby while in a weight range of 8-18kg and then buy a booster seat with in-built harness. The second option was to purchase a forward-facing convertible booster seat for Baby while in a weight range of 8-26kg.

The longevity of the second option and the comfort of Baby travelling in a seat which remains her own, made the choice easy for us – Option 2. Now, I needed to find the right Convertible Booster Seat.

A good friend of mine with twins recommended the Safe-n-Sound Maxi-Rider AHR Convertible Booster Seat. The AHR stands for ‘Active Head Restraint’ for ultimate head protection. Her twins went straight from their capsules to their Safe-n-Sound Maxi-Riders. She explained the Maxi-Rider experience, “It’s like sitting in Gold Class in the cinema, with an adjustable headrest, fitted armrests, soft padded fabric and even has two cup holders – one on each side. The babies are more comfortable than I am.”

I was convinced, safety and comfort were the overwhelming priorities for my baby and with it’s ‘Gold Class’ reputation – the Safe-n-Sound Maxi Rider AHR sounded perfect for Baby. So I visited the Baby Kingdom store in Bankstown to look at the product. Laura the Sales Assistant at Baby Kingdom pointed out all the safety and comfort features I had researched earlier. I must say the staff at Baby Kingdom have great product knowledge and are very helpful. So I left Baby Kingdom satisfied with my purchase of the Safe-n-Sound Maxi-Rider AHR.

I opened the box of the Maxi-Rider and the first step was to determine how to adjust the shoulder rest and AHR Headrest (up and down). This is easiest done by putting the the seat on the floor at home. The second step was to fit Baby in the Maxi-Rider according to her height. So I placed Baby in the seat, which was on the floor against a wall and found that as the seat comes in the smallest setting, it was a perfect fit for Baby, no further adjustment was needed for the headrest for Baby. The third step was to decide whether to keep the seat upright or recline it with the recliner foot at the back. We decided to keep the seat upright. The fourth step was to fit the Maxi-Rider in the car with the seat belt and anchorage point. I thread the seat belt easily through the back of the Maxi-Rider and anchored the seat to the anchorage point in my car. The fifth step was to place Baby in the Max-Rider and adjust the shoulder straps, pressing the button to lengthen and pulling on the strap. It was all really easy.

To make it even easier, a DVD comes with the Maxi-Rider which shows you how to fit the Maxi-Rider step by step. This was far more interactive than an instruction manual – which is there if you need it.

In addition to the ‘Active Head Restraint’ here are some of the other safety features of the Maxi-Rider; deep side wings with EPS liner for greater side impact protection, fully adjustable six point harness, tether strap anchors for better security and stability, push button harness adjustment strap and quick release harness button.

While the features make it good from a safety and comfort perspective – it looks good too! The Maxi-Rider is space efficient, I measured the depth of the Maxi-Rider as 41cm and it finishes before the edge of my car’s backseat. Creating lots of space for the driver and front passenger to move their seats back to enjoy plenty of leg room. The Maxi-Rider comes in three colours: Midnight Grey, Oxford and Pure Black – I chose Pure Black.

Visit the Britax website to find out more information on the Maxi-Rider AHR Convertible Booster Seat and to purchase the Maxi-Rider online from Baby Kingdom click on this link to the Baby Kingdom website.